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

Chosen Disciples of Christ Jesus

 Appointing the Apostles and the Sermon on the Mount

 Book of Luke Chapter 6

 What is wrong with much of the Church today? People tend to institutionalize religion, making it full of form and ritual, rules and regulations, ceremonies, and services.

 What does the Bible say about this? 2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

 The modern church is denying the power of the Holy Spirit, and many have kicked the Lord Jesus Christ out of the doors of the church.

 The Church becomes a religion like all the false religions and far from Christianity, which is the desire of our Heavenly Father.

 The Church is to walk in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ, or it is not a church!

 Why were we saved to begin with? The Lord Jesus Christ needs people!

 In fact, that word "need “is wrong. The Lord Jesus does not need any of us!

 It is those who are lost who need Christians; they do not need religionists!

 We are chosen to carry the message of salvation to the world.

 How did the Lord Jesus go about choosing people to serve as ambassadors from Heaven?

 *****Luk 6:12  And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 

 The Lord Jesus chose His people after much prayer.

 No matter what we are about to take on, we are foolish not to spend much time in prayer.

 There was a large group of people following Jesus at this time, and not all of them had the right reasons for doing so.

 The leaders of Judaism were filled with hatred for Him, and their hatred was increasing.

 In every circumstance, prayer is the refuge for those who serve Christ!

 Most of us can say our prayers in a minute or two, but in reality, this is not enough time to get our message to our Heavenly Father.

 Yes, He knows what we need, but why should He help us or our ministries if we refuse to spend some time with Him?

 The Lord continued all night. Once the Lord started this prayer, He stayed with it until He got His message across and received His answer.

We may not always get an answer when we pray, but we must get our intentions to the Lord!

Jesus was about to choose men to carry the Gospel to all the world, and yet He had a reason for every choice He made.

 We know that one of those men was Judas Iscariot, and though we may not know the exact reason he was chosen, we do know Christ had His reason.

 By the time the sun had come out, the Lord Jesus Christ knew whom He would choose.

 *****Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

 There were many who were following the Lord Jesus everywhere He traveled, but He chose twelve men from those who were called disciples with the intent that they would be His apostles.

 A disciple of Jesus Christ must:

 1) Believes in His doctrine.

2) Rests on His sacrifice.

3) Keep the knowledge of His Spirit.

4) Follows His example.

 Rest meaning: Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  

An Apostle of Jesus Christ:

 1) They are commissioned to preach the Gospel.

2) They had the authority of the Master.

3) They aided in the ministry of Christ.

4) They followed His example.

 These are the same things we, who are disciples, must do!

How were an Apostle chosen:

 1) They were men who had been with Jesus.

2) They could testify to the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

3) They were given the keys to the Kingdom of God.

4) They were given supernatural gifts. Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

5) They were called by the Lord Jesus Christ: Gal 1:1  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 

6) They were given the inspired Word of God and would not depart from its truth: 1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

 These Apostles were to have no successors. They were the only authoritative teachers of the Doctrines of Jesus Christ.

The office of the Apostle ceased when these men died.

 We cannot be apostles, but we can be the messengers of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

 The Lord Jesus called Himself the Apostle sent from Heaven: Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

 That word “sent” is the Greek word "Apostello," meaning sent on a mission.

 The Apostle Paul also said the Lord Jesus was an Apostle: Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 

 The Lord Jesus Christ, our great Apostle, was sent from Heaven with the message of salvation.

 So, the Lord chose His Apostles:

 *****Luk 6:14  Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 

Luk 6:15  Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 

Luk 6:16  And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 

 There should be no doubt that these twelve men were a diverse group.

 Simon, whom the Lord had already named Cephas, which means a "mass of rock" and is translated as Peter, was chosen, as was his brother Andrew.

 We could say that Andrew was more Greek than he was Israelite. He had also been a disciple of John the Baptist

 James and John, along with Simon, were businessmen, and these three seemed to have a closer relationship with our Savior than the rest.

 James and John were also called Boanerges, "sons of thunder".

 Some say this was because of their preaching, but in reality, the name came because of their temper.

 Luk_9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

 The enthusiasm of James serving the Lord was probably what got him selected as the first martyr.

 Matthew may have been the wealthiest of them all, but he may have given even his wealth up to follow the Lord Jesus.

 We know Thomas as doubting Thomas, and he may have been a twin.

 James the Less was a son of the sister of Mary, also named Mary.

 One was a political nationalist and an insurrectionist, Simon the Zealot.

 The Zealots were pledged to overthrow the Roman government and to assassinate as many Roman officials and their Jewish cohorts as possible.

 Philip was a native of Bethsaida and seems to have had a prominent place among the Apostles.

 Bartholomew was also known as Nathanael and is always mentioned with Philip.

 Not much is said about Bartholomew. The Lord Jesus did appear to him on the Sea of Tiberias after His resurrection, and he did witness the Ascension of the Lord.

 The Lord Jesus said he was indeed an Israelite. Joh 1:47  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

 Guile means being crafty, so Bartholomew was a man who fulfilled the true idea of Israel. A man of God, and we could say a man who could get in touch with God through prayer.

Bartholomew would be one of those Israelites who stand at the wall today, praying.

 Judas or Jude, the son of Alphaeus, who was also the son of Caphi, who was a Jewish general under Jonathan Maccabaeus.

 He seems to be the brother of James the Less.

 Then there is Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, also called the Son of Simon. Joh 13:26  Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 

Joh 13:27  And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 

 None of these men was famous or in any way tied to the government.

 As this group comes together, we can see the power of Christ, who gives us all purpose and meaning to life.

 We should understand that the Lord knew that Judas the traitor would betray Him, and this also was the providence of God.

 1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 

 Once these things were settled, the Lord Jesus had a sermon that needed preaching.

 *****Luk 6:20  And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 

Luk 6:21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 

Luk 6:22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 

Luk 6:23  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 

 Many Bible scholars call this passage the Sermon on the Plain to say it is different from the Sermon on the Mount, but we are going to see what the Lord says here.

 The Lord Jesus had just chosen His twelve Apostles, knowing that one of them would betray Him, which is another lesson for the Church.

 It shows that anyone can spend a lot of time with the Lord Jesus and appear to be saved when they never truly accept who Jesus is and why He came as a Shepherd and will return to be King of kings and Lord of lords.

 Jesus is not only speaking to the crowd that had gathered, but He is also speaking to those chosen to be His Apostles.

