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The Obedience Of Faith

Posted on August 27, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Matthew 28:8-10 (KJV) And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. [9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him. [10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Audio of Sermon:

Sermon Notes: The first person to see Jesus in the Garden of Eden was Adam. Adam was formed of the dust of the ground. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life. God gave Adam the command to not eat of the forbidden. Adam disobeyed God, and “by one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned”. Eve was made later, and suffered because of Adam.

The first to see the resurrected Jesus was not men, but women.

Why is that?

It is because these women loved Jesus.

God told Israel:

Leviticus 26:21 (NKJV) … if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins.

But also,

Proverbs 8:17 (NKJV) I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

The two Marys loved Jesus very much. A Mary anointed His feet with a broken Alabaster Box before the nails ever pierced them. Though Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea sought the body of Christ and helped with His preparation for burial, it was the Marys that washed His wounds, and rose early on the first day of the week to finish His preparation.

Though these women were not Apostles nor Pastors – and would never be so – they teach us a great deal about the type of faith that God wants us to have.

God Expects Our Faith To Be Obedient To Him

A Faith that is not OBEDIENT does not please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please {God}: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Marys came to the Tomb and did not find Jesus, but found an Angel of God. I suspect this was Gabriel, the same Angel that announced the birth of Christ. Gabriel told the Marys:

Go QUICKLY, and tell His Disciples He has risen from the dead (vs 7)

You must GO QUICKLY and TELL.

What you saw, you share.

They were to GO QUICKLY.

When God tells us to GO we are to GO QUICKLY. This is the way of true faith. What is the main example of faith that God gives us in the Scripture but our Father Abraham. God told Abraham:

Get out of your country, leave your family and your father’s house.

Go to a land I will show you.

And I will make you great, and bless the world through you.

Abraham Moved Quickly, But Not Perfectly

Abraham moved immediately. He followed God without hesitation, but he did not follow God perfectly. He took some of his family with him, and because of that Lot brought trouble into his life.

The Marys faith was more obedient than Father Abraham’s. The Angel commanded “Go Quickly”, and they went quickly. They obeyed. They did not add to what he decreed. They went.

They also did not debate the Angel, nor think of reasons why they were not qualified.

God told them “Go”, and they went.

Moses Moved After Much Debate

When God came to Moses and told him – worthy and humble man that he was –

I have heard the cry of My people Israel.

Go to Pharaoh and tell Him “Let My people Go!”

Moses immediately began to argue with God.

Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, that I should bring Israel out of Egypt?

God said “You are My Messenger. I chose you. Now go!”

But Moses continued to argue.

I am not eloquent. I am not worthy.

I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue!

But God said I have chosen you, and I made your mouth.

But if you fear Aaron your brother can speak for you.

He can be your spokesman.

It would had been better that Moses heed God. Making Aaron his spokesman led to trouble, to idolatry, to rebellion.

The two Marys lived in a time when women had few rights, and were treated poorly by men. When the Angel said “Go Quickly” they, like Moses, could have debated God. “Who are we but women, lowly, disrespected by society? We are not Apostles – who are we to tell them?” But they did not debate God. God bless them, they did as the Angel said and went when God said GO.

To Honor God Is To Go When He Says

So many blessings have been lost because of delayed obedience. The Angel told the Marys “Go quickly”. Not to choose when they FELT like going, but to GO when God said go.

Israel Refused To Go When God Said Go

I am reminded of that fateful day when Israel stood at the bank of the Jordan River. Joshua and Caleb told Israel to cross as God had decreed, but Israel refused to listen.

We are as grasshoppers in the sight of those people.

Oh that we had died in this wilderness!

Why did God bring us to this place to be victims, to fall under the sword?

Let us revolt and return to Egypt!

When God says “Go quickly” He means us to do so. When God says “come” He means right now, not later. God told Israel:

Numbers 14:29-31 (NKJV) The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 30 Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. 31 But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.

At this point Israel chose to go forward, but it was too late. The people said:

We will rise up and go NOW, for we have sinned against God.

But it was too late. They did not go when God said GO, and now they could not go. So they wandered 40 years until all that God said came to pass.

Oh, blessed are the Marys who went when God said GO. They did not wait. Waiting can rob you of the blessings of God. There are many who will never cross the Jordan of faith, and so will never enter Heaven.

2 Corinthians 6 (NKJV) We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The Bible says “Come to Christ. Come today.” But some say “Not today. I will go another day.” I know a young man that I spoke to of Christ, a young man dying of cancer. I begged him to get his affairs in order. Cancer is a blessing as it gives you time to make your salvation sure. He spent his days living evilly, hatefully, and unrepentant. Now his heart is hardened, and His Maker calls. Will He see Christ?

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Go quickly. Do not allow your emotions to hold you back.

Matthew 28:8 (KJV) And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with FEAR AND GREAT JOY;

The Marys were not hampered by their emotions. Fear has kept many from making an open profession of Christ. Fear has kept many from sharing Christ with others. They departed quickly, both fearful and joyful.

They left the Tomb joyful – but their joy will soon increase!

Why? Because …

The Obedience Of Faith Brings Us Jesus

Matthew 28:9 (KJV) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ALL HAIL.

I have often heard people say “I’d love to go to the Holy Land”. I’ve often said it myself. But do you know the “Holy Land” is where Jesus is – and Jesus is where His people are obedient!

Please note that the Marys did not meet Jesus at the Tomb. The text tells us:

as THEY WENT to TELL HIS DISCIPLES

This is when they saw Jesus. I have had people tell me:

I do not meet Jesus nor feel His presence in my life.

Alright then – are you being OBEDIENT to Him?

Are you doing what He says?

Are you reading His Word daily?

Are you seeking to worship Him and glorify Him?

Do you do as He says in Church attendance?

Do you do as He says in giving?

He has commanded your Baptism – Have you been Baptized?

Do you follow Jesus, or expect Jesus to follow you?

Have you forgiven and shown love to your enemies?

Are you in a state of prayer, living for Him?

Or are you more concerned about what others say?

Salvation is a free gift of God, but obedience is expected.

The Marys heard the Word of God, and moved to obey that Word.

It was then that that met Jesus. Or actually,

Jesus met them!

Word Study When Jesus met them the King James text says He said “All hail!”. That’s not correct. Jesus said χαίρω chairō, which means REJOICE or BE FILLED WITH JOY. This is the same word that the Angel Gabriel said to Mary, the Mother of Christ:

Luke 1:28 (NKJV) … “REJOICE (χαίρω chairō), highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

The Virgin Mary was to REJOICE because the Savior was coming. God would come to this earth through her. The two Marys were to REJOICE because death, the devil, and sin have been defeated. How do we know? HERE IS THE SAVIOR! He has risen, just as He said. REJOICE.

