Exodus 26:31 Thou shalt make a vail…

May 29, 2018

(Exodus 26:31-33) And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: 32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. 33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

What we know…

Now we know that this is the curtain that, for the most part, hid the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat from the view of all, even the priests. Everything but the ark and the mercy seat was on the other side of the veil. The shewbread table, the altar of incense, and the candlestick were in the holy place, but the ark and the mercy seat were in the most holy, or the holiest of all. And the veil divided these two places and hid the ark and mercy seat from all to see. (Hebrews 9:8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest… 

The way into the most holy was very limited. God had given very specific instruction as to who and how the holiest of all should be approached. And if instructions were not followed, then the offender would surely die. (Leviticus 16:2) And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

And we know that the veil is without question a type of Christ. (Hebrews 10:20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. (Matthew 26:26) Jesus took bread… and brake it… and said.. this is my body. As he was cut off from the land of the living on the cross, the veil was actually cut in two. (Mark 15:38) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

So now, that which was hid from all is now open and manifest for all to behold. The glory of God was once hid behind the veil, but through the body of Christ, is now manifest for whosoever will. (2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And now, instead of fear and caution, limits and restrictions, be can enter into the holiest of all with boldness. (Hebrews 10:19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…

What comes to mind…

Now having said all this, these are the verses that come to mind: (Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: I want to say this: We are not Jews. They are an amazing nation and blessed of God, but the Jews are not my generation, or my nation, or my people. They are not my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. And I don’t live under the same economy as they do. I am not under the law, but under grace.

God has made a new creation. I’m sorry that the Jews stumbled at the stumbling stone. But Jesus said (Matthew 16:18) Upon this rock I will build my church… The called out assembly, the blood-washed, redeemed, saints of God, the church is not the nation of Israel and never will be. We have a different way, a new and living way. Paul said, (Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. He said (Romans 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Mark 15:38) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Jesus said (John 19:30) It is finished. From the top to the bottom, the price is paid. From top to bottom, sin is condemned. From top to bottom, the Father is satisfied. From top to bottom, the holiest of all is manifest. Nothing stands in the way. There is no more work to be done. It is finished.

The holiest of all was a dark place. The candlestick was the only light in the tabernacle and that was on the other side of the vail. Listen, (1 Peter 2:9) 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 church is Christ’s masterpiece, his cherished new creation. It is so diametrically different from Jews, Gentiles, Angels, or any other creature. No other body, but the body of Christ, can boast of regeneration, eternal life, no condemnation, justified and glorified forever, crucified with Christ, buried with Christ, resurrected with Christ, seated with Christ, married to Christ, citizens of heavens, washed in the blood of the Lamb and saved! No other people can have (Hebrews 10:19) boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus… No other people.

Application…

Now here’s my application: John said this: (1 John 1:7) Walk in the light, as he is in the light… (Hebrews 7:19) For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. James said (James 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. As we study the tabernacle we see all these types of things that are so, but now we’ve come to one that is not so. The vail no longer stands in the way of God, but instead frames and hems the way to God. God wants us within the vail.

Remember, it’s the throne of grace, not the throne of sinless perfection. Our boldness is by the blood of Jesus and nothing more. Presumptuousness will get you both ways. We don’t tempt the Lord with our sin and flaunt our iniquities. But don’t let your imperfections and faults and failures keep you from coming within the vail, walking in the light, and drawing nigh unto God. Jews were not allowed in. And Gentiles were not allowed in. But we are a new creation created in Christ Jesus. Praise God for the wonderful privileges this thought affords: (Romans 8:10) And if Christ be in you…

 

 

 

Isaiah 1:3 My people doth not consider…

May 28, 2018

(Isaiah 1:3) The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

May we also consider the matter? How well do we know our owner? How well do we know our master’s crib? And he is our owner.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. No, we are not our own. We belong to God. (Psalm 100:3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. What a simple truth to consider? He is our owner and master. It’s so simple that we forget.

