THE CROSS OF CHRIST AS I UNDERSTAND IT

*  Matthew 27:40-42 - The two thieves said...You Who destroys the temple, and builds it in three days, save Yourself.  If You are the Son of God, come down from Your cross.  Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; but can He save Himself?  If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down from His cross, and we will believe Him.
*  Mark 10:21 - Then Jesus, seeing him, loved him, and He said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven:  and come, take up your cross, and follow Me.
*  Mark 15:30-32 - The two thieves said, Save Yourself, and come down from Your cross.  Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; but can He save Himself?  Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from His cross, so that we may see and believe.  And those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
*  Luke 23:26 - And as they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid His cross, that he might bear it for Jesus.
*  John 19:19, 25, 31 - And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on His cross.  And the writing said, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS....Now Mary, His mother, stood by His cross as did His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene....The Jews, because it was the preparation day, desiring that the bodies should not remain upon the crosses on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) asked Pilate that their legs be broken, so that they might die quickly and be buried before sunset.
*  1 Corinthians 1:17-18 - For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel:  not with wisdom of words so that the cross of Christ should not be effective.  For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but to those of us which are saved, it is the power of God.
*  Galatians 6:14 - But God forbid that I should receive any glory, for all glory belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ Who bore His cross, and by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
*  Ephesians 2:16 - And by His cross, He has reconciled to God, both the Jews and the Gentiles who, together, have become His body, thereby bringing us into fellowship with God.
*  Philippians 2:8 -  Jesus, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
*  Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and He is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

This is how I understand these verses about the importance of Christ's cross!

What does His willingness to die on the cross for you, tell you about His love for you?

HE CAME ONCE TO DIE - HE IS COMING AGAIN TO RULE

JESUS CAME AS THE SAVIOR WHO OFFERED HIMSELF

*  Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."

*  Matthew 1:18-25 - "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:  When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto yourself Mary your wife:  for the child which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and you shalt call His name JESUS:  for He shall save His people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had instructed him, and he took unto himself his wife:  and he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS."

 

JESUS IS COMING BACK AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

*  Isaiah 9:6-7 - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called The Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

*  Revelation 19:11-16; 20:6 - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.  And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of His mouth went a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations:  and He shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS....Blessed and holy is He that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

 

JESUS THE LAMB - JESUS THE LION - JESUS MY LORD AND MASTER

SEEK THE GIFT OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

Grace:  an undeserved gift (getting something we do not deserve); God's Riches At Christ's Expense; grace can only be applied following God showing us mercy (not getting what we deserve)!

Righteousness:  no man is righteous, therefore, we need the righteousness that is God's, to be applied to us.  Righteousness is purity, holiness, being what God created us to be - like Him!

*  Matthew 6:33 - Seek, before anything else, His righteousness, which can only be from God Himself!

*  Romans 3:26 - I declare at this time that salvation is based upon His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. 

*  Romans 11:6 - And salvation is by grace, and not by works:  but if salvation is by works, then is it not a gift.

*  Galatians 2:16 - You should know that a man is not made righteous by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, for 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 the works of the Law does not produce righteousness.

*  Ephesians 2:4-9 - God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love which He has for us, even when we were spiritually dead because of our sins, He has made us alive and saved us by His grace.  And He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  so that in the ages to come, He can show the exceeding riches of His grace and His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For we are saved by God's grace through faith; it is not because we deserve it, but salvation is the gift of God:  not by our works, for then we could boast.

*  2 Timothy 1:9 - God has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began!

*  Titus 3:4-5 - Due to the kindness and love of God toward man, our Savior appeared, not because of our works of righteousness, but according to His mercy He saved us...!

Note:  These are not quotes, but they are written based upon my understanding at this time.

 

When you read God's Word, read it with understanding; then apply it to your life.

NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL, BUT SCRIPTURALLY ACCURATE

Here are just a few Bible references which show how accurate Mark Lowry's song, "Mary Did You Know," is:

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?  Mt. 14:25-26
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?  Lk. 9:38-39; Mt. 9:18-25
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?  2 Cor. 5:17
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you  Lk. 1:46-47

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?  Mk. 8:22-25
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?  Mt. 8:23-27
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?  Jn. 17:5
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God  Mt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see  Jn. 9:1-38
The deaf will hear  Lk. 7:22
And the dead will live again  Mt. 9:25; Lk. 7:14-15; Jn. 11:43-44
The lame will leap  Mt. 11:5; Act. 3:1-8
The dumb will speak  Mt. 15:31
The praises of the Lamb  Jn. 1:29, 36; Mt. 15:30-31

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?  Jn. 1:1-3; Act. 17:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-2
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?  1 Cor. 15:24-25; Rev. 19:15
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?  1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 4:15
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am  Jn. 6:48; 8:23, 58; 9:5; 10:9; 11:25; 13:13; 14:6

MARY FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD*

And in the sixth month (of Elizabeth's pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  And the angel came to her, and said, "Hail, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you:  you are blessed among women." 