Obedience brought the Marys to a place of rejoicing. Someone once said:

The joy of the Lord is the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22 (ESV) … the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. The obedient believer is the joyful believer.

We are commanded:

Philippians 3:1 (ESV) … Finally, my brothers, REJOICE in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (ESV) … REJOICE always,

We rejoice IN CHRIST. In Him death is defeated. In Him life is eternal. Jesus says:

Rejoice, for I do not call you SERVANTS, but I call you FRIENDS

A FRIEND Who will never forsake you

A FRIEND Who will never leave you

Matthew 28:9 (KJV) … Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.

Thomas would doubt the Risen Christ. Why? Because the message Jesus went to His disciples was:

Matthew 28:10 (KJV) … go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

“Go into Galilee, and THERE YOU SHALL SEE ME”. Not at the empty tomb. Not sitting at home watching Charles Stanley or Joel Osteen on television. GO TO GALILEE. The obedient went to Galilee … all but Thomas.

I don’t know where Thomas was.

People are always asking me:

Where is so and so. I haven’t seen them in a while?

I’m sorry, I don’t know where Thomas is. I didn’t know it was my day to watch him. Thomas missed the meeting, the Church service in Galilee. He stayed at home. He wasn’t there. Everyone looked around and said:

Where’s Thomas?

The Bible just tells us:

John 20:24-25 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, WAS NOT WITH THEM WHEN JESUS CAME. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

Thomas, we were at Church the other night when Jesus came. We have seen the Lord. Thomas replies:

Nuh Uh!

I don’t believe it!

Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,

and put my finger in the print of the nails,

and put my hand into His side,

I will not believe!

Well Thomas, you didn’t believe in the first place. If you had believed in the first place you would have already seen Jesus. You would have touched Him when the others touched Him. Obedient faith touches Jesus. Go back to the Marys once more.

Matthew 28:9 (KJV) … Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and HELD HIM BY THE FEET, and worshiped him.

The Marys touched Jesus before any of the Apostles did. They HELD HIM BY THE FEET and worshiped Him. They felt Jesus’ body. He was not a ghost, a spirit, a hoo doo. They worshiped Jesus because God is to be worshiped. Christ is the God Man – God become Man to save us from our sins.

So we worship Him.

We glorify Him.

We honor Him.

We love Him.

So Thomas saw Jesus last. Had Thomas never been obedient he would have never seen Jesus at all. So Thomas finally showed up – and Jesus came just as He said. This was the SECOND time Jesus appeared in Galilee. But Jesus is gracious. He told the Marys to tell the Disciples:

Matthew 28:10 (KJV) … go tell MY BRETHREN that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Thomas was a chucklehead, but he was still a child of God. Jesus did exactly as He said. Though we be faithless, He is faithful. He loves us, though we misstep. He came to Thomas and said:

John 20:27-29 (NKJV) “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

When we obey the Lord quickly, we are rewarded for our faith. When we delay in obeying we lose our blessing. Let us go quickly, obeying Him in all that He commands.

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

Posted in Belong To God, obedience, Sermons Preached | Tagged bad behavior, obedience | Leave a comment

The Greatest Ebeneezer

Posted on August 27, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Matthew 28:1-8 (KJV) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the {Tomb}. [2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. [8] And they departed quickly from the {Tomb} with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Audio of Sermon:

Sermon Notes: Today we will let the Stone rolled away preach, cry out to us, shout a message of Hosanna to Christ our King. Jesus said before His crucifixion:

Luke 19:40 (KJV) …. I tell you that, if these {children} should hold their peace, THE STONES WOULD IMMEDIATELY CRY OUT.

The stone rolled away is an Ebeneezer from God. What is an Ebeneezer?

An Ebeneezer Is A Stone Of Witness

In the days of the Prophet Samuel Israel had been defeated by the Philistines, a godless people. Why was God’s people defeated? It was because God’s people had compromised with the world. Israel had turned from following their Lord, and God will not bless disobedience.

God will not bless disobedience.
God will not bless disobedience.
God is Light, and He will not bless darkness!

The Philistines were coming once more, and Israel was frightened. The people cried out:

What shall we do? This is greater than us!

The Preacher Samuel told the people (1 Samuel 7:3/ NASB) “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth {the little pocket gods} from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand {of your enemy}.”

The people put away the false gods from among them.
They stopped worshiping man, money, sex, and power.
They chose to rise up and worship the God Who loved them.
They listened to the preacher rather than giggle and smirk,
raising their eyebrows and closing their ears.

The Preacher Samuel said:

Step out in faith

Samuel took the Blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish and offered it to God.

The enemy gathered,
the bullies came,
but God thundered,
and confused the enemy.

There is one word that defeats the devil and his forces. That word is…

Liar!

The devil and death are liars. They have no power above God. Jesus said “The devil is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44)”. The enemy was beaten that day, beaten by God. God’s people honored God as He should be honored, and the darkness fled as a whipped dog.

Samuel set up an Ebeneezer that day, a rock of testimony, a stone of help, a reminder to Israel of the goodness of God.

The Old Testament Ebeneezer stood as a testimony that God is faithful to defeat the enemies of those who love Him.

The New Testament Ebeneezer is that stone we see rolled away from the Tomb of Christ.

This Tomb Stone Was Set Because Of Unbelief

The Old Testament Ebeneezer was set because of faith, Samuel’s faith. But the New Testament Ebeneezer was a stone set on the tomb of Christ because of unbelief. The Bible tells us that when Jesus died and was placed in the Tomb, a huge stone was rolled into the doorway, effectively sealing it off. The Pharisees and Priests remembered that Jesus promised to rise from the grave. These unbelievers went to Pilate and said:

Matthew 27:63-66 … “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

The devil hears every sermon, every Word Christ spoke. The devil led the darkness to roll a huge stone into place, to sealed the stone in place with Pilate’s seal, and placed a guard of soldiers in front of that stone to keep it in place.

This is the trinity of unbelief – STONE, SEAL, and GUARD.

Unbelief separates man from God. Jude wrote:

Jude 5 (KJV) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward DESTROYED THEM THAT BELIEVED NOT.

