BECOMING A CHILD OF GOD!

BECAUSE WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD

THROUGH FAITH IN THE GOSPEL, WE

ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD!

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

Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved . . . 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:  and that He was seen of Cephas (by Peter), then of the twelve (actually the eleven remaining apostles):  after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

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

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the (our) Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:  therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now are we the sons (children) 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.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT; 

COME TO THE FATHER

BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!

JESUS WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE GOD!

GOD:  THE ETERNAL I AM!

Definition:  "Eternal" means without beginning or ending; existing always.

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them.

Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

1 Timothy 1:17 - Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.

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 has 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 shall you say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you.  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shall you 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, has sent me unto you:  this is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.

Note: * "THAT" is not in the original Hebrew texts.  

JESUS REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS THE I AM;

TAKE NOTE OF THE REACTION OF THE CROWD!

John 8:56-59 - Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day:  and he saw it, and was glad.  Then said the Jews unto Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.  Then took they up stones to cast at Him:  but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 18:3-8 - Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom do you seek?  They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus said unto them, I AM he.* And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them.  As soon then as He had said unto them, I AM he,* they went backward, and fell to the ground.  Then He asked them again, Whom do you seek?  And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM he:* if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way.

Note * "He" is not in the Greek texts.

ACCORDING TO JESUS, YOU NEED TO TRUST HIM!

John 8:21, 24 - Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and you shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins:  for where I am going, you cannot come. . . . I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins:  for if you believe not that I AM he,* you shall die in your sins.

John 14:6 (my version) - Jesus said unto him, I AM the way, I AM the truth, and I AM the life: no one can come unto the Father, but by Me.

TIME IS SHORT, AND YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

PRAY WHATEVER YOU WILL; THE END IS SET IN STONE!

A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF 

THE BOOK OF REVELATION!

Key Verse - Revelation 1:19 - Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.... 

Notes:  "have seen" = Ch. 1; "which are" = Ch. 2-3 - The Church Age; "hereafter" - Ch. 4-22 - The Church has been Raptured; John being called to "come up here" in Revelation 4:1 is a picture of the fulfillment of John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10.

THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER!

Chapters 4-5 - Activity in Heaven.

Chapter 6-11 - The First Half of the Tribulation (Also known as The Time of Jacob's Trouble -                Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel's Seventieth Week - Daniel 9:24-27).

Notes:  Daniel 9:27 declares the period to be seven years in length.  Midway through (3 1/2          years - "a time, times, and a half time" - Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 12:14; 1260 days - Revelation 11:3; 12:6; Forty-two months - Revelation 11:2; 13:5; "the prince" - Daniel 9:26; a.k.a."Antichrist" - 1 John 2:18; the first "Beast" - Revelation 13:1 breaks the covenant.  The second half of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation - Matthew 24:21; will be of identical length.

Chapter 12 - Activity in Heaven.

Chapters 13-18 - The Second half of the Tribulation.

Chapter 19 - The Second Coming of Christ.

Chapter 20 - Christ's 1000 year Millennial Kingdom and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Chapters 21-22 - Eternity!

BOTTOM LINE:  

JESUS CAME TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, 

BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD;

HE IS COMING BACK FOR US WHO TRUST HIM, 

AND TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO REFUSE!  

TIME IS SHORT; YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

PRAYING AGAINST GOD'S WILL IS SATANIC!

PETER WENT FROM BEING LED OF THE FATHER

TO BEING LED BY SATAN IN ONLY SEVEN VERSES!

MATTHEW 16:
[13] When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
[14] And they said, Some say that You are John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15] He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but My Father Who is in heaven.
[18] And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
[19] And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
[20] Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
[21] From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
[22] Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from You, Lord:  this shall not be unto You.
[23] But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get behind Me, Satan:  you are an offence unto Me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

PROPHETIC EVENTS THAT WILL COME:

DO NOT  PRAY THEY WILL NOT!

THE RAPTURE (CATCHING UP) OF THE CHURCH!

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 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 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.

THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION!

Daniel 9:24-27 - Seventy weeks (sevens; weeks of years) are determined upon thy people (Israel) 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.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command 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.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself:  and the people of the prince that shall come (Romans) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  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.