Paul admonishes us (Ephesians 5:17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. To understand what the will of the Lord is means to know God. Doing simply what one asks does not constitute understanding. Understanding is to be compassionate toward, to be sympathetic to, to be considerate of. Isaiah said my people doth not consider.  How well do we know God? How much do we consider our God? The ox knows his owner. Paul said (Philippians 3:10) That I may know him…

His voice

Jesus, the great shepherd, said of himself and his sheep, (John 10:4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. David said (Psalm 23:1) The LORD is my shepherd… Do we know the shepherd’s voice? Paul begins that great letter to the Hebrews, the book of better things, with this simple thought:  (Hebrews 1:1-2) God… Hath… spoken unto us… And then he says three times (Hebrews 3:7,15; 4:7) If ye will hear his voice… If ye will hear his voice… If ye will hear his voice…

His ways

The bible says that (Psalm 103:7) He made known his ways unto Moses… The servant of God, meek above all men, was made know the ways of God. Do we know the ways of our master? Isaiah was told to (Isaiah 58:1) Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. And their sin was hypocrisy, for the next verse says of them (Isaiah 58:2) Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways.. Are we as genuine as we think we are. The truth be told (Jeremiah 5:4) They know not the way of the LORD… 

His manner

The King of Assyria, tried to populate Israel with people that were not children of Israel. God sent lions to devour them because, the bible says, (2 Kings 17:26) Behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. Only the children of God know the manner of the Father. (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. Ah, but we know him and we know his manner; a manner of love.

His word

Isaiah said the ass knows his master’s crib. Our master’s crib is the word of God. Do we know it? It’s an inexhaustible storehouse of nourishing, sustaining provisions. Do we know it?  (Matthew 4:4) Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. His word is manna for the hungry. It’s cool refreshing water to the thirsty. It’s comfort and rest for the weary. It’s balm for the hurting. Do we know his word?

God be thanked, if we can say, not in vain as Israel had said, (Hosea 8:2) My God, we know thee. A miraculous, marvelous, amazing exchange was made at Calvary. (Isaiah 53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. We handed over our sins and our iniquities, and as God said through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 24:7) And I will give them an heart to know me… Our knowledge of God began at the cross, at the cross, where we first saw the light. If you’re saved, the potential and ability is there to know God; his voice, his ways, his manner, and his word. The ox knows his owner. Do we know ours?

The vision of Isaiah is still revelant today and still the message for a sinful people. When this thing is over, as we enter into eternity, the last words Jesus will say to the lost is (Matthew 7:23) I never knew you…

 

Luke 8:59 Great things Jesus had done…

May 28, 2018

(Luke 8:26-39) And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

This really is a huge piece of text for me to cover in a short time. This passage is inexhaustible. There’s numerous things to cover and ways to attack it. So, I’m going to just focus in on just certain aspects. This poor Gadarene man is an excellent picture of a lost man. That is what I’d like to look at. But at the same time, let not types and pictures blind us from the reality of the devil-possessed. Demon possession is real and demons and devils are real. Like angels, we cannot physically see them, but we encounter their work every day. There is most likely alot more of it than we realize. Anyhow, let’s look at this fella for a few minutes.

Just a few thoughts…

He was unrestrainable and violent. The bible says (Luke 8:29) He was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands… He is described as (Matthew 8:28) exceeding fierce. When the devils got into those pigs, they ran (Luke 8:33) violently. The bible says he was (Mark 5:5) cutting himself with stones. What comes to mind are people that are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. They are usually alot stronger than normal. They are most definitely violent. They hurt other people and hurt themselves. It’s very easy to say that drug and alcohol addicts are devil-possessed. It’s very easy to make the obvious physical connections.

But remember these miraculous accounts in the New Testament of people of being changed at their encounter with Jesus are mainly spiritual lessons. Now drug and alcohol addicts can surely be delivered from their vice when they meet Jesus. Absolutely. But let me ask you this: Will a real blind man physically begin to see if he gets saved? Will a a real cripple begin to literally walk when he gets saved? Will someone at the point of death be raised from his death bed when he trusts Jesus to save him? I’ll answer the question for you. No. The answer is no. Yes Jesus opens the eyes of the blind, but spiritually. Yes Jesus makes the lame to walk, but spiritually. Yes Jesus can and does heal the sick, but the example set forth in the New Testament were given to demonstrate a spiritual truth and reality of being saved.

