Jesus The Healer - The Children’s Bread lesson # 2

Jesus The Healer  lesson 2 The Children’s Bread

Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,  17  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."

Jesus set free those in bondage to evil spirits and sickness.  Jesus healing all who are sick and setting free those who are demon possessed is a fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah.  As we studied the ministry of Jesus our healer, I pray your expectations are raised to level of the word of God.

Psalm 103:2 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.

The prophetic utterance of Psalm 103 shows where the expectation of the believer should be. It is time to remember all His benefits.  All iniquities forgiven and all diseases healed.  Our lives redeemed from destruction, and crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies.  Our expectation should be He will satisfy our mouth with good things.  Oh, that we would exalt the word above our experience, our own understanding, and traditions.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is the substance!

Faith is the evidence!

Faith is the substance of the confident expectations of the promises of God.  The manifestation is not the proof.  Faith is the evidence; it is the body of proof that what we have what we have not seen in the natural.  If we cannot see it in the spirit it will never manifest in the natural.  Faith has substance and faith is the evidence.

Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  22  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."  23  But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."  24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 

A woman of Canaan cried out to God with a religious line.  “O Lord, Son of David!”.  In truth, she was not of Jewish heritage and had no right to approach God upon the covenant words “Son of David” Jesus ignored her cries and the disciples were annoyed with the woman’s false cries.  Jesus speaks a word to go to the heart of the situation “I was not sent except to lost sheep of the house of Israel”.  Jesus was not rebuking her for seeking Him but rather rebuking her for coming under false pretenses.

Matthew 15:25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"  26  But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  27  And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."  28  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Look how the woman changed her cry out to Jesus, “Lord, help me!”  Jesus declared to her it is not good to give the children’s bread to the dogs.  This did not stop the woman’s pursuit; instead she found hope in the words of Jesus.  She did not see herself as good enough to get from the Master.  The Master’s words built faith that she could receive; she declared even little dogs get the crumbs.  Only twice in Jesus' ministry did he declare someone had great faith; this woman was one of those two.

Mark 7:25  For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.  26  The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 

This is the same story only written in Mark.  Mark does not give the detail that she was crying out under false pretense; but brings out her heritage is a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician.  Clearly portraying her as not from Jewish descent.  Jesus clearly wanted to build her faith by bringing her to seek Him truthfully. 

Mark 7:28 And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."  29 Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."  30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

These two passages I have meditated upon quite often.  I knew there was an element that I was missing.  “God show me what I’m missing as you keep drawing me to these verses”.  A couple of years ago, God made it come alive to me.  The cross allows us to set at the children’s table.  Jesus makes us sons and the bread belongs to us.  If we are believer’s we are not on the outside looking in; the bread belongs to us.  Jesus wants you to know healing and deliverance is indeed the children’s bread.  Those without this revelation often go without their healing.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Receiving Jesus as your Messiah gives you the right to become one of His children; only those who believe in the name of Jesus!

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

The redemption of Jesus Christ brings you the spirit of adoption; the bread belongs to you!

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

God wants to unleash His goodness upon the children; far too many, are still seeking Him for the bread crumbs.  The Father freely gives to those who have placed their faith in Jesus.  You qualify; the bread belongs to you!

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

His divine power has given us all things … that we may be partakers of the divine nature!

Hebrews 6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

The Father wants you to be convinced.  He made the promise and then swore an oath by Himself.

Hebrews 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The two immutable things.  1.  The Father confirmed it by an oath.  2.  He made Jesus your forerunner into His presence.  This is a strong consolation; this is an anchor of our soul!  THE BREAD BELONGS TO YOU; COME AND EAT FROM THE TABLE OF HIS GOODNESS!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Jesus The Healer - He Healed All lesson # 1

Jesus The Healer

He Healed All lesson # 1

Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."

Jesus set free those in bondage to evil spirits and sickness.  Jesus, healing all who are sick and setting free those who are demon possessed, is a fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah.  As we study the ministry of Jesus our healer, I pray your expectations are raised to level of the Word of God.

Psalm 103:2 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.

The prophetic utterance of Psalm 103 shows where the expectation of the believer should be. It is time to remember all His benefits.  All iniquities forgiven and all diseases healed.  Our lives redeemed from destruction, and crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies.  Our expectation should be He will satisfy our mouth with good things.  Oh, that we would exalt the word above our experience, our own understanding, and traditions.

1 Peter 2:23 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. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Returning to the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul comes with the benefits provided in this new covenant.  Healing spirit, soul, and body.  Looking at the ministry of Jesus shows us the heart of the Father and His desires for us.  Now that Jesus is our Overseer do our expectations rise to the promises provided?  Now that we have surrendered to the greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus do we lean into the finished work of the cross?  Many are never healed because they have no such expectation of God.  May our overview of Jesus' ministry bring us in tune with the heart of God.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is substance and faith is the evidence!  It is the substance of our expectation derived from the word of God.  It is the evidence of things not yet seen in the natural.