 This message, some call the beatitudes, explains clearly what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

 What is materialism? Materialism is the philosophy that considers the fundamental principle of all things and denies the independence and autonomy of the spirit.

 Some say it is naturalism, but it is not.

It can be called sensualism, but this is an incomplete meaning.

 Materialism is sensual enjoyment in its fullest sense and denies the existence of the spirit world.

 We should understand that some parts of our being are non-material.

 Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 

 What is the image of God?

 The image of God in mankind cannot be material because God is Spirit.

 Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

 God is spirit, and He does not have a body.

 1) Personality is nonmaterial because each of us has self-consciousness and self-determination, which allows us to make choices. Animals do not have this trait.

 Without this, we could not be redeemed!

 Personality reveals our ability to exercise dominion over our created world and develop the earth.

 Gen 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 

 Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 

 2) Our Spiritual being. God is Spirit, so the human soul is a spirit.

 The attributes of a spirit are reason, conscience, and will. These are all non-material.

 God has endowed each of us with those attributes that belong to His own nature as a Spirit.

 This is why we can know God and the foundation of our belief in our Creator.

 If we do not have the image of God, we cannot know Him, and we would be like the animals.

 3) We have a moral nature.

 Man was created in moral righteousness, also called knowledge and holiness, which was lost in the fall of Adam.

 Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

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.

 Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

 We are not all material but are also spiritual.

 This was Darwin's error that has followed mankind through the last few centuries.

 We did not evolve from animals!!!!!!!

 The Lord Jesus begins His sermon, preaching to those who are poor in spirit.

 There is nothing in this material world that can make us rich in spirit!!

 We must seek our Creator, our God, and His Kingdom, knowing that He alone has the power to make us rich in spirit.

 Mat_6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Being poor in spirit is being full of self.

 There is a lot of difference between having self-righteousness and having God's righteousness.

 Self-righteousness dies when the body dies.

 The righteousness of Christ Jesus lives forever.

 Jesus says all those who become rich in spirit will inherit the kingdom of God.

 2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

 Blessed are the hungry. Again, this is spiritual hunger and not physical hunger.

 Being hungry is not a blessing; it is sad and tragic.

 If we hunger after righteousness, hunger spiritually, it means we have a starving spirit that craves the righteousness of God.

 Righteousness means to be right and to do right according to the Word of God.

 Just being righteous is not enough; we must do righteousness!

 Loose living is dangerous. People do whatever they desire, and they feel comfortable with their relationship with Christ, and they are wrong. They must be righteous and do righteousness to be secure.

 Self-righteousness is the first step to legalism and being judgmental.

 Jesus does not say Blessed are the righteous because no one is.

 Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 Jesus says Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

 Jesus continues Blessed are those who are sorrowful, those who weep and mourn.

 The thought here is of a broken heart over wickedness, helpless against evil, desperate.

 It’s the same brokenness we should feel when we see the Lord Jesus Christ on that cross.

 We should be broken when we realize that we should have been on that cross rather than our innocent Savior.

 We should be desperately sorry for our sin.

We should feel sorrowful for other sinners.

We should feel sorrowful when we experience personal tragedy or trauma.

 When the Lord says He will wipe away all tears, it means we will laugh with the joy and comfort of our salvation and redemption.

 Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

 We will pass from death to real life!

God will wipe away all our tears.

 We should feel blessed when the world looks upon us as the disciples of Jesus Christ.

 We will be hated without a cause.

Our names will be seen in slander.

We will be charged with false crimes and accusations.

 We should rejoice and jump for joy because our rewards are in heaven and not on this earth.

 We must remember that we are not of this world; our home is in Heaven!

 Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ and depend upon materialism will not have any of these blessings.

 *****Luk 6:24  But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 

Luk 6:25  Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 

Luk 6:26  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Judgment is coming to all those who depend upon materialism.

We already know that materialism cannot satisfy our God given spirit!

We can say that woe is equivalent to great grief.

I do not consider myself to be rich, but we could say that anyone who has something that they can put away or save after their needs are met are richer than our parents and grandparents were.

Mar 12:41  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 

Mar 12:42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 

Mar 12:43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 

Mar 12:44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. 

The wealthy are esteemed, honored, and envied.

Wealth brings power!

Those who are already wealthy usually work hard to gain more.

What does God say?

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

What did the Lord tell the rich young ruler?

Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Riches make most who have it selfish.

Riches attach us to this dying world.

Those who are full are those who are so full of themselves that they do not have room for God!

Those who choose to be full of what this world has to offer.

Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

They will leave everything they have accumulated behind when they pass on.

There are no desires that can be fulfilled after death.

There are no delights fulfilled in Hell that will last for eternity.

They shall hunger for righteousness, but it will be too late.

What did the Lord Jesus say?

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: 

Those who laugh now are those who laugh in their sin.

They have no sense of sin, no sorrow, and no regret over evil or suffering or wickedness.

They pay no attention to this dying world!

They will be alone in Hell to weep over their great losses.

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? 

Worldly people want attention, honor, and praise, but all these things do is fill them with pride that they cannot overcome. 

We must also be aware of the so-called preachers that the world speaks well of.

The modern church would not allow Jesus Christ in the pulpit today.

The modern church has allowed the world into the church, and though they are rich, they are failing because they have rejected the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, who God has made Head of the true Church.

The sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain would be rejected as false, and the false church will keep growing in sin and riches and end in Hell.

Amen

Seeking the Presence of God

 Book of 1 Chronicles Chapters 13-16

David's Unwise Choice

We should understand that we as Christians are still human and we are going to make mistakes and they will be sinful mistakes.

God gives us His Word to guide us in this life and to help keep our mistakes to a minimum.

God also gives us the means of forgiveness but chastisement for our mistakes is also just as sure.

David, as the King of Israel, was to rule according to the Word of God!

Just like every other ruler in this world!

We will never make the right decisions in life without seeking the presence of God!

This is the greatest necessity we have in order to have a happy and joyous and a safe life.

Without God's presence we will never grow spiritually, without seeking the presence of God through prayer and obedience!

In order for Israel to be a strong nation, they needed to move the Ark of God to a place specifically made under Jehovah's specifications.

David had already built a place named the Tabernacle of David to house the Ark when it would be

returned.

What were David's plans?

*****1Ch 13:1  And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 

1Ch 13:2  And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: 

1Ch 13:3  And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: "for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul". 

1Ch 13:4  And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 

We can immediately see why King Saul failed and Israel failed under his government!

Saul never prayed to Jehovah concerning his leadership of Israel!

Now we will also see some mistakes King David will make, after making a commitment to the Lord.