Note:  See also Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:3-28; Revelation Ch. 6-18.

CHRIST'S SECOND COMING:  HIS KINGDOM COME!

Matthew 24:29-31 - 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.  And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Corinthians 16:22 - "Maranatha" (Greek for "the Lord is coming").

Note:  See also Revelation Ch. 19-20.

Revelation 22:20 - He Who testifies these things (Jesus) says, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

REASONS FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER!

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF THE WICKED!

Matthew 13:19, 38-39 - When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart.  This is he which received seed by the way side. . . . The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

GOD DOES NOT HEAR THE PRAYERS OF THE WICKED!

Proverbs 15:8, 29 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:  but the prayer of the upright is His delight. . . . The LORD is far from the wicked:  but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

John 9:31 - Now we know that God hears not sinners:  but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears.

PRAYER IS TO BE FOR "GOD'S EARS ONLY!"

Matthew 6:5-8 - And when you pray, you shall not do as the hypocrites do:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret shall reward you openly.  But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not therefore like unto them:  for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.  

PRAYER MUST BE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL!

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray:  Our Father Who are in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 - 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 as I will, but as You will. . . . He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Your will be done. . . . And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR US EVEN WHEN

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY!

Isaiah 55:8-9 - For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

TRUST GOD WHO GAVE HIS SON FOR US!

LET YOUR REQUESTS BE AS HE WILLS!

COUNT ON GOD TO KNOW WHAT'S BEST!

HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY!

Separation is commanded of God.

Study: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (compare Deuteronomy 22:9-11, God hates mixture!); Revelation 18:4.

When an ox and a donkey are yoked up together they are involved with the same work. They are “on the same team,” laboring together for common goals and objectives. Believers are not to work together in co-operation with unbelievers. See the example in Ezra 4:1-5. The Lord Jesus never enlisted unbelievers to carry out the work of God. The football player would never think of giving the ball to a member of the opposite team!

Other passages which demand separation from false teachers and from religious apostasy are as follows:

1.         AVOID THEM (Romans 16:17).

2.         REJECT (Titus 3:10).

3.         RECEIVE HIM NOT (2 John 10).

4.         FROM SUCH TURN AWAY (2 Timothy 3:5).

[Compare 2 Timothy 3:5 with Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:24. It involves a denial of the Gospel.]

5.         LET HIM BE ACCURSED (Galatians 1:8-9).

THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEAR HISTORY OF HUMANITY!

THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEAR

HISTORY OF HUMANITY!

According to many conservative Bible teachers (and at least one fool - me), the Bible reveals that Creation of mankind occurred approximately four thousand years before Christ.  I remember that soon after I came to faith in Jesus, I called my dad and told him of my "second birthday."  Without hesitation, he had asked me the following question:  "If the world is only a few thousand years old, how does the light from stars already reach us?"  Being ignorant of such things, somehow, without hesitation, I responded, "Perhaps the God Who created the universe, created the light beams at the same time."  Today, not being any wiser or more enlightened (pun intended), I still believe the same answer is true for the age of the earth.  After all, Adam and Eve were created as adults, chickens came before eggs, and we have discovered that fossils can form within a very short time following being "vacuum-packed" in mud. 

According to Bishop James Ussher (1581 - 1656), Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1625 - 1656, who became Professor of Theology in Dublin in 1621; the Bible reveals, through the ages given, that Adam was created in approximately 4000 B.C.  Ironically, the twentieth generation, Abram (Abraham), was born approximately 2000 B.C.  That means, for the first 2000 years of Creation, the world was populated by Gentiles (non-Jews).  From Abraham to the birth of Jesus, Who is the Christ of the Jews, was also approximately 2000 years!  Today, the Church, which was established approximately 2000 years ago, eagerly awaits the return of our Blessed Hope, Jesus; for He promised to go prepare a place for us, and that He would return to receive us up into heaven.  Read the Word of the Lord:

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 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 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. 

Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to (for) all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

ONE THOUSAND YEARS

REMAIN TO BE FULFILLED!

