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Christmas Terms of peace - 1 |
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More than the gifts given at Christmas to express tokens of love for each other, It is my sincere hope you will know the greatest gift of all – The Love of God, expressed in His Word The Word became flesh and dwelled among us
And He who knew no sin, gave His life
willingly to pay the price for sin
That we should All:
Seek the Lord while he may be found; Isaiah
55:1-3, 6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Seek the Lord
while He may be found;
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no
one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again ~ John 3 And He loves you – and has a message of love for you – Many say that Jesus is the reason for the season,
though others have said that Jesus was probably not really born in
December, If Jesus had not been born, there would never have been any such thing called Christmas. Let's take a biblical look then, at the birth of Christ: You can read the account of His birth in Luke 2:1-40
Please understand that I am bringing to you a message of hope!
Isaiah 8:16 says - 16 Bind up the
testimony, seal the law among my disciples. John 8:31-32 agrees where Jesus is speaking to those who had believed in Him… 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” The NIV says it this way “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
You see, it isn’t enough to just believe
that God exists – the demons believe that much:
19 You believe that [a]God is one; you
do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder
and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!
Most everyone has probably heard the
phrase “the truth will make you free”, but in order to be set free, you
need to first KNOW the truth, and the only way to know the truth is as a
disciple of Jesus, there is a relationship of discipleship, and
continual learning – continuing in the Word of God, Holding fast to
Jesus’ Teaching, knowing Him, IF, IF, IF you continue, Hold to His
Teaching, continue in the Word, in relationship – with Jesus – the Word…
The Law and the Testimony – the Word of
God! - if we are not speaking according to this Word… If we do not live a life consistent with the teaching of God’s Word, it is because we don’t know Him, we don’t know the Word, and it is not the very source of our life – but we are still in darkness and do not truly have the revelation of who Jesus is (in fullness, or perhaps at all for some… )
There is Good news – I promise you! – There is Hope!
If there is a struggle, a battle, I
understand... If you are without discipline you are not His child!
Hebrews 12:8
NIV
Most people can quote John 3:16, but look what it says in the continuing verses in context:
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
So, we need to talk about what it means to actually believe in Jesus - from vs 18 And then we need to talk about vss 19 and 20, and 21 as well...
The word "believe" used in John 3:18 is not a mere intellectual assent here, it means to fully trust, and put the full weight of your faith into... To illustrate this, let me give the following example: If there were a frozen lake, and it had just frozen over the night before, but it was now later in the day and was warmer, and you could see the lake was iced over, but it was thin ice - would you walk out into the middle of the lake ? No, but now if the lake had been entirely filled in with concrete, and it was dried and hard as a rock, you could walk across it without fear - putting your full weight into it, and even jumping up and down, and driving your car on it and parking in the middle of it...
That is the difference, just "believing" in the historical figure of a man named "Jesus" from 2000 years ago, and having a form of religion is like that sheet of thin ice…
But, the Revelation of who Jesus is, is a solid rock - a firm foundation - and hearing His Word and acting on it, is building upon that solid rock but hearing the Word, and dismissing it, not acting upon it, is building on sinking sand - and walking on thin ice... it is like rice paper stretched over a hole and disguised to look like a manhole cover, it is a thin facade, and it will not hold the weight of belief, but will fail. And that brings us to John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 1:5 tells us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness There is no
fellowship between light and darkness, (see 2 Cor 6:14-18) Darkness is pride, and light is humility John 3:19 says "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil"
Just a few verses: 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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. In Marks’s Gospel we see very quickly that John the Baptist came preaching repentance – and so did Jesus! Mark 1:4,14-15 New International Version (NIV) 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus said in John 14:15
So, now, let's look at some good news… Isaiah 9:2-7 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)
2 The people who walk in darkness
This is good news – Real good news – Those who are in Darkness will see a great light! If you don’t know God today – or if you are in a dark place, in sin, and bondage, there is an announcement – a revelation is available to you – a way to be forgiven and set free, if you are repentant and are willing to walk away from the sinful lifestyle you have lived!
God is willing to break the yoke of
your burden to sin, and set you free from the demonic oppression that
sin brings – Listen to verse 5
He causes wars to cease!
