Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]
Fight the temptation or die the death?
Where’s the victory come from?
The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.
The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.
If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.
Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36
Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).
They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!
The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!
The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).
Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.
The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.
We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)
Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.
In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!
When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25
Must Take a Ruthless Stand
Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.
Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.
Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).
We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).
While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).
There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).
Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.
Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13
Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.
A showdown – conquer or be conquered.
Life or death.
Sink or swim.
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.
“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”
The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.
“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17
The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.
When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.
There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.
The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.
Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]
How Do We Know, Right Now, Who will be Seated at the at the Table, at the Great Supper of the Lamb? (Matthew 22; Revelation 19)
The remnant, those who will be present at the Great Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, are ALREADY feasting at the banqueting table of His Word. All others whom Jesus has saved in the past, are not fueled or flourishing but are rather famishing, fainting, and falling away.
The “little flock” of Christ desires to be with Him both now and forever, not just forever (Luke 12:32). They’ve been born again and present “abide” in/with the Savior (John 15:1-6).
No good man wants an arrangement but rather a marriage with a virtuous, faithful wife. He rightly desires a beloved wife in holy matrimony, not a whore to shack up with! Those who espouse OSAS are spiritual adulterers, whore mongers. They want a quick fix, an illicit affair that requires no commitment, carries no requirements.
The God fearing wife has set aside all else to serve her husband (1 Peter 3:1-7). She is not sidetracked nor does she waiver in her love and duty to her man. And this is what the true bride of Christ is doing today – setting aside the distractions and pursuits of this fleeting world and are seated at the feet of Jesus, waiting upon Him (1 John 2:14-17).
Her life is all about Him, not herself.
The heart of a true under shepherd is heard in these words from Christ’s apostle Paul: “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
It’s the adulterous heart, the heart where Jesus is not truly the “first love,” the highest priority, that migrates to this sin-justifying system of theology called “eternal security” (Revelation 2:4-5). Jesus’ teaching concerning the five foolish virgins who were espoused to the Bridegroom (Jesus), and were later shut out of His bridal chamber, is clear proof that all who begin with Christ will not be with Him eternally (Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus invented the term “fall away” and told us that some who initially believe will later “fall away”—they will not “endure to the end” with Him (Luke 8:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13). So, someone’s lying and it’s not the Son of God. Why would He use such words as “fall away” if these things weren’t possible, if it weren’t essential to “endure to the end” to be “saved”?
Paul says we, the saints of Christ on earth, are “espoused” to Christ the Bridegroom – engaged, not married (2 Corinthians 11:2-4).
With no exception, ALL wise virgin believers are in the Word daily. They commune with the Bridegroom and He fills them daily with His heavenly virtue, oil (Matthew 25:1-13).
Just because one is “espoused” to Jesus, that is, engaged to the Bridegroom of Heaven, doesn’t mean they will ultimately be married to Him as is proven in Christ’s parable of the 10 virgins where only 5 made it into the eternal bridal chamber with the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). They other 5 were shut out for treating the engagement/espousal as a mere arrangement.
The most elaborate, the most grandiose dinner awaits the saints of Christ! Words cannot possibly express the grandeur of Christ’s welcoming dinner…. a celebration to end all others – the beginning, the inaugural celebration of eternity with Christ and His saints of all ages.
The foolish virgins are making excuse for sins (Proverbs 28:13a. The wise virgins are hastening to repentance (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 19:7-10).
“Revelation 19:7-9: We are to ‘bear the image of the heavenly.’ (1 Cor 15:49).Our sinful nature crucified, sanctified, dead and buried, and then we take on the heavenly glorified nature of Christ! Our whole spirit, soul and body is being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus! (1 Thesolonians 5:23). We must be fully clothed in righteousness and holiness to enter the marriage supper of the Lamb! This is the only way to be accounted worthy! And not have our names blotted out of the book of life.” Karen Cochran
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Proverbs 14:9
Mocking at sin relates to any lax or crass attitude toward what He that is Holy declares to be sin – which separates men from God. There’s is divine grace and favor on all who are honest, repent, and forsake sin.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
WHAT’s the use of talking about end times and the events of these final days if we aren’t even going to be “READY” when Jesus does return?
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Read the passage below as to exactly, specifically what Bride Jesus will return for and please explain how a person who genuinely got saved and now is living in sin is going to be Christ’s Bride eternally:
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:12-13
As the husband and wife require their intimate personal time together for relations, so the bride of Christ must have her individual, set apart time of intimacy with the Bridegroom, Jesus. This is biblical imagery (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-30; Revelation 19:7-9).
Christ’s bride that He will soon return for is holy and holy means set apart. Christ’s Heaven-bound disciples are known by their fervent loyalty to their Master, Jesus. Sweet fellowship with Christ is at the cornerstone of their schedule. The LORD is their undisputed priority. Having a daily, set apart time with Christ is essential of the infusion of Heaven’s nutrient-rich substance, to remaining in an abiding relationship with the Bridegroom (Psalms 27:4, 8; Matthew 5:6, etc.).
Drinking from the well of Heaven daily is the mainstay duty and practice of every true wise virgin believer (Matthew 25:1-13). Their relationship with their Bridegroom is their most important occupation. He’s absolutely first. Jesus is not a second class citizen in their life (Revelation 2:4-5).
Do we remember how Paul spoke of a man and wife coming together and how if they don’t, if they neglect intimacy, they will be tempted to migrate to someone else other than their mate? (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Are we, are you rendering “due benevolence” to your LORD and Savior, the Bridegroom of Heaven? If not, you are being drawn away to another lover, a false god, an altar of idol worship.
