Jesus Came; Grace for Grace; Faith to Faith; Glory to Glory

Jesus came full of grace and truth, to reveal a righteousness of faith in God, and to transform us from glory to glory.

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Jesus Came; Grace for Grace; Faith to Faith; Glory to Glory

12-23-2012

Hebrews 5:13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  14  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  6:1  Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,  2  of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  3  And this we will do if God permits.

Last week we ended with the end of Hebrews 5.  This is another case where chapter and verse numbers break up the continuity of the scriptures.  Let it be noted those who are on the milk of the word are unskilled in righteousness.  God’s desires that every believer become skilled in the word of righteousness.  The word of righteousness is the spiritual grown up food.  The word of  righteousness that Jesus brings is the food that has matured the believer and causes them to exercise their actions by discerning good and evil.

God has called us to leave the elementary principle of Christ!  We will get to the elementary principle in a moment; however, let us recall what the skilled believer will thrive in.  It is the word of righteousness!  Without being skilled in the word of righteousness there will be no going on to perfection! 

John the beloved wrote  to the children to remind them their sins are forgiven.  This is the beginning of the word of righteousness but it is the milk of the word.  John wrote to the young men because the word of God was abiding in them and they had overcome the evil one.  It is imperative that the heart of the believer become established by the word of God’s grace.  Then John wrote to the fathers because they have known the Father!

The elementary principles are sure.  Repentance from dead works and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation!  It is where the babes in Christ need to start at.  There needs to be a craving for the milk of the word of God.  God has called to know what we believe and why we believe it.  It is a strengthening for every believe to learn to meditate in the word of God. 

Then there are the truths of the doctrines of baptisms.  Baptism into Christ,  baptism in the Holy Spirit, water baptism, and the least taught one, the baptism of suffering.  

Then there is the truth of the laying on of hands.  The elders laying on of hands and the prayer of faith healing.  The laying on of hands of the presbytery to send out the saints into their ministries.

The final elementary teaching mentioned is the truths of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment.  However we are instructed to go on into perfection by being skilled in the word of righteousness.  The word of righteousness is from grace to grace, and from faith to faith, and from glory to glory.  It is all about having intimacy with a loving God and living life inside that intimacy with God.

John 1:16  And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.  17  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  18  No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Jesus Christ came full of grace and truth.  Jesus does not pour into us on a shadow surface level.  Jesus does not pour into us from the perspective of the law that leaves the worshiper in fear and trembling.  Jesus is in the bosom of  the Father and from that position and perspective He pours into our lives the truths about the Father.

John 17:3  "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Eternal life is to know God in intimacy!  Much like a husband and wife knowing one another in intimacy you can know God!   The greatest thing in all our lives is to grow in knowing God!  This happens from grace to grace.  It comes from the divine influence of God Himself upon our heart; this is what grace is!  We receive from Jesus' fullness and it is divine influence upon divine influence.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Without the divine influence of grace we could not be brought to faith!  Intimacy with God only come through faith in Jesus the Messiah.  Yes it brings the righteousness at salvation however there is a revelation of righteousness of God should continually grow in our life.  The greater the revelation in your life the greater maturity you can walk in.  God brings us to divine intimacy so we can walk this lifestyle of  faith.  It is not a moment in time it is a way of abundant life for every believer.

1 John 5:4  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.  5  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The object of your faith must ever be Jesus Christ and the finished work he performed at the cross.  Your source of victory can not be found in anything or anyone else.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We no longer live as the old man we once were; we now live as a newly created being God has made us.  By faith we put off the old man, renew our mind, and put on the new man.  Living by faith in the one true Messiah.

2 Corinthians 3:12  Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech;  13  unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.  14  But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.  15  But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.  16  Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  17  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  18  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

This word of truth gives me such great hope I use boldness of speech!  God is transforming you from glory to glory!  Turn your eyes upon Jesus; He is the source for grace, faith, and His glory. Christians not walking in victory are blinded.  The veil is taken away in Christ!  Abundant life is the intended purpose of God for every believer!  As we turn our eyes up on Jesus in intimacy we are transformed from grace to grace, faith to faith, and glory to glory!  May you rise and shine for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Growing In The Word Of Grace

God raises a standard against the enemy; He wants to fill us with His Spirit and put His word in our mouth. This is all done through our High Priest Jesus Christ our Lord!

