Whatever It Takes!

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

Don't eat from it, the poison from the fruit of disobedience will kill you.

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1)

Go ahead, you won't die.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6)

Eve sinned and Adam could have refused the forbidden fruit. WHY didn't he? Adam would rather die with Eve than to live forever without her. 

That is what LOVE does...whatever it takes.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

God could have started over. WHY didn't He? God would rather die than live forever without even one of His children.

That is what LOVE does...whatever it takes!

"As in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)

Grace Trumps Condemnation

"...but where sin increased, GRACE abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20)

The truth is that a person cannot out sin the GRACE of God.  God's GRACE trumps sin...always. That is clearly what God says, but it sure irritates those "blind guides" who would prefer that God had said, "but where sin increases, punishment in hell increases all the more." 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:23-24)

These "hypocrites" brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus to see if he shared in their condemnation of her.

"He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her... I do not condemn you, go and sin no more." (John 8:7-11)

He reminded the "blind guides" of their own sin and told the sinner he did not condemn her. His grace trumped her sin - and ours!

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him...the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all mankind.." (John 3:17; Titus 2:11)

Suggested Sermon Outline

Introduction:

"Just because your preacher will not preach it does not mean the bible does not teach it."

Message read from the Scripture without comment:

"Lo! the Lamb of God Which is taking away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29 CLNT)

"For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:5-7 CLNT)

"...through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens." (Collosians 1:20 CLNT

"...God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of conciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 CLNT)

"...this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, Who wills all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4 CLNT)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-12 CLNT)

"Lo! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye shall be seeing Him - those also who stab Him - and all the tribes of the land shall be grieving over Him. Yea! Amen! I am the Alpha and the Omega, is saying the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is coming, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:7-8 CLNT)

"For Christ, while we were still infirm, still in accord with the era, for the sake of the irreverent, died...God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." (Romans 5:6-8)

"For if, being enemies, we were conciliated to God through the death of His Son, much rather, being conciliated, we shall be saved in His life. Yet not only so, but we are glorying also in God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ through whom we now obtained the conciliation." (Romans 5:10-11 CLNT)

Conclusion:

"If God loves you that much, when you have never been worse, He really love you - trust him!"

Everything Is Beautiful - Really?

According to the Preacher of Ecclesiastes...

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:... a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance... a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing... a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak...

When time is no more. When all activity is done. When all that we know are memories. When our heart is set only on eternity and we go the way of all men - will everything be made beautiful?

...He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart...

If God "has made everything beautiful in its time" all our memories should be "beautiful" in the eternity set in the human heart. So I do not dwell on the bad memories now, and the good ones give me joy. They make me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction...this is the gift of God...

What we do now creates memories, some good, some bad. But what God does lasts beyond "time" and we cannot "fathom" them now.

...no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end....I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14)

I try to live so that the memories I make today will be good for my family and friends. 

So, as Bobby McFerrin's lyrics go - Don't worry, Be happy!  After all, God has told us "everything" will turn out "beautiful"...according to the Preacher of Ecclesiastes - I like this guy!

Passed Away - Former Things

“…the former things have passed away. And He who is sitting on the throne said, Lo! New am I making all.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Exactly what are the “former things”?

Look around. We are living in the “former things” right now. Paul calls it “this present evil age.”

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5)

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said of this "present evil age"…

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

Who is responsible for this age being “evil” and “all is vanity”?

God did it.

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create EVIL: I the LORD do all these things...For to VANITY was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him who subjects it…” (Isaiah 45:7; Romans 8:20-21)

I have had people get mad at me for saying "God did it". But refusing to believe what God has said in His word makes one an unbeliever – no matter how often we go to church.

Again, God did it!

God sat in motion a plan for people to experience both good and evil so they could appreciate the good and learn to reject the evil. People learn by contrast and experience. We learn what we like to eat by tasting food. We learn the value of health when we experienced sickness. We appreciate love when we see hate. Peace becomes our hope when war is all around us.

Fortunately this “present evil age” is a temporary learning center and a "rescue" is coming - for that is "the will of our God and Father" …

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might RESCUE us from this PRESENT EVIL AGE, according to THE WILL OF OUR GOD AND FATHER, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen…For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us…we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…" (Galatians 1:3-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15) 

When "former things" have passed away and the "new" is here their will be no "evil" or "vanity", they will have served their purpose - and then the eternal good stuff begins - yea for God!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...and I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…Lo! New am I making all.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Revelation 21:1-5)

Overcoming The World

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ...“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (John16:33; 1 John 5:5)

Jesus had earlier told John and the other followers that the will of God was to raise to life all who God had given to him…

“…it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:32-40)

Various religions restrict the "those he has given me" to those who join their group. But there is nothing about joining anything. It is about God joining you to Jesus at the resurrection. It is the "resurrection" that John and the other followers of Jesus were told to preach in all the world…and it is “God’s grace” that brings the dead back to life. It is our faith in the resurrection of Jesus that “overcomes the world” and all its “trouble”. 

