What a Father! What a Son!

Psalms 2 Rebellion

The Reign of the LORD'S Anointed

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.”

God’s remedy to rebellion

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.”

His King is Messiah/ His King is His Son

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.

In this Psalm, I see war and restoration. I see rebellion in man and obedience in the Son. Messiah the King, who is the Son of God, will restore the will of His Father!

1-3 The rulers of the nations are in rebellion against Yahweh and His Messiah

4-6 Yahweh sits above them and their plans. In the heavens, He laughs and promises to put them in terror—judgment is coming… and the promise of its coming is this truth… “I have set my King on Zion my holy hill.”

7-9 This is the ordinance [decree] by which Yahweh will accomplish this judgment upon these nations that are in rebellion against Him. He says, “I will give birth to a Son” I will give Him the nations as His heritage/inheritance (the first man Adam was not faithful and allowed in the rebellion). Through MY SON, I will judge the rebellion.

10-12 The way to please the Father is to kiss the Son, bow down in reverence to Him. Anything else will result in the release of His fury.

This Psalm allows humans a glimpse into the mind of God, His plans for the earth and His  quashing of the rebellion against Him. The heathen nations and their leaders rage against God and His anointed one. But we learn from the scriptures that humans are not alone in this rebellion: Daniel 10…Prince of Persia, Prince of Grecia, Michael Prince of Israel. NASB Ephesians 6:12.                   

Rebellion

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In our minds this morning, I ask that we keep these thoughts surrounding the big plan of God and that we remind ourselves about the rebellion against God, because we are seeing it openly manifesting all around us in our nation and all around this world, and I can promise you this…it’s only going to worsen. So I’m asking that we tuck away in our minds these truths as we consider the idea of the Son and the Father.

I don’t think that He ever left, but the Father has lovingly reinserted Himself into this fallen earth in an intimate way through Jesus. The rebellion of His creation in Adam had distanced itself from His presence, but He is committed and has His eyes on an eternal kingdom that is comprised of an eternal family that was all made possible by His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. In His word, He uses familial terminology: Father, son, and brother, Bridegroom, bride, offspring, children.

John’s explanation about who are the children of God vs who aren’t is this…

1 John 3:10.   Seed of the Son- train of His Robe                                      Rebellion                                                         

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1 Peter 2:9-11 war against the soul- keep your mind and heart connected to the earth- vision

The word "peculiar" here is used in a way not often seen today. The Greek word means literally "to make around," that is, to make something and then to surround it with a circle, thus indicating ownership. The same verb is used in the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 43:21

the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise." The word "peculiar" today usually means "odd, strange." But it is not so used here. The Greek word speaks of the unique, private, personal ownership of the saints by God__ Wuest

God’s family

This family of God is a special kind of people. It is a family of Sons. Sons because this family is created in and through the Son. It is a family of sons that are king-priests. They rule with Him and for Him because that’s what kings do. They intercede with Him and for Him because that’s what priests do. And the more they die, the more the image of His glorious Son is formed in them, resulting in their yielding to their Father’s will, because the Son always does the will of His Father. He only does what He sees His Father do, and He only says what He hears His Father say.

Satan’s plan is to rob from man his opportunity to be a son and to rob from God His opportunities to have sons through His Son.

In a non-rebellious son is the desire to please a father. And a good Father wants to be with His Son, and during that time he teaches his son the important things of life. I have heard stories of men who said that their fathers taught them how to work on engines by telling them to tear them apart and put them back together again, and it better work and there better not be extra parts when you’re done. I’ve heard other men tell me that their father did the same but was by their side and coached them every step of the way until they were ready to do it on their own, and I’ve heard men tell stories of how they had no father, or if they did, their father didn’t really want them around.

One concept of fathers and sons that intrigues me is when there is a family owned company that has been passed down through the generations. The father taught the son the “bidness” Jesus said why are you looking for me. I must be about my Father’s business (Luke 2:49) and so it is with us. Our Father wants to teach us His business. He wants a family of sons that will submit to His will, allowing their own personal flesh and desires to be crucified, so that His Spirit and WILL can be produced in them.

There has been an ongoing thought in my heart over the last couple weeks, and this is it. The Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17.”

I am realizing that the more I listen, to the words of my Father, the more I hear that the fallen fleshly part of me must be done away with, so that Jesus can be formed in me. In order for this to happen, it means that I must be crucified with his Son, so that a new creature can be resurrected in His Son, and the more that I submit to the will of the Father, the more my original man that was born of the earthy man (Adam) dies and the more that the heavenly man born in Jesus is formed, and when this happens, the Father starts to see a reflection of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased instead of a reflection of a rebellious son that was born in the image of his earthly father Adam.

Romans 8:29-30

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified

Romans 8:13-16

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Son or sons= 10

The fall turned Adam into a fearful slave. The Son made a way that we can become sons through the Son.

Spirit= 16

Flesh= 8

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Hebrews 2:11-14 it’s not okay for rebellion to be allowed into the house

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Hebrews 2:16-18

16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Brethren/prodigal

And so we have the struggle of the Spirit and the flesh and the struggle of the sons of God vs the sons of the devil.

JN 8:32-47

Satan’s sin results in slaves— the Son’s obedience produces sons

Denney explains; "It was not the spirit proper to slaves, leading them again to shrink from God in fear as they had done when under the law of sin and death__ Wuest

In the fall (Law of sin and death, they shrank from God in fear. In Christ, we have not received that spirit of slavery.

Galatians 3:26

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Galatians 4:1-7

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. He has an inheritance for His Son!- the nations

John 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1 John 3:2-3

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1 John 3:6-10

6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

I Reverence Your Presence

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Psalms 69:6-12

6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. 7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons. 9 For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, [IT] became my reproach. 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. 12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.

And this is the verse that was quoted in reference to Jesus turning tables and driving out the money changers. They were treating God’s house and the things of God as though it were an everyday, ordinary common thing.

Reverence- a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe

Awe- an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, produced by that which is grand, or extremely powerful:

Genesis 3:6-18

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The LORD God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

cursed are you above all livestock

and above all beasts of the field;

on your belly you shall go,

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

There are always different angles to view the scripture from. Personally, I have always viewed this incident from the perspective of how Adam and Eve’s act of disobedience changed their relationship with God, and at the heart of that truth, is this truth— God is holy and now they are sinful. While we can’t prove it, we can infer a lot of things from this text and the main one that I want to point out right now is how all of the creation changed when they changed. But also how they were uncomfortable with the presence of God after the fall and felt comfortable in the surroundings of the fallen world around them.

Granted, they didn’t realize until the Lord spoke to them, “Because of what you’ve done, the earth will bear thorns and thistles…” but Paul says the creation was subjected to futility- pointlessness/ uselessness

Essentially, what the Romans text is saying is that all the creation lost its purpose in the fall. It’s become futile, pointless, it’s useless. It is scripturally logical to come to the conclusion that the intended purpose of earth’s creation including man, but also every tree, fish, bird, type of grass and flower was to bring God glory. It is not a stretch to declare that all creation declares the glory of God Psalm 19:1-6.

It is also interesting to me to note that it says, “The heaven’s declare the glory of God.

