JESUS WAS FILLED AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Luke 1:35 - "And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that holy One which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Matthew 3:16 - "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:  and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him." 

Luke 4:1- "And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness."

Luke 4:14 - "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about."

John 3:34 - "For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:  for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him."

Luke 4:18 - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."

Matthew 12:28 - "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."

Acts 10:38 - "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power:  Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him."

1 Peter 3:18 - "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."

Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Acts 1:2 - "Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen."

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

All born again believers are reborn of the very same Holy Spirit!

JESUS AS PRESENTED BY JOHN'S GOSPEL

John 1:1, 14, 29, 34, 49 - "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God....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....The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world....And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God....Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."

John 3:16-17 - "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.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

John 4:25-26 - "The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I (that speak unto thee) AM."

John 5:18 - "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."

John 6:35 - "And Jesus said unto them, I AM The Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst."

John 8:12, 18, 24, 58 - "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM The Light of the world:  he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life....I AM one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me....I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:  for if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins....Jesus said unto them, Verily,verily, I say unto you,  Before Abraham was, I AM."

John 10:9, 11, 30 - "I AM The Door:  by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture....I AM The Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep....I and My Father are One."

John 11:25 - "Jesus said unto her, I AM The Resurrection, and The Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

John 13:13, 19 - "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I AM....Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I AM."

John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."

John 15:1 - "I AM The True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman."

John 18:5-8 - "They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus saith unto them, I AM.  And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.  As soon then as He had said unto them, I AM, they went backward, and fell to the ground.  Then asked He them again, Whom seek ye?  And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM:  if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way."

JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!  WORSHIP HIM!

CHRISTIANS HAVE BUT ONE LAW TO KEEP!

When Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15), His disciples were being challenged to recognize His deity.  The theme that says one's obedience to the commandments is a sign that the individual reverences God, appears throughout the Old Testament (Ex. 20:6; Deut. 5:10; 7:9; Neh. 1:5; Dan. 9:4), but it was always understood to be referring to the One True God.  The Jews did not believe in the Trinity.  In fact, the verse which they hold dearest, even today,  was Deuteronomy 6:4, which says, "Hear, O Israel:  The LORD our God is one LORD!"  The Jews had no problem understanding what that meant, until Jesus included Himself as the God of the commandments.  One would think that after His three plus years spent teaching them, His disciples would understand.  After all, didn't Peter call Jesus "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16:16), and Thomas addressed Him as "my Lord and my God" (Jn. 20:28)? 

Even after the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41), there was still a debate about the need for Christians to follow the Old Testament Law (Acts 15).  In fact, it has lasted among some denominations, and probably will last, until the Rapture of the Church!  The Apostle Paul was "stalked" by Judaizers, and the entire Book, of Galatians was written to keep them from bringing Christians back under the bondage of the Law.  Salvation is not achieved by the works of the Law, but by grace through faith; it is the gift of God;  salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9; see Rom. 5:15-18; 6:23)!

So, if obeying the commandments does not save a person, then why did God give them to Israel?  Paul answered that question in Galatians 5:24-26:  "Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." 

Does that mean we are not to obey the commandments?  NO!  It means that, because it is impossible to obey them perfectly, God gave His Son that we could be saved by faith in Him.  It means that once a person is born again by faith in Jesus (Jn. 3:3-8), there is a change in the commandments.  We are no longer under the 613 laws given in the Old Testament.  When a Pharisee asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Mt. 22:36-40)!  The Law of Love is not "thou shalt not," but "thou shalt love!"

The Apostle Paul condensed the commandments Christians are supposed to do, to one!  He wrote:  "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Gal. 5:13-14)!  Paul understood that by loving our neighbor, we are obeying God!  So you see, when Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15), He was saying when we love our neighbors, He is pleased with us.

Saved people obey God out of gratitude for His love and grace!

BELIEVE GOD!

The word "believe" appears in 131 verses in the King James Version of the Bible.  Forty-six of those are in the Gospel of John, and another three are in 1 John.  The word "believeth" appears in thirty-nine verses in the Bible; of those, fourteen are in John's Gospel and three more are in 1 John.  Here is a bit of irony:  the word "faith" is found in 231 verses in the Bible, but none are in the Gospel of John!  "Faith" does appear in one verse in 1 John (5:4), and in four verses of Revelation (2:13, 19; 13:10; 14:12), so John was familiar with the word.