Unbelief may say with the lips “I believe in God” but the heart is far from God. Unbelief invites the displeasure of God. Unbelief calls God a liar, and mocks His promises. The Bible warns:

Hebrews 3:12 (ESV) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an EVIL, UNBELIEVING HEART, LEADING YOU TO FALL AWAY FROM THE LIVING GOD.

The unbelieving heart – just like the Ebeneezer of the Tomb – stands between humanity and the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The PHARISEES had ritual, but no belief.
The SCRIBES had knowledge, but no belief.
The ROMANS had power, but no belief.

So they rolled the stone, the Ebeneezer, against the mouth of Christ’s Tomb. The government put a seal – which could not be broken without violating Roman Law – on the stone.

“Police Line – Do Not Cross” says the yellow tape.
“Christ dead from the Cross” says the Pilate tape.
“No access to Jesus” says the guard at the Tomb.

Matthew 28:1 (KJV) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the {Tomb}.

At the end of the Sabbath Mary and Mary go to finish ministering to Christ. His body was hurriedly prepared for His funeral. These Marys came to do a good work, and “brought sweet spices that they might anoint Him” (Mark 16:1).

But they knew they couldn’t get into the Tomb. They knew that Jesus’ enemies had sealed the Tomb. They talked amongst themselves.

“Who shall roll away the stone from the mouth of the Tomb
FOR IT IS VERY HEAVY” (Mark 16:3-4)?

The Stone is VERY HEAVY. There is a Stone that stands between man and God, a Stone of unbelief, a Stone of sin. When the Stone was placed on the mouth of that Tomb, it was placed there because Christ died for our sins. Sin is a barrier that keeps us from God.

Isaiah said: Isaiah 59:2 (ESV) … your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

The Bible teaches that an immovable stone stands between us and God, and that stone is our sin. We are shut into a living tomb. We are born into this world sinful creatures.

1 John 3:4 (ESV) Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; SIN IS LAWLESSNESS.

We are born into this world sinners who may be moral, sinners who might try to do good works, but sinners none the less. We are “dead in trespasses and in sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Satan led our forefather Adam from Paradise to spiritual death, and we have no ability to roll the stone away from that grave we are in.

This is why Christ died. Christ died not because HE was a sinner, but because WE are sinners. The Bible says:

1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God …

Jesus died for our sins, and rose again to lead us in righteousness. Jesus said that He …

Mark 8:31 … must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

We could not roll the Stone away ourselves, but Christ rolled the stone of sin away by His death. As C.H. Spurgeon said:

“Our sins were the great stone which shut the mouth of the {Tomb}, and held us captives in death, and darkness, and despair. But OUR SINS ARE NOW FOREVER ROLLED AWAY …”

The Marys came to the Tomb expecting nothing but barriers. What did they find?

This Ebeneezer Is A Stone That God Rolled Away

Matthew 28:2 (KJV) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

There was an earthquake the day that Jesus died: We read:

Matthew 27:50-54 (KJV) Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

There was an earthquake the day that Jesus “yielded up His Spirit” unto the Father. No man took His life, but He laid it down. As He left this earth the earth moved, and dead saints rose from their graves. I used to think the scariest thing to see would be a herd of Jehovah’s Witnesses on my front door step (I jest, of course, for I respect their dedication though not their doctrine). But can you imagine

Uncle Bob raising from the grave, come knocking on your door?
Or Aunt Lillie, trailing fresh dirt, come to supper?
I love God’s sense of humor!

This would make Otis Campbell smash every bottle of Moon
he had stored in his basement!
(If you’re not an Andy Griffith Fan, this will make no sense to you).

Now the earth moves again.

Three days ago the dead rose and walked among the living, as the Light of the World gave up His brilliance. Now once more the earth moves. The Centurion who said “Surely this must have been the Son of God” – I’m sure – had a flashback. This time the Commander of men probably ran home and crawled under his bed!

The earth moved.
The Angel of the Lord descended.
The Stone was rolled away.

If Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins had not been acceptable to God
then that Stone would still be in place.

Hebrews 10:12-18 …. when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For BY A SINGLE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED FOR ALL TIME THOSE WHO ARE BEING SANCTIFIED. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Why did God send two Marys first of all to this Tomb? If two men had come there might have been a whispering that these men – and perhaps others – had rolled the stone away. But God sent two Marys, the – may I say it – weaker vessels. They could not move that heavy stone.

The Stone Rolled Away Tells Us That God Is Satisfied In Christ

When the Angel of the Lord moved that Stone he broke the seal of the Law that was on that Stone. It was a violation of Law for that Stone to be moved.

All of mankind are lawbreakers.
But Our Lord Jesus fulfilled the Law.
He lay in that Tomb the Lamb of God without Spot or Blemish.
He walked from that Tomb the Satisfactory Payment For Our Sins.

Matthew 5:17-18 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of God. Being perfect and sinless, God in the flesh, He laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13). Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas (see John 19:25) stood by the cross of Christ with His mother Mary, watching Jesus die.

Jesus died as our Passover Lamb, the Lamb without spot or blemish. Jesus came to this earth to be “the Savior of His people” (Luke 2:11). He died at the end of the Passover as our Passover

1 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) … CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB, has been sacrificed for us.

When the Angel of the Lord rolled the stone away, He broke the seal of the Law on that tomb. Christ Jesus paid for our sins. Jesus died for me. And those who receive His Promise:

John 3:14-18 (KJV) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him 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.

Matthew 28:2 (KJV)… the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and ROLLED BACK THE STONE FROM THE DOOR, AND SAT UPON IT.

The Angel of the Lord rolled back the Stone and SAT upon it.
The Holy Spirit of God rolls back the stone of unbelief and sits on it.
The Angel of the Lord rolled back the Stone to give us access to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit of God rolls back the stone of unbelief so we see Jesus.

Matthew 28:3-4 (KJV)… His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

This Angel came from God’s Throne room. As the Holy Power of God shined through this Angel his countenance (appearance) was like lightening, his clothing white as snow. As this representative of God SAT in front of these mortals …

The unbelieving guard shook, and became like dead men. If Christ is not yours and you are not His one day you will stand not before an Angel, but before GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF. On that day you along with all unbelievers will cry out:

Revelation 20:11 (KJV)11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And run, but there will be no place to hide. The Angel says not a word to these unbelievers. They become like dead men, but there is no comfort for them. They rejected Christ. Death and hell await those who reject Christ. The Angel barely glances at them, but then we read:

Matthew 28:5 (KJV) And the angel answered and said unto the women, FEAR NOT YE: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

“Do not fear” you who seek Jesus. There is no fear for those who are His. Christ knows and loves His sheep, and His sheep know and love Him. We need not fear the Angels. The Angels are our guardians while we love Jesus. The Angels are our protectors. The Angels know we seek Jesus Who was crucified. Jesus killed death and sin the day He died.

