Living Amongst the Enemy

 The Enemies Reaction to Jesus' Kingdom

Book of Matthew Chapter 15

As we go further into the Book of Matthew, we see more and more of Satan inspired hatred for the Messiah. If we want to ask ourselves what is wrong with America today, America is suffering heavily from Satan inspired hatred and it is only going to get worse.

Rev_12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

The Lord knows what is going on in all His creation at all times!

We must know we live amongst our enemy!

We can also realize that this place is not our home, Heaven is our home we are only pilgrims passing through.

Heb_11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

As Jesus goes about the things He came to do, the super religious crowd from Jerusalem approaches Him to try in any way possible to make Him look bad before the people who were following Him.

*****Mat 15:1  Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 

Mat 15:2  Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

If we think about it these disciples of Jesus Christ were beginning to see the power in the truth of God.

They were also seeing things that none other than our Creator and our Messiah could be doing.

There was nothing magical about what the Lord Jesus was doing!

Jesus was just being who He is and who He is the Almighty Living God!

We see the Word of God is not questioned by these hypocrites sent from Jerusalem, it was man's laws that are brought into question.

What are traditions?

The Jews were pretending that, besides their written law contained in the Pentateuch, God delivered to Moses an oral law, which was handed down from generation to generation.

Which is not true!

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. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The question is not that we should eat with clean hands which we should when we can.

Many a construction worker will eat their lunch with the same hands they work with.

This is where that prayer to the Lord thanking Him for our meal is so important. This prayer will protect us while we eat.

It is the ritual cleansing of the hands that is brought into question here.

A ritual cleansing is not intended to truly clean it is only symbolic of God's cleansing and a prayer is much better than anything symbolic.

The Lord Jesus, God in the flesh just tells them, how can you judge someone else when you are also a sinner?

Jesus tells us the same thing today!

In fact Jesus says, "you will know them by their actions". It is called discernment.

*****Mat 15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 

The Lord Jesus ask them a serious question. Jesus said: how can you use your man-made laws to overrule God's Law?

This is what traditions will do in most cases!

The Lord Jesus is not just wise, He is Wisdom Himself!

Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

You cannot defeat the Lord by asking Him questions!

Mat 22:46  And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. 

Anything that goes against the written Word of God is false!

We should understand that every question asked by these hypocrites was designed to cause the Lord to fail in front of the people who were following Him.

What had God told Moses?

*****Mat 15:4  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 

Mat 15:5  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 

Mat 15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 

What are the faults of religionist? Religionist set aside the Word of God for tradition.

What had God said?

Deu 5:7  Thou shalt have none other gods before me. 

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. 

We are guilty of sin if we put anything in the place of God. 

If we put some manmade tradition in front of the Word of God, we have placed God second when He must remain first in our lives, and this includes all His written Word rightly divided!

We all know that when our parents get pass the age where they can take care of themselves, they may need our help.

This was even worse in the time of Jesus.

Many who had been misled by these hypocrites would tell their parents when they asked for help that they had dedicated any extra they had to the Temple and could not help them.

We do not know if this was done for spite or other reasons, but this allowed for a manmade tradition to supersede the written Word of God that they were so proud to claim. They had a name for this they called it Corban.

Jesus rebuke them for this thing:

Mar 7:9  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

Mar 7:10  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 

Mar 7:11  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 

Mar 7:12  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 

Mar 7:13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 

What name did Jesus use for those who did such things?

*****Mat 15:7  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 

Now I did not say this. These are the words that our Lord Jesus Christ used for all those who put man made laws and traditions before the Word of God.

God is not happy with such people who claim to be true to the Word of God.

Isa 9:17  Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 

Isa 9:18  For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. 

Isa 9:19  Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. 

We have a bundle of these who have become politicians who claim that Jesus as their Savior yet write laws that go against the Word of God.

They should understand they cannot come before a righteous God and survive!

Job 13:16  He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. 

The Lord says they are willfully blind to the truth of God:

Job 20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? 

Job 20:6  Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; 

Job 20:7  Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? 

What are some things that are used today?

Church Attendance becomes greater than the Word of God.

Rituals become greater than the Word of God.

Ceremonies become greater than the Word of God.

Some use manmade objects to keep them religiously saved become greater than the Word of God.

Some actually believe that prayers could come before the truth of God.

The Word of God rightly divided is our guide to a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!