“…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth…With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all” (Acts 4:33)

The "resurrection" is the blessed "hope" of the world and all those who live in it. Paul told Felix in front of the Jews that the resurrection has been promised to both the "righteous and the wicked".

“I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” (Acts 24:15)

Our "hope" of resurrection is meant to give peace to those who hear and believe it in this age, not divide mankind into the saved and the lost. All are lost and all will be saved. Paul included the idol worshiping Athenians among the "children of God" when he said to them on Mars Hill...

"Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent (think differently about God), because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (not wrath) through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:29-31)

Paul later wrote to Titus…

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people. It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach.” (Titus 2:11-15)

The good news of our future resurrection "to do what is good" is simple and it is the "blessed hope" for "all people". When one grasps this good news he is comforted and finds PEACE in this world filled with "trouble". 

72 Hours To Save Us

It took God the Father 72 hours to save humanity through His Son Christ Jesus. Here is the way it happened...

"He begins to teach them that the Son of Mankind must be suffering and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests and the scribes, and be KILLED and AFTER THREE DAYS days rise." (Mark 8:31)

“For even as Jonah was in the bowel of the sea monster three days and three nights; thus will the Son of Mankind be in the heart of the earth THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS.” (Matthew 12:40)

"Now about the nineth hour Jesus exclaims with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi! Lema sabachthani?"...Now Jesus, again, crying with a loud voice, lets out the spirit." (Matthew27:46-50)

"The Jews, then, since it was the preparation (for the high sabbath of unleavened bread ), lest the bodies should be remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for it was the great day, that sabbath), ask Pilate that they might fracture their legs, and they may be taken away." (John 19:31)

"And lo! a man named Joseph...approaching Pilate, requests the body of Jesus. And taking it down, he folds it up in a linen wrapper, and he places Him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one was lying as yet. And it was the day of preparation (for the high sabbath of unleavened bread). Now following after, the women who were come together out of Galilee with Him, gaze at the tomb, and how His body was placed." (Luke 23:50, 52,54-56)

Three nights and three days later...

Now it is the evening of the sabbaths. At the lighting up into one of the sabbaths came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the sepulcher...the messenger said to the women, "Fear you not! For I am aware that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified." He is not here, for He was roused, according as He said. Hither! Perceive the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)

Summary:

Passover that year had begun at sunset on Monday and Jesus had eaten the passover meal with his disciples on Monday night.  Sometime during the night he was brought before the Jewish high priest and tried.  He was delivered over to Pilot on Tuesday morning and was crucified around noon and died on the ninth hour after sunrise (around 3:00 pm).  Just before sundown on Tuesday, Jesus is placed in the tomb by Joseph. 

Tuesday night passes...Wednesday passes...Wednesday night passes...Thursday passes...Thursday night passes...Friday passes - three full nights and three full days.

Just before sundown on Friday Jesus comes to life. It was on the third day from being "killed", and exactly "three days and three nights" from being put in the "heart of the earth". 

And the salvation of humanity is secure! 

That is the way it happened as set out in the Scripture, regardless of what Church tradition may tell you, and it is this good news of the salvation of humanity we are to "Prescribe and teach"... it is the gospel.

"Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

“Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom I am.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this we are toiling and being reproached), that rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. These things be CHARGING AND TEACHING.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

 Happy Easter Humanity!

I Get Mad At God Sometimes...He Loves Me Anyway

"There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any more. There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any less. His love for me is not based on my performance. This is what grace is." Peter M. Lord  from Bless and Be Blessed (2004)

Love that is based on "GRACE" - unmerited favor - now that is a good thing! God loves all like this.  Me, not so much, if ever.  There are times when I just get hacked off at the world in general - I even get mad at God sometimes.  

Fortunately God is not like me...

"God is love...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Unlike me, He "keeps no record of wrongs" and His love "never fails". 

I am soooo glad - and I ignore those who teach or think otherwise.

"For I am convinced that death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

Yes, I get mad at God sometimes - but He loves me anyway! You too!

