Pre-Judging others…Prejudice…Racism...Hatred of other half breed of humans…What would Jesus do...

Pre-Judging others…Prejudice…Racism...Hatred of other half breed of humans…

History of departure and beginning of hatred between races or nations of Jews and Samaritans…

2Ki_17:29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.

These ancestors of the Samaritans in Jesus day…were whores wanting more not caring who they received their desires from…thus were idolators not following Jehovah…eating from another table.

Mat_10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles (other races of humans who do not worship our Creator), and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

In Jesus day…his 12 chosen men were told do not preach to the Gentiles and Samaritans but only to the lost sheep of Israel (the family or descendants of Abraham…Isaac…and Jacob) in Mat 10 and Luke 10…the disciples were sent on a limited commission to only Jews…the Samaritans still were in idolatry, thus unworthy of repentance.

 Joh_4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, asks a drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Do to the disfellowship of races…idolatry being the chief separator of these two races of humans…the Samaritans left or totally disfellowshipped the Jews and the Jews “have no dealings with the Samaritans” …These two races hated each other….they ignored each other and had nothing to do with each other…but Jesus shared the truth with a woman of Samaria…

What is hatred…murder…pre-judging…prejudice…

Why hatred is the same as murder…

1 John 3:15 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Murder makes someone no longer exist and hatred is wishing someone did not exist. Murder is an action. Hatred is an emotion. If you hate someone you know then you are not to carry out the deed…unless you be found a murderer. You see hate means you wished these people did not exist…murder is the deed to make it so. Pre-judging someone based on their race…or ancestors is forbidden in Christianity…all creatures have the right to be cleansed and made new and right with their Creator. Prejudice is worse that than Jesus spoke of in the above passage because he says if you hate a brother…not just another…meaning you know a lot about this brother and you still wish he did not exist instead of desiring he repent and do right…prejudice is pre-judging someone and hating someone you know nothing about based on his ancestry…is indeed prejudice. Even is you think another race or human is less than a human or worthless or useless…then hear what Jesus Christ said…Mar 16:15-16 KJV And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but He that believeth not shall be damned…He called all creatures…even that less than human half breed is a creature that can be saved and made new and clean in eyes of our Creator…

What to do when you have been offended or been the offender of a brother or creature…

Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother (Serves Same Creator) has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

When a brother in Christ has done you wrong…or offended you then according to Jesus, you tell him his offense…and if you are the offender and remember your deed…then you are not even worship God until you made your offense right with God…and then one you offended. Remember what Jesus said… Mat 5:7 KJV Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy…and also… Mat 6:14-15 KJV For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…and yet is it hard for you to consider making peace with an enemy…a righteous deed and not a sin… Rom 12:17-21 KJV  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good…find your reconciliation with God by making even your offense right with an enemy that has become a brother in Christ…or else feed him and water him so he will be without excuse on his day of judgement and experience the wrath of God when God’s vengeance and righteous indignation is kindled to action for his crimes against God and man.

What was offered to these half breeds or half Jews after Jesus death burial and resurrection?

Act_8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

The Same Salvation. Hear the same message…Jesus Christ was born of a virgin…in the tribe of Judah…grew up under the Old Testament or is commonly called the Law of Moses and the Holy Prophets…the minimum requirements to meet to be called sinless of The Old Testament (Agreement or Covenant)…was The Ten Commandments given by Moses to the descendants of Abraham…Isaac…and Jacob…Jesus the Christ never broke one of the Ten Commandments…and was what we would call without sin or offense against God…Jesus never broke a command of God but was the Word of God in motion…as in the words of God in Human form walking and demonstrating the intentions of the Laws and Will of God…Jesus being innocent and sinless offered Himself as a willing sacrifice to reconcile those that were not innocent a chance or freedom to become reconciled to their Creator and made new and clean…Joh 14:6 KJV  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus died and was raised from the dead so you and I could never choose an evil deed again...so we can learn the Truth and do what is right with our Creator…Does this sound like good news…the same good news preached to ever creature…those half breed Jesus died for…Jesus came and died on the cross and was raised from the dead so you and I could never choose a wrong thing again and so that all of your wrong or evil deeds can be forgiven and reconciled with your Creator? Do you believe Jesus died and the cross and was raised from the dead? Yes, or no?