Nothing can be substituted for the truth of God!

Again what words did our Lord Jesus use?

*****Mat 15:7  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

The Lord Jesus Himself teaches us how we are to worship our Heavenly Father:

Joh_4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh_4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

A hypocrite is not then a true worshiper!

All those in this entire world who reject the Lord Jesus Christ cannot truly worship our Heavenly Father!

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. 

We cannot know God if we reject Jesus Christ!

We will never see God if we reject the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

1Jn 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

We cannot worship God without the Holy Spirit living within us!

Traditions have no place in the worship of our Heavenly Father!

Hypocrites do not have the Holy Spirit living within them, no matter what they say!

*****Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

Mat 15:10  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 

Mat 15:11  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

If there is anything that is false in our worship, then we worship the Lord in vain!

We should understand that ritualistic and tradition filled religion is the same as what these Pharisees had.

Traditions, rituals, holidays, manmade ministries, invented ceremonies, all supersede the Word of God.

 This is the reason most holidays have become no more than commercial days set aside to keep people from giving to the Church.

 We cannot set aside our own inventions and traditions as part of the Word of God.

We know that these Pharisees had no room for Christ, and it is the same for the false Church where we can no longer find Christ.

 We should remember what Age we live in!

We live in the Laodicean Church Age!

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Jesus immediately called to the multitude and said, "hear and understand".

Jesus Christ never knew fear and He has told us to do the same!

If there is no Holy Spirit within then only evil will dwell.

It is evil within, that defiles us!

These Pharisee looked upon themselves as the leaders and religious leaders, but Jesus said they were leading all the Jews to Hell!

Mat 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 

Mat 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

It did not matter to Jesus that He offended these men. 

They were of no use to the Kingdom of God!

Then Peter said explain this to me because all Jews looked up to the Pharisees.

When we do not understand we need to go directly to the Lord!

*****Mat 15:15  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 

Mat 15:16  And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 

Mat 15:17  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 

It is a simple bodily function. Anything that goes in our mouth finds its way into our bellies and the unneeded things go out our bottoms.

It is the process of nourishment.

All things that go out of the mouth come from the heart.

It is the things in our heart that make us good or bad!

The true source of defilement comes from within us, and our Lord looks into our heart to know the real person.

A corrupt heart is the true source of our misery in this life!

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 

Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 

Why did Jesus scold the disciples?

Because it was easily seen that these Pharisee had their own religion, and it did not include the Messiah because it did not include Jehovah God.

*****Mat 15:18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 

Mat 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

Mat 15:20  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. 

The Lord Jesus Christ came to deliver us from evil and this certainly includes every false religion where the Lord Jesus Christ is not the Messiah!

In fact Jesus is that Messiah as taught to the Jews by Moses:

Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 

Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 

Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 

This Prophet's name is Jesus!

1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

1Jn 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

What comes from the heart of those who are lost?

Evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Even when we are saved some of these same thoughts will be used by Satan against us, but having the Holy Spirit within us gives us the power to overcome these things.

Depravity is what we see throughout our world today!

We live in a sin filled world!

All depravity comes from the heart.

It gets into our minds until we act upon them, and this is where sin comes from.

If good comes from us, then our heart is shown to be good!

If evil and wickedness come from us, then our heart is shown to be bad.

Jas_2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

You see it is our works after we are saved, that show the world that we belong to Jesus.

There should be evidence of a new life a life that resembles that of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is why Jesus says we must be Born Again!

1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

1Pe 1:24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 

1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

We must have a renewed mind!

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

There is more to it, than just saying "I'm saved"!

Amen

Jesus Born To Be King

 Jesus Was Born as a King

 Book of Matthew Chapter 1

 

 The Book of Matthew. Nowhere in the Bible nor in this blessed book does it say the Matthew was the writer, but the evidence is very strong.

 Before the year 100 A D,  the early Church historians had already accepted that Matthew was the writer by the Holy Spirit of this great book.

 Remember:

 2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 The key word in this passage is "ALL" which includes the Book of Matthew and the writer Matthew.

 Matthew wrote in the Hebrew tongue also using the Hebrew dialect so the early Christians which before 100 A D were mostly Jews could completely understand.

 In fact we can say that the Book of Matthew was written to the Jews the Hebrew children.

 We can also say the Book of Matthew was written to the Church because Matthew was a Christian writer.