I am guessing as to why John focused solely on the idea of believing in his Gospel, and did not use the word "faith"; John's message presented the words and actions of Jesus Christ as evidence of Who Jesus is.  We know the definition of "faith" from the Book of Hebrews which says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).  John did not need faith to believe in Jesus; he knew Him!  And he wasn't asking people to have faith in Jesus; he was asking people to believe his testimony.  His Gospel ended with these words:  "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."  John provided his readers with all that was necessary for them to believe in Jesus Christ!  The result of believing is faith!  This is also obvious in the last chapter of 1 John; he wrote:  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...(5:13)!

Here are a few verses which contain both "faith" and "believe":
*  Romans 3:22 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."
*  Romans 4:5 - "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
*  2 Corinthians 4:13 - "We having the same Spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak."
*  Galatians 2:16 - "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
*  Galatians 3:22 - "But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
*  Hebrews 11:6 - "But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
*  1 Peter 1:21 - "Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

Believe Jesus died for your sins, that He was buried,

and have faith in the One Who raised Him up the third day!

FOUR DOWN - THREE TO GO

I.  The Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29)

Leviticus 23:5 - "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover."
1 Corinthians 5:7 - "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."
II.  The Bread of Life (Jn. 6:35)
Leviticus 23:6 - "And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread."
Hebrews 4:1 - "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
III.  The Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25)
Leviticus 23:10-11 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the Firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:  And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it."
1 Corinthians 15:20 - "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become The Firstfruits of them that slept."
IV.  Christ, the Head of the Church (Eph. 5:23)
Leviticus 23:15-17 - "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days (the Feast of Pentecost); and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD."
Acts 2:1, 47 - "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."  "...And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
V.  The Rapture & the Gathering of Israel? (Dan. 9:27; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Th. 4:16)
Leviticus 23:24 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets (the Feast of Trumpets), an holy convocation."
VI.  The Tribulation? (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15-28; Rev. 13 - 19)
Leviticus 23:27 - "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement:  it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD."
VII.  The Millennial Kingdom? (Rev. 20:1-15)
Leviticus 23:34 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD."

Note the question marks on the last three Feasts of the Lord. 

I do not claim to know the events they represent! 

Christ literally fulfilled the first four, and He will literally fulfill the last three! 

I do not believe the Church will be here for them!

THE CHURCH IS ABOUT TO BE "SNATCHED!"

The Greek word ἁρπάζω (harpazō), is defined as:  to seize, carry off by force; to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly; to snatch out or away."  In other words, ἁρπάζω describes a "taking by force."  It appears thirteen times in thirteen verses in the New Testament.  They are:

*  Matthew 11:12 - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
*  Matthew 13:19 - "When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.  This is he which received seed by the way side."
*  John 6:15 - "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone."
*  John 10:12 - "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."
*  John 10:28-29 - "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
*  Acts 8:39 - "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
*  Acts 23:10 - "And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle."
*  2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
*  1 Thessalonians 4:17 - "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."
*  Jude 1:23 - "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
*  Revelation 12:5 - "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."

It is because the same word is used in Revelation 12:5, that some have come to the conclusion that the "man child" does not refer to Jesus Christ; Christ ascended - He was not taken by force.  Acts 1:9 reads:  "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight."  The Greek word used here is ἐπαίρω (epairō), and although it is passive action, it is used to describe a willingness to go, rather than to be taken by force.  I do not know exactly what takes place in Revelation 12, but it cannot be "the Church," as we are pictured as be taken via the Rapture (Ch. 4:1).  What I do know, is that born again believers will soon be leaving this rotten world (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 3:10; etc.)!

Today would be just fine with me!

IF I DON'T HUMBLE MYSELF, GOD WILL!

"Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

(Proverbs 16:18)!