And when she saw him, she was troubled and wondered about the angel's greeting.  And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary:  for you have found favor from God (Favor, as it appears here, is from the Greek χαριτόω (charitoō), which means "to be given grace and made acceptable by God" - see Eph. 1:6).  And, behold, you shall conceive and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His ancestor, David:  and He shall reign over the house of Israel forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." 

Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing that I have not been with a man?"  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that Holy Child Who shall be born of you shall be the Son of God.  And, behold, your cousin Elisabeth has also conceived a son in her old age: and she is in her sixth month, she who was formerly called barren.  But with God nothing is impossible."  And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me as you say."  And the angel departed from her. 

And Mary arose in those days, and quickly went to the hill country, to a city of Judah; and when she entered into the house of Zacharias, she greeted his wife Elisabeth.  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit:  and she said with a loud voice, "You, of all women, are blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And why is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For as soon as I heard your greeting, the my baby leaped in my womb for joy.  And blessed are you who believed:  for those things which were told her from the Lord, shall be accomplished."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.  For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:  for, behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.  For He that is mighty has done in me a great thing; and Holy is His name.  And His mercy is on all who reverence Him from generation to generation.  He has showed His great power, and He has scattered the proud due to the their vain imaginations.  He has brought down the mighty from their self-appointed thrones, and has raised up those of low degree.  He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent empty away.  He has helped his servant Israel, because of his great mercy; as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever."  And Mary stayed with Elisabeth for about three months, and then she returned to her own house.

*  Luke 1:26-56 (SLV - The Word as I understand it)!

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BELIEVE

 

 



MARY DID YOU KNOW

MARY DID YOU KNOW

(Written by Mark Lowry)

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am



THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION OF HOW BELIEVERS OUGHT TO LIVE

JESUS AS OUR EXAMPLE

*  Luke 24:25-27 - "Then Jesus said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory.  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ON HOW WE OUGHT TO LIVE

*  Acts 5:29 - "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
*  Acts 17:29 - "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's devices."
*  Acts 20:35 - "I have showed you all things, how that by laboring, you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
*  Romans 12:3 - "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith."
*  Romans 15:1 - "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
*  Ephesians 5:28 - "So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies...." 
*  Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man."
*   Hebrews 5:12 - "Though by now you ought to be teachers, you still need others to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have need of milk, rather than strong meat."
*  James 3:10 - "Out of the same mouth you speak both blessings and cursings.  My brethren, these things ought not to be."
*  James 4:15 - "For that you ought to say, If the Lord wills it, we shall live, and do this, or that."
*  1 John 2:6 - "He that says he abides in Him, ought to walk, even as He walked."
*  1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
*  1 John 4:11 - "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

 

IF JESUS IS MY LORD AND MASTER, MY LIFE OUGHT TO SHOW IT!

BELIEVING IS NOT A RELIGIOUS WORK

Yesterday, I wrote of the two factors involved in one being saved:  Repentance AND Remission (Lk. 24:47).  And while they appear to be two different things, when it comes to the salvation of one's soul, they are really "two sides of the same coin":  Faith!  The Gospel message, the only message that God's Word says can save us (Rom. 1:16), reveals two things:  we are sinners in need of salvation, and Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead, all according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4)!  When a person believes the Gospel message, he turns from a life marked by sin (Repentance), to a life dedicated to living for the One Who gave Himself for us (Remission)!  The Holy Spirit convinces us we need a savior, also convinces us that Jesus fulfilled that role (Jn. 16:7-15; Heb. 9:22; 1 Jn. 2:2)!

Let me be absolutely clear; we are not saved by religious works, but are saved by faith in His finished work on our behalf on the cross!  Some have said that repentance and believing constitutes works, but the Apostle Paul wrote:  "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." (Gal. 2:16)!  Clearly, believing we need to turn to God and willingly trust in His Son's sacrifice for us, is not works!

