Christ Crucified lesson 2 The Garden

CHRIST CRUCIFIED lesson 2

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

The epicenter of humanity is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  If we would adopt the truth of this verse for ourselves all of heaven would come to attention.  The truth Jesus brings and we acknowledge will indeed set us free.  Christ crucified is where the object of every believer’s faith should be!  Right believing leads to victorious living in the abundant life Jesus declared.  Jesus came knowing His purpose was to go to the cross and it was time to fulfill holy destiny.

Luke 22:39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Jesus' spirit was willing but his flesh was weak and he was drawn to prayer in the garden.  He brought His three closest disciples to pray with Him.  He knelt down and prayed.  This was a pouring out of His soul to His Father over what he was about to suffer.  If possible let this cup pass but the request came with nevertheless no My Will.  Being in agony He prayed more earnestly; so intent was the prayer His sweat became like great drops of blood.  He get up from prayer finds the disciples sleeping from sorrow.  What if instead of living in despair and slumber we follow the example of the Savior and pray?

Hebrews 5:5 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"; 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,

This passage lets us in on the secret between the Father and the Son.  Jesus was heard because of His godly fear yet was brought to surrender to the cross and the will of the Father.  Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.  Indeed, He was and is the perfected One!  In the garden of Gethsemane, the victory over the weakness of His own flesh was overcome.

John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

Some like to debate who was responsible for Jesus' death on the cross.  This command makes it clear, no one took Jesus' life; He gave it willing.  The Father had given Him the power to lay it down and the power to take it again.  The plan of God so wondrous and beyond our human comprehension.  Thank you JESUS!

Luke 22:47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.

Judas came to betray his own Master with a kiss.  Jesus had surrender to the cross but Peter did not understand and took up His sword to fight.  Jesus healed the man whom Peter had wounded.  Jesus declared “Permit even this.”

Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 "When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." 

Jesus identified this moment is the hour for the power of darkness.  Dare you believe the hour for the power of darkness is past?

1 Corinthians 2:6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Jesus Christ crucified brought the plan of salvation into being.  The wisdom of God is unlocked at the revelation of the cross of Jesus Christ.  Had the rulers of this age known, they would have not crucified the Lord of glory.  The true wisdom of God cannot be had outside the truth of Jesus and Him crucified.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Looking unto Jesus is imperative if we will overcome the weight and sin which so easily ensnares us.  Your victory over sin is exclusively in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and there is no other path to victory.  Consider Jesus who endured the cross.  Next lesson we are going to the cross.

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.

Learn to make your boast exclusively in the cross and never let it be about your performance!

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.

I live by faith in the Son of God… yes, the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.  Thank you, Jesus, for the cross and all that it provides for me!  Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Jesus Christ Crucified lesson 1

CHRIST CRUCIFIED

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

Jesus Christ and Him crucified cannot be over emphasized.  The whole gospel of the kingdom is only empowered and started because our Lord was crucified.   The paramount truth to proclaim is Jesus Christ and Him crucified; there is no greater truth.  Some believers see it only as the starting point.  However, Christ crucified is the reason for the start the empowerment to live and will take us to the intended destiny God has for us.

John 12:27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

God robed Himself in flesh and became a man in order to restore the spirit to Spirit connection with man.  Jesus had walked 3 ½ years and now the time to fulfill the purpose of God had come.  Yes, it was time to fulfill Jesus going to the cross.  Jesus' soul was not excited about going to the cross; His soul was troubled but He still knew it was His destiny.  Jesus Himself is declaring the judgment of the world was getting ready to be put upon Him.  Jesus being lifted up in judgment was the avenue to bridge reconciliation to God.

John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Like the serpent of the old testament being lifted up so the Son of Man was to be lifted up on the cross.  All who will look upon the crucified one would be saved.  Those who put their faith in the crucified one will be save and not condemned.  What you think of Jesus Christ determines your destiny.  Every believer has been called for the object of their faith to be exclusively in Jesus Christ and in no other.

Luke 12:50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

Jesus' baptism was that of suffering, not just the torture of the beating, mocking and hanging on the cross.  Jesus faced the sin, the shame, the guilt, the condemnation, and the punishment of God poured out upon Him. 

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Jesus blessed Peter at the declaration that Jesus is the Messiah.  The whole church is built upon the confession of who Jesus is!  What you believe about Jesus determines your destiny.  When you walk in the revelation who Jesus is there is an authority you can walk in also.  Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Jesus is sharing the secrets of the kingdom with us.

Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Jesus rebukes Peter for not having in mind the things of the kingdom.  Peter starts by rebuking Jesus for foretelling His own death and resurrection.  Peter could not imagine Jesus being killed; after all, Peter has placed all his hope and dreams on Jesus living and coming to power in His kingdom.   Jesus teaches the disciples, and us, to take up our cross and follow Him!  This goes to the heart of genuine salvation.

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.

What powerful words.  Oh that our boast would be exclusively in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In the cross be my glory ever…

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.

That our heart would be fixed upon the crucified One.  I have been  crucified with Christ… oh, the love of God.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Building An Altar Of Worship- Lesson 13 We Have An Altar

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For [it is] good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.

We have an altar!  Jesus calls us to worship at the altar He provided.  Our heart should be established by the truth of who Jesus Christ is, and what He has provided in the covenant from which we have been birthed.  Our hearts should be drawn to worshiping Jesus for He has sanctified the believer once and for all.  Our worship should be based upon the imputed righteousness provided at the cross of Jesus Christ.  We are called to worship at the altar of grace; we should continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, giving thanks to His name.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 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. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

At this altar, we are called to present ourselves as alive from the dead.  The same calling brings us to present our members as instruments of righteousness.  Christ took our sin and gave us His righteousness and this is the platform from which we should serve God.

Hebrews 4:9 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. 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. 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.

The altar we have been called to worship at is a place of rest.  God has called us to cease from our labor and enter His rest.  Our confident worship is based upon the greatness of our great High Priest.  The altar we are called to worship at, calls us to come boldly when we need the grace and mercy the most.  Our altar worship draws us to yield to working of the word of God in our lives; it will divide between our spirit, soul, and body.

Hebrews 7:22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Our altar of worship is based upon the better covenant; it is where the worshippers are saved to the uttermost.  This altar of worship has provided such a great High Priest that He looks good on the worshipper.  He separated from the sinner but is brought near to us.

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.

This altar of worship qualifies the worshipper by the greatness of the covenant.  The Father has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. We worship from the perspective of being qualified not getting qualified.  This is all done by the redemption found though the blood of Jesus.  This altar depends upon the works of Christ for justification!

Ezekiel 47:1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

Ezekiel 47:8 Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. [When it] reaches the sea, [its] waters are healed. 9 "And it shall be [that] every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.

The prophetic word find water flowing from under the altar.  This water is so great that all that touch the water is healed.  There will be a very great multitude of fish and they will be healed.  Jesus declared I will make you fishers of men.

John 7:37 On the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet [given], because Jesus was not yet glorified.

 Out of the believer’s heart will flow rivers of living water.  That which flows is living water which can heal and make whole.  Yes, we have been called to worship at this altar.

1 Corinthians 6:19  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

We have been called to worship at the altar Jesus provided; and so great is the provision that we have become the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Because of the greatness of the altar we are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice; this is our spiritual act of worship.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We have been called to worship at the altar of grace.  God has chosen to put the treasure in earthen vessels.  Christ in me the hope of glory. 

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Jesus built an altar so we could worship at it.  The true altar always turns our eyes upon Jesus!  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!   Consider Jesus…

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Building An Altar Of Worship- Lesson 12 Jesus Built An Altar

John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

Jesus had spent his earthly ministry, preaching the kingdom of God, healing the sick, casting out demons, and setting the oppressed free.  Yet the will of the Father was not yet accomplished in Him.  We find often that Jesus would go aside and pray; He always and completely relied upon the Father for strength and for purpose and direction.

Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You [will]." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?

Jesus indeed built an altar in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We will consider Jesus as He built his altar to surrender His own will to pursue and fulfill the will of the Father.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak." 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are [you] still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Even while being at the altar with God the Father, Jesus was calling Peter, James, and John to watch and pray!

Mark 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, [even] to death. Stay here and watch." 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things [are] possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You [will]."

Mark identifies the intimacy between Jesus and the Father.  Jesus cried out “Abba, Father”.  It is wonderful we have been called into this same relationship that we might know “Abba, Father” ourselves.

Mark 14:37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak." 39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh weak.  All twelve of the disciples had a willing spirit but all twelve of the disciple forsook Him.  Something had to be done about weak flesh.

Luke 22:39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

Jesus came back to heart of the issue, not My will but Yours, be done.