 Matthew was claiming the Messiah who came to save the entire world.

 The Lord can save anybody, anywhere, anytime!

 The Great Deliverer had arrived just as God had promised!

 The purpose of the Book of Matthew is to show us the Lord Jesus Christ is the true Messiah but also Savior, and soon returning King of kings and Lord of lords.

 Matthew begins by proving that the prophecies of the Old Testament will be fulfilled by the Messiah who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Book of Matthew is built around the teaching of the Gospel in a way that is not complicated and easy to be understood.

 The Lord keeps salvation simple. You come to Him with a repentant heart and ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive!

 Matthew teaches us of our soon coming King.

 Matthew begins with the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 *****Mat 1:1  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 Matthew begins with proof of the reality of the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 We see the genealogy that was extracted from public archives which were carefully preserved and placed under the special care of the Sanhedrin.

 The Sanhedrin are the supreme council of the Jewish people  in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Sanhedrin Council can be traced, in the Mishna, to the seventy elders whom Moses was directed to establish with him making seventy-one.

 Num 11:16  And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Num 11:17  And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

 We see that this council was directly established by the Lord.

 The one main question that would be asked by ordinary Jews was "Is He Of The House Of David".

 The name most used by the Jews and by foreigners was: "thou Son of David" used 16 times in the "Gospels".

 Mat 15:22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

 Matthew proves that the Lord Jesus is the Son of David and also the Son of Abraham, being then also the son of Adam.

 This genealogy extends from father to son whereas, in the Book of Luke the genealogy extends from son to father.

 Say what we will about the differences in these two genealogies, the fact remains they both trace the Lord Jesus back to King David, therefore making the Lord Jesus the rightful heir to the throne of Israel according to the commandment of Jehovah God.

 The "Virgin Birth" was the means used our Heavenly Father used to cause this to happen!

 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.

 The doctrine of the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ is equally important as the doctrine of the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 Our Heavenly Father gave to King David the promise of eternal government!

 2Sa 7:12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 This is the Lord Jesus that fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies!

 *****Mat 1:16  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

 If we read closely this line of genealogy, we cannot help but see the "begats" stopped at Joseph. We see that Joseph had a father who was named Jacob after his forefathers, but Joseph did not begat the Messiah. By the power of the Holy Ghost, Matthew simply states that the Messiah was born of Mary just as the prophecy had stated and Joseph had to adopt Jesus placing Him next in line for the throne of Israel that did not exist at that time, as Israel was a conquered nation under Roman power. Rome was very cautious of anyone claiming to be King especially of the Jews.

 *****Mat 1:17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

 We should understand that Matthew divided the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ into three sets, each containing fourteen steps of descent because it was a practice familiar to readers of Jewish antiquities.

 1) The first period of Israel's history symbolizes God giving birth to Israel through Abraham and giving dominion through King David.

 2) The second symbolizes Israel losing its dominion and being enslaved as a result of God's judgment upon sin.

 3) The third period of Israel's history symbolizes Israel's ultimate triumph through the Messiah and and God's liberating power, still in our future.

 Matthew continues by the Holy Spirit to the birth of the Messiah.

 *****Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

 The Bible explains in great detail the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ according to prophecy.

 Remember what the Prophet had said:

 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.

 This precious young lady had been admired by many and yet slandered and abused by many more in her time and in our day.

 An espousal in the time of Christ was betrothing by promise. Today we would say engaged. An engagement can be broken at any time, but an espousal could only be broken by divorce.

 Both the man and the woman, because a true marriage can only take place by one man to one woman according to the Scriptures, would promise to stay pure, they both being "virgin" until the time of the wedding.

 This Scripture says it so plainly.  Mary being espoused to Joseph, "before they came together", she was found to be pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Even today the world just refuses to believe such a thing even when in our day any virgin can become pregnant by artificial insemination.

 Adam was born without a mother or a father and so was Eve.

 These things are not hard to understand if we just trust the Word of God.

 If we are to be believers, then we must believe!

 The birth of Christ was by the Holy Spirit!

 Never before had a man been born "through the Holy Spirit"!

 It is important that we trust the truth of the Word of God!

 It is also important that we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was 100% man but also 100% God.

 Jesus was born of a virgin by the Holy Ghost.

 Our Messiah was not of man but of God.

 Emmanuel means "God with us".

 The Greek word for Christ and Messiah is the same word "Christos".