The word "believe" appears seventeen times in the entire Old Testament, and one hundred fourteen times in the New Testament:  it appears forty-six times in the Gospel of John!  John declares that the very purpose for his writing his Gospel, was that you and I might believe, and turn to Jesus Christ as our Lord!  Paul states that salvation is acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus:  he wrote, "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." (Rom. 10:9)!  Here are but three examples of John's focus on salvation by faith in Jesus:

*  John 6:28-29 - "Then said they to Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent."  [Note: The only "work" God accepts for salvation, is for us to believe God sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Gal. 2:16)]!

*  John 9:35-38 - "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God?  He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?  And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He Who talks with you.  And he said, Lord, I believe.  And he worshipped Him."  [Note:  True faith always results in the worship of Jesus Christ! (Mt. 2:11; 14:33; 28:9, 17; Lk. 24:52; Rev. 5:14)]!

*  John 20:29-31 - "Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:  But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you might have life through His name." [Note:  Faith is believing without seeing (Rom. 8:24).  Jesus' name is the only name that can save the lost (Acts 4:12; 16:31; Rom. 10:9; Gal. 3:22)]!

 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?  I PRAY YOU DO!

SALVATION INVOLVES TWO THINGS

THE COMMAND TO PREACH TWO THINGS

*  Luke 24:46-47 - Jesus said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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."

"Repentance" should be preached:  "Repentance" is from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia), which means:
*  A change of mind; a remorse concerning one's relationship to God (Webster).
*  Results from knowing the goodness of God (Rom. 2:4).
*  A godly sorrow leading to salvation (2 Cor. 7:9-10).
*  A change that is evidence of one's repentance (Mt. 3:8).
*  Repentance is the result of genuine faith (Acts 20:21).
*  Repentance from dead works is foundational to salvation (Heb. 6:1).
*  True repentance should be followed by good works (Acts 26:20).

AND

"Remission" should be preached:  "Remission" is from the Greek ἄφεσις (aphesis), which means:
*  Forgiveness of sin; excusable, forgivable, pardonable (Webster).
*  Christ shed His blood for the remission of our sins (Mt. 26:28).
*  John preached repentance and the remission of sins (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 1:77; 3:3).
*  Peter preached repentance and the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
*  All who believe in Jesus will receive the remission of their sins (Acts 10:43).
*  Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22).
*  When remission of sins become effective, there is no need of further sacrifice (Heb. 10:17-18).

THREE KEY PASSAGES CONCERNING SALVATION

*  Acts 10:39-43 - Peter said, "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; Whom they crucified and nailed to a cross:  God raised Him up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.  And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He Who was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and dead.  To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins."

 

*  1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel:  "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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."

 

*  Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:  For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes...."

GENESIS 1:26 IS YET TO BE FULFILLED

GOD'S GOAL FOR MANKIND

*  Genesis 1:26-27 - "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He Him; male and female created He them."  [Notice He created man in His own image, but not in His own likeness; that will not occur until we see Jesus face to face (see 1 John 3:1-2 below)]

 

JESUS BECAME HUMAN TO DIE FOR US

*  Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
*  Hebrews 1:1-3 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He has 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, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
*  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, and He was received up into glory."

 

JESUS REVEALED HIS TRUE IDENTITY TO MAN

*  Matthew 17:1-5 - "And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart, and He was transfigured before them:  and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with Him.  Then Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if it is Your will, let us make three tabernacles here; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  While Peter was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:  and a voice from out of the cloud said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."
*  Revelation 1:13-16 - "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks stood One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to His feet, and He was girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet were like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice was as the sound of many waters.  And He had in His right hand seven stars:  and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:  and His countenance was as the sun shines in its strength."
*  Revelation 19:11-16 - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.  And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:  and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of His mouth went a sharp sword, with which he should smite the nations:  and He shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He had on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

 

BY HIS GRACE, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM

*  1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world does not know us, because it doesn't know Him.  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."

