The Sword of the Lord

I was praying last week and received the glimpse of a vision of a two edged sword. Following that this scripture was given to me:

Matthew 10:34-39 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Jesus’ cross killed Him, and yours must kill you

God has always required a separating out of His people from the people of the world

Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

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

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,   Under Levitical Law, pigs were unclean, a pig will eat most anything. Under New Covenant, you don’t have a common union with people that eat anything: Mindsets/ thinking/ doing….

There are scriptures that we are familiar with that refer to the word of God as a sword:

The Spirit has a sword, it is the word of God!

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

And then the Hebrews passage refers to God’s word as a twoedged sword.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

People have differing opinions about what the adjective—two edged means, but it is the word that is being described, which is God’s truth, and we know that the truth does at least two things: 1) it convicts but 2) also makes free. For those that respond to conviction by faith it heals and sets free, and for those who rebel against God’s truth, it results in Judgment and condemnation.

The sword of our Lord judges the rebellious:

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The Hebrews passage tells us that the sword of God’s word discerns thoughts, intents, and reveals the motives of the heart. The word of God, like a piercing sword shines a light into the interior of the person, it’s the word of truth that the Spirit of God uses to shine the light in the dark corners of our hearts, and then He says to us, who belong to Him, “Hey, what are we going to do with that right there?”

This message today is really about those who want to be or say that they are the people of God

1 Corinthians 6:8-11. Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 -- Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

That’s one edge of the sword—conviction, but I have to tell you that there is also the restoration or setting free side of the sword of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has a sword and it’s the word of God. The Spirit’s sword has supernatural power when its truth is released. I want to say that another way. The power of the Spirit’s sword works directly through its truth. It’s when people embrace the truth of God’s word that they get set free. People can mishandle the word and use it for their own purposes and nothing changes, but when people allow the truth of the word to have its way with them, then freedom comes, because Jesus said so:

John 8:31-32. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

These religious Jews are not allowing the sword to have its way in their lives. The conviction of the truth reveals then follows repentance and once that happens, then comes the result of freedom. But people bound by a religious spirit, or in a place where they’re enjoying sin right now love, refuse to bring it to the light where it can be exposed and dealt with, and until they do, they can’t be healed.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

John 8:33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

I’m sorry but that’s just a lie. What are you talking about that Abraham’s seed has never been in bondage to any man: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and right now, Caesar’s face is all over your coinage and your paying excessive taxes to him. You were God’s people. The blessings spoken on the mountain before you entered the Promised Land stated that if you stayed true to His word, you would be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath and that your storehouses would over flow. But as a people you treated God’s word as a common thing and rebelled against it, and now you’re in bondage.

Matt 13:3-23 parable of the sower—hostility

Matt 13:24-30 tares and wheat

Matt 13:31-32 Mustard Tree—seems insignificant

Matt 13:33 Leaven—such a small thing has such a large effect

Matt 13:36-43 interprets parable of the tares at disciple’s request

Matt 13:44 Treasure in a field—believed and realized it was the most important thing

Matt 13:45,46 Pearl of great price

Matt13:47-50 parable of the net and the fish

Matt 25:31-34 Goats and sheep

Matt 25:1-13 parable of the virgins—“I know you not” watch therefore for you know not what hour He comes

Matt 22:1-14 For many are called, but few are chosen

2 Timothy 2:20-21. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Soul vs Spirit

John 4:21-23

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

You are spirit—this is important you have been given an opportunity at eternal life

You are a spirit in a physical body. When you get born again, the Holy Spirit moves in and becomes intertwined with yours, and you have become one with Him. Seriously, I did my best to explain to you a couple weeks ago how hard He’s been working through the millennia to get His Spirit in you. You belong to Him as His creation, Satan is trying to steal His possession, but God is taking it back. He just has to get you and I to believe what He’s saying about us (Romans 6:11-12). You are a partaker of the divine nature and you have been given everything [In Christ] that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4).

One with Him

John 17:19-22

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may  be one, even as we are one:

But—there is a war raging

Romans 7:23

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and  bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

A prisoner of war

2 Corinthians 13:14 fellowship of the Holy Spirit

Consider the close proximity of the soul [mind, will, emotions] to the spirit, and the close proximity of the soul to the world. Are we allowing the external or the internal to influence us?

