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THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS LESSON 1 – 3/19/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
LESSON 1

Chapter 1 Cont.’:

Col. 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
1:12 We are grateful to the Father who qualified us to participate in the complete portion of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (The light of the Gospel reveals what God accomplished to transform the sinner into a saint; from hagos, an awful thing to hagios, a consecrated object: “call no-one unholy or unclean.” Acts 10:28). Mirror
1:12 as the image of our Father, who has enabled us to co-sharer this birthright with the Whole of humanity, as the True Light of the World. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible

Thanks to the Father

Eph. 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 136: 1-3 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

There are many ways to praise and thank God for what he has done for us, such as praying: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). We should continually remember to thank God for all things through prayer. Another way to give praise is by “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

Partakers of the Inheritance

Inheritance as Sons of God

Rom. 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

WE ARE MOVING FROM SPIRITUAL BABES OF HIS HOUSEHOLD TO MATURE HEIRS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD!

If we want our inheritance, then we have to grow up. Only sons receive inheritance, not babes. What is our inheritance? Our inheritance is to eat of the solid food of heaven; divine and secret mysteries, great power and anointing from the Holy Spirit, and the very glory of God as our own atmosphere! To bear much fruit and that fruit remain.

PERFECT MEANS MATURE
Ephesians 4:11-14a:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children.”

Over the last several decades the Lord has worked diligently to restore the five-fold ministry within the church. Now it’s time for the body to be equipped, mature into a man/woman, operating in the fullness of Christ, and no longer be children!

Characteristics of the Manifested Sons of God:
1. are the elect of God
2. those who have aligned themselves with God
3. who listen to His voice
4. who put on His mind
5. who obey His commands
6. who walk in His nature
7. who do His will
8. who do His divine purpose
9. who are faithful, loyal subjects
10. true citizens, under His rule and authority
11. ambassadors for Christ
12. heirs & joint heirs with Christ
13. who carry His glory
14. know and practice that Jesus is Savior and Lord
15. also know who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us

Inheritance as Saints/Sons of God

Whatever Christ inherits, the saints/sons of God will inherit also. What do Christ and the saints inherit together?
All Things (The Universe)
In Heb. 1:2, we learn that Christ has been “appointed heir of all things”. The saints will share in this inheritance, for in the book of Romans, we read:
Rom. 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Thus, with Christ, the saints inherit the universe.
1. The World
As the Seed (Christ) of Abraham, the saints inherit the world:
Rom. 4:13: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world (Greek: kosmos) was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
Gal. 3:16: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds’, as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed’, who is Christ.”
Gal. 3:29: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Why is “the world” stated as the inheritance of the seed of Abraham? The Greek word “kosmos” means “orderly arrangement” (Strong’s Concordance); and thus refers to the world as an ordered system in all its variety of created things (both animate and inanimate), and including all of its inhabitants. The original promise made to Abraham is noteworthy:
Gen. 22:17: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore;” … [KJV] Thus, it is only in Christ that Abraham’s seed will be so multiplied. This vast number refers to those redeemed in Christ, which in the fullness of time will include all humanity (1 Cor. 15:22). There is a connection here with Christ’s words as recorded in John’s gospel:
John 3:16: … “for God did so love the world, that his Son — the only begotten — He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.” [Young] God so loved the people of the world that He sent his Son to save them from sin and death. In context, this mention of the world — the kosmos — refers to all the people of the world throughout the ages, and confirms God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind. As heirs of the world, the saints will judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2). Thus, the first-born saints participate in God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind.
We are not talking about the world system as it is now but, when the The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ
(Rev 11:15) And the seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.
2.The Kingdom of God
The saints inherit the kingdom of God. The inheritance of the kingdom is directly connected with the inheritance of incorruption and immortality:
1 Cor. 15:50,53: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. … For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Incorruption and immortality are related to eternal (aeonial) life. Incorruption and immortality refer to endless life. Aeonial life refers to the quality of this endless life; for aeonial life is that life which God imparts in accordance with his purpose or plan of the ages:
Rom. 2:5-7: … “righteous judgment of God, who shall render to each according to his works; to those, indeed, who in continuance of a good work, do seek glory, and honour, and incorruptibility — life age-during;” … [Young] Thusly we children of the King and are kings under the King of Kings;
3.Eternal Life (Aeonial life)
In many translations of the Bible (KJV, NKJV, NIV, etc.) we read of “eternal life”. Robert Young (Young’s Literal Translation) speaks of “age-during life”; R.F. Weymouth (New Testament in Modern Speech) speaks of “life of the ages”; and Andrew Jukes (The Restitution of All Things) speaks of “aeonial life”.
In scripture, God is called both the “King of the Ages” (1 Tim. 1:17; Weymouth) and the “God of the Ages” (Rom. 16:26; Weymouth). As such, He has a “purpose of the ages” (Eph. 3:11; Weymouth; footnote). According to this purpose, He imparts Life of the Ages to the saints.
Titus 3:5-7: … “He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been declared righteous by His grace, heirs we may become according to the hope of life age- during.” [Young] Andrew Jukes, in his Restitution of All Things, (pp. 65-68), speaks of “aeonial life”:
“Aeonial or eternal life therefore is not, as so many think, the living on and on for ever and ever. It is rather, as our Lord defines it, a life, the distinctive peculiarity of which is, that it has to do with a Saviour, and so is part of a remedial plan. … Nor does this affect the true eternity of bliss of God’s elect, or of the redeemed who are brought back to live in God, and to be partakers of Christ’s ‘endless life’ (Heb. 7:16), of whom it is said, “Neither can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:36); for this depends on a participation in the divine nature, and upon that power which can ‘change these vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue even all things unto Himself'” (Phil. 3:21).
4.Salvation ( sozo, soteria)
By Christ’s sacrifice, the saints have been saved from sin and death (Rom. 8:2), and thus inherit salvation:
Heb. 1:14: “Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
What is our salvation inheritance?
5.The Promises
Paul refers to the saints as “heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). The saints inherit the promises:
Heb. 6:12: … “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
There are many promises mentioned in the New Testament, and all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ:
1 Cor. 1:20: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
The Holy Spirit has come by promise (Eph. 1:13). The eternal (aeonial) inheritance of the saints has been promised also (Heb. 9:15).
6. The Seal of Approval, Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Eph. 1:12-14: … “for our being to the praise of His glory, even those who did first hope in the Christ, in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth — the good news of your salvation — in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.” [Young] The indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee (earnest) which secures the inheritance of the saints “to the redemption of the acquired possession”. Peter refers to the saints as a “people acquired” (1 Pet. 2:9; Young). The saints, then, are the “acquired possession” who will be redeemed “at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:51-54). The saints have been both purchased and redeemed by the blood of Christ:
1 Cor. 7:23: … “with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men” … [Young] Eph. 1:6-7: … “He did make us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have the redemption through his blood” … [Young] (Php 4:1) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
We are His………
Beloved, longed for brethren, joy, crown, crown of creation, own special kin, special people, chosen generation, holy nation, possession (bought with a price),elect, precious……….
Just to name a few
What is Jesus’s inheritance? …same as ours except He paid the price.
(Heb 12:2) looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

His inheritance is a community of redeemed people made one in Him. John 17
In the Saints- Saints – NT:40 hatios, sacred, perfect and pure.