 Messiah is the Hebrew word and Christ is the Greek word and both refer to the same person and they both mean the exact same thing!

 The "Anointed of One". The Anointed One of God!

 When the Lord came to this earth as the Messiah "Christ" the Hebrew people were praying dearly for Him to come because of the oppression of Rome.

 We know the God always hears the cries of the oppressed!

 Life was hard in those days!

 People felt that God could not wait much longer.

 This is the same feeling we have today!

 In fact the believers knew the prophecies of Daniel and knew that time was near,

 Many claimed falsely to be the Messiah.

 Even Barabbas was an insurrectionist who was leading a rebellion against Rome before he was captured, though we do not see where he claimed to be the Messiah.

 He was certainly a murderer as was the government of Rome!

 Many believed that Christ would come by the line of King David and free the Jews from the oppression of Rome.

Many believed the Messiah would be a great military leader.

Many believed the Messiah would be the great Spiritual leader who would bring righteousness to all the earth.

Many believed the Messiah would be the One who would bring Peace to all the earth.

 All these things are true, but we must wait upon God's timing.

 Jesus the Christ is the Messiah!

 Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 Mar 14:61  But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

Mar 14:62  And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 Joh 4:25  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Joh 4:26  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

 The name Jesus shows that He was a man.

The name Christ shows that He is God's "Anointed", God's very own Son!

 He is the true Prophet:

 Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Deu 18:16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

Deu 18:17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.

Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

 Compare:

 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.

 He is the Highest of High Priest:

 Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

 Compare:

 Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Heb 7:27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 He will be King of Kings and Lord of lords:

 2Sa 7:12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 Compare:

 Joh 12:13  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 Joseph, not understanding at this time, but still loving Mary did not intend to make her a public example.

 *****Mat 1:19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

 As men, we can understand the predicament of Joseph, but not many of us would be as understanding as Joseph.

 I can tell each of you though, until you have had a visit with the Holy Spirit, you will never understandthese things.

 Joseph was certainly a righteous man and he did not want an ugly divorce to be with Mary all her days.

 Joseph did not want to expose her to a public disgrace!

 You see, an espousal was so important that Mary would have been exposed to authorities and she would carry this the rest of her life.

 Joseph struggled with his decision. Joseph was in a predicament!

 The birth of Christ Jesus was a predicament for Joseph.

 Joseph loved Mary dearly and he did not want to see her hurt, but like most men he lost his trust in her being a faithful wife.

 As a man of God, Joseph was not Mary's judge, God was.

 We must understand that love covers a multitude of sins!

 1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 In the Jewish marriage there were three steps.

 1) There was the engagement. The parents usually determined who their children would marry.

2) The betrothal. At a certain time, the couple would agree or disagree with the engagement. If they agreed the betrothal was legally binding.

3) The marriage. The consummation of the couple would take place.

 We know that Joseph did not consummate his marriage to Mary, until after the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 We all wish our young people would take more time in their decision to marry and to live together before marriage is sin!

 While Joseph thought on these things, he had a visit from on High.

 *****Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 We should understand that when the Lord has something for us, he will not leave us in the dark about it.

 Joseph was born in the line of King David.

 Joseph thought of nothing else but about his marriage which showed his great love for Mary his espoused wife.

 Joseph went to the Lord seeking answers and the Lord responded by sending the angel Gabriel.

 We know Gabriel as one of the three archangels of God.

 Gabriel spoke to Joseph as in a dream and gave Joseph the answer to his thoughts.

 Maybe not the answer Joseph thought, but the answer that was the right thing to do!

 Joseph did not feel like a king, but he might be king of Israel if not for Rome.

 Joseph would not have claimed the throne because it would have caused his death.

 Joseph was awakened to the fact the Messiah would come and come to his own household as a babe born of Mary.

 At this time Joseph was just a carpenter.

 We must get alone with God when the decisions we are trying to make, go beyond us and we need help.

 We might be surprised at the message we hear from the Lord as was Joseph.

 The Messiah would be born JESUS. (Jehoshua) which means Savior, Deliverer.

 The Messiah would first come to save, but not first as King, though He would be born as King once Joseph adopted Him.

 Since Jesus cannot die, he will be King forever!

 He will save His people from their sins!

 The Hebrew form Joshua means Jehovah is salvation. Jesus would be this Savior!

 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.

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.