LORDSHIP SALVATION

Throughout my forty-five years as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I have heard, and unfortunately have repeated, that when people get saved, they recognize Jesus as their Savior, but as they grow in Him, they come to realize that He is worthy to be Lord of their lives.  I was wrong!  Let me illustrate from God's Word:  the words Lord Jesus appear 117 times in the New Testament!  Here are a few examples of Jesus being identified as Lord by the early Church:

*  Luke 23:42 - "And he [the thief on the cross] said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom."
*  John 13:13 - "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am."
*  John 20:28 - "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God."
*  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."
*  Acts 7:59-60 - "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
*  Acts 9:29 - "And he [the apostle Paul] spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him."
*  Acts 15:11 - "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
*  Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
*  Acts 19:4-5 - "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  Acts 21:13 - "Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
*  Acts 28:31 - "Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Yes, the Gospels and the Book of Acts, foundational to understanding Who Jesus Christ is, clearly present Him as God (John 1:1, 14), as Lord and Master (John 13:13), and as the resurrected Son of God (Matthew 14:33; 28:6; Mark 1:1; 16:6; Luke 1:35; 24:6; John 1:34; 20:16; Acts 2:21-24; 4:33)!  So my question is, if Jesus is not being proclaimed as Lord, is the true Gospel being preached?  My contention is, if Jesus is not your Lord, you have not truly accepted the Jesus of the Bible!  The Apostle Peter calls Him first Lord, and then Savior (2 Peter 1:11; 2:20; 3:2, 18)! 

If the Gospel message has the power to save (Romans 1:16), and the Gospel message presents Jesus as Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58-59) to those who believe He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and His Father raise Him from the dead, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), how can a person be saved without acknowledging Jesus is Lord?  He cannot!

WHAT WAS MATTHEW'S FOCUS?

*  Matthew 1:20-23 - "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS:  for He shall save His people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
*  Matthew 2:14-15, 23 - "When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  And was there until the death of Herod:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son....And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
*  Matthew 4:13-16 - "And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."
*  Matthew 8:14-17 - "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.  And He touched her hand, and the fever left her:  and she arose, and ministered unto them.  When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, He Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."
*  Matthew 12:15-18 - "But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from thence: and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all; And charged them that they should not make Him known:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased:  I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles."
*  Matthew 13:34-35 - "All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke He not unto them:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
*  Matthew 21:4-5 - "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass."
*  Matthew 27:35 - "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." 
[Note:  The phrase "that it might be fulfilled" appears nine times in the Bible - ALL in Matthew's Gospel!]

Read Matthew 27:62-63; 28:5-6; Acts 2:22-32! 



LIGHT

"Light" in the Bible, is expressed in three main ways:  1.  God IS Light;  2.  Fallen man loves the absence of light, that is, darkness; and  3.  The Gospel light reveals God's righteousness and love, man's need for a Savior, and Jesus Christ, Himself, the Savior and Light of the world (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 1:10)!  Read these verses and decide to which category each belongs (they may actually fall under more that one):

*  Genesis 1:3-5 - "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good:  and God divided the light from the darkness.  And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.  And the evening and the morning were the first day."

*  Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

*  John 3:19-20 - "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

*  John 8:12 - "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."

*  John 12:46 - "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."

*  2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

*  2 Corinthians 6:14 - "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  And what communion hath light with darkness?"

*  Ephesians 5:8 - "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light."

 

*  1 Thessalonians 5:5 - "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

 

*  1 Peter 2:9 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light."

 

*  1 John 1:5 - "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."

 

*  1 John 2:9 - "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now."

 

JESUS SHINES LIGHT FOR GOD'S CHILDREN TO FOLLOW HIS LEAD. 

JESUS SHINES LIGHT ON THE DEEDS OF THE CHILDREN OF DARKNESS!

DO NOT MISHANDLE GOD'S WORD!

It always amazes me when I read quotes from the Bible, written by those who have no concept of biblical context.  Most often, it is someones effort to encourage other Christians, using promises God made to His chosen people, Israel.  First of all, it is clear from Scripture that God's promises to Israel were quite different than those He made to the Church.  The Jews were rewarded for "good behavior" here on earth:  longevity, health, wealth, many children, etc.  The Church is promised nothing of the sort.  We are told that we will be hated, persecuted, and even martyred for having faith in Jesus.  Our rewards will not happen in this world, but, in fact, they will be reserved for us in heaven!  Notice the difference between these two passages:

"Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32-33).

"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, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5).

I can just "see" those of you reading this and thinking, what about all the promises Jesus preached to His people in the Gospels?  The first clue one should have, is that He was speaking to HIS PEOPLE:  Israel!  John wrote:  "He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.  He came unto His own (Israel), and His own received Him not.  BUT, as many as received Him (whomsoever will), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:  which (who) were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:10-13)!  Except for a very few cases, He and His disciples rarely spoke to Gentiles (non-Jews)!  In fact, the entire Church was made up of Jewish believers until Acts Chapter Ten!