I have the Ephesians/Colossians personalized prayers for you of you would like a copy. Please request a copy at: ms_davis@bellsouth.net

We will continue with Les.1 next week.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

David & Mary Sue

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS LESSON 1 – 3/5/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
LESSON 1
Chapter 1
Col. 1:6-9
Col. 1:6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth [b]fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
1:6 This word resonates within you and its appeal is prevailing in the whole world. The harvest is evident everywhere and gaining ground; as also witnessed in your own experience from the moment you heard and understood the true implication and the relevance of his grace. (My greatest joy is to realize that your faith is announced throughout the entire world. The total cosmos is our audience!” [Rom 1:8] Paul always sees the larger audience when he addresses the individual.) Mirror
1:6 which exists in you and also in all the world. We are fertile with Good Fruit, even to increase strong in Spirit, as you, in the same manner, also was in the day you listened with intelligence and became fully acquainted with Holy Breath of our Father Creator in yourself, and became at perfect rest with the unconcealed Word of Truth. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
In Colossians 1:6, by allusion Paul takes us back to Genesis 1:26–28.
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
WE ARE HIS IMAGE BEARERS!
Here is God the creator at work, and the apex of his activity is the creation of humanity in the divine image and likeness. To the newly minted man and woman, he gives two tasks (the tasks are given to both the male and the female): they are to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth they are then to subdue or govern. Paul picks up the language of Genesis 1 in Colossians 1:6, giving thanks to God that the gospel is pro¬gressing in their midst, bearing fruit and growing as it goes out into the entire world. He then repeats this in 1:10—the Colossians are to bear fruit and grow in their understanding of God and in their work on his behalf. Whether the tasks are the work of parenting, the multifaceted work of subduing the earth and governing it, or the work of ministry, in our work they and we are image-bearers of God who works. We were created as workers in the beginning, and Christ redeems us as workers.
Col. 1:7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
1:7 Your experience is consistent with the teaching you received from our dear co-worker Epafras. He is passionate about your well-being in Christ. Mirror
1:7 In the same manner you learned from Epaphras, one of my beloved co- ministers, who is trustworthy, to help you interpenetrate Truth in yourself, as an anointed teacher; 8 he also made clear to us, of your passionate Spirit (Holy Breath) you Breathe on others. . RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
Epaphras [Ĕp’aphrăs]—charming or foamy. A fellow laborer of Paul and in some sense his fellow-prisoner (Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philem. 23.
This Colossian is described in many ways. He was Paul’s fellow-servant and servant, his fellow-prisoner, and a faithful minister. He was also Paul’s representative at Colossae where he had founded the church (Col. 1:7), and sought under Paul’s advice to combat prevalent heresies there. The apostle had affection for Epaphras, who ministered unto his need and the need of others.
It is in his prayer-ministry, however, that Epaphras is conspicuous. This giant in prayer knew how to lay all before the Lord, and laboring in secret, made the saints to be perfect and complete in their standing through his kneeling. He “strove earnestly in his prayers” for the Colossians. He wrestled in prayer that they might be perfect in the perfection of Christ, and fully assured in all the will of God. Paul also testified to the perseverance as well as the prayers of Epaphras. He knew how to toil on behalf of the saints of God. He was practical as well as prayerful. His prayers for the stability and maturity of others were numerous, continuous and strenuous. Epaphras brought to Paul at Rome a report of the Colossian Church where he had ministered in Paul’s stead, an account that cheered his heart and resulted in the writing of the Colossian Epistle which Epaphras took back with him to his flock. Can we say that we are true successors of the devoted servant of God? Like him, do we know how to wrestle in agony of prayer? (Rom. 15:30). Epaphras also manifested great zeal or properly great labor of anxiety for those under his care. Too few of us are concerned about the spiritual welfare of others.
Col. 1:8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
1:8 He told us how much you love us in the spirit; Mirror
1:8 he also made clear to us, of your passionate Spirit (Holy Breath) you Breathe on others. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
Love in the Spirit–It is this same love that the apostle Paul refers to in Col. 1:4, when he writes, after we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and [your] love that is for all the saints. The apostle Paul describes the love as in the Spirit (ἐν πνεύματι) because (Rom. 5:5) God’s love is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Indeed, love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:5), the vinculum of perfectness (Col. 3:14), and the greatest Christian virtue (1 Cor. 13:13). Since the Spirit is spelled with a capital S, he’s referring to the Holy Spirit, so I’d say it means to love others as the Spirit (God) loves others, i.e. agape-style. Unconditionally.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 -a translation from Rick Renner
Love is patient & passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed & does not easily give up or blow up.
Love doesn’t demand that others be like itself, rather it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need them to be.
Love is not Ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess.
Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating & embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others.
Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner.
Love is not rude or discourteous. It is not careless or thoughtless nor does it carry on in a fashion that is insensitive to others.
Love does not manipulate situations or scheme & devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage.
Love does not deliberately keep record of wrongs or past mistakes.
Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are sharp, that cause an ugly or violent response.
Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic & overjoyed with the truth.
Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals & safeguards people from exposure.
Love strains forward with all of its might to believe the very best in every situation.
Love always expects & anticipates the best in others & the best for others.
Love never quits, never surrenders, never gives up & never disappoints, never fails and never lets anyone down.
Colossians 1st prayer
Col. 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1:9 and so we have become inseparably linked to you. Our constant desire for you is that you might be overwhelmed with the knowledge of God’s dream for your lives. We pray that the pattern of his wisdom and thoughts will fall into place for you in all spiritual understanding. (The word, sunieimi, means a joining together like that of two streams; a fusion of thought.) Mirror
1:9 For this also, from the day we heard of your disposition of Spirit, we have not ceased to speak over you and desire that you be abounding in the recognition of Holy Breath in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, which is divinely supernatural. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
Do Not Cease to Pray for You:
Related Scriptures:
Romans 1:9-10 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.
Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;
Philemon 1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
1 Thessalonians 3:10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Co-knowing with God- Paul prayed in Col. 1:9: For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; This means a joining together like that of two streams; a fusion of thought. His thoughts being our thoughts. But we have been taught that our thoughts are not his thoughts. Although the Word says: Is. 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Yes, His thoughts are higher but verse 7 says let the evil an forsake his thoughts. So, can we co-know together. Yes, we can! Yes, we are!
Filled with the Knowledge of His Will in All Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding:
Knowledge- Cognate: 1108 gnṓsis (a feminine noun derived from 1097 /ginṓskō, “experientially know”) – functional (working) knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; application-knowledge, gained in (by) a direct relationship. See 1097 (ginōskō). 1108/gnṓsis (applied-knowledge) is only as accurate (reliable) as the relationship it derives from. For example, the Gnostics boasted of their applied knowledge gained by their personal spiritual experiences – and it was (is) disastrous!
Spiritual Understanding: Divinely Supernatural
Understanding is a spiritual birth, a revelation of God within the heart of man. Jesus touched the root of the matter when, after having asked the apostles a question that was answered variously, according to the intellectual perception of the men, he asked another question to which Peter gave a reply not based on external reasoning, but on intuition. He said to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven” (Matt. 16:17).
Notice these two go together.
We will continue with Les.1 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue

FS Sunday Sermon – What Does a Faith Crisis Feel Like?

What Does a Faith Crisis Feel Like?

By: Jon Bloom

At some point, many Christians experience unsettling doubts regarding their professed beliefs. Some Christians experience this more than others.

The areas of our individual doubt struggles are as diverse and complex as our Christian faith claims. Some battle doubts about the genuineness of their conversion (“Have I truly been born again?”). Some battle doubts about the character of God (“Is God truly good?”). Some battle doubts about the validity of their theological framework (“Does Calvinism truly represent the biblical revelation of God’s nature, purposes, and actions?”). Some battle doubts about the authenticity of their spiritual experiences (“Was my remarkably fast health recovery after receiving prayer truly a divine healing?”). Some battle doubts about the veracity of the Christian faith itself (“Does God truly exist?” or “Does another religion or belief system more truly reveal the nature of ultimate reality?”). Some battle a hodgepodge of these and still other kinds of doubts.

For most Christians, the intensity of their doubts falls into the mildly to moderately troubling range. In relation to faith-health, these battles with doubt are like battling a bad cold or flu — they require care, but they are not faith-threatening. However, a minority of Christians (though I’d say a substantial minority) endure one or more seasons of doubt so intense we’ve given them a special term: faith crises.

When Doubts Become Crises

To call these experiences crises is not hyperbole. When a confluence of factors moves us to question whether our fundamental understanding of reality is indeed true, it can feel like our world is on the verge of collapse. In relation to faith-health, this kind of doubt is more like a heart attack or stroke.

“I know the oppressive spiritual darkness, the agonizing fear, the confusion, disorientation, the sense of isolation.”
I say this from experience. Like everyone, I occasionally battle some doubts that are like a cold or the flu. But more than once in my forty-year sojourn as a Christian, I’ve also endured doubts more like a heart attack. I know the oppressive spiritual darkness, the agonizing fear, the disorienting confusion, the sense of isolation.

Since I am part of the substantial minority of Christians who have (or will) experience this, I thought it might be helpful if I briefly describe the emotional and psychological state a person often is in when such a crisis hits. My goal is to increase awareness in Christians — especially those who have not experienced a faith crisis themselves — of the destabilized state someone enduring a faith crisis can be in. Such awareness can help us extend the most needed kinds of initial “crisis care” when ministering grace to beloved brothers and sisters who are reeling.

Stage 1: The Build-Up

A person’s faith crisis often appears to happen suddenly. Someone you know (perhaps you) seems to have a strong, sturdy faith. Then, all of sudden, it looks like their faith is falling apart. And you wonder, “What happened?”

Although that’s the way it often appears, rarely do such crises come out of nowhere. Almost always, destabilizing elements have been building up under the surface, even if the person wasn’t fully aware.

All of us experience and observe realities that don’t seem to make sense within our Christian worldview or our theological framework. Often, we’re able to mentally file these under Scriptural categories such as:

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Or Isaiah 55:8–9: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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.

But some people, over time, gradually accumulate sufficient, seemingly incoherent experiences and observations that their faith becomes destabilized, often more than they realize. Each experience or observation on its own likely causes them only mild to moderate confusion or unsettledness — it looks and feels much like the doubt common to all believers, which may be why they don’t more urgently address them prior to the crisis moment. But if enough faith-destabilizing elements build up, such people, even if they don’t consciously realize it, become vulnerable to a faith crisis, only needing the right (or wrong) catalyst to set it off.

Stage 2: The Catalyst

Sometimes a catalyst moment is a significant life event, like a betrayal or a tragedy. But often, it is an apparently and surprisingly insignificant event, like an offhanded comment someone makes in an ordinary conversation.

Whatever the catalyst event, when it occurs it ignites a kind of chain reaction. It’s as if the various destabilizing elements that have built up now psychologically fuse together into a sudden awareness that the person’s belief system — Christianity as ultimate reality — might not be true, but might instead be, like other belief systems, a human construct. This awareness produces a kind of internal explosion: a faith crisis (which nowadays some might refer to as a deconstruction).

What’s important to keep in mind when ministering to someone experiencing this, especially in the early stages of the crisis, is that the catalyst event, whether extraordinary or mundane, is frequently not what’s only, or even mainly, fueling the person’s crisis. Often, well-meaning friends coming alongside a person in faith crisis can focus too much on the catalyst and give too little attention to the doubts and experiences that built up over months or years.

The catalyst is more like a lit match dropped on an accumulated pile of tinder, or like the last Jenga block pulled that suddenly brings the weakened structure down. And when it happens, the person usually finds himself suddenly caught in a raging spiritual tempest.

Stage 3: The Storm

For those who haven’t experienced a faith crisis, it’s hard to capture in words what it feels like. As I have tried, I have found a storm to be a helpful metaphor.

The human brain is a remarkably, even incomprehensibly, powerful and complex creation. The speed at which it can process, especially in a state of alarm, is incredible. And people in the initial stages of a faith crisis are typically in a state of alarm. The brain is processing in overdrive — and not only processing the Christian claims in question, but the possible implications of those bedrock claims proving untrue. And they’re trying to resolve those overwhelming questions in a storm of anguishing emotions.

