Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

 Instructions and Indictments

 Book of Luke Chapter 11 Verses 17-28

 

 The first part of Chapter 11 deals with prayer, and it is a great day when we finally realize the power of prayer.

 The Lord Jesus prayed often, and it was another fulfillment of prophecy.

 Psa 109:4  For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 

 We all need the Lord's help to pray properly.

 The Lord Jesus taught that prayer is one of the greatest needs we have in our Christian life.

 I know I do not pray enough, and there is power in prayer.

 Our lesson does not go into prayer, but we need to read what the Lord says here in this chapter.

 What is the truth that we need to deal with? Our Lord Jesus has been rejected, denied, and cursed by most of this world, and this is not going to change.

 There is a lot of evidence that proves that Jesus was exactly who He said He was.

 There has been a lot of archaeology that has proven the Bible is accurate.

 Old underground churches have been found in Israel that state that they were part of the Church that Jesus planted.

 King David has been proven to have existed.

 Jeremiah, Baruch his scribe, Isaiah, King Solomon, the Temple that Solomon built, and when it was rebuilt, King Cyrus and his directive to allow the Jews to go home have all been proven. The Moab stone proved of war with Israel, many things in Egypt, and much more has been proven that shows the Bible is full of the truth.

 The Bible is accurate, and the Lord Jesus did really come to this earth just as the Bible says.

 The information we read in the Book of Luke came from eyewitnesses to the life and death of Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus cast out the devil from a deaf and dumb man, and the wicked rulers of Israel said the power of Jesus came from the prince of devils, Beelzebub.

 This is just another name given to Satan.

 We must understand how the wicked work in our world.

 When evil and wicked men cannot deny a good man's deeds, they will do their best to destroy his reputation.

 In fact, this is what is driving the wickedness in our nation today, and why we cannot get good people to run for office.

There are no perfect people in this world. Almost all of us have something in our past that we are not proud of.

The Lord Jesus, who took on the flesh of a human, is the only one who walked this earth as a perfect man and is the perfect God.

 To say these things about the Lord Jesus Christ, whose power comes by the Holy Spirit, is the unforgivable sin.

 The Scriptures speak of sins against the Holy Spirit called quenching: 1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit. 

 There is the sin of grieving the Holy Spirit: Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

 We only think of blaspheming the Holy Spirit when we think of sins against the Holy Spirit, but these others are also sins against the Holy Spirit; He will forgive, but not blasphemy against Him; He will not forgive.

 We should understand that the Lord Jesus had made Himself known to Israel throughout the Gospels, but look into the Book of Matthew, Chapters five through seven.

 The Lord Jesus had done many miracles also in Matthew Chapters 8 through 10.

 The Lord Jesus had fulfilled many of the Messianic signs, and the Jews had witnessed all these things and knew they were true.

Many of these same things are written about in the Book of Luke.

 Now the religious leaders came who had witnessed all these other things, and they decided that the power of the man Jesus came from Satan.

 Mat 12:22  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 

Mat 12:23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 

Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 

 God had already said: Mat 12:18  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 

 We should not doubt that every sin committed is a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The world of that day should have recognized that the Lord Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

 The religious people could not deny the work of Christ or the miracles; they just denied that He was the promised Messiah and pointed to the Devil as the source of His power.

 This is the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit!

 This sin is final, and it is unforgivable because they had witnessed these great works of the Lord Jesus, themselves.

 Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 

 There will be no opportunity for repentance for this sin!

There will be no opportunity for a pardon!

There will be no opportunity for forgiveness!

 Where does the power of every Christian come from? It comes from the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

 Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 

Joh 7:39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 

 It is believed that this sin cannot be committed today because it requires the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and the work that He does Himself.

 Thank goodness that most all sinners get more than one chance to accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 If saved, it meant we finally repented and turned to Christ.

 Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ before their death cannot be forgiven.

 Those elders and religionist that claimed that the power of Christ came from the Devil, knowing better, are now burning in the hottest part of Hell reserved for Satan Himself.

 The Lord Jesus always knows the thoughts that are in our heads.

 *****Luk 11:14  And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 

Luk 11:15  But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 

Luk 11:16  And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 

Luk 11:17  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 

Luk 11:18  If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 

Luk 11:19  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 

 The Lord Jesus claimed to be of another house and another kingdom than that of Satan.

 The Lord Jesus set before these people a logical example, that a divided kingdom or house will surely fall.

 They understood what the Lord was saying because they knew it was the truth.

 We had better be careful here in America because we are more divided than we ever have been, at least this is the message our government is sending along with most news sources.

 These things make us really weak, and it is all because of sin.

 When the Lord Jesus spoke these things, He acknowledged the existence of Satan and his kingdom, both of whom struggle against righteousness and good.

 Satan is not divided, and you will never hear of him doing good or being righteous, but he is deceiving.

 Satan wants his own kingdom, and he does not want any of God's people to be in it.

 Satan wants to be worshipped as God, even though he is just a created being like the rest of us.

 Satan is certainly not going to cast out the wickedness and evil in this world because he then would have no power at all.

 Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

 There were, at that time, Jewish exorcists who were of the Jewish nation who tried to cast out devils and demons in the name of Jehovah God, and they were not accused of using powers from Hell.

 The Lord Jesus deserved far more respect than these exorcists.

 One of the biggest mistakes of the Jews was that they exalted priests and religion above God and the Holy Scriptures.

 We still see this today in many denominations!

 We know these people honored God and the Holy Spirit, but they rejected the Son of God, who was also the Son of Man.

 Without the Son of God, there is no payment for sin!

 Without the Holy Trinity, there is no salvation!

 What the Lord says next is interesting.

 *****Luk 11:20  But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 

 All the acts of the Lord Jesus Christ were through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.

 Every action the Lord Jesus took on earth was in obedience to His Heavenly Father, God the Father.

 Since the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He has been busy establishing the Kingdom of God.

 The Holy Trinity, the Triune God who is One God, cannot be divided.

 Jesus said He had enough power in one finger to cast out the house of the Devil.

 I believe Him!

 *****Luk 11:21  When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 

Luk 11:22  But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 

 When the Lord Jesus Christ died on Mount Calvary, He went into the house of the strong man (Satan)(the Devil) and robbed him of his household goods (all the people he had in his power)( the keys to hell).