Good News Of Great Joy - Teach These Things

Below is a summary of the really good news.  It needs no explanation or comment.

"Then God said, let us make mankind in our image, according to our likeness...so God created mankind in His own image, male and female made He them..." (Genesis 1:26)

"...all sin and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." Romans 3:23; 6:23)

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible...it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to Himself..." (Colossians 1:15-20)

"...you shall give him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."(Luke 2:10-11)

"John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"...you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin." (1 John 3:5)

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son...love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10)

"He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

"....that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was...Jesus said, It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 17:3-5; 19:30)

"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world..."  (1 John 4:14)

"...having made peace through the blood of his cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet he has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." ; Colossians 1:20-22)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men..." (Titus 2:11)

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.." (1 Timothy 1:15)

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy...whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life..."  (Titus 3:4-8)

"...now we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

"This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." (Revelation 22:21)

Hope - A Revelation Worth Having

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God….

There is more knowledge, government and religion on this planet today than at any other time in the history of mankind; and yet they have failed to bring salvation, peace and unity to the creation. 

Why?

"…for the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it..." (Romans 8:20)

It was God who "subjected" the creation to futility. The governments and religions of man will continue to try to repair the world but will fail. Creation can be "set free from its bondage to corruption" only by the God who "subjected" it in the first place - mankind can only "wait for it with patience".

"...the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God...in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience..."  (Romans 8:21-25)

Only those who love God know that this "futility" that God subjected His creation to will work out for "good"...

"...we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28)

God is working "all things together for good". ALL creation will be "set free from its bondage to corruption" and "obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" when they are finally "conformed to the image of his Son". Mankind is predestined for this by God.

"...For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

The real God will save "mankind" because Jesus Christ the Lord has ransomed us "ALL".

"There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for ALL... as one trespass led to condemnation for ALL mankind, so one act of righteousnes leads to justification and life for ALL mankind. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous...at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the gloy of God the Father." (1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 5:18-21; Philippians 2:10-11)

One Nation Under God

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

President Eisenhower said of this pledge...

"From this day forward, the millions of our schoolchildren will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty."

It is good and right for our children to be taught it is OK to pledge allegiance to the flag which represents our nation as one nation under God.

Their is only one way to unify all Americans, including paid professional athletes, it is to humble ourselves and bow "at the name of Jesus", our Savior, because he "humbled himself" to become "a ransom for All".

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all...Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who...humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6; Philippians 2:5-11)

Returning greatness to this nation involves returning to God, and a respect for the flag of the United States of America which represents our Republic as "One Nation Under God".  But to become unified in greatness, we all need to bow before the "Savior of the world", Christ Jesus - and never depend on the governments of men to save us.

"We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

Walk Alone Among Men If You Have Too

"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me …” (II Timothy 4:16).

Paul was on trial for sharing the message given him by Jesus which was unpopular with the establishment.  At his trial he had no one to stand with him before the Roman court. Even though alone, he didn't complain because...

"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me …" (II Timothy 4:17).

The Lord is all he needed. Earlier in this letter to Timothy he had lamented...

"… All they who are in Asia are turned away from me…only Luke is with me …" (II Timothy 1:15).

Paul was willing to walk alone for the sake of the truth. He did not walk away from the message that Jesus had commissioned him to share with mankind, even when it meant losing his religious status with lifelong friends...

"For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8)

And what was the message that had cost him the "loss of all things"?

"God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their tresspasses against them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation...It is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:10-11)

Imagine, all in Asia had "turned away" from Paul for teaching that God is "in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself" and is "the Savior of all men". Religion divides mankind into the haves and have nots, and sucks the life out of the truth, preferring the doctrines of men. Jesus said of the Pharisees who rejected him for eating and drinking with sinners...

"For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43).

And Paul said the "word of reconciliation" he was commissioned to share was not to please his religious friends...

"Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).

Paul had been trained at the feet of these Jewish religious leaders and fully intended to become one of them...

"I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors...circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee." (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5)

Jesus was not rejected by sinners, but the religious leaders who preferred their tradition to the Word of God. Jesus told them...

"...you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down." (Mark 7:13)

 These men cast out of their synagogues those they deemed sinners but Jesus went to those sinners to encouraged them with good news, not threaten them with condemnation...

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water...come unto me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (John 7:37-39; Matthew 11:28-30)

GRACE is the living water that should be flowing from our churches, not the threat of condemnation. A woman caught in the very act of adultery was brought to Jesus by the religious Jews to see if he would condemn her...