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Growing In The Word Of Grace

Hebrews 5:1  For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.  2  He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.  3  Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.  4  And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.  5  So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You."  6  As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek";

The compare contrast between the covenant of the law and the covenant of grace and truth continue.  Now it begins to center on the priesthood of Aaron and the priesthood of Melchizedek.  The priesthood of Aaron, known as the Levitical Priesthood, came with a weakness.  The blood line came from man; therefore the earthly priesthood weakness was the man had offer sacrifice first for himself.  The heavenly priesthood came with the only begotten Son of God.  The earthly priesthood was a temporary assignment in the brotherhood of the Levites doing a temporary work; the heavenly priesthood is forever and deals with eternal issues.

Hebrews 5:7  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,  8  though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  9  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him!  Which priesthood are you submitted to?  Only one priesthood has the power to bring eternal salvation.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus is everything the prophet Isaiah said He would be.  Jesus is the one who has brought everlasting life.  He indeed is the Father of everlasting life.  He is the first fruits of the resurrected eternal life.  Jesus alone is the resurrection and the life!  He is our awesome High Priest.  It is a line that is under preached, the kingdom of God rest upon the shoulder of Jesus Christ.  Without Jesus there would be no eternal salvation.  Jesus has the preeminence and He rules this kingdom in righteousness and truth.

Hebrews 5:11  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.  12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  14  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The truth that Jesus is our High Priest is so great!  The ramifications of this truth are great!  The understanding of what it means that Jesus is our High Priest can be measured in the believer by the victory walked in, or the lack thereof.  This covenant of grace speaks the word of righteousness.  It is the righteousness of faith in Jesus Christ and no other!  God wants every believer to be partakers of the solid food that are found in the principles of grace and truth.  It is the desire of God  for every believer’s heart be established by the word of His grace.   I am Pentecostal by experience; however, there is an issue I have with Pentecostals of many flavors.  So many are living by one good Holy Ghost service to another and have skipped over having their heart established by the Word of God.  Shouting, dancing, speaking in tongues, praise and worship are wonderful; however, your victory can not be in any one of those experiences alone!  It is time for us Pentecostals to grow up by the word of His grace.  Being skilled in the word of righteousness is the only road to maturity. 

2 Peter 1:8  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

The word of righteousness keeps you reminded that your sins are forgiven and beyond that you can truly walk with victory in every area of your life.  God’s divine power has given us everything we need for the issues of life in godliness and holiness.  We the body of Christ can no longer afford to be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We used to sing a song year ago “He done so much for me, I can not tell it all”.  We need to get that message back in our mouth!  Complaint and murmurings must be put away; satan is robbing us from our victory by keeping the defeat in our mouth.  It is time for shortsightedness  and blindness to be ended in the body of Christ.  Your righteousness provided by Christ is great enough to bring you victory in every area of your life. What if the only thing between you and victory is the words in your mouth?  Are you willing to declare the exalted word of God minus the complaint and murmuring?

2 Peter 3:17  You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;  18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

I can feel the heart and spirit of the message Peter is declaring!  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  12  teaching usthat, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

It is the grace of God that teaches us.  It not living by your feeling or the Holy Ghost goose bumps you feel; it is living by the divine influence of God leading you into victory in every area of your life.  Submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit is not just a good shout on Sunday morning.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth!  God calls us to come in the greater place of grace, victory and triumph.

1 John 2:12  I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.  13  I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.  14  I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

The children need to be reminded their sins are forgiven for the name of Jesus’ sake!  However the young men are strong and the word of God abides in them; and they overcome the wicked one.  Jesus said it!  If you abide in me and my word abides in you ask what you will and it shall be done.

Romans 5:19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

1 Peter 2:1  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,  2  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

We are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ alone; complete and total reliance upon Jesus being our High Priest is the exclusive way to righteousness.  As we grow in the knowledge of the word of grace nothing will be able to remove us from being partakers of the inheritance Jesus provides.

Luke 4:4  But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"

Isaiah 59:21  "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."  60:1  Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

God longs for us to arise and shine and His glory to be upon us; however we can not skip divine order!  We must surrender to His Spirit upon us and we must allow the Word of God to be in our mouth!

Victory By Finding His Rest

Labor to enter His Rest

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Victory By Finding His Rest

Hebrews 3:12  Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;  13  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  14  For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

Remember we are in the middle of comparing and contrasting Moses as a servant over the household of the law and Jesus as the Son over the household of the covenant of grace and truth.  Jesus is worthy of more honor that Moses! Faith in Jesus Christ makes us partakers of the greater household.  Hold your confidence in Jesus to the end!  What is the object of your faith?  It must be always and ever be Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This is the place of rest; I get ahead of myself.