So that being said, beware of thinking that devil-possession will only manifest itself in an outward manner for all to see and take notice. Violent behavior does not just have to be physically hurting someone else or yourself. What about emotionally or mentally? Let me throw this out there: What about dietary? What about the unrestrainable appetite of a glutton? The bible says (Luke 8:29) He was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands. They have procedure now where they put a band around a persons stomach to keep him from eating. And even that doesn’t work. I’m just saying that the devil-possessed don’t just hang out in the graveyard. What about financially? There are all kinds of cheats and crooks out there hurting other people financially. There are all kinds of people hurting themselves financially with bad decisions, vices, toys, and such. Any type of unrestrainable behavior that hurts others or yourself may be devils and demons.

But like I said, this is a picture of a sinner; a picture of a spiritual reality. A sinner is a child of the devil. Jesus said  (John 8:44) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. I’m not going to go as far as to say that all sinner are devil-possessed. But I do believe that we have bible authority to say that all sinners are devil-influenced, and maybe devil-controlled. Eve was influenced by the devil, and she hurt herself, she hurt her husband, and she hurt the whole world. First-mention principle.

A mad man, possessed of a Legion of devils, crying and cutting himself, running around naked among the tombs? You say I’m not that bad. Oh yes you are. One must be mad to reject the loving call of the Savior. Legions of devils work day and night against the work of God, leading men, women, and children astray down the broad way that leadeth to destruction. There’s no peace and no rest for the soul that is estranged from God. Naked, poor, and destitute is your wretched condition. And the only home you know is the graveyard; dead in trespasses and sin. Yes, your are that bad. And only Jesus can help you. He’ll take the untamed and sit them at his feet. He’ll take the unclean spirits out of a man and put him in his right mind. He’ll clothe the naked. And the homeless, he’ll give a home everlasting.

This passage of the Gadarene hits very close to home for me. That morning of January 8th, 2005, the the Holy Ghost of God visited me and showed me the reality of my lost state. He gave me a glimpse into the wretched condition of my black soul. And I have no doubt as to what he allowed me to see. Devils. And just like those people of Gadara, I was afraid. And if that wasn’t enough, as I waited in the car to go to the preacher’s house, three or four little black pigs ran across our front yard. I lived there for about fifteen years, and never but on that day had I seen pigs. I saw those pigs and knew exactly what God was telling me and I had never known fear of this kind. I was a church member, a preacher, a dad, a husband; yet blind and deceived about my reality. But God had compassion on me and he did great things for me that day. Getting saved is a miracle.

 

 

 

Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah…

May 27, 2018

Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

It seems to me that Isaiah is probably one of the most quoted books of the bible, by preachers today, the apostle Paul and John, and even the Lord Jesus Christ. It is amazing how many buzz scriptures are found in the book of Isaiah. Almost every chapter has a recognizable verse and there are sixty-six chapters. So there’s no doubt that Isaiah is a pillar of preaching in that it holds up and supports much doctrine that is preached. Yet, you hear so little preaching out of the actual text of the book. There’s a lot of quoting and use of the book, but little exposition of it.

What is the vision of Isaiah? If you ask John the apostle, what did you see? We quickly recall the white horse and he that sat upon him, and the great white throne, and the books, and the dead, and new Jerusalem, and a multitude of different pictures and scenes come across the mind. But what about Isaiah? What was your vision, Isaiah? There are sixty-six books of his vision. There is no doubt much to learn. Now, if you already know everything about this prophet and his book, you’ll have to forgive me because I know little to nothing about it.

We undertake this journey through the book of Isaiah to learn more about his vision, the times and events in which he prophesied, the children of Israel, and the Lord God. My intentions are not to outline the book or give a thorough teaching on Isaiah. I’m not qualified for that; not yet at least. Instead, I’m trying to receive a thorough teaching on the book myself, and simply share some thoughts and message outlines that come to mind throughout this study, hopefully of an expository nature. My intention are not to cover the book verse by verse either. However, my hope is to always make some real relevant application in all that is written.