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?... Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her...At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? No one, sir, she said. Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin." (John 8:4-11)

He did not approve of her sin, and told her to leave it.  But he did NOT say "...go and sin no more or you will be tortured forever in hell."  He had come to  save her, and all other sinners, not condemn. 

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." (Romans 3:23; John 3:17)

The church I grew up in embrace people who attend and do a pretty good job of accepting them for who they are and lovingly encourage them to leave a life of sin.  That is a good thing.  But the leaders of this same church condemn everyone whos does not join up to eternal separation from God.  That is a bad thing.  Anyone who is willing to point that out will walk alone - "notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me".

God Did It

My two year old grandson has a friend from daycare who is to blame for all his woes.  When something goes wrong and he is asked what happened?  His response is always "Donnie did it".  Sounds like the fake news blame game for all the problems of the world - "Trump did it"! 😀

”God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways...For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:32-36)

God takes responsibility for the disobedience of mankind because He is our creator.  And He tells us why He made people disobedient sinners...so that he can show us His MERCY!

Paul says ALL things are “from Him and through Him and to Him”. I admit that I have a hard time with God showing Mercy to some men. Fortunately for them, I am not God...and neither are YOU. I try not to question God.

"But who indeed are you, a human being, to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction, and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy." (Romans 9:20-23)

So, when you get mad about what happens in this world -  quit blaming Donnie or Trump because...

God did it!

The Worst Sinners Saved

“…Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst…” (1 Timothy 1:15)

How did Jesus get the worst sinner to believe in him?

“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul!” (Acts 1:6)

OK, that would do it - and Paul believed. Sooo, how is God going to get the rest of the really bad sinners to believe?

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened…” (Revelation 20:11-12)

That should do it! It is at the great white throne when all the worst sinners "confess" that Jesus is Lord and "believe" that God did indeed raise him from the dead - and are "saved".

"If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved..." (Romans 10:9-10)

To summarize:  Those who die unbelievers in this age will be "saved" before the "great white throne"- where the worst sinners of this age will "confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"...how do I know? The bible tells me so...

"...every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

Paul eventually died after his experience and is sleeping until the return of Jesus to resurrect him from the dead.

"...we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). 

If the unbelievers die the SECOND death after confessing before the great white throne it will be a swift death, by means of the Lake of Fire, and they will remain asleep in this second death until being "made alive" when death is finally "abolished" so that "God may be all in all".

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...The last enemy that will be abolished is death...so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:22, 26, 28)

It is amazing what you can learn from studying Scripture rather than the opinions of religious men.

"It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 4:9-10)

The Second Death - What Is It?

“...in Adam all die…it is appointed unto men once to die” (1 Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:27)

All people are to die once, not twice.

“...and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God… and they were judged, each one according to their works…if anyone was not found written in the scroll of the life, he was cast to the lake of the fire - this is the second death…” (Revelation 20:7-15)

Everyone will die and be resurrected where they will be "standing before God".  The "lake of fire" is the "second death", not some eternal torture chamber conceived in the mind of religions. 

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive….The last enemy that will be abolished is death…so that God may be All in all…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in VICTORY.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-54)

The "second death" and the "lake of fire" are the same thing...

"This is the second death - the lake of the fire.”  (Revelation 20:14)

In this figurative "lake of fire" all that seems to oppose God (unrighteousness) in this age is consumed after being "judged" before the great white throne where all mankind "small and great" appear, and are "changed". And at that judgment by Jesus Christ, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

This "second death" will consume mankind's enemies - the adversary (devil), the governments of men (beast) and the religions of men (false prophet), as well as death (the grave). The consummation of those things will usher in a new creation "wherein dweths righteouness". 

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13)

The bible speaks of the death of a person as a temporary condition, and Jesus referred to it as “sleep”.

"Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." (John 11:11)

Paul assures us that all will be awakened out of "sleep" at the resurrection and be saved.  

“And I have a hope in God…that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous…” (Acts 24:15). 

“…we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people…” (1 Timothy 4:10). 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord” (Romans 6:23). 

The grave, our adversaries, our governments, nor our religions will have the Victory over people.  The "last enemy", death itself, "will be abolished" in the "lake of fire".  Then God will be "All in all", not just a few religious folks who think they are the only ones in the body of Christ...

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive….The last enemy that will be abolished is death…so that God may be All in all…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in VICTORY.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-54)

All mankind will "be changed" in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, to become a part of the new creation where God is "All in all".

“…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible... Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…and God Himself will be among them…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away…these words are faithful and true.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 21:1-5)

When You Ask...And Nothing Happens

Jesus told his followers...