Colossians 2:8-10 ESV philosophy of world

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Ephesians 6:16  shield of faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Psuchikos

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There is a big difference between the brain and the mind. A man can be a genius but dead to the things of God [ATP > Mitochondria] but the mind of the soul influenced by [a] spirit functions at a higher level than the brain, because whatever influences the mind is what truly drives the direction of all the movement. God’s will is that the Holy Spirit would commune with our spirit and that our spirit would lead our soul: mind, will, emotions in the right direction.

The natural mind cannot perceive these things

Pneumatikos

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we have the mind of Christ in us… v 12

The heart thinks & speaks. The heart is listed as the soul, as a mixture of both thoughts and emotions.

Proverbs 23:6-7 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Matthew 12:34-35 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Knowledge-wisdom-understanding

Proverbs 2:1-16

Because the body is close to the soul and the soul close to the body proximity of the soul, the external problems of the fallen world affects our senses through our [mind, will, emotions], we bring the world in and it causes a war that filters through our soul and desires to penetrate and affect our spirit.

Peter- the external world through his senses affected what he leaned upon. Reminds again of the proximity of the soul to the external world and how your environment can affect your inner man, how the chaos of the world will affect the object of your faith and attempt to engulf you in its storm. The enemy will use the tactic of fear based on what your physical senses experience in your external world

Isaiah 26:3-4

Stayed-Lean upon/ rest

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

The Riven Side: Part 1 and Part 2

Romans 7:22-23

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

In our world laws carry weight and authority. The Laws spoken of in Romans 7:22-23 speak of laws that govern the spiritual realm and have an affect or result in our physical world.

1. the law of God after the inward man

2. law of my mind

3. the law of sin which is in my members.

• I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind

When we talk about the Law of sin, in essence, we are talking about the sinful nature. Some other ways to say that would be the source of sin, the factory of sin, the power of sin, or the noun of sin.

But we were separated from the old life that was dominated by sin when we were born again. Illustration of the drape

What is sin?

Romans 14:23.    Judgment against self, with anything, not certain we should, we shouldn’t

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

It’s important for us to consider these passages because sin is not always what we like it to be. I say like it, because we conveniently choose the stuff that others struggle with but we don’t. In our minds, it protects our spirituality and places us in an elevated position.

Sinful things we might struggle with and not consider sinful

1. Submission to authority

2. Living in fear

3. Watching unclean things

4. Manipulation—manipulation has a root called control

5.   Unteachable—know it all spirit  

                                                        Battle in the mind

V 7:23 The law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

We have to establish some vocabulary here so that we can make sure that we are on the same page:

1. the law of sin—(sinful nature) when I connect that to my members, now I have one aspect of the meaning of the word flesh. While it’s true that the word for sin is hamartia and the word for flesh is sarx, so hamartia means sin and sarx means:

• the meat of an animal (as food),

• the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), what is external,

• or as the means of kindred) [flesh and blood—family]  why is human nature weak and frail & full of passions??

• human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially),

• carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh

2 thoughts:

1] both the body as opposed to the soul and spirit

2] a carnal mind

can both be labeled the flesh, so with that said, it’s important for us to know that the soul is not completely disconnected from the flesh [because the mind is part of the soul: mind, will, emotions = soul]

And the soul is not completely disconnected from the Spirit, we know the word can separate them.

Flesh is used to describe a carnal mind and the mind is part of the soul. A carnal mind is the opposite of a spiritual mind. Can a Christian have a carnal mind?

1 Corinthians 3:1

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.                                              Pneumatikos.           Sarkikos—fleshly

1 Corinthians 2:14 psychikos—soulish

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

So the soulish or natural man can be a Christian who does not think with the mind of Christ; instead, he operates in a carnal mindset, with his own mind, without a renewed mind.

Ephesians 4:20-23   renewed- renovate

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

So the soulish part of man known as the mind can partner with sin and operate carnally or fleshly, which is not God’s will and anything that is not of faith is sin.

Return to the drape illustration but keep the face/ head on the opposite side

And that’s where I feel the Lord wants me to spend the rest of the time…looking at the laws in relation to the mind—specifically the renewed mind/ the mind of Christ.

