Come And See

Posted on May 2, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

John 1:39-51 (KJV)  He saith unto them, Come and see.They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.  [40]  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  [41]  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  [42]  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.  [43]  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.  [44]  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  [45]  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.  [46]  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.  [47]  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!  [48]  Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.  [49]  Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.  [50]  Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.  [51]  And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

 

Salvation is a mystery of God that some will never experience. It isn’t because God doesn’t want them to be saved, for the Scripture declares:

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (KJV) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

God does not hide His salvation from any, but would love all to be saved. Yet Christ must be chosen. Jesus calls out through His Gospel:

Come and See!

The calledmust say “yes” to Him. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 22:14 (KJV)  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Jesus calls MANY but FEW come. Many will not hear the Lord because they are busy worshiping other idols. The Apostle said:

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV)  Forye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  [27]  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the worldto confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the worldto confound the things which are mighty;  [28]  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  [29]  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The Bible doesn’t say that God doesn’t call ANY who are WISE, MIGHTY, or NOBLE. Some of those people do answer the call to salvation. But there are not MANY in those categories who answer His call, for they have their gods.

Their god is their MIND,
their MIGHT,

their POSITION

or their POPULARITY,

their RELIGION

or their RITUAL.

They have a god that they employ, and Jesus need not apply for the position. Like Adam they refuseParadise by saying “yes” to self and satan and “no” to God.

But to those who will hear Jesus cries out:

Come and See!

When someone will walk with Jesus for a day chances are they will walk with Jesus for life. The only salvation available to man is through Christ. When someone says “yes” to Christ the Spirit of God comes to that person. Just as Jesus did with Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road, the feeble “yes” we utter causes God to cause the scales to fall from our eyes.

This is the story of the first five people who listen, who Came and Saw!

The First Two People Saved
Were Seeking Jesus In Church

The very first Church had no walls, no pews, no padding, nor air conditioning. It was a Church plant. A man named John the Baptistwalked away from the Temple and from the Synagogues of his day to do something radical. He established a Church in the wilderness. And this upset the religious crowd. We read:

John 1:19 (KJV)  And this is the record of John, whenthe Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

The crowds were dropping in the Temple and in the Synagogues (the Old Testament local Churches), but a man named John came preaching a simple message, the same message that the Temple Priests and the Levites should have been preaching. The message that …

Acts 13:24-25 (NKJV) …. John had first preached, before {Christ’s}coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

John preach and commanded the people to REPENT from their sins and turn to Jesus. There are many today who preach a HALF MESSAGE. They preach “Just believe on Jesus as you are”. That isn’t what the Scripture says. The Gospel preaches:

Matthew 3:2 And saying, REPENT ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17 REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:15 REPENT ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should REPENT.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish.

John preached REPENT.
When Jesus came He preached REPENT.
Jesus taught His disciples to preach REPENT.
Turn from your sin.
Realize your helplessness.
Turn to God and be healed!

There is no Church without repentance. The preachers of the Temple wondered why the Temple crowds were down and John’s crowd was up. They suspected skullduggery.

Who are YOU, John?
By what authority do you baptize in the wilderness?

The same thing happened at my son’s Church. My son and his pastor David Rogerswent out and started a Church in the wilderness preaching repentance and obedience to Christ. Now with a fellowship of over 2000 other Churches accuse them. “Who are YOU?”. “By what Authority do YOU do these things?”They asked John in He

are you ELIJAH?
are you the PROPHET Moses?

John the Baptist said “I am none of these. I am not the Christ.”Then he quoted Isaiah 40:3…

John 1:23 (KJV) …. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.

John preached REPENTANCE and the coming of Jesus the Messiah. He said “I am not worthy to tie the Messiah’s shoes”. Then one day Jesus came. John baptized Christ, and the next day Jesus came back. He came the first time to “fulfill all righteousness”, to be baptized of John. But He came the next day to win converts. We read:

John 1:34-35 (KJV) {John the Baptist said} And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35 Again the next day after John stood, and TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Jesus comes to Church when repentance is preached. Jesus comes to Church when His people gather together under His Gospel. The two disciples heard John introduce Jesus. John was filling the sermons with Himself, but like a good preacher he was heralding Christ. There is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. There He is!

John 1:37-39 (KJV) And the TWO DISCIPLES HEARD HIM SPEAK, AND THEY FOLLOWED JESUS. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What  seek ye?They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?39 He saith unto them, COME AND SEE. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

The two disciples heard John, then they followed Jesus.

They followed Jesus!

As a person follows Jesus He talks to them. Jesus asked them “What are you seeking?”Some follow Jesus looking for STUFF. Right after Jesus fed 5000 men with five barley loaves, and two small fishes (John 6:9ff)Jesus moved to Capernaum. The crowd He fed the day before followed Him to see if they could get another free meal. Jesus told them:

John 6:26-27 (NKJV) … you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Many seek Jesus for the wrong reason. He did not come to give us a full belly nor a full bank account. He came to give us life, abundant life. These disciples understood that. Jesus asked “What do you seek?”and they replied:

We want to see where You dwell, Jesus!

Where does Jesus dwell?
He dwells with His people.
He dwells with love.
He dwells in our hearts if we live by faith in Him (Ephesians 3:17).

The Third Person Saved Had To Be Called Twice

John 1:40-42 (KJV)  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  [41]  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  [42]  Andhe brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Andrew was one of the unnamed two disciples of John that followed Jesus. Being convinced that Jesus was the Messiah he went to his brother Simon Peter. Simon came with Andrew, and many believe that Simon was saved that day. I don’t myself think he was. Why? Because Simon neither confessed Jesus to be Christ, nor did he as his brother Andrew did follow the Lord. The conversation here is all one sided. The Bible says:

Jesus BEHELD him.

Many are introduced to Jesus. They take a glance at the Lord, but there is no change in their lives. Yet we never know when or how the seed will take root. The Bible says:

Mark 4:14-20 (NKJV) The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

When Simon Peter heard of the Christ through his brother he came to the Lord, but nothing seemed to happen. Jesus looked at Peter and said:

Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is by interpretation, A stone

Simon is stony ground, but the seed is sown. It is much later that Jesus comes to Peter and his brother Andrew fishing:

Matthew 4:18-20 (KJV)  AndJesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  [19]  And he saith unto them,Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  [20]  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Andrew followed Jesus the day he met Him. But Christ planted the seed. If you have told a loved one about Christ, do not give up on them. Do not cast them away. Keep telling them. Andrew did not abandon is brother, but continued to fellowship with him, to love him, to help him in his business. Then Jesus came again and said “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Immediately BOTH Peter and Andrew left their business, walking away from their nets. Peter and Andrew followed Jesus.

What is even more interesting about this is that Peter, the one who had to be called TWICE, became the leader of the Apostles. The hardest won are often the hardest workers for His Kingdom, praise His Holy Name!

The Fourth Was Easily Saved

John 1:43-44 (KJV)  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.  [44]  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Every person who is saved by faith in Christ must meet Christ. In the case of the first three souls saved they were introduced to Christ by a friend or a brother. But in our text it seems to me that Jesus Himself went out and found Philip, saying “Follow Me”.

Christ can save whosoever He wants to save. Philip lived in the same city that both Andrew and Peter lived in, but there is no indication that they introduced Jesus to Philip. Why is this significant?

I have often been asked the question “What of those who have never heard of Christ? Shall they die and go to hell?” My response – and I believe it is a good response – is that God is always in control. God will reach out to whosoever will. If a person seeks God they will find God. Now this doesn’t mean that we as Christians should not share our faith. A Christian who will not share the light of God with another is disobeying the Christ. We shine for God, and we share Christ as God gives us opportunity. Jesus told us in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnessesin Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Pastor John Stott said:

“We can no more restrict the command to witness
than we can restrict the promise of the Spirit.”

The Apostle told us:

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We share Christ. But what of the uinreached? We reach who we can, and trust God in Christ to reach the rest. I am convinced that every person ever born will receive at least one opportunity to follow Christ. Our God, Who exemplifies love, will ensure that this happens.

The Fifth Saved Had To Be Convinced

Once Philip was saved he did not hesitate – he went to find his friend Nathaniel. Many people do not tell others of Christ because they think they will be asked a HARD QUESTION. They are afraid to do so. But Philip went to Nathaniel:

John 1:45 (KJV)  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

The name “Nathaniel”means “Given of God”. You would think a man named “Given of God”would easily find God. But when Nathaniel was told about Jesus his immediate response was:

John 1:46 (KJV)  Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

Now HOW is Philip going to answer this question? HOW will you answer the hard questions when you tell people about Jesus? Do it just the way that Philip did:

John 1:46 (KJV)  Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Come with me and see Jesus. Go to Him in prayer. Seek His face. Talk it over with Him. When Nathaniel went with Philip to see Jesus the Lord spoke to him.

John 1:47-48 (KJV)  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!  [48]  Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathaniel had been seeking God in the privacy of his prayer closet, a little out of the way place “under a fig tree”.When Adam sinned he tried hiding “under a fig tree” (Genesis 3:7-8). Nathaniel wasn’t sinning under the fig tree. He was looking for God – and God found him. When Jesus said:

Before Philip found you while you were under the fig tree
I saw YOU!

Jesus hears our cries, our prayers. He sees us in our need. Nathaniel replied:

John 1:49 (KJV) … Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus, YOU are the Messiah sent from God. What does the Scripture say?

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) … that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Jesus is Lord. Jesus replies to Nathaniel:

John 1:50-51 (KJV)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.  [51]  And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Jesus is God’s Door to Heaven. We Who are His see this, know this, and live this. May God draw you deeper into your walk with Christ by faith.

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The Center Of Heaven

Posted on April 30, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

 

Revelation 4:1-5 (KJV)1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

If you want to know what Heaven is like, don’t look to Hollywood nor to popular opinion. In the last several years Hollywood has done movies – bad ones – about Heaven. I admit I’ve never seen them, but read the reviews of them and decided I didn’t want such confusion in my life.

In the 1998 Robin Williams movie What Dreams May Come Robin Williams played a man who went to Heaven but found it to be a lonely place. Why? Because though his children were in Heaven with him, his wife was not there. Someone else is not there either. Throughout the movie God is no where in Heaven. He is completely ignored.