 

Haven't you ever wondered why there are Christians by the millions, who are being raped, tortured, and martyred, when so many people are preaching the prosperity gospel?  Do you actually believe God loves Americans more than He loves Christians in the Sudan?  People who quote the passage about never seeing "His seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25), would have a hard time convincing born again believers in third world countries, that the Bible is all true.  And yet, it is; it simply needs to be "rightly divided!"  Israel and the Church are two different entities, with one being promised earthly rewards and the other heavenly rewards! 

I know you mean well, but don't use God's Word out of context!

MY INTERPRETATION OF THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING

Matthew 22:1-14 (King James Version) 

[1] And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
[2] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
[3] And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
[4] Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
[5] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
[6] And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
[7] But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
[8] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
[9] Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
[10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
[12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
[13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[14] For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:1-14 (Skip's Lighthouse Version)

[1] And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said,
[2] The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain King (The Father), Who made a marriage for His Son (Jesus),
[3] And He (The Father) sent forth His servants (the Prophets of Israel) to call those who were invited to the wedding (Israel):  and they would not come.
[4] Again, He sent forth more servants (Jesus' disciples), saying, Tell them who are invited, Behold, I have prepared My dinner:  My oxen and My fatlings are killed, and all things are ready:  come to the marriage.
[5] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
[6] And the remnant took His servants, and treated them cruelly, and killed them.
[7] But when the King heard this, He was filled with wrath:  and He sent forth His armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city (He used the armies of Rome).
[8] Then He said to His servants (Christ's Disciples), The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
[9] Therefore, go into the highways (to the ends of the earth), and as many as you shall find (from every people, tongue, and nation), invite them to the marriage.
[10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all,  as many as they found, both bad and good:  and the wedding was furnished with guests.
[11] And when the King came in to see the guests, He saw there a man who did not have on the wedding garment (the robes of righteousness dipped in the blood of Jesus 2 Cor. 5:21; Rev. 19:13; etc.) which the King had provided:
[12] And He said to him, Friend, how is it that you refused to wear a wedding garment?  And he was speechless.
[13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[14] For many are called (all of mankind), but few are chosen (Israel).

THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES

*  Mark 3:35 - "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother."
*  Acts 13:36 - "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption...."
*  Romans 1:10 - "Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."
*  Romans 8:27 - "And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
*  Romans 15:32 - "That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed."
*  1 Corinthians 1:1 - "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother...."
*  2 Corinthians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia...."
*  2 Corinthians 8:5 - "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."
*  Galatians 1:4 - "Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father...."
*  Ephesians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus...."
*  Ephesians 6:6 - "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart...."
*  Colossians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother...."
*  Colossians 4:12 - "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
*  1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication...."
*  1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
*  2 Timothy 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus...."
*  Hebrews 10:36 - "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
*  1 Peter 2:15 - "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men...."
*  1 Peter 3:17 - "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."
*  1 Peter 4:2 - "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."
*  1 Peter 4:19 - "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
*  1 John 2:17 - "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

 

GOD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH - TRUST HIM!

ONLY THE PERFECT GO TO HEAVEN

OUR PROBLEM:  NONE OF US IS RIGHTEOUS ENOUGH TO GO TO HEAVEN

*  Isaiah 64:6 - "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
*  Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."
*  Romans 10:3 - "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

 

GOD'S SOLUTION:  GOD OFFERS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

*  Genesis 15:6 - "And Abraham believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness."
*  Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
*  Romans 3:22 - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...."
*  Romans 4:3 - "For what saith the Scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
*  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."
*  Romans 9:30 - "What shall we say then?  That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."
*  Romans 10:9-10 - "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."
*  Galatians 2:21 - "I do not frustrate the grace of God:  for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain."
*  Philippians 1:11 - "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
*  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."
*  James 2:23 - "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God."
*  Revelation 19:8 - "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."

 

ONE IS EITHER RIGHTEOUS (PERFECT), OR HE IS UNRIGHTEOUS (IMPERFECT)!

GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS HIS GIFT TO ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS!

DANIEL NINE, VERSES TWENTY-FOUR TO TWENTY-SEVEN

[24] Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
[27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

 

Verse 24 - Seventy weeks = seventy periods of seven or a total of 490 years.  The "commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem" was given by Artaxerxes (465 BC to 424 BC) in the twentieth year of his reign, to Nehemiah (Neh. 2:1-11).

Verse 25 - Seven weeks = seven periods of seven or 49 years.