1. the law of God after the inward man

2. law of my mind

3. the law of sin which is in my members.

How does my inward man affect the law of my mind? After I’m saved, the Spirit of God lives in me. God told Jeremiah 31:33 that in the New Covenant, He would write the Law of God on the heart. My interpretation of that is this—when I got saved the Holy Spirit came to live in me. In what part of me does He live? His Spirit lives in my spirit and so I can know right from wrong spiritually, but the mind of my soul man may not be convinced. The renewal of the mind is more than just reading your Bible. The renewed mind is a mind that is gaining revelation. Revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, but without knowledge, it’s difficult to gain revelation.

Knowledge—wisdom—understanding

Illustration: I don’t like algebra, so I skip class and refuse to do the homework. Okay, and you will fail the test unless you’re an absolute genius and being a genius won’t get you through spiritual life. No, you have to have knowledge, then apply the knowledge in your daily life and with the help of the Holy Spirit, through the word and daily applying the word will result in wisdom and through this, the Lord gives revelation.

Romans 8:1 we all have aspects of our mind that are carnal

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit—a carnal or un-renewed mindset can fall under condemnation

So if I’m operating in the law of God I will have freedom- right?

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Take the drape and throw it over the head and behind

So now let’s define the Law of God as [The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus] then the Law of sin [sinful nature] will not affect the Law of my mind [my soul/mind will line up with my spirit and believe what God says instead of what I’m trying to believe based on the negative influences of the enemy.

The flesh is the opposite of faith. Faith is all about abiding in a specific place and not allowing yourself to be disconnected. I can’t forget a thought the Lord gave me once from the song rock of ages. There is a word in the song that says let the water and the blood flow from your riven side be a double cure.

Song - Rock of Ages Cleft For Me

The word riven means to be split. God took a rib out of the first Adam to make him a bride and God split the ribs of the last Adam and grafted into Him a Gentile bride:

Romans 11:17

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

John 15:4-5

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Lord Teach Us to Pray: Forgive Us Our Debts, As We Forgive Our Debtors

Don’t forget to forgive-it’s a big deal to God

Matthew 6:12-15 KJV

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their  trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The citizens of God’s kingdom are people that have been forgiven through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus said that He was the cornerstone, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. The stone that the builders rejected. Those that fall on the rock will be broken and those that the rock fall on will be ground to powder.

A cornerstone is the beginning of the foundation in ancient buildings. Jesus is the beginning and the end of the foundation of God’s kingdom.

Forgiveness is the foundation on which God built His kingdom. Paul said: 1 Corinthians 3:11

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. And Jesus’ cross is forgiveness.

Forgiveness- pardon of sin and remission from its penalty, resulting in pardon, liberty and deliverance from the imprisonment of sin.

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:

Atonement

Romans 5:11

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Atonement - the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values. In God’s eyes there was equivalent value to pardon the sins of the human race through an exchange—the sacrifice of His sinless Son in place of sinful man; for those that would believe this truth by faith, an exchange occurs, a transaction in the books of heaven at the very moment a sinner’s faith and words of confession clash spiritually with the words of the Lord— “It is finished” Teleo

This word Atonement is also translated reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Paul believed it and preached it everywhere he went

Acts 26:13-18 NASB

13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Colossians 1:13-14 NASB

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I used all these scriptures to remind you of the loving plan of God revealed through His Son. The foundation of God’s kingdom is built upon the forgiveness He offers mankind through the sacrifice of His sinless Son.

So why do we as God’s people struggle so much forgiving others after we have received this glorious gift of forgiveness, atonement and reconciliation. People often convince themselves that they’ve forgiven, but many times they still harbor un-forgiveness in their hearts. Saying you have forgiven someone and really forgiving them are two different things. ♥️

Matthew 18:23-35 KJV

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. ♥️

Un-forgiveness breeds bitterness

Ephesians 4:30-32

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Hebrews 12:14-15

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail  of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

1. Unforgiveness will affect your prayer life: Mark 11:25-26

Mark 11:25-26

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

2.   Unforgiveness will prevent your worship from being accepted

Matthew 5:23-24

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

3.   Jesus forgave until the end and so must we—thief on the cross

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 490 until the end Daniel 9

4.  True forgiveness is a work of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

The New Covenant Made You His Temple

He is clearly addressing believers

Courtroom

1 Corinthians 6:6-20

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 -- Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1. Unrighteous wont/ righteous δικαιοσύνη will