In the movie and the best selling novel The Five People You Meet In Heaven a man dies and goes to Heaven. He meets five people who tell him that his life really mattered, that he made a difference to them. In Heaven he discovers forgiveness and acceptance completely apart from Jesus Christ or even God.

Many people have a Hollywood view of Heaven. They view Heaven as a Paradise that we all (at least the good ones) will some day reach. Heaven is about mankind, humanity. It is our evolution upwards, a natural course for a superior animal species. This is the Heaven idea that satan sells to an unwary world. The devil sold the same plot to Adam and Eve. Though they were in Paradise already the serpent told them they were diminished because Eden wasn’t about them but about God. The devil promised once you eat that which has been forbidden by God you will become gods yourselves (see Genesis 3:5). You will have Paradise without God!

This is what we read about in all these books of people who went to Heaven. In every case those who “come back” say they saw a loved one first, or someone famous first. They speak of Heaven being a peaceful, idyllic place. Yet few introduce God as more than a supporting Actor in Heaven. He is but an “extra”, a “Walk In” Who comes, introduces Himself, then leaves. He is like Oz in Dorothy’s dream, the little Man behind the curtain.

Yet this is not the Heaven that the Bible speaks of.

When the Prophet Isaiah saw into Heaven what did he see?

Isaiah 6:1-4 (KJV) … I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

God is the Author and Subject of Heaven. The Angels that fly around the Throne cover their faces in awe of God. They cry out and declare Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. Man is not in the frame as Isaiah first looks, but God. God is the center of Heaven. Pastor and Author Randy Alcorn wrote:

“Heaven without God would be like a honeymoon without the groom or a palace without a king. Teresa of Avila said “Wherever God is, there is Heaven”. The corollary: Wherever God is not, there is hell”.

It is God that makes Heaven Heaven. Without God there is no Heaven. When John sees Heaven he sees God first, and everything else second.

After This

Revelation 4:1 (KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

We start with the words “After This”. After what? Jesus has just spoken to His seven Churches, each in various states of spirituality. Jesus will not speak directly to the earthly Church after this. He will tell us as His present earthly Church what is going on, but the Church is not mentioned in Revelation chapters 4-22. Those who are Pre-Tribulationalists believe that this is because the Church will be Raptured or taken off of the earth prior to the events of the Great Tribulation. You may or may not believe this as there are various theories on Christ’s Church in end time events. As a Pre-Tribulationalist I believe the Church will be Raptured prior to the Great Tribulation. In Matthew 24:3-21 Jesus spoke of the Coming Tribulation and the end of days. As Jesus spoke He spoke to a Jewish Church, and to Jewish Apostles. He spoke of the Fig Tree, a picture of Israel His Chosen Nation. When the Apostle Paul spoke of the Coming of Christ and the future Anti-Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) he wrote of …

2 Thessalonians 2:9-14 (KJV) (the Anti-Christ) whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those on the earth during the Anti-Christ’s reign will have a strong delusion that they might believe a lie. But then the Apostle tells the earth bound Church “God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth”.

The Great Tribulation is called “The Time Of Jacob’s Trouble”:

Jeremiah 30:7-9 (KJV) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. 8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: 9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

The purpose of the Great Tribulation is to cause Israel to repent and to call upon the Name of Jesus, the Messiah they have as a nation rejected. Jesus will not leave His Church – those who love Him – on the earth during this Great Tribulation. The Bible tells us that:

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (KJV) 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.

We who are are Christ’s will be caught up to Heaven just as John was called up to Heaven. We will see the Great Tribulation played out on the earth for Israel’s salvation – being tried often brings a person or a nation to the Lord. The Apostle reaffirms Christ’s protection of His Church by saying:

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (KJV) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Dr. Thomas Constable states in his commentary on the Book of Revelation:

“There are 20 references to the church in chapters 1—3, but then none until 22:17. This strongly implies that the church is not on earth during the Tribulation. Evidently the Rapture takes place between chapters 3 and 4.”

Jesus Christ Is The One Who Opens The Door Of Heaven

Revelation 4:1 (KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

John heard a voice as it were a trumpet talking with him. When I think about a trumpet I think of something similar like a bugle, a brass instrument whose sound carries. The trumpet or bugle was used in ancient times to call troops to battle, to notify people of important events. Most significantly the trumpet voice was the sound God made when He spoke from Mount Sinai. God told Moses:

Exodus 19:13 (KJV) … when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Exodus 19:16 (KJV) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

Exodus 19:19 (KJV) And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

The trumpet voice signifies that God Himself is speaking. God tells John come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. Who is this Speaker? It is God the Son. How do we know? Because John told us. He said

“The FIRST VOICE which I heard”

What was the FIRST VOICE that John heard when he was cast out on Patmos? He is the One Who spoke to John saying:

Revelation 1:8 (KJV) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

He is the One Who told John Revelation 1:11 (KJV) … I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Jesus is the One Who has the keys to death and hell. Jesus is the Door to Heaven. Jesus said:

John 10:9 (KJV) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Jesus calls John up to Heaven. John has an open door before him because He is the ONLY DOOR by which anyone can be saved. Jesus is the One Who opens doors no man can shut, and shuts doors no man can open (Revelation 3:8). He is the One Who gives eternal life. It is by Jesus’ Word we enter Heaven. It is Jesus Who will give us our tour of Heaven.

Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter

Christ is the Mediator between us and the Father, the Mediator of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). Christ is the Mediator of the New Testament, dying for our sins so that we might have eternal life (Hebrews 9:15).

When Isaiah looked into Heaven he was frightened. He saw God and said:

Isaiah 6:5 (KJV) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

There was no joy in Isaiah looking into Heaven for to see God as He is is to know how horrible WE ARE. Our uncovered sins before the God Who is

Holy, Holy, Holy

would frighten anyone. Isaiah was torn apart by his sin unto God sent an Angel – a Seraphim – who took a burning coal of righteousness from the altar of God and laid it upon his MOUTH, saying:

Isaiah 6:7 (KJV) …. Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

This is highly symbolic of saving faith in Christ. When we come to Him as we are, receiving Him as Lord and Savior, when we …

Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)… confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Isaiah was frightened when he saw God (good man that he was) without God’s righteousness. Jesus is God’s righteousness to us. When we receive Him as Lord and Savior, confessing Him before men:

Matthew 10:32 (KJV) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

John was walking and talking with Jesus, even in the midst of the trials of Patmos. Jesus told John “Come up here, and I will show you the things that will come after”. Right after Jesus’ Word is released to John we read:

Revelation 4:2 (KJV) And immediately I was in the spirit:

He was “in the Spirit”, filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

When Ezekiel (37:1) was “in the Spirit” he had the vision of the Valley of dry bones.
When Paul was pressed “In the Spirit” (Acts 18:5) he testified to the Jews.
We who are Christians are to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:9) for the Spirit is in us.

Jesus sent His Spirit to fill John, to let him see …

God Enthroned Is The Center Of Heaven

Revelation 4:2 (KJV) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

John saw A THRONE with ONE sitting on that Throne. The word “Throne” occurs 45 times in Revelation, emphasizing that God is in control of all that is transpiring. It is the Father Who is on the Throne. God the Son is leading John through the revelations, and the Spirit is empowering John to understand. This does not diminish Christ as the Scripture tells us that He is:

1 Peter 3:22 (KJV) … gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

and that Jesus … Hebrews 10:12-13 (KJV) … after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

And that we who are His are to be … Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus is – insofar as authority is concerned – presently seated at the right hand of God in the position of ultimate authority. But Revelation depicts Christ risen from His seat. The end of days has come. John sees God the Father in all His Majesty.

Revelation 4:3 (KJV) And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

God looks like JASPER. We are told in Revelation 21:11 that JASPER is CLEAR AS CRYSTAL. Jasper was probably a designation for diamonds. SARDINE or SARDIUS is not a reference to a little fish, but was a fiery red gem found in Sardis. From God came glittering bright brilliant white and fiery red colors, symbolizing the beauty, purity, and holiness of God. There is a rainbow round about the throne. Why a rainbow? Because the rainbow reminds us of the JUDGMENT of God. The Bible tells us that in earth’s history that because of sin…

Genesis 6:6-7 (KJV) … it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

God saved eight souls by an Ark, but all others in humanity died. Following the Judgment of the Flood God “set a rainbow in the clouds” (Genesis 9:8-17) as a promise that He would no longer destroy the earth by flood of water. The rainbow was both a COVENANT as well as a PROMISE of GRACE. John sees the rainbow around the Throne of God now for we begin the Judgment of God on a fallen creation. Though God will not flood the earth with water He will allow His Judgment to pour out on those on the earth. This particular rainbow is emerald or various shades of green. In green there is life. Though God will judge sin on the earth, there will be no absolute destruction of all living things. Warren Wiersbe wrote:

““Usually, a rainbow appears after the storm; but here, we see it before the storm.””

Revelation 4:4 (KJV) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Around the Throne (θρόνος thronos) of God there were 24 thrones (θρόνος thronos). The King James says “seats” but it is the exact same Greek word – thrones. No one knows exactly who these 24 elders are for John does not tell us. Some believe that these elders are symbolic of the Christian Church. The Apostle said:

2 Timothy 2:11-12 (KJV) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

so it is possible that this is representative of the Church. The “elders” are called “elders” and not “children”. They are not angels for the word “elders” is used elsewhere in Scripture for humans only, not for angels. These elders are under the authority of God. They are dressed in white raiment, which was previously used in Chapter 3 to describe the saved in Christ:

Revelation 3:5 (KJV) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:18 (KJV) I counsel thee to buy of me (Jesus) gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Revelation 4:5 (KJV) And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

There is lightnings and thunders and voices coming out of the throne of God, much like the Judgment that God portrayed when He sent the Law to Israel from Mount Sinai. The Grace of God in Christ has been rejected by the world. Man has sought to approach God by his own means rather than approaching through Christ. So Judgment is coming. There are beasts or strange Angels around the throne of God. These odd angels are described:

Revelation 4:7-9 (KJV) And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

What are these odd beings doing?
They are worshiping God!
They are giving GLORY and HONOR and THANKS to Him that sits enthroned.
To Him Who lives forever and ever!

John was not frightened by these “beasts” or Angels.
They are praising the God Whom he loves!