1) David made the decision to move the Ark to Jerusalem so he and the people could seek the presence of God.

2) David built his palace in Jerusalem to centralize the government of Israel in the same place where all of Israel could seek the presence of God and His guidance.

3) David made a commitment to seek God in prayer before taking Israel into any war.

You see, as a nation we must strive for economic security.

We must also strive for national security against any foreign military and terrorists who would attack us.

We must also strive for the personal security of our homes against any of those who would cause us harm, including our own government.

Our nation should be seeking the economic wealth of all its people along with these other things!

Not some socialist agenda!

Not some communist agenda!

These are things that are written in our own constitution and much of it is being ignored today!

We should consult God in every decision we make that concerns any of these things, and add to this, we must pray to God to maintain our relationship with Him.,

1Th_5:17  Pray without ceasing.

Just as soon as David was made King of all of Israel, he began to address these matters.

We need a new government today that will stand firm on the constitution.

The best government would first stand firm on the Word of God.

No one in Washington can call anyone a liar especially Donald Trump, because no one in Washington is concerned for the Constitution of the United States of America which they all took an oath to defend.

They should remove all who will not do this!

They are all liars!

Especially those who make up a certain political party and all those who call themselves progressive!

I said it once and I will say it again, there is no such person as a progressive Christian!

And today we can see that there is no such person as a Christian who follows the Democrat Agenda.

For Israel to have the Ark of God and the place of God in the same place as the government in Jerusalem, would be a natural thing.

Our own government seeks to be as far away from God as they possibly can! 

Such foolish people but they recognize the gods of this world and seek to pacify them!

Only through Jesus Christ can we seek the presence of God!

King David had brought all the elders of Israel and the Priests of God to Jerusalem to discuss these things and these things were decided.

It had been sixty years since the Ark of God was last in His place.

David knew that God had selected Jerusalem to be the place of His presence and all the people agreed!

*****1Ch 13:5  So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. 

1Ch 13:6  And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 

In all the days of Saul, he had never tried to return the Ark of God.

David sent out a summons to all of Israel to join with him as he transported the Ark of God to Jerusalem.

This Baalah to Kirjathjearrim which is Judah, and much of that land that is in dispute today is claimed by the Palestinians which has never been true.

Remember, it is Judah which is Judea that Rome renamed to Palestinia just to get back at the Jews because of hatred.

Rome hated the Jews and Rome in the Bible shows the same hatred we see in the world today.

It was a good thing that David was seeking, but David did not consult with the Bible nor with the Priest nor the Levites on how to move the Ark of God.

He decided to move the Ark just as the Philistines had moved it.

Once all of Israel was united and David was anointed King of all of Israel, it seemed to David that it in the interest of all of Israel that the Ark of God be restored to a house of worship.

As we go over these Scriptures, we can see that the Ark of God can also be seen as a type of Jesus Christ.

Before the Ark came to the home of Obed-Edom, the Ark was located at the home of Abinadab that was in Gibeah.

Let us look at both of these things today.

We must clearly understand that there is a right way and a wrong way to seek to be in the presence of God!

Since I prayed for the Lord Jesus to come into my heart and save me, I also understand how important it is for me to be in the presence of God.

I need to feel Him and to know that He is listening to me, though I can do this at home or any other place, there is no greater feeling than being in the company of the many others who feel the same way at my church, my place of worship.

You see upon the Ark is the "Mercy Seat".

The Ark was the place where Israel was to meet with the Lord God of Israel!

By the way He is also the Lord God of all creation, all the things we see and all the things we do not see!

There was no other furniture, lamps, altar, or anything else including the priesthood that meant more than the Ark which was the place Israel was to meet with God.

It is the "Mercy Seat" where we can meet with God today!

The "Mercy Seat" at the Church is the altar where I can reach out to my Savior!

This why it is so important to be in the house of God at the appointed times of worship!

When the Ark was taken because of the sins of Eli and his two sons, that punishment included the Ark of God being taken by the Philistines and the destruction of the Tabernacle located at Shiloh.

It seems at this time another Tabernacle had been built at Gibeah but was without the Holy of Holies.

This was an important event because it was at the Mercy Seat where God met with the High Priest of Israel to remove the sin of Israel.

As far as Israel was concerned, when the Ark was not in their possession, then God was not with Israel and they carried there sin year to year.

They could offer up their sacrifices at Gibeah but the High priest could not take the blood of that sacrifice and sprinkle upon the Mercy Seat because it was not there.

One of the first things David wanted to accomplish as King of Israel, was to bring the Ark back to Israel so all of Israel could meet with God.

We should remember that David was one of the few Jews that it is said he had the power of the Holy Spirit with him at all times.

1Sa_16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

“The Spirit of the Lord came mightily on David from that day forward.”

David could still meet with the Lord but the people had no place to do so.

We should understand that it was not going to take thirty thousand people to bring the Ark back to His place, but David assembled this large group to give honor to the Lord.

David did not do anything that might cause friction with the unified Israel so, David consulted with the leaders of Israel before he set out to bring the Ark back home.

But David did make a terrible mistake.

*****1Ch 13:7  And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 

All the things of God must be important to all the Church, but God has an order that must be followed!

We must understand that God has certain ways for us do spiritual things, and they must be done according to His Word.

How was the Ark to be moved from place to place?

Num 3:29  The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward. 

Num 3:30  And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 

Num 3:31  And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof. 

Num 7:9  But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders. 

Num 4:15  And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. 

It was a good thing that David wanted to the Ark back into the hands of the people but God insists we do all things according to His Word.

The Ark was a sign of the covenant God had made with His people.

The Ark was the place of the "Mercy Seat" where their sins could be forgiven.

The Ark was to be carried upon the shoulders of the sons of Kohath, the priests assigned to all the furniture of the Tabernacle.

It was not to be carried in any wagon that it would appear as some unholy cargo.

It was good that David used a new cart that was not desecrated by common uses, but it  was still against Levitical law.

This is the same way that the Philistines had tried to move the Ark and it had cost them dearly, with many deaths and much destruction in their cities and especially in their places of worship.

The Bible is our means of knowing what God expects of us!

Today we have the completed Bible and it is to be our guide in all things of this life.

Israel had the Laws of Moses and it was enough to give them directions in their lives and in their government of Israel and all things in their worship of Jehovah.

It is the same for our Bible today!

*****1Ch 13:8  And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 

This possession was guided by the two sons of Abinadab Uzzah and Ahio with Ahioh walking in the front and Uzzah walking on the side near the rear of the cart and they began to travel to Jerusalem.