Luke 22:43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven and strengthened Him.  Then Jesus prayed more earnestly.  Luke is the only one to describe the agony of Jesus' soul.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

Hebrews 5:6 As [He] also says in another [place]: "You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"; 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, 10 called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek,"

This moment at the altar was no easy moment for our Lord.  With vehement cries and tears Jesus submitted to the death of the cross.  Jesus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Hebrews 2:8 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. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom [are] all things and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

At the cross is where all things were made subject to the authority and power of Jesus Christ.  Jesus tasted death for everyone; He became perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified [are] all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." 13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death; believers no longer have to live their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Jesus can come to your aid!  Do you need help?  There is One who is truly qualified to come to your rescue… JESUS is the One.

Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come--In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God.' " 8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus' moment of submission to the will of the Father brought us great deliverance.  The law of sin and death no longer stand against us.  We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all!  Praise the Lord we are free indeed.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Consider Jesus!  Turn your eyes upon the one who endured.  Look to the Author and Finisher of your faith.  His sacrifice your redemption and eternal invitation to come to the altar!

 Jesus is the faithful GodGod is good all the time!

Building An Altar Of Worship- Lesson 11 Josiah Built an Altar

1 Kings 13:2 Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, "O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burned on you.' "

Josiah = "whom Jehovah heals” 300 years before Josiah is born prophetic utterance was made of him.

2 Kings 23:1 Now the king sent them to gather all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him. 2 The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem--the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD. 3 Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant.

In cleaning out the house of God they found the book of the law.  Then the people of Judah took a stand for the covenant of the law.  They allow the book of the law to define what was holy.  The law, even today, defines what sin is and makes men guilty before a holy God.

2 Kings 23:4 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.

Everything that was not holy by God’s definition had to go.  There was a cleaning going on; all the articles that were made for false god of Baal were burned.

2 Kings 23:5 Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. 6 And he brought out the wooden image from the house of the LORD, to the Brook Kidron outside Jerusalem, burned it at the Brook Kidron and ground it to ashes, and threw its ashes on the graves of the common people.

Even the bones of the idolatrous priests and kings were burned and the ashes done away with.

2 Kings 23:7 Then he tore down the ritual booths of the perverted persons that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image. 8 And he brought all the priests from the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; also he broke down the high places at the gates which were at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were to the left of the city gate. 9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brethren.

All the things that allowed sexual perversions in the house of God were removed.  The priest that had participated were not allowed to take part in the holy altar and eat the holy bread but their lives were spared.

2 Kings 23:10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech. 11 Then he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech, the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12 The altars that were on the roof, the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, the king broke down and pulverized there, and threw their dust into the Brook Kidron.

Every token to a false god was brought down; all the false altars to false gods were torn down.

2 Kings 23:13 Then the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, which were on the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the people of Ammon. 14 And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men.

The cleaning of the house went back to the first king Solomon who brought Israel to their backsliding ways.  Should we not call the false gods of today false gods?  Jerusalem’s house was being set in divine order.

2 Kings 23:15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and crushed it to powder, and burned the wooden image. 16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

Now king Josiah came to Bethel where king Jeroboam built the golden calf altar and instituted false worship of all kinds; Josiah fulfilled the word of God by breaking down every false altar in Bethel

2 Kings 23:17 Then he said, "What gravestone is this that I see?" So the men of the city told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel." 18 And he said, "Let him alone; let no one move his bones." So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria. 19 Now Josiah also took away all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger; and he did to them according to all the deeds he had done in Bethel. 20 He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned men's bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.

The man of God who had prophesied the tearing down of false altars was left undisturbed.  300 years later the man of God’s words came to pass.  When God establishes His word it will be fulfilled.

2 Kings 23:21 Then the king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." 22 Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was held before the LORD in Jerusalem. 24 Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

Now King Josiah rebuilds the altar of Passover.  It began by putting away the mediums and spiritists.  Those operating though familiar spirits and those trying to connect to the dead.

2 Kings 23:25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. 26 Nevertheless the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. 27 And the LORD said, "I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, 'My name shall be there.' "

There was not a king like Josiah before or after that had turned toward God and away from evil.  However, Judah had been polluted by the breaking of the covenant for so long that this was not good enough to bring remedy to the sin problem.  One good man could not fulfill the righteous requirements of a holy God.

John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 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. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " 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.

The world needed a perfect Savior; And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…  Jesus came to reconcile men to the Father; what a great deal for us!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!