And what of the elders?
Shall we debate WHO they ARE?
No, let us read what THEY are doing:

Revelation 4:10-11 (KJV) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying ….

The “elders” got off their thrones and fell down before Him that sat on the Throne. They worshiped the Lord our God. They took off their crowns and humbled themselves before Almighty God, throwing their crowns before Him. There was no pride here, no arrogance. They cried out:

(11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We cannot live sinless lives, but we can worship the Lord our God.
We cannot be perfect, but we can get off of our thrones and worship Him Who is.
We can take off our crowns, and cast them down.
And worship Him Who is the Center of Heaven.
Both ELDER and BEAST worship the Lord.
Shall we do any less?
Shall we do any less?

May God the Holy Spirit touch your hearts with His Word.

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God Is My Portion

Posted on April 29, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

 

Isaiah 60:1-5 (KJV) Arise, shine; for thy  light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

I remember a story I read about Art Linkletter. Art was a professing Christian. One day he was confronted with a great crisis. Two young on fire Christians met with Art that day, and in a hotel lobby in San Francisco asked him to kneel with them in prayer. Art said:

“I really felt funny about getting down on my knees in a public place like that. But I had such a need of God. I realized, all this time I had not been a true Christian. I was a cardboard Christian. I threw all of that away, humbled myself before God, got on my knees, broke through to God, and met reality.”

I like that phrase “Cardboard Christian”.

I was at a local department store the other day when I saw someone staring at me. I tried ignoring it, but they just kept staring. Finally I decided to walk over and ask that person what they were staring at – in a nice way, of course. As I got closer I realized no one was staring at me – it was a cardboard cutout of a person. It looked so lifelike I thought it had life. But it didn’t. It was just a cardboard person. A fake. A pretend. There was no life in it. It was manufactured by the world, not by God. The Cardboard Christian is a man made relic, but the true believer is made of God, born again, forgiven, and adopted into the Family of God! Praise the Lord!

God Is Your Portion Dear Christian

Isaiah 60:1 (KJV) Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

God made us to walk with Him, to love Him, to be enchanted by His Presence.
We will only find our happiness in Him.
Not in our health, nor in our wealth, but in Him.

When Israel entered the Promised Land God gave each of eleven tribes lands to be their own. They could farm the land, sell the land, enjoy the land. But one tribe – the Tribe of Levi – received no lands. Why? Was it because God hated Levi or loved Levi less than the other tribes? No. It was because God loved them MORE. God separated Levi to be PRIESTS unto Him. The Bible says:

Deuteronomy 10:8-9 (KJV) At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. 9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

The LORD was Levi’s portion. The PRIEST has God as his or her possession. You say “But Preacher, what does that have to do with me? I am not a Priest”. You are wrong. God says of His Christians – those who have RECEIVED Christ as Lord and Savior
are indeed PRIESTS.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV) But ye (that’s YOU) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Every Christian is a PRIEST before God. There was a time when you had no status before God, but are now a PRIEST. God’s glory has shined upon you. You have one Pastor Teacher, but you all are PRIESTS. God is your portion. I often wondered why Jesus declared:

Matthew 11:5 (KJV) The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (see also Luke 4:18; 7:22)

The POOR – those who are not rich in the things of this world – have the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel preached to them. Certainly Jesus meant the Gospel to be preached to all. If you don’t believe this, read His Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). But often RICHES causes us to be blinded to the TRUE RICHES of this life. The greatest gift God can give you is HIMSELF. When you begin to understand that stuff will not bring happiness nor lasting joy, but to know the Lord Who loves you and created you is what does. To say with Jeremiah:

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my Portion, saith my soul,
therefore will I hope in Him.

and to say this with confidence is the greatest thing. To declare with the little Shepherd King David:

Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the Portion of mine Inheritance and of my Cup:
Thou maintainest my lot.

or to say with Nehemiah when Israel wept over their sins:

Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV) …. Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

God gave us life. In fact, God has double blessed us who are Christians, for we have been given DOUBLE life. We were given life and light without charge, and eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been born TWICE – once of the flesh and once of the Spirit. We are his for all eternity, no matter what may come our way. Are we tried? The believer Eliphaz said:

Job 5:6-8 (KJV) Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; 7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Yes, life at times is hard. But I will not be distressed nor discouraged, for God is my Portion and His Promises my Covenant. God loves me and has never left me yet. No matter how dark the cave of trouble has been God has been with me.

If God Is Your Portion Then RISE And SHINE

Isaiah 60:1 (KJV) Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

If you are not a Cardboard Christian or a Drive Through Christian (one who uses God as a drive through … you know what I mean) then your Light has come. You were once as the rest of the world. There was a time when you walked in darkness and wickedness. But then you saw God’s Light. Christ is God’s Light. Jesus said:

John 8:12 (KJV) …. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus is the True Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He is the very Light of God. The devil and his religion(s) of atheism and false faith will tell you there is no hope. This is not the case of Christ. Jesus said:

John 9:5 (KJV) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus is the Light of the world. We as His people are to not be discouraged, but to RISE and SHINE. God loved you so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son to die in your place. Jesus shed His Blood for you. God did not invest such a great thing into your life if He was going to abandon you. All things –

ALL THINGS work TOGETHER for GOOD to those
WHO LOVE thE LORD (Romans 8:28).

You say “But what of my suffering?” What of it? God appointed you to this day – RISE and SHINE for Him. Do not take trials as a defeat but as an opportunity to show how much you love your LORD. Do not be cardboard. Be real.

There was a time when you and God were not partnered together. I remember that time in my life. I was weak. I was helpless. I was discouraged. I was the devil’s plaything. The Bible declares:

Ephesians 2:11-15 (KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

There was a time when you were strangers to God. To you, God was but a concept, a shadow figure that you might occasionally pray to. We were strangers to the Covenants of Promise, having no hope, and without Christ in the world.

BUT NOW you are in Christ Jesus.
BUT NOW you are brought near to God by Christ’s Blood.
BUT NOW you are at peace with the Creator.
BUT NOW God sees you as His Child, a Child of Purpose.

The scientist looks at the Moon and sees a useless hunk of rock. But the Moon has a purpose. Though it has no light of its own, it reflects the light of the Sun while the earth lies in darkness. The Moon also effects the tides, pulling on the earth. You Who are Christ’s are the Light reflectors. God made you to shine for Him. Your presence effects those around you as long as you know God is your Portion. Let God be your Portion.

Isaiah 60:2 (KJV) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

God knows that the earth is in darkness. It is in darkness because, as the Scripture says:

John 3:18-21 (KJV) He that believeth on {Christ} is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Gross darkness covers our land. With what shall we combat it? Shall we vote? Yes, we should vote, but voting will not fix the problem. Shall we enact godly laws? Yes, we should. But you cannot legislate morality. What is the hope of the world? It is that …

The LORD shall rise upon thee
And His glory shall be seen upon Thee!

We are to focus on God being our portion.
We are to be God’s Moon.
We are to shine in deeds and in speech.
We are to brighten the darkness with His light!

Are you sick?
How is your sickness different than that of the lost?
If God does not rise upon thee while you are sick,
then why would any want to be saved?

Are you heartbroken?
How is your heart break different than that of the lost?
If God does not rise upon thee while you are heart broken,
then why would any want to be saved?

Are you poor?
How is your poverty different than that of the lost?
If God does not rise upon thee while you are poor,
then why would any want to be saved?

Are you sad?
How is your sadness different than that of the lost?
If God does not rise upon thee while you are sad,
then why would any want to be saved?

Jesus preached on the Mount: Matthew 5:3-12 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

We are to REJOICE even in suffering because our Light – Jesus Christ – has promised that OUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN. There is a better day a coming. Fanny J Crosby the blind Gospel Writer wrote:

When my life’s work is ended and I cross the swelling tide
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side
His smile will be the first to welcome me!

I shall know Him, I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye
How my heart will praise Him for His mercy and His grace
That prepared for me a mansion in the sky!

We who are His are headed toward a brighter day. We are promised a mansion in glory by Jesus. We are told:

Isaiah 60:19-20 (KJV)19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Brighter days are coming, dear believer. Let God be your portion. Shine as He shines on you.

In Our Shining Others Will Draw Near

Isaiah 60:3-4 (KJV) 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

When His glory is seen upon thee the Lord promises that Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. They shall gather together and come to thee. The Christian shining will be persecuted, but the Christian shining will also draw others to themselves. The world needs light. The world needs Jesus. The world needs to see Jesus in you. The world today is as hungry person dreaming:

Isaiah 29:8 (KJV) It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: ..

The world seeks solutions in things that cannot satisfy. They have gained the whole world, but lost their own soul (Matthew 16:26). They have everything but enjoy nothing. We were made to find our enjoyment in God. God says:

Isaiah 43:7 (KJV) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

We were made to glorify God.
God made us for HIS GLORY.
When we laugh, we GLORIFY Him.
When we mourn, we GLORIFY Him.
We were made to walk with God.
Rain or shine, happy or sad, we were made to love and adore Him.

 I remember a story that Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom once told. Corrie helped hide many Jews during the Nazi terror and was imprisoned alongside of them when caught. Corrie and her sister Betsy were sent to Herzogenbusch concentration camp (also known as Kamp Vught), and finally to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, a women’s labor camp in Germany. One day Corrie was complaining about the horrible flea infestation that was in their barracks. Betsy told Corrie “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still”. Betsy told her sister to praise God for the fleas, and together they did so. It was later that both women found out that the only reason they were not raped as other women in the prison were is because their barracks were infested with fleas. The fleas kept the guards at bay, and allowed the women to pray and study their Bibles, giving glory to God even in the midst of this suffering. Betsy died in prison at the age of 59. Fifteen days after Betsy went to be with the Lord Corrie was released from Ravensbrück. Afterwards she was told that her release was due to a clerical error and that a week later, all the women in her age group were sent to the gas chambers.

God is my Portion.

Psalms 4:6-8 (KJV) There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Isaiah 60:5 (KJV) Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

Oh, if we would let God get hold of us, how revival would come. Revival comes when Christ comes. The evidence of revival is:

“Thou shalt see” – the blind see the Lord
“And flow together” – There is unity in God’s Church
“Thine heart shall fear” – God is given preeminence
“And be enlarged” – hearts are softened and expanded to love others

Revival comes when God is our Portion. Salvation comes when God’s presence is that which is most desired. Oh that God would world among His Church, drawing us to Him, and drawing others to commit to walk with the Lord. If you do not know Christ as your Lord and Savior I beg you, come to Him this very day. And if you do know Him, realize that Christ is your portion.