*  Exodus 10:3 - "And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before Me?"
*  Deuteronomy 8:2 - "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee...."
*  1 Kings 21:29 - "See thou how Ahab humbled himself before Me?  Because he humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days...."
*  2 Kings 22:19 - "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD...and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, says the LORD."
*  2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
*  Job 22:29 - "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person."
*  Psalm 10:17 - "LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble:  Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause thine ear to hear...."
*  Proverbs 16:19 - "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
*  Isaiah 2:11 - "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day."
*  Micah 6:8 - "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
*  Matthew 18:4 - "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
*  Luke 14:11 - "For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."
*  Philippians 2:8 - "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
*  Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering...."
*  James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up."
*  1 Peter 5:5 - "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow....

And that every tongue should confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Philippians 2:10-11)

THE BELIEVER'S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah)

The Hebrew word translated "LORD" 6510 times in the Old Testament, is also translated "GOD" four times, and "Jehovah" four times.  The KJV also translates it "I AM THAT I AM" and "I AM."

Exodus 3:13-15 - "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name?  What shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you:  this is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations."

Exodus 6:2-3 - "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I AM the LORD:  and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."

Psalm 83:18 - "That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

Isaiah 12:2 - "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid:  for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."

Isaiah 26:4 - "Trust ye in the LORD forever:  for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

θεός (theos)

The Greek word translated "God" 1343 times in the New Testament.

πατήρ (patēr)

The Greek word translated "Father" 263 times in the New Testament.

ἀββα (abba)

This Greek word is not translated in the New Testament.  "Abba" appears three times, and is always followed by πατήρ (patēr):  it is used in prayer and it indicates a "child-to-Father" relationship.

Mark 14:36 - "And He  said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me:  nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt."

Romans 8:15 - "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 4:6 - "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."

BEING BORN AGAIN MAKES US A CHILD OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!

THERE'S TRIBULATION AND THERE'S THE TRIBULATION

In Matthew 4:8-9, Satan tried to tempt Jesus to worship him:  "...the devil took Jesus up into an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and said unto Him, All these things will I give to You, if You will fall down and worship me."  Note that Jesus didn't tell Satan that he couldn't give Him what he did not "own," for this world is the "property" of Satan (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2; 6:12; etc.).  Paul wrote:  "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4:4).  Jesus responded by saying:  "...Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt you serve" (Mt. 4:10)!

Like Jesus, born again believers are constantly under the attack by unbelievers and by Satan himself.  Jesus even told His disciples that they need to continually pray that God will "... lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from (the evil one)..." (Mt. 6:13)!  Paul wrote this word of encouragement:  "There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13)! 

Because Jesus said, "...In the world you shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33), many believe born again believers will have to  experience "The Tribulation" (Mt. 24:21, 29), (a.k.a. "The Seventieth Week of Daniel" - Dan. 9:27; and "The Time of Jacob's Trouble - Jer. 30:7).  That is not true.  The following passages teach that born again believers will not be here when that horrible time begins:

* John 14-1-3 - "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
* 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 - "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
* 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - "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:  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.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
* 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 - "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." 
* Revelation 3:7, 10 - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens....because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

Beg people to trust in Jesus Christ while there is still time!

LUKE 24:47 - REPENTANCE AND REMISSION

REPENTANCE

Some form of the word "repent" appears sixty-six times in the New Testament.  "Repent" means to have a change of mind (Acts 20:21); to turn from one's sinful way of life, and to begin living for the Lord (Heb. 6:1); to have a godly sorrow for one's sins (2 Cor. 7:10); it is evidence of one being converted (saved - Acts 3:19); it is foundational, along with faith, that saves (Heb. 6:1).  Repentance is as necessary to salvation, as is the remission of sins (Lk. 24:47).  Here are just sixteen examples of the importance of repentance:

* Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
* Matthew 9:13 - "...I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
* Mark 6:12 - "And they went out, and preached that men should repent."
* Luke 13:3 & 5 - "...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
* Luke 15:10 - "... there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
* Luke 24:47 - "...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
* Acts 2:38 - "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...."
* Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...."
* Acts 11:18 - "...Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
* Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
* Romans 2:4 - The goodness of God leads people to repentance.
* Romans 11:29 - "...the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."
* 2 Corinthians 7:10 - "...godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation...."
* Hebrews 6:1 - "...not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."
* 2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

REMISSION OF SINS

"Remission" refers to the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.  Jesus shed His blood (gave His life - Lev. 17:11) as payment for the sins of the world (1 Jn. 2:2)!  "Remission" appears ten times in the New Testament; here are four exceedingly important examples:
* Matthew 26:28 - "For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
* Luke 24:47 - "...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
* Acts 10:43 - " To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."
* Hebrews 9:22 - "...without shedding of blood is no remission (of sins)."