 Why was this done? To fulfill prophecy!

 *****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.

 When God says something is going to happen then we can trust that it will happen!

 The Lord Jesus Christ came first to save.

 He returned to Heaven as the High Priest to those who believe!

 This same Jesus will return as King!

 Act_1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 Just because most of the world rejects this truth does not make it any less true!

 Prophecy is the Word of God, not the words of men!

Prophecy is the future revealed by God Himself!

The prophet is a messenger of God and not the spokesmen of God!

Prophecy must come true or God would be a liar!

 It is impossible for God to lie!

 Heb_6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

 Matthew began by saying this is way the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.

 a) Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

b) What is conceived inside her came by the Holy Spirit.

c) All this was done according to prophecy. Isa 7:14

d) All this took place to fulfill prophecy.

 Matthew did not give us the details of the birth of Christ.

 It is important for us to know that the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. (Jesus Christ)

 The Jews needed to know the Messiah was born of a virgin just as proclaimed by the prophets!

 The Lord Jesus Christ was not born out of wedlock as proclaimed by the naysayers.

 Joseph took Mary to be His wife even though he did not consummate his marriage to Mary until after the birth of our Lord and Savior.

 *****Mat 1:24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 You know when the Lord gives you something then you can be at peace of mind as you go about life.

 Joseph was going to Marry the love of his life and raise a family and none of that had changed.

 There would be one addition to the family that Joseph had not planned on, but it would not change his responsibilities.

 Joseph already obeyed God as did Mary, and none of that would change.

 When we trust the Word of God it is not important what the world thinks!

 Not many people would ever believe what the Angel Gabriel had told them both.

 Mary had some assurance from her cousin Elisabeth who had also received a great miracle.

 Joseph was merciful and gentle toward Mary even though the child she carried was not his own, but He would be raised as his own.

 Joseph forgave as he was forgiven, and he had the attitude of a believer.

 We know Joseph raised his son well as any father would because the Lord Jesus was also known as a Carpenter, which showed that Joseph loved his son and was preparing Him!

 Mar_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.

 His family also considered His brothers and sisters!

 Oh what a Savior!

 Amen

Victory Over This World of Sin

Victory over the World

Book of 1 John 5:1-12

We now know that there are only two groups of people in the world.

1) There are the children of God by salvation.

2) There are the children of the Devil by open rebellion to God.

We know that all mankind are created by a Holy God and mankind was created in righteousness, in the image of God.

When sin entered the world by Lucifer, the Devil, mankind became unrighteous because of sin!

In chapter 3 of the Book of Genesis we can see the entrance of sin into the world and into the realm of humanity. These are the historical facts of two righteous people who fell into sin.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Sin reigned until the Messiah came:

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just what is the meaning the title Christ?

Christ is the English translation of the Greek word Messiah.

Christ, the Messiah, means the union of the Divine nature of God and the righteous nature of the first Adam before sin entered into Adam.

These two natures, the Divine and Human, came together in the person Jesus the Messiah the Christ of God!

It was the Apostle John who by the Holy Spirit gave us these words:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was 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.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In our lesson today we will talk about victory; "the victory of overcoming the world".

The "world" is described as that sinful nature that entered into the world by the sin of Adam which was disobedience which brings an eternal separation from God and death by eternal torment.

The "world" then represents sinful mankind, those who do not know God.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

It is only by faith on Jesus the Messiah, that we have the power to overcome this sinful, rebellious world of fools!

That word “fool” may seem harsh, but the Bible says those who love the Lord are "wise". The opposite of being wise is to be foolish!

We must be "Born Again" into the righteous nature of God!

*****1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

We could ask the world, "why is it so hard to believe that Jesus is the Messiah"? Every prophesy of the Messiah was fulfilled by that Jesus who was born of the virgin Mary which took place in Bethlehem just as prophesied!

Most everyone will claim that they believe there is a God, who is also our Creator.

Those who believe we are all accidents are not as many as the news would have you believe.

Those same people who believe in evolution, that things just happen over millions and billions of years by accident, now claim that mankind can do things that can change that process. It really takes foolish people to believe such things as these.

It is not so hard to believe we have a Creator and that this same Creator loves and cares for His creations.

This same Creator has provided all the information we need to know everything about Him, and that He has given us certain rules to make our lives easier and make our lives better.