“...I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you...In that day you will not question me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, He will give it to you...I am leaving the world again and going to the Father...In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:16-33)

Jesus was speaking of his return at the close of this age. Only at that time will joy be permanent and only then will we ask of the Father and it will be done.

NOTE, asking for and receiving all that we ask is for that time, NOT IN THIS AGE. He told them that in this age they will have "tribulation"...but the problems of this world and age are temporary and when all the ages are concluded John says...

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Revelation 21:3-5)

Eventually, at the close of the ages, death (both the first and the second) will be abolished, and God will be All in All...and all we ask "will be given".

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...each in his own ORDER. Christ the firstfruits, then those who are alive at his coming, then comes the end...death is abolished...that God may be ALL IN ALL.” (1 Corinthians 5:22-28)

In this age, we are free to ask, but sometimes nothing happens...except the peace we get from turning it over to God.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

A Successful Life

Success...what is it?

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done." (Matthew 16:26-27)

Mankind measures success by accumulated wealth and power.  Most of us, however, are just average people trying to do the best we can with whatever we have. And when Jesus returns success will be measured by how we treated our family for the most part under the circumstances we were given in this age by God.

Worldly success is "meaningless"...

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind…A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil… Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love...For this is your lot in life…” (Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:24; 9:9)

And I like what Ralph Waldo Emerson said about success…

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson in “A successful Life”

The Person We Will Be

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.…" (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Jesus never said he was God. He is the Son of God and came to mankind as the “image” of the invisible God.

“No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son-- the One who is at the Father's side-- He has revealed Him...he is the image of the invisible God..."  (John 1:18; Colossians 1:15)

Many intelligent, rational, and thinking men drift away from institutional religions to focus solely on the potential of mankind apart from God. But if they studied the Jesus of the Bible they would find that “the man Christ Jesus” is the very man that they propose we all can and should be.  And Jesus is the "image" of what all mankind will eventually become…

"And God said, let us make mankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)

"I can't wait to get to heaven!"

There are some people who will be alive when Jesus returns. We should live with joy that it may be us - like little children!

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...a ransom for all..." "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed...." (1 Timothy 1:6-2:7; Corinthians 51-54)

After I had discussed the wonder of his salvation and this coming change with one of my grandsons a few years ago he said "I can't wait to get to heaven". My first action was to silently pray "please God, keep him from those who would rob him of that JOY".

As a child I had felt that joy when my Mom would tell me about Jesus my Savior and the heaven we are destined for. But by the age of 15 I had been baptized in a church 3 times and even then was not entirely sure I was saved. 

Where had I lost that joy given me by my mother? 

In the false doctrines of the church they attended.  So if you send your children to church, at least warn them that some of what they are told may not be true. Jesus is coming, maybe in our lifetime, and he wants us to be in a place of joy, like little children, not in fear of the religious doctrines of men. 

"And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees...the teaching..." (Matthew 16:6-12)

When Jesus came the first time he was successful in saving all mankind, not just the religious folks, in fact, he chose to eat and drink with those "sinners" he came to save, but the religious folks said of him...

"Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" (Matthew 11:19)

When Jesus comes again he will once again eat and drink with "sinners", including the religious crowd, after resurrecting them all "imperishable" - giving these new born "infants" the joy of their salvation.

"I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants....Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord... (Matthew 11:25-30; Romans 6:23)

"Papu, I can't wait to get to heaven" - me neither Lawson!

Jesus Is Not a Substitute

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3)

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross..." (1 Peter 2:24)

The bible does not say sin is a debt that needs to be paid to God, but a result of bad behavior. All die as the result of sin - there are no exceptions, not even Jesus. But Jesus did not die for his own sin, but “for our sins". He “bore our sins in his body on the cross". Jesus IDENTIFIED himself with sinful men to demonstrate God’s love for sinners.

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).

In the resurrection of Jesus God has revealed that the death of a sinner will be "swallowed up in Victory" when resurrected - a free gift.

"The wages of sin is DEATH but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.” (Romans 3:23) 

Almost all Christian theologians teach that when Jesus died on the cross it was as our "substitute" to "pay" for our sin. No, he "bore" the sin of Adam and everyone else, and died "for" Adam's sin and everyone else's, because he had no sin of his own to die for. We will all "die" like Jesus, and be "made alive" like Jesus.

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy to be destroyed is death...so that God may be ALL in ALL....death has been swallowed up in Victory." (1 Corinthians 15:22-29,53)