 He then bound the strong man (the Devil) when Jesus defeated him in the wilderness.

 Then Jesus went through all the land doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil.

He is still doing this through the Church today!

 Jesus gave old Satan a swift kick in the head on the cross, and Satan is still dizzy from that today.

 Wherever the power of God is located, this is the Kingdom of God.

 The only thing lacking is accepting what the Lord Jesus has done for us!

 1Jn 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

 Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

 *****Luk 11:23  He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest gift this world has ever seen because He is our Creator, but He is also our Great Shepherd.

 Where we choose to stand in relationship with Jesus Christ will determine the impact we make in this life!

 It is the Lord Jesus Christ who determines our destiny!

 There is no neutrality with Jesus Christ: we are either with Him or we are against Him.

 We either fight against evil or fight against righteousness.

 We either fight for the Kingdom of God, or we fight for the kingdom of evil.

 Standing still is fighting against the Kingdom of God by doing nothing for God.

 Standing still is allowing evil to continue in our homes, our nation, and this world.

 A voice of silence is a voice for evil!

 1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

 *****Luk 11:24  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 

Luk 11:25  And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 

Luk 11:26  Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. 

 Many in our world claim they do not need the Lord Jesus to clean up their lives.

 Deliverance from wickedness and evil is not the same as being set free and living for the Lord Jesus.

 Maybe someone can get the unclean spirit to leave him.

Maybe someone can let go of a wrong religion or religion itself.

Maybe someone can stop worshiping material things in this world.

 These things will not make someone a new man, though some may say that.

 All that emptiness in that person must be filled with something, and the only thing that will work is the presence of God and the possession of a New Nature.

 Without this, that person will just feel empty with no purpose.

 Unless that emptiness is filled with the Holy Spirit, some new evils far worse than the first will return, and the last state of that person will be far worse than he was at first.

 Many make a confession of Christ, but they remain an empty house, and they fail.

 It is unlikely that this man would ever clean his house again.

 2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 

 *****Luk 11:27  And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 

Luk 11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 

All mothers want to see their children do well, and this woman was saying how blessed the mother who had raised such a son as Jesus.

We do not know if this woman even knew Mary, the mother of Jesus.

We do know that Mary was blessed by God.

This woman does not go beyond the natural feeling of the Lord's good deeds.

The Roman-Catholic church has gone much further by introducing the worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and God does not honor this.

Mat_4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luk_4:8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

How did the Lord Jesus respond to this?

The Word of God is not about being impressed by the goodness of the Lord Jesus.

It is certainly not about His mother Mary, who had to be a wonderful, godly person.

If we want true blessings, then we need to hear God's Word and do our best to follow the Word of God all our days.

A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is far better than any relationship one can have here on earth.

No book on this earth has the importance of the Word of God!

There is nothing on this earth that should come between us and the Word of God!

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 

Amen

Is Your Name Written Down in Heaven

 

Rejoice Because Your Name is Written in Heaven

 Book of Luke Chapter 10

 Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

 Many who deny the deity of Jesus Christ do so by referring to the term firstborn. They claim that if this term relates to Jesus, it must imply that He had a beginning in time, but they are wrong.

 In the Old Testament, the culture was all about the status of the oldest son.

 Deu 21:17  But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

 In reality, the word firstborn denotes priority or supremacy, and this is the way it is used of Jesus Christ.

 Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 

 Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and preeminent in all His creation.

 Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 

 Heaven's angels will not worship anyone but God!

 Psa 89:27  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

 God's Messiah will be the firstborn who is resurrected to New Life to rule this entire earth.

 The firstborn of the Church, who are all those whose names are written down in Heaven. Born Again, Regenerated,

 Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 

Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

Joh 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 These are those whose names are written down in Heaven.

 If we cannot rejoice because our names are written Heaven, then we need to question our salvation.

 *****Luk 10:1  After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 

 1) We should be able to tell that there are many disciples of the Lord Jesus, just as there are many more today.

 Most of these disciples would not meet the qualifications to become an Apostle, but many of them were still committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 These seventy disciples were so committed that the Lord Jesus could send them to preach and teach the Gospel.

 There may have been at least one hundred and twenty who met the qualifications to be an Apostle, but were not chosen by the Lord Jesus.

 Act 1:12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 

Act 1:13  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 

Act 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

Act 1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 

Act 1:16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 

 2) The Lord Jesus also sent them out two by two.

 This does not mean we are not to go out alone to witness for Jesus Christ, but two together are much stronger against our enemy, Satan. With the two, there could be mutual encouragement and help when help was needed.

 3) There was a tremendous need for people to hear the truth of the Messiah and the truth of the Word of God.

If that need was great at that time, it is certainly much greater now.

 We know that the Lord had sentenced that generation to death, and Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.

 We now know that all those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ are sentenced to eternal death, and the Lord Jesus could return at any moment.

 There is certainly a greater need to spread the Gospel!

 4) These seventy were sent as forerunners. They were to prepare the people for His coming.

 Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 We have the same job today!

 Our time to serve the Lord grows short!

 *****Luk 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

 1) The first thing they were to do was to pray!

 Who is this Lord of the Harvest? We know only one Lord and He is the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Every believer has a duty in this work for the Lord Jesus! 1Co 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 

1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 

1Co 3:8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

 2) What kind of people are in the world to be witnessed to?

 *****Luk 10:3  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 

 Notice that the Lord Jesus Christ does not call them the "Lost Sheep of Israel”; He calls them wolves.

 We see a reversal of sorts; the disciples are now the lambs, and those who are lost are the wolves.

 Going out for the Lord is not a victory march, but it is a bit dangerous and is growing more so today.

 The lambs of God's House are defenseless against the wolves of this world unless they walk in faith and the purpose of the Holy Spirit.

 The key, they must still go out with "faith," but the Holy Spirit will be working on the hearts of those they witness to.

 There is still the danger of persecution.

 It is the wolves of this world who are trying to rid the world of the followers of God.

 So, the next time you see your politician going against the Word of God, remember they are wolves out to destroy your nation and allow sin to rule.

 The next time your preacher preaches against the Word of God, remember they are just wolves employed by Satan.