Hebrews 3:15  while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."  16  For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt , led by Moses?  17  Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?  18  And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?  19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

God desires that His people live in His rest; the children of Israel never enter into His rest.  When we come to faith in Christ it is indeed a place of rest.  God never intended His people to leave that place of rest and refreshing that comes from Jesus' provision.  The enemy of our soul, man traditions, and the law of Moses are avenues that can draw us away from the rest found in Jesus Christ.  The way to remain in the rest is exclusively found in learning about Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

The burden of my heart is for the people of God who have never found a way to live in the rest of God.  Children of God are trapped in fear, loneliness, heartbreak, powerlessness, and unfruitfulness; they are blind to the way of victory.  Jesus has this invitation to “Come to Me”.  So many have come but have not taken Jesus' words and instruction to heart.  “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.”  Living in the fullness of God’s rest is a process of learning from Jesus!  God wants your heart to be established by the word of His grace.  Jesus will teach you to live in the better covenant found in the grace He has provided.  Departing from the provision of grace brings us away from the rest for our souls.  Those who are trying to live in the provision of the law of Moses can not walk in the rest of Jesus Christ.  The enemy of our soul wants to trap us in trusting in our own performance instead of believing in the way of the cross.  So many believers are not walking in the sureness of the finished work of Christ.   Jesus' promise is “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:1  Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.  2  For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.  3  For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.  4  For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";  5  and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."  6  Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,  7  again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."  8  For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.  9  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.  10  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.  11  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

God wants you to walk in the fullness of rest!  There is a rest for every child of God!  Victory is not elusive!  Union with Christ is a reality that is great; if any man be in Christ He is a new creation.  The rest of God is found living as the new creation!  Whoever has enter the rest of God has ceased from his works.   Be diligent to enter that rest!  The seventh day of rest in creation was the first proclamation of salvation even before the fall of man transpired.  Jesus opened the way into the rest of God.  Not as a moment in time, but a life that is abundant and victorious. 

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Submitting to the living word of God is the way to learn the lifestyle of rest.  God has done a perfected work in the believer’s spirit.  {Hebrews 12:23 and Hebrews 10:14 John 4:24) God is doing a progressive work in our soul and our body will wait for the perfecting work at the trump of God.  This is the covenant where God is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Ephesians 4:22-25)  At salvation the process begins with the perfected spirit.  The work grows as we are transformed by the renewing of our mind.  The more we submit our soul to the living word of God the quicker our soul can come in line with what God has already done in our spirit.  Christians not living in victory have a soul that has not submitted to the living word of God; there has been no renewing of the mind.  (Romans12:1-3)  With out renewing of the mind, the thought processes that exalt their self against the knowledge of God are allow to continue.  The soul not submitted to the word of God will develop stronghold that prevent the believer from walking in victory.

2 Corinthians 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  5  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Living by considering Jesus as our High Priest and Apostle of our confession can break every stronghold of the enemy in our life!  Considering Jesus can bring our soul in line with our spirit so we can speak what God speaks.  Considering Jesus puts our hearts in line with the will of God.  Considering Jesus brings the answer to every bondage, oppression, or stronghold in our life.  Considering Jesus gives us confidence before God!

Hebrews 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  14  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our High Priest has been our forerunner into the presence of God.  As our Advocate He sympathizes with our weaknesses and His success is our success.  He has made a clear and open way for us to come into the throne of grace!  In the covenant of grace we come boldly in the hour we need mercy and grace the most!

Hebrews 4:10  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.  11  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Jesus by the virtue of the new covenant calls us into His rest.  The King James version says to labor to enter into His rest.  There is this new and living way found exclusively through Jesus Christ.  You, as the believer have been set up for victory by the divine plan and influence of God!

The Apostle and High Priest of Our Confession

Jesus is our faithful Apostle and High Priest of our confession. His faithfulness is our security!