Matthew 28:7-8 (KJV) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead

Do not fear. Jesus has risen, just as He said. Tell others. Go tell His disciples He is risen from the dead. Go rejoicing. Jesus has defeated death. Jesus has defeated sin. Jesus is alive forevermore. And we who believe in Him will live with Him …

Forevermore!

May God lead you to trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior this very day!

Posted in Cross of Christ, Empty Tomb, Resurrection, Sermons Preached | Tagged Christ Risen, Death Defeated, Ebeneezer, Empty Tomb | Leave a comment

The story of three sunsets

Posted on August 25, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Love this message!

Scott's Blog

I was on vacation. When else throughout the year do I have time to wait for the sun to set? A tragic but true fact.

So I wasn’t even thinking of trying to see the sunset but someone suggested it. So my wife and daughter waited to see the sunset over Lake Erie. It took forever to see. After much waiting, it finally set. It was worth the wait.

Several wonderful things happened while we waited. We got to be together. We go to walk along the beach. And we relaxed enough to take in a beautiful moment full of the grandeur of God.

The second sunset we saw was not as amazing to see but occurred in the same unexpected way. it happened without trying and on a different lake. This time it was Chautauqua Lake. We just finished identifying a flowering bush as a rose of Sharon bush…

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Saul To Paul

Posted on August 24, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

1_Corinthians_6_9t11_Cross

Audio of Sermon:

Sermon Notes: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

I love the Gospel of salvation.
I love the Cross of Christ.
I believe that no one can get to Heaven by their own works.
Our works are like the Tower of Babel, a foolish attempt by man to reach God.

We are not to be self righteous, nor to self justify. The grand theme of Scripture is:

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!

The Apostle Paul – a Pharisee converted on the Damascus Road – thought that he was going to Heaven, even as he persecuted Christians. Striding in self righteousness down that Damascus Road it was his intent to destroy more Christians. On that day Jesus knocked him down, saying:

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
When you hurt the Christian you hurt the Christ.
When you hurt the Child of God you hurt the Father.
When you harm His little ones – of whom I am one – you harm Him.

Saul replied: “Who are You, Lord?”

“I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting!”
On that day Self Righteousness lost himself.
On that day a Pharisee saw the fair Christ.
Saul repenting was invaded by God.
On that day Saul became Paul.

The works that Saul was trying to do to be saved, he put to the side for Christ. He wrote in …

Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Saul became Paul when he realized that attendance is not enough. Saul lived his life in the rituals of the Law, but Paul lived his life with Christ. Attendance is not enough. Being here is not enough. We are to be in the moment – every moment – of our lives with Christ. When I was in school I usually attended faithfully, but really wasn’t there. I watched the clock. I daydreamed while the teacher taught. I was there, but I wasn’t there. Some weeks we have small crowds at our Church but the power of God is there because we’re not just attending, we are in the moment with Christ. Other Sundays we may have bigger crowds, but it sems to me as if there is less of the power of God present. Why? Because we are just attending. Attendance is not enough. We must be in the moment with Christ. We must be here to worship Him. We must hear His Word, and seek His direction. We must not just be filling in a blank or checking off a bucket-list item, but we are to be God intentional.

God Gives Us Grace – His Free Gift – So We Can Walk With Him

Paul told the Church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

God loves us, and our best life NOW is to walk in His Presence NOW. This is why He tells us:

Titus 3:4-6 (NKJV) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

God is KIND. God is LOVE. He calls us to come to Him to be saved. When we come to Him He comes to us. He lives inside us who are Christian.

We are His Garden.
We are His Temple.
We are His House.
We are His Children.

We do not work our way to God, but God worked His Way to us. We receive Him, and live by His Word. As someone once said:

“We do not have a law to obey, but a Christ to follow.”

Galatians 2:21 (NKJV) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Salvation is a free gift from God. When a person is saved God forgives our sin, purges our sin, but God also comes inside us, to be with us.

You cannot be saved and not be changed.
Saul became Paul when he was saved.
When you are born again, you are born again into God’s image.
And though imperfect, God works in you to make you like Him.
To be like Jesus.

Unrighteous People Do Not Go To Heaven

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Those who are “unrighteous” shall not go to Heaven.
Those who are “unrighteous” have no inheritance in God’s Kingdom.
Now what is “unrighteous”?

Simply put, to be “unrighteous” or “not right” is to do whatever God says NOT to do, or to NOT DO whatever God says do. To be UNRIGHT is to live your life unpleasing to God. The Bible says:

1 John 5:17 … all UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is SIN

God is light, and IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL (1 John 1:5/NIV)

Christ is the Light of God. We are told in 2 Corinthians 4:6/NLT:

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

To come to Christ is to know God. When you come to Jesus He covers your sins, and tells you what is sin and what is right. God defines right and unright. God defines good and evil.

I was reading something today on the internet, something astonishing. Did you know that by human standards there are now 63 genders? That is according to man’s definition. The so called sexual revolution has utterly destroyed and confused humanity. What has God said?

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

God says what is right is that I made TWO genders, male and female. But man, drawing away from God, has redefined us into 63 genders. You can choose to believe man’s definition, but God says that is unrighteous. What God has said is right. To us belongs confusion of face, but Lord, righteousness belongs to You! (Daniel 9:8). Righteousness is of the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:6 (NKJV) … this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. {Jehovah Tsidkenu}

Psalm 11:7 (NIV) For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

It s no wonder that people are so confused today. You can never be spiritually balanced until you know know yourself as God created you.

The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God – but the righteous shall see His face. The unrighteous walk a wandering confused path,

but the righteous walk covered by His shadow.

The righteous have an INHERITANCE. INHERIT is a Family Word. We who have received Christ shall one day INHERIT Heaven, because God is our Father and Christ our Savior.

Do Not Be Deceived Or Tricked

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? BE NOT DECEIVED:

The Apostle warns us against being deceived. Who would deceive us? The Bible tells us that

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV) …. Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Revelation 12:9 (NKJV) …. the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world …

The Devil – also called Satan – is the Deceiver. The Devil twists the Scriptures. The Devil tested Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4) by twisting Scripture out of context, by taking what GOD had said and remaking it into what HE THE DECEIVER says. The Deceiver leads humanity to reject the Word of God,

John 3:19 (NKJV) … the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

The Deceiver would have us believe a LIE to be the TRUTH,

DARKNESS to be LIGHT,
GOOD to be EVIL,
and EVIL to be GOOD.