Following the removal of the Church, there will be seven years of horrible tribulation on this planet (Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:3-28; Revelation Ch. 6 - 18).  Then, Christ will return as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation Ch. 19), and will rule His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom!  THEN!  Time will be no more and eternity will begin with a New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation Ch. 20 - 22).  GLORY TO GOD AND HIS CHRIST FOREVER!

READY OR NOT,

JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON!

DISPENSATIONS: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER'S JOB DESCRIPTION!

STUDY GOD'S WORD AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!

2 Timothy 2:15 (My Translation) - Study to show yourself pleasing unto God, a servant of the Lord that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

A PERFECT BIBLICAL EXAMPLE!

Ezra 7:10 (My Translation) - For Ezra prepared his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach it in all of Israel.

DISPENSATIONS:  RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

The Scriptures, when interpreted in their natural, literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations, or rules of life, which define God's will in successive ages.  These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man.

Note carefully that each dispensation ends in man's failure to obey God's will.  After disciplining His children, the Lord gives new instructions to begin a new dispensation.  Examples of this can be seen in His dealing with these individuals, whom, by the Grace of God, were allowed to begin a new age.  Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Apostles, all lived at the time of a transition.  Adam went from innocence to having a conscience (Genesis 3).  Noah clearly went from the end of one dispensation, to the new beginning of another (Genesis 9).  Abraham was the first of God's chosen people (Genesis 12).  Moses was chosen to give the Law to Israel (Exodus 20).  And the Apostles were chosen to build the Lord's Church (Acts 2).  The last dispensation will be the 1000 year Millennial Kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus at His Second Coming (Revelation 19)!

THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF BIBLE STUDENTS!

While all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable to us for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), all Scripture does not necessarily apply to our situation.  For instance, God does not want us to take our first born child and offer it on an alter of sacrifice.  God does not want us to build an ark.  God does not want us to till the Garden of Eden.  God does not want us to withhold medical treatment for our child because we have prayed and asked Him to send a prophet or an apostle to heal him (I am not saying that He might not direct you to do this, but that unless He does, don't)!  And finally, in spite of what fanatical false leaders may say, He does not want you to build a colony in a jungle and poison all your followers!

God wants you to study His Word, and when you feel led to do something, even if it is for His glory, stop and test the spirits (1 John 4:1).  We are to be like the Bereans, who, listened to Paul's preaching with open hearts, but still went home and compared what he taught with the Word of God (Acts 17:11).   

REMEMBER:  STUDY, DO, AND SHARE WITH OTHERS!

JESUS OFFERS TO TRADE US PLACES!

ALL WHO SIN MUST DIE!

Ezekiel 18:4, 20 - Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine:  the soul that sins, it shall die. . . . The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son....

Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned....

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death....

1 Corinthians 15:22 - ...in Adam all die....

ONE WHO DID NOT SIN, DIED FOR US!

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He (The Father) has made Him (Jesus, His Only Begotten Son) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not a high priest (Jesus) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

BY FAITH IN HIM, WE HAVE LIFE!

Ephesians 2:1, 5, 8 - And you has He quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins . . . . Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened (made alive) us together with Christ . . . . For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God....

Colossians 2:13 - And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses....

THIS WORLD IS MADE UP OF TWO FAMILIES!

THE CHILDREN OF GOD

Matthew 5:9; Romans 5:1 - Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God. . . . Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ....

John 11:51-52 - And this spoke he (Caiaphas) not of himself (not of his own understanding):  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 8:14-21 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God.  For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit Himself bears 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.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons (children) of God.  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

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

1 John 3:1-2 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:  therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons (children) 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.

THE CHILDREN OF SATAN

Matthew 13:36-42 - Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.  He answered and said unto them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire:  there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

John 8:38-44 - I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.  They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father.  Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.  But now you seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God:  this did not Abraham.  You do the deeds of your father.  Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love Me:  for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand My speech?  Even because you cannot hear My word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 John 3:10-15 - In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:  whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.  And wherefore slew he him?  Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.  Marvel not, My brethren, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.  He that loves not his brother abides in death.  Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer:  and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD: 

(MERCY IS:  NOT GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE)!