The more we know about Him we will find that He is easy to love because He returns that love hundred fold. In fact we do not have a clue to just how much God does love us because His love cannot be measured.

When God says He sent us a Messiah to take away our penalty for sin, then we had better pay attention to what He says!

Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

There are just a few things that we must do to agree with Him.

1) We must believe that Jesus is that true Messiah.

2) We must know and keep His commandments. God's Word is not a book of suggestions!

3) We must overcome this world but joining the Army of God.

*****1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

Again we see that if we know the truth of God, then why would we not obey Him.

Wake up people, when you know in your heart that there is a true God and refuse to listen to what He says, then what does that say about our faith?

If you are not convinced by what you see of God's creation in the daytime, then why not stay up at night and see God's creation in the dark of night.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

If everyone took the time to read what God has to say, many more would agree that God is real, and the real God is the same God written about in what we call the Bible.

We will also come to realize that the Lord Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible, with God being in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

These are the three persons that are Jehovah!

These things are not that hard to understand once you know the truth.

It is the truth that makes us free from the lies of this world!

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

It is a great feeling to know the truth of God and rejecting the lies of this world!

It is easy to love all those who are your true brothers and sisters, once you know the truth.

1Co_2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Yes, we had a physical birth to enter into this world! How can we deny a Spiritual birth to enter into the realm of our Creator God?

We could say that no one knows what happens at death, but that is not true because we can have that Spiritual birth before we die and know much, much more about what happens after our death!

We will live to die and then die to live forever. This is God's promise if we will only believe Him!

This is the work of God's Messiah!

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

When we believe these things it is not so very hard to believe that God will have some rules after He has given us such a wonderful gift.

His first and greatest rule is, to love others and show that love that He has shown to us!

All other rules will come easy when we follow this one rule!

*****1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Maybe the only sure proof of our love for God is the fact that we do our very best to keep His commandments!

Without our own love for God, we will never be obedient to His words!

Our God is the Creator of Life, and anything he teaches us concerns our own longevity in real life which is the life that comes after our physical death!

You would think that once we meet the Expert of all life, that we would just trust what He has to say about our life.

Those who are without God live by the ignorance of foolish men, who are thought to know the truth which for them is impossible.

There cannot be any true believers who have hate within their hearts!

We live in a world where hatred dominates the actions of governments, and dominates those who walk up and down in our streets!

Anyone who has the nature of God will have the love of God!

There are many absolutely nice people in this world yet, if they cannot proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ and be obedient to all the Word of God, they cannot know the love of God!

It is only by Jesus Christ that we can have victory over sin!

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

When we have victory over sin, then and then only can we have victory over death!

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.

We will also have victory over God's judgment!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

One of the greatest victories we will have is victory over fear and despair!

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

And without a doubt, we will have a sure victory over Satan!

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

In fact there is nothing in this world that can overcome the Saint of God!

And just so we are clear, you can only become a Saint of God by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ while you are still living!

*****1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Faith, the one word in the Bible that is the difference between being a child of God and a child of the Devil.

Biblical faith is that sincere belief of the heart and the mind in the promises of God!

All our salvation and all our eternal being, rest in the promises of God!

All the truth to the Church, rest in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

All our reality, rest in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jehovah, in His threefold character of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, has provided all the actions to give us a place to rest our faith!

The hearty, cordial, sincere, personal belief, in the blessed truth of God is called "faith"!

Heb_11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Rom_1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

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

Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What is the reality of our faith?

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Without faith we can have no relationship with Jehovah!

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.

Without "faith" in the works of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will remain slaves to this world we live in.

*****1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Our faith must say that this Jesus, written about in all the Scriptures, is indeed, the Son of God!

It is our faith that will conquer all the lies of this world.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Jesus is the Messiah, already came once, but will soon return to be the Jewish Messiah!

*****1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Since we are now assured of our faith.

Since we are now assured of our salvation.

Let us now be assured about the true Messiah.

Let's us now see the test of our Savior.

What is the witness of the true Son of God?

There are those who accept that Jesus was just a man full of the Word of God and full of wisdom and goodness and that maybe even the Spirit of God fell heavily upon Him, but this is far from the real truth.

Jesus Christ is all these things, but He was also supernaturally born by the power of God!

Was this Jesus the promised Messiah from the Old Testament?

Was this Jesus the true Savior of mankind?

Was this Jesus the One sent from God?