May God be glorified in the preaching of His Word.

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The Things My Dad Never Said….

Posted on April 27, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

Great article. Really spoke to my heart

Whitneyibeblog's avatarWhitney Ibe Blog!...Always With You

While growing up my mom and I never got along
We quarreled more than we prayed
We fought, though not with our fists, but never settled even in the heat
She couldn’t see through me but I could see through her
I never understood though I constantly stood there

I loved my father more than my mother
My mother beats the living day light out of me
My father consoles more or so I thought, until now…

My dad never said “Don’t hit a woman. Never leave your dirty dish on the kitchen sink for your sister. Never put your feet on the table while speaking your elders. My dad never said be kind, be compassionate, be fair in all your dealings, be just! He never said anything about telling the truth no matter what! He never said to always leave your jeans on your hip, it’s more comfortable there…

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Which Were Born

Posted on April 26, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

(John 1:6-13 KJV) “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.{7} The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. {8} He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. {9} That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. {10} He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. {11} He came unto his own, and his own received him not.{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: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Do I understand that the Scripture teaches that salvation – my salvation – if I am saved – is wholly from God my Savior? How does my understanding of my salvation affect my Christian walk?

People have a tendency to make salvation– that state where God Himself bring the believer in Jesus to – to make salvation a man made work. It is not a man made work. It is a supernatural work from beginning to end. It is all of God.

Man is incapable of saving himself. In fact, the default position that all people are born in is antagonism toward God and His people. Jesus told us this.

John 15:17-20 (KJV)  These things I command you, that ye love one another.  [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.

We who are saved are born of the extreme love of God. What does the Scripture say?

1 John 4:19 (KJV)  We love him, because he first loved us.

We were not born loving Jesus. Our first birth brought us from the embrace of our mother’s womb to the embrace of darkness.

1 John 5:19 (KJV)  And we know that we are of God,
andthe whole world lieth in wickedness.

The world – any person not in Christ – hates us. It may tolerate Christianity like Rome did in the first century – but only as long as we go along with the world’s agenda.

The first century Church suffered great persecution. In Rome is was perfectly acceptable to worship any god you chose,as long as you worshiped Caesar once every year. Once you worshiped Caesar by burning incense to him and saying out loud, “Caesar is Lord”, you were given a document that showed you fulfilled this requirement. The early Christians would not do this, so they were subjected to terrible persecution for worshiping their God illegally.Nothing has changed. The world does not care for the Christ nor His people. The world will tolerate us as long as we give the head nod to dark things:

Promiscuity
Homosexuality
Abortion
Idolatry

If we celebrate these things and blend our faith with worldliness we will get along with the darkness. Many believers and churches are doing this today in hopes of attracting larger crowds. Listen Beloved:

“Mixing Christianity with the world is like mixing ice cream with cow manure. You won’t hurt the cow manure, but you’ll sure ruin the ice cream.”

In John’s Gospel we start out with the story of God (Who is LIGHT) reaching out into a dark and godless world. How do we reach this world? We – like John the Baptist – simply do as God asks and trust HIM for the results.

Man Is Totally Lost – But God Is Totally Able

John 1:6-7 (KJV) “There was a man SENT1from God, whose name was John. {7} The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Himmight believe.

The first five words in this text establish a key truthin the Book of John.

You see, John the Baptist was a man sent from God. “Sent”is a Greek word that means “to be sent as a messenger, as an Apostle, as one who brings a message from a King or from God”. In fact, this verse could be translated:

John was sent by God and continued to be sent as His Apostle, God’s Messenger

Though Jesus our Lord chose twelve Apostlesto represent Him at the beginning of His earthly ministry, John the Baptist was born an Apostle.

God chose John the Baptist from eternity to go before Jesus and preaching the coming Lamb of God– and the interesting truth about John’s choosing was that he was set apart while he was yet in his mother. The Bible says that before John was ever conceivedGod commissioned him to this holy office. We read:

Luke 1:15-17 (NKJV)(John the Baptist)will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John was set aside by God, chosen by God, and saved by Godto do His work before he was ever conceived! This meant that John was SAVED from his mother’s womb. He did not earn his salvation, nor his purpose in God. God purposed for John, and God purposed for YOU! You have a calling of God that you must fulfill. What is very interesting about John is what he said about Jesus.

When John was going about his business doing as God called him to do – preaching about the Coming Messiah –one day Jesus came to be baptized of John. When John saw Jesus he said:

Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world
My COUSIN Jesus!

Now that’s not what John said – not fully. Here’s what John actually said:

(John 1:29-31 KJV) “… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.{30} This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. {31} And I knew2him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel,therefore am I come baptizing with water.”

Though Jesus Christ was John the Baptist’s COUSIN John did not really know that Jesus was the Messiah until the day John baptized Him. John was sent to baptize, and in obeying he saw and perceived Jesus as Messiah. Later in his ministry John would be imprisoned for his preaching against Herod the King. While in prison John would send two messengers to Jesus, asking:

Luke 7:19 (KJV) Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Some people have mistakenly thought that John had begun doubting Jesus while in Herod’s jail. This is not the truth. You see, in the Old Testament the Messiah was presented both as a

suffering Savior (Isaiah 53; Zechariah 9:9-10)
as well as a
conquering King (Ezekiel 37:24-25; Zechariah 14:2-4)

John and many others in Israel wanted the conquering King to come first. When Jesus came loving and forgiving John wondered if He was just the suffering Savior. But Jesus told John’s messengers:

Luke 7:22-23 (KJV) … Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.  [23]  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

God is in control – ALWAYS! God set apart and saved John from birth to be His messenger.

(John 1:8-9 KJV) “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. {7} The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. {8} He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. {9} That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John the Baptist was not the Light of God– Jesus alone occupies that position – but he was sent to bear witness of that Light. The enigma that is John and the salvation of sinners through Jesus are tied together in this text. God is Sovereign – and His Sovereign power exists particularlyin the area of the salvation of sinners.

In our day and age we make salvationa matter almost entirely a work of man.

The Purpose Driven Church written by Rick Warren talks about setting up services in ways that will enticeunbelievers into the Church. I am sure his heart is right, for God has used Rick Warren in many ways. Yet GOD is in control. Many of my preacher brethren believe and teach that – unless we change the way we do business – then we will never reach the unsaved. But I disagree with this! There is nothing wrong with doing things adifferent way– nothing wrong with using technology such as Power Point and different forms of music. But Beloved, the Power in salvation is not whether or not I convince you to come forward– the power is in God Almighty!

The Bible says of humanity that we are all under sin, actually in slavery to sinprior to the point of our salvation:

(Romans 3:9-12 KJV) “… we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; {10} As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

The Bible is very clearthat man is unablebecause of sin to seek God on his own. Man has no will to find God, nor does he ever even lookfor God. Look at the above text. The Bible clearly says and repeats the word none.

NONE righteous

NONE who understands

NONE seeks God

NONE in the way of God

NONE profitable

NONE good

The old time preachers described the spiritual state of man in sin as atotally depraved state, or the total depravity of man.

All people are (Ephesians 2:1 KJV) “… dead in trespasses and sins3“

Godmust open the heartof the unbeliever before that unbeliever will accept Christ. The Bible says:

(John 1:10-11 KJV) “He [Jesus]was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the WORLD KNEW HIM NOT. {11} He came unto his own, and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT.”

You may believe in your heart that people are inherently good, and that, at their core, all people will automatically do the decent thing. That’s not true for the unsaved, for the person lost in spiritual death. The world acts the way the world acts, because the world marches to the tune of that fallen angel Lucifer. The world4is dead, and knew not nor knows not Christ. To the world Jesus is nothing, and self is everything. Man is totally, desperately, absolutely lost – unable to do the good, and unable to seek God.

The Hope Of Man Is The Power Of God

(John 1:12-13 KJV) “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: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

If man is in a totally lost state – then what hope do we have?
The Bible tells us that the answer is in the Sovereign and Absolute Power of God.

We read in verse 12 “as many as received Him”. This is the whosoever willof Scripture, a whosoever willthat is often misunderstood. If man is unableby nature of his fallen estate – unable becausehe is spiritually dead and separated from God – then God Himselfmust open the heart of manto the Gospel.

This is why we PRAY.
This is why we meet on WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.
God must be in our efforts.
If God does not do it, it will not be done.

The Bible teaches us both truths. It teaches us that “as many as received Him”– the whosoever willof the Word. But the Scripture also teaches us that “to then gave He [God]power to become to sons of God”. We are unableto be saved apart from the power of God. We are unableto even desire God, to seek God, apart from God’s calling. We are unableto become sons of God unless He empowers. But when He opens the doorand calls to your heart, you’d better receive Him as Savior!

Our Lord Jesus told us:

John 6:37 (NKJV) ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVES ME WILL COME TO ME, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 6:44 (NKJV) No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me DRAWS HIM; and I will raise him up at the last day.

God must open theheartand make it pliable to the Gospel. He must give understanding. He must come into the inner man and drawhim. Unless God opens the eyes to the Gospel message, none will never come to Christ.

In short, Beloved, it is very dangerousto believe that you can accept Christ as Savior anytime you want. The Bible is very clear that God must be in the process, or you are absolutely unable to come into the Kingdom. So many have said, “I’ll not accept Christ today – another day will do”. Yet God is clear that He must – by reason of the fallen nature of man– be in the process of calling to salvation. If He is not, you will never come to Him.

(John 1:13 KJV) “Which were born, NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD.”

Those who are in the state that Jesus Christ called born again5– saved by faith in Christ – are in that state because God opened their hearts to the Gospel messageand they accepted that call. It is God’s will that you be saved, and God Who opens the door. But once the door is open, you must step through! It is a dangerous thing to hear the call of God, then reject that call.

Salvation begins with the calling of God. The person whose heart is opened to the message of salvation because God willed to do sothen must step forward and accept what has been offered.