And when you have surrendered to His
Terms – absolute surrender in repentance of sin,
Listen to vs 6:
Now, let us look at Luke Chapter 2 Luke 2 New
International Version (NIV) Caesar issued the decree so he could collect taxes, yet God used this for His purpose,
because it required Joseph and Mary to
travel to Bethlehem… Micah 5:2 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 2 “But
as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Now, to see the events unfold I would
recommend reading the first two chapters of Luke and Mathew. No inheritance of the previous nature or bloodline of mankind…
Mathew 1:18-25 – here we see the passage
where Mary was “found to be with child” and Joseph, her “espoused”
husband (though they had not known each other as a man and wife yet),
was desiring to put her away secretly instead of exposing her to public
shame. Matthew 1:20-25 English Standard Version (ESV) 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold,
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Notice vs 24-25 NIV:
Now, why did God choose Mary and Joseph? Because they were holier that anyone else ? No They were direct descendants of King David, and Jesus was called the Son Of David, and was heir to David’s throne…
Remember this sentence from Isaiah 9:7 ?
Otherwise, Mary and Joseph were just like most other of the just and devout and faithful Jewish people of the time, they were not sinlessly perfect… And I guarantee you Jesus was not an “Only Child” growing up in their household. After Jesus was born, they knew each other as a husband and wife and had other sons, and daughters. *** Luke 1:57-80 is the passage that describes the birth of John the Baptist. And in a part of
His father Zechariah’s prophecy it says speaking of John:
And now, back to Luke 2 In this passage in Luke we see Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem, and v2 7 says: Luke 2:7 English Standard Version (ESV) 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Then we read about the shepherds and the announcement of the angels, and I want to look at that in a moment, but first I want to point out some significant details: Now Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem because they were of the house of David, and David also was born in Bethlehem – and Bethlehem literally means “house of bread” Vs 7 says they laid Him in a manger – a manger is a feeding trough And this is significant, as Jesus said in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life…” Now, this was just after he had fed the multitude (about 5000 men) with 5 barley loaves and two fish, And they were talking about how God had given them “bread from heaven” – the Manna in the wilderness when the nation of Israel was with Moses on their way to the promised land..
Jesus was saying to them that the manna, although a miracle - was temporary for their physical sustenance, but he was the True Bread – which is unto life eternal
John 6:31-33 King James Version (KJV) 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
And
a
few verses later we see they were arguing with him, not understanding
what he was saying: 41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
I won’t include the whole text here for
the sake of time, but you can read it in John 6 later, but let’s pick
this up again in vs 48 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Now, this last verse had them fuming as we will see in vs 52, and this is also where Catholics are confused as their religious teachers conflate this and use this to support the doctrine of transubstantiation – but this is a false doctrine based on ancient baal worship –
Are
you angry at this statement?
John 6:52 New International Version (NIV) 52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Here is where it gets good: Read vss 53 to 63 John 6 Select verses from the English Standard Version (ESV) 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. This is the Word
and obedience to the Word (Covenant) This is not like the bread from the supermarket, or even the miracle bread of manna This is spiritual food He is talking about – How do we know this?
The next few verses, the disciples were
even having difficulty:
And here is the key Jesus said in vs 63:
He has been speaking spiritually here –
this is not cannibalism, and in this passage in John 6 he is not even
talking about what has become known as “communion” – the last supper
remembrance…
John 1:1-5 New International Version (NIV) 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 with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:14 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Let’s look at this again – vs 55 and 63
NASB:
The Blood speaks of covenant –
In a Blood covenant obedience to the
terms of the covenant is required…
Remember John 3:36 ? Whereas the NIV and KJV use “and he that believeth not the Son”, or “whoever rejects the Son”… The Greek word
for this phrase is
apeitheō (G544) and means to disbelieve (wilfully
and perversely):—not believe, disobedient,
obey not, unbelieving and is where we get the word Apathy from… Now, God certainly has a controversy with those who reject, or are apathetic towards, or disobedient to His Word!!! And we shall see more on this a little later on…
So, getting back to Covenant – I won’t
take a long time here, but would highly recommend Bob Phillips book on
the subject – anyway, Covenant is an agreement that is entered into upon
the penalty of death.