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.  24  Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Our Savior went about Galilee teaching, preaching, healing all kinds of sickness.  The sick was brought to Him; and He healed them.  Looking at the goodness of Jesus, I would our expectations would be to present ourselves to Jesus.  So many have lived with a sick mentality they have not even consider to bring their sickness and bondage to Jesus.  The sick, diseased, and demon-possessed came running to Jesus.  COME TO JESUS!

Matthew 9:1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.  2  Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you."  3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!"  4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 

When Jesus saw their faith… It is amazing how healings are connected to having faith in Jesus.  “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”  What an amazing word from Jesus!

Matthew 9:5 "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'?  6  "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"; then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."  7  And he arose and departed to his house.  8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'?  It is strange, The Jews could accept Jesus working miracles easier than accepting Him forgiving sins.  Modern day Christians seems comfortable with Jesus forgiving sins but struggle with believing Jesus wants to heal them.  Jesus made it clear, His authority to forgive sins is the same authority to heal the sin.  The same faith that brings forgiveness of sins brings our healing.

Mark 2:2  Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.  3  Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.  4  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.  5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

Mark's telling of this healing brings the same truths as Matthew; when Jesus saw their faith…

Mark 2:6  And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,  7  "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"  8  But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?  9 "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? 

The repeating of the same events in Jesus life is because the Holy Spirit wants to make clear specific truths.  The religious people said Jesus blasphemed to say your sins are forgiven.  Funny they also said Jesus healed by the power of Satan.  Again, the same authority used to forgive sins is the authority used to bring healing to the paralytic man.

Mark 2:10 "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"; He said to the paralytic, 11 "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."  12  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

See Jesus and Him operating in His God given authority.

Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 

Jesus was followed by great multitudes and He healed them all.  See our precious Savior!

Matthew 14:34  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  35  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,  36  and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

They brought to Him all who were sick… and as many as touched the hem of His garment were made perfectly well.  See it, those who pursued the Savior to touch the hem of His garment were made perfectly well.

Mark 6:53  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  54  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,  55  ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  56  Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

When people heard to touch the Hem of His garment brought healing the crowds begin to come.  To hear He is the healer and get up and pursue the healer has great reward.  And as many as touched Him were made well.  Look upon our glorious Healer!

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.  41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

Jesus laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.  Look upon the Healer, look upon the Deliverer

Luke 6:17  And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,  18  as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.  19  And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

A great multitude of people came to hear Jesus and be healed of their diseases as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits; and they were healed!  The whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.  Look our precious Healer healed them all!

Luke 9:11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.

Those who came in pursuit of Him, Jesus received them and spoke the kingdom of God to them.  He healed those who had need of healing.  Look at our precious Healer.

Act 10:38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

There is the testimony of Jesus that needs preached, taught, and declared.  The heart of the Father has not changed; it is His desire to heal and make whole and impart His goodness to those who will seek Jesus.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 8 Holy Spirit

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 8

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Jesus Himself called us to singleness of mind!  When our hearts are turned to the kingdom of God we are centered on the truths found in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Can you imagine setting at the feet of the Master?  Jesus shared the truths of how all the Scriptures pointed to Him and how he fulfilled the destiny the Father intended for Him.  Would we have an ear to hear the sweet truths Jesus spoke that day?

Luke 24:46 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. 48 "And you are witnesses of these things. 49 "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Jesus came that repentance and remission of sins could be preached in His name.  The first assignment is for the disciples to go tarry until the Promise of the Father came upon them.

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The promise of the Father was the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They came in singleness of heart and mind.  They were surrendered to receiving the promise of the Father.  A sound came from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then fire came and sat upon each of them.  Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  Notice they did the speaking as the Spirit gave them utterance in a different language.

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

This move of the Spirit of God moved out into the streets.  They heard them speaking in their own native language; they were amazed and marveled.

Acts 2:12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" 13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 "For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

We now have the privilege to hear the first gospel message preached after the crucified Christ had gone back up into heaven.  Peter declared these men are not drunk as you suppose.  This is that…

Acts 2:17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

The power of the prophesy still stands!  The Spirit being poured out on all flesh is the heart of God.  He sent Jesus to deal with the sin issue so His Precious Holy Spirit could overflow to all flesh.  Sons and daughters shall prophesy, Young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams.  Upon all of the menservants and maidservants of God would the Spirit be poured out!  This indeed is that!

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.' 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- 23 "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Now that Jesus made this new and living way possible it can be declared whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved!  The crucified One is the way and there is no other way to salvation.  Death could not hold the precious One.

Acts 2:25 "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'

Jesus, the crucified One, is the only one whose body saw no corruption.  Jesus' obedience to the cross brought His fullness of joy and our salvation!

Acts 2:29 "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 "Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 "he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the message Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost; it should be the message of the church and it should never be abandoned.

Acts 2:33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Jesus, our Bridegroom, left and promised to prepare a place for us to come and live with Him forever.  Meanwhile, He poured out this precious gift for His bride.  This which you now see and hear… what did they see?  They were acting drunk. What did they hear?  They heard them speaking with other tongues.  This is the gift, this is the promise which Jesus poured out upon those who had put their faith in Him.  Brothers and sisters this is that!