What was the first sermon preached in the name of Jesus Christ resulting in Salvation of a soul?

In Jerusalem 50 days after the Passover…on the Day of Pentecost…many breeds of humans were there and heard the same message that results when obeyed in the forgiveness of sins…sins being in remission or like cancer in remission no longer a problem…and the promise of receiving the Holy Spirit when one is baptized into Christ…listen to the first recorded sermon in Jesus Christ name…

Act 2:1-39 KJV  And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting.  3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  7  And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?  8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?  9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,  10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,  11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.  12  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.  14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:  15  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.  16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;  17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:  20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:  21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.  25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:  26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:  27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.  29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.  30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.  34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,  35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool.  

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  

They believed they killed their only hope of salvation…they believed Jesus was the Christ and they killed Him…They confessed Him as Savior…they confessed they were sinners having killed the Savior…Peter said He was raised from the dead and now what do we do? These breeds of humans believed in Jesus…confessed Him as Christ and had confessed they killed Him or were sinners…and then asked what they could do to be right with Jesus who was raised from the dead…

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Even as many creatures as our God will call…if you obey the Same Message then You will receive the Same promise of Salvation and the Holy Spirit…

Father, please remove the ugliness found in our hearts…minds…souls…and even lives…so we can be like Jesus your only Human Fathered Son…please wash us and cleanse us…we are but children in diapers before You not knowing how to please You…In Jesus of Nazareth name amen.

Without faith it is impossible to please God...

Without faith it is impossible to please God

Introduction:

1. Without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb 11:6. Anyone who wants to please God must use faith to please Him. So since it is impossible to please God without faith I thought I would do a little study of the Holy Scriptures to determine what real faith is and what it is not.

2. In this lesson I want to talk to you about what faith is and how it is created and exercised. I want to talk about what faith looks like to God by rendering obedience to His word. I want to talk to you about how faith trusts in God to perform His duties towards all of His faithful children.

3. God loves faith because it rests in the exercise of His Divine Greatness and not that found in ourselves.

I.                    Faith

A.    First you have to hear a message (Rom 10:7-17)

1.      How do you hear?

a.       Rom 10:14, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of who they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

b.      God does not preach the good news of salvation in Christ through angels or from speaking from heaven but through the mouths of men.

c.       Mathew 7:24, Jesus said, “therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock”

2.      What do you hear?

a.       Rom 10:17, “faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God”

b.      Mathew 4:4, “but he (Jesus) answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”

c.       Luke 11:28, “but he (Jesus) said, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it”

3.      How to determine truth from error?

a.       Mark 7:09,13, “and he(Jesus) said unto them, full well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your own tradition”. 13, “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered and many such like things do you”

b.      Mark 16:20, “and they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following, amen (may it be so)”

c.       1 Cor 1:6, “even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you”

d.      When there is confusion about the truth from God, then ask God to confirm His word of truth so that you will not be led astray. He did it for the first people that became Christians and there is no reason He will not do it now.

B.     Second you have to believe the message is from God

1.      What is faith?

a.       Heb 11:1, “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”

b.      Rom 4:5, “but to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness”

c.       Rom 12:3, “for I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith”

2.      Faith is knowing God’s word and trusting in it to guide you to salvation in Christ.

a.       Col 1:23, “if you continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister”

b.      2 Tim 1:13, “hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ”

c.       2 Tim 3:15-17, “and that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”

3.      Example of real faith

a.       Faith is believing God will, look at the centurion, who said only speak the word (Matt 8:8)

b.      Heb 11:7, “by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not yet seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and became the heir of righteousness which is by faith”

c.       Romans 1:17, “for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written the just shall live by faith”

C.     What Faith is not

1.      Faith is not a feeling

a.       Paul is an example that our feelings can lead us astray, he persecuted the Christians as a Jew in good conscience, but was fighting against Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to him and Paul repented and began to preach Jesus. (Acts 22:4, Gal 1:23)

b.      Your conscience, or feeling good about yourself can be corrupted, listen, 1 Tim 4:1-2, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lies in hypocrisy having their conscience seared with a hot iron”

c.       Eph 4:17-20,” this I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the emptiness of their minds, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness (lusts) to work all uncleanness with greediness but you have not so learned Christ”