There must be an enablingon God’s part,
and a receiving on man’s part.
Man does absolutely nothing of meritin the process of salvation.

When the believer’s eyes are opened to his lost estate, he steps forward toward the Light that is Christ. He steps out of that darkened room of spiritual death and toward the Bright Light of Jesus.

At that moment you become born again, as the Bible says:

1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, BY THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever.

You become born into the Family of God through the incorruptible power of God. The Word of God – Jesus Christ – Who lives and abides forever brings you to that state of Eternal Life. We who are saved are born again, born into an Eternal Family. This New Birth comes:

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God calls, and calls, and calls to salvation. Very few Sundays pass when the pastor does not see someone in the audience resist the Gospel, refusing to step forward for Christ. How dangerous that is! Unless the Lord opens the heart, none are able to be saved. Unless the Lord lightens the path, none step forward to meet Him in glory.

The hope of salvation is – from beginning to end – fully in Christ. The hope of salvation is fully a product of God. Not of your own goodness, not of your own ability, but of the very power of God.

The Saved Have The Power They Need

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, then to you

(John 1:12-13 KJV) “… gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

You who believe aresons of God, even now.

You have been give His Spirit, the Holy Spirit to follow.

Romans 8:14 (KJV) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

You have been adopted into the Family of God. One day you shall be in glory with Jesus and like Jesus.

1 John 3:1-3 (KJV)  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  [2]  Beloved, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  [3]  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

If you are saved, you are called to love Him. You need to understand that you will not be able to reach these loved ones on your own. You must pray, and ask the Father to open the doorway of their hearts. He alone has the power to make new life, to draw the sinner, and to raise up the fallen. May God touch your hearts with these words.

1APOSTELLO {pronounced ap-os-tel’-lo}, Perfect Passive Participle – John was sentwith the result that he continued being sentfrom God. His apostleship was aseternal as the God Who sent him.

2eido {pronounced i’-do}, Pluperfect Active Indicative– The pluperfect tense in Greek occurs rarely. It corresponds in a single Greek word to the sense of the English pluperfect, which indicates an event viewed as having been once and for all accomplished in past time. With the negativein this sentence, John is saying “I didn’t really perceive nor understand that[my cousin] Jesus was the Messiah”.

3also Colossians 2:13

4When I use the word “world” I amm referring to those who are lost, who have never been born againby faith in Jesus Christ

5John 3:3-7 (KJV) “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. {4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? {5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. {6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

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Why The Name?

Posted on April 23, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

Great truths. Wonderful sister in Christ!

IAmPoetByDesign's avatarPoetByDesign

People often ask me; why do you go by the name, PoetByDesign?  Well, let’s go back …  

When I was one year old, my Mother passed away and although I was too young to actually remember her; her absence from my life was deeply felt. 

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Locking Out The Lord In Laodicea

Posted on April 22, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

An embarrassed member told the Pastor at the end of the service, “I hope you didn’t take it personally when my husband got up and walked out of Church today.” The Pastor said “I didn’t take it personally, but it was a little distracting.”She said“It wasn’t out of disrespect to you. Fred has been walking in his sleep since he was a child.”

I hope everyone here today is wide awake and listening to the Lord. I remember several years ago I preached from the text:

Ephesians 5:14-17 (KJV)  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  [15]  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  [16]  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  [17]  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

As I preached the text I shouted “wake up”. One of those listening thought I was talking about his mother who, on medication, often drifted off to sleep during the services. I had no idea she did, but her son thought I was picking on his momma (for he was a momma’s boy) and he read me the riot act later. He carried a grudge against me until he and his “superior” family left the Church to go haunt another Pastor. But I digress.

I pray you are all attentive to this message. I pray you are not asleep, or if you sleep, that you not sleepwalk. Jesus said:

“Behold, LOOK. LISTEN. Pay attention to Me.
I stand at the door and knock: I am locked out of the Church. Let Me in!
if any man hear my voice,I need someone – anyone – to hear My cries
and open the door,Yes, open the door
I will come in to him and sup with him,we will fellowship TOGETHER
and he with Me.”

Jesus is LOCKED OUT. Who locked Him out? Was it the honky tonk or bar down the street? Was it a crack house, or a show girl den? Was it a liquor store? It was none of these places. The words that you read today are Christ’s Word TO HIS CHURCH. His Church has locked Him out.

This Church is Laodicea.

Laodiceastands in stark contrast to Philadelphia, a Church we learned of last Sunday. Jesus had nothing but praise for Philadelphia, a Church that loved Him and one another. But you can find no praise for Laodicea in our text. Philadelphia had little strength but a BIG GOD. But Laodicea has great strength but only a little god.

How Does A Church Become Laodicean? It Forgets Who Jesus Is

Revelation 3:14 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

When Jesus spoke to Philadelphia He revealed three things about Himself:

Revelation 3:7 (KJV)  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saithhe that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, …

Jesus is HOLY, sinless, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus is TRUE, and His Word is TRUTH.
Jesus has the KEY OF DAVID. He is the Covenant of God to us.

Now Jesus reveals three things about Himself to the Laodicean Church.

aJesus Said He Is The AMENOf God.

“These things saith THE AMEN”

The word AMEN is the same in the Hebrew, the Greek, and the English. It means “This is Truth, So Be It”.It is a VERBAL AFFIRMATION of what is true. When Jesus walked this earth teaching the truths of God that …

Matthew 7:28-29 …. the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus did not waffle. He said “This is what God has said”. When He spoke He did not do so with hesitation, but stood up against the wrongs of His day with the rights of God. This irritated the Pharisees, who asked:

Matthew 21:23 … By WHAT AUTHORITY DOEST thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

If Jesus was a Rabbi, a Master Teacher, then WHO was His Master? Who stood above Him showing Him this way? Jesus had no one showing Him the way, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto God the Father but by HIM.He is the Amen of God. What He says is true. His Word has proved itself over and over.

When people brought the demon possessed to Jesus He said

“Hold thy peace and come out of him!”

and the demon left. The Pharisees, puzzled, asked:

Mark 1:27 …. What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Why is that? Christ is the Amen of God. When He taught, He taught the truths of God because He IS God! When Jesus spoke truths He often said (in our King James texts):

Verily, Verily, I say unto you!

I love the King James, but that word is not VERILY. It is literally AMEN. Jesus said AMEN, AMEN, I say unto you.

To Nicodemus, a man who thought he was right with God because he studied God in the Seminary and had advanced degrees, our Lord said:

John 3:3-7 …. AMEN, AMEN, I SAY UNTO THEE, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, AMEN, AMEN, I SAY UNTO THEE, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When the Pharisees sought to hurt Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath dayour Lord said:

John 5:19 AMEN, AMEN, I SAY UNTO YOU, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

When greedy followers sought food rather than Him as the Manna of Godour Lord told them:

John 6:26-27 AMEN, AMEN, I SAY UNTO YOU, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

When the Pharisees – mostly pretend believers in God – justified their sinfulness by declaring they were born in the Church(“we are ABRAHAM’s seed”) our Lord Jesus told them:

John 8:34-37 AMEN, AMEN, I SAY UNTO YOU, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Jesus is the AMEN of God. What He says is always true. Laodicea compromised His Word – what He clearly said – and in so doing locked Jesus out of the Church. People are always saying to me “if I don’t compromisewith my unbelieving friend, or my friend that believes in others gods, then I will offendthem”.

Who would you rather offend: your friend or the Friend you have in Jesus?

bJesus Said He Is “The Faithful And True Witness”.Jesus Christ is the REVEALER OF GOD’S TRUTH. Phillip asked Jesus one day “show us the Father and we will be satisfied”. Jesus told His disciples:

John 14:9-11 …. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY MEDIATOR between God and Man. The Bible declares this without one blush. The Scripture says:

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Jesus alone was sent to be the Mediator – the Go To between God and man. Jesus alone paid the penalty for sin, and therefore earned the right to be that Mediator. We are told in Hebrews that Jesus Christ …

Hebrews 8:6 … is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 9:15 ….. is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 12:24-25 …. the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Do other religions know there is a God? I am sure they do, but they are not the Mediator to God. There is but one Way to God, and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

cJesus Said He Is THE Beginning Of THE Creation Of God. Jesus Christ is not only Creator God, He is the Creator of a New Race of People, the Family of God. We who have believed in Him are declaredadopted Children of God.

God gave His Only Begotten Son so that He could make more Sons. God made us in His image in the Garden, but we marred that image by sin. When the devil came to Eve and said “God wants to keep you from being like Him”both Adam and Eve should have replied, “We are already in the image of God”. God made us to be like Him, and we unmade ourselves by sin. Yet when we come to Him Who is the Amen of God, when we believe on Him Who is Faithful and True, then God:

Colossians 1:13-14 … delivers us from the power of darkness, and hath translates us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins …

Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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.

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

What a glorious thing it is to be the adopted sons of God!

The Laodiceans locked Jesus out by fabricating a Jesus and teaching other people this fabrication. They took the Lion of Judah and turned Him into a stuffed lion fit only for children to play with. Many Churches in our world today are Laodicean because they do not receive the Christ of Scripture, but have built their own Jesus like you build a Mr Potato Head doll.Jesus – the Biblical Jesus – is Who we must follow!

Jesus Can Impact A Hot Or Cold Church – But Lukewarmness NO

Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  [16]  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Jesus knew the works of Laodicea, just as He knows the works of every Church. But it was just going through the motions. It was neither hot nor cold.

One of the Pastors I love to follow is a man by the name of Francis Chan. He wrote a bestselling book called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. In his book Francis defined lukewarm Christians. Listen to this:

“Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church … as long as their giving doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it’s easy and safe to give, they do so.

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.

Lukewarm people are moved by stories of people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones.

Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their hearts, soul and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; it’s only for the pastors and missionaries and radicals.

Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached.

Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come.”

Jesus doesn’t call us to be lukewarm, but on fire for Him. John the Baptist said of Christ:

Luke 3:16 (KJV)  John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Where Jesus is, there is passion and love. There is fire and light. The Laodiceans found substitutes for their passion for Jesus in the things of the world:

Revelation 3:17 (KJV)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

They thought all was well because they had a full bank account and were not hungry nor in need. This is a perfect picture of many Churches in America today. “We are increased with goods, and have need of nothing”. Jesus told His Church:

Revelation 3:18 (KJV)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

There is a better gold than that yellow stuff the everyone chases after. That gold is the life well lived in Christ. When you approach the end of your days you will not be blessed by the amount of money you have in your bank account. The richest billionaire facing eternity would give all he has to have one more day of life.