The main idea that I am trying to communicate right now is that the fall of man subjected the entirety of God’s creation to the curse and now there is a distinct line between that which is Holy and that which is unclean, between that which is common and that which is separated, sanctified or hallowed. And it’s important to understand that there is a difference between the righteousness of Christ given to you as a gift from God and the scripture that says, BE HOLY… 1 Peter 1:13-17

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name… His name is so holy that the Jews wouldn’t even say it. They would say, “The name.” They wouldn’t even spell it instead of Yahweh, they would spell YHWH.

There is a separateness between God and this fallen creation, and now man, in the fall, is more comfortable amongst the trees of the garden, which are also fallen, than he is around the holy, hallowed, separated presence of God.

Romans 8:18-23

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Psalms 19:1-6

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

God is holy and this world is fallen, God is clean, this world is unclean, God is hallowed ground and this world is common ground and where God chooses to insert Himself into this fallen, common and unclean world, that place has now become sacred, holy, righteous and pure.

There are things on earth that are sacred: The Bible, this place, this day, the tithe, the sounds our ears hear, the sights our eyes see. These concepts went from being common to holy because they’re associated with God.

It’s not the wood on the walls or the carpet on the floor, it’s not even the oil in the bottle, it’s not the cover made of leather, the pages made of paper from trees. It’s not the ink made from carbon black that makes this book holy. All these things of which we speak are made uncommon or holy because they are associated with and appointed by God for His purposes of revealing Himself to this fallen world and for the purposes that the world would know that He is holy, He is hallowed and He is worthy of glory, honor and praise. And He deserves His reverence, He deserves that we, His people would reverence and treat not as common the things of God.

Genesis 8:20-21

God's Covenant with Noah

20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma…

Genesis 12:1-3

The Call of Abram “Get out”

1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Exodus 25:22

There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

Exodus 31:13-17 [Galatians 4:10; Colossians 2:16]

13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 you are no longer common ground— Oh, Oh

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Jeremiah 31:33

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Exodus 3:3-6

3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Luke 5:8

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

_________________________________________________

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.

John 17:13-21

13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

• His word is sanctified—stand to read

• Prayer is sanctified— stand to pray, covered vs uncovered heads

• This house is sanctified—

• The songs we sing are sanctified— that’s why when worship starts, fellowship with man should stop, so fellowship w God can start

• The word we preach is sanctified— that’s why we shouldn’t be having ongoing text message conversations during the preaching of the word

• We are sanctified— He lives in us. This vessel belongs to Him, what do we invite in here with Him through our eyes and through our ears.

The Words of a King: Part 3 - Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus uses two metaphors: light and salt to describe the purposes of believers on earth. The characteristics of light are relatively easy to understand. In addition, the commentary He gave regarding light illuminates His meaning, because light and darkness are common themes in scripture and God’s Kingdom, but the commentary on the salt only referenced it losing its flavor and because of that losing its earthly purpose. I’m not trying to overdo this but does salt actually have flavor? So what is the meaning of the word for taste/savor in reference to salt?

μωραίνω mōrainō; from 3474; to become insipid; figuratively, to make (passively a simpleton): — become fool, make foolish, lose savour.

Insipidus

insipid- dilute, tasteless, bland weak, unappetizing, unpalatable, wishy washy.

Mark 9:49-50

49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

This verse is used to conclude a teaching where His disciples are being corrected after engaging in selfishness and jealousy. We know that Jesus said that the world will know that we are His disciples by the love that we have for one another (JN 13:35). Jealousy and selfish ambition are the opposite traits of Jesus’ nature. If He is the true light and the true salt and His glory has been given to us in order that we carry His hope to the world, if we don’t reflect Him, we don’t preserve God’s truth on earth.

He said, “everyone will be salted with fire” fire in some sense fire will touch everyone. [fiery trial 1 Peter 4:12; trial of your faith 1 Peter 1:7]. God’s covenant purposes for humanity will endure. He will see His work to completion. Salt and fire is the talk of refining and enduring. What remains will be purified. People who refuse the will of God will be salted by fire their own way and the people of God will be salted by fire another way, so that what is Christ will remain…be preserved and endure.

Salt as a preservative represents God’s enduring purposes.

The Old Testament sacrifices were seasoned with salt (Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24; Num. 18:19 Aaron’s priesthood; [2 Chr. 13:5 David’s throne] ). Disciples, living sacrifices…the purpose of our presence is to be a reflection and reminder of Him. (cf. Rom. 12:1)

Genesis 18:19

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

Galatians 3:16

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

1. Preservation

During ancient times, salt was used to cure or preserve meat. I do believe that one of the intended purposes of God’s people both Israel in a) OT (Deuteronomy nations 4:5-9; children 6:1-9; themselves 8:1-3) and the b) church since Pentecost has been to preserve His presence, His character and His plan in a lost and dying world. When God’s people follow Him and live for Him, they are the flavor of God and a constant reminder of His existence and reality. In this way, they preserve the things of God.

2. Distinction

This actually brings me to another aspect of salt, while it doesn’t really have its own flavor, it’s addition to food causes a distinction between the various flavors that are in the pot. Adding salt will help your tastebuds identify garlic and cumin, cilantro and onion. God’s people existing on earth according to His will (based on the instruction of His word) will distinguish between lies and truth who is the one true God, and it will distinguish between true believers and false believers. Listen, we are nearing the end and Satan is only going to become more angry, knowing his time is short. It’s already happening, but let’s understand that God’s plan for the church is distinction and Satan’s plan for true believers is extinction. Understand what I am saying… Satan will not just tolerate false Christianity, he will endorse and bless it, but he will do his best to destroy the real thing, and his first order of action is destroying you. His desire is to tear apart the church one lively stone at a time (1 Peter 2:5).

3. Defection

The last thing that I want to say about salt is that the Greek word μωραίνω mōrainō is used in…Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God’s intended purpose for humanity as a reflection of His glory and image became— moraino. Through the fall that reflected image became perverted and left to itself, the image that was created inwardly began to pervert the image outwardly as it began to create the image outwardly after its own likeness… Romans 1:23

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Light

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

A city on a hill

A light in a house

Travel through Israel was dangerous in ancient times. The topography alone made the task difficult rocky hills and valleys made for a slow and grueling journey. In addition, there were oftentimes bandits hidden within the rocky crags along the way. Travel at night would be even more difficult, and a city on a hill would be a welcome site, a beacon in the night, signaling a couple things:

1. You are nearing your destination—celestial city

2. And most importantly, you’re headed in the right direction

In addition, a light’s purpose is not to be obscured. You do not light a candle and hide its illumination, which would be unfruitful. Light in a house that would otherwise be dark allows the people that are in there to see what they are doing, to see where they are going, to see what needs to be accomplished, without light, the work that must be done cannot be completed.

Christians are the light of the world, and it requires light to find lost things: Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 15:8-10 ESV

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

The plan of God is that He would send His light to earth in the form of His Son

John 1:1-9 ESV

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Through the cross:

Colossians 1:12-14

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered 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.