GOD IS A GRACIOUS GOD: 

(GRACE IS:  GETTING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE)!

MATTHEW 6:31-33 - Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  Or, What shall we drink?  Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:  for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

ROMANS 3:21-26 - But now the righteousness of God without (apart from) the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; 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; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (payment in full) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:  that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21 - Therefore 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 has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has 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 has 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 reconciled to God.  For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

THE LORD OFFERS US PARDON FOR OUR SINS;

HE OFFERS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS INSTEAD;

ALL WE NEED TO DO IS BELIEVE HIM!

SALVATION: NOT BY OUR WORKS BUT BY HIS FINISHED WORK!

Salvation is NOT BY WORKS  (Ephesians 2:8-9)	Salvation is UNTO GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:10)
Good works are not the MEANS of salvation (Titus 3:5).	Good works are the RESULT of salvation (Titus 3:8).
Good works are not the CAUSE of salvation.	Good works are the CONSEQUENCE of salvation.
Good works are not what a person must do to be saved. "But to him that WORKETH NOT, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).	Good works are what a saved person does. "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8).
The unsaved person performs good works to try to obtain and merit God's favor.	The saved person performs good works because he has obtained God's favor (Titus 2:11-14).
(Why do believers perform good works?) Believers do not work in order to be saved.	Believers work because they are saved!
FLESHLY WORKS: that which an unsaved person tries to produce in order to be saved.	FAITH WORKS: that which God produces in the saved person (Heb. 13:21).
FLESHLY WORKS cannot please God (Romans 8:8).	FAITH WORKS are pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Thess. 1:3).
The unsaved boaster: "Look what I have done!" (see Matt. 23:5--"to be seen of men").	The saved person: "Thank you Lord for what You are doing in me" (Phil. 2:13).
The works of an unsaved person are grounds for boasting. "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory [boast]; but not before God" (Romans 4:2).	The works of a saved person are cause for praise to God. "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11).
DEAD WORKS (Heb. 6:1; 9:14; Eph. 5:11) Working apart from God's LIFE. Works produced by the old nature (Gal. 5:19-21)	FRUITFUL WORKS (Col. 1:10) Works which flow out of a right relationship to the living God.
The unsaved person boasts in SELF ("I") (Luke 18:11-12).	The saved person boasts in GOD (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
A person cannot WORK FOR his salvation (Romans 4:5).	A saved person can WORK OUT the salvation that he has (Phil. 2:12).
EMPTY: "Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling."	FULL: "that ye may abound to every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Cor. 15:58)

IT IS WRITTEN!

THE SCRIPTURES BEAR WITNESS TO JESUS!

Luke 24:25-27, 44 - Then He said unto 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 in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. . . . And He said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.  Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and 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.

John 5:39 - Search the Scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life:  and they are they which testify of Me.

John 19:19-22 -  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This title then read many of the Jews:  for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city:  and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.  Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I AM KING OF THE JEWS.  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

John 20:30-31 - 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.

John 21:24-25 - This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things:  and we know that his testimony is true.  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, 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.

1 John 5:9-13 - If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:  for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.  He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself:  he that believes not God has made Him (out to be) a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may (continue to) believe on the name of the Son of God.

GOD HASN'T TOLD US EVERYTHING,

BUT ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN;

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT

WE BELIEVE WHAT HE HAS TOLD US!

NONE CAN CLAIM TO BE WORTHY OF HEAVEN!

EVEN MAN'S RELIGIOUS ATTEMPTS AT

BEING RIGHTEOUS, ARE WORTHLESS!

Isaiah 64:6-7 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  And there is none that calleth upon Thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee:  for Thou hast hid Thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

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

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE NATURAL

OUTWORKING OF MAN'S SIN NATURE!

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived:  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:50 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS NECESSARY TO

HAVE A PART IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN,

IS OFFERED TO US AS A GIFT FROM GOD!

Job 33:26 - He shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him:  and he shall see His face with joy:  for He will render unto man His righteousness (compare 1 Jn. 3:2 below).

Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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.