It was a joyous occasion for all of Israel but especially for King David.

There was the singing of songs.

There was the playing of many musical instruments.

God says to make a joyful noise before the Lord!

All these things seemed to be such wonderful things but David was disobeying by failing to transport the Ark as commanded by the Lord.

Obedience is the key to our relationship with the Lord!

*****1Ch 13:9  And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 

1Ch 13:10  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 

We know that David was transporting the Ark but not according to the Levitical laws.

We do not really know why David chose to move the Ark the same way the Philistines chose, but it seems that it was the plan of David.

It could have been done to please the people but it was still against the Word of God.

It seemed to be so small a matter, but it was a grave error on the part of King David and it turned into a serious offence.

Many thought, "why would God do such a thing"?

We must clearly understand we cannot worship the Lord according to the way we think, but we must worship the Lord according to His clear instructions in the Word He has given to us.

God gives clear instructions about how to worship Him and it must be done in spirit and truth!

We can never just throw the Word of God away and come together to worship according to our own ways, yet this is exactly what is going on in what is called the progressive movement we see today.

Most threshing floors were a place with a rock floor so the harvest could be gathered and it is very possible that the oxen hooves did slip and cause a jolt to the cart.

The Ark was never to be touched by the hands there were rings and poles to be used to carry the Ark.

Exo 25:13  And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. 

Exo_25:14  And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.

Exo_25:15  The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

Exo_37:5  And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

Any way of bearing the Ark other than this manner was rejecting the Word of God and we must remember the Ark was in typology a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The holiness of God must be respected!

Num 4:15  And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. 

The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah and God killed him immediately.

Any act of irreverence towards the Ark was punished by death.

What would the world think if God did this today for irreverence?

We should remember and David and Uzzah should have remembered what happened at Beth-shemesh.

1Sa 6:19  And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. 

1Sa 6:20  And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

Things that are serious to God will bring a terrible anger and a severe punishment.

The two things most important to God today are Israel and the Church!

God was disappointed in David and David was disappointed in God.

Have you ever tried with all you might to do something good for God and then find out that He was not pleased at all with you.

This is the way King David felt.

We must remember we have to do all these things in accordance with the Word of God!

David had to find out just what was the right way to retrieve the Ark of God without any more tragedies because of disobedience!

*****1Ch 15:11  And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 

1Ch 15:12  And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 

1Ch 15:13  For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

God has a due order by which we must abide!

It seems that David is laying part of the blame for the tragedy of Uzzah upon these two who are sharing the High Priesthood and we know that they disagree with many things concerning David.

David told them that they sanctify themselves in a recommitment to the Lord.

We must be committed to the Lord to have a personal relationship with Him!

They were to set themselves apart for Jehovah by living holy and pure lives.

Much of the Church has forgotten about sanctification.

Sanctification was essential in approaching the Ark because the Ark is the symbol of God's Holy Presence.

This is why the Ark is a type of Christ.

We must be sanctified if we are to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

 1Pe 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

The sanctification of these two Priests included a ritual washing with water. 

This was a ceremonial cleansing declaring that they had been cleansed from sin.

In the Church we know that we can only be forgiven when we are washed in the blood of Jesus and washed by the Word of God!

1Jn_1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Heb_10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

We cannot approach God until we have been Born Again!

We cannot approach God until we too have made our own Spiritual preparations!

*****1Ch 15:14  So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 

1Ch 15:15  And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. 

We will never have a good relationship with the Lord, until we have dedicated our lives to Him.

We must walk away from our old lives and walk in the newness of life through the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can only do this when are obedient to all the Word of God.

We cannot pick and choose the parts we will obey and the parts we will not obey as is what is going on in many churches today.

We know that poles had to be inserted into the rings of the Ark and the Priest bear the Ark upon their shoulders.

We must clearly understand that violating the Holiness of God will lead to eternal death.

Safety has never been in the Ark of the Lord!

Safety comes from the Lord of the Ark!

Our own safety does not come from the Church!

Our safety comes from the Lord of the Church, the Head of the Body of Christ!

We should remember the Lord Jesus said His burden is light.

Jer 7:3  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 

Jer 7:4  Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. 

In the New Testament we find these words.

Mat 3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 

Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Israel was mistaken when Eli allowed his two wicked sons to take the Ark into battle.

Seven months later when the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel and the men of Bethshemesh looked into the Ark over Fifty thousand men lost their lives.

When the "Mercy Seat" is removed from the Ark, only death by the broken Law remains.

Then we see the useless death of Uzzah because the order of God was not followed.

We must see that the Holiness of God must be observed and this is not happening today in many places of worship.

*****1Ch 15:26  And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. 

We see that God wanted the Ark to be back with the Israelites and in His place in the Holy of Holies so He helped these Levites.

We do need the help of Heaven in our worship services. 

In fact if the Holy Spirit does not show up there will not be a true worship service.

If our Preachers do not preach the message that God gives them, we will never understand how to live day by day in this wicked world.

Act_9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Notice the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit both are necessary in our worship services for the Church to be edified!

When do things right, then there will also be joy when the Lord joins with us in the House of God, and souls will be saved!

*****1Ch 15:27  And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. 

1Ch 15:28  Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. 

When we are in the presence of God, we must worship Him. This is what we live for.

The Lord is to be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth!

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

So many have forgotten these things today!

We must come to the Lord in Spirit: focusing our hearts and our minds upon Him giving Him our full attention, praising Him, and thanking Him for all that He is and all that He has already done for us and the things He has promised to do for us as we grow in Christ and wait for His return.

We must also worship Him in truth!

This is to worship Him exactly like He says to worship Him!

We can only approach God through and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this we must be sincere, God will not be mocked!

1Ch 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 

1Ch 16:30  Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 

1Ch 16:31  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 

1Ch 16:32  Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 

1Ch 16:33  Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. 

It is a fact that this lost world will not like our rejoicing over the truth of God!

*****1Ch 15:29  And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

One of David's wives, actually his first wife who was King Saul's daughter reacted against David because of the way he worshipped the Lord.

She was an unbeliever and also an idolater and while she watched these things from a window, she had seen David full of the Spirit of God and just having himself a time and she did not think a King should be doing such things.

We can see Michal as a type of the many who despise devotion to the Almighty God.

Michal saw Jehovah only as one of the gods among many gods.

David showed enthusiasm in His worship and which is something that is lacking in many a Church today.