Verses 25-26 - Three score and two weeks = sixty-two periods of seven or 434 years.  Total from verses 25-26 = 483 years.  That leaves one "week" yet to be fulfilled.  It will be known as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27), "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7), and "The Tribulation" (Mt. 24:1-29; Rev. Ch. 6-19).

Verse 27 - This last period of seven =  is seven years. This "week" is divided "in the midst" making two halves of 3 1/2 years each.  To prove the "weeks" are years, these two halves are defined as being 1260 days long (Rev. 11:3; 12:6); 42 months long (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); "a time, times, and a half a time," with a "time" being one year long (Dan. 7:25; 12:7).

 

Between Daniel's Sixty-ninth Week and his "Seventieth Week," is a parenthetical period of time, known as the Church Age.  The Church, a mystery to the nation of Israel (Rom. 11:25; 16:25; Eph. 5:32; Col. 1:26-27) was "born" on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47), and will continue until Christ returns for us (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:48-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; etc.).  Following the removal of the Church by means of the Rapture (the Church being "caught-up" or better yet, "snatched-up"), the Beast of Revelation 13 (the Antichrist) will agree with Israel to enforce a seven-year covenant.  Thank God, the Church will be in heaven with Jesus during what the Word calls the "day of God's wrath" (Rom. 2:5; 1 Th. 5:9; and the absence of the Church being mentioned between Rev. 4-19)!

 

Maranatha!  Come Lord Jesus!

 

 

THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING

THE RAPTURE OF BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS

*  1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 - "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep.  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 who 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....But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction will come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk, are drunk in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we are awake or we are asleep, we should live together with Him.  Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as you also have been doing."  [Note:  See also John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:48-54]

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

*  Matthew 24:27-30 - "For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:  and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." 
*  2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 - "For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: only He who now allows it,  will continue to allow it, until He is taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming."
*  Revelation 1:7 - "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him:  and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."  [Note:  All Scripture is SLV (Skip's Lighthouse Version)]

HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS LATELY?

THE WORLD WAS FILLED WITH WICKEDNESS

*  Genesis 6:5-7 (TLB) - "When the Lord God saw the extent of human wickedness, and that the trend and direction of men’s lives were only towards evil, He was sorry He had made them.  It broke His heart.  And He said, I will blot out from the face of the earth all mankind that I created.  Yes, and the animals too, and the reptiles and the birds.  For I am sorry I made them."

THE WORLD IS AGAIN FILLED WITH WICKEDNESS

*  Luke 17:26-30 (TLB) - "When I return, the world will be as indifferent to the things of God as the people were in Noah’s day.  They ate and drank and married—everything just as usual right up to the day when Noah went into the ark and the Flood came and destroyed them all.  And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot:  people went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building—until the morning Lot left Sodom.  Then fire and brimstone rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.  Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the hour of My return."

HOW DID THE WORLD GET THIS WAY?

*  Romans 1:18-30 (TLB) - "But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, evil men who push away the truth from them.  For the truth about God is known to them instinctively; God has put this knowledge in their hearts.  Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of His existence and great eternal power.  So they will have no excuse when they stand before God at Judgment Day.  Yes, they knew about Him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship Him or even thank Him for all His daily care.  And after a while they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what He wanted them to do.  The result was that their foolish minds became dark and confused.  Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead.  And then, instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they took wood and stone and made idols for themselves, carving them to look like mere birds and animals and snakes and puny men.
     So God let them go ahead into every sort of sex sin, and do whatever they wanted to—yes, vile and sinful things with each other’s bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies.  So they prayed to the things God made, but wouldn’t obey the blessed God who made these things.
     That is why God let go of them and let them do all these evil things, so that even their women turned against God’s natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sex relationships with women, burned with lust for each other, men doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved.
     So it was that when they gave God up and would not even acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin, of greed and hate, envy, murder, fighting, lying, bitterness, and gossip.  They were backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, always thinking of new ways of sinning and continually being disobedient to their parents.  They tried to misunderstand, broke their promises, and were heartless—without pity.  They were fully aware of God’s death penalty for these crimes, yet they went right ahead and did them anyway and encouraged others to do them, too."

DOES THIS SOUND ALL TOO FAMILIAR?

*  2 Timothy 3:1-5 (TLB) - "You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian.  For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad.  They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good.  They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God.  They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that."

GOD REMOVES HIS OWN FIRST....

*  Genesis 5:24 / Hebrews 11:5 - "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (up)....By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

*  Genesis 7:17 - "And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and lifted up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth."