2 Timothy 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons (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 (righteous); for we shall see Him as He is.

SALVATION (BEING MADE RIGHTEOUS) IS

A FREE GIFT; IT IS NOT OF WORKS SO THAT

NONE OF US CAN RECEIVE THE GLORY!

TRUE BELIEVERS ARE A BLESSING!

GOD'S PROMISE TO ISRAEL!

Genesis 12:1-3 - Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:  and I will make of thee a great nation (Israel), and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:  and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

GOD'S PROMISE TO GENTILES!

Matthew 25:31-46 - When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:  and before Him shall be gathered all nations:  and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:  naked, and ye clothed Me:  I was sick, and ye visited Me:  I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee?  Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?  When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in?  Or naked, and clothed Thee?  Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.  Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in:  naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.  Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?  Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these (My brethren), ye did it not to Me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:  but the righteous into life eternal.

NOTE:  ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT THE REWARD FOR GOOD WORKS; IT IS THE MOTIVATION FOR THE GOOD WORKS.  SALVATION IS A GIFT (Ephesians 2:8-9), AND THOSE WHO HAVE IT, GO ABOUT DOING HIS GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:10)!

Ephesians 2:8-10 - 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.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

JESUS: GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH!

THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE!

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.

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, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high....

Matthew 1:20-25 - 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 you Mary your wife: for He Who is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall 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 bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called His name JESUS.

Matthew 16:13-17 - When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?  And they said, Some say that You are John the Baptist:  some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona:  for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you but My Father Who is in heaven.

John 13:13-19 - You call Me Master and Lord:  and you say well; for so I AM.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.  I speak not of you all:  I know whom I have chosen:  but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I AM he.*
[* Note:  The word he does not appear in the Greek text.]

John 20:28-31 - And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.  Jesus said unto 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.

Philippians 2:5-11 - 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.  Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; nd that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

THIS IS THE JESUS WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE:  TRUST HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR!

WHAT IS GOD'S WORD SAYING TO YOU?

GOD CREATED ADAM FOR A PURPOSE!

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:15 - And God said, Let Us make man (Hebrew:  'adam) 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. . . . And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

GOD CALLED NOAH FOR A PURPOSE!

Genesis 6:12-14 - And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make thee (build) an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall you make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

GOD CALLED ABRAHAM FOR A PURPOSE!

Genesis 12:1-3 - Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you:  and I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing:  and I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you:  and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

GOD CALLED MOSES FOR A PURPOSE! 

Exodus 3:4, 10 - And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. . . . Come now therefore, and I will send you unto Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

GOD CALLED DAVID FOR A PURPOSE!

1 Samuel 16:10-13 - Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD has not chosen these (any of these to replace King Saul).  And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all your children? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, and, behold, he keeps the sheep.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him:  for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.  And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him:  for this is he.  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren:  and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward....

GOD BECAME A MAN FOR A PURPOSE!

John 1:1, 14; 12:27, 32-33; Philippians 2:5-8 - 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. . . . Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save Me from this hour:  but for this cause came I unto this hour. . . . And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die. . . . 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.

GOD CALLS YOU FOR A PURPOSE!

LISTEN TO WHAT HE IS SAYING TO YOU!

He has not called you to tend to His garden!

He has not called you to build an ark!

He has not called you to father a nation!

He has not called you to free His people!

He has not called you to be the king of Israel!

He has not called you to die for the sins of others!

He has called you to trust and obey Him!

THE LAST RECORDED MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH!

REPENTANCE AND OTHER EXAMPLES
OF A GESTALT SWITCH IN THINKING:

 

THE LAST MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES 
AS REVEALED IN REV. CH. TWO AND THREE:

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22 - He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches....

Revelation 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19 - R E P E N T !

Repent is the English translation of the Greek μετανοέω.

The Blue Letter Bible defines μετανοέω as:

     1.  To change one's mind, that is, to repent.

     2.  To change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins; it involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept Divine forgiveness.  (F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London:  Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)


REPENTANCE OCCURS WHEN WE RECOGNIZE
GOD AND ONE'S SELF AS WE TRULY ARE!