God had a covenant with His creation – and when that covenant was broken
through sin, the transgression of His Command, His Law, His Word – the
penalty of Death entered in…
So, when Jesus says “…My blood is true
drink…” –
Sin breaks covenant, and we have all
sinned and are all deserving of death… Anyway, so now we know the significance of Jesus being born in the small town of Bethlehem which means “House of Bread” and being laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough, as He is the Word, the Bread of Life, and we are to take in the Word and be obedient doers of the Word!
Remember what Jesus said in John 14 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
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and in Luke he talks about obedience vs disobedience to His Word: 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
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And
in James we are admonished to be doers of the Word, and not just
hearers… 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do
not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it
says.
Ok, so let’s go back to back to Luke 2
again – and pick up the narrative where we left off… Luke 2:8-38 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory
to God in the highest,
Now, let stop here for a few minutes – in vs 12 the KJV has “cloths” as “swaddling clothes”
This is significant because it means
that it was a newborn baby, swaddling clothes were used in those times
for newborn infants after the umbilical cord was cut and tied, and the
the baby was washed, and rubbed with salt and oil – they kept the baby
warm and restricted it’s movements…
This is Jesus – The Word, who was with
God, and who was God -
Think about this God Almighty! Creator
of heaven and earth - Because of His love for us!
Ok, moving on to Luke 2:14 – the NASB
has it as: “with whom He is pleased” - Literally: of good pleasure; or of good will The KJV says “…good will toward men” an the NIV is “…to those on whom his favor rests” The Greek is eudokia and the connotation is to think well of, and God’s favor does rest on those with whom He is pleased, the KJV might be better translated as “toward men of good will” i.e., those who have faith in God, (as it takes faith to please Him), and who’s will is in line with God’s will.
Isaiah 48:22, 57:21 New International Version (NIV) 22 “There
is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Ok, so let’s look at Luke 14:31-32 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. That is exactly what is happening here – except that it is God offering His "Terms of Peace" to mankind! This is the Good news!
God is declaring through the angelic
host to mankind, to those who are in darkness, to those who are at war,
in sin, stubbornness and rebellion to Him – The War can be ended! You cannot win if you are at war with God, in your stubborn rejection of His ways – you are like a captive soldier fighting on the wrong side, fighting the wrong fight, in rebellion, claiming that you will not submit and serve, but I got news for you – If you are not serving God, and even if you claim you are only serving yourself, you are actually a captive serving Satan – our common enemy! And the wages for sin is death, but life is offered in Jesus in the terms of unconditional surrender to Him! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To women who say “it’s my body, so it’s
my choice” - No, it is not your body…
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." The
angels are not announcing peace for everyone here, only those who are
submitted to God, (those who have faith in Him). I remember in some old western movies where the calvary was at war with the Indians Both opposing sides are lined up in battle array against each other, then a few officers, and chiefs ride out to meet each other under a white flag and they discuss the terms of peace, and what it will take for an equitable surrender vs continued war...
This
similar to the battle of Israel against the Philistines in 1 Samuel 17 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out
of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a
bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze
weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves,
and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a
weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield
bearer went ahead of him.
We see here Saul is afraid and isn’t too sure he can defeat this giant this superpower weapon of his enemy, and he is counting the cost, and looking for a champion in Israel who can go out and fight him, so they do not have to accept terms of defeat – and in a sense they are letting the philistine giant define the terms for peace – but along comes David, and he defeats the giant and the Israelites win the battle by the hand of God that day! The angels of God announced the Terms of Peace to mankind, Repent of sin, and turn to Jesus who died on the cross in your place and rose again, that in him you can be dead to your old godless nature, and alive to God instead – made a new creature in Christ, all things become new and old things pass away!
And in this new walk with God, when you
accept God’s Terms of peace and surrender to him, the enemy of your soul
is like that giant Goliath who comes out against you to taunt you and
tempt you back into sin, and he tries to offer his terms of peace,
because your flesh is suffering in saying “no” to sin… You see Satan didn’t want to be submitted to God either, and he staged a rebellion and was thrown out of heaven and was defeated at the cross. Oh, there is so much more we could get into here… Are you seeing the warfare yet?
God is not pleased with everyone. some are in rebellion to God, have a controversy with God, and are at war with him. Pride doesn't submit to God - pride fights God's light and keeps us on the wrong side as captives of the enemy...
James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both state that "...God is opposed to the proud..." 1 Peter 5:6
Ok, so let’s go back to Luke again and
look at Simeon’s Prophecy concerning Jesus: 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign
Lord, as you have promised, 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
32 a
light for revelation to the Gentiles, (Remember Isaiah 9:1-7 ?)
Listen to what Simeon Said to Mary This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice
stone, a precious corner stone, 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders
rejected, 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. **
- and listen to this, Simeon told Mary
that a sword would even pierce her own soul… 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. You see the Word judges our hearts –
and Mary even acknowledged her need of a savior (the need of salvation
from sin) in Luke 1:46-47 The Word of God pierces our hearts and divides between soul and spirit - what is of the OLD nature of the Soul (Body and Soul) vs what is of the new nature – Spirit made alive in Christ Jesus and the redeemed soul of the new nature that is in subjection to the renewed spirit and the Spirit of God. We are convicted of sin, so that we may repent and continue to be partakers of our new nature as new creations in Christ! And we experience God’s discipline as beloved children, for if you are without discipline then you are not His child. (See Hebrews 12)
Yes the Word is sharper than any two
edged sword,
From Malachi to Mathew, we have 400 years of Silence, then God sent His own begotten Son, and John the Baptist before Him, to announce "Terms of Peace" Matthew 3:1-2 New International Version (NIV) 3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The Word declares in Isaiah 33:13 (Far Away and Near regarding relationship with God) So, where are you? distant or close? To those far away – hear, God is calling you, the Kingdom has come near, repent, surrender And to those near acknowledge – bear witness of, in agreement with… Amen! ISAIAH 9:1-7 Prince of Peace There will be no end to the increase of His government...
His Government, not ours...
Luke 12:51 Mathew 10:34
John 14:6 (the way of peace)
God's way... In Mathew 21:33-41 - The
Parable of the Vine Growers who were at war
with the Land Owner:
In Mathew 22:1-14 we see the parable of
the wedding feast Or will you make excuses like the ones in the parable in Luke 14:16-24 ?
Luke 14:16-24 New International Version (NIV) 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
See some are too busy, and do not
realize the importance of the invitation -
Isaiah 63 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord's Day of Vengeance 63 Who is this who comes from Edom, 2 Why
is your apparel red, 3 “I
have trodden the winepress alone,
Revelation 19:11-16 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
These also speak to the warfare 4 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Mark 10:19,23 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 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 homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
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The Ten Commandments: Taken from Exodus 20:2-17
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 6. Thou shalt not kill. (note the word kill here is actually the word for murder) 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8. Thou shalt not steal. 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
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Please do not think we do not have to keep the ten commandments today, under the new covenant these are fulfilled in Jesus and he addresses this in the sermon on the mount when he said things like, if you even look at a person with lust you are already guilty of adultery in your heart, etc… It is the heart God wants – not religion. He wants us to have a heart that loves Him and is obedient to His will and His Word!
The Great Commandment is referenced in
Mathew 22:37-40 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
He sent His own, only begotten Son, as the sacrifice for our sin, to pay the price for our forgiveness
He therefore will accept us (He accepts our surrender - when we submit to Him and are no longer at war with Him) based upon the blood of Jesus. Our part then, (true submission, true surrender) is to be disciples - to take up our cross and follow Him (Jesus).
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Mathew 3:2, and 4:17 Both John and Jesus said:
"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand"
18 “Come
now, let us settle the matter,” Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” John 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (To be born again from above – to be made spiritual alive) John 3:5-8 English Standard Version (ESV) 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:16-21 English Standard Version (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:36 English Standard Version (ESV) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
God’s Terms of peace are complete and unconditional surrender of your life to Him.
The bible says: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin (Or a sin offering) on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. If you
will repent of your sin, and forsake it and turn to God with all your
heart, you can experience His forgiveness and a new life in Christ
Jesus! God have mercy on me a sinner. I know you love me. Thank you, Jesus, for paying for my sin on the Cross. Please forgive me, and Save me Lord! I repent from my sinful lifestyle, and I promise to walk with you for the rest of my life! Baptize me in your Holy Spirit and fire! Father I thank you for making me a new creature in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen!
End of part one – stay tuned for part two – where we look at the visit of the wise men in Mathew 2 |
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