GOD'S LOVE IS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS SON'S REMISSION OF OUR SINS!

OUR LOVE IS DEMONSTRATED BY WILLINGNESS TO OBEY JESUS!

GOD'S LAW POINTS TO GOD'S GRACE

CAN A PERSON BE SAVED BY OBEYING GOD'S LAW?

The purpose of the Law was never meant to explain how one becomes a child of God, but it was given to convince man that he, being unable to keep the whole Law, was in need of a Savior.  The Apostle Paul wrote:
Galatians 3;21-26 - "...if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law.  But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

And, just as all mankind was marked for death by the sin of one man, Adam, and because we are like him, we all sin, so too is the free gift of salvation offered because of the One Who never sinned (Heb. 4:15).  Again, Paul wrote:  
Romans 5:17-19 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous."
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

The Law was not given that man could earn eternal life, but was given to point us to Jesus Christ!   Did Jesus fulfill the Law?  Of course He did!  In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said,  "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."  If anyone was to be saved from the penalty of sin, someone had to fulfill the Law!  Jesus did!  We are told in Hebrews 4:15 - "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  Jesus fulfilled the whole Law for us!

Romans 4:1-5 - "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  For what saith the Scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

SALVATION IS A GIFT TO ALL WHO ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD!

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved."

THE BIBLE SAYS "THERE IS NO GOD"

People who claim that their church is the one true church, frequently use the Bible to prove they are right and everyone else is wrong.  After all, they say, "Isn't the Bible the Word of God?"  Of course it is, and every jot and tittle is true (Mt. 5:18).  The Apostle Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).  But unfortunately, men have a way of taking God's Word out of context, and when one does that, it can literally become a tool of Satan!  Here are a dozen verses that say THERE IS NO GOD! 

Deut. 32:39 - "See now that I, even I AM He, and THERE IS NO GOD with Me:  I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal:  neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand."
1 Kgs. 8:23 - "And he said, LORD God of Israel,THERE IS NO GOD like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with Thy servants that walk before Thee with all their heart."
2 Kgs. 1:16 - "And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because THERE IS NO GOD in Israel to inquire of His Word?  Therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die."
2 Kgs. 5:18 - "And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that THERE IS NO GOD in all earth, but in Israel:  now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant."
2 Chr. 6:14 - "And said, O LORD God of Israel, THERE IS NO GOD like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts."

Ps. 14:1 & 53:1 - "The fool hath said in his heart, THERE IS NO GOD.  Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity:  there is none that doeth good."

Isa. 44:6, 8 - "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me THERE IS NO GOD.  Fear ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it?  Ye are even My witnesses.  Is there a God beside Me?  Yea, THERE IS NO GOD; I know not any."

Isa. 45:5, 14, 21 - "I AM the LORD, and there is none else, THERE IS NO GOD beside Me:  I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.  Thus saith the LORD, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine:  they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, THERE IS NO GOD.  Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together:  who hath declared this from ancient time?  Who hath told it from that time?  Have not I the LORD?  And THRE IS NO GOD else beside Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside Me."

JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE QUOTES THE BIBLE,

DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH!

AND YOU THINK THINGS ARE BAD NOW!

*  Genesis 49:1-2 - "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.  Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father."
*  Isaiah 2:1-2 - "The Word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."
*  Micah 4:1-2 - "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the Law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
*  Acts 2:16-21 - "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:  the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day of the Lord come:  and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
*  2 Timothy 3:1-5 - "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away."
*  Hebrews 1:1-3 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 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; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
*  James 5:1-3 - "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.  Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
*  2 Peter 3:3-10 - "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  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.  But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

BEFORE that great and notable Day of the Lord comes, 

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

IT IS THE LORD JESUS WHO SAVES THE LOST!

