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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program. |
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These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing
of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on
living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery,
otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Click here to
contact LMM
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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13 |
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Creation From a "Grace"
Perspective - Part IV ....
I have always been
fascinated with the creation story recorded on the pages of
Genesis. However, in Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul mentions
something specifically for today's grace-age saints. The passage
in verses 1 through 6; (especially verse 4) may prompt us towards
further study as we learn about the richness of God's grace
which was planned before the creation account: - RICK
1 Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which
are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be
to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
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In part
three of our series we closely examined the biblical
references to God existing on planet earth prior to
the creation of Adam and Eve. In fact, there are
several scripture references as well as biblical
history detailing angelic activity! We discussed
these events to prove that God had used the earth as
a "Hall of Justice" and He changed His
administrative offices to the 3rd heaven when
Lucifer (who would later become Satan) fell... |
As
reviewed in our last study, we saw numerous accounts of angelic
activity and we closed with the Pre-Incarnate Christ renaming
Jacob to Israel!
This
name change is significant in that "Israel" means "prince".
God made it clear that that He would ordain His own prince
"Israel" to take back the land that Adam usurped over to Satan
when He disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
Let's do a quick analysis and
recap of how we got where we are today:
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God in His infinite love,
mercy and wisdom created angels to fellowship with Him and
to be steward's of the vastness He would create.
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His highest ranking angel
"Lucifer" rebelled against God and wanted to be equal with
God. To add further insult, Lucifer, to be later known as
Satan, convinced one-third of
the angelic host of his plan to rule in opposition of God!
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God ruled from the very
center of the universe amidst the stones of fire, on the
earth, in the area known as "The Fertile Crescent".
It was from this location that God set up what could be
called a "Hall of Justice" or Heavenly City Hall.
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When Satan and the
angelic host rebelled against God He vacated His earthly
dominion (which became dark, without form and void) and
created mankind to be the steward of His domain.
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God the Holy Spirit moved
or hovered over the waters prior to creating a place
suitable for man to exist. One pastor described the word
"moved" in the context of a mother bird brooding over her
young. After creating Adam, He then entrusted stewardship of
the earth to Adam.
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Although God instructed
Adam and warned him to exercise dominion over a
potential threat, Satan in the disguise of a serpent
deceived Eve. Adam, indifferent to God's instruction sinned
willfully resulting in expulsion from the Garden of Eden!
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We know that God's
creation, when given the choice to exercise their free will,
sinned against God. His angelic, heavenly creation attempted
to be as equal as God while His earthly creation
mankind thought he was as good as God by knowing what was
better for him!
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Because of mankind's
rebellion and sin, God could no longer use him in the
capacity of stewardship. The angelic host had given their
heavenly authority to Satan and his demonic host while
mankind gave full reign of the earth to Satan! Please
note that 2/3 of the angelic host did not adhere to Satan's
plan of evil and serve God until this day.
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Up until this point we
demonstrated throughout scriptures the angelic activity that
had occurred while specifically noting Jacob's encounter as he
saw angels ascending and descending on the earth.
Therefore as God's "prince" Jacob otherwise known as Israel would be God's
chosen nation to win back control of the earth! Please be
reminded that God in his infinite love wants to see his creation
to accomplish His will. Choosing man, who was created "lower than
the angels", would be the perfect choice! This model of God was
communicated to the apostle Paul who echoed the same as noted in
1 Corinthians 1:25-29:
25 Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of
God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory
in his presence.
In order for Israel to
succeed it would have to rely solely on God to be its provider,
peace-maker, righteousness, banner and continual presence.
Israel would have to understand its limitations and shortcomings
but as we know since we have all sixty-six books of the bible at
our disposal it failed every test miserably and became
self-sufficient and self-righteous in the process!