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

When they heard Jesus Christ crucified was preached they were cut to the heart!  What shall we do was their heart felt cry!   Peter preached repentance and remission of sins, just like Jesus told Him!  A surrender to Jesus there is a candidate to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This was not just a short-lived promise.  This promised gift is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 7 Foolishness

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 7

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

What a word.  Jesus Christ crucified is the message every church should be preaching.  Oh, that we would have a singleness of mind to preach Jesus Christ crucified.  The finished work of Christ is the centerpiece of the gospel of Jesus Christ. No cross, no salvation; know the cross; know salvation.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified.  As we shall see; leaving the strength of the cross is foolishness.  Leaving the central truth of Jesus Christ crucified as the exclusive source of our salvation is witchcraft indeed.   There is a bewitching factor from the enemy of our soul; false doctrine is trying to move the church away from complete trust and reliance upon Jesus and move it to the believer’s own performance.

Galatians 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

So, what is the answer?  Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Only by the hearing of faith, and never by the works of the law.

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

Paul is using such strong language “foolish” and “bewitched”!  If it begins by faith in the crucified Christ are you now made perfect by the flesh?  Has this journey of faith been in vain?  He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Some have not seen the demonstration of the Spirits power because they have moved the object of their faith from Jesus Christ and Him crucified to their own noble performances.

Galatians 3:6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

The just shall live by faith and exclusively by faith in the crucified One Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to be counted as righteous and right before a Holy God.

Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The blessed ones are those who have joined with Abraham and put your faith in the righteous seed of Jesus Christ Himself; this is the only source for the nations to be blessed.  It is Jesus!

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

If it is of the flesh or the works of the law, or some man’s tradition it leaves that one under the curse.  The just shall live by faith, it starts by faith, continues by faith and will finish by faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  It cannot be and never will be in good works.

Galatians 3:12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." 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"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The law always makes the demand on the worshipper; “The man who does them shall live by them”.   Christ has redeemed us from this curse by becoming the curse for us.  We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith and there is no other way to receive.

Galatians 4: 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Jesus Christ came to redeem us from being under the law; Christ crucified is the exclusive way.  His desire is for us to receive the adoption as sons.  Now the privilege is to those who have faith in Jesus Christ, as a son you can cry out “Abba Father!”

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

No confidence in the  flesh is the mantra for every mature and healthy Christian. 

Philippians 3:4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Paul said if anyone had reason to have confidence in the flesh it might be himself, but….

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Anything he might count to have confidence in the flesh he counted it loss; in fact, all confidence in the flesh he counted as rubbish.  One thing to pursue and know; the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.  That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having our own righteousness, which is our own good performance, but that which is through faith in Christ alone!  It is the righteousness which is from God by faith in the crucified Christ.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

In Jesus' name press on, lay hold of that for which Jesus Christ has already laid hold of you.  Identifying with the death burial and resurrection of Christ is the only way and there is no other way to victory.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Keep reaching for the prize of sweet relationship with Jesus.

Philemon 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

The most effective testimony is not declaring what you have done for God!  The sharing of your faith will become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Declare the verse because it is life giving and delivers the believer to victory

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Christ Crucified lesson 6 LIKEWISE

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 6

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The singleness of mind we are called to; Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The greatest event in all of human history is the finished work of the cross.  Never has there been a truth to bring such great peace; never has there been a truth to bring such great agitation. Those who are being saved great peace; those rejecting the truth great frustration.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"

There is the truth that set one free; however, one must know that truth intimately.  It is the truth you know that has the power to set you free.  It not generic truths or facts; there is a specific truth for the disciples of Jesus.  When the disciple come to that specific truth there is freedom from every bondage of sin.

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.

A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore, if the Son Jesus Christ makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Oh, the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.

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,

The Father speaks in these last days by His Son!  So many are still holding to hearing from God by the many various ways and the prophets; however, there is this new and living way; we must hear the Son.  When Jesus Christ by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

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.

Jesus died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God!

Romans 6:11 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. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Likewise, …  consider how Jesus did it; you likewise reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin.  So many have a confession of faith and still do not see themselves dead indeed to sin.  And worse yet, too many believers do not see themselves alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We are commanded to present ourselves to God as alive from the dead.  Come and present your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  This is a truth that needs your meditation.  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  Absolutely not!  As Paul wrote at the beginning of the chapter, God forbid!  Everyone is either a slave of righteousness or a slave a sin.  What are you?  Let the word in front of us answer the question.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Before you obeyed the gospel, you were slaves of sin!  Faith in Jesus set you free from sin and made you a slave of righteousness.  As people of faith we now present our members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Romans 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When one is a slave to sin, a righteous act does not and cannot make them righteous.  They have complete freedom from righteousness because the sin nature rules in their un-regenerated heart.  But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness.  Yes, holiness is not the root, it is part of the fruit of righteousness.  The man with the new nature has everlasting life.  Slaves of sin get the wages of sin; slaves of righteousness get the gift of God of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Jesus with His own blood has obtained eternal redemption!

Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

By the blood is the only path to a purged conscience and there is not another path.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!