*  Genesis 19:30 - "And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters."

*  2 Kings 2:11 - "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

*  John 14:1-3 / Acts 1:9-11 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 ye may be also....And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."

*  1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 - "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.  For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep.  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 who 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."

 

God takes up His own, before He brings judgment upon those who reject Him!

JOHN NINE: FROM JUST A MAN, TO THE VERY SON OF GOD

"And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from his birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Not because of this man's sins, nor those of his parents:  but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." (v. 1-3)

"When He had finished speaking, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, 'Sent').  He went his way therefore, and washed, and could see.  The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?  Some said, This is he:  others said, He is like him:  but he said, yes I am.  Therefore they said unto him, How were your eyes opened?  He answered and said, A MAN Who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight." (v. 6-11)

"Then they said unto the blind man again, What do you say of Him, that He has opened your eyes? He said, He is A PROPHET." (v. 17)

"And they asked his parents, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind?  How then does he now see?  His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:  but by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not:  he is of age; ask him:  he shall speak for himself.  [His parents feared the Jews:  for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that Jesus was THE CHRIST, he should be put out of the synagogue.] Therefore his parents said, He is of age; ask him. (v. 19-23)

"Then they asked him again, What did He to do to thee?  How did He open your eyes?  He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not listen:  wherefore would you want to hear it again?  Will ye also become His disciples? - - - When Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Do you believe on THE SON OF GOD?  He answered and said, Who is He, LORD, that I might believe In him?  And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen Him, and it is He Who is talking to you.  And he said, LORD, I believe.  AND HE WORSHIPPED HIM." (v.26-27; 35-38)  [All Scripture is from the "Skip's Lighthouse Version]

 

ALL WHO TRULY BELIEVE IN JESUS, WORSHIP HIM!

THANKS IS BEST EXPRESSED WITH PRAISE

*  Psalm 69:30-34 - "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.  This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.  The humble shall see this, and be glad:  and your heart shall live that seek God.  For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not His prisoners.  Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein."

Psalm 95:1-7 - "O come, let us sing unto the LORD:  let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.  In His hand are the deep places of the earth:  the strength of the hills is His also.  The sea is His, and He made it:  and His hands formed the dry land.  O come, let us worship and bow down:  let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.  For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand."

*  Psalm 100:1-5 - "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness:  come before His presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD, He is God:  it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:  be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

*  Psalm 147:1-12 - "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.  The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:  He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.  Great is our Lord, and of great power:  His understanding is infinite.  The LORD lifteth up the meek:  He casteth the wicked down to the ground.  Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:  Who covereth the heaven with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.  He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.  He delighteth not in the strength of the horse:  He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.  Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion."

*  Psalm 150:1-6 - "Praise ye the LORD.  Praise God in His sanctuary:  praise Him in the firmament of His power.  Praise Him for His mighty acts:  praise Him according to His excellent greatness.  Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet:  praise Him with the psaltery and harp.  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance:  praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.  Praise Him upon the loud cymbals:  praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.  Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD."

 

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART!

SALVATION ACCORDING TO LUKE'S WRITINGS

*  Luke 1:76-77 - (Spoken of John, the Baptizer) - "And you, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:  for you shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins."

*  Luke 2:28-32 - (Spoken of Simeon) - "Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word:  for my eyes have seen Your salvation, Whom You have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."

*  Luke 19:9-10 - "And Jesus said to him....I have come to seek and to provide salvation to those who are lost."

*  Acts 4:10-12 - (Peter speaking) - "Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand here before you made whole.  Jesus is the Stone Who was rejected by you builders, Who is now become the Chief Cornerstone.  Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby one can be saved."

*  Acts 13:46-47 - "Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you:  but seeing you have rejected it, and have judged yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should proclaim salvation unto the ends of the earth."

*  Acts 28:28-31 - (Paul speaking) - "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all who visited him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, and no one interfered with him."

 

These passages are from Skip's Lighthouse Version, and are faithful to both spirit and context.

NOW ARE WE THE CHILDREN OF GOD

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

*  Luke 20:35-36 - "But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:  neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."

*  John 1:11-13 - "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

*  John 11:51-52 - "And this spake he not of himself:  but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."

*  Romans 8:14-16 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children 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."

*  Galatians 3:26 - "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

*  Titus 3:5-7 - "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; Whom He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs (children of God) according to the hope of eternal life."

*  1 John 3:1-2 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the children 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 5:2 - "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments."