If those who have taken their faith seriously suddenly and unexpectedly experience the kind of internal faith explosion I described above, resulting in intense doubts regarding their fundamental beliefs, these are the sorts of implications crashing in on them:

That God — the Person they have most profoundly trusted, most deeply loved, most passionately worshiped, the one they believed they have experienced and been led by, the one they’ve oriented their whole life around and taught others about — might not be real.

And if God’s not real, much of what they’ve found meaningful in life would either be a delusion or built on a delusion.
And if they’ve been deluded, what is real? What does everything mean? They wonder, “Who am I?”

And if they were to lose their faith, they’d grieve and confuse believing family members and friends they love deeply, and lose a priceless dimension of relational connection they have shared with those loved ones.

And they would lose the church community that has been integral to their lives.

And if they’re in vocational ministry — because pastors, missionaries, and vocational Christian workers of all kinds are not immune from faith crises — then they’d lose both the missional purpose that oriented their lives as well as gainful employment. And what would they do, or even want to do, next?

And most frightening of all, if they were to lose their faith only to discover too late that their doubts had deceived them, they would be condemned to hell, and may cause others to stumble and end up there too.

Hopefully you can see why this experience is so often psychologically disorienting and emotionally distressing.

What I want to stress here is that when we are ministering to those who have recently entered a faith crisis, it’s important to get as clear a sense as possible of their state of mind before attempting to seriously engage the faith questions they’re wrestling with. Because for some, their inner turmoil, their internal storm, is overwhelming. I like to say that when a faith crisis hits, it’s like trying to think and discern clearly in a hurricane. It’s wise to assume strugglers’ anxiety and fear levels are running high, that they’re depressed, and they’re in need of rest, since this experience often robs them of sleep at night.

At this moment, what a person in faith crisis often needs most is not immediate answers, but shelter.

Providing Shelter in the Storm

Shelter is what anyone caught in raging storm seeks. A shelter doesn’t end a storm, but it does provide a storm-tossed struggler a measure of needed respite, safety, and peace.

Jude instructs us to “have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 22). Providing merciful shelter for a Christian in the tumultuous throes of a faith crisis is one way to show mercy, and one of the most important initial ways we can extend “crisis care” to him.

But what does it mean to provide spiritual shelter for someone in this kind of spiritual storm? Like most parts in the Christian life, there’s no simple formula. People’s faith-crisis experiences are unique. Their doubts are unique, their contexts are unique, their histories are unique, their temperaments are unique, their spiritual-maturity levels are unique, and so on. Therefore, the kind of merciful shelter each person needs will be unique. Faith crises are complex, and God’s mercy is many-faceted.

But we know what people experience when they find a storm shelter: their fear reduces, they breathe easier, and they’re able to rest. In a spiritual shelter, a person can be open and honest about their doubts and fears, release pent-up emotions, and God willing, gain some much-needed, Spirit-granted perspective and guidance.

Providing this kind of merciful shelter for someone requires discernment. And discernment requires a listening ear. Which means, while God hasn’t given us a one-size-fits-all formula for how to do this, he has given us a governing principle we can apply: “Let every person [who wishes to have mercy on those who doubt] be quick to hear [and] slow to speak” (James 1:19). This is crucial because we won’t know what (or if) to speak unless we have first carefully and prayerfully heard.

So, as we seek to care for those in a faith crisis, we’re wise to remember that (1) the crisis is often the sudden explosion of doubts that have accumulated over time, (2) the crisis is often ignited by a catalyst event that may itself not be fueling their doubts, and (3) their most pressing initial need may not be our immediately addressing their doubts, but experiencing through us the sheltering mercy of Jesus, who extends this invitation to all strugglers: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Miracle Monday – On The Earth as It Is in Heaven

Miracle Monday

By Miki Maynard

On The Earth as It Is in Heaven

Lately the phrase “on the earth as it is in heaven,” has been on my heart. I realized that this is something that the Lord is impressing upon me to pray. I know it is something in a matter of prayer for believers quite often, but I feel a specific highlight to this currently.

Our Lord prayed this when the disciples asked him how they were supposed to pray. He opens with exalting the Father and recognizing that He is holy. In what we call The Lord’s Prayer, Yahshua gives us this very intentional guidance on what is possible in our lives.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 AMP

The Kingdom and His Will in My Heart Practically

At first when I went to investigate the verses that address this quite amazing idea of the kingdom being released upon the earth, I was initially only thinking of signs, miracles, and wonders pertain to “on earth as it is in heaven.” When I read the prayer the Lord gives us, I find the context contains very practical details of how I should behave in my life and how I should maintain the places in my heart and attitudes in how I treat people.

I am not perfect, and I know that people have needed to forgive me for something I had done or said. I didn’t know the situation and what was going on in their life. Jesus even sees this in those who crucified him. He asks the Father to forgive them because, “they do not know what they are doing.” When I realized what I did was wrong, I asked for forgiveness. We need to remember to be willing to say we did something wrong and show respect to others.

I’ve also noticed that sometimes people will react to me negatively, not because of what I have done, but because of their own personal struggle at the time. They might be dealing with some difficult things in their life so getting through some events or responsibilities in their day is more than they can handle. It’s my job to extend some grace and not take it personally.

The shaking that has been taking place currently in the world has caused a lot of pressure in my life recently. I have seen some yuk come out of me that I thought I dealt with years ago. I had to repent and ask for the Lord to write His word on my heart and give me a right spirit in these areas.

I realize forgiveness is something that I must extend to others as well. If someone does something to me that causes me pain, I am tempted to hold a grudge. Jesus specifically guides us in this prayer that we are “not to be led into temptation.” I know temptation can include many things, but I understand that it can include becoming offended to the point of refusing to honestly work through the process of choosing to extend forgiveness so that love can prosper, and relationships can heal.

In verse 12 of Matthew 6 of what we call The Lord’s Prayer, Yahshua says, “And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors.”