I’m reading the following books to help me along.

Also, we constantly have sporadic and varied consultation of the readily available commentaries such as Barnes, Clarke, Henry, Scofield, Wesley, Gill, Meyer, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Pulpit Commentary, and whoever.

(Proverbs 29:18) Where there is no vision, the people perish. God help us to understand the vision of the prophet Isaiah. (Revelation 19:10) For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham…

May 25, 2018

(Hebrews 11:8-10) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

To live by faith? The bible says (Hebrews 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith… What does it mean to live by faith. Paul said, (Galatians 2:20) I live by the faith of the Son of God… I remember Lester Roloff had said that there came a day in his life that he got serious with God and said he wanted live by faith. It was a turning point in his life and his ministry. That’s when things really took off and God allowed him to start all those homes for the wayward and be a help to so many people. To live by faith? I look at these few verses and it’s striking to me the simplicity of faith as demonstrated by Abraham.

He obeyed…

(Hebrews 11:8) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. He obeyed. He simply did what God had called him to do. If I may borrow a phrase from Nike, Just Do It. Now in the workplace, when a person is starting out, his aptitude is going to be determined by one thing. Does he do what he’s told to do. Does he obey. You’ll be surprised how so many people have a problem with that. People are just programmed to not obey; not pay attention and do their own thing.

I know it’s difficult to know God’s will at times. What exactly does God want us to do? It’s difficult to distinguish between your imagination and God’s impressions, or even if we should. I’ll say this. Do what you know to do. There’s things that we just know to do that there are no questions about. Pray. Read that Bible. Go to church. Seriously, God will accomplish in you most, if not all, what he desires if you’d just do what we know to do. If you would just obey in those simple things, it’s amazing what God would reveal to you.

I remember I heard an evangelist say “It’s not hard to know what to preach at a meeting. Preach on praying, reading your bible, and witnessing; because nobody is doing those things.” I think maybe as a rule of thumb, God’s is not going ask more complex things out of us until we get some basics down. (Luke 16:10) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much… Abraham, by faith, obeyed. Do what you know God has asked you to do.

He sojourned…

(Hebrews 11:9) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: This speaks to us about our attitude. He sojourned. A sojourn is just a temporary situation. It means that you are in a state of journeying. You are not setting down roots. You are not looking to stay long. To live by faith is to sojourn. (Matthew 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Faith affects the heart. Our hearts are just not here; they’re elsewhere. Living by faith is a desire for the heavenly, not the earthly. Jesus said (Matthew 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We are so worried and preoccupied with the things of this earth. What about the things of God? The things of the Spirit of God? The heavenly spiritual gifts of God? If you look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians:

(Ephesians 3:14-21) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Don’t just skip over it. Read it. His glory. His Spirit. The inner man. In your hearts. In love. The love of Christ. The fullness of God. The power that worketh in us. Glory. There is not one mention of earthly things. No mention of food. No mention of a job. No mention of sickness. There is no mention of anything physical. Paul said, (1 Corinthians 2:2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. It’s all spiritual. Yet what do we pray for? Faith places our hearts in a far country and things of that country. Jesus said (John 18:36) My kingdom is not of this world… We’re just not citizens of any kingdoms of this world. But our citizenship is in heaven. Heaven has captured our hearts.

He looked…

And our eyes. (Hebrews 11:10) For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. To live by faith is to live on the lookout. Now Abraham did not know how all this was going to work out. The bible says and he went out, not knowing whither he went. He didn’t know that Jesus would one day come. He didn’t know that Jesus would die, resurrect, and ascend into heaven. But he knows now. The bible says (John 8:56) Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Abraham know nows that Jesus is building and making that city. Jesus said (John 14:2) I go to prepare a place for you. And boy does it have foundations.

(Revelation 21:19-20) And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 

So we know now that the city is not in Canaan, so we’re not looking for it there. And we’re not like Thomas, saying (John 14:5) Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? We know where it is. And we know the way. What we’re looking for is the one that is going to take us there. (John 14:3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. So we’re not looking for a city. We’re looking for the Savior. (Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

To live by faith is to look; to be constantly on the lookout. Jesus said for us to (Luke 21:28) Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. We’re going to look and Christ is going to come in the clouds and we’re going to be airlifted into his presence.  (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This speaks to us about our altitude.