2. Justified δικαιόω—Jeremiah 3:11

3. Such were some of you

12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

2. 18 your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Righteous God, righteous people to reveal to an unrighteous world

Deuteronomy 4, 6, 8

Jeremiah 31:31-33

31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts,**** be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Previously, there was no indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Covenant

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The Old Covenant Law revealed to God’s people His righteousness and through them revealed it to the world around them. The New Covenant put God’s righteousness [Jesus] in God’s people and gives them power through the grace of the Holy Spirit to live a life of righteousness— all the time. No, really we can live a righteous life towards the lord all the time. The power of sin is broken. The problem we have now is that we need our own will broken. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to break our will and crucify our flesh. In order for that to happen, we must joint participate with the Holy Spirit: 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

                                              Fellowship ESV

Through the cross, there is an empowering grace supplied

Colossians 2:14-15***the cross purchased grace and gives victory over the power of sin—you have to know it & believe it… faith

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:15

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:17

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

What form of doctrine? The form that was delivered to you and delivered you!!

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:1-3

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Lord Teach Us to Pray: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Exodus 16, bread from heaven, John 6, Jesus explains that He is the actual bread that God gave from heaven

Emphasis: Praying for, believing in and receiving God’s life everyday His way

1. God’s baking bread- will we follow the recipe

2. Exodus 16:4-5

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

Exodus 16:20-24 they tested God and did it their way

20 But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted. 22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23 he said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’” 24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it.

His instructions had purpose…would they trust His Word daily and specifically? Or would they do it their way, and move outside of His will?

I firmly believe when Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” that He was talking about both physical and spiritual bread.

2 reasons

1. Exodus, God promised to provide, but would His people be willing to trust Him daily and not work extra on Saturday? Test—obedience to His word—both in action and timing.

• Do it your way and it decays and turns to worms. Do it His way,  and it will last.

• 2. Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”—So powerful—

• Side note: Sabbath is an important test of faith because Jesus fulfills the Sabbath through His work on the cross—

II. I don’t like this kind-give me the other one?

John 6:25

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

John 6:26

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

What does this mean? You seek me not because you saw. They saw, they touched, they ate. They were filled physically, but couldn’t see spiritually. It’s like this…

Romans 5:3 KJV And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 5:3 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance—knowledge, wisdom, understanding

John 6:27-29

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

John 6:32

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

John 6:33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:34

They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:36–piece of bread

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

John 6:50-56

50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he  will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”—give us our daily bread—serve Him 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

Once He saw they grumbled He hit it even harder— most of them left on this day, and He didn’t stop there. He turned to His disciples and asked if they were going to leave Him too. Their response was?, where would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.

Their response wasn’t you have the best vocals, or you can really strum the harp Lord

• It wasn’t, you have the best ideas about children’s programs

• It wasn’t you have the best miracles, as a matter of fact, the miracles were all the crowd wanted and they left but it was the word of truth that Peter desired and made him stay

• But how does a person know that they are being fed words of truth if they’ve never eaten words of truth?

He certainly seems to be making a connection between food and life, but it’s obvious that He is talking about spiritual life, not physical life, so how do we allow His flesh to be our spiritual food?

The answer is the connection between the Spirit’s moving through the word of His [cross]—it comes from the Spirit of the word. :

John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

He is the word

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:13

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Just like food is physical and you can see it, touch it, eat it, and it becomes nutritional life to the physical body, Jesus became flesh, and when He, through His word and faith in His word becomes our spiritual diet, we gain spiritual life.

In the Exodus passage they didn’t want to do it God’s way and at one point they didn’t even want God’s bread. In the John passage, they didn’t want the bread of life either. It seems the scriptures keep describing people that are always divided on what they want from God.

Vision: a rolling hill pasture land with green grass filled with a multitude of modern day believers. I knew in the spirit they were believers, and they were running in all different directions, not running away into the horizon. But never really getting anywhere or going anywhere. As they would run in different directions it wouldn’t be long and they would now be running around each other in circles. They were all around each other but disconnected. Different opinions, different directions, chaos and confusion. There was no peace or order. Nothing was being accomplished.