 The next time your News Source defends sin, remember they are just wolves trying to regain control of our nation.

 *****Luk 10:4  Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 

 If we do not trust God, then we will never be of much use to Him!

 They were not to worry about money for food, housing, clothing, or an extra pair of sandals.

 If they had to pack and prepare all these things, they would not be able to cover as much ground.

 Friendliness is all good and well for things of this earth and the time we live in, but as witnesses for the Lord, we must think about our eternal salvation.

 Here we see that the Lord Jesus told them not to waste time on needless conversation.

 All their time was to be used on their ministry and prayer.

 The Lord intended to instill in them the urgency and the commitment to enter the Kingdom of God.

 2Co_6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 As believers, we know that the Lord could return at any moment now, and those who are lost need to understand this.

 *****Luk 10:5  And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 

Luk 10:6  And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 

 We must clearly understand that the message of salvation is a message of peace with God, our Creator.

 The Lord Jesus said, Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

 One of the greatest things I have realized as a believer is that I can rest each night knowing that I am at peace with God.

 Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

 As witnesses for Jesus Christ, we are to proclaim peace in any household we enter.

 If the head of that household was a man of peace, then God's peace could be proclaimed.

 If the head of that household did not proclaim peace, then the message of God was not to be forced upon that house.

 God will never force anyone to accept His message of truth.

 Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 

 Psa 81:15  The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. 

 *****Luk 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 

 We must understand that those who carry the message of the Kingdom of God in truth are worthy to be supported by those who receive the truth of God!

 1Ti 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

 They were to seek compensation, but they were not to seek luxury.

 They were not to be embarrassed or self-conscious in receiving payment.

 There is certainly nothing wrong with living a simple life!

 Our Heavenly Father is already committed to providing our needs.

 They were to eat whatever food was placed before them without question, regardless of the Jewish food laws.

 *****Luk 10:8  And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 

Luk 10:9  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

 The Apostle Paul wrote, guided by the Holy Spirit: 1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 

1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 

1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 

 We know that the number twelve has a particular significance in the Bible, and we can be sure that the number seventy also has significance to the Jews.

 Notice the Lord Jesus also gave these seventy disciples the power to heal the sick.

 We are never to take on the sin of that person we are witnessing to, but they must feel that we have compassion on them, and we may have to change our own customs and habits to reach these people.

 Those we witness to must see that they are accepted just as they are, and they should see that we care for their souls just as the Lord Jesus does.

 We must remember that the Lord Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.

 He could have just as easily said: "no Father, I do not want to have anything to do with that bunch of sinners".

 Thank you, Lord, for your precious love for us!

 When the Lord Jesus walked upon this earth, He was the Kingdom of God in the flesh.

 When we take the exact Word of God to others, we are taking the knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven to them.

 One day soon, we will be witnesses to the actual Kingdom of God, and this should also be mentioned.

 We may not know what Heaven looks like, but we know it will be wonderful.

 1Co_2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 We do know more of what the Kingdom of God will be like during the Lord's reign from Jerusalem for one thousand years.

 Zec 8:3  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 

 The "Good News" is for those who accept the truth of God's Messiah.

 Those who reject the "Good News" will be told of their coming "Judgment".

 *****Luk 10:10  But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 

Luk 10:11  Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

Luk 10:12  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 

Luk 10:13  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

Luk 10:14  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 

Luk 10:15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 

 The Lord's disciples were told to walk away from all those who rejected the truth of God.

 We are not to argue with non-believers. We are never to create a bad situation that might reflect upon our character; we must just leave.

 We have the truth of God, and they can only offer the meaningless thoughts of the Devil.

 1) There would be cities that rejected the disciples of Christ.

 They symbolized God's rejection by shaking the dust off their feet as they left that city. This was a silent testimony that was clearly understood on that day.

 This was a symbol of serious judgment. It meant that not even the dust of that city was worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, much less the people.

 That city was to be left to itself just as they had wanted.

 The Lord Jesus will not force the truth upon anyone!

 2) There would be those who professed to be God's People. These were mostly Jews.

 These are people who only make a profession of faith but stick to their old lives, and there is no change.

 The truth is, you cannot claim to be God's people if you reject God's Son.

 The world needs to wake up to this fact!

 The judgment of God would be greater on those who claim to be God's people and reject Him than was God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

 These would include Chorazin and Bethsaida, and would be far worse than the judgment upon Tyre and Sidon.

 We know that Chorazin and Bethsaida do not exist as cities any longer, nor do Tyre or Sidon.

 3) There would be those who had a constant witness.

 Capernaum was the city where Jesus Christ was raised, and Jesus was the One who never committed even one sin.

 He was known as the Carpenter, which means He was a good carpenter.

 The Lord Jesus healed every sick person in this city. Things that only God could do, and they knew this to be true.

 He was accused of having worked these great works with the power of the Devil.

 This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be forgiven.

 The residents of Capernaum went straight to Hell because they rejected God's Son and the truth of the Gospel.

 These are the Scriptures that give us the thought that there are degrees of punishment even in Hell, but there is no joy in Hell at all!

 Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Mar 8:37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 

 When the Lord Jesus Christ uses the word "woe", it is not a call for vengeance but is a call of deep regret and a warning to others.

 Jud 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 

Jud 1:15  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

 When we hear the Word of God by God's called people, we are hearing from God Himself.

 *****Luk 10:16  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 

 We must understand that when we speak the Word of God, just as it is written by the Holy Spirit, we are speaking the words of our Savior and our God!

 2Ti_3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

 Every person who has lived and who will live upon this earth needs to know what God has said.

 1Jn_4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

 Act_2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 Rom_13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

 Rev_20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 As witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ, we provide the opportunity to know the truth of Jehovah God. Yeshua. Yahweh.

 Our lesson picks back up as these seventy witnesses sent out by the Lord Jesus Christ have returned.

 *****Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

 The seventy have returned with great joy, but they do not speak a word about their preaching and teaching or the results.

 They could only talk about the authority they had over demons.

 They did not mention:

 1) How much they had done for Jesus Christ.

2) How hard the work had been.

3) How strongly the Devil fought back to keep his own.

 They could only talk about the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ.

 Any power we have as Christians comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

 There is great power in the rich red blood of Jesus Christ!