Through the cross, peace is made between man and God, God’s Spirit comes to live in man, and now, the light that has come into the world (Jesus) through faith, has come into man. And now true believer’s have become the light of the world, and as they allow the true works of God to flow through them, The Father is glorified, just as He was glorified in the Son

I give them the glory

John 17:1-5

The High Priestly Prayer

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

John 17:22-23

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

I wanted to come back to John and use the KJV because the word sons is used instead of children. The point that is being made is that God sent His glory from heaven to earth in His Son. His son, who is the express image of His glory, which directly correlates with light.

Jesus is the light that  came into darkness, and through salvation, the glory and light of God is transferred into us, the “sons” of God, and we become the physical vessel in the earthly realm that releases the glory of God in earth, which allows those that are lost to see their lostness and allows the light to shine into their darkness, so that they can be found and heaven can rejoice.

“Hell lost another one and I am free, I am free!”

His Divine Glory-Part 2: Brotherly Love

1. Virtue

2. Knowledge

3. Self-control

4. Steadfastness

5. Godliness

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The heart of man is a very special place. It’s the place where the thoughts of the soul’s mind and the feelings of the soul’s emotions mix together. The influencers are: the world, the flesh, the devil, or the Spirit of God. When we yield our will to these sources, we give permission for  something to take our heart and that thing becomes the object of our affection.

For the believer, the heart belongs to Jesus. Peter wrote:

1 Peter 3:15 KJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The ESV says honor the Lord in your heart, but no, that’s not strong enough— sanctify the Lord in your heart! The heart belongs to Him. It’s His place, and He wants to speak to us this morning about our hearts and how we feel about others.

So the heart is the Lord’s place. It’s very special and it needs to be protected at all costs. If the heart is a house and regeneration of the Spirit is the renovation that allowed the Lord to move in, then the list that Peter instructed us to add are the furnishings, which will make our heart a comfortable place for the Lord to reside.

We have 2 left: brotherly kindness and Love

Brotherly Love

6. brotherly kindness/ affection- the love of the brethren, the Greek word…Philadelphia

Life is so busy and so hectic. We’re always running to the next place. There have been times in my Christian walk that I have felt anti-social, don’t want to be around people; worse, there have been times that I didn’t like church people. But according to the Book of Acts, Christianity has at its heart, the fellowship of the saints.

Acts 2:42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

“But I don’t like people someone screams from the crowd!”

We have all been in that place, but it’s wrong. And anyone that thinks that fellowship with other Christians is always going to be smooth and not result in some conflict is delusional. It’s a family, have you never had conflict with your family? When Christianity is done properly, we don’t just look at others and their failures, we examine our own hearts to see what’s in there.

But that’s work, and I’m tired. Tell that to Jesus as He carries your death sentence up Calvary’s Hill.

A love for our brothers and sisters is a really big thing, as we will see from the scriptures.

And those are the two remaining furnishings brotherly love and God love

The Greek word for brotherly love or fondness is Philadelphia and is based off of two words philos and adelphos.

I mention the two different words that make up Philadelphia because the first word Phileo describes a love of great fondness and affection. One of the characteristics of Biblical Christianity is that there is care, concern, affection, LOVE for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This Greek word Phileo makes a very familiar Bible story more interesting in the Greek than in English.

In the story that I’m referring to, Jesus has died on the cross and resurrected. During this same time frame Peter has fulfilled the prophecy of our Lord and has denied Him three times before the rooster crew. Now, he says, “I go fishing” Jesus is broiling fish on the beach and He cries out, “Do you have any fish?”

“No”

“Cast on the other side”

And the same thing happens that happened in the beginning. They have more fish than they can handle. He meets them in the end the same way He met them at the beginning. They were fishing for fish and He told them to follow Him and they would be fishers of men, and now, Peter’s failure has driven him to a place where he is running from the Lord and not fishing for men but has instead gone back to his previous life.

With the catch of fish, he realizes it’s Jesus. With his heart filled with joy, he rips off his outer garment and jumps into the sea and swims to shore. Once on shore, Jesus begins to speak as He is broiling the fish.

He asks Peter, “Simon Peter do you love me more than these?”

Whether He means the fish or the other disciples isn’t important. What’s important for this message are the words that are being used for love in this conversation, because these two words cover the last two things that the Lord through Peter is instructing us to supplement to our faith. These two words are Phileo and Agape.

We already defined Phileo. It’s defined by kindness, fondness and affection, and it’s where we build the word Philos- Adelphos, Philadelphia, brotherly love.

Agape- it is the God kind of love, a love that it is

sacrificial and recognizes the value of the object being loved.

1. So again, He asks Peter, “Simon Peter do you love (Agape) me more than these?”

“You know I phileo you Lord”

2. “Peter do you agape me?”

“You know I phileo you Lord!”

3. “Peter do you phileo me?”

“Do you really Peter? Do you really even phileo me? Do you care about me? Do you love me? Do you love me like a brother even? Because what I need you to do is to agape me. I need you to love me sacrificially and feed my sheep. I need you to understand the object of your love the way that I understand you as the object of my love—I laid my life down for you.”

7. Agape- a sacrificial love that recognizes the value of the object being loved.

The love of God is sacrificial. The love of God has attributed a value to the souls of humanity. The value He has attributed is the life and sacrifice of Jesus. “Peter do you agape me?”

The thought of these two words made me think of The prodigal son parable (Explain the story LK 15:16). It was already on my mind because I recently read it, but it’s a story of a Father’s love, but it’s also a story that contains two brothers; unfortunately, there is no Agape nor even any Phileo from one brother to the next.

And while I see that Father running as fast as his body can carry him to a lost son that was found, I also see in the distance, a brother, with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed and he is softly speaking to one of the servants as he gets the update on what is happening.

And then I’m reminded of the whole reason Jesus even told the story of the prodigal son…

Luke 15:1-2

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

I believe as we read the gospels and see the Pharisees who were filled with envy, jealousy and even hate compared to Jesus who is filled with sacrificial love, we have to search our hearts and make sure that we are allowing the Holy Spirit to form Jesus in us and not allowing the remnants of our old man to remain and grow in us.

They murmured

Murmur

There is discontent, there is a grudge, there are feelings of ill will and frustration wrapped up in a murmur, and it’s described as a secret displeasure that is not openly avowed.

That’s not good because that is allowing the feelings of displeasure towards the brother or sister to gain strength and power and fester and turn into something that it wasn’t originally.

Throughout my years, I have observed an interesting thing. Even as a young boy, I have seen this and remember it well. That even the suggestion of hate causes people to rise in defense and say, “I don’t hate anyone.”

And while we say, “We don’t hate!” I wonder if we recorded our murmuring sessions and played them back if we would feel the same way about what was in our hearts after we heard a play back of what came out of our mouths?

I can’t shake those words Jesus spoke a couple Wednesdays ago when He addressed the Pharisees:

Matthew 12:33-37

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 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. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

And I think of love vs hate and Biblical encouragement vs murmuring, and I think about brotherly love, and even more… Agape love…a love that is sacrificial, a love that understands the value of the object being loved.