2.      Faith is not by works or outside of Christ

a.       Rom 9:32, “wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it was by the works of the law, for they stumbled at the stumbling stone”

b.      Heb 11:7, “by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith”

c.       Eph 3:17, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you might be filled with the fullness of God”

3.      Faith is not signs and wonders

a.       Mark 13:22, “for false Christs and false prophets shall arise and shall show signs and wonders to seduce if it were possible even the elect”

b.      2 Thes 2:9-12, “even him whose coming is after the working of satan with all power and signs and wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”

c.       Why would God allow people to experience signs and wonders from the power of satan? Listen: 2 Thes 2:11-12, “and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believe not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” God says you will not believe me and my words so I will allow satan to convince you that your ways are right. Faith is knowing God and His words are right. God is not the author of confusion, the devil is.

II.                 Obedience

A.    Faith is doing what God has said because God said it

1.      Faith and works

a.       Our faith must work by love, listen: Gal 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love”

b.      Titus 3:8, “this is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they that have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men”

c.       James 2:17-19, “even so faith, if it has not works is dead, being alone. Yes, a man may say, you have faith and I have works, show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe there is one God you do well the devils also believe and tremble”

2.      Faith is not experienced but is unseen

a.       Rom 8:24, “for we are saved by hope but hope that is seen is not hope, for what a man sees why does he yet hope for?

b.      2 Cor 4:18, “while we look not at the things seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal”

c.       Heb 11:1, “faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen”

3.      Faith is salvation

a.       1 Pet 1:9, “receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls”

b.      Eph 2:8, “for by grace (unmerited favor) are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God” Salvation that brought Jesus from heaven to the cross and from the cross to the grave and from the grave to resurrected and then to Heaven is a gift from God. Those actions from Jesus and the Father is unmerited favor to all of us who believe.

c.       The woman whose sorrow for her sins caused her to wipe the feet of the Lord with her tears and anoint him with perfume, Jesus said unto her, Luke 7:50, “and he said unto the woman, your faith has saved you go in peace”

B.     Obedience is better than sacrifice

1.      Saul and his example of rebellion1 Sam 15:1-23

a.       Saul was told by Samuel to go and kill the Ameleks and all of their cattle and spoil.

b.      1 Samuel 15:9, “but Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good and would not utterly destroy them, but everything that was vile and refuse that they destroyed”

c.       Saul was told by a prophet to kill everything including beasts, man, woman, and child but he went through and decided to keep all that was good and destroy all that was bad. When Samuel was telling Saul his sin, he summarized with this, 1 Sam 15:22-23, “and Samuel said, has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”

2.      The Scribe’s answer “better than burnt offerings”

a.       Mark 12:32-33, “and the scribe said unto him, well Master you have said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but He and to love Him with all of the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all of the soul, and with all of the strength and to love his neighbor as himself is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices”

b.      Look what Jesus answered, Mark 12:34, “and when Jesus saw he answered discreetly, he said unto him, you are not far from the kingdom of God…”

c.       Jesus agreed with the scribe that to love God with your all and your neighbor as yourself is above all material sacrifices, such as burnt offerings.

3.      The doers of God’s will are justified

a.       Rom 6:16, “know you not that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey, whether sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness?” “for not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified” Rom 2:13.

b.      Sometimes we must pray, for God to remove what hinders us from obeying the truth, listen: Gal 5:7, “you did run well, who did hinder you from obeying the truth?”

c.       Jesus is our example of faithful obedience, listen: “though He were a son, yet he learned he obedience by the things he suffered and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him”

C.     Consequences of not obeying

1.      God corrects His children

a.       Prov 3:12 “for whom the Lord loves he corrects, even as a Father the son in whom he delights”

b.      Heb 12:5-6, “and you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him for whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives”

c.       2 Tim 3:16, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness”

2.      Hell is a place for the unprepared

a.       John 12:48, Jesus said, “He that rejects Me and receives not My words, has one that judges him, the word that I have spoken the same will judge him in the last day”

b.      Heb 4:11, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”

c.       Luke 12:46, “the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers”