 1) Demons deceive people. 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Ehphesians 2:2

2) Demons inflict disease. Luke 13-16

3) Demons deceive nations. Revelation 16:14

4) Demons influence the mind. Gen 3:1-5

 Every victory over Satan and his demons should bring great joy!

 Satan is a defeated foe!

 *****Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 Satan has fallen from his position in Heaven and can no longer be there where he once had the power of angels.

 Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

 Satan and his demons may still be able to cause many problems for a short time longer, but Satan is a loser, and we need to remind him of that at all times.

 Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

Joh 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 

Joh 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 The power of God given to each believer is for the purpose of defeating Satan!

 *****Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

 We should understand that if God has called us for some special mission, some special purpose, there is nothing on this earth that can cause us harm until that purpose has been fulfilled.

 Satan certainly has some power: Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

 The Lord's power is far greater: Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

 1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 

 The Lord Jesus will give His believers power over the enemy: Luk 9:1  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

 Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

 God's servants are perfectly safe against all enemies: Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 

 These are not the most important things in our lives as Christians.

 *****Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

 We should rejoice far more in our salvation than in any power the Lord may have given to us.

 Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

 Amen

The Miracle Worker

 A Centurion's Faith and a Dead Man Raised

 Book of Luke Chapter 7

 As we get into the miracles of Jesus Christ, let's talk about the Lord Jesus, the miracle worker.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was also a miracle worker, but we should understand that for the most part, He did these miracles to show the people He is God Almighty.

 Another thing we should see about the miracles of Jesus, He did things that only God could do.

 Such healing of a leper, the knowledge to heal a leper, is something only God can do.

 There is still no cure for leprosy even today.

 It is the same for a sinner; there is no cure for sin other than the "Grace" of God that comes in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We can say that sin is a disease that only the Lord Jesus Christ can heal.

 Another miracle happened when the Lord Jesus gave sight to the blind man. There is still no cure for blindness today.

 Jesus came to this earth to open all our eyes to the truth of our Holy God.

 Psa 146:8  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: 

 There is another prophecy that led the Lord Jesus to perform miracles. Isa 29:18  And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 

The Bible must remain the truth of the Almighty God! 

Isa 35:5  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 

Isa 35:6  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

 What is the greatest miracle of Jesus Christ? Isa 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 

 Isa 44:22  I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 

 The religious leaders of Jerusalem had no way to explain the miracles that were done by Jesus Christ without admitting He was truly the Messiah, which they were not about to do.

 They came up with a plan.

 Mat 12:22  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 

Mat 12:23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 

Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 

 This is the sin against the Holy Spirit.

 This sin cannot be forgiven because these wicked men had seen that Jesus had performed these miracles, His words, and His works.

 These Pharisees dogmatically reported that Jesus performed these miracles under the power of Satan.

 The miracles could not be denied, but they refused to acknowledge that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

 There will be no opportunity for repentance of this sin because it is the same sin of not believing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 Mat 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 

Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 

 It is a great study just to study the miracles that the Lord did while He was on this earth.

 *****Luk 7:1  Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 

 We should understand one important thing about the Word of God.

 Once we have heard the Word of God, we can no longer remain neutral; we will be on the Lord's side or on the world's side.

 After the Lord Jesus was driven out of Nazareth, He chose Capernaum as the headquarters of His ministry.

 The city of Capernaum saw many great works of the Lord during His time there, but this wicked city never accepted the Lord Jesus as God's Messiah, and it does not exist as a city today.

 Mat 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 

Mat 11:24  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.  

The Lord Jesus had just preached a great sermon to those who had gathered to hear Him.

 Capernaum was important enough to Rome that a detachment of Roman soldiers stayed there at all times.

 It was this Roman commander who had provided the money to build a Jewish synagogue in Capernaum.

 *****Luk 7:2  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

 There is a clear lesson to learn in this passage.

 People with great faith also care for other people.

 Most people look down on our military, but I found that when I was a soldier, most soldiers care for people.

 Most soldiers respect others even when they are on assignment in other nations than their own.

 When we see the word slave, we do not usually see a person who is loved or cared for.

 This Centurion would have had to buy this person for him to be a slave, and he had grown attached to his slave.

 A slave in that day was nothing more than a tool to be used and abused by most of those who owned them.

 This slave had become deathly sick and ready to die.

 The lesson we are to learn is that God will not do for those who have no or little faith.

 *****Luk 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 

 True faith will humble us because we know we are unworthy to approach God and certainly unworthy to ask God for His help.

 We should understand that once we understand we are saved from the wrath of God, why should we think God owes us anything else?

 This soldier had only heard about the wonderful things the Lord had done, and he believed these things were true, unlike most Jews of that day.

 The Book of Matthew said that this Centurion had approached the Lord Jesus.

 The Book of Luke says that this Centurion sent some religious leaders to approach Jesus.

 The truth is, if a commander sends someone with a message, then it is as if he had approached that person himself.

 Both Luke and Matthew are right in what they wrote by the Holy Spirit.

 No doubt this military man had heard of the wonderful things that Jesus had done.

 We had better believe that Rome had someone in the crowds who approached Jesus to put down any insurrection that occurred, but we know Jesus never preached for rebellion against Rome.

 This Centurion requested help, not for himself but for a slave in his possession.

 He sent priests who were the leaders of the synagogue that he had helped to build.

 Today, we do not need a priest on this earth to intercede for us; we can go straight to our Heavenly Father as long as we go in the name of His Son, Jesus.

 1) Once we are exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must humble ourselves before the Lord if we want to seek the blessings of God!

 Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 What was told to Jesus about this military man?

 *****Luk 7:4  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 

Luk 7:5  For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 

 When we have faith in the truth of God, we will want to know more about Him.

 What we see is that some Roman soldiers did have true faith in the God of Israel.

 He did this knowing that his own nation and his own rulers despised the Jews.

 He helped these Jews because he loved the God of Israel, and it was not a fake love.

 The world hated the Jews just as most of the world hates the Jews today.

 When you are a hated person, you will strive to be better than those around you, and this will cause more hatred.

 We can truly narrow this down to the fact that the Jews served the One True God, and the world will always have many gods or be Anti-God.

 God said: Gen_12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

 Those who hate Israel and the Jews also hate the Word of God, no matter what they say!