Sheep scattered

Matthew 9:36-38

36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

They need the Shepherd of their souls— His name is Jesus.

1 Peter 2:25 for ye were as sheep going astray, but ye turned back now to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

Somebody asked me one time… Matt are you a shepherd? Technically, I’m an under shepherd. My job is to lead others to the shepherd of their soul.

People are divided and seperated by their opinions Put us back together Lord— word of prophecy

Yes Lord these bones can live

Put sinew on these bones and put them back together Lord

O Lord Put flesh on these bones

Give them a mouth Lord and let your word go forth

Let your word be declared in the earth

There is a Shaking Coming: Part 2

What remains after the shaking inherits the blessing

Hebrews 11:5 KJV

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he  pleased God.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:10

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Moses refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin just to be called Pharaoh’s son but instead suffered the reproach of Christ.

V 5 My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

The reason He chastens in love is because He wants us to receive the promises.

Hebrews 12:18-24 ESV

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and  to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Psalms 48:1-2 KJV

1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Psalms 2:6

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Lets explain Zion: literally, it is one mountain amongst 7 in Jerusalem but spiritually, it’s so much more

This holy hill, this mountain of God, the city of the King… these are terms used to describe Jerusalem, which is where God has chosen to put His presence in the OT. This is the place that He declared war against the forces of evil as He takes this earth back one step at a time. The Lord is looking for property, a base of operations from which He mounts His attacks against evil and takes back what the devil stole. He is looking for you and me to not just show up but to worship Him because He is worthy. To pray because He moves through our prayers. To study His word, so that we can understand, put faith in and walk in the victory that this New Covenant He gave us with His blood offers. In all this, He wants us to understand that we are privileged to be able to serve Him.

He is working His way from the temporary and the physical. He is working His way towards the spiritual and eternal. This heavenly Zion that He speaks of is the city that Abraham was looking for. It’s the place that Enoch was brought to because he separated from the wickedness of the pre flood world. It’s the place that Noah was looking forward to when he built the arc in order to give the human race an opportunity to make it there.

The writer to the Hebrews is pleading with these believers not to quit. They’re being tempted to go back to their old lives of temple worship and animal sacrifices because of the persecution from their families and friends. Their choices to serve Jesus have affected their finances. The writer is saying, “Don’t give up. Without faith, it is impossible to please God!”

What about you? What old life does the enemy tempt you with?

Hebrews 12:25-29 ESV

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom  that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Esau didn’t worship/ serve

Hebrews 12:14-17

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any  man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Matthew 27:3

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Lord Teach Us to Pray: Your Kingdom Come Pt. 2

Introduction

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven 2: God’s Kingdom The bigger picture

Last week, we focused on God’s will being accomplished on earth as it is in heaven related to individuals. The 3 main points were:

1. True conversions

2. The cross is an ongoing work-believe what the Bible says, new identity

3. He is fashioning a body for His head-Bible reading

The emphasis of this message is Your Kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven Part 2 God’s Kingdom— The bigger picture

Sometimes we say, “I have a lot on my plate.” Let’s try to take a look at God’s plate.

1. God is engaged in spiritual warfare

2. He is looking for believers to grow past self

3. …so they can engage in the war w/ Him-active duty

We cannot see what God is doing without His help

Through Jesus, we’re offered new birth and new life, which frees from the bondage of sin. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the new birth allowed both entry into and the ability to see the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20-21

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and  said, The kingdom of God cometh not with  observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Faith and commitment to God’s kingdom and God’s work on earth w/ pure motives yields an eternal reward:

Releasing the seed of the kingdom that is in you reproduces after its own kind. The reproduction of the image of God on earth was your created purpose. When you accomplish God’s will on earth, through the grace that flows from what Jesus has already accomplished for you on the cross, you receive an eternal reward

Understanding God’s business on earth requires understanding God has an enemy who rebelled before man was ever created. He wants humans to do the same— reject God and His plan.

It’s understandable that most people come to God and church, because they need Him to fix them. I know that I needed God to heal me from a life of sin. It’s an ongoing work, but I am healed, and I am being healed.