After rejecting God
The Father through the beheading of John the Baptist,
rejecting God The Son through the cross and concluding
its utter hatred and rebellion towards God through the rejecting
of God The Holy Spirit at the stoning of Stephen, Israel
already divorced from God (ref. Israel's "whoredom" in
Hosea 1) would be ready for the judgment of God as described in
the prophetic books contained in the Old Testament as well as
the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ! From God's
viewpoint, Israel would now be set aside without being given
national status or distinction; not even the 1948 edict
proclaiming her to be a nation (since that was ordained by
man
not by God)!
Now, before being
accused of being anti-Semitic I am a Zionist through and through
friends because I believe God is NOT finished with Israel. Not
only do I love Israel because they have guts but since I take
the bible literally I also know that scripture says Messiah will
return. As a matter of fact, I could devote pages and pages of
scripture and study material on what God has planned for His
chosen nation which is for a future time in His plan of events.
I think there is more secret anti-Semitism going on in
the form of religions that believe they have replaced
Israel friends. Even more anti-Semitic in my humble opinion are
those that do not understand the message of the grace of
God (as Christ revealed distinctly to Paul) and reside in many
of our fundamental, protestant denominations proclaiming
to be Judea-Christian while reading themselves into areas of the
bible not meant for them thus stealing promises to and for
Israel alone! With that segue lets talk about the purpose of The
Body of Christ.
To reiterate starting
from God's two-fold purpose in
Genesis 1:1
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In the beginning God created the heaven and
the earth;
God would deploy free-will
agents to win back the earth (that Adam willingly gave up) AND
the heavens which is where The Body of Christ comes into play.
However, like Israel as a nation, the Body of Christ has failed
every test miserably, become self-sufficient and self-righteous
in the process of reclaiming the heavens for God.
"I
think there is more secret anti-Semitism going on in the form of
religions that believe they have replaced Israel friends.
Even more anti-Semitic in my humble opinion are those that do
not understand the message of the grace of God (as Christ
revealed distinctly to Paul) and reside in many of our
fundamental, protestant denominations proclaiming to be
"Judea-Christian" while reading themselves into areas of the
bible not meant for them thus stealing promises to and for
Israel alone!"
However, like Israel as a
nation, the Body of Christ has failed every test miserably,
become self-sufficient and self-righteous in the process of
reclaiming the heavens for God.
"LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY"
by Russell S. Miller
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good"
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Romans 12:9
The Pauline epistles have much to say about "Love Without
Hypocrisy". The meaning of hypocrisy is simple enough -- playing
a part rather than actually living the part. The television is
clearly an instrument of hypocrisy. The world is full of actors,
all pretending to be somebody they’re not, whereas believers in
Christ ought to be living a true life for our Saviour. The love
with which Timothy’s mother and grandmother cherished him,
however, was most assuredly not produced by Hollywood. What a
testimony his life and character was to the truth of God’s Word.
See II Timothy 1:5:
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother
Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
The word "unfeigned" is translated "without dissimulation" in
Romans 12:9 and "without hypocrisy" in James 3:17. It is also
found in II Corinthians 6:6; I Timothy 1:5; and I Peter l:22.
The word "love", of Romans 12:9, was not produced in Hollywood
either. It is that "love of God" (Rom. 5:5,8; 8:35) that
eternally secures believers in Christ with "all spiritual
blessings in the heavenlies" (Eph. 1:3). But our local
assemblies would do well in "denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts" (Tit. 2:12). This would produce so much more for the
cause of Christ through "His constraining love" (II Cor. 5:14).
If believers of all walks of life would only "be filled with the
Spirit" (Eph.5:18) they would not "fulfil the lust of the flesh"
(Gal.5:16). This is why Paul writes Timothy:
"Now the end of the commandment is charity [agape] out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned [without
hypocrisy]" (I Tim. 1:5).
Peter wrote to the Jewish remnant, "scattered throughout" Asia
Minor, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (I Pet. 1:22).
"A pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith" produces
the kind of true love, that balance in the Christian life, that
brings forth fruit, unto God.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh" (Gal.5:16).