For as long as I can remember, "guardians of the Bible truth" (salvation is not by works, but solely by God's grace), have fought tooth and nail against so-called "Lordship Salvation!"  According to them, to recognize that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Jn. 1:2; etc.)  is some sort of works, and yet, the Bible clearly teaches Jesus Christ is Lord (He is addressed as Lord in 179 New Testament verses)!  I suppose, in a misinterpretation of John 6:28-29, one might even say that "believing is works"; John wrote:  "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent."  However, in order to say that, they have to ignore the many passages which say that salvation is by faith alone (Rom. 3:27-28; 11:6; 2 Tim. 1:9; etc.)!

Don't get me wrong; I fully understand their concern that most people who claim to be Christians, somehow believe that their "good works must out-weigh bad works (sin)" in order to be accepted into God's heaven.  In reality, people who hold that view of Christianity, are no different than those who are trusting in any other religion; to them, it is simply one of the many paths by which one can earn his or her salvation.  It is hard for me to believe, however, that a person claiming to be a Christian, can believe there are many ways to heaven; after all, Jesus said, "I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6 - emphasis mine)! 

Whenever and wherever Christ is preached, He should always be identified as Lord!  All New Testament authors identified Jesus Christ as Lord:

*  Matthew wrote in Mt. 17:4 - "Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
*  Mark wrote in Mk. 11:3 - "And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither."
*  Luke wrote in Acts 4:33 - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
*  Paul wrote in Rom. 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
*  The writer of Hebrews wrote in Heb. 13:20-21 - "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen."
*  James wrote in Jam. 2:1 - "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."
*  Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 1:3 - "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."
*  Jude wrote in Jude 1:23 - "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
*  John wrote in Rev. 22:20-21 - "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

EVEN THE THIEF ON THE CROSS CALLED JESUS LORD!

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Isaiah 2:12 - "For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low!"
Isaiah 13:6 - "Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty!"
Isaiah 13:9 - "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it."
Isaiah 34:8 - "For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion."
Jeremiah 46:10 - "For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that He may avenge Him of His adversaries:  and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood:  for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates."
Lamentations 2:22 - "Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD's anger none escaped nor remained:  those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed."
Ezekiel 13:5 - "Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD."
Ezekiel 30:3 - "For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen."
Joel 1:15 - "Alas for the day!  For the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come."
Joel 2:1 - "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain:  let all the inhabitants of the land tremble:  for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand!"
Joel 2:11 - "And the LORD shall utter His voice before His army:  for His camp is very great:  for He is strong that executeth His Word:  for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?"
Joel 3:14 - "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:  for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."
Joel 5:18 - "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD!  To what end is it for you?   The day of the LORD is darkness, and not light."
Joel 5:20 - "Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light?  Even very dark, and no brightness in it?"
Obadiah 1:15 - "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen:  as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee:  thy reward shall return upon thine own head."
Zephaniah 1:7-8 - "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand:  for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests.  And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel."
Zephaniah 1:14 - "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:  the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."
Zephaniah 1:18 - "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."
Zephaniah 2:2-3 - "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you.  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger."
Zechariah 14:1 - "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee."
1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
2 Peter 3:10 - "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

The Church will be in heaven during the day of the Lord!"

A RELATIONSHIP - NOT A RELIGION!

Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God."

Luke 20:36 - "Neither can they die anymore:  for they are equal unto the angels' and are the children of God, being the children of the Resurrection."

John 11:52 - "And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."

Romans 8:14-17 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  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.  The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."

Romans 8:21 - "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

Romans 9:8 - "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God:  but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."

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

1 John 3:2 - "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."

1 John 3:10 - "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:  whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

1 John 5:3 - "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments."

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26)

ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS WILL GO TO HEAVEN

The Bible repeatedly teaches that unless a man is considered righteous, he cannot spend eternity with Almighty God!  "Righteousness" is defined as "the state of him who is as he ought to be, the only condition acceptable by God."  One could say it is being holy like God is holy.  But the Bible says "...There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10)!  So how does one become righteous?  Here are a few verses that answer that question:

Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth....For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Romans 3:22-23 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 4:3-5 - "For what saith the Scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Romans 5:17-18 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

Romans 10:8-10 - "...The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

Philippians 3:9 - "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Revelation 19:7-8 - "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him:  for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:  for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

There is a vast difference between being religious and being righteous!