 The world rejects that it is by faith that God works in our world.

 If there is one thing that the whole world has, it is that there is always someone to blame if things are not going to suit them.

 This is why there are no solutions to problems reached in this world.

 The Jews and the Gentiles have very few dealings with one another.

 The Gentiles were treated with less respect than a dog by the Jews, and so did the Gentiles treat the Jews. We know it is much the same today.

 Mar 7:25  For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 

Mar 7:26  The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 

Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 

Mar 7:28  And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 

Mar 7:29  And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 

 This Roman soldier did not allow these things to interfere with his love of God and his faith in Christ.

 *****Luk 7:6  Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 

Luk 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 

Luk 7:8  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 

 We can have faith in a lot of things in this world, and most of them have little or no real meaning because there is no real benefit for them.

 If our faith is real in Jesus Christ, then He knows it, and it means something to Him!

 That soldier of Rome had great faith in Jesus Christ.

 We see this Scripture a lot, but it is a truth we can depend upon: Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

 This is the faith of this soldier from Rome faith even the Jews did not have.

 This faith is believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord with all the power of Heaven.

 This faith is believing that the Lord Jesus Christ will reward those who diligently seek Him, and He will use His power on behalf of those who seek Him.

 This faith is believing that there is nothing impossible for the God of the Bible.

 This faith is believing that all God has to do is speak the Word, and things will happen.

 Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

 If we cannot believe this, then we will never get a prayer answered, and we need to question our salvation.

 *****Luk 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 

Luk 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. 

 When God has a great admiration for our faith, He will move on our behalf!

 This Gentile from Rome had stirred the heart of our Savior!

 There are only two places in the Scriptures where it is said that Jesus marvelled.

 Here in this passage about the Gentile Roman soldier and the people of Nazareth, His hometown who had no faith.

 Mar 6:4  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 

Mar 6:5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 

Mar 6:6  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

 There will be no great works in our life, in our church, nor in our ministries without "Great Faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ!

 It did not matter if this man was a Roman.

It did not matter if this man was a Gentile.

It did not matter if this man was a soldier who had followed commands, even commands to kill.

It only mattered that he had great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus Christ has the power to do as He says He will do and the power to meet all our needs!

 Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 

Mar 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 

Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

 This is the power to answer any prayer!

 *****Luk 7:11  And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 

 The city of Nain was only six miles from the city of Nazareth, and this distance could be walked in less than a day.

 This is the same area where Elisha had raised the son of a Shunammite woman, so this area had seen the power of God.

 There were many witnesses to this resurrection because it was a funeral procession.

 Many unbelievers had followed the Lord Jesus from Nazareth.

 The disciples of Jesus were with Him.

 The timing of the arrival of the Lord Jesus was perfect.

 *****Luk 7:12  Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many people of the city were with her. 

Luk 7:13  And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 

 We have stated before that for a woman to be left on her own in this day, it would be hard for her to survive.

 The women of that day were homemakers, while the husband and sons, if she had one, would provide for the home.

 We saw she was a widow, so her husband had already passed.

 In typology, Israel is a widow without a husband today because the Jews still reject the Lord of Glory.

 She is now attending the funeral of her only begotten son.

 All of Israel's hope lies in the only Begotten Son of God, the Son who will die for their sins as He did for all sinners. They must first admit that they are sinners.

 Was this the reason that the Lord Jesus had compassion on her? It was at least part of it.

 The crowd of people attending the funeral and the crowd of people following the Lord Jesus Christ all met together at the gates of the city.

 The crowd of the city walks with death.

 The crowd with Jesus walks with Life.

 What we will witness is that death will lose to the Giver of Life.

 Death has the last word for the unbeliever.

Life has the last word for the believer.

 Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 When death meets the Lord Jesus Christ, death will have to give way to Life!

 Rev 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

 The Lord Jesus was touched by this whole scene. This mother was a type of the love that God has for His children.

 We should also notice that no one had asked the Lord Jesus for help.

 We see that God does act sometimes out of His own compassion. Why?

 Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

 Compassion is a mix of passion, love, and sorrow.

 *****Luk 7:14  And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 

Luk 7:15  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 

 A bier was a flat wooden frame on which the body of the dead was carried from the house to the grave.

 The body of the Lord Jesus would lie on such a bier in a couple of years in Jerusalem.

 We know that contact with a dead body was forbidden by the Laws of Moses as a source of defilement.

 Num 19:11  He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. 

 Though God can do as He pleases, the Lord Jesus did not touch the body of this young man but only touched the bier, as written by Luke.

 Jesus then spoke: Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

 1) The Lord Jesus did have the power to bypass traditional beliefs. The Lord Jesus Christ possesses the right and the power to override all religious laws and beliefs and over life and death as our Creator, but He would never go against the written Word of God.

 2) The Lord Jesus Christ has the power to stop the death processional. The pallbearers stopped without Jesus saying a word to them.

 3) The Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who has the power to raise the dead. He commanded life to return to this young man. 

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 

Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

We should understand that everyone who was raised from the dead by Jesus while he was first on this earth later died again.

 The Lord Jesus Christ tells us exactly what will happen after the death of the believer and the death of the unbeliever.

 The souls of the believers will return with Christ.

 The souls of the unbeliever will be reunited with their mangled bodies in the Burning Lake of Fire.

 *****Luk 7:16  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 

Luk 7:17  And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. 

 These people in Nain had never seen such a thing as this.

The disciples of Christ had never seen such a thing as this.

All those who were following the Lord as spies for the religious had never seen such a thing as this resurrection of the dead.

 Many of them had a great fear of what they saw.

 This was a fear of reverence and awe. This is the same fear that we all should have.

 Jhn_6:48  I am that bread of life.

 Jhn_14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

As far as the human body is concerned, death has the last word.

As far as the Christian is concerned, death is the next step into God's Heaven.

When death is confronted with life, death loses.

Death has no right to the body of a Christian!

1Th_4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

There was only one thing left to do, and this was to glorify God.

All those present all knew one thing, and it was that only the Living God had the power to raise the dead back to life.

The Lord Jesus was not asked for any help.

The Lord Jesus saw this poor mother and had compassion upon her.

We serve a compassionate and loving God who can be touched by the suffering of His people.