But, with time we start to grow spiritually, begin dying to self, and become more focused on God’s will rather than our own.

Luke 10:17-20

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the  demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Luke 10:19-20

19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

2 Corinthians 4:1-4

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

So if we asked for light, and we could see— if the veil was removed and we could see what God sees, what would we see? And once we saw it:

Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Psalms 2:1-3 ESV

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

Psalms 2:4-12

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

connection: prince of the power of the air works through the children of disobedience through the rulers of the earth who take counsel together and make a plan to break free from the Lord’s authority.

Katy Perry/ Miley Cyrus I kissed a girl and I liked it. Then they kiss. Both were raised in the church. I am trying to explain to you that this is not accidental.

This is what we are up against? What is going to fix this?

• Voting?

• Joining a political party?

• What about prayer?

Prayer by the saints will affect the nations and the world that we live in

Psalms 149:5-9 ESV

5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones.

Praise the LORD!

Revelation 12:1-12

The Woman and the Dragon

1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4  His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Satan Thrown Down to Earth

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Ephesians 6:10-13

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Daniel 10:1-5 ESV

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.

Daniel 10:12-13

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

Daniel 10:14

and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

Daniel 10:20

Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.

There is a Shaking Coming: Part 1

Chapter 11 a cloud of witnesses that believed God had a plan and lived their lives for Him instead of themselves.

Hebrews 12

P1: 12:1-2

1. Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses— lay aside every weight and sin/run the race w/ endurance

2. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher, despised the shame, endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.

P3: 12:3-11

1. The Lord had to endure great hostility from sinners on this earth. He was holy and the world was fallen. They came against Him and tried to destroy Him. He endured—hypo monae means that He remained steadfast and did not waver  against the great opposition that was against Him.

3…consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds

The world was hostile against the Lord, because He was completely different than the world. I’m sorry to say that much of the church is hostile towards the Lord, because it has embraced the ways of the world.

The church is warned that the last days will be characterized by:

1. 1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall

• depart from the faith, giving

• heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

• V2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy;

• having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

2. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

• 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;

• but wanting to have their ears tickled,

• they will accumulate for themselves teachers

• in accordance to their own desires,

• 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth…

The truth of the cross crucifies the flesh, but also…

Galatians 6:14

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The change of the cross is both immediate and progressive. Immediately, the believer becomes a new creation. The Spirit of God is implanted into the heart and begins the transformation from the old creation in Adam to the new creation in Christ, but love of the world and preservation of self tries to prevent the metamorphosis from taking place. The cloud of witnesses that goes before us shows us that there have been countless humans that believed God’s word and chose the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of the world. The result was that the world treated them the way that it treated Jesus.

God wants to prepare our hearts, so that we will be faithful to Him.

5 …despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Hebrews 12:7-8

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

through Jesus’ work of the cross and our response through faith, we have been made sons of God. We live in a world that increasingly hates correction and discipline, but our Father is not of this world. That is the prince of the power of the air, the Spirit that works in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).

If you truly are a child of God and desire to serve Him, be prepared, there is discipline coming. He will not allow you to stay the same.

Psalms 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psalms 94:12

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,

People grow weary when the Lord disciplines them. They drag up, tap out, ask the coach to take them out for a couple of plays? I’m kind of tired.”

“Take you out for a couple of plays. Son, we don’t have anyone else? We need you to stay in the trenches and fight.”

Growing up, my football coach would have told me, “If you need a break, go to the locker room and turn in your uniform, because you obviously don’t understand the privilege of being on this team.”

He calls you son. He is your Father, and you are His son, made possible through the death of His only begotten Son. He has a plan, and if you’re going to really be His, there is going to be some discipline involved, and we are going to have to endure it.

Hebrews 12:6

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Hebrews 12:7

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

You have to endure the discipline of the Lord. When He disciplines, He is treating you as a son. Good Fathers discipline their children. Listen church the conclusion of this chapter is that there is a shaking coming. In the end, God is going to shake everything and only that which remains will enter the kingdom. Therefore you must endure the chastening of the Lord. Your eternity depends upon it.