Living by faith is a life of looking. There’s faith in salvation. It’s look and be saved. (Isaiah 45:22) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. There’s faith in sanctification. It’s look and be changed. (2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And there’s faith in the resurrection. It’s look and be translated. (Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Faith will affect our aptitude. Do we obey what God has asked us to do? Faith affects our attitude, Are we sojourning or are we getting too comfortable in this world? Faith will affect our altitude. Are we looking; watching and waiting for the those chariots to swing low? It’s by faith!  (Hebrews 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith…  (Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him..

 

 

Mark 4:39 Peace, be still…

May 21, 2018

Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

When ever I come across these words, I’m always reminded and brought back to that twelve by twelve bathroom tile that I bowed my unworthy head, when I called from the bottom of my soul, Lord, have mercy on me a sinner, he answered back to me Peace, be still. I remember the violent tempest that was going on inside of me, the whirlwind that just wouldn’t stop. But when I came to him and asked his mercy, it all suddenly and miraculously stopped. What manner of man is this?

I still marvel at the power of God to trouble a soul, and then to give it peace. (Isaiah 57:20) But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. (John 5:4) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water… I didn’t know truly I had a soul, until that day he spoke up. I didn’t know there really was an inner man; a hidden part of me unbeknownst to my conscience. (1 Corinthians 2:10) The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. I had heard of Holy Ghost conviction, but had never experienced it. For once in my life, I was 30 years old, God allowed me to peer down into the chasm of my wretched soul. And to this day, I’m still fearful and tremble at what I saw. I had never known such darkness and such horror. Fear and shear terror had gripped me.

And there arose a great tempest in me. And for hours, the great Holy Ghost winds would blow. (Jeremiah 30:23) Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. All religion and works were blown away. And waves of guilt, condemnation, and conviction beat against my conscience. Loved ones talked with me, prayed with me, and even sang with me, but every word spoken was a word from God. (Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

But I found out that (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. By his marvelous grace, God helped me to know that he loved me and wanted to save me. I need only ask. And when I did, the moment I did, he said Peace, be still. The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. I got gloriously saved. And I’m grateful and still marvel at the miracle he did for me that day. What manner of man is this?

 

 

 

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah…

May 18, 2018

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Here are some things about Noah I thought I’d share. See if you can relate to any of these. We say we have faith. There has to be simliarities between our faith and their faith. There must be similarities. (Ephesians 4:5) One Lord, one faith…

He was warned

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet…

Noah was warned of God of things not seen as yet. It’s been said that the world knew nothing of rain until the flood; that the earth was water as it was in the garden of Eden with a midst until the times of the flood.  (Genesis 2:5-6) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth… 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. So when the flood came upon man, it was a surprise, a shock to mankind. (Genesis 7:11) In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. No one had ever seen this sight. And no doubt nobody believed it would ever happen; of things not seen as yet.

I’m reminded of (Jeremiah 33:3) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Faith is the evidence of things not seen as yet; great and mighty things. Jesus said of the Holy Ghost:  (John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. So from even from the the very beginning pages of the holy text, God has been intent that man know his will; particularly his will concerning the future. He was warned.

Lately, I’ve been reading through the prophets. And most of the books of the prophets deal with the turning away and fall of Israel and carrying away and captivity of God’s people due to their sin. And that is one truth that is repeated over and over and over. They were warned. Adam was warned. Noah was warned. Abraham was warned. Moses was warned. Joshua was warned. Samuel was warned. John the Baptist was warned. The list goes on and on. God has never left man ignorant of his will and the things to come. And God never changes.

He was moved

By faith Noah… moved with fear…

The difference between Noah and all them that drowned in the flood was this. He moved with fear. They all got the warning, but they weren’t moved. Why? No fear. Why is it that some respond to the gospel and some don’t? Fear. There is no way you can be saved and not fear God. (2 Chronicles 19:7) Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it… Noah took heed and did it. He moved. The others had not fear, so they took no heed and did nothing. (Romans 3:18) There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

But not so with God’s people. (Psalm 34:9) O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. There is no salvation without fear. Therefore there is no faith without fear. Faith will move a man to do something about what or whom he has faith in. If we do nothing, there’s something wrong. There’s something wrong with our faith, or maybe there’s something wrong with what or whom we’ve put your faith.