Our God is the only source of true consolation.

The Lord's compassion is followed up with His "Grace".  The free, unmerited love and favor of God is the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him.

Why did God send His Son to save us to begin with? Because He had compassion on us and was willing to show His Grace to us.

Those words "God hath visited His people" mean they should have recognized that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, but they did not have enough faith, and even this little faith did not last long.

They began to see the Lord Jesus as only a Prophet of God, though He was a Prophet, He was so much more than a Prophet. He was God's Son.

Luk 19:41  And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 

Luk 19:42  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 

Luk 19:43  For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 

Luk 19:44  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 

The Muslims and other religions call Him Prophet, but I call Him Savior. I call Him God!

We can look forward to the Rapture of the Church or the day after our death when we hear the voice of the Lord calling us home.

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

Amen

Born of A Virgin

  The Virgin Birth of Jesus

 Book of Luke Chapter 2

 We should understand that the word virgin means exactly what it says.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, just as prophecy intended.

 Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

 There is no better way to describe this birth than to say a Virgin Birth.

 Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 

Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 Mary was a virgin before the birth of Jesus Christ, and Mary was a virgin after she gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Many Christians today say Mary died as a virgin, but I trust the Scriptures.

 Mrk_6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 I believe these are the sons and daughters of Joseph and half-brothers and half-sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 We should also understand that the Jewish priests all had to marry virgins, and the Lord Jesus can only accept the Church as the Bride of Christ if it is without spot and without blemish.

The Lord Jesus Christ is right now our perfect High Priest!

 This is the reason He died in our place so that the Church to be not just forgiven but "justified".

 Just as if no sin had taken place.

 Rom_5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 Chapter 2 Verse 1

 *****Luk 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

 Prophecy had said the Messiah of God would be born in Bethlehem.

 Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

 Bethlehem means the "house of bread".

Ephrathah means "fertile".

 Our Messiah is the true food of His people.

 Joh 6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 

 Seven hundred years before the birth of the Messiah, the prophet Micah said it would take place.

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

 Mary lived in Nazareth with her family, and she was now heavy with child.

 We ask ourselves, does God have powers that we do not understand? It’s called the providence of God.

 God had given His message of the virgin birth through one of the most powerful angels that stood before Him, Gabriel.

 God, in His own power, caused the virgin birth through the power of the Holy Spirit, the greatest power upon this earth today.

 God used the most powerful man in the world at that time, Caesar, to get the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem before the Lord Jesus Christ was born somewhere else, making the Word of God have errors.

 There are no errors in the prophecies, and there are no errors in the Word of God!

 At this time, Caesar Augustus reigned in Israel because there was no throne of God upon this earth.

 God uses all the rulers of all nations to fulfill His own plan for this world.

 Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

 Joseph also has to go to Bethlehem because King David was from Bethlehem.

Mary did not have to go to Bethlehem, but she was also a descendant of David through his son Nathan.

 *****Luk 2:2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Luk 2:3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  

 When Cyrenius was governor of Syria, Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.

Cyrenius was second in command at that time, but he would still be referred to as governor, so this is not a mistake of Scripture as some claim.

 The one thing we know for sure is that the fullness of time that Jehovah had determined had come.

 Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

 Daniel wrote: Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 

Dan 9:25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 

Dan 9:26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 

 So, these things took place just as God had said they would, and the priests of Israel should have recognized the hand of God in these things.

The High Priest had for many years been chosen by Rome and was not a descendant of Aaron, and they were more interested in their pocketbooks than the Word of God.

 *****Luk 2:4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 

Luk 2:5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

Luk 2:6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 

 Bethlehem Ephratah was only six miles from Jerusalem, and it is the same place that provided the sheep for the sacrifices at the Temple.

 Rachel the second wife of Jacob, had died giving birth to Benjamin there.

The story of Ruth takes place there.

The early years of the life of David were there.

 Today it is called Beit Lahm, which means "house of flesh".

 Today, those men in this place wear the green turban, which shows them to be the undisputed descendants of Mohammed.

 Much of Judah at this time showed signs of war, but the world of that day of Augustus was, for the most part, at peace under this cruel ruler who sat on the throne in Rome.

 In verse five, we see that Mary is still espoused to Joseph because they had not consummated their marriage, and they would not until after the birth of Jesus Christ.

 An espousal was considered sacred, though that marriage had not been consummated.

 We could say that the Church is espoused to the Lord Jesus Christ, waiting on Him to come get His Bride and take us home to show His Father His wife.

 *****Luk 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

 The way the family of Jesus was treated in Bethlehem was a prophecy of the way the world has treated Jesus Christ ever since.

 Many disagree, but we see here that the Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus was considered the firstborn of the Virgin Mary.

 If there is a first, then there must be a second.

 The Lord Jesus was not born in pleasant surroundings. We all know the smell of stables.

 He was turned away by people from the very beginning, as He is today.

 If the world had cared, a room would have been provided for this young mother.

 This mother had only herself to bring for this birth, as she herself wrapped this child Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

 The Lord Jesus was born into a corrupt world under the rule of a Roman dictator, with Herod the false king of Judea.

 None of these things stopped Shiloh from coming.

 Gen 49:9  Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 

Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

 It is the simplicity of Luke's Gospel that is a mark of truthfulness.

 We know the Holy Spirit does not allow error in the Word of God.

 Much of the world missed the first coming of Jesus the Messiah, and most of the world will miss the Second Coming of the Messiah.

 Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

 *****Luk 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

Luk 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

Luk 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

Luk 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

 We could probably say that no one has actually seen a real angel, yet these same shepherds got to see a real angel; in fact, they got to see a Heavenly Host of angels.

 In the time of Christ Jesus, shepherds were seen as the lowest class of people in Judea.

 People just did not see shepherds praising and glorifying God.

 Shepherds just had a bad reputation, and they were snubbed by the religious groups.

 Religious groups have not changed since that time, and they still snub the True Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus said Jhn_10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 The Lord Jesus said Jhn 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 Because of their work, shepherds could not attend the services at the Temple, and they were looked down upon for this.

 All people, but religious people, know that tending animals is a seven-day-a-week job.

 They could not keep the ceremonial laws of washing and cleansing, so they were despised.