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
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Today's World News
Book of The Month Club:
Philippians
Philippians 1
 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in
Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always
in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to
think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both
in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all
are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long
after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that
your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere
and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and
praise of God. 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the
things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in
all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in
the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the
word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;
and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not
sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of
love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then?
notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know
that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation
and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,
whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and
to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait
betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is
far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for
you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and
continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That
your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming
to you again. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel
of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing
terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of
perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it
is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also
to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me,
and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to
be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without
murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the
word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not
run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon
the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you
all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I
trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also
may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man
likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek
their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know the
proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in
the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I
shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also
myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier,
but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed
after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that
he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had
mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have
sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that,
when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less
sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh
unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service
toward me.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross. - Philippians
2:5-8
Philippians 3
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of
dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the
circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof
he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews;
as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the
church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But
what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend
that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same
thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have
told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I beseech Euodias,
and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I
intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers,
whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which
ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and
the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord
greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I
speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how
to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have
well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye
Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent
once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I
desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and
abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were
sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,
wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father
be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you,
chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
__________________________
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
-
Philippians 4:4-7
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COFFEE
CORNER
How do
we take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake?
Shortly after church one Sunday morning we discussed a
very challenging topic: How do we take pleasure in the
sicknesses, heartaches and trials of life? We all know
of many churches who on Wednesdays and Thursdays
actually pray the opposite of what the apostle Paul
encourages us to do! My brother Bruce and I decided that
we most certainly do not take pleasure as we
should!
But the best way to examine what Paul had in mind for us
is to understand what was going on when he wrote to the
saints at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 12: 1-10
- 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to
glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the
Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago,
(whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of
the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one
caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man,
(whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell:
God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise,
and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for
a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of
myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For
though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool;
for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any
man should think of me above that which he seeth me to
be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be
exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,
the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the
Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
In verses 1 and 2 Paul tells us
that it is not advantageous for him to glory in what he
is about to tell us; almost feeling guilty of what he
had seen by revelation from God. In a vision and
revelation from Christ about fourteen years earlier from
this writing to the saints at Corinth or about 44 A.D.,
he knew about a certain man. This "man" was in Christ; a
believer who was either alive, dead, in a dream or
somewhere in between (although Paul is not certain).
Only God knows that this man was called up to the third
heaven:
In verses 3 and 4 Paul again testifies
that only God knew of the actual state of this person
and that this individual was caught up into the
third heaven or paradise to hear unspeakable words! In
fact it is believed that Paul is speaking about himself
which correlates directly to his stoning in Acts 14:
19,20.
19
And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and
Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned
Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been
dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about
him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next
day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
In Acts 14:19 certain Jews rose up against the apostle
of the Gentiles, stoned him, took his body out of the
city and left him for dead. As the stunned disciples
stood around him, Paul rose up and went back into the
city before leaving with Barnabas for Derbe!
It is this experience that leads many bible
students to believe that Paul was stoned "to death" and
therefore continued to receive visions and revelations from Jesus
Christ. I fully support this theory although in 2
Corinthians 12 Paul does not plainly disclose his
identity as to not appear to be "puffed up".
It is at this point where we begin to "mine" into
"taking pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake"
Paul, being completely honest with himself and with his
audience in verses 6 and 7 tells us that
though he would love to glory in what he was shown by
Christ, he will not be a fool! He tells us: "I'm
going to tell you the truth but I need to withhold some
detail lest you think more about my sayings or about me.
As a matter of fact, Christ Himself has left me with my
own personal affliction to assure that I won't exalt
myself above measure (so great and awesome were these
visions...).
The apostle continues in verse 8 as he
tells us that he prayed three times for the Lord to
remove this sickness, weakness or affliction from him.