3.      Hell is a place for the rebellious

a.       2 Thes 1:7-9, “and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power”

b.      Rev 20:10, “and the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever”

c.       Rev 21:8, “but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death”

III.              Trust

A.    What does trust have to do with faith?

1.      Faith is knowing Jesus will not fail you

a.       1 John 1:9, “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness”

b.      1 Cor 10:13, “there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also will make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it”

c.       1 Pet 4:19. “wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator”

2.      Faith is like a child

a.       Matt 18:3-6, “and said, truly I say unto you except you be converted and become as little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and whoso shall receive one such child in my name receives me but whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the sea”

b.      Luke 19:13-15, “then there were brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, allow little children and forbid them not to come unto Me for such is the kingdom of heaven and He laid his hands on them and departed from there”

c.       Mark 9:36-37, “and He took a child and set Him in the midst of them and when He had taken Him in his arms He said unto them, whosoever shall receive one such children in My name, receives me and whosoever shall receive Me receives not me but him that sent Me”

3.      Faith is trusting in Jesus to save

a.       Mark 8:34-35, “and when He called the people unto Him with his disciples also He said unto them, whosever will come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me and whosever will save His life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose His life for my sake and the gospel’s the same shall save it”

b.      Rom 5:10, “for if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled we shall be saved by His life”

c.       Heb 7:25, “wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He lives to make intercession for them”

B.     When God delays we must wait

1.      The persistent widow

a.       Luke 18:2-3, “saying there was in a city a judge which feared not God nor regarded man and there was a widow in that city and she came unto him saying avenge me my adversary”

b.      Luke 18:4-5, “and he would not for a while but afterward he said within himself though I fear not God nor regard man yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her unless by her continual coming she weary me”

c.       Luke 18:6-7, “and the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge said and shall not God avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”

2.      Those that wait on the Lord

a.       Psalm 130:5-6, “I wait on the Lord my soul does and in His word do I hope my soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning”

b.      Isa 26:8, “yes in the way of your judgements O Lord have we waited for You, the desire of our soul is to Your name and to the remembrance of You”

c.       Isa 40:31, “but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint”

3.      Zacharias and his example

a.       Zacharias was well stricken in years and had been praying for a child, as was his wife Elisabeth. An angel told him that he was going to have a son and his prayers have finally been answered.

b.      He did not believe the angel and was unable to speak until the child was born and it was time to name him. He named him John just as the angel told him the name of the child was to be.

c.       The child was John the Baptist

C.     What trust is not

1.      Trust is not based on emotional experiences but on truth

a.       Paul is an example of misguided trust. Paul trusted in the Lord that he was living in all good conscience, persecuting Christians yet his trust and faith was not based upon the truth. He was fighting against God thinking himself doing God a favor.

b.      You can trust in people that deceive you, but that trust is not based upon truth but rather deception and lies.

c.       Trust is not based upon a feeling but based upon faithfulness of a relationship that is built upon good reputations. Jesus has the best reputation for being a faithful High Priest.

2.      Trust is like a contract

a.       In all simplicity, is that not what the New Covenant of Jesus Christ is? It is a covenant, and agreement between two parties to perform stated duties. There are all types of agreements or covenants. Marriage covenants, real estate covenants, business agreements.

b.      Becoming a Christian is an agreement between you and God handled through the hands of a faithful Savior, Mediator, and Lord named Jesus Christ. In this agreement, you have certain promises and rights as a Christian, but you have to hold up your end of the agreement to God. Jesus Christ our Mediator works out the any discrepancies between the two parties to keep both parties in harmony and peace.

c.       Talking of Jesus the Hebrew writer says, Heb 8:6, “but now has He obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises”

3.      Trust in Christ is like a family

a.       In most families you can trust each other because you know their characters. You can see how your brothers are and know what they will do. You can see how you dad is and know what he will do. Christ is that faithful big brother that is always taking up for his younger children. God the Father is that faithful dad that never lets you down.

b.      Listen to what Paul begins his prayer with, Eph 3:14-15, “for this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth are named…”

c.       Matt 10:32-34, “whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven but whosoever shall deny Me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven think not that I come to send peace on earth I came not to send peace but a sword”. You would never deny that your mom and dad are your family or that your brother and sister are indeed your family, would you?