2Sa 6:20  Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 

2Sa 6:21  And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 

2Sa 6:22  And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. 

2Sa 6:23  Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. 

David lost any affection he might have had for Michal that day.

We know that in the family, if a wife or husband is saved and the other is still lost it can cause friction in the home.

How does God see these things?

1Co 7:13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 

1Co 7:14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 

1Co 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 

Though David had many wives Michal remained under his support but there was no further relationship with the king in all of her days.

God expects us to do the best we can in our relationships with each other, but it may not ever lead to salvation for the unbelieving spouse.

*****1Ch 16:37  So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: 

1Ch 16:38  And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: 

1Ch 16:39  And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, 

1Ch 16:40  To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; 

Though many may disagree, this is where we see spiritual worship begin to take the place of ceremonial worship.

We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth because this is the way God likes it.

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.

Nothing is gained from ceremonial worship, which is ritual worship!

It appears that David had only built the Holy place and the Holy of Holies and had not built the Tabernacle that was still located in Gibeah.

David appointed Asaph and his brethren to minister before the Lord at all times somewhat like what takes place in Heaven continuously.

Rev_4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

It was Asaph and the singers with musical instruments who were to do this in Jerusalem.

It was Zadok the High Priest who was chosen to lead the worship in Gibeon and who had remained faithful to David and we know that all the house of Eli were pronouced unworthy of which Abiathar was of that family.

Abiathar did remain as High Priest until King Solomon removed him.

It would be Zadok who would lead the worship at Gibeon, the place where the Tabernacle had been reestablished.

Not too far in the future did Abiathar choose David's son Absalom over David.

What does the Lord say?

Act_15:16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Act 15:17  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 

What these things mean is, that when the Lord Jesus returns to set set up His Millennial Kingdom to rule for one thousand years, then at this time all the remaining Israelites will worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth and not in some ceremonial fashion as was done at that Old Tabernacle.

It will be a new day for all of Israel.

There will be no ceremonial or ritual worship during those one thousand years!

Amen

Is God Listening

 An Answered Prayer

Book of 1 Samuel Chapter 1

As we begin this study into the first Book of Samuel, we should understand that we do not know by whose hands the Holy Spirit used to author the books of Samuel. We can believe that Samuel probably wrote some of the books that bear his name, but no one knows for sure who the writer was.

If we rightly divide the Bible, we know that the Books of Samuel were written to the Israelites, but we also know that all the Bible is written to the Church.

The Books of Samuel gives us a historical record of the transition of the nation of Israel from the era of Judges to the era of Kings. 

This book gives us a record of the birth and the establishment of the monarchy.

We also know that these things were done in rebellion to Jehovah God!

The era of Judges became a corrupt era, and the era of the kings would not be much better, in fact we could say it was worse in many ways.

We do know that each king was to rule and serve under the authority of Jehovah God, just as the Judges were to rule according to the Word of God.

We will see how the sovereign power of God moves events to bring about His purposes and to work out all things for the good, the good of all those who follow Him.

God can make some good come from any dire situation!

This study of the first Book of Samuel begins with prayer just as throughout our lives we need to begin each day with prayer.

Prayer is the source for receiving all things of God!

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, "yet ye have not, because ye ask not". 

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, "and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts". 

We can see that all things are available through prayer, but our own actions are the greatest deterrent to the answering of our prayers.

In this first lesson we meet Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah and we need to pay attention to how she prays.

*****1Sa 1:1  Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 

1Sa 1:2  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 

We first met Elkanah who was the father of Samuel. He lived in Ephratah, an old name of Bethlehem. (Bethlehem Ephratah)

This is the same place where Jesse and his son David was born, but more important it is the same place where Joseph, a descendant of David, took the Virgin Mary for the Lord Jesus to be born in a stable, because there was no room for him in the Inn.

This was the very first sign that the world did not want to make room for our Savior.

The world still does not to make room for the Lord Jesus Christ, but this will not stop the return of Christ.

Even today the world still rejects the Lord Jesus Christ and still refuses to make room for the Lord Jesus and His Church.

Elkanah was a Levite in the same line as Heman the singer, but it does not seem that he performed any usual Levitical duties.

We immediately see that he had two wives which was his rebellion against the Word of God.

God still says a marriage is between one man and one woman in the way He created them!

God does not change even if the world changes.

The world is always wrong when it goes against the Word of God.

This is not my opinion; it is simply Biblical Truth.

All children are important to this world!

We have no idea how all those aborted babies could have changed our world for the better!

Children were important to the way of life of the Hebrews and Hannah his first wife was barren.

No doubt that Elkanah felt it was more important to have many children than to obey the Word of God.

We always seem to forget that God will provide our needs if we stay true to Him.

This was just as important to the Jews as it is to the Christian today.

Obedience is the greatest quality we can show to our Heavenly Father!

Obedience to God may be considered:

(1) as virtual, which consists in a belief of the Gospel, of the holiness and equity of its precepts, of the truth of its promises, and a true repentance of all our sins.

(2) actual obedience, which is the practice and the exercise of the several graces and duties of Christianity.

(3) perfect obedience, which is the exact conformity of our hearts and lives to the law of God, without the least imperfection. 

This last one is peculiar to a glorified state, though it should be our aim to always be obedient to the Lord.

As all true Israelites did, Elkanah went to the Tabernacle to worship three times a year as directed by the Word of God.

The Tabernacle was located in Shiloh at this time, where it had been since Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land.

*****1Sa 1:3  And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. 

Elkanah came from a priestly family that were to become the ancestors of skilled musicians who would serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Elkanah was a bigamist! 

Elkanah had conformed to the culture where he lived instead of remaining in the culture that God had decided for him!

It is bad enough when the world turns carnal as it has today, but for the priests to do the same things again as we see today, it shows us just how wicked our societies have become as they had in the time of Samuel.

Elkanah had lost his faith in the Lord!

Bigamy and polygamy are transgressions against the Lord just as much as any other sin.

We seem to forget that all sin has only one punishment. 

It separates us from our Holy God!

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, their sex determined at their birth, and together these two become one flesh.

Two people of the same sex cannot become one flesh!

This union is the way God has chosen for the human race to continue and the values of human life to be learned!

All the great values of life are to be found in the union of the husband and wife and established in the family they establish.

Every family is to be a "type" of the Church family!

Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 

Because of what Elkanah had done, Hannah was in deep sorrow and broken hearted and there was strife in the home that was unnecessary.