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The Apostle and High Priest of Our Confession

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

Much like the book of Romans, Hebrews is also a building block style of writing.  Going to the middle of the books without understanding the truths established earlier in the book leads to misunderstand and sometimes outright false doctrines.  Hebrews 3:1 starts with the word “therefore”.  Because of the truths found in Hebrews 1 and 2 we are ready to build further to bring greater revelation to that truth.  The Father speaks to us now exclusively through His Son who after He purged us from our sin sat down at the right hand of God.  Jesus was exalted and the Father set in stone forever the deity of Jesus calling Him God!  We see Jesus who suffered for our sin and bore the guilt shame and faced the punishment for our sin.  Because of His obedience to the cross is able to come to our aid.  Because of this truth we can be called holy brethren!  Oh that all of the body of Christ would gain the truth we are holy brethren who are partakers of the heavenly calling!  Jesus made you and I partakers.  Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.

Have you ever stopped and consider Jesus to such a degree you know Him to be your Apostle (sent one) and High Priest (advocate) of your confession.  The church would do well to meditate on the meaning that Jesus is our High Priest and Apostle.

1 Peter 2:25  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus' work to deal with our sin is finished.  It is the finished work of the cross.  Jesus' work as Apostle and High Priest is still an on going work on your behalf.  Jesus is truly the great Shepherd and Overseer of your soul!  The KJV says He is the Bishop of your soul.  The great Shepherd loves and cares for His sheep; He is always overseeing and caring and advocating for those who have submitted to Him.

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Jesus is faithful.  JESUS IS FAITHFUL!!  Jesus will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  Oh that the saint would have this word in their mouth, “Jesus is faithful and He establishes me and guards me from the evil one!”.  If we the saints of God would get the complaint out of our mouth and put the powerful word of truth in its place we would experience satan being the defeated foe in our life.

Hebrews 3:1  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2  who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

Here in Hebrews 3 it becomes a compare and contrast between the household of the law of Moses and the household of Jesus Christ.

John 1:17  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  18  No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

The covenant of grace comes exclusively through Jesus Christ.  If you are a partaker of grace you seek to hear from the bosom of the Father.  Our Apostle and High Priest came to let us know and learn the intimacy His reconciliation has brought us!

Hebrews 3:3  For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.  4  For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.  5  And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant,for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,  6  but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

The greater glory is found in Jesus Christ.  The greater honor is found in Jesus Christ!  Moses was found faithful as a servant; Jesus is found faithful as the Son over the Father’s house.  We belong to that house if we hold fast the confidence of our confession.  Jesus is our Messiah.  We must consider Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our confession!

Hebrews 3:7  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,  8  Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,  9  Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.  10  Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.'  11  So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

The covenant that made men servants never allowed men to enter the rest of God.  However we can consider the work of our Apostle and High Priest to understand our availability to His rest.

John 8:34  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35  "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

The difference between the households is expressed in the slaves can be sold out of the house, but a son abides forever.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!  Under the law of  Moses one could never truly be set free from sin.  Consider Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our confession who frees us from our sin; freedom indeed. 

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.  7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.  8  Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah ; 

Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our confession has the more excellent ministry.  He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which is established on better promises.  Beware of the false teacher who try and bring you back under the law of performance.  Beware of the teachers who have you studying your own performance at the expense of taking your eyes off the better covenant found exclusively in Jesus Christ.  Beware of them who try to bring you under Old Testament practices and promise you intimacy through such practices.  One thing brings you near to God and no other thing can and will.  The blood of Jesus brings you near.  Notice it is the covenant made with Israel and with the house of Judah .  Jesus arose from root of Jessie the tribe of Judah .  Do you belong to His house?

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, 

Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.  It is His work at the cross alone that brings us near.  He Himself is our peace!  If you don’t consider yourself near to God you are discounting the grace of God in your life.  The strong sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the lone agent that brings us near to God!  The Father considers the strength of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God when he considers who His children are.  Have you come into the covenant by the blood of the lamb?  Trust nothing less than the Lambs blood to have enough power to keep you near God.

Hebrews 8:9  "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.  10  "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  11  "None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.  12  "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."  13  In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Considering our Apostle and High Priest of our confession changes everything.  It is power to enter into His rest.  It is power to walk as children of Abba Father!  His divine power has given us everything we need for godliness!  His very grace has such power that it teaches us we have been cleansed so we can add to our faith!  Life is found exclusively in considering and keeping our eyes upon the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. 

True And Faithful Words

True and faithful word are found in Jesus Christ.