Is this Jesus without a doubt the true Son of God?

This Jesus was born of the virgin Mary empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

It is this same Jesus born of the virgin Mary, who God Himself declared to be His Son!

John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah and He had to know who the Messiah was:

Joh 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

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

This is He that came by water:

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Water is the emblem of spiritual purification, the outward washing of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus was the hand of God descending upon His Son!

It is only after this incident in the life of the Messiah, that Jesus began His ministry upon this earth, according to the Laws of Moses, that He would be 30 years of age.

Num_4:47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,

The Messiah came not only by the water but also by the blood.

It is also the death of this Jesus that declared Him to be the Son of God!

It is by the death of our Savior that our sins have been forgiven!

It was only by the blood that the prophecies could be fulfilled!

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

It is only the Son of God, the Messiah, who had to die to pay for the sin of this world!

The sin that began with Adam and the sin that still goes on today!

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,

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And it is the Holy Spirit who bore witness of the death of the Messiah, the Son of God:

It is the Holy Spirit who gave us the words of prophecy:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It is the Holy Spirit that qualified the Son of God for His office:

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

It is the Holy Spirit who bore witness to the Messiah by signs and wonders:

Act_2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

It is the Holy Spirit who brings Holy Ghost conviction to those who hear the truth of the Messiah, the Son of God, because it is the Holy Spirit who bears witness of the truth of God!

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 Holy Spirit testifies of eternal life:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit:

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

The Holy Spirit will never lead us astray because He will only lead us, to the Son of God!

Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

There is only One Jehovah God, but we can only be the children of God if our faith rest in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, brought to us by all the character of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

Why can a child of God not ever fail?

Because there are three that bear record in Heaven, God the Father, God the Word(Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, all the persons of Jehovah God!

You see our Heavenly Father is behind everything.

It is His plan of redemption and His work!

It is His Son who came to this earth to fulfill all the Word of God!

It is His Holy Spirit who is the power behind the plan of God and God's plan cannot ever fail!

There are also three witnesses upon this earth that declare the Lord Jesus Christ!

They to agree as One!

There is the witness of the Holy Spirit.

There is the witness of the water baptism when the Holy Spirit came down as a dove and God the Father said "this is my Son" in an audible voice.

There is the witness of the "blood", the cross, the death of God's only begotten Son.

If we cannot receive the witness of God then how can we say we believe, how can we say we have that perfect victory that God so graciously provides to all who have "faith" in His Son?

*****1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

The truth of God is a far greater witness than anything of this world!

You see if we really believe God, then we can simply test ourselves to know that this is true!

There is only one question to answer!

Do we believe in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ has already done for our salvation?

You see our justification is based entirely upon our "faith"!

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.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

There is no business with God until we have done this one thing!

The truth is, we cannot have this faith and our faith not seen in our actions in this life! Why?

Because God's perfect witnesses will come to live inside of us!

Many spouses believe the words of each other.

Many children believe the words of their parents.

Many workers believe their employers.

Many juries believe the accounts of the witnesses.

Look at today as so many fall into the trap of believing false news.

So just how much greater is the truth of God that is so easily rejected by so many who will believe anything but God!

What does the belief in God bring?

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.

How can there be anything of this world greater than this truth that so many say is foolishness?

How could we ever say to God that He is a liar, just like all those of this world?

It is the witness of logic that should overwhelm all those who would just take the time to listen to what God says and take the time to read the truth of this world and the truth of our Creator!

Remember it is our Creator who is the giver of all life!

It is the Word of God that has given us this account of the truth of God!

*****1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

You see God has given to us His record of life. There is no record more important that the record of life from our Creator!

Life is the energy behind our being!

Jesus Christ said:

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.

The Bible says that all those that believe upon His Son would have eternal life (John 3:16)

Jesus said: All those who hear the Word of God and believe will have everlasting life. (John 5:24-29)

Jesus said: "I give unto them eternal life" (John 10:28)

Real life is eternal!

Real life is forever!

Real life is satisfaction!

Jesus said all those who come to Him would be satisfied! (John 6:35)

Life can only be found in Jehovah, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

Jesus Christ shows us all what life is all about!

All of us here today with our faith in the truth of God and His Son, have the life that comes from the Son of God!

All those who deny Him do not have God anywhere near them, and all they have to look forward to is death, because they live in death and not in life!

Amen

Let's Pray!