Hebrews 12:8-10 ESV

8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

A true child of God will participate in the discipline of the Lord, or else they aren’t a true child of God. It’s a good thing if the Lord is bringing discipline into your life, because it means that you are a son/child of God. If He’s not bringing discipline, then it means that person is not really a son of God.

Hebrews 12:11

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. [exercised]

The thought of this section on discipline ends with these two truths:

1. God’s discipline is painful when it’s present. Why would God discipline? There is something that He doesn’t like about our lives or our behavior that He is dealing with. No one likes the way discipline feels. A spanking hurts, and punishment feels frustrating. The time mom punished me from the circus. I can still see myself so frustrated. I realize it now that it was a spirit of rebellion that refused to comply.

The discipline of the Lord can be much more painful than missing the circus: Financial famine, discord in relationships, trouble at work… The enemy offers answers to lower the pain…many times people people look around for someone or something else to blame instead of taking their medicine like a big boy and humbling themselves under the hand of God.

2. But discipline yields a crop: holiness

Discipline yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness

Proverbs 29:1

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

James 1:21-25 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Do You Have Faith in the Word?

Let’s take a look at some scriptures that describe the nature of God’s word, because any proclamation about God’s word requires faith on the part of the hearer that His word will accomplish His will on earth and also in your life.

Rain & snow have a purpose/ God’s word has a purpose

Isaiah 55:8-11

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing  whereto I sent it.

**God’s word will accomplish its intended results. The word prosper means “success” in the Thessalonians verse, the word “effectual” means the same

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye  received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

**God’s word accomplishes its intended results in those that believe it for what it really is, which is the word of God.

A sinful lifestyle is not normal Christianity

1 John 3:9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

When a true conversion takes place, the convert cannot continue to live a lifestyle of sin and the seed of God remain in him. The seed of God, which is Christ, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, convicts and contends with the believer to get his/ her heart right. Yes, the conscience can become seared and salvation can be lost, but that’s not what God wants. God wants people restored to Him. God wants you with Him. He’s not trying to get rid of you. He wants communion with you.

2 Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

One of the precious promises that He has given in His word is that: through conversion, believers become partakers of the divine nature of God. You don’t become God. You share in fellowship with His nature that now lives in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the new you.

Romans 6:3

-- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

**The word gives us revelation that we do not have to be ignorant anymore

Ephesians 4:22-23

22 That ye put off ((“Put off” Middle voice)) concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

**Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

The word of God is nourishment that helps us grow spiritually and transition from a baby to maturity in Christ.

1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Romans 6:5-7

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

God’s word says that conversion results in a miracle. The “old man” who was born in the natural in Adam dies in the new birth with Jesus, is buried with Jesus, and is resurrected with Him. Resurrection life through the Spirit, not just for a glorified body tomorrow but for victorious life today.  The old man is crucified with Jesus and the body of sin, or the power of the sinful nature is destroyed because it has no power over the new man. It had power over the old man, but that’s not who we are.

**Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

**So people that believe what God says are credited righteousness.

Romans 5:17

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Adam’s disobedience resulted in sin gaining power and death reigning as a king over the human race. Jesus’ act of obedience resulted in the gift of righteousness. There was an exchange that took place on the cross. He took your guilt and gave you His righteousness. The grace of God is given to the righteous. I didn’t say that. He did.

…they which receive abundance of grace

• who gets the grace?

• The righteous.

• How did they get it?

• It was a gift.

• Everybody gets it?

• No, it’s available to everyone, but only those that believe God at His word get it.

**NASB Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin…

Romans 6:11 KJV

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord expects us to believe what His word says. When we do, we are blessed by Him with its benefits. This message was believing God’s word as it relates to the truth that sin has no power over the life of believer’s based upon what the written word of God says.

Conclusion:

The word of God proclaims that the old man was born naturally in Adam, and in that first birth, the old man was born under the power of sin.

The word of God proclaims that when a person is truly converted a miracle takes place. He becomes a new creation. The Spirit of God now lives in Him. The Holy Spirit has power to raise the dead, heal diseased bodies, raise the dead, perform creative miracles and for tonight’s message…destroy the power of sin.

Believers believe. When believers believe, God blesses them. He gives them a gift. The gift is righteousness. Righteous people receive grace. Grace is related to the power of the Holy Spirit. Sin cannot stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit.