Lesson 10 JESUS, SAVIOR, HEALER, REDEEMER, RETURNING KING

Behold the lamb! In the old testament when those in covenant with God would bring the sacrifice for sin; the sacrifice was examined not the worshipper. Traditions in religion has tried to change the way God works by carefully examining the worshipper for right standing with God. John the Baptist announced, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! BEHOLD THE LAMB; it is the close examination of the sacrifice where atonement is found.

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John 1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

The forerunner of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, said “BEHOLD! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  Jesus fulfilled all that John declared!  There is a call for the people of God to behold the Lamb of God!  So great was the Lamb who was God’s Lamb He would take away the sin of the world!  Beholding the Lamb is the only way to victory over sin, disease, sickness, and any bondage!  Jesus the Lamb has saved us, healed us, redeemed us, and will one day return for us!  Is today the day?

Acts 4:10  "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.  11  "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.‘  12  "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

The new testament church demonstrated it was by the name of Jesus people were healed.  What you think of Jesus determines your destiny both in this life and in all eternity! At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion Peter was denying Him; now to the very ones who killed Jesus, Peter was testifying and rebuking!  Jesus is the chief cornerstone for salvation healing and deliverance!  There is no other source whereby men can be saved.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

Hebrews 1:1  God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,  2  has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;  3  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

God has in this last days spoken to us by His Son Jesus Christ!  Jesus was the creator of heaven and earth.  He came in the expressed image of the Father’s person!  Jesus is upholding all things by the word of His power!  What a powerful truth, when Jesus by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high!  Jesus the Lamb of God by Himself purged us from our sin!  How great is the sacrifice; consider Jesus!  Even under the law of Moses it was the sacrifice that was considered to bring atonement; greater now the Lamb of God should be considered for our atonement!

Ephesians 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  16  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

We have been brought near to God by the blood of Jesus; saint of God consider the strength of the sacrifice!  Jesus Himself is our peace.  Jesus abolished in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandment contained in ordinances!  We have been reconciled by the cross and there is no other source of reconciliation.  The cross put to death the enmity and the blood of Jesus brought us near!  Oh that the church would lay hold of this truth!

Romans 6:8  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  9  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.  10  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  11  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  12  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Jesus died to sin once for all and death has no dominion over Him!  Likewise you also…  It is time that every true believer reckon themselves dead to sin and alive unto God!  Present yourselves as instruments of righteousness because that is what Jesus has done for you!

1 John 2:1  My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  2  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one!  What does the believer do when one sins?  Come to the Advocate Jesus Christ!  So many are stuck in a sin repent cycle; we learn to repent but not learn to trust and rely upon the fullness of our Advocacy!  Our Advocate is indeed the propitiation for our sins!  Consider Jesus!

Hebrews 3:1  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession consider His greatness!

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Laying aside the weight and the sin that easily ensnares us can only be done by looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith!  The Advocacy can only be experienced by turning our eyes upon the greatness of the supreme sacrifice; Behold the Lamb!

1 Peter 2:22  "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";  23  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;  24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

Jesus all by Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree!  When we died to sin we were empowered to live in righteousness.  It is by His stripes you were healed!  The atonement was for sin, sickness, disease, and every shackle, every perversions, and every stronghold of the enemy; the sacrifice brings wholeness.

Psalm 103:1  Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  3  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  4  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  5  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103 is prophetic and it shows the greatness of redemptions plan.  Forget not all His benefits!  He forgives all your iniquities, and heals all your diseases.  Jesus redeems our life from destruction and crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies!  He is a good God satisfying our mouth with good things! He is Savoir, Healer, Redeemer, and returning King!

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  12  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  13  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

It is the grace of God that teaches us to deny the ungodliness and live in righteousness.  It is divine influence teaching us to look for the return of Jesus our King!  Yes, our Savior, our Healer, our Redeemer, and our returning King!

1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  15  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Those who die with faith in Jesus go into His presence with their spirit and soul; however when our Jesus comes back He is bringing with Him all that have died in Christ Jesus!  They will come back and receive their glorified body and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the air!  So shall we ever be with the Lord!

Hebrews 9:24  For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;  25  not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another;  26  He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  27  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,  28  so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

This is a powerful passage to look into if we are going to behold the Lamb in His fullness.  Jesus went into the presence of God the Father for us!  Once at the end of the ages, His appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  The next time Jesus appears it will be apart from sin and for salvation.  Who is He returning for?  Those who eagerly wait for Him to appear!  This passage settles my end time view!  Jesus in Revelations comes back to earth and indeed deals with sin and the unbelievers.  However, there is the next time He comes back which has nothing to do with sin.  He the Bridegroom is coming to get His bride.  He promised to prepare a place for those who believe in Him!  JESUS OUR SAVIOR, HEALER, AND RETURNING KING.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Theme 8

God has a desire for His church; it is my prayer we will become a reflection of His desire and Word by operating fully in the Spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost.

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1 Corinthians 12:1  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

The desire of God is for the body of Christ not to be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts.  For far too many, even “Spirit” filled churches, the supernatural gifts in operation are an oddity.  God’s intent was for the spiritual gifts to be in operation as the normal functioning of the body of Christ!

1 Corinthians 12:2  You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.  3  Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.  4  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  5  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  6  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

The working of the Holy Spirit is active from the Holy Spirit attracting us, to the confession of faith, our water baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the believer operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit!  When the Father brings the revelation of Jesus Christ it is the working of the Spirit of God in our lives.  That is why no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.  There are diversities of activities by the Spirit of God, but it is the same God who works all in all.   Hear verse 7 clearly!  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.  There is a two fold truth being declared.  The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one!  You are not the exception!  To each one it has been given.  The second truth, it is for the profit of all.  The gifts are for the encouragement, exhortation, instruction of the body.

THE NINE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The spiritual gifts are a supernatural working of God through a yielded believer.  It is for the benefit of the body of Christ, to exhort, to encourage, instruct, and to convince all that God is at work in His body.  It is for the profit of all!

1 Corinthians 12:8  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,  9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,  10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The nine gifts listed are the working of the same Holy Spirit!  See again God declares distributing to each one individually as God wills!  This leaves no room for any believer to think God does not want to operate in the gifts of the Spirit through them; it is indeed to each one individually… You are not the exception to this truth.

These nine gifts can be separated into three groups.  The gifts that reveal His Omniscience, His Omnipotence, and His Omnipresence.

1. The Heart of God revealed by God sharing His Omniscience (all knowing God) with assembled believers!

Word of Wisdom; A word spoken supernaturally that reveals the wisdom of God about a person or situation that brings a resolution of actions not clear before the word was manifested

Word of Knowledge; A word spoken supernaturally revealing that which was unknown by the believer being used in the gift prior to the word being given. The secrets of mans heart revealed, bringing the unknown to light supernaturally.

Discerning of spirits; The supernatural ability to know the spiritual source of power in use.  The power to distinguish between the operation of the Spirit of God, evil spirits, or person working out of their own carnality. 

2. The Heart of God revealed by sharing his Omnipotence with assembled believers. The Power of God unveiled

The gift of Faith:  A supernatural impartation of faith on the believer being used.  The believer is enabled to believe God, beyond their own level of maturity of faith, for a specific need or issues.

The gifts of Healings: Gods power to heal sickness and disease.  A supernatural impartation for a believer to walk with the ability to heal the infirmed around them.

The working of Miracles: God's power that supersedes the laws of nature.  A believer empowered to work contrary to nature resulting from supernatural intervention.  Example Jesus turned the water into wine!

3. The voice of God revealed showing us His Omnipresence by bring a message of exhortation and encouragement. Making His presence known.

Gift of tongues: Speaking the mysteries of God in an unknown tongue by the one speaking.

Gift of Interpretation: an interpretation of the tongues spoken revealing the mysteries of God with words of exhortation, encouragement, and words of instructions that uplift.

Gift of Prophecy: A supernatural revelation of God’s word revealed through the one prophesying; for edification, exhortation, or comfort.

1 Corinthians 12:11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

1 Corinthians 14:1  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 13 is called the great love chapter.  Paul taught about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in chapter 12 and 14 and made it clear the gifts of the Spirit were to be exclusively operated through the love of God in chapter 13.  Pursue love and desire Spiritual gifts; the instruction is not a suggestion!  We have been commanded to desire Spiritual gifts!

1 Corinthians 14:5  I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Corinthians 14:12  Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Yes the gifts need to operate motivated in love with an intent to edify the church.

1 Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. … 31  For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  33  For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Whenever you come together each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation!  Let all things be done for edification!  The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  When the Spirit of God comes upon us it is not without control!  The gifts should always operated in divine order!    

1 Corinthians 14:14  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.  15  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Here is the only bible defined way to pray in the spirit!  If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays.  Pray with the spirit and with the understanding!  Sing with the spirit and with understanding.  God has a prayer language for each believer; but every believer may not be used in the gifts of tongues.  Some have confused the difference.  The apostle Paul declared he thanked God he spoke in tongue more than all of them.  That was his prayer language; yet in the church when it was time for him to teach it was with understanding!

1 Corinthians 14:39  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.  40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

The expectation of scripture is for the body of Christ to operate in the nine Spiritual gifts!  The secrets of the hearts of men will be revealed and they will have to confess that God is among us.  Let God have His way in you!

Discipleship 12 Major Themes Lesson 8 Graceful Giving part 2

Living from the better promises is a great motivation to grow in the grace of giving!

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Matthew 6:1  "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  2  "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  3  "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,…

Matthew 6:4  "that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Do your giving secretly before your Father in Heaven and He will reward you openly.  The spiritual disciplines done with a heart of intimacy with the Father will reap the greatest benefits.  Do not do it before men or do it out of a sense of duty, but do it because you long for fellowship and intimacy with the Father!  Doing with the right heart is as important as the doing itself!  You can note we have found praying, fasting and giving as points of intimacy.  While we often call them the spiritual disciplines, as we grow in intimacy with the Father we will find them our delight.

Hebrews 8:6  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Last week we talked about what graceful giving looks like.  This week we also what to include what it is not.  Jesus came with a more excellent ministry, Him being the Mediator of a better covenant.  This better covenant is established on better promises.  John wrote the law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

The law of commandments contained in the ordinances of the law stood against us!  Jesus abolished the enmity that was against us.  Jesus brought a better covenant!

Galatians 3:13  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law becoming a curse for us!  The law came with the curse and the blessing dependant upon the man’s performance.  As the law of Moses states “those who do such things shall live by them”.  Jesus did the performance and gives us imputed righteousness.  It is Jesus Christ doings that makes us blessed.

Hebrews 7:18  For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,  19  for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Jesus came with a greater priesthood; with a different priesthood came a changing of the law.  Jesus brought a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Malachi 3:7  Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?‘  8  "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.  9  You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.  10  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Under the law the people departed from the ordinances of the law.  They robbed God by not bringing in the tithes, sin offering, wave offering, trespass offering, and the list goes on.  Because they were under the law of Moses and their lack of performance brought them under a curse.  Believer’s under grace have a better covenant!  Believer’s are not under the curse.  Jesus became the curse!  Those teaching tithing from this Malachi perspective erroneously bring the believer back under the law of Moses!  Tithing is not based on what we find under the law.  Our covenant is superior to the law of Moses.

Hebrews 7:1  For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  2  to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,“  3  without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4  Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.  5  And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;  6  but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.  7  Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.  8  Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.  9  Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,  10  for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

The greater priesthood is receiving tithes of those who wisely give into the kingdom.  Jesus Christ is the Priest who remains and receives tithes today! 

Lets consider the greatness of Melchizedek from which Jesus' priesthood is derived!

Genesis 14:18  Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.  19  And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;  20  And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.

Melchizedek the priest of God Most High came and served Abram; note he served Abraham bread and wine.  Jesus as High Priest of this new covenant serves the bread and wine.  It was after Melchizedek blessed Abraham, Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek.  The Levites could be credited with paying tithes through Abraham because they were in his loins when he gave the tithe.

Matthew 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.“  27  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  28  "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

As Abraham did, we should respond by giving our tithe to our great High Priest who presently receives tithes from the worshippers.  Like Melchizedek, Jesus brought the bread and wine and blessed mankind with this new covenant.  We like Abraham, honor the priesthood we have been blessed by when we give a tithe.

Where Do We Bring Our Tithes to honor the greater One Jesus?

Genesis 28:20  Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, …  21  "so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.  22  "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."

Abraham gave a tithe to the priesthood of Melchizedek.  The next man giving a tithe is Abraham’s grandson Jacob.  Jacob promised to God a tithe of all if He brought Him home.  Like his grandfather, Jacob called the place Bethel which is the house of God.

Genesis 31:13  'I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.'"

Twenty years later God speaks to Jacob reminding him of the vow he had made.  God identified Himself as the God of Bethel.

Genesis 35:1  Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.“...  7  And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.

God reminds Jacob once again it is time to go to Bethel.  Now Jacob builds an altar there and calls the place El Bethel.  God is the God of the house of God.  Indeed it is where the tithe belongs!  GROW IN THE GRACE OF GIVING!

12 Major themes of the gospel Lesson 7 GRACEFUL GIVING part 1

The is a God ordained way to give; we have been called into growing in the grace of giving!

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2 Corinthians 8:1  Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia :  2  that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.  … 7  But as you abound in everything; in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us; see that you abound in this grace also.

God calls His children to abound in the grace of giving!  Let the divine influence of God direct your giving.  The new covenant clearly brings compelling truths for giving with the attitude of Jesus Christ. Abound in the grace of giving.  Poor, rich, or somewhere in between God is pleased when His children are givers.  Notice the Macedonians gave in their deep poverty.  God’s desire is for His children to abound in the grace of giving.

2 Corinthian 8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Jesus Christ was selfless in the degree to which He gave.  For God so loved the world that He gave… The Word has much to say about our giving and the motive we do it with; however, this passage points to the proper motive for giving very clearly!  Jesus robed Himself in human flesh and took on our poverty that you and I might become rich.  In our faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in our giving, God’s demonstration of love should be the compelling force.

2 Corinthians 9:5  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

God calls us to give from a willing mind and with a heart of mercy for those who are in need.  Walking with a heart for our brothers in sisters in Christ is a call to giving with the divine influence of God compelling us.

2 Corinthians 8:12  For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.  13  For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;  14  but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack; that there may be equality.  15  As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

God does not want us to learn about giving so that we might be burden while other have great abundance.  God does want the believer to give with a willing mind.  The priority is have a willing mind first!

2 Corinthians 9:6  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  7  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Sowing and reaping are part of the covenant of grace!  Sowing sparingly will give you a sparing harvest; sowing bountifully will also reap a great harvest!  This is a God idea that has superseded even the change of covenants. The degree to which you give is the degree to which you receive; wisdom asks do you want to receive bountifully?  God wants our giving to be done from the heart of cheerfulness.  Grudge giving or because you have to is a heart that has not grown and matured into graceful giving.

The promise is firm; God will make all grace abound toward you.  Bountiful giving will reap a harvest of plenty, having all sufficiency in all things!  Your sufficiency will be so great you will have an abundance for every good work.

1 Corinthians 9:3  My defense to those who examine me is this:  4  Do we have no right to eat and drink?  5  D o we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?  7  Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? 8  D o I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?  9  For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?  10  Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.  11  If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?  12  If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.  13  Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 

The believer’s giving is to support the work of the ministry.  Pastors, prophets, teachers, apostles, and evangelists have a right to expect to make a living from the gospel in which they labor.

1 Corinthians 9:14  Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 

Graceful giving is supporting the ministry of the kingdom.  1 Corinthians 9 teaches the ministers has a right to live from the gospel.  The apostle Paul declared that the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.  Oh, we should be careful to take care of the man of God who God has given us!

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  7  D o not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.  8  It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.   9  Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;  10  So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Human reasoning may come up with many reason not to be givers; however we have been called to not lean to our own understanding.  The wisdom of God is to honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first firstfruits of your increase; the promise is barns of plenty and vats overflowing!  Giving always brings the promise of provision.  I know many in the body of Christ have abused the sheep and have manipulated the word of God out of context for their own gain.  However, because the truth has been abused does not mean we can ignore or throw out the truth.  Jesus warned the Pharisee about taking from the widow for their own gain; he declared they would be facing great judgment.

Matthew 6:1  "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  2  "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  3  "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,…

Giving should always be a matter of intimacy between you and God.  Rather it is praying, reading the word, fasting, or our giving it should be done unto our God.  Our charitable deeds should be acts of obedience toward the Father.  Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!  Have you heard of receiving the right hand of fellowship?  Our doings should be centered around the motive of doing it before God and not man!  If the difference between the left and right hand are man’s glory or God’s glory, may we ever be doing acts with the right hand of fellowship from God.  Our giving should not be done for human carnal reasons to our own glory; our charitable deeds should be motivated from the compelling love of God to His glory.

Matthew 6:19  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  20  "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  21  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Earlier it was stated that the word of God has much to say about giving.  This passage is a measuring stick of where your heart is.  It is simple, where are you laying up your treasures, that is where your heart is.  What a man gives his time and treasure to is the revealing of where his heart is at.  If your heart is not measuring well with the Word, let God change your mindset.  Open your heart to giving into the kingdom of God .

12 Major Themes FASTING Theme 6

Fasting is done unto God the Father it is an act of worship and humility before Him. The Father promises to reward you openly for partaking in intimacy with Him through fasting just between you and He!

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Matthew 6:16  "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  17  "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  18  "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Fasting is a time set aside to deny our flesh that our inner man might rise up and direct our thoughts toward the Lord...that we may hear His voice more clearly...that we may become more in tune with the Holy Spirit's leading.

Notice Jesus said “when you fast”; He did not say if you fast.  God calls His children to fast.  We are called to fast unto God; do it secret and not before men.  The Father who is in the secret place will reward you.  The psalmist wrote “he that dwells in the secret place shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  This is a call to intimacy between the believer and God.  There is promised reward for the believer; the Father who sees in secret will reward you openly!  Here in this word is great motivation to fast before the Lord!

Ezra 8:22  For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him."  23  So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

FASTING IS TO SEEK OUR GO D , AND HIS MERCY!  Ezra had made boast in the truth of God’s word.  Ezra fasted and entreated God for His word to come to pass.  Ezra and his fellow believers fasted and God’s mercy brought the desired end.  It was always what God wanted to do.  Ezra was not manipulating God; Ezra’s heart was prepared to move in God’s direction without fear.  Fasting can make one’s heart pliable and ready for God to do His work in and through you!

Ester 4:14  "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?“  15  Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:  16  "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!“ 

The Jews were in a desperate situation with a decree signed by the king allowing their annihilation. Queen Ester was not allowed to go into the king without him calling for her without risking her own death.  The fasting and prayer brought a turning point to the whole situation.  Instead of annihilation it became the Jews day of deliverance.  Prayer and fasting can prepare us to receive God’s unforeseen answer.

Mark 2:18  The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?“  19  And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.  20  "But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.  21  "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.  22  "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."

Jesus is the bridegroom; His disciples could not fast while the bridegroom was with them.  One of the clear reasons to fast is for the bride to make declaration that we long for the returning of our Bridegroom; it is an expression and longing to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus taught that fasting was for the believer waiting for the return of Christ.  All the spiritual disciplines are not about the works in and of themselves. Prayer, fasting, giving, and speaking the word are all spiritual disciplines calling the believer to walk in intimacy with God.  If the motive is not right the practice of the discipline does no good!  Jesus begin to teach about wineskins in connection to fasting.  Fasting is treating the wineskin bag to make it flexible and able to receive the new wine.  It is a surrendering to the new creation God has made us and allowing the Holy Spirit to be poured into our lives.

Acts 13:1  Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  2  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.“  3  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.  4  So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Fasting and denying ourselves makes an opportunity to minister to the Lord unfettered. Have you realized you have been called to minister to the Lord? As in other examples we have used in this study, the will of God became very clear and apparent after this season of fasting.  The church was able to walk in it’s God given authority after seeking God’s will; they laid hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them away.  This sending out in Acts was the beginning of Paul ’s missionary journeys. 

Acts 10:30  So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,  31  "and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

Cornelius desired God, he fasted, prayed, and gave; salvation came to his household!  The angel of God told Cornelius “your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remember in the sight of God”. 

Fasting and prayer are two of the spiritual disciplines that go hand and hand.  They both lead into deeper intimacy with God. When you pray and fast with a heart toward God you will encounter God; He always rewards those who diligently seek Him.

12 Major Themes of the Gospel Lesson 5 PRAYER

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Prayer is an link to intimacy with God. There is much instruction in the word of God on prayer; in this lesson we only touch some highlights.

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Luke 6:12  Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:28  Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

Peppered throughout the 4 gospels are many verses that shows Jesus regularly went and prayed to the Father.  Our example Jesus Christ should be emulated.

Colossians 4:2  Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;  3  meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,.“

God calls us into relationship with Him.  Here is a command to continue earnestly in prayer!  Prayer is communication with God.  You talking to God and God talking to you!  When you hear the adverbs earnestly and vigilant recognize the heart of God in the command.  The Father longs for relationship with you and His heart is that it might be cyclical.  His heart is for you!  Another secret of prayer is doing it with thanksgiving!  A thankful heart and a complaining heart can not co-exist!  Coming with thanksgiving will erode the complaint in the presence of God!   A clear prayer directive; pray that the mystery of Christ will have a wide open door to be preached!

James 5:13  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.  14  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  15  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  16  Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.  18  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

The first reaction to suffering should be prayer; many traditions keep the believer from this word of instruction.  Are you cheerful?  Sing a psalm.  Sometimes we just read over words of instruction as merely a good idea; it is the call of God to intimacy with Him!  God’s way: if you are sick call for the elders of the church; a great promise is attached to the instruction.  Our traditions have us calling the doctors; however God’s intimacy instructs us to call for the elders and the prayer of faith will take effect!  ** note I’m not against the doctors; I’m for putting the word of God 1^st! The promise is the prayer of faith will heal the sick!  Does your experience or traditions disagree with this promise of God?  Exalt the word of God above past experiences and traditions that deplete your expectation.  God wants to raise your expectation to the level of His word!  Expect to be healed when you are prayed for.  This is not a prayer try out!  This is the word of God coming to pass in the believers life.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Has the blood of Jesus been applied?  You are the righteous man with prayers that avail much.  Effective is praying the word; fervent is surrendering to the intimacy with the Father as you pray!  God made it clear Elijah was a man like us; God heard his prayer.  Elijah prayed according to the word of God and he prayed fervently that the word would come to pass!  God is a prayer answering God!

Luke 11:1  Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Another example of Jesus had a prayer life between Him and the Father!  Jesus started with the believer hollowing the Father.  Recognize God is your Father.  You have been given the Spirit whereby you might cry out “Abba Father”

Luke 11:2  So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3  Give us day by day our daily bread.  4  And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.“  5  And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;  6  'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';  7  "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?  8  "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend,yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.   10  "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  11  "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  12  "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!“ 

Pray from the perspective that God is your Father!  Pray His kingdom come in your life as it is in heaven.  How is it in heaven?  Pray that for your life and for the body of Christ.  It starts with praise and putting His kingdom 1^st place.  Then we pray for our daily bread; this includes the bread for spirit, soul and body!  Forgiveness is often connected to instruction with how to pray!  Keep praying for His deliverance from the evil one. 

The ask, seek, and knock, principle has been shoved aside by some as not praying in faith.  However Jesus taught to be persistent in prayer until we see the manifestation!  The promise is clear, if you ask it will be given, if you seek you will find, and if you knock the door will be open.  God is a good God and He only gives good gifts! 

Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You can leave the anxious heart and pray with supplication and thanksgiving!  Earnest prayer coupled with thanksgiving yields the peace of God!  His peace will guard your heart and mind.  It starts with a joyful heart to the God of your salvation.

Revelation 5:8  Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 8:3  Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  4  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

The prayers of the saints are eternal.  Prayers are stored in heaven to be poured out to God again and He answers!

Isa 56:7  Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Mark 11:17  Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"

Here is one of the reasons my favorite service is prayer service.  It is the heart of God for the church to be called a house of prayer! 

2 Thessalonians 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,

1 Kings 8:26  "And now I pray, O God of Israel , let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.

Nehemiah 1:8  "Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations;  9  'but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.‘

Pray the word of God!  Put God in remembrance of His word!  He will bring it to pass!

Matthew 6:5  "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6  "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  7  "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Have a prayer closet!  The church sets aside time for the body to pray in the church prayer closet.  You need a prayer closet at home.  When you pray secretly to your heavenly Father he will reward you openly!  Jesus does not teach against repetition in your prayers; he teaches against vain repetitions.  Prayer not based on the word or prayers that are filled with traditions in disagreement with the word are vain prayers.  We are joined to the Father Spirit to spirit and He calls us to pray from that intimacy!

Ephesians 6:18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

Mark 11:20  Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  21  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.“  22  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  23  "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  24  "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  25  "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Prayer begins with the object of your faith being exclusively in God and in no other!  You can speak to the mountain and it will move.  Believing God in your requesting will bring it to pass!  Put it in your mouth; you can have what you say!  Complaint and not living in forgiveness is the greatest prayer blockers!  You have been given the Spirit; it is in you to forgive!  Nursing the offense and holding onto the hurt is not forgiveness!  Does the offense still stir in your heart when you think of them?  Obedience is the key, bless them  that persecute you and pray for them who have despitefully used you!

Romans 12:19  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  20  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."  21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God longs to answer your prayer because of His intimacy with you; allow the intimacy!