Conclusion:

1. So, do you believe in God and His revealed word? That is how faith starts. Then that knowing God’s will results in either of two decisions: to do what God has said or to ignore what God has revealed. God’s word is never sown or told and produces no result. God’s word always produces a result, when obeyed it produces faithfulness and when ignored it produces rebellion.

2. So, do you want to ignore the truth from God or do you want to secure your salvation from hell and torment? Do you want eternal life and to have everything you need for this life provided for you? Jesus came to earth and was crucified dying and being resurrected the third day to provide you with everything you need for this life and to be godly. In other words, He has already done the work for you to have everything you need physically and spiritually.

3. In order to make Jesus your Only Shepherd and Lord, you must confess Him as Lord and Savior and repent by amending your ways to follow His ways, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. After you are baptized for the forgiveness of sin then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you with all of this life. However, it is a decision you must make for the rest of eternity. To become a Christian and turn away from the truth would be worse than never becoming a Christian. This is a decision to make for the rest of your life.

   
   

   My prayer is that Jesus will confirm this word to you and that He will remove every obstacle that is in the way of you becoming a Christian. May it be so in Christ name.

   
   
   
   

Peacemakers...Do the Will of God…

Peacemakers...Do the Will of God…

“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Mat 5:9 KJV Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

1. Peace is something you do not say…words of Truth can create peace but must be said I n Truth and Love…violence creates more violence…but the only way to end violence when words will not be received for peace is to meet a violence with violence.

2. Just treatment of the enemies of peace…Jesus said to bless your enemies not curse them…not to join the enemies of peace but to feed and water your enemies by doing so you will reap coals of fire on their head.

3. The Best a soul can do is what is right by our Creator when he learns the Truth.

4. A peacemaker desires…to harm no soul including their own…to keep the innocent innocent…the harmless harmless…and to shed no innocent blood.

5. Peacemaking stops the evil doer and keeps the innocent harmless and the harmless innocent. Peacemakers must exercise self-control and not act not out of self-will but out of love knowing love does not work ill-will towards its neighbor or enemies but seeks peace and what is best for all.

Mat 5:6 KJV Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

1. Your desire to be right with your Creator should be more than your desire to fill your physical belly.

2. Right makes might every time…when you see injustice or evil your desire to make right that which is evil for the harmless and innocent supplies the might, strength, words, to stop the oppressor and free the captives from being made to do wrong or suffer injustice or being made to do evil.

3. Love works no ill-will towards its neighbor but defends with Truth with right doing. Ensuring peace, tranquility, to pursue liberty (life free from evil), and to pursue happiness when no innocent or harmless soul is harmed.

Mat 5:7 KJV Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

1. Jesus said mercy rejoices against judgement…thus mercy should be shown. Judge the ignorant with the teaching and warning of the just punishment of the crime by teaching them the Law so they can learn not to do wrong again. Mercy teaches the truth so no offense is created, but Law demands punishment or correction. Mercy leads to correction but rebellion must be corrected or contained or ended.

2. Love the Law which teaches the harmless to remain harmless and the innocent (morally upright) to remain innocent. Hate the evil that would corrupt the morality of souls. No shedding of innocent blood. Love works no ill-will towards its neighbor and thus the Law should do the same…work no ill-will towards its citizens.

3. Forgive and you will be forgiven…mercy instructs and forgives so no offense is accounted against the ignorant soul…Do what is True and right always…the best any soul can do is what is right when it learns the Truth.

Mat 5:8 KJV Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

1. Love works no ill-will towards its neighbor but seeks what is best for their soul. This is pure in heart…wanting what is best for our Creator and His Creation. When you have no impure motives you will see our Creator working through His creation.

2. Doers Do the will of God but doubters never Do the will of our Creator God. To have the servant attitude of Here Am I Send Me or I will be somewhere listening for my name.

3. Pure in heart see God’s intentions, as in His plan and purpose for the good of His creation.

Father, please help us be peacemakers, merciful, mighty in the right, and pure in heart so we can know, understand and be wise about Your original intentions or plan and purpose in our life…we renounce Satan and his kingdom and any other form of evil…In Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

Try…A…Daily Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend

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Peacemakers