We have eternal life in Christ.
Seek Him. Love Him.
He will clothe you for Heaven.
He will cover the nakedness of your sin.
He will walk with you, and never leave you.
He will open your eyes to see …

Jesus loved the Laodiceans though they did not love Him. He told them:

Revelation 3:19 (KJV)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Jesus loved Laodicea, just as He loves every Church.
What makes a Church rich is that it is rich in Christ.

A little boy walked down the beach and saw a woman sitting under a beach umbrella. He walked up to her and asked:

“Are you a Christian?”

She said “Why, yes I am”. The little boy asked:

“Do you read your Bible every day?”

She said “Why yes I do honey. Every single day.”The little boy asked:

“Do you talk to Jesus often?”

She smiled and said “Oh yes. I love Jesus, and He loves me. We talk every day.”The little boy then asked:

“Do you mind holding on to my quarter while I go swimming?”

What a blessing it is to be in Christ Jesus, in love with Him. You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill.

Revelation 3:20-21 (KJV)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  [21]  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

We will rule and reign with Him in glory. Let Him rule and reign in US right now! May God touch your hearts with His Word.

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Snake Eggs and Spider Webs

Posted on April 22, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

Isaiah 57:20-21 (KJV)  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.  [21]  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isaiah 59:1-5 (KJV)  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:  [2]  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.  [3]  For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.  [4]  None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.  [5]  They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

Back in 1998 the late Dr Adrian Rogers– then Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church – preached a sermon called Snake Eggs, Spider Webs, and Traffic Jams. In that sermon Dr Rogers spoke of how sin was ruining America and the American Family. That was about 20 years ago. His sermon was very prophetic. Now I don’t intend to preach Dr Rogers sermon. I am not Dr Adrian Rogers. God made me to be David Buffaloe. A fellow I know – a member of Allensville Baptist Church – visited our Church last Wednesday. He told me as he left our service “If you keep trying you’ll one day be as good at preaching as our Pastor David Ward is”. I thought to myself “What a wonderful thing to have someone brag on their Pastor. I know David is blessed to have someone to help him in ministry.” But then I also thought “I don’t want to be like Brother David Ward, as good a man as he is. ”Dear friend, I want to be used of Jesus. I want you to forget me – for I am nothing – but focus on our Lord.

Our America is in a desperate situation. Children are killing children in our public schools. What is the solution that our leaders suggest? Let the child defy authority and walk out of class. Let them skip school while leadership justifies it so that we can enact more government legislation that fixes nothing. Oh Beloved, do you not know that the sign of lunacy is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result?What does the Lord say?

Isaiah 57:20-21 (KJV)  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.  [21]  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

The wicked – those who promote and do that which is SIN – are like a troubled sea. The waters cannot rest until it turns from itself and toward Christ. The wicked must stop their wickedness – not in their own power – but turn to Him Who controls the waters. Hear His Voice Who says:

Mark 4:39 (KJV) ….Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

We must turn from sin and turn back to God. Oh how God cries out to the sinner, saying:

Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)  For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

God is able to save anyone who will come to Him. In 1962 the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Engel v. Vitale removed voluntary prayer from public schools. The prayer in question was:

Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and
we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen.

Based on this ruling (from Wikipedia)“In Wallace v. Jaffree (1985), the Supreme Court ruled Alabama’s law permitting one minute for prayer or meditation was unconstitutional. In Lee v. Weisman (1992), the court prohibited clergy-led prayer at middle school graduation ceremonies. Lee v. Weisman, in turn, was a basis for Santa Fe ISD v. Doe (2000), in which the Court extended the ban to school-organized student-led prayer at high school football games.”

Young people were no longer allowed to have even student led prayers. This evil began in 1962 and expanded to where the youth of America no longer recognize God in any form whatsoever. I have heard people justify this as the Constitution “Separation of Church and State” but if you read our Constitution you will see there is no such provision there. The Constitution reads:

“CONGRESS shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The subject of the sentence is CONGRESS. CONGRESS cannot mandate a state religion, nor prohibit anyone from their freedom of religion. There was no mention of taking prayer out of schools. Young people today are playing video games where blood letting is considered fun, but in no way are being taught that there is a God Who loves everyone and Who watches our every move. Prayer is to speak to God. Students are told NOT to speak to God, but to the flesh. Is it any wonder that children are killing children.

In 1963 in the case of Abington Tp. V Schempp the Supreme Court ruled “no state law or school board may require that passages from the Bible be read or that the Lord’s Prayer be recited in the public schools of a State at the beginning of each school day — even if individual students may be excused from attending or participating in such exercises upon written request of their parents. Pp. 374 U. S. 205-227.”

Students were not to talk to God. Now God’s Word was not to speak to the students. In 1980 the Ten Commandments were removed from the walls of schools. Our children are now taught that they are ANIMALS descended from a primoral ooze, evolved from goo to you.

Is it any wonder that our children kill one another? In 1982 schools were told not to teach creationism, but only evolution. And with God removed from the child’s mind, homosexuality, promiscuity, and socialism have captured the child’s mind. Legislation that does not address the heart issues will not effect the safety of children, nor will it soften the corrosion of our society.

We must return from sin and turn toward God.

What Is This Thing Called “Sin”?

Isaiah 59:1 (KJV)  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

God is able to save anyone who will come to Him. The Bible says:

“The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save”

God is not getting feeble in His old age.
The Ancient of Days does not get old, nor change.
Our God is able to save for He is ALL MIGHTY.

Jesus’s disciples asked “Who then can be saved?”He replied:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(Matthew 19:26)

God is able to save. He is able to reach anyone.

“Neither is His ear heavy that He cannot hear”
God is not getting hard of hearing.
Some of you are getting that way because of age.
That’s understandable. I have the problem sometimes, too.

An older couple are out walking together, enjoying the day. The husband says “I think I LOVE you”. The wife replies, “Well, I LOATHE you, too!”. Unperturbed he says “It’s WINDY isn’t it!” The wife says “No you idiot, it’s THURSDAY”. Her husband smiles and says “I’m THIRSTY too – let’s go home!”

God isn’t hard of hearing. He isn’t senile. He is able to hear. But we read:

Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)  But your INIQUITIES have separated between you and your God, and your SINS have hid his face from you, that HE WILL NOT HEAR. 

SIN hides God’s face from us. Why? Because when we SIN, we wander away from Him and hide ourselves from Him. In America today and in the American Family we no longer recognize what SIN is.

We take the “S” off of SIN and make it IN.

But SIN is not IN. It is OUT. It separates us from God. The Bible has several lists of what IS SIN.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV) … knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

Sin is a “work of the flesh”. Sin sees the good that God offers and rejects it. Sin is Adam in Eden choosing the forbidden fruit instead of that which God blessed. Sin leaves us hiding from God, covered with fig leaves, ashamed and broken. Sin rejects God’s best for what we think is best.

Isaiah 59:3 (KJV) For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 

Sin defiles us. Sin that enters into our EYES and our EARS goes into our MINDS and comes out in our HANDS. I was reading a International Mission Board fax the other day that reported on a town overseas where there was a bad sewage blockage. People were dispatched to clean the sewer out when they discovered the source of the blockage – the sewer was filled with tiny, aborted babies. How horrible that is! A child is precious to God. How does such a thing come about? They researched and found out that many of these babies belonged to mothers who were but 15 years old. Children having children. They succumb to sin – sexual immortality outside of Biblical marriage – then there is blood on their hands as they abort the child. Sin entraps, and drags all into its pit.

Sin makes us participants in its antics. Our fingers stained with iniquity, and our lips lie and our tongues speak perverse things. There is no such thing as a little sin. It is like a little poison ivy. Some people are not susceptable to poison ivy, but I am very allergic. I can let a leaf just brush my leg and that starts it. The itch grows, and if I scratch to satisfy it it speads until it consumes me. What is the solution if I get in poison ivy? Don’t scratch it. Bathe the area with soap and water, and put something on it to let it dry out. But for heaven’s sake, don’t scratch it.

Galatians 5:9 (NKJV) A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Oh Beloved, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. A little poison ivy spreads if you let. A little sin creeps in, and consumes the life.

I am reminded of a time when

John 8:3-6 (NKJV) … the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, IN THE VERY ACT. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

This woman – according to them – was caught “IN THE VERY ACT”. If she was “IN THE VERY ACT”of sexual immorality, then they should have also cast down the MAN before Jesus. But here is sin’s deception. Sin may quote Scripture – for the devil quotes Scripture – but Sin judges one and lets another go. We will the WOMAN to Jesus but let the MAN keep his dignity. After all, he is but a man with male urges. Let him go, but let’s STONE her. The sin of self righteousnessjudges not according to God’s Law, but cherry picks what is right and wrong. So Jesus – shall we stone her or not?

(testing God, but not trusting God, those horrible horrible hypocrites!)

What did Jesus say? They did not bring her to Jesus to be saved, but brought to Jesus to be condemned, or He Himself to be condemned. But Jesus did something extraordinary. He said:

John 8:7 (NKJV) “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

The hypocrites slunk away, from the oldest to the youngest. After they were gone Jesus asked her:

John 8:10-11 (NKJV) “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.”And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

This woman was cast at Jesus’ feet by her sin. Jesus came to save sinners – not just from hell, but from the hell of sin. For sin brings with it its own hell.

The alcoholic would not be an alcoholic if he never drank.
The baby would not be aborted if the mother never committed fornication.
The murderer would not be imprisoned had he not pulled the trigger.

Jesus Christ died on Calvary because of sin. He told that woman “neither do I comdemn you. GO AND SIN NO MORE.”I forgive You. By my blood I have saved you. Jesus is the Mediator between God and Man. He gave Himself for us.