1. John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

2. John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

3. 1 John 4:20-21

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Detest-to hate; dislike extremely:

Do you phileo me Peter? I mean, I hear what you’re saying, but what you’re saying now is not the same as what you said then when you denied me 3 different times and even cursed once in reference to your denial towards me. What was that Peter, because I taught you and others that what proceeds out of the mouth reveals the abundance of the heart. I mean, I realized you were being pressured, but isn’t that always when the truth comes out? How you really feel is revealed when you speak in those times when your self is being pressured or threatened. Just like it was for Jesus, “Nevertheless, not my will but your will be done.”

Really digging into the heart—who is my neighbor—who is my brother? LK 10:29

4. Matthew 5:43-48

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

5. 1 John 2:10

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

6. 1 John 3:23-24

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

7. 1 John 4:7-8

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

8. 1 John 4:8-10

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

**1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

9. 1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

10. 1 John 5:1-2

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

In all these cases, a variant of the word agape is used to describe the love that God expects us to have towards our fellow brothers and sisters. It’s a love that recognizes the value of the object being love. This kind of love has to start with us recognizing how much the Lord loves them and we allow His love to motivate us, so that we can love them with His heart. That is the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

…LOVE, AGAPE LOVE!

2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Confirm your calling/ make sure. The thought here is proof. It’s guarantee that you’ve been saved, the Holy Spirit lives in you. This is one of the receipts of the purchase that He is looking for.

You’re a new creation and the Holy Spirit lives in you and now it’s time to work with Him and let Him live through you, make sure that you are purposefully working with the Holy Spirit and seeing these things in your life.

Richly provided/ abundantly

the reward shall be furnished to us. Richly, indicating the fulness of future blessedness. Professor Salmond said that this is the reverse of 'saved, yet so as by fire' (I Cor. 3:15)."

His Divine Glory

2 Peter 1

NASB-a faith like ours

Ephesians 4:5 there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God

Greeting ESV

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

The seal is the down payment (Eph 1:13)

With the arrival, all moral and spiritual effort to let Him have His way will make the happy day

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.

13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Work backwards

As long as I am in this body, I have to stir you up… wake you up, agitate you to arouse your mind to remember these things…

We were with Him and we saw it with our own eyes

Peter was on the mount of transfiguration with Him. I mean by this time, he had seen people healed, raised from the dead, demons cast out. He, Himself had been commissioned with authority over demons and to heal the sick. But he references this moment and states “we were with Him when He received honor and glory from God. We heard the voice of majesty from heaven. We heard the voice with our own ears, we were eyewitnesses, and this confirms the prophetic words of the past, and you would do well to listen.

What we saw was the glory of God shine out of Him

We want you to experience what we experienced— hold onto to truth until the day star/morning star rises in your heart, and when it does, you will know it did!

Add to your faith KJV, ESV make every effort to supplement to your faith.

It’s important that we understand that you can’t add to your faith anything to make you more righteous. I think that this is extremely important because this is exactly what caused the problems in Galatia, which scholars call Galatianism. Essentially, it’s a self- performance based Christianity that changes the object of faith from Christ to self. The object becomes self doing or knowing instead of clinging in faith to what He did. People will put faith in their faith, faith in their confession, faith in their church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, fasting to make them right with God, but this is a form of legalism. And this needs to be said because this is very common in the lives of God’s people. With the fall, man shifted from God consciousness to good consciousness, from God consciousness to self consciousness, so now instead of man focusing on God’s goodness, he focuses on his goodness and confuses that with God’s truth. While God is good, not all that seems good is God. I point this out especially in this message, because if I don’t people may confuse what’s being said here.

…to provide beyond the need, to supply more than generously.

Verse 1 talks about their faith.

The idea is that the believer has been born again. They have received the gospel and faith as an action word has brought them into the faith, a new thing, a new state of being, a new life, a new creation. It’s a new life with a description… it’s a faith with an equal standing as the Apostle’s.

The NASB says, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours… What’s their faith like? The faith that they were born into was a life changing, new creation faith that with time and correction led to a life where their will was swallowed up in their Master’s will. Where they died and Christ lived through them. Where they overcame Satan through the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony and they did not love their own lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that  pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire

Partaker- koinonos a partner, sharer, in anything

…to provide beyond the need, to supply more than generously.

1. Virtue- behavior showing high moral standards (AM) moral goodness in thought and action, praise

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The word praises in this verse is the same word in the Greek that is translated as virtue. We give praise, glory and honor to God when we, through the power of God, through the sharing of His nature, made possible because of what Christ did for us and our relationship with Him are powered to live a life separated from the world and through it give Him glory.

2. Knowledge- gnosis, scientific, intelligence, regarding Christianity knowledge about the religion

The English word knowledge is used 5 times in the first 8 verses, so it’s pretty clear that knowledge is important to the Christian faith.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 ESV

Food Offered to Idols

1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Knowledge- epignosis epi= above, upon or in addition to. It’s extra knowledge with a sprinkle of experience.

I can tell you about Christian faith, and you can learn about Christian faith, but in order to really learn Christian faith, you have to live and experience Christian faith.

3. Self-control- the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

So, temperance or self control is a fruit of the Spirit, basically that means that it’s His fruit produced in you and it’s reflected out of you; yet, the very way that self is included means that self has to partner in the process, as a matter of fact, the very thought of what Peter is saying in all of this is that, it is us, through the Spirit, that are supplying these things to our faith. In these instances, we are consciously working with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in us and through us.

2 Corinthians 13:14 AMP

The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).

James 4:7 KJV

Col 3:10

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Col 3:10

Ezek 36:25-27

4. Steadfastness- the quality of being resolutely unwavering and firm /endurance- hupomonae/ under remain.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn how to remain under the trial of life in a God honoring way, so that the fires of purification brought on through the trials of life can have their way:

You know everything and can’t get along with anyone, and there are patterns in your life:

1. You switch spouses every couple years

2. You switch jobs every couple years

3. You switch churches every couple years

The point that I am trying to make is that if a vessel is going to be refined in a fire it has to stay in the furnace, and if a branch is going to be pruned it has to stay still.

Jesus endured the persecution during his ministry. I believe He was hurt when people left when He said, “You must eat my flesh and drink my blood,” because He knew that meant the greatest act of love that the earth would ever see was Him offering His life for the sins of the world and so many didn’t want that food, they wanted the food that filled their own bellies that started this whole John chapter to begin with. I think of the Apostle Paul a lot. He’s writing 2 Timothy in a dark, cold and wet dungeon in Rome called the Mamertine prison, and he writes, “

2 Timothy 4:10-11

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

I laid in my bed crying as I looked, again at the words of Paul. What an amazing journey of a life. How amazing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the vessel that remains under and yields to the correction of the Holy Spirit.

5. Godliness- reverent, respectful and devout towards godly things

There is a reverence and respect towards the house of God, the presence of God, the word of God. It is a reverence and respect that needs to start within the walls of this church and leave with me as I live my life out there.

1. The church and His presence- fellowship vs worship. There is a time and place for everything

2. Once I leave here, the people out there will not understand godliness. If I am in a group of men that are talking about women in a certain kind of way, men do it all the time, locker room talk, but it’s not godly. I don’t know what women call it, but they do it too, maybe powder room talk? My point is this— when I’m faced with this situation, I have a choice: I can join in with them and possibly come up,with a clever comment that will make them laugh and be seen as cool in the eyes of man, or I can be pious, reverent, godly as I remember that my God in heaven is looking down on me and that He purchased me with the blood of His Son, and that He has been longsuffering with me and gracious to me, and that with, His grace, I have the woofer that I need to live this life in a way that it brings Him pleasure.