The Amplified Bible explains that this means letting go of both the “wrong” and the “resentment.” When I am wronged, it is hard to let it go. I think Jesus knew exactly what He was talking about. When I dwell on what was done to me resentment builds up and it hinders me. It literally disables good things in my heart, and it prevents productivity in my life. It also makes it hard for me to love others. Sometimes, I have seen it could potentially affect how I love those who haven’t done anything wrong to me at all. (See loving one another in Galatians 6:2, 5:14, and John 13:33-35)

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12

THIS is in the context of His kingdom coming and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven? It’s easier to discuss the topic of miracles, and we should have them in our thoughts and expectations, because Yahweh is THE Miracle Worker. The truth is, the issues of my heart and how I treat people is more important than outward miracles. The condition of my heart before the Lord is of upmost importance in manifesting His will and His Kingdom in my life. IT IS what IS manifesting what He wants in my life. It IS the work of the kingdom.

The Kingdom and His Will in Life Supernaturally

It’s much more enjoyable to talk about the supernatural manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit. I feel it is first most important to be in the proper place before the Lord in matters of forgiveness, loving one another, and issues of the heart. The Fruits of the Spirit are essential to abiding with Christ and they are essential in how I treat people and the attitude I have.

“On the earth as it is in heaven” is burning in my heart, and I understand that while the Lord wants to do a work on the inside of my heart, He wants also to do a work in my life, so it is released into other’s lives.

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 AMP

Jesus was explaining to the disciples how to maintain their hearts, but that doesn’t stop Him from training them for great works. He explains the authority He has provided and how they were to use this authority. In this verse the meaning of “you bind” is very interesting to me.

you bind
δήσητε (dēsēte)
Verb – Aorist Subjunctive Active – 2nd Person Plural
Strong’s 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

The Amplified Bible says to bind is to “forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful.” It also says that to loose is to “permit, declare lawful.”

There is a lot more on binding and loosing. The idea is that the Lord is doing great things and I need to apply His guidance and be sensitive in my prayer life and speak forth what needs to be bound and what needs to be loosed. He has provided this for me. What is in heaven is to be released on the earth. It is part of my job to bind and loose even more so now while so many things are shaking and happening in the world today.

As I allow Him to mold my heart and learn to grasp the fullness of what is in His heart, it will become reality to say, “on the earth as it is in heaven.”

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].

Matthew 11:12 AMP

FS Sunday Sermon – God Made You for a Mission

God Made You for a Mission
By: Rick Warren
“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NCV)
You weren’t put on Earth to live for yourself.
You were made for a greater purpose than simply to make money, retire, and die. You were made for a mission, and that mission gives your life meaning.
The Bible says, “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing” (Ephesians 2:10 NCV)
In other words, you’re unique. No one else in the whole world—past, present, or future—is like you. God has made you so unique that there are certain things only you can contribute to the world. Those things make up your life mission.
Until you know your life mission, you’re just existing. Life may seem good, but you won’t experience the fulfillment you would if you were living out God’s intentions for you.
Jesus says in Mark 8:35, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (TLB).
God is giving you the opportunity to build your life around his mission for you. The only way to do that is by starting with a firm foundation: Jesus Christ. “And no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 TLB).
You can choose to build your life on Jesus, the only foundation that will last. Or you can choose to spend your life chasing things that ultimately will fail you.
What’s certain is that one day you will stand before God and he’ll ask you: “Did you fulfill the mission that I gave you on this Earth?” On that day, it will be clear whether you spent your life fulfilling God’s mission for you—or you chose to chase lesser things.
It’s never too late to start living the life God has planned for you. Start building your foundation on Jesus and pursuing God’s mission for your life today.
What are some ways you have seen others live for themselves rather than for God’s purpose? In what ways have you done that too?
Why do you think it can take people such a long time to discover God’s purpose for their lives?
What do you believe God’s unique purpose is for your life?
Have you trusted God’s promise of salvation through Jesus Christ?
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.
“I’m grateful for your unconditional love. I want to use the rest of my life to love and serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

The Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 8 (Continued) 01-15-2022

LESSON 8

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

CHPTRS. 25-28

 

Explanations Matt. 26:47-75

 

  1. (47-50) Judas betrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
  2. With a great multitude with swords and clubs: They clearly regarded Jesus as a dangerous man and came to take Him with great force.

1). Judas knew where to find them. Jesus could easily have foiled his plan by choosing a different place for this night, but this was not his intention.

 

  1. Greetings, Rabbi! Judas warmly greeted Jesus, even giving Him the customary kiss. But the kiss only precisely identified Jesus to the authorities who came to arrest Jesus. There are no more hollow, hypocritical words in the Bible than Greetings, Rabbi! in the mouth of Judas. The loving, heartfelt words of Jesus – calling Judas friend – stand in sharp contrast.

1). And kissed Him: Kissed Him heartily. What a tremendous contrast between the woman in Simon’s house (Luke 7) and Judas! Both kissed Jesus fervently: with strong emotion; yet the one could have died for Him, the other betrays Him to death.

 

  1. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him: This happened only after they had all fallen to the ground when Jesus announced Himself as the I am (John 18:6).

 

  1. (51-56) The arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane.
  2. One of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear: Matthew doesn’t tell us, but we know from John 18:10that this unnamed swordsman was Peter.

1). But how came Peter to have a sword? Judea was at this time so infested with robbers and cut-throats that it was not deemed safe for any person to go unarmed. He probably carried one for his mere personal safety.

 

  1. He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels: Had Jesus wanted Divine help at this moment, He could have had it. There were more than twelve legions of angels ready to come to His aid.

1). A legion is judged to be six thousand foot and seven hundred horse. And this great army of angels is by prayer dispatched from heaven in an instant. The number is impressive, especially considering that one angel killed up to 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35.)

  1. All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled: With all power at His disposal, Jesus was in total command. He was not the victim of circumstance, but He managed circumstances for the fulfillment of prophecy.
  2. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled: At this point, all the disciples scattered, running for their own safety. A few (Peter and John, at least) followed back to see what would happen at a distance. None of them stood beside Jesus and said, I have given my life to this Man. What you accuse Him of, you may accuse me of also. Instead, it was fulfilled what Jesus said: All of you will be made to stumble because of me (Matthew 26:31).

 

  1. The trial before the Sanhedrin.
  2. (57-61) Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas.
  3. Before Jesus came to the home of Caiaphas (the official high priest), He was led to the home of Annas, who was the ex-high priest and the power behind the throne of the high priest (according to John 18:12-14and John 18:19-23).
  4. Where the scribes and the elders were assembled: Caiaphas had gathered a group of the Sanhedrin to pass judgment on Jesus.

 

  1. Peter followed Him at a distance to see the end: Peter was determined to prove wrong Jesus’ prediction that He would deny and forsake Him at His death.

 

  1. (59-61) The first trial before the Sanhedrin.
  2. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council: This nighttime trial was illegal according to the Sanhedrin’s own laws and regulations. According to Jewish law, all criminal trials must begin and end in the daylight. Therefore, though the decision to condemn Jesus was already made, they conducted a second trial in daylight (Luke 22:66-71), because they knew the first one – the real trial – had no legal standing.

1). This was only one of many illegalities made in the trial of Jesus. According to Jewish law, only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid. The first trial was held at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest.

 

  • According to Jewish law, criminal cases could not be tried during the Passover season.
  • According to Jewish law, only an acquittal could be issued on the day of the trial. Guilty verdicts had to wait one night to allow for feelings of mercy to rise.
  • According to Jewish law, all evidence had to be guaranteed by two witnesses, who were separately examined and could not have contact with each other.
  • According to Jewish law, false witness was punishable by death. Nothing was done to the many false witnesses in Jesus’ trial.
  • According to Jewish law, a trial always began by bringing forth evidence for the innocence of the accused, before the evidence of guilt was offered. This was not the practice here.

 

  1. The council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but found none: This is a remarkable testimony to the life and integrity of Jesus. For having lived such a public life and performed such a public ministry, it was difficult to find even false testimony against Him.
  2. This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days: After all the false witnesses had their say, Jesus was finally charged with threatening to destroy the temple (as in a modern-day bomb threat). Clearly, Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). But this glorious prophecy of His resurrection was twisted into a terrorist threat. John 2:21makes it clear that He was speaking of the temple of His body.

 

  1. (62-64) Jesus testifies at His trial.
  2. Do You answer nothing? Jesus sat silently until He was commanded by the office of the high priest to answer the accusations against Him.
  3. And the high priest answered and said to Him, I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God! Seeing the trial going badly, Caiaphas confronted Jesus, acting more as an accuser than an impartial judge.

1). I adjure you is a rare and formal expression (cf. 1 Kings 22:16 ) for a similar Old Testament formula), invoking the name of God in order to compel a true answer. This is therefore the climax of the hearing.

 

  1. It is as you said: Instead of defending Himself, Jesus simply testified to the truth. He was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. He answered as briefly and directly as possible.

 

  1. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power: Jesus added this one word of warning. He warned them that though they sat in judgment of Him now, He would one day sit in judgment/justice of them – and with a far more binding judgment/justice.

1).Power is a typically Jewish reverential expression to avoid pronouncing the sacred name of God (which might have laid Jesus open to the charge of blasphemy, though ironically it was precisely that charge on which he was condemned, Matthew 26:65.

 

  1. (65-68) The Sanhedrin react with horror and brutality.
  2. He has spoken blasphemy! The accusation of blasphemy would have been correct, except that Jesus was whom He said He was. It is no crime for the Christ, the Son of God, to declare who He really is.
  3. He is deserving of death: Their verdict reveals the depths of man’s depravity. God, in total perfection, came to earth, lived among men, and this was man’s reply to God.
  4. They spat in His face and beat Him: They spit on Him; they hit Him with their fists; they slapped Him with their open hands. It is easy to think that they did this because they didn’t know who He was. That is true in one sense, because they would not admit to themselves that He was indeed the Messiah and the Son of God. Yet in another sense it is not true at all, because by nature carnal man is an enemy of God (Romans 5:10Colossians 1:21). For a long time man waited to literally hit, slap, and spit in God’s face.

 

 1). Some ways that men still spit in the face of Jesus.

  • Men spit in His face by denying His deity.
  • Men spit in His face by rejecting His gospel.
  • Men spit in His face by preferring their own righteousness.
  • Men spit in His face by turning away from Jesus.

 

  1. (69-75) Fearing association with Jesus, Peter denies his relationship with Jesus three times.
  2. A servant girl came to him: Peter was not questioned before a hostile court or even an angry mob. Peter’s own fear made a servant girl and another girl hostile monsters in his eyes, and he bowed in fear before them.
  3. I do not know the Man! Peter’s sin of denying his association with Jesus grew worse with each denial. First, he merely lied; then he took an oath to the lie; then he began to curse and swear.

1). And, as if it would help distance himself from association with Jesus, Peter began to curse and swear. To call down curses on himself, sign of irritation and desperation; has lost self-control completely.

 

  1. Peter remembered the word of Jesus. So, he went out and wept bitterly: Peter finally remembered and took to heart what Jesus said, but in this case he did so too late. For now, all he could do was to weep bitterly. Yet Peter would be restored, showing a significant contrast between Judas (showing apostasy) and Peter (showing backsliding or as some say falling from grace). OT word is backsliding and the NT word/s are falling from Grace. But how can you fall from Grace?

 Good news Jude 1:26!!

1). Apostasy is giving up the truth, as Judas did. Judas was sorry about his sin, but it was not a sorrow leading to repentance. Or perhaps he was when Jesus went to the lower parts and set the captives free. Something to consider.

2). As said backsliding is an Old Testament term: a decline from a spiritual experience once enjoyed. Peter slipped, but he will not fall; his bitter weeping and turning around will lead to repentance and restoration.

  1. And wept bitterly: This was the beginning of Peter’s repentance. Several things brought him to this place.

 CHAPTER 27

Matthew 27:1-66

Matt. 27:1-35 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,10 “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” So Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. 32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: 1 “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Taken from Ps. 22:18

27:1-35 YAH SHUA FACES PHILATAUS And when, being dawn, they take counsel concerning Yah Shua — all the Rabbi Priests and elders of the people so as to deathify him:and they bind him and take him and shelem him to Philataus the governor. THE REGRET OF YAH HUDA-Then Yah Huda the shelemer, when he sees he is condemned, repents, and goes and returns the thirty silver to the Rabbi Priests and elders, wording, I sinned in sheleming innocent blood. And they word to him, what is that to us? You know — you. and he throws the silver in the nave and departs and goes and strangles his soul. And the Rabbi Priests take the silver, and word, it is not allowed to cast the qurbana into the house because it is the price of blood. And they take counsel, and they merchandise there the field of the potter as a house of a tomb of strangers: because of this that field is called, The field of blood until this day.— then to fulfill what was worded through the hand of the prophet, who worded, And I take the thirty silvers the price of the precious that the sons of Isra El agreed: and I give them for the field of the potter as Yah Veh misvahed to me.  John 11:12,13 And Yah Shua stands in front of the governor: and the governor asks, wording to him, Are you the sovereign of the Yah Hudaya?  And Yah Shua word to him, You worded. — and when, in his being accused by the Rabbi Priests and elders ,he replies not a word. Then Philataus words to him, Hear you not how much they witness concerning you? And he gives him not a word — not one word so concerning this, the governor marvels greatly. And at every feast the governor has been accustomed to release one captive to the congregation — being whom they will: and being bound, is a famous prisoner called Bar Aba: and when they congregate Philataus words to them, whom will you that I release to you? Bar Aba? Or Yah Shua, called the Meshiah? — for Philataus knows they shelem him of envy. And when the governor sits upon his bamah, his own woman apostolizes to him, wording, You — have naught to do with that just man: for I suffered much this day in a dream because of him. And the Rabbi Priests and elders convince the congregation to ask for Bar Aba and destroy Yah Shua. The governor answers, wording to them, who of the two will you that I release to you?  And they word, Bar Aba. Philataus words to them, And with Yah Shua called the Meshiah — what work I to him?  They all word to him, Stake!  And the governor words, Indeed, for what evil has he worked?  And they shout excessively, wording, Stake!  And when Philataus sees he gains naught whatever, but rather, a riot being excessive, he takes water, washes his hands in the eyes of the congregation, wording, I absolve of the blood of this just person: you acknowledge. And all the people answer, wording, His blood — upon us and upon our sons.  BAR ABA RELEASED, YAH SHUA SHELEMED – Then he releases Bar Aba to them: and tortures Yah Shua with whips, and shelems him to stake. Then the strategists of the governor lead Yah Shua into the praetorium, and congregate all the squad to him: and they strip him and clothe him in a scarlet robe and they braid a wreath of thorns and place it upon his head and a reed in his right and they eulogize upon their knees in front of him, and mocking therein, wording, Shalom, sovereign of the Yah Hudaya! And they spit upon his face and taking the reed and wounding him on the head and when mocking within, they strip his robe and cloth him in his own garment and lead him to stake him.  And when they go, they find a man — a Qurinaya, Shimun by name, and they compel him to bear his stake: and they come to a place called Gagulta — clarified, Skull: and they give him vinegar to drink mingled with gall and he tastes, and wills to not drink. YAH SHUA STAKED – And when they stake him and divide his garments by loto fulfilling shalam what the prophet worded, “They divided my garments among them and upon my garment they cast lots.” Aramaic NC

 We will continue with explanations for Matthew 27:1-66 next week

 We will continue with Les. 8 next week.

 The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

 David & Mary Sue

 

 

FS Word of Power – No More Tears- No More Pain – 09/15/21

FS Word of Power
September 15
Eva Windahl

“No more tears- no more pain…”

When we lose dear and loved ones, when death stares us in the face and sorrow holds our heart in a tight grip- God wants you to know that he sees your suffering- he sees your pain. But hear this: There is NOTHING on Earth that Heaven can’t heal. God will personally comfort you! His heart goes out to you today and wants you to know that he sees every tear you cry. There is Hope because he himself has conquered death! There is Hope because he is indeed ALIVE. There is Hope because he really hears you when you pray. He cares! Today I hear him say: Take heart this too shall pass! Come now and I shall take you in my arms and wipe away all your tears …If you are grieving right now or need to comfort those close to you in pain, allow me to give you the following scriptures from your Father in Heaven reassuring you that he knows your pain.
Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus, the greatest empathizer, understands what you are going through and will stay beside you.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The Lord will wrap His arms of love and comfort around those who trust in Him.

“He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Lean on God and allow Him to continue the process of healing your broken heart.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Comforting you is God’s specialty.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God promises to be with you and get you through this time of intense disappointment and loneliness.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Depend on His guidance to lead you out of that dark valley.

“I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14). As believers, we have hope of the resurrection promised by God.

“The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. … So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:52, 54). At Christ’s return, those who belong to Him will be raised and given life that will never end.

//bless ;

Rend Your Hearts – Not Your Garments

Rend Your Hearts – Not Your Garments

Risa Utley

(rutley4779@aol.com)

9/11/2021

Heard this morning:

Joel 2:13
Rend your heart, not your garments, and turn to Adonai, your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in mercy, and relenting about the calamity due.

Rending your garments is only an outward show of mourning, it is for others to see. No change is really made, just an outward appearance. No different than hired mourners to make a show of weeping at a funeral of someone they don’t even know. But it looks good.

Rending your heart is an inward thing, it may be invisible to others, but it results in a real change. It is true mourning, brings true repentance and real change.

We (the ones who name the Name of Jesus, Yeshua) are too quick to rend our garments at injustices (real or perceived) and not our hearts at the real problem: sin. We make a big deal about OUR rights, OUR hurts, but what about Him?

A few years ago, there was a fad about WWJD bracelets, “what would Jesus do”. It is true, if we really took the time to ask that question and listen for the real answer, a lot of trouble could be avoided. But in reality, it was just more of rending our garments, for show. Because if we really wanted to “do as Jesus would do” a lot of what we do “in His name” is really just rending garments and nothing like what He would do.

Remember James and John? When they were not received in a town, they were ready to call down fire from heaven and destroy them, Jesus told them NO. Remember the lady caught in adultery? The “righteous” had the right to stone her, but Jesus said NO. Remember the leper? The law said that a leper had to remain separate, away from people. Jesus not only received the leper, He touched him and healed him. Remember the disciples who saw someone else casting out devils in the name of Jesus and told Jesus to rebuke them because they weren’t “with them”? Jesus said NO.

Social media has made many of us into vocal warriors. We are quick to rend our garments and shout out the injustices we see, we are ready to call down fire upon folks who think differently. We are ready to block, unfriend, and report those whom we believe are wrong. We are “fact-checked” ad nauseum by others who have no more information or truth than we have. We are indignant and ready to fight to the death for our rights.

What if…what if we stopped rending our garments and instead, we rend our hearts? What if we really asked Jesus/Yeshua what He would do? What if we as the body of Christ actually worked to advance the Kingdom of God instead of our idea of what government should be? After all, the world will never be subject to the Law of God and can’t be, until Jesus/Yeshua comes back and sets up His kingdom. We forget that a sinner will always sin, that is all they know. But we are not of the world if we have been born again. So why are we so shocked when the world does what it does?

We are supposed to pray for our leaders. But not so we can get our way, listen to what it says:

I Timothy 2:1-4

1. Therefore, first of all I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people—

2. for kings and all who are in authority—so we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and respectfulness.

3. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

4. He desires all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth.

Do you see that? Pray for all people, which includes leaders so that we can live a peaceful and quiet life in godliness and respectfulness. And the reason is because He desired everyone to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth—and the Truth is Jesus. Not what we think is truth. Rending our hearts in prayer and intercession, not our garments so that we appear to be offended.