Though the family remained devout, it is obvious that Elkanah the family priest had lost his faith in the ability of God to take care of his family.

Elkanah had joined in the immoral society that was around him just like many who call themselves Christians have done today.

Jdg 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. 

God expects us to separate ourselves from the ways of the unbeliever!

2Co_6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

It seems today that the family has just about disappeared in America because marriage is no longer the foundation of the family.

A marriage must remain the union of one man and one woman the sex they were assigned at birth by God Himself!

People are so confused they do not know if they are male or female and people would rather to just live together without being married because they do not want the responsibilities of family.

People are afraid of making a commitment!

Men in America have grown pathetic!

We should understand that a broken heart is the cause behind many of the problems we see in America today.

Just as Hannah suffered in deep sorrow and a broken heart, we see many more today suffering because we do not see ourselves in step with the world.

Thank goodness I have no desire to be in step with this world!

I would rather seek to be in step with the Word of God that I can trust!

Like Hannah, I place my faith and my trust in the Lord of all the Heavenly Host.

God is the Lord of all the Heavenly Hosts, the angelic armies.

God is also the Lord of the human hosts, those who now live in glorified bodies in Heaven.

It is the Lord Jesus who will very soon subject all those who oppose Him!

It is the Lord God of Heaven who is the Supreme Ruler of all His Creation!

We should notice that Eli, the High Priest of that day, had two wicked sons and we see their names mentioned in this passage, Hophni and Phinehas who were themselves priests, but they used the priesthood to do evil, wicked, and immoral things.

It was now time for Elkanah to make his offerings to the Lord.

Out of the sacrifice of these peace offerings, we should know that the greatest portions went back to the one who offered them, and was eaten by him and his friends or guests, before the Lord.

Out of these portions, he shared with his family as the master of the feast.

He gave a double portion of this meat that had been sacrificed, to Hannah.

*****1Sa 1:9  So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 

1Sa 1:10  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 

We see that Hannah actually lived a life of misery, and her misery peaked at the time of this festival.

All Hannah knew to do was to take her misery and her burdens and give them to the Lord.

This is a fitting example for us all!

I love to pray at the altar of God at the end of each service. 

It just seems that I am a little closer to God surrounded by so many others who love of the Lord.

Hannah went to pray in the Tabernacle.

Her soul was full of bitterness and her eyes were full of tears. This was a broken woman!

Hannah was so desperate to be a mother that she made a vow unto the Lord.

Every child needs a mother and a father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

To be without a mother or a father is terrible enough but every child need Jesus!

These things cannot happen in a home where there are two men trying to be a family, because Christ is not in that home.

These things cannot happen in a home where there are two women are trying to be a family, because Christ is not in that home.

Hannah made a vow to the Lord.

*****1Sa 1:11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 

We might understand why Hannah prayed this prayer but should also notice that this vow was the vow of the Nazarite, which is a complete separation of our lives from the world and to give our life to the Lord.

No doubt this is a vow of repentance, but Hannah had a condition that the Lord would give her a son and she would also give this son to the Lord all the days of his life.

Hannah had rededicated her life to the Lord and then she made a baby dedication for her first baby.

If we put this in perspective, we can know that this is exactly what Father God has done for each and every believer.

He has given His Son Jesus to every believer all the days of His life which is eternal, forever.

The key to Hannah's prayer was faith and obedience, and then the vow to give her firstborn son.

The key to our relationship with God the Father is faith and obedience, and we receive the vow of His only begotten Son Jesus the Messiah.

Hannah says she is God's servant, His handmaiden.

God does not ever forget His servants and being a servant of God is not like being a slave, but we should keep in mind that the Lord Jesus Christ when He died, He paid for each one of us with His blood and should He ask us to be His slaves then we should be His slaves.

But Jesus says I will make you my brother or my sister and you will be part of my family and my friend.

Like Hannah we all desperately need the Lord!

We desperately need the Lord to meet our needs!

We desperately need the Lord to remove our burdens!

Hannah spoke from her heart, and we must also do the same.

Hannah's prayer was short, so a prayer of need does not have to contain many words, but only the words that are necessary because God listens to our heart.

One thing was sure, Hannah expected an answer to her prayer, and this is the faith we need in all our prayers.

Many of our prayers are an utterance of our agony and the Holy Spirit will even help us to pray these prayers.

Hannah's lips were moving but her prayer was silent and Eli the High Priest and Judge of Israel was watching her.

*****1Sa 1:12  And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 

1Sa 1:13  Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 

1Sa 1:14  And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 

Instead of being an understanding priest, Eli immediately became a judge.

It is so sad when many Christians act this way in the Church.

We are not called to judge; we are called to witness.

Eli's main calling was the priesthood, but he failed in this just he failed to be a father to his sons.

Why did Eli think this?

Because of the motions of her face and body.

Because of her passion.

Because of the fervency of her prayer.

A true priest would have seen the truth.

A judge would think evil of her.

When we pray, we do not have to be heard by those around us! 

God said to get alone with Him, and we can do this even with a crowd of people around us.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

No doubt Eli had heard many a prayer and a great many would consist of many words and many boastful words.

The difference being the prayer of Hannah was answered!

The Temple of Hannah was her heart.

The ruler of the heart must be our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co_6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Hannah informed Eli that she was not drunk. 

In fact she had not been drinking wine nor any other strong drink, all these things available in Bible times.

Not every word for wine means alcohol when used in the Bible!

In fact, most of the time when we see the word "wine", it means grape juice, fresh or not so fresh.

The Lord Jesus made the freshest of grape juice in His first miracle of the New Testament. Check me out.

*****1Sa 1:15  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 

1Sa 1:16  Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

Are we wrong to judge Eli? We are wrong to judge anyone.

It is the Word of God that will be the Judge of all people.

Hannah believed it was the will of God for her to be a mother and she was right!

We must always pray according to the will of God, and then we will know that He hears us!

Isa 55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 

Isa 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

Hannah told Eli she was simply pouring her heart out to her God.

We must never judge according to the appearance of things.

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. 

One thing is certainly true, when we act like the Lord Jesus Christ, then we will certainly be misunderstood in this world!

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.

If we are not seen as being peculiar to this world then, maybe we need to renew our relationship with the Lord!

Hearing these truths, Eli gave assurance that God would hear her prayer.

Every prayer that God hears, will also receive an answer even though it may not be the answer we are seeking.

God will never go outside His will for us to answer our prayers!

Hannah boldly said to Eli that she was a handmaiden to God.

Handmaiden meaning a servant to the will of God for her life not some worthless, wicked woman.