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True And Faithful Words

Revelation 21:5  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  6  And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  7  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  8  "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

There is a word that is faithful and true!  There is a word that is sure and steadfast!  There is end of all things wicked and evil and God Himself will make all things new.  As sure as the words of the prophets of old who declared hundreds of prophecies of Jesus' coming, so is the sure words of prophecies written in this passage.  God spoke to the beloved John and declared “Write”!   From the time of Jesus' earthly ministry to the last record of sacred scripture there has been an unveiling of the goodness of God never revealed previously.  Jesus' promise is to give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  When God speaks men should give ear!  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  Those who thirst for God and His ways shall be filled.  The true and faithful words are beautiful promises for those who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  However, this promise also includes certain judgment for the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.  The goodness of God leads to repentance; the rejection of His goodness has an altogether horrifying end.  No one has to go to the lake of fire; thirsting for the water of life can and will quench the fire of hell.

I dreamed of pleading with the unbeliever, not too many nights ago.  There were abortionist: the doctors, nurses, counselors and even mother’s who were murdering the unborn child.  In this dream I was having a very small part in showing them the guilt and shame and horrific blood stain could all be washed away by the blood of Jesus.  I could sense the heaviness of the incredible guilt of every doctor, nurse, counselor and mothers who participated.  Yet out of this inconceivable despair and darkness was a message of hope that sin stains could be lifted and removed by the matchless name of Jesus.  There was no guilt so heavy, no shame so deep that the blood of Jesus could not bring remedy and healing.  No matter the degree to which the sin abounded the grace of Jesus Christ abounded much more.  Forgiveness for the most vile of sin is not elusive; it is found in the greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 

Do not be deceived!  There are some specific groups of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God !  Fornicators are singles having sex outside of marriage.  Idolaters are those who have set up there own gods to serve.  Gods of convenience, of pleasure, self serving that take the place of genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.  Adulterers are those who have entered marriage covenant but engage in sexual relations outside that bond of marriage.  Homosexuals are those have sexual relations with the same sex.  Men with men or women with women.  Sodomites are the sexually perverted from the child molester to those who fill their lust with pornography.  Thieves are those who take what don’t belong to them.  From breaking in and robbing to thieving an extra break from the employer.  Covetous is discontentment with what one has and an ever increasing desire for what others have.  Drunkards are those who get drunk by intoxication from alcohol or any other type of drug that causes an altering of ones senses.  Extortioners are those who gain by slight of hand or trickery.

Those who live such lifestyles shall not have any part in the kingdom of God .  However, in all of this listing there is the truth that brings hope out of despair.  And such were some of you.  But… you are washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.  The list of sinful lifestyles, as vile and wicked as it is, is not greater than the washing and the sanctifying and the justifying that Jesus does!  Again, where the sin abounds grace does much more abound.  The guilt, shame, and punishment of sin has been taken on by our Redeemer!  For those drowning in sin there is a life line and His name is Jesus!

Luke 24:45  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.  46  Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  47  "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem .

The most despicable sinner can have hope because in Jesus name there is repentance and remission of sins!  Sins stains are lost in the life giving flow of the blood of Jesus.  The most depraved sinner has been atoned for in the blood of Jesus.

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.

Oh Christian friend, we have been so quick to judge the vile sinner we have skipped over the good news.  Jesus did not come to condemn but made a way of escape for the vilest sinner.  We who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  While we have been busy preaching sin separates, God has called us to preach Christ blood brings you near to God.  While we have preached separation God has called us to be ambassadors of reconciliation.  Jesus put to death the enmity by His death on the cross!  We have been so busy preaching God hates sin we have forgotten to preach God was in Christ Jesus not imputing sin.

2 Corinthians 5:19  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

The depth of sin does not matter because of the greatness of the sacrifice for sin.  Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Ephesians 2:1  And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

The unbeliever is dead in their trespasses and sins; however, that is the condition God found us in.  May we preach the goodness of God to such a degree we stir up a thirst for the water of life.  Those who are thirsty shall be satisfied!

Judgment is sure to those who reject Jesus as Messiah; however, life is abundant to all who will call upon His name.

Isaiah 53:4  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.  5  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Sin stains have been borne by our Redeemer!  The grief that sin brings and the sorrow that is afforded has been borne and carried by Jesus Christ.  He was wounded for every transgression against God.  Our iniquities Jesus was bruised for!  The punishment that would bring us peace was upon Jesus Christ the sin bearer!  By the stripes of Jesus Christ we are healed!  God will not abide with your sin; God will remove your sin is far is the east is  from the west.  Even the vilest sinner has hope because of the greatness of the sacrifice.