6. brotherly kindness/ affection- the love of the brethren, the Greek word…Philadelphia

This word is based off of two words philos and adelphos.

To make reference to this word Philadelphia, there is a word for love in the Greek that is similar to this: Phileo, it’s the prefix for Philadelphia and describes a love of great fondness and affection. This wording brings us to a familiar story in scripture.

Jesus has died on the cross and resurrected. During this same time frame Peter has fulfilled the prophecy of our Lord and has denied Him three times before the rooster crew. Now, he says, “I go fishing” Jesus is broiling fish on the beach and He cries out, “Do you have any fish?”

“No”

“Cast on the other side”

And the same thing happens that happened in the beginning. They have more fish than they can handle. He meets them in the end the same way He met them at the beginning. They were fishing for fish and He told them to follow Him and they would be fishers of men, and now, Peter’s failure has driven him to a place where he is running from the Lord and not fishing for men but has instead gone back to his previous life.

With the catch of fish, he realizes it’s Jesus. With his heart filled with joy, he rips off his outer garment and jumps into the sea and swims to shore. Once on shore, Jesus begins to speak as He is broiling the fish.

He asks Peter, “Simon Peter do you love me more than these?”

Whether He means the fish or the other disciples isn’t important. What’s important for this message is the word that He is using for love, because it’s directly related to the word love that I just read to you from John and 1st John, it’s related to the word for love used in the gospel of John and 1st John. That word is from the God love of Agape. The best way to define that word is that Agape- is the God kind of love, further description is that it is a sacrificial type of love that recognizes the value of the object being loved.

The love of God is sacrificial. The love of God has attributed a value to the souls of humanity. The value He has attributed is the life and sacrifice of Jesus. “Peter do you agape me?”

“You know I phileo you Lord”

“Peter do you agape me?”

“You know I phileo you Lord!”

“Peter do you phileo me?”

“Do you really Peter? Do you really even phileo me? Do you care about me? Do you love me? Do you love me like a brother even? Because what I need you to do is to agape me. I need you to love me sacrificially and feed my sheep. I need you to understand the object of your love the way that I understand you as the object of my love when I laid my life down for you.”

To contrast the idea of brother affection with the love of God. Let’s look at some verses out of the gospel of John and the 1st John letter:

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 John 2:10

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:23-24

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 4:7-8

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:8-10

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:20-21

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 5:1-2

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

In all these cases, a variant of the word agape is used to describe the love that God expects us to have towards our fellow brothers and sisters. It’s a love that recognizes the value of the object being love. This does not refer necessarily to how much you love them in your heart. Instead, the idea is that you and I recognize how much the Lord loves them and we allow His love to motivate us, so that we can love them with His heart. That is the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

And that brings us to the last thing that we are called on to supply in generous measure to our faith…LOVE, AGAPE LOVE!

7. Agape

Judgement: He Starts in His House

Ezekiel 3:17-21

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 18 If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. 20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

He said if you warn the sinner and the righteous and they ignore you, you’re hands are clean preacher. If I tell you to warn them and you don’t warn them, their blood is on your hands! I have a lot of scripture to cover this morning, but before we get started, I just want to say a couple things: 1). A warning to a sinner is different than a warning to a believer a) a sinner doesn’t know and must be warned so they can be introduced to truth, so they can make a decision whether they will accept or reject truth, b) a righteous person must be warned, because we all are still being tempted to rebel against God, and when we do, there is a danger of a seared conscience and a thinking that we’re alright, when in reality we are living a life of disobedience against God and His word.

It should be understood that there is a big difference between a believer who is living in sin and miserable over their failure towards God vs a person that believes it’s going to be okay because Jesus washes sin away.

1. I did not say that Jesus doesn’t wash sin away, because we all know that He does 🎼

2. I did not say that it’s not going to be okay. As a matter of fact, it’s going to be better than okay, it’s going to be fantastic if there is true repentance and a true washing, it’s going to be fantastic!

3. And that is what God is speaking to my spirit. Warn them son. You have not, and they are not taking this seriously enough!

This world has so radically changed since I was saved in 86’. Everyone thinks for themselves now. While that sounds good on the surface, a couple scriptures will help to clarify:

1 Corinthians 2:14

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.

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations [reasonings], and their foolish heart was darkened.

Darkened hearts and an ever darkening world. The world says that the Bible was written by men and believer’s say, “You’re quoting out of the Old Testament. We’re in a New Covenant. God doesn’t work that way anymore. God is love.” God was always love. How doesn’t He work anymore? He doesn’t open the ground and swallow people? But why did He do that one solitary, seemingly OT swerve in the NT when He struck down Ananias and Sapphira? Have we forgotten the scripture that says, He is the same yesterday, today and forever? Do we presume that the God that hated sin in the Old Testament has suddenly changed His mind towards His feelings of sin in the New Testament?

Romans 2:4-8

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Romans 9:6-7

6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Spirit vs flesh… Romans 8:3-5, Romans 8:14

Matthew 7:21-23

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

1 Peter 1:13-20

Called to Be Holy

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

The world has a spirit and it wants your heart

1 John 2:15-17

Do Not Love the World

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Without the word, we cannot know God’s will or how He thinks. Will we think like Him?

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Warning—departure from the faith

*Where do demons get a mouth?

1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Everything seems to be moving towards, “No, you’re fine. If you’ve professed Jesus you’re good. A youth pastor told a girl that I used to know that before. She went to him for counsel because she felt convicted about something in her life. His response to her was, “O’ you’re fine and now she’s married to a woman.”

It’s the word of God that shows us the heart of our Father. We must allow His word to speak to us. We must allow His word to have the last say so in our lives.

2 Timothy 4:2

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and  teaching.

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Hygiaino

Hygiene- good health. Sound doctrine is good and wholesome truth that promotes spiritual health.

You could look at sound doctrine like floss for your heart.

Matthew 24:24

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

We are about to approach some areas that we are battling in our society, and let us understand that the society of the Roman Empire where Christianity was birthed was contrary to the Christian faith. Sexual promiscuity was the norm of the land. The worship of multiple deities of choice was allowed as long as you sacrificed to the emperor. This is what caused true Christians to be martyred. They refused to sacrifice to the emperor. They were thrown to the lions, Peter was crucified upside down, Thomas run through with a sword, Paul was beheaded by Nero and let’s talk about Nero for a second, he was famous for rolling Christians in pitch, a tarry, petroleum product and setting them on fire in order to illuminate the streets and other nighttime activities. And all it required for some was a little compromise. For instance, rich Christians would pay their servants to offer a sacrifice to the emperor. Let me ask a question, “Do we think that works with God?”

So before we get too deep into what we are facing in society and with our government, let’s consider the condition of what we call the church. Every last one of us in this room have in some way, shape or form failed the Lord and fallen short of His glory. We all have had times where we have had to repent for offending Him and treating His word as though it were just another book instead of what it is— The Word of God! So while I’m not preaching sinless perfection, I am preaching sinful correction!