Religion is based upon trying to get to heaven by works!

Righteousness is God's gift to those who believe in the resurrected Lord,  Jesus Christ!

CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY

Have you ever noticed that whenever a young person gets into trouble with the law, that the parents are quick to blame others by saying, "My child is a good kid; he just fell in with the wrong crowd!"  No one ever says, "I'm sorry that my child led your child down the path of crime."  I am not sure, but I think the parents who make excuses for their child's behavior by blaming "the crowd," are really more worried about people thinking they are bad parents.  Whatever the motive, there may be biblical evidence that some of them are right.  Proverbs 1:10, 15; 4:14-15:

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not....My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path."  "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it...." 

It is far more likely that "birds of a feather, flock together!"  The Apostle Paul warned against associating with "the world" but encouraged believers to associate with God and His children; he wrote:

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial?  Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

This may not be true in all cases, but it seems to me that if one associates mostly with non-believers, in order to maintain the relationship, a believer will need to avoid sharing his faith; "the world" wants nothing to do with spiritual things.  On the other hand, when believers gather together, they have fellowship with one another because they have their faith in common.

It seems to me that born again believers enjoy spending time with one another; and that is good, because they will be spending eternity with each other and with Jesus Christ.  Conversely, unbelievers prefer spending time with each other and that they too will be spending eternity with them; unfortunately, instead of being with God, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and will be spending eternity with the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and with Satan and his angels (Rev. 20:10-15)!

Choose your friends wisely; you may be with them for eternity!

BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS NEED NOT WORRY

John 14:1-3, 6 - Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.  And you know the way to where I am going....I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  No one can come to the Father except through Me. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11 - And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.  We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words. 

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.  For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  When people are saying, Everything is peaceful and secure, then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin.  And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.  For you are all children of the Light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.  So be on your guard, not asleep like the others.  Stay alert and be clear-headed.  Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.  But let us who live in the Light be clear-headed, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.  For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Based upon the New Living Translation.

.

TRUE BELIEVERS KNOW JESUS AS THEIR LORD

Romans 5:8-11 - "...God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement."

Note:  1 - We did not have to "clean ourselves up" in order for God to love and save us!
           2 - Jesus Christ died, shedding His blood, for us - God's enemies!
           3 - Without His sacrifice, we were destined to suffer the wrath of God!
           4 - We were reconciled with God by Christ's death!
           5 - We are saved because God raised Him from the dead!
           6 - We "joy in" God (no longer fear Him); because Jesus is now our Lord!
           7 - Bottom line:  Jesus atoned for us - He satisfied our debt!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

Note:  1 - Believers are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:26-27)!

           2 - Believers have been born again; we are truly new creations (Jn. 3:1-18)!

           3 - Believers are no longer alienated from God (Col. 1:21)!

           4 - Believers have been given Christ's righteousness (Rom. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:21)!

           5 - Believers now represent God as His ambassadors (Mt. 28:19-20)!

           6 - Believers' sins were placed on sinless Jesus (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:24)!

           7 - Believers have chosen to allow Jesus to be their Lord (Rom. 10:8-13)!

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins, that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead to become both your Lord and you Savior?  If so, He has work for you to do!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN BY GRACE

Born again believers are always talking about "grace!"  And if we are not talking about it, we are singing about it!  The most famous hymn today, it is played at most funerals, and more often than not, it is played at funerals in motion pictures.  This hymn pretty much grasps the biblical idea of "grace."  It goes like this:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind but now I see.                

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.                

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.  

The Lord has promised good to me; His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.                      

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.                            

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun!    

  The Hebrew word translated grace is  חֵן (chen), occuring 69 times in the Old Testament.  The Greek word translated grace is  χάρις (charis), occurs 156 times in the New Testament.  "Grace" has been defined as "unmerited favor" (Eph. 2:8-9); it is not something we can earn by good works, but it is His gift to all who trust in Jesus!  As I understand it, that means God loves us in spite of who we are, or what we have done (Rom. 5:8).  But more than that, He demonstrated His love by sacrificing His Son as full payment for our sin (Jn. 3:14-18).  And just as He raised Jesus up from the dead, He promises to do the same for whosoever will call His Son Lord (Rom. 3:23, 5:8; 6:23; 10:8-10; etc.)!  Because all have sinned and deserve death, He has offered forgiveness; Jesus took our place, dying for us, and more than that, He has also offered to give us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21)!!!