There’s nothing wrong with Jesus. The problem is on our side of the meter. We might want to check the fear department. You don’t hear much preaching on the fear of God. (Isaiah 8:13) Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Noah moved with fear. You can’t move without it. There will be no going ye therefore and teaching all nations. There will be no walking in the Spirit, no walking the foreordained works of God. There will be no running the race with patience. There will be no pressing on to the mark. You can’t move without it. Noah moved with fear.

He was burdened

By faith Noah… prepared an ark to the saving of his house…

Noah prepared an ark to the saving of his house.. Noah had a burden for his loved ones. Warning reveals God’s will to us. Moving is taking heed to the God’s will. But being burdened is embracing God’s will as your own. The heart of man is awoken and hears. Then the heart is affected and responds. But then the heart embraces and is made. The heart first hears the voice of God, and then responds to his voice, but then begins to echo his voice. The bible says (1 Samuel 13:14) The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart…

Noah had a burden. We hear the word of God. We respond to the word of God. But then we preach the word of God. (2 Peter 2:5) Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness… Jesus said  (Matthew 10:27) What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. Our commission to preach the gospel is an invitation to know the heart of God.

Doing God’s will is not necessarily us bending to the will of God. Submission to God is not solely doing what is expected of you. Ultimately, I suppose that should be the end result or the manifestation of it. But I believe what God truly desires of us is to have a heart that is in tune with his heart; a heart that mirrors his heart. Sometimes, when a family sings together, soprano, alto, and tenor, their voices blend so well you cannot distinguish the different parts. It sounds as one person singing. Praise God that we can sing to him psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. But our hearts can sing with him. (Revelation 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come…

He was separated

By faith Noah… condemned the world…

There’s no indication that Noah condemned the world in word, but rather in deed. For Noah, by his faith and actions, to stand in the place of judgement over the world demonstrates a material difference between them and him. This speaks to me of separation. For ’tis the world’s cry against the people of righteousness, You’re judging me! Any move the righteous makes in the fear of the Lord, the ungodly cries in defense, You’re judging me!

So the ungodly world is half right and half wrong. Our faith and work do stand in judgment of this generation. But our separation is truly not our doing, but God’s. There is a difference between us and them because God has declared it so. (Romans 1:1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Paul did not practice separation, but God performed a separation on him. Separation is a divine call from another world. (2 Corinthians 6:17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. And it’s a call of love from our beloved. (Song of Solomon 2:10) My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Separation’s motive is not to judge and condemn, but to awaken to the call of God and to drawn away toward him.

(Luke 16:26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Man did not place that gulf there, God did. Real biblical Christian separation is founded on what God has done, not what man can do. For Noah, building the ark was a reproof to the unbelieving sinners. To hear the voice of God, be moved by it, and then do something about it, will always reprove those who are deaf, unmoved, and negligent to the things of God.

He was rich

By faith Noah… became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Let me just jump to the chase. Paul said (Romans 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. And then he says regarding the righteousness of God:  (Romans 4:23-24) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; If you have put your faith and trust in him that raised up Jesus from the dead, he who justifieth the ungodly, then you also are an heir of righteousness. Like Noah, you are an heir of the the world to come.

One day, we’ll step off this boat into a world without end. And God shall present us the inheritance that awaits us. (Ephesians 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: What a blessed sight it would be to catch a glimpse of what God has prepared for us. Paul prayed that (Ephesians 1:18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know… what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, We are truly rich.

We may seem as paupers for a season, but what has been imputed on our account will soon be manifest when the Lord Jesus Christ will bring us (1 Peter 1:4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Praise the Lord, I’ve made my reservations! The old account was settled! I’m glad I trusted Jesus! My wife and I were discussing finances the other day and I told her, “We only have to last as long as we live! When we make it past that, we’ll be in eternity.”