What was Hannah to do? 

When we leave a prayer of this type, then we should walk away at peace with ourselves and at peace with God, because we know He heard our prayer and we know if He heard our prayer, He would surely answer that prayer.

*****1Sa 1:17  Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 

1Sa 1:18  And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 

We must understand that to make a prayer of any value there must be definite objects for which we plead.

Many times we spend our prayer time talking about many subjects, but our soul is not concentrating on our main subject, and God will not see us as being serious.

Our prayers should concern the plan God has for us!

We are wrong to go to God telling Him what blessing we are designed to have.

God has a dump truck full of blessings ready to give to us, but we must be serious about the will of God for our lives, until we go home to be with the Lord.

We must be searching for the "Grace" of God for our lives.

Grace being God's Riches At Christ Expense!

Hannah walked away after finishing her prayer no longer sad, content that she had poured her heart out to God who had His ears open to hearing her.

*****1Sa 1:19  And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 

1Sa 1:20  Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 

There were some reliable results from Hannah's prayer. God heard her prayer and that prayer stayed with Him as all prayers do.

The prayer of Hannah stayed on God's mind, and we know every child of God are of equal in importance to Him.

Whatever part of Hannah that kept her from conceiving a child was now healed!

We should have no doubt that God has been answering prayer from the beginning of human history!

The very reason God saves us is to answer our prayers!

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

Our duty as Christians is to continue to pray all the days God will give to us!

Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

Mat 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 

Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

We should be specific in our prayers!

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Our prayer life is the most important gift from God we have, after our salvation and is part of God’s Grace.

God empowered the body of Hannah to have children.

Samuel was her first child, but he was not her only child.

The name Samuel means "God heard".

Hannah may have had some doubts about Jehovah, but those doubts no longer existed!

Samuel was God's gift to Hannah, just like every child is a precious gift to that mother who conceive that child. A gift from God.

So many of these precious gifts have been destroyed before they were ever born, and God has every one of them with Him in Heaven today.

God knows our needs, but God will always listen to us when we are gripped by sorrow or a broken heart.

Now God still hears all our prayers, but it is good to know that we can touch the heart of God.

We look at Heaven as being above the stars, but it is also good to know that the Lord is close enough to hear our prayers even when we pray like Hannah, our lips moving but the words are silent to those around us.

We rob ourselves of this great privilege of prayer if we keep back anything that we could have asked for!

Jas_4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Now we may not get everything we ask for, but it will because God knew it would not be right for us, but we will surely never get what we think we want if we do not ask for them.

When we pour out our hearts with "thanksgiving" we will receive the things that are in the will of God for our lives!

We need to thank the Lord God for what He has done, for what He is doing, and for what He will do!

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

Amen.

The Power of A Praying Church

 A Praying Church and God's Power

Book of Acts Chapter 12

Our lesson today is about prayer.

If we are truly the children of God, then we know that our prayers to our Holy God are necessary.

In its simplest form prayer is having a conversation with our Heavenly Father.

We cannot talk to our Heavenly Father unless we have God the Holy Spirit living within us for, He will not hear us.

The one exception being the sinner's prayer.

The ears of God are always open to the cries of the oppressed, especially those oppressed of the Devil. 

We will not get an answer to any prayer that is not prayed in the name of God the Son, Jesus Christ!

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

Why is prayer so necessary?

Jas 4:1  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 

Prayer is the source for receiving all things from God but especially help in our time of need!

Having a good prayer life is how we draw near to God because it is by prayer, we show our faith!

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God; 

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

If our faith is wavering, we will not get an answer to our prayers.

Most of the attacks we have seen so far against the Church has been from the chief priests and elders of Judaism, but today we see where the politicians have decided to join in ridding the world of the Church.

We see some of our own politicians trying to do the same thing in our nation today and all around the world.

The Kings of the Jews were appointed by Rome during this time and most all of them were wicked rulers.

This grandson of Herod the Great, who was as wicked as his father and his grandfather found that he could gain favor with these wicked Jews if he persecuted the Church, especially the Apostles.

Now when I say the Jews, I am not talking about the people but only those that hated the Church and hated the truth of Jesus Christ.

So he rounded up James the brother of John and murdered him, for James had done nothing wrong except to preach Jesus Christ.

This pleased those wicked Jews so much that Herod decided to murder Peter and he had Peter arrested.

We should be able to see that the Apostles of the Lord Jesus had been free to go where they pleased.

The politicians had to be very careful with these type things because much of the people were on the side of the Apostles of Christ.

Herod had to pick the right time to kill Peter.

Peter was guarded by sixteen soldiers to make sure he did not escape.

These four-man units extended from battle formations.

Peter may have been in prison, but the Church had determined that the best thing to do for him was to pray.

Prayer should not be the last thing we think to do but the first thing we think to do.

Prayer is our greatest weapon against this evil, wicked, world.

We must keep in mind that there was great persecution taking place against the Church and believers were afraid for their lives in Jerusalem.

The Church at Jerusalem had become an underground church meeting behind closed doors and in hidden places.

The Apostles would still go in and out of the Temple but even this was about to end.

The whole Church was praying for the release of Peter.

*****Act 12:5  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him".

Prayer for Peter was earnest and it was continuous, and probably in many private houses.

Peter was guarded by sixteen soldiers, probably four at a time and around the clock. The politicians were still embarrassed about the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. They had never found the body of Jesus Christ.

They either had to accept the truth or make up some lie about our risen Savior.

We might ask ourselves why the Church met in earnest for Peter, yet we do not read of the same thing for James.

The only conclusion we can come to is that it was time for James to home to be with the Lord, but it was not time for Peter, the work of James being complete.

Now we must not get confused with this James the brother of John, and another James who is step-brother to the Lord Jesus Christ who will become the Pastor of the Jerusalem Church.

Maybe the Church had not gathered for James as they had for Peter, but we know that the Lord is no respecter of persons and James would be far better off than Peter and Peter's work was not yet done.

Both of the wrists of Peter were chained to one of the wrist of two different soldiers at all times.

*****Act 12:6  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 

We will see that Peter knew what had happened to James but even being chained to two different soldiers and more soldiers standing guard, Peter was so content that he could sleep and sleep peaceably.

The whole Church was praying.

The Church was doing all it could, praying specifically for Peter's deliverance.

The Church was praying fervently, earnestly, and continuously! 

Crying out to God for sovereign deliverance of Peter.

This is the type of praying that we do not do enough of. I know I do not and not many of us practice fasting.