Grace is the gift to us from God!

Rom. 5:15 - "... the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ."Rom. 5:17 - "...receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

Eph. 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS AMAZING GRACE TOWARD US!

REPENTANCE AND REMISSION

On the day of His Resurrection from the dead, Jesus joined two disillusioned disciples who were leaving Jerusalem and heading to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-53).  Jesus asked them why they were so troubled, and they told Him about the Crucifixion of the One they had trusted to be the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning Israel's Messiah.  He then proceeded to teach them from the Law and the Prophets, "the things concerning Himself."  After Jesus "vanished out of their sight," they returned to Jerusalem to tell "the eleven" about their encounter with Jesus.  While they were discussing their experience, Jesus appeared, and He repeated what He had told the two, but this time, He added the things concerning Himself from the Psalms.  (Ex:  Gen. 3:15; Isa. 53; Ps. 22)

Near the end of His meeting with His followers, Jesus made this remarkable statement; He said, "...Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:46-47)!  It is remarkable because it is the only record we have of Jesus including "repentance" as part of the message His disciples were to proclaim in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and throughout the world (Mt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  However, earlier in His ministry, He told His disciples to call upon Israel to repent (Mt. 3:2; 4:7; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:3, 5); and in Mark 1:14-15, "...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel."

"Remission" is from the Greek ἄφεσις (aphesis), which occurs 17 times in 16 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV.  Basically, it is the message of the Gospel, in that, it means "the forgiveness or pardon of sins" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

"Repentance" is from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia), which occurs 24 times in 24 verses in the Greek concordance of the KJV.  It means "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done."  In relationship to salvation, it means that one has changed his mind concerning Jesus, and has called upon Him as his Lord (Rom. 10:8-17).  Paul actually describes this change this way:  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

In other words, Jesus wants everyone to know that He paid our "debt" which we  all owe because we are all sinners, and the "wages of sin is death" (Rom. 3:23); He died in our place!  Paul wrote:  "And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15).  This last verse includes both remission and repentance!

JESUS DIED FOR US!

OUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE THAT OF  GRATITUDE AND SURRENDER!

SIXTEEN "NEW TESTAMENT PROVERBS"

Do not accept doctrine unless it is solely based upon the written Word of God (Mark 7:13)!

God will bless those who hear His Word, and then do it (Luke 11:28)!

When one is filled with the Spirit, he will speak the Word of God (Acts 4:31)!

Pastors are to focus upon the Word of God (Acts 6:2)!

Wise men long to hear the Word of God (Acts 13:7)!

The Word of God grows when things contrary to it are destroyed (Acts 19:19-20)!

Saving faith comes from believing the Word of God (Romans 10:13)!

The believer's weapon against Satan is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)!

The Word of God is at work in born again believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13)!

Our food is made pure by the prayer of thanksgiving and the Word of God (1 Timothy 4:4-5)!

Our circumstances should not silence the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:9)!

Our thoughts and actions should line up with the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12)!

It was the Word of God that created the universe (Hebrews 11:3)!

Follow those who lead according to the Word of God (Hebrews 13:7)!

The Word of God is worth our very lives (Revelation 6:9)!

The Word of God will return as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16)!

FAITH IN THE RISEN LORD RESULTS IN SALVATION

NO ONE DESERVES TO GO TO HEAVEN

Romans 3:10-12, 23 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one....all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

BUT GOD LOVED US EVEN WHILE WE WERE NOTHING BUT SINNERS

Romans 5:8-9 - "But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 - "...I declare unto you the Gospel (the message, when believed, that has the power of God to save you - Rom. 1:16)...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures!"

GOD OFFERS SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

Romans 6:20-23 - "For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.  What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed?  For the end of those things is death.  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS

Romans 10:8-13 - "...The Word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

JESUS BECAME LIKE US SO WE COULD BECOME LIKE HIM

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 - "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
1 John 3:2 - "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does 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."

Salvation is by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ - PERIOD!