The Deceiver wants us to believe that God is withholding the best from us. But that is not true. When God forbids a thing or an action, then it is for our own good. Just as the mother tells the child not to touch the hot stove, God tells us which things and behaviors we should avoid, lest we be hurt by them. The things that God forbids us do are for our own good. The things that God commands we do are for our own good. God is not depriving us, but LOVING us when He sets boundaries.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) …. Be not deceived: neither FORNICATORS ….

The “fornicator” is the single person who prostitutes themselves, or who sleeps around. The Bible says marriage is honorable for all, and the marriage bed is pure, but God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral (Hebrews 13:4/NIV). Sexual sin is to be avoided as dangerous behavior.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) … nor IDOLATERS …

An “Idolator” is someone who worships a god other than the God of the Bible. This god can be a imaginary god, or money, or even self.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) … nor ADULTERERS …

The “adulterer” is the person who breaks the covenant of marriage. A married person who has sexual intercourse outside of his or her marriage is an “adulterer”.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) … nor EFFEMINATE …

Those who are “effeminate” – the Greek μαλακός malakos – were young male prostitutes who hired themselves out to other men for sexual relations. The term used for these young boys was “Catamites”.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) … nor ABUSERS OF THEMSELVES WITH MANKIND …

An “abuser of themselves with mankind” is the Greek ἀρσενοκοίτης arsenokoitēs which means “one who lies with a male as a female, a sodomite, a homosexual”. In my lifetime I have seen tremendous battles over same sex marriage, where both sides vilify the other. The truth is that the Bible defines marriage as one man and one woman, and considers any other lifestyle to be against God’s design. The Apostle spoke of homosexuality in:

Romans 1:26-27 (NKJV) … God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And the Apostle told Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:9-10 (NKJV) … 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,

You may not agree – and that is your right as an American. However I – in love to you – must speak what the Word has said. I pray you hear my unhating heart, and hear the Word of God and His Spirit. This lifestyle is no better than the other lifestyles listed by the Apostle.

1 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV) Nor THIEVES…

Those who steal (κλέπτης kleptēs) from others shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV) … nor COVETOUS …

God forbids “coveting” in the Tenth Commandment. To “covet” (πλεονέκτης pleonektēs) is to want what someone else has, and to act on that want. God says:

Exodus 20:17 (NKJV) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

1 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV) … nor DRUNKARDS

Those who are drunken, intoxicated, who drink or drug so as to modify their behavior (μέθυσος methysos) will not inherit God’s Kingdom. The Bible says that if you belong to God:

Ephesians 5:18 (HCSB) don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

1 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV) … nor REVILERS …

A “reviler” (λοίδορος loidoros) is a troublemaker, an abusive person, a person who hunts to make disharmony. The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 7:15 (HCSB) …. God has called you to live in peace …

Colossians 3:15 (CEV) Each one of you {who is born again} is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.

1 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV) … nor EXTORTIONERS, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

An “Extortioner” (ἅρπαξ harpax) is a blackmailer who holds something over your head to rob you of something. So God gives us a list of 10 abnormal and unrighteous behaviors.

Sexual Immorality
False Worship
Cheating On A Spouse
Young Boys Prostituting To Older Men
Sodomy or Homosexuality
Theft Of Property
Coveting & Plotting To Get The Property Of Others
Drunkards or Drug Abusers
Troublemakers and Rioters
Extortioners

Those who engage in these behaviors as if they were normal are told you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. This may make you mad. This may upset you. This may challenge your world view. But this is what God’s Bible clearly states.

But what if you DO these things? How can you “inherit the Kingdom of God”?

Read the next line.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

I do not hate anyone. I am sure that some believe me hateful for saying this and affirming the Scripture, but there is no judgment in my heart. You can do as you will. As an American, you can do whatever is lawful, and I will not interfere. However God Who loves you tells me to love you enough to tell you what HE HAS SAID.

If you are to go from Saul to Paul God will take care of you.
The way of the Deceiver is to justify the hot stove,
to tell you the Methamphetamine or Ecstacy or Marijuana is actually good for you,
that the bad sexual behavior is just a way of finding yourself.

That’s not true. God tells us not to behave in a certain way because though it may be lawful, it is not necessarily expedient. It may be legal by human standards, but by God’s standards it is dangerous. This is why Paul tells the Corinthians:

And such were some of you.

Every Christian did some or maybe even all of these things. But once we came to Christ, calling on His name,

We were washed.

God washed us of our sin. He cleansed our souls, and gave us a new beginning.

We were sanctified, or set apart from the world.

The way we were, we are no longer. God lives in us. The Holy Spirit abides in the believer.

We are justified, or made right with God.

The Christian, born again of God’s Spirit, is brought into a unity with God. We are His and He is ours. We have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and He is now at work in us. So no, we do not judge you. We merely state what God has said. If you belong to Him, you will do as He says. If you belong to Christ, you will not do what He has forbidden.

May God help you to see the distinction.

Posted in Blood of Atonement, Cross of Christ, Sermons Preached, sin, sinners, Witnessing | Tagged bad behavior, Christ, cross, repentant, sin, washed | Leave a comment

August 23

Posted on August 24, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

excellent Word, dear Brother

The Feasting Place Daily Devotional

Topic: True Christianity

Text: Acts 11:25-26

How often have we given people unbelievers the reason to doubt our faith? How often have we sent wrong signals to people about what Christianity is? We lift up hands in worship like the saints of God but our minds are full of bitterness and animosity. We can afford to lay the offerings of our substances on the altar of God but we are not willing to let go of our egos, bitterness, malice and dishonesty. For how long shall we keep living in self-deception? True Christianity is not in the abundance of gifts that we give for kingdom projects. It is not in how well we dress on Sundays; it is not in the softness of our voices or in the strength of our voices while condemning the wrongs of others. True Christianity is not measured by how often we attend church meetings…

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Eclipse

Posted on August 22, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Great post

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Patience: How Important???

Posted on August 21, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

love this Brother!

ADVOCATE MINISTRIES

e all should already know that ‘without faith – we cannot please God.’ (Heb. 11:6) So, we know the importance of faith. We all should already know that the Bible defines faith as ‘…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) So, we see that ‘hope’ is actually a prerequisite for faith. But there is another very important element connected to faith that is too often overlooked. And that important element of faith is patience.

There are lots of scriptures about patience… (As you read them note the relationship between faith, hope and patience.)