You are Cordially Invited to this Great Supper of and with the Lamb of God
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
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Worshipping the God of all Grace through the Fiery Trials [podcast]
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
“In the world ye shall have tribulation”
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21
WE the body of Christ, are a separate entity from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). We are here on earth for but a short time more—saved and sent to do Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 4:34-38). Jesus foretold that these final days before His return would be tumultuous (Matthew 24; Luke 21). And to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
“Let not your heart be troubled” … and when we begin to perceive the big picture of the LORD, it will be easier to not be “troubled” in “the sufferings of this present time” (Romans 8:18).
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Making biblical sense of the suffering.
Makes us want to go home and to live like it (Daniel 12:10).
“The sufferings of this present time” are a mere speed bump saints. We are going to eternal glory with our King Jesus!
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Nothing can separate God and His true saints—those who are hearing His voice presently and following, walking with Him, abiding in vital union with Jesus (John 10:27-29; 15:1-6).
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
DO WE have the “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” spirit and disposition of the beloved Job?
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
Going though a season of testing and trials and yet not worshipping God through it all, is a waste. Personally I had to learn this the hard way.
God has been so wonderfully gracious to teach this disciple!
“I am understanding Job in a new way. Old Adam wants to see it as a punishment, or an injustice, and this belief is subtle and corrosive.” Justin Ballis
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11
Final Greetings
“By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.” 1 Peter 5:12
Knowing it’s God’s stated will for us to worship, love, and trust Him at all times—and in particular in the midst of that which He sees fit to allow us to go through….. is vital. Personally I chose initially to do laps in the desert and so such delayed getting to His promised land of peace. God is able beloved.
The LORD is “a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons” of His kingdom.
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
Are we worshiping our LORD in the midst of our seasons of suffering? Have we of late looked up and said, “Jesus, I love You“?
What’s God worth to me? How much does He matter? Is Jesus truly my very “first love”? See Revelation 2:4-5.
Worshiping God in this presently dark world will bring sufferings and ultimately eternal glory with Him and the true body of Christ.
What would we think of the man, the husband who didn’t defend his wife? He’s a self-serving coward, who loves himself more than his wife, right? What if we refuse to suffer for Heaven’s King that we claim to love? Wouldn’t this prove that we love self more than the Savior?
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11
It’s in our sufferings that we discover, we find out, we come to understand about God’s sufficiency. See James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Being “hid with Christ in God” is how the LORD powers us through, past the many afflictions to be suffered by Christ’s saints.
“There is a beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unsupported by people. It teaches you to rely on God for everything.” unknown
“the fiery trial which is to try you”
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 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: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:5-9
“Weeping (death and burial—suffering the death of self) may last through the night, but joy (resurrection) comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
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The Book of Titus Overview [podcast]
“Loved this podcast. Thank you. One word that stuck out to me was pattern! Titus 2:7. I missed that word in that verse. The Holy Spirit is aways teaching us. Since this word was new to me I went to King James Dictionary: ‘Anything cut of formed into shape of something to be made after it. Pattern to imitate or follow.’ I think I now understand. Let Him shape and mold you. Pattern your life after Christ. Jesus was our perfect pattern!” Karen Cochran
“Though the Old Testament never directly mentions Crete (shown in inset), this island had a significant impact on the history of Israel. Crete was home to the ancient city of Knossos and the great Minoan civilization, the first advanced society in Europe, which flourished from before the time of Abraham until around the time of Moses. As this civilization declined, many people from Crete and mainland Greece began to migrate in vast numbers to new lands further east, including Israel. This is likely how the Philistines came to inhabit the Mediterranean coast of southern Israel. In the centuries that followed, various world powers gained control over Crete until finally it came under the rule of Rome, which grouped it together with the area around Cyrene on the North African coast to form a single province. (Cyrene was the home of a man named Simon, who carried Jesus’ cross for him after Jesus was no longer able to carry it.) As Paul was on his way to stand trial in Rome (Acts 27), he sailed along the southern coast of Crete, and there the captain lost control of the ship in a storm while attempting to reach safe harbor at Phoenix. The sailors became terrified that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, but instead they were driven by the storm to the island of Malta much further west, and the crew was saved.”
Abraham was born around 2166 BC
Moses – between 1391–1271 BCE.
Acts 27 and the Journey to Rome:
“The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on Crete while on his way to Rome. His ship took shelter at a harbor on the southern coast called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.”
Of the book of Titus, one source notes the following:
“The Book of Titus is a letter from Apostle Paul to his protégé Titus, who was tasked with establishing order and appointing leaders in the churches on the island of Crete. The letter contains guidance on selecting qualified elders, combating false teachings, and instructing believers to live godly, grace-empowered lives that demonstrate the gospel’s transforming power through good works and upright conduct.”
The Holy Ghost led Paul to set up God-fearing “elders in every city” to rebuke and to stop the deceivers and their lies and to establish the truth “sound doctrine.”
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: … 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Titus 1:5,9-10
To the “young men” and every disciple of Jesus (Titus 2:6).
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:7-8
“Good works” or “Good work” appear 6 times in Titus.
“They profess that they know God; but in WORKS they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every GOOD WORK reprobate.” Titus 1:16
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of GOOD WORKS: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” Titus 2:7
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of GOOD WORKS.” Titus 2:14
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8
“And let ours also learn to maintain GOOD WORKS for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” Titus 3:14
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Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
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