Proverbs 11:30 He that winneth souls is wise…

May 16, 2018

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Paul admonishes us that to be wise, we must know the will of God.  (Ephesians 5:17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Real wisdom, working effectual wisdom, lies in our understanding of God’s will. And it can not be said too many times: (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The salvation of sinners is the will of God (1 Timothy 2:4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Jesus told us to pray in this manner:  (Luke 11:2) Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. God’s will be done! Curse our will! And let the will of God prevail in the hearts and lives of the saints of God. It’s God’s will that souls be saved. And he that winneth souls is wise. 

It is a wise things to make God’s will our will; to make the winning souls of paramount importance in our life. It’s important to God. It is important to God’s people. When this is all said and done and we cross over Revelation 20 and the lake of fire, and enter into the new heaven and new earth and new Jerusalem, there is only one thing that remains from the old heaven and the old earth, and that’s the church; souls that were won by the love of Christ. And even they are not old, but new creatures. But they’re all the wages of of God’s work, the fruition of God’s will. The church is what God has been working on all since the dawning of time; the new creation. Saved souls is God’s grand work, his crowning achievement, his masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.

The winning of souls is God’s most important work on earth. All he has done and does is to that end. It’s wise to work with God. (Daniel 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

 

Exodus 26:26 Thou shalt make bars…

May 15, 2018

(Exodus 26:26-28) And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. 28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.

These curtains of fine linen, goat’s hair, ram’s skins, and badger’s skins were held up by a massive framework of what the bible calls boards. They stood upright; vertically. There were twenty boards on either side, and eight in the back. At the bottom of these boards were silver sockets, a sort of base or pedestal that held the board in place. They were rather tall and thin; ten cubits tall by one and a half wide, roughly fifteen feet tall by two feet wide. Now to keep all these boards together, God required the Israelites to make bars. These bars ran horizontally, across the outside of these board, tying each board together. The bars ran through golden rings that were affixed to the outside of the boards. (Exodus 26:29) Make their rings of gold for places for the bars. 

The boards speak to us of the assembling of God’s people; the church. We introduced that previously in And thou shalt make boards…. And the silver sockets in which they stand speak to us regarding the foundation of the disciples and the prophets to which the church stands. We explored that in Sockets of silver… But now we come to these bars; these bars that bind the boards together. I’m reminded of two things:

Firstly, when Judah Ben Hur sat below the deck of that Roman galley, and the Roman’s enemy had been sighted, and they were on a course to meet them in battle, those painful words were uttered, “Chain the rowers!” There was an iron ring on the leg of every rower. And the gaurds proceeded to run chains through those rings and bind those rowers together and to the ship. They were Roman slaves to the galley. Seeing those bars slip through those rings on those boards reminds me of this. Paul asked this question: (Romans 6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? When we were the servants of sin, we were bound to it and together. We all worked and laboured and treasured up for ourselves wrath for the day of wrath.

But to God be the glory, things are different now that you’re saved. (Romans 6:17-18) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. We’re still servants. But praise God, we’ve changed masters. And now instead of shackles and chains, it’s golden rings and cords of love that bind us together and to him.

Which brings me to my second thought. I installed some kitchen cabinets the other day and, of course, read the installation instructions after I had installed them, and saw that there was one step I failed to perform. The instructions explained that after the cabinets were up and fastened to the wall, that they were to be fastened together by running a #8 woods screw across the two side walls towards the front of the cabinet. My first thought was, “It’s strong enough. Those cabinets aren’t going anywhere.”

But then I started to consider the wisdom in fastening them together. If a child hangs on just one of those cabinets, and the back of the cabinet to which it is fastened to the wall gives way, that cabinet is coming down. And that is very much possible. The particle board in those cabinets is pretty weak nowdays. However, if the cabinets are tied together, that single cabinet will not come down. That child would have to bring the whole assembly of cabinets down. Each and every cabinet’s connection to the wall would have to fail for just one of those cabinets to come down. Or the entire wall would have to come down. The chances of that happening are pretty slim.