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Rom 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for…

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Stay Woke

Posted on August 21, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

amen to this

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Our God Triumphant!

Posted on August 21, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Audio of Sermon:

Sermon Notes: Matthew 27:11 (KJV) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Psalm 135:6 (KJV) Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Matthew 27:12-14 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. [13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? [14] And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Isaiah 46:9-10 (NKJV) Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’

Matthew 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. [16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. [17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Psalm 29:10 (NKJV) The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever.

Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV) Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?”

Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Our God Is Always In Control

Our God orchestrates – and oversees – all that occurs among mankind. I must confess that I do not understand how His Sovereignty and human free will work together, but I must believe that God is always in control. The Scripture declares this without apology. One of my favorite texts is:

Romans 8:28-31 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

The Comfort of the believer is to know that we are in the hand of God at all times.

God Decreed The Cross

The King of Kings stood before Pilate, a minor governor. “Are You the King of the Jews?” he asks Christ. “It is just as you have said”. Jesus was not broken. Beaten, mocked, accused, He did not stand in front of Pilate because the devil won.
He stood in victory, obeying the decree of God His Father.

God decreed the Cross. The Cross was not optional. The Cross was absolutely necessary, so God decreed the Cross. The Cross is necessary because we are all sinners. The Scripture states:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

As a pastor I meet many people, and I have to say I have never met anyone who is not broken in some way. I have met people who thought they were not broken. Every one around them realizes they are broken, but they – like the Pharisees – feel they have it all together. But they are broken.

The first step to spiritual wellness is to realize your brokenness. God wants to make you well. He wants to bring you into His arms, to fold them about you, to bless you and love you. God calls out to whosoever will:

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

The “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The sinner has committed an eternal offense against an everlasting God. That is something that we cannot fix. But Christ can fix it. Christ did fix it. Pilate asked Jesus:

Art Thou The King Of The Jews?

What did Jesus reply? The King James text is a little ambiguous, “Thou sayest”. The better translation is:

IT IS AS YOU HAVE SAID.

When Jesus was asked by Caiaphas the High Priest “Are You the Messiah” Jesus said “IT IS AS YOU SAID”. Caiaphas then accused Jesus of blasphemy (see Matthew 26:63-65). Jesus is the Messiah sent of God. When God refers to “The Jews” He speaks of those who believe in Him. The Apostle said:

Romans 2:28-29 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But A JEW IS ONE INWARDLY, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

A “Jew” is one who has received the Grace of God this comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save His people. I say again, the Angel declared to Joseph the husband of Mary that Mary …

Matthew 1:21 (ESV) … will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Jesus Is The King Of His People
Not The Puppet Of Darkness

He is the King Who saves His people from their sins. As Jesus stood in front of Pilate He was not fearful of Pilate, nor of those who brought accusations against Him. I love this. We can learn much from this.

The Light earns nothing by arguing with the darkness. Here’s a practical point – stand on the truth of Scripture, and do not debate the darkness. The darkness will not hear anyway. Stand on what truth God has said, stand on, ignore the foolishness, but stand! This is Jesus!

It amazed Pilate to see someone stand before him in this state of mind. Everyone else who had stood before Pilate were fearful, willing to do or say anything to save their lives. His accusers gathered around Him and spoke lies, accusing Him of the most horrible things. And yet the Bible says:

Jesus answered nothing

Pilate then asked Jesus

Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Jesus answered not a word. He stood silent. Jesus did exactly as the Prophet said:

Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

Jesus stood before Pilate not because of the High Priest nor the elders, but He stood before Pilate trusting in the Sovereignty of God. The Blood of the Lamb must be shed.

Jesus stood silent for His Church.

Jesus stood triumphant for His people.

Jesus stood willing to die for us!

Will we not stand for Him?

It is the Blood of Christ that purchased the Church.

“the Church of God which He purchased with His own Blood.”

It is the Blood of Christ that saves us from the wrath of God.

“justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him”. (Romans 5:9)

It is the Blood of Christ that redeems us from sin and Satan.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV) … you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

It is the Blood of Christ that brings us who were far from God near to Him.

Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

It is the Blood of Christ that:

Makes us clean before God (Hebrews 10:19)

Separates us from the world (Hebrews 13:12)

Cleanses our conscience so we can serve God (Hebrews 9:14)

Makes us complete for every good work (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Bring us into the Eternal Family of God (Hebrews 9:12)

As Jesus stood before Pilate, He stood silent. Pilate was an evil man. Pilate knew there was no sin in Christ. Caiaphas and the elders knew there was no sin in Christ. The religious but lost rejected Christ because of sin in their lives. Pilate saw no sin in Jesus, but moved forward to convict an innocent man because of the sin that was in Him.

God Is Sovereign, But This Does Not Excuse Pilate’s Sin

Throughout his term in office Pilate was both unjust as well as unscrupulous. C.H. Spurgeon said:

“He had been an unjust and an unscrupulous ruler of the Jews. The Galileans and the Samaritans both felt the terror of his arms, for he did not hesitate to massacre them at the slightest sign of revolt. And among the Jews themselves, he had sent men with daggers into the midst of the crowds at great gatherings, and so had cut off those who were obnoxious to him. Gain was his objective, and pride ruled his spirit. At the time when Jesus of Nazareth was brought before him, a complaint against him was on the way to Tiberius the Emperor, and he feared lest he should be called to account for his oppressions, extortions, and murders.”

What Pilate did next was not out of mercy. We read:

Jesus stood honorable, but Pilate sat dishonorable.

Jesus stood for His people, but Pilate sought to manipulate his people.

Jesus stood righteous, innocent, but Pilate sat unrighteous, guilty.

This crooked judge made of practice of releasing a prisoner during the Feast of the Passover. Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered Jesus to him. There was no sin in Christ. There never has been sin in Christ. So Pilate had a notable prisoner named Barabbas. Who was Barabbas? He is mentioned in all four Gospels, and was a man …

Luke 23:19 (NKJV)… who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

Today we would call Barabbas a “Community Organizer”, but in those days Barabbas was known as a “Rioter”, a man who was treasonous, who sought to overthrow the lawful government. Barabbas was also a murderer. The Bible says that the first command God gave Noah when he got off the Ark concerned murder.

Genesis 9:5-6 5 Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”

Life is precious, and the greatest of all sins is to without justification take a human life. Barabbas was a murderer, and according to the Scripture, was to be executed.

Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Barabbas deserved death. He deserved damnation. But Pilate asked the crowd:

Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

What happens next shows that the majority rule does not always work. Who should be released – the murdering riotous Barabbas, or Jesus Who had never done wrong. The crowd replied:

Matthew 27:22-23 (KJV) … They said, Barabbas. [22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. [23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Three times Pilate asked the crowd whether they would release Barabbas or Jesus, the murderer or the innocent Son of God. And three times the crowd demanded the crucifixion of Christ. Pilate asked “what evil has Christ done?” Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent. Even Pilate’s wife sent word to him:

Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

I cannot find a Bible prophecy that declared Pilate would condemn an innocent man.

God sent a message through Pilate’s wife to “have nothing to do with this just Man”. Jesus was innocent, she said. Leave Him be. Let someone else pull the pin on that grenade. But the crowd would not be stilled. Christ must die. Barabbas must be set free.

What Pilate did was evil.

What Caiaphas did was evil.

What the mob did was evil.

But God was still in control.

Even the devil is still under God’s thumb!

When Peter preached in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost he told those who listened about Jesus of Nazareth:

Acts 2:21-26 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. [25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: [26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Jesus was “delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” – God oversaw what was done – but “by wicked hands He was crucified and slain”. God was in the trials of Christ. Christ was not a victim of circumstances, but God sent His Son to Calvary for you and for me.

Barabbas Is A Beautiful Picture Of The Atonement

There is an interesting study in the name “Barabbas”. The name Barabbas is a compound comprised of “Bar” which means “Son of” and “Abba” which means “Father”. The name BarAbbas means “Son of the Father”.

We are all children of our Father Adam.

We are all descendants of our Father Noah.

But we are all broken, incomplete without God.

We were meant to be in God’s image, but like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) we are born serving not God but ourselves and our senses. We deserve punishment.

BarAbbas was released and Jesus was crucified.

He was given life because Jesus took his death.

Jesus was innocent of sin, but BarAbbas – the son of Father Adam – was guilty. The guilty was set free because of Christ.

Matthew 27:24 (KJV) When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

A sinner condemned an innocent, claiming himself innocent. No water will wash away our sins. No water cleansed what Pilate did that day.

Matthew 27:25-26 (KJV) Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. [26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Jesus died in the place of Barabbas. Jesus died in my place. Jesus was innocent, but we are Barabbas. Jesus died so that we might be released. This is the atonement of God illustrated. We triumph because of Jesus!

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

Posted in Blood of Atonement, Cross of Christ, God's Children, Jesus, Living God, Sermons Preached, sin, sinners | Tagged atonement, Blood, cross, Jesus, Pilate, salvation, tried | Leave a comment

Darkness Over All The Land

Posted on August 21, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Audio of Sermon:

Sermon Notes: Matthew 27:45 (KJV) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

We’re suppose to have a lunar eclipse tomorrow, August 21^st. I’m told that the total eclipse will have a magnitude of 1.0306 and will be visible within a narrow corridor 70 miles wide crossing fourteen states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. According to those who claim to know, the time for the eclipse in Nashville, Tn will be:

Beginning (moon touches sun’s edge) 11:58 am

Full Eclipse begins 1:27 pm

Maximum Eclipse 1:28 pm

Full Eclipsze ends 1:29 pm

End (moon leaves sun’s edge) 2:54 pm

If you plan on watching the Eclipse, don’t look directly at the sun, even if you’re wearing sun glasses. Staring at the sun – even during an Eclipse – can blind you. The Sun’s UV radiation can burn the retinas in the eyes leading to permanent damage or even blindness. NASA recommends using welder’s glasses rated 14 or higher.

On the day that Christ went to the Cross the Bible tells us that

from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour

Was This An Eclipse?

An “Eclipse” is a natural phenomenon that God designed to be. The earth rotates around the sun, and the moon rotates around the earth. When the moon is behind the earth – that is, the earth is directly facing the sun with the moon on it’s backside – this is when we have what is called “A Full Moon”. The moon has no light of it’s own, but reflects the light of the sun. But when the moon passes between the earth and the sun it blocks out the sun’s light, giving us what we call an “Eclipse”. During an Eclipse we are looking at the dark side of the moon as it blocks the sun from us. Monday’s Eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the United States since July 11, 1991, and then it was only seen in Hawaii. This is the first visible Eclipse from the contiguous United States since 1979.

Eclipses only occur rarely, and as you have seen, last a very short time. I am told that the most that a total Solar Eclipse could last is 7 minutes and 31 seconds. The darkening of the sun we see in our text could not be an Eclipse. It lasted from the sixth until the ninth hour – three hours long. Also, no Eclipse occurs during a full moon. It’s not possible.

The Jewish Passover or Pesach begins during the Full Moon in the first month of the Jewish Ecclesiastical Year. This could not be an Eclipse as we know it.

This darkness was “over the whole land”. This darkness was not a natural occurrence, but a sign from God as to the significance of the Cross of Christ.

The Darkness Was Unnatural, But So Is Sin

We normalize sin in our America. The so called “Left” normalizes sin. The so called “Right” normalizes sin. People of all colors normalize sin. We wink at sin, thinking it is nothing. The Biblical word for “Sin” is the Greek HAMARTANO which means “to take aim, shoot, and miss the mark”. Sin is a missing of the mark. It is an aberration.

1 John 3:4 (NKJV) Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

No fault was found in Christ. Pilate declared Jesus innocent, and if he had been a just Judge Christ would have been released. Instead we see Christ turned over to the soldiers …

Matthew 27:26-30 (KJV)… {Pilate} delivered him to be crucified. [27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. [28] And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. [29] And when they had PLATTED A CROWN OF THORNS, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [30] And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Sin mocks God and God’s Messiah. I want you to think for a moment of the CROWN that was placed on Christ’s head. It was a crown of THORNS. Thorns symbolize the curse of God on creation. When Adam sinned God caused creation to fall. The perfect Eden was cursed because of what WE did. The animal did nothing wrong, but sin hurts more than the sinner.

Sin hurts the innocent.

It is sin which caused God to tell Adam:

Genesis 3:17-19 …. cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [18] THORNS ALSO AND THISTLES SHALL IT BRING FORTH TO THEE; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Imagine a world without suffering, without pain, without crime, without aging.

Imagine a world where neither Obamacare nor Medicare was needed.

Imagine a world where people love and are loved.

Imagine a world where the tongue was used for tasting & saying good things

but was never misused as a knife to cut up others and to tear down a soul.

Sin is unnatural, destructive, evil.

Adam and Eve lost Paradise and the tree of life because of sin.

The world was destroyed by Flood because of sin.