Peter's only hope was truly for God to intervene!

Here on the night before he was to be executed Peter was so at peace that he could sleep even in his situation.

We see that the Lord Jesus Christ was meeting the needs of his servant Peter!

You see it is God's "Grace" that gives us the strength and the peace to endure the persecutions of this world!

We cannot face the trials of this life without the peace that comes from our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is because we have confidence in the truth of God.

Isa 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 

Isa 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 

And behold the Angel of the Lord.

*****Act 12:7  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 

Next, we see a pattern of God's miraculous work along with Peter's obedience.

Peter could not have been delivered without his own obedience to the Lord and the Lord's ministering angel!

We will notice as we read through this passage that this angel did not do for Peter what Peter could do for himself.

God will never do for us what we can do ourselves!

Peter had to obey the commands of this angel.

Anytime we find ourselves in communication with the Lord, the Holy Spirit, our Heavenly Father, or one of His angels, we need to obey any commands we receive.

We will also notice that once Peter was delivered and out of danger, he was left on his own to work out his own deliverance.

Php_2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Peter would return to the Church before seeking a better place to serve the Lord and escape the politics of Jerusalem.

Peter should seek the Lord in making any other decisions.

God's deliverance involved only what Peter could not do for himself!

We should understand that Peter was full of confidence that he would live to be an old man but Peter still had to do his part.

Joh 21:18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but "when thou shalt be old", thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 

Joh 21:19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 

We can see that Peter did not think he was old at this time.

Peter was so sound in his sleep that this angel had to awaken him.

The angels are not only ministering spirits, but they are for the deliverance of God's people.

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 

A bright light shone in this prison though it was a dark and dreary place.

These guards who kept Peter must have been struck into a deep sleep by the Lord.

This angel awakened Peter by giving a blow to his side.

This angel helped Peter to rise up because Peter was between two guards and said "Arise up quickly" and then those chains that bound Peter just fell away silently.

Then the angel said for Peter to dress himself.

*****Act 12:8  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 

Act 12:9  And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 

Notice Peter was told to dress himself for Peter did not know what to do except to obey this angel.

We should understand that when we are helpless then God will help us, but God will not do what we can do for ourselves.

Peter had not awoken to the reality of what was going on around him and he still felt he was just seeing a vision or as if he was dreaming.

Peter continued to follow this angel.

As we follow this story in the Bible, we must cling to the fact that all these things were happening because of prayer by this Church.

To think otherwise would be to think wrong.

When we pray and we see the results of our prayer we must praise the Lord for what He has done.

We may not see immediate results to all our prayers, and we must remember, going home to Heaven is still far better than remaining in this world.

As long as we have a work to complete, we will remain upon this earth.

*****Act 12:10  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 

Act 12:11  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

We can just imagine Peter following this angel quickly through this prison and when those iron gates open under their own power, Peter began to realize the truth that he was being freed from prison.

It was only after they passed that first street in the city that Peter came to himself and this angel departed from him to go wherever the Lord would send him next.

Peter realized that none of this was a dream and that he was actually free.

Peter than fled the city because it would not be long before Herod would be seeking him again.

There is a lot of typology in this passage.

God's deliverance of His people from the chains of sin.

The slumber of the Jews to the Word of God just two examples.

Peter was now fully awakened realizing what had taken place and Peter knew where the Church might be gathered.

*****Act 12:12  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

What do we know about this Mary?

This Mary was a sister to Barnabas.

Col 4:10  Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 

This Mary was also the mother of John who we know as Mark who became very profitable to the Apostle Paul after a rough start.

2Ti 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 

We know that it was Peter who led Mark to the Lord.

1Pe 5:13  The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 

This is the only clear mention of this Mary in the Bible, but we can see that she was a dear sister to the Church.

She must have been a widow for her husband is never mentioned,

She evidently was the owner of much property and a huge house large enough for the Church to gather safely in her home.

This maybe the place that is called the "upper room".

The best thing that can be said about this mother was the fact that she was a godly mother who helped her own her son to become a missionary.

Her home had a gate like many of the places we see classified as places of the rich.

Luk 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 

Luk 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 

*****Act 12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 

Act 12:14  And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 

Act 12:15  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 

Peter knocked at the door of the gate and a young lady named Rhoda came to the door.

We do not know if Rhoda saw Peter at this time but we do know she recognized his voice. 

Out of her excitement she forgot to open the door of the gate and ran as fast as she could to tell the Church that Peter was free.

Peter also realized he was in great danger exposed to the people in the streets if someone saw him.

When Rhoda said that Peter was at the door, those within thought Rhoda was crazy and told her so.

It is a fact that we as the Church do not realize that God answers every prayer that reaches Him in Heaven.

Most of us do not give God the credit for answered prayers so, when we pray we probably do not pray with enough faith that our prayers will be answered.

This is what was happening at Mary's house.

Maybe they prayed for James as they were praying Peter.

The one thing that makes a prayer happen is "faith"!

Mat 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 

Mat 17:21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 

Someone finally goes to check to see if it really was Peter at the door and it was.

*****Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 

Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 

Peter was left standing at the door, still knocking, still worrying that someone would come by and see him.

Peter was now a wanted fugitive.

As soon as the door was opened Peter stepped in. He was comforted and all their doubts disappeared, and everyone was full of joy.

Peter quickly gave an account of his miraculous deliverance.

James the stepbrother of Jesus was now the Pastor at the Church in Jerusalem and James needed to know the Peter had been freed because of prayer.

James’ father was Joseph while the Holy Spirit cause the birth of our Savior.

Mary was the mother of them both.

We all need to believe this truth!

Peter then departed and the Bible does not tell us where Peter had to go for his safety.

We should clearly understand that the Lord God of Heaven does certainly answer every prayer that gets to Him.

Our job is to live our lives so that our prayers are always answered.

God will still answer in a way that suits Him according to His plan, but He will answer.

God is not ever going to say yes to every prayer we pray.

We are not always going to get an answer that we want.

God will answer every prayer of faith at His own terms.

No matter how God answers our prayers, we are to offer our thanks.

In fact, we just as well thank Him before time, because if we are living righteously then we know our prayer will be answered.

Not many remember to give God thanks for what He has done as He answers our prayers.

Whatever God does in response to our prayers will always be the right thing to do!

God must always get the glory for everything that He does!

Peter's church friends and family were excited that Peter was free but Peter's enemies were just the more confused.

We live in a confused world today because the Word of God is rejected.

Amen