(Romans 15:1) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak… Every member of the church is tied together. Christ has put a lasso of love around all his church and there are none that stand without. Now we’re not going down with the ship like Romans slaves, but we’re all going up with the ship as servants of the most High God. (Ephesians 4:16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. It’s love that binds us together. It’s through love that we edify one another, strengthen one another, hold each other up. For one to fall, all would have to fall. If we’re all bound together in Christ, for one to fall, Christ would need to fall! (Galatians 6:2) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Christ’s law? Jesus said (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. It’s His church and His law; the law of love. (Colossians 2:19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. We are knit together and to Christ by love. This is the mechanism and means in which Christ has ordained for us that we might increase, grow, and develop. (1 Corinthians 9:19) For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. This is not just for the benefit of others, but for your own benefit, for your own good and gain. Learn to love.

As Preacher Allen has said, charity represents the strongest Greek word in your King James Bible for love. Paul says (1 Corinthians 8:1) Charity edifieth. And without it, (1 Corinthians 13:2) I am nothing. And all our good works, all our dedication to God, all our spiritual efforts, Paul said that if I (1 Corinthians 13:3) have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. It’s for our profit and it’s for assurance. (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. The assurance of the salvation of God is the golden bar of love that pierces the ring of our hearts and binds us one to another.

And one last thought. The bible says And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. The love of God reaches from one end of the church to the other end of the church, from the youngest to the oldest, the richest to the poorest, the novice to the wisest, the shyest to the loudest. We are bound together from end to end. God help us.

Luke 7:11-17 He came and touched the bier…

May 14, 2018

(Luke 7:11-17) And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

The bier was the vessel in which the dead corpse was transported to the grave. Everyone that would handle the dead body was to be unclean. (Numbers 19:11) He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. And these that handled the dead body, placed it upon the bier, and carried the bier, would defile and make unclean all that they touched. (Numbers 19:22) And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean… So the bier was unclean. It was defiled and henceforth not to be touched, for the scriptures go on to say and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even. It was not Jewish custom to touch the dead body, to touch the bier, to touch the grave or anything that came in contact with a dead body. But Jesus came and touched the bier.

When Jesus came upon this city of Nain, he saw something that moved him to compassion. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, What he saw moved the heart of Jesus. And his heart moved his hand. And the hand of Jesus, the Son of God, reached forth and touched the bier; that which was unclean, on the way to the grave to deliver what belonged there and nowhere else, the empty, lifeless, product of Adam’s sin. The journey to the grave is a sure one. The undertaker will never fail. There is no detour, no delay, no other destination. To the grave the dead must go. There’s no reason to stop. But the bible says they that bare him stood still. Why? Because Jesus came and touched the bier.

There is no point in this journey to the grave where Jesus cannot intervene. There was a certain nobleman in Capernaum, who’s son was sick. The bible says that he was at the point of death. He besought Jesus to heal his child, and Jesus said (John 4:50) Go thy way; thy son liveth. Jesus came to the house of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, and they all thought he had come just a few minutes too late, for his daughter had passed the point of death and now lay there, dead. But Jesus (Luke 8:54) put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. This man, the widow’s son from Nain, had recently died and they were all on their way to the cemetery to bury the man. But when Jesus came, he stopped that procession with the touch of his hand and commanded, Young man… Arise. And then there was Lazarus, of whom his sister Martha had said (John 11:39) Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.  But even in that late hour when Jesus showed up, he cried (John 11:43) Lazarus, come forth. There is no point on this journey to the grave where Jesus cannot intervene.

Bless the great god and our Savior Jesus Christ who had compassion on us! With just one touch, he can stop the bier. Our cursed unclean bodies are biers on the way to the grave to deliver the dead; carrying a soul that is dead in trespasses and sin. Oh but with one touch from the master’s hand, the pallbearers shall halt, the procession shall end, and the wheels of this bier shall lock. And that which lies dead in that bier shall arise at the voice of the Son of God. Jesus said (John 11:25) I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: God help us to live in the reality of so great a salvation that God has wrought in us. Paul said (Romans 6:13) But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead.. Don’t let the wrapper fool you. There’s no dead man in this bier. Paul said (Galatians 2:20) Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.