The issue is not when people sin:

1 John 2:1-2

Christ Our Advocate

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

The problem arises when the people of God become so complacent with sin and with Jesus’ blood smeared all over the place that their hearts are no longer broken over the fact that God’s word is being ignored. Jehu

So before we get into the LGBTQ in the world, let me focus on a few things in the church… it’s like we stepped into a time warp where we forgot that sin is sin whether a person is a Christian or a non Christian, as though Christians are exempt from sin because they’re forgiven. Thieves and liars don’t go to heaven; yet, Christians cheat on their taxes and lie about it every year and act like it’s okay because, in their opinion, the government was corrupt. Jesus said this, not Caesar, Jesus said, “Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and pay God what belongs to God!”

And then sexual immorality is rampant in the church. People commit fornication and adultery and act like it’s not a big deal. The scripture says fornicators don’t go to heaven.

Since when did God say it was okay to get a divorce?

Matthew 19:7-8

7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

Please don’t put words in my mouth. I understand that there is forgiveness for fornication, adultery, lying, stealing and divorce, but God help us when preachers and people that call themselves Christians act like it’s no big deal and our hearts are no longer broken when we transgress His word (Hebrews 10:26). Churches are ordaining homosexuals and performing same sex marriages. Parents that raised their kids in the faith are going to their kids same sex weddings and condoning their kids shacking up and we’re all acting like it’s okay.

Romans 1:32

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

And then those of us that won’t go that far act like the other stuff I just mentioned is okay, and then we want to fuss about their stuff and they’re over there winking and saying come on we all know it’s okay to just live a little. No! Judgment must begin in the house of God! That’s Old Testament! No! That’s New Testament!

1 Peter 4:17-19

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

The school bus in the dream: Hell is enlarging itself

Isaiah 5:11-16

11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. 13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: 16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Second dream, famine, snow, LGBTQ

Drag storytime was a popular event when the Huntington Woods Public Library in Michigan first held it in 2018 and 2019; local news reported the library was the first to hold such events in the state. But they attracted noisy protesters, and the library has yet to hold one post-pandemic. Huffington Post

In July the Vatican released comments made by the pope during an interaction with an Italian in their early 20s who said they were torn between the Catholic faith and transgender identity. Francis replied: “The Lord always walks with us … Even if we are sinners, he draws near to help us. The Lord loves us as we are, this is God’s crazy love.” The Guardian Thu 9 Nov 2023 09.35 EST

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

The Man of Lawlessness

1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The Words of a King

Matthew 5:1-2

The Sermon on the Mount

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

In Adam, man was forced away from God. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us is the presence of God coming to us to bring us near.

It is also interesting to note that Moses went up the mountain to hear the voice God for the people who would not come near, but in Jesus the voice of God welcomes the people to hear the King and learn His kingdom.

Matthew 7:28-29

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

1. Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Poor- to crouch, to cringe, to be a pauper, beggarly

It doesn’t say poor in finances or poor in health or poor in society. But it explicitly says poor in spirit. Poor is the opposite of pride. He isn’t talking about how you face the world or how you face religion, but He is talking about how your spirit approaches God. How your spirit approaches His Spirit and how you approach His word.

Independence vs dependence. We learn from Jesus!

John 12:49-50

49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Philippians 2:6-8

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

1 Peter 5:5-7

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 18:1-4

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

A person who is poor in spirit understands that without God moving on his heart, he would still be lost in darkness. He understands that he is clay in the hands of the potter and that he is a child and God is His Father and that his Father is to be respected and honored. He understands that his Father’s word is to be respected and honored. He is poor in spirit towards his Father and this affects the way he handles human relationships also.

2. Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Mourn- to grieve mourning over someone or their death.

If you do a word search every time this word is used in the New Testament, it speaks of mourning over death or tragedy. The word mourn is connected with death. The wages of sin is death. Let me tell you something saints. You may not like to be reminded about this, but I have to tell you that God is mourning. He mourns and weeps over the lost. He mourns that mankind is dying in sin, and He mourns that His people don’t take it seriously.

Jesus showed signs of mourning over the results of sin when He wept at Lazarus’ funeral.

I firmly believe that if we allow His word to speak to us and enter into His presence to the place where we touch His heart or His heart touches ours, then we, like Isaiah, will mourn over our own selves. We will mourn over when we hurt His heart and like He always is so ready to do, he will touch our lips, He will touch our hearts with the coal from the altar and then He will say are you ready to go for me now? Now, that you mourn for what I mourn for. Now, that you’re no longer consumed with your own will for your own life, but now, you’re more concerned about my will than your will. Let me send that heart into this broken world. Look at them their dying in their sin. Can’t you pray, can’t you fast, can’t you speak to them for me. I’m mourning over here. My heart is breaking over my creation. Where is someone that will mourn with me?

Those of you that have entered into intercession know what I’m talking about. When you start with a  heavy heart, and then you cry out in His presence and being led by His Spirit, you mourn with Him for what His heart mourns for and after the tears and after the cries, you get up on your feet again, and the comfort of His presence has flooded your soul.

And that’s just the beginning because if you mourn with Him now, you will surely be comforted then!

3. Matthew 5:5

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Strong’s_ In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time.

The opposite again would be the proud who take matters into their own hands and resolve their issues. To the American mind this is what sounds right— I have rights. I have a course of action to remedy this situation. I will take charge. Let me say that there is a time and place for everything, but in situations like these the problem is that the undiscerning heart doesn’t see that God is allowing the trial or situation for good purposes spiritually in the life of the believer. Instead, they view that they’ve been wronged and want it to be made right. They cannot see where God has been wronged and wants to make things right.

Greek origin, praus, which is translated as “strength under control.” In ancient Greece, war horses were trained to be meek — strong and powerful yet under control and willing to submit

John 18:4-8

4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

Matthew 26:53

-- Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

4. Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Proverbs 16:26 NASB

A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

Humans are hungry and thirsty for what satisfies themselves. Jesus was hungry for something different:

John 4:32

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”

John 4:34-35

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

If we are honest with one another… do we really think that’s what most Christians are doing. It’s actually a great question for a Pastor to ask himself. Is that what you’re doing pastor, are you seeking after God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness?

Thirsty

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Have you ever realized that you may be on the verge of dehydration. In other words, you didn’t drink as much as you should’ve. You’ve been in the heat, and now all of the sudden your weak, and you’re not quite desperate yet, but you realize that you need to get hydrated quickly. What is on your mind at that point— Gatorade? Water?

When your thirsty like that or famished with hunger, it’s all you can think about at that moment. What do we think about most moments of the day? Don’t answer that too quickly. Take your time and be spiritually sober about it. Now, be honest within yourself, what are you hungering for? What are you thirsting for?

Anything else that gets in the way of God’s plan is vanity. There was a specific year I made more money than I had ever made, and I was planning to beat it the next year. I thank God that He intervened. It wasn’t enough. It was never going to be enough. He said, “A reporter asked old man Rockefeller a question, ‘When will it be enough?’ Rockerfeller’s response was, ‘I just need a little bit more!’”