However, the Lord Jesus' response was that His very
grace was sufficient for Paul! Friends, it does not
matter what was bothering Paul. God did not tell us so
that each one of us could plug in our own "thorn in the
flesh" or "messenger of Satan" in order to take full
advantage of understanding the sufficiency that rests in
Jesus Christ for His strength is made perfect in
weakness. Why you may ask???? Because at this
point in our lives; in our weakest moments, we have no
other choice but to look towards Him. Paul then
exhorted:
Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore
I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
If we are honest with one another, we are scared,
frightened and worried when we wrestle with the
afflictions of life. Paul doesn't tell us that we should
pray for afflictions. Neither does the apostle suggest
that we should intentionally harm ourselves in order to
find favor with God friends. But he knows through his
experiences that sicknesses or trials are a natural part
of this pitiful life and only the contentment of Christ
can give us the rest we need!
If we are also honest with ourselves we know that when
things are going smoother in life our flesh does
not have a tendency to be as thankful as we ought.
However, Jesus Christ is not waiting for us to fail
so that He can rub our noses in it to assure that we
will remember Him. Instead, He wants us to have full
assurance that His grace and His complete
sufficiency is all that we need in our most
difficult of times! In Philippians, Paul tells us that
Jesus wants to know all of our hearts prayer and
supplication:
6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. -
Philippians 4:6,7
Later in his prison epistles Paul becomes the model for
us to look heavenward during extreme circumstances and
suffering. Thankfully, many of us will not have to
endure the type of persecution that Paul endured for
'the faith". We will likely not have to endure a
physical "life and death" battle to contend for the
faith as past saints have had to do. And most
importantly, Jesus Christ endured all of the suffering
we would ever have to endure on our behalf so that He
could proclaim "my grace is sufficient for you"!
Friends, I don't have lightening in a bottle or a silver
bullet to assure that we will not go through suffering,
loss or pain because this is what we can most definitely
expect in this sin-soaked world. I cannot tell you that
despite being complete in Christ that we won't
experience doubt or fear. But I can tell you this:
Whatever negative thing does occur in our lives is
not due to judgment from God! He loves us and gave
His Son for us while we were estranged from Him, while
we were aliens (Romans 5, Ephesians 3). Much more
then as sons and daughters of the living God we have
the Holy Spirit indwelling us permanently (Eph. 1:13)
and praying for us and we have an advocate; Jesus Christ
who not only saved us from the debt and penalty of sin
but gave us His very righteousness! We have The Creator
(Col. 1:14-17) of the universe preciously interested in
every detail and prayer of our lives... good or bad.
When Christ revealed to Paul that His grace was
sufficient for him, he meant it friends and He will not
disappoint us! During times of infirmities, reproaches,
necessities, persecutions and distresses let us take
pleasure in the fact that God is in control and that he
has provided the grace needed to overcome what life will
most assuredly dish out. May the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ find you content and desiring to learn more!
THE REVELATION OF JESUS
CHRIST
by
Cornelius R. Stam
The last
great book of the Bible opens with the words: "The revelation of
Jesus Christ," and from these words it derives its title: "The
Revelation." In this book St. John deals largely with the return
of Christ in glory to judge and reign.
II Thes. 1:7,8 tells us that one day "the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is
what the book of the Revelation is basically about. But this
phraseology is also used in Paul’s epistles, for in Gal. 1:11,12
he says:
"I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by
me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither
was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Surely this is not the same "revelation of Jesus Christ" of
which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to "the revelation of
Jesus Christ" in glory, but to "the revelation of Jesus Christ"
in grace while He delays the judgment; not His revelation to the
world in person, but His revelation to the world through Paul
the chief of sinners, saved by grace. In Verses 15,16 of Gal. 1,
the Apostle says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in
Me." What a revelation of grace to a sin-cursed world when God
saved Saul, His bitter, blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in
I Tim. 1:13-16, where he says:
"[I] was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious...
Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS
CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM
WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING."
This is why Paul says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son
in Me." By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls himself in
I Tim. 1:15), God would show us that He is willing to save any
sinner, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).
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been revoked".
Joe
knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able
to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after
further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was
not the intended recipient but instead "copied" or "cc'd" as a
reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost
his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to
be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO
mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for
those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for
Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!
In a much similar example, when
we
read the bible, identifying our TO
mail is very important lest
we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without
understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our
"cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently
"read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend.
The result when this happens: confusion!
(see