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone because of sin (Genesis 19).

Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire because of sin (Leviticus 10).

Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness because of sin (Numbers 14).

Moses lost the Promised Land at Kadesh because of sin (Numbers 20).

Israel was defeated in battle with tiny Ai because of sin (Joshua 7).

What are thorns? They are abnormal, the result of sin, unrepentant sin in the life. God says:

Hebrews 6:8 (KJV) But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Thorns are only worth burning. They are the curse. These soldiers made a crown of thorns to put on Christ’s Head to mock Him, but these thorns show something else. Jesus died because of sin. Jesus died to conquer sin.

As these soldiers mocked and beat an innocent and helpless Man we see the effects of evil unchecked in the human. Where Christ is unwanted and unloved, evil abounds.

The Unnatural Darkness Emphasizes The Darkened Hearts Of Sinners

The Bible tells us that:

… from the SIXTH hour there was darkness over all the land unto the NINTH hour.

The SIXTH hour was the time of day six hours from sunrise, or in our modern terms noon or 12 PM. When it is the SIXTH hour the sun is at it’s highest place, directly above our heads. There should have been light without shadow at the sixth hour. I want to say that again:

There should have been light without shadow at noon.

Though it should have been broad daylight, there was only darkness. There was darkness in the human heart. The Prophet said:

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

A person unrestrained by Law or Conscience becomes a monster. We read:

Matthew 27:31 (KJV) And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

As Jesus went down the road to Calvary He had to carry His own Cross. Every step was agony. He had been beaten, and blood loss and thirst made the Lord Who was a powerful Man weak. He collapsed on the road, falling in the dirt. The Bible tells us that:

Matthew 27:32 (KJV) And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Simon of Cyrene is mentioned only in Scripture as the man who carried Christ’s Cross. Simon did not carry the Cross by choice. The Bible says:

The soldiers COMPELLED him to bear His Cross.

Simon carried Christ’s Cross, but is never mentioned again in Scripture or in history. He was not saved. Simon is a picture of legislated morality. You cannot legislate morality. You cannot force someone to be right with God and with man. Salvation is a choice that every person must make, a choice to WILLINGLY carry Christ’s Cross. Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24-27 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Salvation is a denial of self. You must deny yourself to be saved. You must place yourself in the service of Christ, even if that service is distasteful. You must follow Jesus. When Jesus walked that lonely path to Calvary He did so willingly, and for us.

Thus we follow Him willingly.

Not like Simon of Cyrene, but like Simon Peter.

Not because we are forced.

But because we love Him.

Matthew 27:33-34 (KJV) And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, [34] They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

The word “Calvary” is only found once in the Scripture, in:

Luke 23:33 (KJV) And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

In all other places it is called “Golgotha”. What is the difference between “Golgotha” and “Calvary”? Nothing. We seem to like the word “Calvary” better because it sounds better, but either word is the same. The Latin for Golgotha is Calvary. It is “a place of a skull”. A place where people were executed. It should have been a sad place, but it had become a place of entertainment.

The Darkness Fell To Stop The Playing

Matthew 27:35 (KJV) And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

The darkness often falls on us, and on our nation, to get our attention.

We have a tendency to love the wrong things.

God made us to love Him and to love one another.

Yet often we love stuff, things, much more than the life which God has given us.

As Jesus hung dying on the Cross the soldiers knelt at the foot of the Cross playing games. Christ’s clothing was of more value to them than Christ Himself. As they did this Matthew recalls a prophecy that is fulfilled in this horrible scene:

Psalms 22:15-18 (KJV) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. [16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. [17] I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. [18] They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Here is Him Who is without sin dying, but the world looks on blindly.

The cruelty of the Cross and the games the soldiers were playing was prophesied by God. Mark tells us that …

Mark 15:27-28 (KJV) And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS.

Our innocent Redeemer dies on a Cross between two thieves. He is “numbered with the transgressors”, a prophecy of …

Isaiah 53:12 (KJV) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 22:37 (KJV) For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Jesus was “numbered with the transgressors” though He was not one. A little girl was asked “What does love look like?” The little girl said “It’s when I let Johnny get in front of me at the drinking fountain line”. Art smiled and said, “Well, you must love Johnny very much.” She replied, “No, I don’t even like him”.

God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son to die for us. God did not like what we were doing when He sent Christ. God doesn’t like what we are doing now. God does not like sin, but He loves the world. So Christ was “numbered with the transgressors” so that we who transgress can be saved.

When Darkness Falls, Who Will You Turn To?

Matthew 27:38 (KJV) Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Matthew does not record the salvation of the thief on Christ’s right hand, but Luke does. Jesus was numbered with the Transgressors. He is not dying for His sins, but for our sins. But the Transgressors are dying for their sins. The thieves on either side of Christ are not there because of injustice, but because of justice. They have sinned against God, and against order. Their sins are put to rest by the state who has “the power of the sword” (Romans 13:4). The thief on Christ’s left speaks up.

Luke 23:39 (ESV) “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

Jesus cannot save the person whose heart is hardened toward God. Some people say “I will believe in Jesus and follow Him when I am older”. That is a foolish thing. It is possible to harden your heart to where God cannot reach you – and then you will die in your sins. TODAY is the day of salvation. TODAY is the day to call on God. The thief on Christ’s left was hardened to sin. But the thief on His right side said:

Luke 23:40-43 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

If it were not for the suffering he was going through, that thief might never have been saved. But Christ was with him in his suffering. Christ is with us all in our suffering, if we would but turn to Him.

Then darkness fell. We read:

Matthew 27:45-46 (KJV) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. [46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

The darkness is the symbol of the wrath of God being poured out on Christ. Christ stood in my place. Christ stood in your place. It was not the

crown of thorns

the scourge

or the Cross

that made Christ cry out. It was the absence of God in the midst of the darkness that made Him cry. But though He cried, He nonetheless triumphed. The Cross did not defeat Jesus, but the Cross defeated

The Devil

Death

Corruption and Sin

The Cross conquered darkness, and brought eternal life. The Cross stood though the darkness departed. The Cross will always triumph. Jesus will always triumph!

A Final Word

All light is dim where Christ is not. If Jesus is not there, what is there? We have a choice. Christ first, and we walk in light. Christ last, and we walk in darkness. Never let Him go. Cleave to Christ. Love Him. He is the power of God unto salvation both now, and forever.

Posted in Blood of Atonement, Cross of Christ, devil, Sermons Preached, sinners | Tagged Christ, cross, Golgotha, sin, sinners | 1 Comment

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