In one of Jesus’ messages, The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches are the thorns that choked the seed of the Kingdom.

5. Matthew 5:7

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 9:10-13

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This passage is speaking to people with a religious spirit. Sick people know that they need help physically. There are people who know they need help spiritually and they seek it from God and mean business with God. There are others who don’t see where they need help; instead, they are the helper. Many times people will offer mercy when it’s convenient, but when a situation affects them spiritually or financially, something happens in their hearts: the opposite of mercy: vengeance, retaliation. The problem with the Pharisees in this story is that they cannot see. That is always the problem with religion, it’s a spirit that blinds. It partners with the flesh and pride of self that thinks highly of itself, and like, in the physical the phylacteries blinded their eyes, spiritually, the religious show mercy to whom they will and vengeance to whom they will, and the whole while justify their actions by making decisions on what they believe is right for them because in their mind they are right with God, but the essence of God’s word hasn’t penetrated, because the religious heart is prideful and calloused but doesn’t know it.

When mercy is lacking, then religious formalities are meaningless (cf. Hosea 6:6)

6. Matthew 5:8

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Pure- purified by fire in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit

Psalms 24:3-4

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Matthew 22:37

-- Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

1 Peter 3:4

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

James 1:26-27

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

7. Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

We have to make peace with God before we can ever make peace with man.

Romans 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

With regards to making peace with man, we have to take into account what He said before: blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful and blessed are the pure in heart. A prideful heart will not lower self in order to make peace.!

Jesus lowered Himself and became man (Hebrews 2:16) imagine what this did to these fallen angels, imagine what happened in Haman’s heart when Ahasuerus honored Mordecai and now imagine what has to happen in the heart of a person that is prideful and they will never lower themselves to make peace like Jesus did for them. Until that pride is broken, they will sit there with a thousand scenarios playing in their mind on why they are justified in their actions instead of lowering themselves to the word of God, and let’s be clear here that’s what we’re talking about. We’re talking about lowering ourselves under His authority and under His word not the other person!

“Yeah, but, it feels like that. It feels like I’m admitting that I’m wrong when it’s obvious that they’re wrong too and that they were even more wrong then me.”

Exactly, so make a choice, either yield to God’s word and allow your flesh and pride to be broken or cling to your own will. The rod of the Lord, what a beautiful instrument. At one moment, it looks insignificant and weak in the midst of a horrible circumstance and then you do with it what He says and the Sea is opened and you walk in new found freedom! But the way opened for you because you did it His way instead of your own.

8. Matthew 5:10 KJV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Galatians 4:28-31

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

To persecute means to pursue with hostility.

There is no purpose of love in this. It’s birthed in flesh and enacted in flesh. Certainly, it is likely that when a believer believes they are acting in the Spirit, they don’t think it’s flesh, but if it’s dissected according to the word, persecution is hostile towards God and the things of God.

The flesh will always persecute the Spirit. They are contrary to each other. The flesh serves its own purpose; whereas, the Spirit serves the purposes of God. People who lack understanding of the heart of God’s word, lack understanding of the tendencies of their own hearts, and don’t even realize the difference in that moment between their flesh and the Spirit and peace vs persecution. It is imperative that you and I understand the difference. Then, when persecution comes, we won’t be so surprised. We won’t be so offended. We will realize the attack, and be empowered to be a peacemaker in God’s eyes. As long as we are concerned about our own reputation and ready to take our own defense, it will be hard to be a real peace maker and suffer persecution in a godly way.

One last thing, make sure that when the persecution does come that you allow God to examine your own heart and learn what He wants you to learn. There is always something for you included in every trial— you have not arrived my friend.

I heard someone say the other day and it was good. There is a big difference between being a peacemaker and a peace keeper.

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Buried with Him in Baptism

Romans 6:1-8

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

We were born into sin, and we have to die to sin. Baptism is the burial of the old man.

When we baptize, we are having both a funeral for the “old man” and a new birth celebration for the “new man”

1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Warning Against Idolatry

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:17

But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Lord- he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

2 Peter 3:13-14

13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

2 Peter 3:17-18

17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Problems of the Flesh and the Heart

Romans 7:5-6.  spiritually flesh is used a couple ways by Spirit through Paul

5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

σαρκικός

1. governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God

2. having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature

3. human: with the included idea of depravity

1. Flesh- the new man living the desires of the old man because he’s living through the power of the old man

2. Sinful passions- desires of the old man

3. Law— makes demands on the old man  but doesn’t give a helping hand

4. Members— the body parts that act out the sinful passions of the fleshly old man, because he has no spiritual power to overcome because he is under law, and law’s power is self instead of Spirit and sin’s power is the law. If you, through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13)

An admittance of:

1. I was wrong

2. I can’t do it. Please Lord help

Have you ever been in a place as a Christian where your love for God is encouraging you to be pleasing to Him, but there are things in your life that you know He’s not pleased with and those things are becoming frustrating to you, so you want them gone, but you don’t know how to get rid of them?

Kenneth Wuest describes the psuchikos, sarkikos and pneumaticos man

In Romans 7, Paul is speaking to Christian’s who have not yet learned to walk in the Spirit and are attempting to live Christianity in their flesh, under a form of law (performance) and they’re failing.

KJV Motions instead of passions. Other ways this word was translated: afflictions, sufferings, affections.

3 main thoughts are being addressed:

Romans 7:14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

1. New life in Christ results in death to our relationship with sin—the power of the passions are broken in the new life  through (faith).

2. New life in Christ results in death to our relationship with Law— not learning about the new birth/new life results in people trying to live “right” through will power, which is a system of self-performance. Self-performance/ will power cannot result in victory over the power of sin. Sin has power and is a spiritual problem. The problem of sin requires a spiritual power (Holy Spirit). While the Law is spiritual, it cannot give power over sin, because man is carnal (Romans 7:14 NASB). The Law is based on the performance of self/ there is no indwelling presence of the Spirit for power.  Galatians 3:10 The Righteous Shall Live by Faith for all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and DO THEM.”

3. There is a new life in Jesus that results in a translation into a new kingdom that you cannot see with physical eyes, hear with physical ears, or smell with a physical nose. It’s a spiritual kingdom. The spirit of the man comes alive to God and God’s Spirit comes to abide in Him. He becomes a new spiritual creation that is living in both a spiritual and a physical realm. Through the new birth, we have been placed into a new spiritual dimension/ atmosphere. The natural mind tries to cross over into this world, but earthly wisdom does not work here. Logic, intellect and earthly wisdom doesn’t work here. Faith brings in the harvest of this realm.

Romans 6:14

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

This is such good news for us because we are told by God’s word that we no longer have to live under sin’s dominion. We can be free not only in the members of our flesh but in the vestiges of the fall that want to hide and linger in our soul. Our mind, our will and our emotions can be given over to God as we cooperate and joint participate with the Holy Spirit in handing Him the pruning shears, the scalpel, the bellows— “here you go Lord, have your way!” It’s the conversations of bitterness and manipulation that we have in the office. It’s the things we watch in our darkened rooms, the manipulative schemes that we plot in our minds in order to get our ways on the job, in friendships, in church relationships, in ministries… these vestiges/remnants of the fall that are hidden in the heart, the soulish part of the inner man, in our mind, our will, our emotions.