Isaiah 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11  He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

The Father made Jesus’ soul an offering for sin; and from the labor of Jesus, the perfect Lamb, the Father was satisfied.  God was appeased after His wrath was poured out upon Jesus.  The cross is the message that has the power unto salvation; these are the faithful true words!

Holdfast to Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Holding fast and heeding the things we have heard to prevent any drifting away!

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Holdfast to Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Hebrews 2:1  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.  2  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,  3  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,  :4  God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Hebrews chapter 1 brings great revelation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The declaration is made that Jesus Himself purged us from our sins and sat down at the right hand of God.  God calls us not to drift away from the great sacrifice of the cross of Jesus Christ.  It is exclusively through Christ Jesus that sin has been dealt with.  We must give ear to Jesus Christ if we are to walk in victory.  See verse 3 it was first spoken by Jesus Christ!  The writers of Hebrews is speaking of the covenant of grace and truth brought exclusive through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

This grace and truth found in Jesus Christ was confirmed by signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to God’s will.  God is still confirming with signs and wonders, and gift of the Holy Spirit.  Much of the modern church has done the opposite of these verses in Hebrews they have begun to neglect this salvation rejecting the gifts of the Spirit to operate in their churches and even saying the times of signs and wonders are past.  This foolishness has made for a hollow religious experience that leaves one still searching and hungering for the fullness of a living relationship with Jesus.  Too many have drifted away!  Jesus is the same Jesus!  He is Savior, Healer, Baptizer of the Holy Spirit, and our soon returning King! 

Hebrews 2:5  For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.  6  But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?  7  You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.  8  You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.  9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

All things are subject to Jesus!  All things are subject to Jesus!  In this life we may not see everything subject under Him; however we DO SEE JESUS!  Jesus tasted death for everyone!  Sometimes we make verses read over verse.  We don’t stop and consider what they mean and the ramifications the truth might bring to our lives.  The depth of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is our only source for victory; the victory Jesus won for the believer can not be overstated!

Romans 5:18  Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.  19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

The sacrifice of good performance can not take the place of Jesus' supreme sacrifice!  Our trust and confidence must ever be in the One Man Jesus Christ obedience to the death of the cross for you and me!  The object of our faith must ever remain in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11  He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

It pleased God to bruise Jesus and make His very soul an offering for sin.  When the Father saw the labor of Jesus' soul He was satisfied with the offering for sin.  Jesus' supreme sacrifice for sins met justice demands; there can not ever be another sacrifice for sin!  The only sacrifice to bring is a living sacrifice.  That living sacrifice is also based on the strength of Jesus' sacrifice.  The living sacrifice is the sacrifice of praise; the fruit of our lips giving praise to His name!

Colossians 1:12  giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

God’s mighty work takes you from being a sinner and applies the blood of Jesus to make you his child.  The Father has qualified us to be partakers; we must exclusively trust in the work that God has done for us!  It can never be anything else!  Our good works must always be the overflow of the goodness of God.  Our good works can never be the factor that brings righteousness to any degree. 

John 10:10  "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus' declaration is straight forward.  The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; Jesus comes for life and life to complete abundance.  Jesus has never done you evil.  One may say well that is a given; yet many folks religion and philosophy say otherwise.  Jesus already bore the burden, grief, sorrow, and shame of the sin of the world.  Jesus has made a way for your release!  If you, the believer, are in bondage it is because of a lie the enemy has sold you!

2 Timothy 2:24  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,  26  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Satan has taken believers into captivity and God wants to set you free.  What will set one free; the truth found exclusively in Jesus Christ.  A believer in bondage is a believer who has not submitted to the fullness of God’s grace.  It is not  the will of God for believers to live in depression, sorrows, sickness, or captivity to sin or bondage.  The truth of God’s grace brings life.  The strength of Jesus' sacrifice is great enough to break bondage, perversion, oppression, or lack of joy in your life.

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Jesus' sacrifice makes you worthy!  To believe you are not worthy of complete freedom in Christ is to believe the sacrifice of Jesus is not enough!

Romans 3:24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,  25  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,  26  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The Father is just and He is the Justifier.  It is a righteous thing the Father does to make the believer’s in Jesus Christ just as if they never sinned!  It would be unjust for me to preach anything else!  Your redemption from every and any bondage is found in the Father setting forth Jesus is your propitiation by His blood!  Your freedom is not elusive but certain when founded exclusively upon the work of the cross Jesus Christ performed!  Turn your eyes upon Him; His promise is to guard you from the evil one!