Sin Is A Cockatrice Egg And A Spider’s Web

Isaiah 59:4-5 (KJV) None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.  [5]  They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

God wants His people to speak up about sin, and to share the Gospel that is in Christ. God likens sin to a “cockatrice egg”. You might ask “what is a cockatrice”?That’s an Old English word for a viper, a rattlesnake, or any poisonous snake. God gives us a picture of sin as if it is a snake’s egg. God says:

he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which
is crushed breaketh out into a viper

Sin looks good. It looks like it will taste good. You take it into your life. You take a bite of it, and swallow. You swallow what it says, believing what the devil and his populace says. Then swallowing you feel a burning in your stomach. The snake egg you swallowed was harmless till you took it into your life. But piercing the shell with your teeth it is now in your belly. It breaketh out into a viper. You took that sin in, and now it has destroyed you.

I have seen a Church destroyed because its members would not love one another, but carried grudges and hatred in their bellies. In time the Church died from the poison of that snake.

I have seen several good preachers – men to whom God led many to salvation – consumed by a mouthful of sin. One preacher – many times my elder, a Doctor of Theology – ruined his ministry because he swallowed the serpent egg of sexual immorality. I know another preacher that I thought God would use in mighty ways – a dear friend – now consumed of the flesh by drugs. His marriage is in tatters, his wife embittered, and he is shipwrecked.

Isaiah 59:5 (KJV) … weave the spider’s web:

Sin is a spider’s web. It is tricky, nearly invisible. It hides itself until you run into it. But once you hit it it wraps its arms around you, sticky, clinging. It holds you in its weave until the devil like a spider comes to suck your innards outward. Oh do not be deceived. Turn from sin. Do not take it lightly.

Spider webs are pretty.
They are beautful and inviting.
But they are snares, traps.
Death hides at the edge of a spider web.

The devil has entrapped many in the spider web of sin. He has used TELEVISION to ensnare our minds. Years ago what happened in the bedroom was supposed to only happen between husband and wife. The devil through television began to normalize sexual sin. If a man and woman fell in love they came together in the bedroom. I was watching a show one day – a crime show called Law and Order– when a man was killed. When the police went to that man’s home to notify his wife a man opened the door. He said “Yes, I am his wife”and began to cry, sobbing for the one he lost. My heart was pulled by that, touched by that. The spider web of sin says “It doesn’t matter what God has said – as long as they love one another”. It is a trick. Do not touch it. It is sticky, and it will grab you if you let it.

Many of you watch hours of television where your minds are fed spider webs. Yet you spend little time in God’s Word. You spend little time seeking Him Who loves you. Oh that you and I would read His Word, believe His Gospel, and seek His face daily!

Christ Is Able

For you who still – with hardened heart – still think that sin is but a pittance, I beg you to see how God sees sin.

Look at Christ on the Cross

While we continue to go our way we will not be blessed. Our way has not worked. From 1962 to today we have tried our way. What have we accomplished?

Isaiah 59:9-10 (KJV)  Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.  [10]  Wegrope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

We can grope in darkness, or we can see Jesus. What does God think of sin? See Jesus. See Him beaten. See His flesh in tatters, like a leper’s robe. See the blood of the Lamb. See the crown of thorns on His head. See Him. See Him carrying His Cross on bleeding back. See Him fall down in the way, and another help him. See Him as He arrives at Calvary. See Him. See Him laid upon the Cross, beaten once more. See that executioner step on His wrist as another drives the nail. See Him. See His right hand, then the left hammered to the Cross. Now His feet, the most tender place on the human body, folded over, nailed through. See Him lifted up. Do you see Him? Do you see Him? Do you see Him handing there? What put Him there.

It was sin.
It was our sins.
Sin nailed Christ to the Cross.
So we do not revel in sin.
We hate it.
We confess it to God.
We turn from it.

Jesus was delivered to the Cross because of our offenses (Romans 4:25).

Jesus Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18)

Repent of your sins. Come to Christ. Agree with God what is sin, and turn from it in His power. God will bring you into His Kingdom if you will but trust in Him. Reject the spider web and the snake egg, and cling to Christ Who loves you so very much.

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

Posted in devil, Faithfulness of God, Following Disciples, Isaiah, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why We Love Jesus

Posted on April 19, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

John 1:1-14 (KJV)1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

If you ask a Christian why they LOVE Jesus Christ, each person will probably have a different answer. For instance, if you asked Peter the Chief Apostle why he loved Jesushe would tell you:

1 Peter 1:3-5 (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter loved Jesus because our Lord conquered death, and promises that we shall conquer death in Him. Peter loved Jesus because he was kept in a sure salvation. As Peter often misstepped and messed up (and who of us doesn’t) I can say that’s one of the reasons I love Jesus. He gave me a better life NOW and assures me of a GREAT LIFE LATER.

If you asked John Mark why he loved Jesus he would probably tell you that it was because he was saved through the testimonies of Peter and Paul.There is no Biblical evidence that the Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark walked with Jesus while our Lord was on the earth. But Mark was an Evangelist touched by the Spirit of God. He was one of us of whom Jesus spoke when He told Thomas:

John 20:29 (KJV) ….Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John Mark – like many of us – failed the Lord at one time. When Paul and Barnabas went to Pamphylia John Mark refused to go with them (see Acts 15:36-41). Because of that Paul didn’t want to team up with Mark anymore, and Mark began to accompany Barnabas while Paul went with Silas. Our God is the God if second chances, the Lord Who can turn a MESS into a MESSAGE. He gave Mark a second chance, and used John Mark to not only spread the Gospel of Christ but also to write the Gospel of Mark.

I must hurry.

Why did MatthewLOVE Jesus so? Because Matthew was a sinner – a tax collectorwho had betrayed his people. Matthew left his crooked ways to follow Jesus, the One he was sure was the Messiah promised of God.

There are a lot of reasons to love Jesus. If you were to ask John why he loved Jesus he would tell you that:

God spoke from eternity,
And the Sound God made was Jesus.

When you speak several things happen at the same time. You first of all form the THOUGHT to speak. You decide you want to say something. It comes from your mind. Then you flex your vocal cords, exhale, and form words with your mouth. What YOU say comes from YOU. You cannot say what I’m thinking unless I say it FIRST and then you repeat it after me. Let’s try it.

What am I thinking now?
Say what I’m thinking.
You can’t – it’s impossible.
MY words come from ME.
Jesus is God’s Word.

We Love Jesus Because We Were Created To Love Jesus

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When John speaks of Jesus he says that He was “In the beginning”. John takes us to the first line of the Bible that says:

Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning Godcreated the heaven and the earth.

When God spoke “in the beginning”creating all things it was through Christ He spoke. The writer of Hebrews said:

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…

Jesus is The WORD of God by Whom God made the worlds. This is the Word Who was WITH GOD. The Apostle says:

Colossians 1:15-16 (KJV) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

This Jesus – the Word of God – is no mere Rabbi. He is the image of God, the manifest image. If you want to see God you must look to Him. He is the Creator of all things, and all things were created BY Him and FOR Him. He is the One that Adam walked with in the Garden of Eden. And when Adam fell it was Jesus Who promised as the seed of the woman to one day crush Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15).

John 1:2-3 (KJV) The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

If Jesus was the One through Whom God made all things this makes Him very exclusive. Not inclusive, but exclusive. “Without Him was not anything made that was made”. Jesus was involved in the biggest to the smallest of everything made. He brought the animals to Adam so Adam could name them – but Jesus made them. Jesus’ fingerprints are on every aspect of creation, from the stars above to the tiny hummingbird.

Jesus made the world. Jesus gave the world to Adam. Adam disobeyed Jesus, and gave the world to the devil. But Jesus came to redeem the world. He wanted what was rightfully His returned to Himself. But only He could do this. We were made by Jesus to walk with Jesus. Only when we do so are we in a Paradise.

We Love Jesus Because He Is Life And Light

John 1:4-5 (KJV) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Jesus came to a world that should have known Him. He introduced Himself as the source of LIFE and LIGHT. Jesus told us:

Matthew 10:39 (KJV)  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

When I was younger I used to hear people would take off and wander in order to “find themselves”. Young people would leave high school and home and wander through the world “looking for myself”. Jesus said “If you find your life apart from Meyou will lose your life. There is no life apart from Me.”Jesus is the only Source of life.

Matthew 19:29 (KJV)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD, AND SHALL INHERIT EVERLASTING LIFE.

Life is in Jesus.
Joyous life is in Jesus.
Happy life is in Jesus.

Consider the Pharisees. They sought life OUTSIDE of Jesus. They looked to ritual, to clothing, to good works done to be seen of men. They did not understand that life was in Jesus. He kept telling them, but they kept ignoring Him. John Mark the Evangelist tells us of the time Jesus met a man with a withered hand.

Mark 3:1-2 (KJV) {Jesus}entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.  [2]  And{the Pharisees}watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

This man had been going to Church regularly. He was in the Synagogue, which is the Jewish Church. This man came to Church because his hand was withered. He couldn’t work. He couldn’t do what he needed to do with that useless hand. So he came to Church looking for help.What did the man with the withered hand find at the First Pharisee Church? He found people watching him, but not helping him. He found judges but not helpers. In fact, the Pharisees watched Jesus to see if He might heal this poor man on the Sabbath day. They saw the Sabbath Day as a ritual, not as a time when people came together to worship the Lord.

Did you come tonight to worship Jesus or to just come and occupy space?
If you’re here you should want to enable Jesus.
You should be praying that Jesus will manifest Himself and heal others.
You should be praying that someone finds life in Christ.

We come to Church to see Jesus. We study our Bibles to see Jesus. The Pharisees were in Church just to judge, to find fault. God help us when we are Pharisees!

Mark 3:3 (KJV) {Jesus} saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

Jesus called to the man with death in his body. Stand forth. Stand up. Let Me deal with your deadness.”At that point the man had a choice. He could let the Pharisees influence him and ignore Jesus … or he could do as Jesus commanded. This is the way of salvation. When God calls, we must move. When Jesus says “Follow Me”we must ignore all else and follow Him. When Jesus says “Stand up and come to Me”we must do this. The CHRISTian way is first of all CHRIST. Do as He says.

Mark 3:4 (KJV) {Jesus} saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

The darkness has no reply to the Light that is Christ, and death cannot ever understand Life. They could not openly dispute Jesus for they knew their argument was foolish. If Christ could heal, then Life was in Christ and God was His Father.