 We can see that the Almighty God does not think much of religion, so He gave His first message of salvation to these lowly shepherds that everyone else considered to be dirty, rotten sinners.

 I was a dirty rotten sinner myself.

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God!

 What had Abraham said to Isaac? Gen_22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:

 John the Baptist, the forerunner for Christ, said: Jhn_1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 Again, John 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

 John the Apostle wrote: Rev_7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 Again, Rev_19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

 One more: Rev_22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

 Praise God for His precious Lamb that took away our sin.

 The shekinah glory of God, which symbolized the Divine Presence of God, had not been seen in over four hundred years.

 Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

 Hab 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

 The angel's message was a message of reassurance and "Good News".

 The Messiah was now among His people; it was time to go visit Him.

 The Jews required a sign, so the sign was that they would find Him lying in a manger, the feeding place.

 Angels make a great impression, so these shepherds now had the fear of the Lord.

 The bright light was the Shekinah glory of God and did not come from the angels.

 The Messiah had come for all people and not just the Jews.

 When the Messiah returns in the clouds, He comes for His own people. All those who have accepted His Messiah.

 Rom_9:26  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

 The Messiah came as our Savior, not our judge nor a politician.

 The Messiah came for miserable sinners.

 A wise man once said that the only thing we have to offer when we meet our Savior is a "dirty rotten sinner".

 This Savior, the Lamb of God, is the Lord Jesus Christ!

 He is the Anointed One of God and Lord of all creation!

 He is Yahweh, the God of the Covenant.

 On His first night, the Messiah could be found in the "City of David" because He is also the promised Son of David.

 Israel was expecting a Messiah who is a Mighty Warrior, dressed wonderfully and sitting upon a throne, but that Messiah has not yet returned; but He will.

 They would only see a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes who was so poor that He was born in a stable because He had come as a lowly shepherd and not as King.

 *****Luk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

 Suddenly, this angel of the Lord was not alone; there was an army of angels with him.

 There are many angels, and all of Heaven could have come down to glorify the God of Heaven.

 Rev_5:11  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

There are just too many to count!

 Angels do not really understand the salvation plan of God, but they do know who their Creator is.

 These shepherds got to see a little bit of Heaven and Heaven's power.

 They cried out for the glory of the Highest possible Being they knew.

They cried out for the One they know that dwells in the Highest Heaven.

They cried out for peace on earth.

They cried out for the goodwill of all mankind.

They cried out for all mankind to be reconciled to God.

They cried out for the sin problem on earth to be solved.

 Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

 *****Luk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

Luk 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Luk 2:17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 

Luk 2:18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

All these things had excited these shepherds so much that they left their flocks and went with haste to Bethlehem.

If the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ does not get us excited, then we are missing out on the greatest event that happened on this earth.

These simple shepherds felt that the time to act upon that information was right now.

Once we realize we have a Savior, we need to act upon that information immediately!

Once they knew what the angels had said was true, they too began to tell the world about God's Messiah.

They had believed those angels, but they would not be believed.

No one yet knew that God was coming down to earth to live within His people.

Nothing is said about Mary and Joseph except that they were there.

To these shepherds, it was all about that babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

When these shepherds told others about all the things the angels had said, it did not stir the people because they were still looking for a mighty king.

To them, it would be too shameful for the Messiah to be born in a nasty stable.

They had no faith in the truth of God!

Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus, would keep all these things inside her.

This is the sweet view of "Grace", which is silent and waiting upon the Lord.

The perfect gift from our Holy God!

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made 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. 

Amen

John the Baptist is Born

 The Birth of John the Baptist

 Book of Luke Chapter 1 Verses 57 through 80

 Elisabeth's pregnancy goes full term without complications, naturally.

 John's life began to develop in his mother's womb, just as all babies do.

 Elisabeth already knew that she would have a son because the angel Gabriel had said that God had decided.

 God had decided the name for this son would be John and not Zacharias or another name from the family of Zacharias.

 The birth of John the Baptist brought great joy to this family because they had recognized that the birth of John was due to the mercy of God.

 The birth of John the Baptist was a significant event for every generation, including today.

 *****Luk 1:57  Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 

Luk 1:58  And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 

 Elisabeth had forgotten her baroness because it had been replaced with joy.

 We too can have joy because we live in a time when the Lord Jesus Christ could return in the clouds at any moment.

 The Lord Jesus Christ said His return could be somewhat compared to the birth of a child.

 Joh 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 

Joh 16:22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 

Because the birth of John was a miraculous birth, many people wondered what manner of child he would be.

 Elisabeth had forgotten all those years she could not have a child.

 She was ready to give her love to this child of God.

 Her friends and family had come by to rejoice with her.

 The birth of John the Baptist was proof again that God will do what He says He will do.

 The birth of John was of God's power over nature.

 The birth of John was evidence that God is the God of life.

 Nothing is impossible for God.

 Luk 1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible. 

 Psa 115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 

 Prophecy was fulfilled.

 Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

 Mal 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 

 The Lord Jesus said that John was the fulfillment of these prophecies: Mat 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

 The birth of every child is an awesome miracle of life.

 The birth of John showed us a merciful God who so loves us.

 The birth of John the Baptist is not much different from our own birth.

 It is our job to prepare those we meet to meet the Lord Jesus Christ.

 John was used in God's plan of salvation, and we have the same job on a smaller scale than John had.

 God allowed John the privilege of being the forerunner for the Messiah.

 1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 All of the family and friends of Elisabeth rejoiced with her.

 The mercy of God was not just for Elisabeth but was for the entire world!

 God always does exactly what He says He will do!

 *****Luk 1:59  And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 

Luk 1:60  And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 

Luk 1:61  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 

Luk 1:62  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 

Luk 1:63  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 

 It was on the day of circumcision, the eighth day after the birth, when a Jewish child was named, and most names came in relation to the father and the father's family.

 John was named by God Himself, and some of these friends of Elisabeth were confused.

 We should know that it is on the eighth day that the blood of a newborn will clot to stop the bleeding, naturally.

 This is why God chose the eighth day.

 Lev_12:3  And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

 Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham.

 Gen 17:9  And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 

Gen 17:10  This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

 We should also understand that circumcision is also a type of Christ.

 Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

Col 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

 Those friends and family of Elisabeth and Zacharias could not grasp that something new was at hand, a New Covenant.

 John was circumcised as a sign of the New Covenant that God was about to make for His people.

 Most of the Jews have not accepted the New Covenant even today, but they will while going through the tribulation period of seven years.

 Rom_11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 The Jews did not stumble to be rejected but once they stumbled, God offered His "grace" to the Gentile world with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy.

 The fact that this son was named John is enough proof that this whole event was true!

 Zacharias confirmed it by naming the child John.

 Immediately, the chastening of Zacharias ended, and his voice returned to him.

 *****Luk 1:64  And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 

Luk 1:65  And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 

Luk 1:66  And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

 Zacharias knows that John will be his only son, but he does not give him his own name, which was tradition.

 By doing so, he renounces his rights to John and acknowledges that he is giving him to God.

 He originated from God; he therefore belonged to God!

 Zacharias had a baby dedication by dedicating him to God.

 Unbelief had closed the mouth of Zacharias, but faith had made him free!

 Jhn_8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 Zacharias had not spoken in nine months, but the first words he had were to praise God.

 All those who were there did not understand what was going on.

 They could not explain it, nor could they deny it.

 They could not understand because they had no faith.

 The one thing they knew was that John was something special because they could tell the hand of the Lord was involved in these things.

 They went about all Judaea telling them what had happened on that day of John's circumcision.

 They would not forget what they had seen and heard but kept them in their hearts.

 After our salvation, we should be praising God continuously.

We should be amazed that the Lord would do such a thing as die for our sins.

We should be spreading this "Good News" everywhere we go.

We should see that our destiny lies in the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

 Psa 111:9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 

 Psa 89:7  God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 

 *****Luk 1:67  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

 There is one thing we know for sure, and it is that God will never go against His own words.

 God will never break a covenant that He has with us as a group or that He has made with us individually.

 No sooner than when his tongue was loosed, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit.

 Once Zacharias obeyed God, God removed His chastisement from him, and he was healed of his dumbness, and he could speak again.

 1) Zacharias was forgiven for his sin of unbelief.

 We must be aware that every time we question the Word of God, we are committing the sin of doubt, doubting God, doubting our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Remember, it is by faith we are saved! 

 2) Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit is a great picture of what happens to every child of God who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 We believe and obey God, then and only then, are we filled with God the Holy Spirit.

 Act 2:38  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. 

Act 2:39  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. 

 *****Luk 1:68  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 

Luk 1:69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 

Luk 1:70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 

Luk 1:71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 

Luk 1:72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 

Luk 1:73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 

Luk 1:74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 

Luk 1:75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 

 The birth of John is the reason for this song of prophecy by Zacharias, but this song is about the yet unborn Jesus Christ.

 This is the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work.

 The Holy Spirit will always, ALWAYS, lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ!

 It is this same God of Israel who is God the Father of Christianity!

 Just as Jehovah will stand up for Israel as He has done many times already, He is now standing up for Christians throughout this world.

 Notice an important thing here: Zacharias is speaking as if these events are already fulfilled, while they are still in the future.

 Why, because God's promises are guaranteed. God will do just as He says He will do!

 It is God Himself who visited this earth in the person of the Messiah.

 God will not neglect this earth until He has taken all His children to our new home on the New Earth.

 Why has the Messiah come first?

 1) He came to redeem His children.

2) He came to rescue His children from sin

3) He came to save His children.

 Though it is wonderful for those who have faith and accept the Gospel, God paid a tremendous price.

 He paid a life for a life!

 Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

 Just as promised, the Messiah would come from the House of David.

 Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

 That word "horn" is always a symbol of strength, power, and might.

 The Lord Jesus, the "Horn," is the Mighty One of salvation because He alone possessed the might, the strength, and the power to save.

 We should also add that He is willing.

 These are acts of "mercy and grace".

 These acts prove that God remembers His covenants.

 Every prophet of the Old Testament is proven to have told the truth, and they were murdered just because they spoke the truth of God, just as many are murdered today just because we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 God is working on His plan for this world at all times; He never rests from looking out for His children.

 Jesus is the same Messiah named in the Book of Genesis.

 Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

 The world may have driven a nail through the feet of Jesus, but He still walks through the lives of Christians, and He will walk again upon this earth.

 Satan will not overcome that blow to His head.

 God will remember the promises made to Abraham.

 Gen 26:3  Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 

Gen 26:4  And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 

Gen 26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 

 We may think there is turmoil in and around Israel now, but things are going to get worse until the Lord sits upon the throne of David.

 God saves us so that we might serve Him and fulfill the purpose He has for each of us upon this earth.

God saves us so that we can live righteously and serve Him forever.

 We can be at peace knowing that we do not have to fear what the world can do to us because the worst thing the world can do to us is the best thing that can happen to us.

 We must have a clear understanding that we do not need to fear our enemies; we have been saved from them!

We will stand one day in the presence of our Holy God in a new world designed especially for us.

 1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

 Now back to John the Baptist.

 *****Luk 1:76  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 

Luk 1:77  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 

Luk 1:78  Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 

Luk 1:79  To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

Luk 1:80  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. 

 John would be a prophet of God.

 There had been no prophets for four hundred years, and John would be the first prophet since the prophet Malachi.

 Here in this same verse, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Highest.

 Jhn_10:30  I and my Father are one.

 Highest means the Supreme God, just so no one gets confused.

John was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the "Dayspring from on high". The morning light, the rising sun.

The Messiah, Our Lord Jesus, was sent to give light to those who had been in darkness.

The Messiah was sent to those who are in the shadow of death.

The Messiah was sent to guide our feet through this sinful world.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

The only place in Scripture we see anything about the childhood of John the Baptist is in verse eighty.

He was a boy with a strong heart and commitment.

He had a strong will and decisiveness.

He was strong in his convictions.

He was a servant of the Most High God!

He was committed to follow, obey, and serve God.

He separated himself from the world until it was time for him to preach.

John stayed in the desert till the day of his showing.

John is not told to form a political party.

John is not told to make known God's thoughts to His people.

John is not taught all the fighting methods of his day.

John is not told to form an army.

John is told to trust the Lord!

Our one greatest test is, "do we have faith in the truth of God"?

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Amen