What would Jesus do? What DID He do? He only had harsh words for the religious “righteous” leaders who were concerned with their place in society and their power to lord over the people. For the sinners, He said come to ME and as they came, they were changed.

We don’t fight this fight with our natural mind or machinations, we fight this on our knees and from our hearts. We don’t convince anyone with rhetoric, we take it to the Lord, get His heart, His mind, and only say/do what He says to say/do.

Let’s rend our hearts, not for show but to see the lost be saved; to repent and seek God to turn the hearts of the people to Him; to heal our land; and to see the Kingdom of God advanced one soul at a time. That is why we are here. We are to bring His Kingdom to earth, to make disciples and bring His message to the lost.

We don’t win people by force, we win them by showing His Heart, His Love.

You Have Time to Sit with God – 09/12/21

FS Sunday Sermon
You Have Time to Sit with God
By: Marshall Segal

When we stop to remember that God exists — that he created all that is from nothing; that he sustains everything we know, moment by moment, with just a word from his mouth; that he governs every government on earth; that he entered into his creation, taking on flesh, enduring weakness and temptation, suffering hostility to the point of death, even death on a cross, all to shower us with mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and secure our eternity with him in paradise — it is stunning, isn’t it, that we ignore and neglect him like we do.

Isn’t it amazing that God simply was before time began, and yet we sometimes struggle to find even ten minutes for him? Isn’t it perplexing, bordering on insanity, that we sometimes prefer distracting ourselves with our phones over taking advantage of our breathtaking access to his throne of grace in Christ? Isn’t it kind of unexplainable how we often live as if we do not have time to sit and enjoy God?

It is stunning, amazing, and perplexing, and yet so painfully familiar. Everyone who has followed Jesus knows what it is like to be distracted from following Jesus. That means we all, every one of us, can sympathize with anxious Martha.

Distracted by Fear

When Martha saw that Jesus had come to town, she welcomed him into the home where she and her sister lived (Luke 10:38). When Mary saw Jesus, she immediately sat down at his feet, and hung on his every word (Luke 10:39). “But Martha,” Luke tells us, “was distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40).

To her credit, she was not distracted with little serving, but with much serving. And it’s hard for some of us to be too hard on her. She was hosting the Messiah — Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace — and she alone was preparing the food. Mary realized who Jesus was, and sat down to listen. Martha realized who Jesus was, and ran to do all she could for him.

The serving itself was not the problem — or at least not the main problem — especially given the social expectations for hospitality in her day. What, then, was the problem? Anxiety was consuming Martha. When she complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her, he responded, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Her grumbling had opened wide a window into her heart. Love was not inspiring her to serve; anxiety was. Her turmoil was driven by misplaced fear. How often is this true of us?

And not just a fear, but many fears. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.” This wasn’t just about hospitality. Martha was distracted from Jesus because her mind was drowning in the cares of this world. And because she would not stop and listen to Jesus, she was forfeiting the calm she so desperately needed.

One Necessary Thing

Jesus knows how to still the raging waves of anxiety. Notice that he says her name not once, but twice: “Martha, Martha . . .” You can almost hear him slowing down the second time. He uses his voice, like a brake, to slowly quiet the turbulence in her heart. He knows how distracted she is, how wildly her mind is racing from one worry to another, and so he begins by helping her focus: “Martha, Martha . . .”

“You are anxious and troubled about many things,” he goes on to say, “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42). In just two short sentences, he confronts her sinful anxiety — our sinful anxiety — with necessity, then felicity, and lastly security.

NECESSITY

“You are troubled about many things,” he says, “but one thing is necessary.” In other words, everything that feels so pressing, so critical, so overwhelming is ultimately unnecessary next to hearing and knowing Jesus. Her fears screamed the opposite: What will we serve him? What will he think about the food? How will this compare with other places he’s visited? Did the neighbors notice Jesus came to our house? Why isn’t Mary helping me? We don’t know what precise anxieties were harassing Martha, but we know they were many — and that each concern insisted it was essential and urgent. Only one thing, however, was truly necessary.

Hundreds of years before Martha was born, King David had already learned this lesson: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). He said this while evildoers assailed him (verse 2), and armies encamped against him (verse 3), and lies and threats fell like arrows all around him (verse 12). In other words, he had every reason to fear, and yet even then, he knew the one thing he must do: seek the Lord.

Satan will try to make everything feel more urgent than sitting down to be with Jesus. But in the end, only one thing is truly necessary. And it’s not the hard conversation you’re dreading, or the pile of deadlines at work, or some distant drama on social media, or the exam you need to pass next week, or the debt you’re afraid you’ll never pay off. One thing is necessary — today, tomorrow, next Tuesday, and every day after — to know, obey, and enjoy Jesus.

FELICITY

The necessity of this one pursuit, however, does not make it an unhappy pursuit. “One thing is necessary,” Jesus says. “Mary has chosen the good portion.” While it might seem like Mary had abandoned her responsibilities and left her sister out to dry, she actually had chosen wisely and lovingly.

For choosing the one necessary thing, Mary received the good portion. Necessary was no sacrifice for her; it was all gain. She was drinking from a well that would never run dry, feasting from an overflowing table, swimming in an ocean of hope and peace and joy. Because his presence was her portion, her portion was not just right, but good. Her sitting and listening said what the apostle Paul would one day say in Philippians 3:8: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Martha, meanwhile, was drinking from another well that day — one that left her even more thirsty. While the fountain of living water sat in her living room, she feverishly carved out cisterns for herself, “broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). That’s how the fear of man oppresses us: it begs and pleads for our attention, but is never satisfied. Fear breeds fear breeds fear. But the good fountain — the good portion — breeds peace and contentment, quenches our thirsts, satisfies our longings, and gives our souls rest. Necessity, for Mary and for us, is also felicity.

SECURITY

Lastly, this necessary and happy pursuit is also profoundly safe. “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Not only has Mary chosen wisely, sitting at his feet to receive his words, but she has chosen happiness. And not just any happiness, but a full and abundant happiness that no person or circumstance could ever take from her. Is there any better word to a heart distracted by worry? The good I will give you, you will never, ever lose.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 37–39)

Have the cares of this world distracted you from sitting at the feet of Jesus? Have your fears left you feeling restless, insecure, unstable? The God of the universe is still speaking, right now, in his word. Hear his voice calling your name today, bidding you to come and enjoy the one necessary thing, the one satisfying thing, the one safe thing. You have time to sit with God.