Nowadays there is so much talk about demons hiding in the lives of believers. From their childhood or through open doors that we’ve opened after our new birth. Personally, I don’t have a problem with that. I believe that it’s a possibility that can happen, but let me say this, do we think that the blood of Jesus, the cross of our Lord isn’t strong enough to break the tie of a demon in our lives? The scriptures prove that He is and that He has. Furthermore, the scriptures prove that normal Christianity is not the struggle with a demon; instead, it’s the fight of faith and a struggle with the flesh. The refusal to see self, the refusal to die to self, the refusal to allow the word of God to speak to self, the refusal to imagine that I could be wrong and someone else could be right, the refusal to die to what I want so that God can really have His way in me. All these truths can be dealt with through a proper heart posture to God and His word. Something that is crucified is dead. I have pondered these thoughts before. Let’s pretend that it’s possible and a believer has a demonic stronghold in an area, but they refuse to believe that there could be such a thing. And they refuse to let go of that area themselves.

But it’s more likely that the problem is the flesh vs a demon, because it’s more consistent with New Testament truth that it’s the flesh vs a demon in the life of a truly converted individual.

Dominion—to be lord of, to rule, have dominion over

Sin is still a problem in the life of believers

Hamartia— is to miss the mark

The mark is Jesus… to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong

Matthew 15:1-20

Traditions and Commandments

1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, Honor your father and your mother,’ and, Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

9 in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

What Defiles a Person

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all p Pnaked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

According to this scripture, the word of God is a mirror of the heart. Part of its purpose is to reveal to us the thoughts (deliberation) and intentions of our heart.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Pure- purified by fire in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit

Psalms 24:3-4

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?

or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;

who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,

nor sworn deceitfully.

1 Peter 3:4

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

In this case, Peter is taking the position that:

1. The women that read are true converts

2. He is assuming that the love of Jesus that was planted in their spirit when they became one w the Lord has travelled through the bridge of their hearts and entered their souls affecting the way they are willing to think, feel and desire.

3. That the truth of God and a love of God has so settled in their hearts that like a well spring of life two things are happening: 1. Their flesh that wants to do it their way or another way is crucified and willing to move out of the way and 2. The truth of God and love of God is going to sacrificially flow like fountain out of them

Matthew 22:37

-- Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:21

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:24

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

John 12:47-50

47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

1 Peter 1:13-25

Called to Be Holy

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Give Your Worship

Thank you to all the believers in the house that faithfully bring their tithes and offerings into the storehouse of God. It is your communion and fellowship with the word of God that provides this place of worship for us to come together and worship our King in comfort. I am personally thankful for your joint participation with the Holy Spirit as He leads you in this form of your worship. And let their be no mistake, that is what it is, it is worship! And for those that say, “You can’t afford to worship God this way, I will remind you that you worshipped Bera the king of Sodom with your money when you were in the world. The enemy of your soul enticed your flesh to spend money on yourself in ways that you should not have and now you have more money in your pocket than you ever did before and somehow you can’t find it to give to God. No, we will read it soon, and let it be known that we will all stand in the valley of The Kings and make a decision of who we will yield our will to.

My point is not to convince you how much you are to pay 10% on the gross or the net. Whether we realize it or not, the children of Israel were required to bring more than 10%. Some commentators believe that after it’s all added up, it’s closer to 20-30% and that’s not including the temple tax and that they were required to give additional freewill offerings that they wanted to give. When the Holy Spirit hit them in the book of Acts they gave everything, and Ananias and Saphira dropped dead on the spot—Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died

More than anything my assignment this morning is to draw a line from the Old Testament to the New Testament where we can clearly see that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and that His heart for a congregation of worship in the old is the same heart for a congregation of worship in the new, the worship between He and His people required a house for Him then and it requires a house for Him today.

It is also not my intent to convince you to believe the way that I believe. When I first got saved, my pastor told me that I was supposed to pay tithes, she told me that meant 10%. My wicked heart said, “10% of the gross or the net, and she said, it depends on if you want a gross or net blessing. From there I spoke to elders in the church and their story was pretty much the same, “Do you want a net or a gross. No, it’s not my job to convince you of anything. It’s my job to study and pray and present His word to you, and it’s your job to study and pray and decide whether you will receive the word that I bring to you. And one day, I will stand before God and give an account for the word that I delivered, and you will stand before God and give an account for the word you received, and if you don’t think that is a serious thing—then we disagree.

Luke 10:7 the laborer is worthy of his hire

1 Timothy 5:17-18

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Corban- MT 27:6, MK 7:11Lev. 1:2, Nu. 7:12-13 something brought near to the altar, a sacrificial present that was brought to the Lord as a form of worship. Sometimes animals, sometimes precious metals.

The tithe is for the Lord’s House

The tithe is for the Lord’s work

What is the Lord’s work? Getting you near—How does He do that? How do you do that?

What is your purpose? Serve Him

Whose house is it? The Lord’s

Whose table is it? Whose food is it? “I pay my tithes where I get fed”

While I definitely agree that it is God’s will for his people to not forsake the gathering of the brethren

Genesis 14:16

Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Genesis 14:17-24

Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)

19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,

23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

Hebrews 7:1-10

Galatians 2:17-18

Regarding Abraham’s statement to Bera, the Lord says something to Israel…

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

• There is a spiritual truth that some of the most wealthy humans in the world have learned…when you give to charity, there is a financial blessing that comes back, but that is not the reason that believers give to God. O’ many have fallen into that trap, but giving to God is a form of worship and reverence to Him.

Exodus 8:1-28

Serve- set a work to be wrought, worshipper,

God commands the blessing on His people for the purpose that they can give to His work

Exodus 12:35-36

35 The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. 36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

The tabernacle is the house where the work of worship takes place and the whole congregation takes part and gives to the work…

Exodus 36:1-7

1 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”

2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Exodus 13:1-2

Consecration of the Firstborn

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”

Exodus 13:7-8

7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. 8 You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ How did He deliver?

Exodus 13:11-14

11 “When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD'S. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. How did He deliver?

Exodus 13:15-16

15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Numbers 3:40-51

How did He redeem the Firstborn

40 And the LORD said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the LORD—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.

44 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. 46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs), 48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” 49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the          M. Mmoney, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 27:30-34

30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD. 31 If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the LORD. 33 One shall not differentiate between good or bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.”

34 These are the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai.

Malachi 3:1-3

1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Malachi 3:6-11

Robbing God

6 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.

Whose house is it? Whose food is it?

Numbers 28:1-2

Daily Offerings

1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.’

1. On the first day of the 7th you shall blow the trumpet. You shall do no servile work and you shall offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma

2. V6 besides the burnt offering of the new moon, and its grain offering, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offering, according to the rule for them, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.

3. V13 on the 15th day of the month… you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD, thirteen bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish

4. V 35-36 On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall not do any ordinary work, but you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish

And how do we rectify what seems like a contradiction in Hebrews 10 where he says:

V5b ….Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired v6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure…because it is written of me in the scroll of the book to do your will O’ God—a body you have prepared for me

Hebrews 7:23-28

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.