Mark 3:5-6 (KJV)  And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.  [6]  And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

The answer of the world is to kill the Light that is Christ, to destroy Him, and to offer no hope for anyone. The darkness hardens the heart of those who embrace it. But Jesus is life. He is light. He is able. He brings life where all others bring condemnation and death.

We Love Jesus Because John The Baptist Endorsed Him

John 1:6-9 (KJV) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

In the Old Testament God promised that He would send a Herald before the Messiah, the Greatest of all Prophets.

Isaiah 40:3-5 (KJV)  Thevoice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  [4]  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:  [5]  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Malachi 3:1 (KJV)  Behold,I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

John the Baptist was this Messenger. He would “clear the way of the Lord”. The Bible tells us through Matthew:

Matthew 3:1-3 (KJV)  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  [2]  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  [3]  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet {Isaiah}, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

When John preached, he preached of One Who was greater than he was.

Matthew 3:11-12 (KJV)  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy {Spirit}, and with fire:  [12]  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John preached Christ as He is. He is LORD. He is JUDGE. He is JURY. Jesus would baptize the faithful who followed Him with the Holy Spirit and with a fire in their souls. But those who reject Christ shall be burnt as chaff with unquenchable fire. Christ has the keys to death and hell. He gives life, and gives light. But He separates those who reject Him into eternal damnation. John witnessed that he was not the Christ, but that Jesus was coming. On the day that Christ came to John’s camp meeting he declared:

John 1:29 (KJV) …Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John saw Jesus as THE Lamb of God. Not “One of His Lambs” but “THE LAMB”. John preached an exclusive Jesus Who came to save whosoever will.Not everyone is saved because not everyone believes in Christ. But John believed in Christ, and taught that those who believed in Him would be saved and anointed of God. The Bible says in Hebrews:

Hebrews 4:2-3 (KJV)  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  [3]  For we which have believed do enter into rest,…

John preached Christ as the Only Lamb of God, and asked his hearers to believe this. When we believed Him and received Him we were blessed by Him.

We Love Jesus Because He Gives Us New Life

John 1:9-13 (KJV) {Jesus} was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Christ must be received as He is in order to receive the benefits He offers. The world does not receive Christ’s benefit because He was in the world and the world was made by Him, but the world does not know Him. The Bible declares:

2 Corinthians 5:15 (KJV)  …{Christ}died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Receiving Christ makes a change in our lives, a change for the better. We become Sons of Godbecause of Him. We live like we are God’s offspring. We love life, we love one another, and we love the Lord. Sons of God are born into the Kingdom of God. As Jesus told Nicodemus:

You must be BORN AGAIN.

Born not of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of the will of God. When we receive Christ Christ gives us life. He offers this life to whosoever will.

John 1:14 (KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Christ was made flesh so that we could be made Sons.
The Eternal Christ was made flesh and dwelt amongst us because He loves us.
He took upon Himself our flesh and, dying once, defeated death.
So that in Him we can have eternal life both now, and into eternity.

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

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What Christ Wants In A Church

Posted on April 16, 2018 by bibleteacherorg

Revelation 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Have you ever heard of a Charge Coupled Device? You may not know what it is – I didn’t – but you’ve probably used it. CCD technology made it possible to capture images digitally. If you own a digital camera it uses CCD technology. The man who discovered it – and put Kodak Film Company out of business because of it – was a scientist named Willard Boyle. The technology he developed not only allowed us to make digital cameras, but also the Hubble Telescope. In 2009 Boyle was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics because of CCD Technology. A few years after he invented CCD Technology Dr. Boyle went into an electronics store to purchase a digital camera. The saleman began talking,  trying to explain how the camera worked but in the middle of the explanation stopped, arrogantly saying “This is probably too difficult for you to understand”. Dr. Boyle told him “No need to explain – I invented it!” When the salesman laughed Dr. Boyle told him to look up his name, “Willard S. Boyle” on the Internet and see for himself. The young man apologized and – before Dr. Boyle left the store – asked to have his picture taken with him.

We do the same thing to God all the time. God invented life and Christ invented the Church. As the Creator of both Life and the Church the Lord Jesus knows how it is supposed to operate. He knows what is right and good. Jesus sets the parameters – after all it is His Church that “He as God purchased with His own Blood” (Acts 20:28). The Church belongs to Jesus. Jesus knows what He wants His Church to do and be.

Jesus Wants His Church To Love Him
And To Love One Another

As we have come through the Book of Revelation we have seen Jesus address – and rebuke – nearly every represented Church.

Ephesus needed to love Christ more.
Pergamos the Fortress began to undervalue the Word of God.
Thyatira allowed the spirit of Jezebel in their midst.
Sardis failed to finish what they started.
Smyrna Suffered For The Lord.
Jesus did not rebuke Smyrna,
Nor did He rebuke Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is made up of two Greek Words. PHILOS which means “Family Love” and ADELPHOS which means “Brothers Together”. Philadelphia means “A Family where Brotherly Love is”. If the name Philadelphia sounds familiar to you it is because we have an American City by that name. Philadelphia was originally founded as a Christian Quaker Colony by William Penn. It’s not that anymore!

The Church at Philadelphia was characterized by love. They loved one another – and loved Jesus as He is. Some people think that you are not a Church unless you love one another and are accepting of everything people do. The Church that loves and embraces sin is not the Church of Philadelphia.

God’s Church can be Seeker Sensitive but not not Sin Embracing.
His people are to reach out to a lost and dying world, but are not to be worldly.

Jesus is …

Revelation 3:7 …. he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Jesus says FIVE THINGS in this text about Himself. FIVE is the number of GRACE. What does Jesus say of Himself?

  • He that is HOLY. Jesus is HOLY as God is HOLY. Jesus saves us to HOLINESS. The love that impresses Jesus is a HOLY love, a love devoid of selfishness and self centeredness. God expects His Church to love with a godly love.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Jesus is HOLY, and the love He shows us is HOLY. Jesus laid His life down for the undeserving. This is why Jesus came to this earth. The HOLY came to make us HOLY, to bring us into God’s Family. Mary was told that she

Matthew 1:21 ….. shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

It is not love to promote sin.

Our Lord Jesus came to this earth, and for thirty three years kept the Ten Commandments and every single Law of God. He then went to a Tree of Mocking, a man made thing of wood and iron, designed to torture and torment. Above His Head was written I.N.R.I.

Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum

Which meant (see John 19:19) “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews”. What Pilate wrote was meant to mock, but what Jesus did was no mockery. He died on that Cross to show us the Love of God. Love lays down its life. Love does this to cover sin, not to elevate sin. Love offers the weak a way out. Love offers admittance into the Family of God, a holy and righteous Family, a Family bathed in the light of God’s Glory!

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

  • He that is true. Jesus’ Way is TRUE. Love does not lie. It does not hide. The Bible says that a Church is to …

Ephesians 4:14-15 … be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

As we learn of Jesus we become more like Him. Our love always reflects Jesus. Our love always follows Jesus.

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV2011) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Revelation 3:7 …. These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

  • Jesus has the Key of David. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is Jesus who opens the door that no one can shut, and shuts the door that no one can open. This is a quotation from:

Isaiah 22:22 (ESV2011) And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

People have always underestimated the Lord Jesus Christ. They see Him and His works and think “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild”. Jesus was humble and kind when He walked this earth, the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world. But Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Revelation 17:14 (ESV) They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.

Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV2011) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus Christ watches over His Church.

Christ’s Church Will Be Attacked But Not Defeated

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Philadelphia is not only a Loving Church, but a Working Church. Jesus tells them “I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it”. When the Church binds together both Godward and Manward in love then God opens doors of opportunity. He said “No man can shut it”. One person can not stop a loving Church. God walks with His own because they walk with Him. He’s holding the door open.

The Church that moves forward in love with God and in love with one another cannot be stopped. Jesus is holding the door open for us. With the little strength the Church had, it did two things that Jesus wants us to do.

Philadelphia guarded Christ’s Word,
and did not deny His Name.

What does that mean? We hear and live by Christ’s Word. We present His Gospel as the Only Way to Life. Attacks are inevitable. Jesus said:

John 15:18-20 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.

God’s people have always been persecuted by the world. The Bible says that Christ came into the world to save the world. But the world resisted salvation. Why? The Bible says:

John 3:19-21 …. light (our Lord Jesus) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Jesus sets an open door that no one can close before His Philadelphia – but His Philadelphia must neither turn from His Word nor deny His authority and power. Many Churches do that today. Like the Church at Corinth they justify sin rather that declare the Gospel that saves from sin.

All are sinners. All are broken. But Jesus came for all! The message we carry – His Gospel – is to repent. Turn to Christ. Receive Him as He is. Believe Him as He has said. Follow Him in Baptism and loving works. His Way is the Way that His Church must be!

We Will Be Victorious In Him

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Jesus had very harsh words for those who say that they are Jews, but are not but do lie. He called them “the Synagogue of Satan”. They were the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that Jesus warned us against in Matthew 7:15:

Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Those who are Christ’s love Christ and His people. Those who are Philadelphia love God and love one another. Jesus says of the false ones “I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and know that I have loved you”. Those who stand up against Christ’s Philadelphia will, in the end, be bowed down. But those who bow down and worship the Lord Jesus will be lifted up by His glorious hand!

Jesus makes an interesting promise to Philadelphia, a unique promise that is found with no other Church. Jesus says:

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Church that loves Jesus will be spared from the “hour of temptation”, that 7 year Great Tribulation that God will allow to fall on the earth. Jesus told Philadelphia “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” The end times are coming. The “Hour of God’s Wrath” is coming. We live today in the Age of Grace, but one day Jesus will come and lift up His Church from this earth. When that happens seven years of Tribulation will come. God’s Children by faith in Christ will not have to go through this – but pretenders and deniers and Judaizers will. The Apostle wrote of this when He said:

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Oh how I look for that change. Oh, how I yearn for that day! Christ tarries to allow one more moment, one more hour, one more day for one more soul to enter the Ark that is the Church. Will you come? He might come today, and call for you. Will you come? Everything is ready. Pastor Adrian Rogers once said:

“When will the Rapture take place? At any moment. We are not looking for some sign. We’re not looking for some prophecy to be fulfilled before Jesus can come for His Church.”

All things are ready. Are you ready? May God touch your hearts with His Word.

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