THE FATHER IN MATTHEW (SLV)

THE SPIRIT AND CONTEXT OF THE FATHER AS PRESENTED IN MATTHEW

*  Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."
*  Matthew 6:8 - "...your Father knows what things you need, before you ask Him."
*  Matthew 7:21 - "Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." (See Jn. 6:29).
*  Matthew 10:19-20 - "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given to you in that same hour what you shall speak.  For it is not you that speaks, but the Spirit of your Father Who speaks through you."

*  Matthew 10:32-33 - "Whosoever shall confess faith in Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father in heaven."

*  Matthew 11:27 - "All things are delivered unto Me from My Father:  and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, except the Son, and him to whom the Son will reveal Him."

*  Matthew 16:16-17 - "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, you are Blessed, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven has revealed it to you."

*  Matthew 18:10, 14 - "Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven, their angels do always behold the face of My Father Who is in heaven....Even so it is not the will of your Father Who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

*  Matthew 23:9 - "And call no man your father upon the earth:  for One is your Father, Who is in heaven."

*  Matthew 24:30, 36 - "And then shall appear My sign in heaven:  and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see Me coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory....But no man knows the day and hour, nor do the angels of heaven, but only My Father knows when I will return."

*  Matthew 26:39 - "And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me:  nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done."

*  Matthew 28:18-20 - "And Jesus came and said to them, All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and teach all nations (about Me), and baptize (those who believe in Me) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of this world. Amen."

 

(SLV = Skip's Lighthouse Version)  A focus based upon the spirit and context of Scripture.

WAKE UP

Do you want to know why the whole world seems to have gone mad?  Here is what the Bible says:

AS IT WAS THEN, SO IS IT NOW!

THEN/NOW:  Luke 17:26 (KJV) - "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."
THEN:  Genesis 6:5-8 (KJV) - "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repent Me that I have made them.  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
NOW:  2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) - "You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
NOW:  2 Peter 3:3-10 (NLT) - "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.  They will say, What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?  From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.  They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the Word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.  Then He used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.  And by the same Word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire.  They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.  But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends:  A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.  The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think.  No, He is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief.  Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment."

THE FUTURE

The Word of God says that God is fully aware of man's ways.  The Apostle Paul wrote:  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked:  for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7 KJV).  In other words, God can tell those who belong to Him, by the way they treat others:
AT THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD:  Matthew 25:31-46 (SLV) - "When Jesus returns in His glory, and His holy angels with Him, He shall sit upon His glorious throne:  and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:  and He shall set His sheep to His right, but the goats to His left.  Then He shall say unto those on His right, Come, you who have been blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry, and you fed Me:  when I was thirsty, you gave me a drink:  as a stranger, you took Me in:  when I was naked, and you clothed Me:  when I was sick, you visited Me:  and when I was in prison, you came to see Me.  Then those He declared to be righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we do those things?  And the King shall say, because you have done it to one of these, My brethren, you have done it unto Me!"
"Then He shall say to those on His left, Depart from Me, you cursed ones into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was hungry, and you did not feed Me: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:  I was a stranger, and you would not take Me in: I was naked, and you gave me nothing to wear:  I was sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.  Then shall they say, Lord, when did we see You hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto You?  Then shall He tell you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to Me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:  but to those He declared to be righteous into life eternal."

 

THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST "WAKE-UP" CALL!

PREJEDICE AND RACISM: THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE

GOD'S SENSE OF HUMOR IN BLACK AND WHITE

*  Numbers 12:1, 9-11 - "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married:  for he had married an Ethiopian woman."  [Note:  A Cushite - Black - see also Song of Solomon 1:5; Jeremiah 13:23 for other examples].  "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and He departed.  And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.  And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned."  [Note:  Doesn't it seem ironic that the punishment for their prejudice against the dark-skinned woman was to turn Miriam as "white as snow?!"].

 

GOD LOVES ALL:  "RED," "YELLOW," "BLACK," AND "WHITE!"

*  Acts 10:34-35 - "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."
*  Acts 17:26 - God "...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth...."
*  Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
*  Revelation 5:9-10 - "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation...."
*  Revelation 7:9 - "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands...."

 

IN ORDER TO LOVE GOD, YOU MUST LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

*  Luke 10:27 - "And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."
*  Romans 13:8-10 - "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbor:  therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
*  Galatians 5:13-14 - "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."

 

THERE IS ONLY ONE RACE:  THE HUMAN RACE FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED!