by E.M. Bounds
“Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer.” – Robert Murray McCheyne
WE are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” The dispensation that heralded and prepared the way for Christ was bound up in that man John. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The world’s salvation comes out of that cradled Son. When Paul appeals to the personal character of the men who rooted the gospel in the world, he solves the mystery of their success. The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it. When God declares that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him,” he declares the necessity of men and his dependence on them as a channel through which to exert his power upon the world. This vital, urgent truth is one that this age of machinery is apt to forget. The forgetting of it is as baneful on the work of God as would be the striking of the sun from his sphere. Darkness, confusion, and death would ensue.
What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.
An eminent historian has said that the accidents of personal character have more to do with the revolutions of nations than either philosophic historians or democratic politicians will allow. This truth has its application in full to the gospel of Christ, the character and conduct of the followers of Christ — Christianize the world, transfigure nations and individuals. Of the preachers of the gospel it is eminently true.
The character as well as the fortunes of the gospel is committed to the preacher. He makes or mars the message from God to man. The preacher is the golden pipe through which the divine oil flows. The pipe must not only be golden, but open and flawless, that the oil may have a full, unhindered, unwasted flow.
The man makes the preacher. God must make the man. The messenger is, if possible, more than the message. The preacher is more than the sermon. The preacher makes the sermon. As the life-giving milk from the mother’s bosom is but the mother’s life, so all the preacher says is tinctured, impregnated by what the preacher is. The treasure is in earthen vessels, and the taste of the vessel impregnates and may discolor. The man, the whole man, lies behind the sermon. Preaching is not the performance of an hour. It is the outflow of a life. It takes twenty years to make a sermon, because it takes twenty years to make the man. The true sermon is a thing of life. The sermon grows because the man grows. The sermon is forceful because the man is forceful. The sermon is holy because the man is holy. The sermon is full of the divine unction because the man is full of the divine unction.
Paul termed it “My gospel;” not that he had degraded it by his personal eccentricities or diverted it by selfish appropriation, but the gospel was put into the heart and lifeblood of the man Paul, as a personal trust to be executed by his Pauline traits, to be set aflame and empowered by the fiery energy of his fiery soul. Paul’s sermons — what were they? Where are they? Skeletons, scattered fragments, afloat on the sea of inspiration! But the man Paul, greater than his sermons, lives forever, in full form, feature and stature, with his molding hand on the Church. The preaching is but a voice. The voice in silence dies, the text is forgotten, the sermon fades from memory; the preacher lives.
The sermon cannot rise in its life-giving forces above the man. Dead men give out dead sermons, and dead sermons kill. Everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher. Under the Jewish dispensation the high priest had inscribed in jeweled letters on a golden frontlet: “Holiness to the Lord.” So every preacher in Christ’s ministry must be molded into and mastered by this same holy motto. It is a crying shame for the Christian ministry to fall lower in holiness of character and holiness of aim than the Jewish priesthood. Jonathan Edwards said: “I went on with my eager pursuit after more holiness and conformity to Christ. The heaven I desired was a heaven of holiness.” The gospel of Christ does not move by popular waves. It has no self-propagating power. It moves as the men who have charge of it move. The preacher must impersonate the gospel. Its divine, most distinctive features must be embodied in him. The constraining power of love must be in the preacher as a projecting, eccentric, an all-commanding, self-oblivious force. The energy of self-denial must be his being, his heart and blood and bones. He must go forth as a man among men, clothed with humility, abiding in meekness, wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove; the bonds of a servant with the spirit of a king, a king in high, royal, in dependent bearing, with the simplicity and sweetness of a child. The preacher must throw himself, with all the abandon of a perfect, self-emptying faith and a self-consuming zeal, into his work for the salvation of men. Hearty, heroic, compassionate, fearless martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God. If they be timid time servers, place seekers, if they be men pleasers or men fearers, if their faith has a weak hold on God or his Word, if their denial be broken by any phase of self or the world, they cannot take hold of the Church nor the world for God.
The preacher’s sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself. The training of the twelve was the great, difficult, and enduring work of Christ. Preachers are not sermon makers, but men makers and saint makers, and he only is well-trained for this business who has made himself a man and a saint. It is not great talents nor great learning nor great preachers that God needs, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God — men always preaching by holy sermons in the pulpit, by holy lives out of it. These can mold a generation for God.
After this order, the early Christians were formed. Men they were of solid mold, preachers after the heavenly type — heroic, stalwart, soldierly, saintly. Preaching with them meant self-denying, self-crucifying, serious, toilsome, martyr business. They applied themselves to it in a way that told on their generation, and formed in its womb a generation yet unborn for God. The preaching man is to be the praying man. Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon. An almighty force in itself, it gives life and force to all.
The real sermon is made in the closet. The man — God’s man — is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. The burdened and tearful agony of his spirit, his weightiest and sweetest messages were got when alone with God. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor.
The pulpit of this day is weak in praying. The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer. Prayer is with the pulpit too often only official — a performance for the routine of service. Prayer is not to the modern pulpit the mighty force it was in Paul’s life or Paul’s ministry. Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work and is powerless to project God’s cause in this world.
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Articles
Out of the Mouth of Babes – “What is Love?” Hilarious. Revealing [podcast]
Hilarious and heart warming: What these precious children say will have you laughing and perhaps crying.
“What a blessing this was to my heart! My favorite was the 4 year old white sat on his neighbors lap! Phew! We could learn so much from children about love. They aren’t judgmental. There arms are open wide to give and receive love.” Karen Cochran
Jesus says that we are to be “converted” and also to “become as little children.” (Matthew 18:3-4)
Our LORD Jesus, the greatest Servant says:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
This “greater love” of our Creator, Jesus Christ, was busy blessing each of us in our mother’s womb.
Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE. Share.
Recently it occurred to me…. That the younger the child, the less corrupted they are by this world and the closer they are to God, as in they were more recently in the womb, being fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139).
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Psalms 139:13-17
“Out of the Mouth of Babes” is a Scripture and an idiom, a biblical idiom that teaches us that the young and innocent are often unexpectedly wise. This term originates in the Old and New Testaments. The Book of Psalms (8:2) has God ordaining strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings; the Gospel of Matthew (21:16) has praise emerging from the same source.
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
What does Love mean to 4-8 year old kids? How do they define love? (by an unknown guest)
“The problem is; We look for someone to grow old together with, While the secret is to find someone to stay a child with!” (Charles Bukowski)
What does Love mean to 4-8 year old kids?
Slow down for a few minutes to read this…💕
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does love mean?’ The answers they got were broader, deeper, and more profound than anyone could have ever imagined!
‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore… So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca – age 8
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy – age 4
‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’ Karl – age 5
‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’ Chrissy – age 6
‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri – age 4
‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’ Danny – age 8
‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.’ Bobby – age 7 (Wow!)
‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka – age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)
‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.’ Noelle – age 7
‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy – age 6
‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that.
I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy – age 8
‘My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’ Clare – age 6
‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’ Elaine – age 5
‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’ Chris – age 7
‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.’ Mary Ann – age 4
‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’ Lauren – age 4
‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image!) Karen – age 7
‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross…’ Mark – age 6
‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’ Jessica – age 8
And the final one: The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.’ (This made me cry!)
Now, take a few seconds and post this for others to inspire and spread Love like butter!
And then go be a child again today!
“It’s good to be weak in flesh and strong in the power of His might. It’s good to be vulnerable like a child and abide under the shadow of His wings.” Debbie Lord
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 44
21,000 JESUS tracts distributed thus far to the beautiful people of Mexico!!!!
JUST ORDERED 20,000 MORE JESUS tracts today! More on this below….
Remember those Bibles you sent? Brother Juan is scheduled to go to the prison this coming weekend. But for now, hope you don’t mind, Juan is blazing a trail daily as he preaches Christ’s Gospel. He can’t help himself. He gives our the JESUS tract and has distributed a few of the Bibles you sent. Most of them are in his vehicle and going to be distributed at the prison he ministers at. The man is on fire for Christ! And we are the ones blessed to serve God by upholding, by supporting him and Maria and others. Gospel fires burning! (Philippians 1:19)
*FYI: This Gospel ministry outreach is grossly under-funded. Your support, from your heart, welcome.
FROM BROTHER JUAN: “Greetings and blessings, brother. A big hug. God is good and merciful; His mercy endures forever. Thanks to what our Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. He gave us the most beautiful gift of humanity: forgiveness of our sins. To Him be all honor and glory, in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”
Beloved brother Juan is one of the indigenous disciples of Jesus your prayers and support are upholding. Much needed.
God be praised for your prayers for the people of Mexico to be reached, saved. More Mexico Mission Action here.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
The dreaded inevitable call just came in from sister Maria. She has no more JESUS tracts to minister with. I simply asked her to pray for more support to come into the ministry outreach. She was heartbroken actually.
So after sleeping on this, I’ve determined to order 20,000 JESUS tracts, price $873.67. This is going to come out of the emergency fund which is already miniscule. As you can understand, I simply cannot sit on this money while souls go unreached. If anyone wants to join me in stepping out in faith, ………….. I negotiated a lower price with the printer for 20,000 …. the adjusted price since we have been loyal clients of this print shop, is $873.67 for 20,000 JESUS tracts!
For $600 we were getting 10,000 JESUS tracts. So getting 20,000 it’s $873. 20,000 eternal souls will be reached for $873.
Let me remind you saints…. that it’s virtually impossible to see any Mexican discard the JESUS tract…. They readily receive and thank you for telling them about Jesus. I cannot imagine a better people group to introduce to Jesus Christ.
If you don’t mind, I am relying on you guys to pray for more support to come in to this ministry outreach. There’s no more in me to carry that burden also.
I am asking God to allow His people to reach the un-reached people in Mexico etc
Ultimate Gospel Outpost Goal – is to travel to and establish disciples in evangelism outposts of ministry, including providing the JESUS tracts…. Matthew 24:14. If this sits well with you, feel free to join me in prayer that God will bring this to pass. I’ve prayed that the LORD would grant a few more decades in order for Latin America to be evangelized. They want the Gospel and that is clear!
As God would have it, a dear couple with children were sitting next to Mark and I in a local restaurant as we fellowshipped. Their little boys ball came rolling over toward us and so they apologized and a great conversion ensued.
Just ministered the Gospel to that precious family we talked to…
I actually broke down in tears
It was a full presentation of the Gospel.
God is good
They got a Jesus tract and I am inviting them to email me on the website if they wish
God is good
Matthew 5:16
More Mexico Mission Action here.
We spend our time money and energy on that which we love the most. If you wish to honestly assess your heart, the real state of it, take a look at where your money is going out to.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
Thank you for being patient with me and my lack of temperance and longsuffering.
“Praying for the Lord to open the windows of heaven, pour out His blessing, and fill your storehouse with Jesus tracts to overflow! Mal 3:10. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we think or ask. And even above that! Ephesians 3:20. Unto Him be all glory, honor and praise!” Karen Cochran
Blessings in Christ dear blood bought saints.
Our King is coming! Revelation 19
I received this from Clara late last night:
“Hello, very good evening, excuse me for bothering you again, but I wanted to know if you haven’t had a job, I still don’t get a good job and because the children went on vacation, it has been difficult for me with the expenses, the rent, the new supplies, the registrations and to make matters worse, I got sick with the flu, if you know of any job, could you send me a message, please, I would appreciate it very much.”
I am scheduled to buy and bring Clara some groceries today and cash. God is good. | Clara Podcast here. https://safeguardyoursoul.com/clara-and-her-boys-blessed/
(see pic below)
Your prayers are vital and appreciated much for our LORD’s eternal glory. We can only do the Gospel work with what we have to work with.
As I ponder the opportunity and mission of reaching the people of Mexico, I am reminded perpetually that only God can provide for such.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
2 things came to mind this morning concerning Mission Mexico, getting the Gospel of Jesus to this beloved people ….
- You will never see a JESUS tract on the ground, discarded in Mexico. This includes when sister Maria is passing out hundreds per evening and we are there fellowshipping with her at length. Not 1 tract on the ground. Not even 1.
- Mexican people are authentic, sincere, and hungry for Jesus. They receive the Gospel with all readiness of heart and mind, and read the JESUS tract as if their life depends on it – and it does!
Vision Outlook: God willing and providing, the plan would be to obey Christ’s Great Commission command (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15) and set up Gospel outposts throughout Mexico and then the remainder of Latin America. This will have to be God because printing the JESUS tracts in Spanish takes money. The LORD is able.
Share this email if you wish.
In Christ
todd
More Mexico Mission Action here.
God be praised for your prayers for the people of Mexico to be reached, saved.
FROM SISTER KAREN COCHRAN:
“So amazing! Praying every morning for her and the beautiful people of Mexico.
Acts 13:46
This also makes me think of America! Has America rejected the gospel so the Lord has turned to Mexico? I watched a video yesterday where a street preacher was handing out Jesus tracts. And they were all rejected. Many said, no we go to church, so we are good. Then he said, well then give this someone else. And shockingly they would not even take it to hand to anyone else. They gospel was refused. Yet we see the precious people of Mexico cry when they receive a Bible or are given a Jesus tract. And because of their humility and open hearts to the gospel, we see the word of the Lord being published throughout Mexico! Acts 13:49.
Perhaps this is the vision God is given you! And I just read that Chick Publications is sending 120,000 Jesus tracts to their missionary in Mexico! So they have boots on the ground in Mexico as well!”
REPLY:
Excellent sister
Just got back from delivering God’s love in the form of bags of staple food
To Clara and her boys
What you penned here is very interesting and confirming.
Today while on the way back from Clara’s,
It occurred to me concerning the unfolding of God’s plan
All I knew the LORD was saying “Get up and go” like Abraham
And now the Gospel outreach in SMA is becoming established
Now He seems to be lightly sprinkling into the hearts of His people….
Expansion to come
The LORD has plans for these precious people
As we know, as usual, everything the LORD leads us to do can be seen, tracked to be true in His Word. Boom.
“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:46-49
TODAY at the mercado. Dozens upon dozens heard the Gospel of Jesus preached to them. 100% reception! Gospel action!
Thank you for praying for Mission Mexico – for the people of Mexico.
The ministry is nearly out of JESUS tracts in Spanish.
You are invited to lift a prayer for the 600.00 needed to print 10,000 JESUS tracts in Spanish. See SUPPORT button/page on safeguardyoursoul.com
More Mexico Mission Action here.
TODAY at the mercado. Dozens upon dozens heard the Gospel of Jesus preached to them. 100% reception! Gospel action!
Thank you for praying for Mission Mexico – for the people of Mexico.
More Mexico Mission Action here.
In fellowship with brother Juan today, I asked him if we could put his name and number on the back of the JESUS tracts from now on, beginning with the next printing of them. He said “yes”!
TODAY, after fellowshipping, Juan and I walked around and many received the ministry of God’s Word and readily received the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another Glorious Update from Beautiful Mexico
Last night I brought the final 2,000 Jesus tracts to Maria (with the exception of a few for myself and brother Mark, etc).
This is a blessing as you know and it’s also a time to pray and ask the LORD to give us another $600 to get a new batch of 10,000 Jesus tracts printed.
For now, the ministry is already going into the negative each month.
Being in the middle of and too close to these things, I am going to ask you to kindly lift this in prayer.
This is a call and request for you to pray in faith to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ to provide this amount for the Jesus tracts to be printed (John 16:23-24).
More….
Brother Juan ministered to this dear woman named Andrea. You will notice he gave her one of the Bibles you sent! Juan said he prayed with Andrea. Video attached.
I think we all love what we see in Juan and Maria right… They are Christ’s labourers (Matthew 9:35-38).
Doing business secularly and using that to do the Father’s business! Lk 2:49
Oh and I will definitely want to use an animated ai version of me to help the rap music band….. so I don’t have to be shamed for my lack of rap talent
Right for sure
Cops do not interfere with the people, ever
The people don’t trust any part of the gov’t
And all the cops are REAL Mexico, not corporation bought traitors like the usa who are more than willing to violate your rights
More Mexico Mission Action here.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Articles
The Supremacy of Jesus Christ [podcast]
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Fountain of all wisdom, and Heaven’s coming King. The devil’s game is to remove us from “the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ” and he is using “false apostles, deceitful workers” to carry this out (2 Corinthians 11:1-3, 12-15; Colossians 2:6-10, 18-19, etc.).
“Preeminence” belongs of Jesus Christ alone.
It is highly doubtful that you can read Colossians 1 and not fall out of your chair…. and raise your hands to Heaven, praising God for the unfathomable gift of His only Son – who is the Preeminent Creator, Sustainer, and God of all that is! (Colossians 1:15-17)
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16
Do We Have Time to Learn More About the LORD Jesus today, OR, are We Just looking for Yet Another Quick Fix, Self-Serving Feel-Good Message like so many professing Christians today?
The modern church is too busy to study Christ Himself because they’re too busy trying to use Him to get what they want. Let that soak in as you remember how long it’s been since you’ve heard a message specifically about Heaven’s King. Most modern “pastors” probably don’t even know what the word Christology means.
God created us to know Him and yet, such doesn’t happen without the recipient of His great love seeking Him – with a whole heart.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Memorize John 17:3. This is a paramount, a crowning jewel divine revelation to us, to you. In light of this revelation – that the chief purpose for which He created us is to know Him – let’s take a little trip, to Christ!
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power…Let no man beguile you of your reward…vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head (not upholding JESUS!), from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19
Today we often hear the words “spiritual growth” and yet, there is no spiritual growth outside of learning of Christ, the LORD and Savior. Are you learning of Jesus who calls us to “Come unto me” and to “learn of me”? See Matthew 11:28-30. Spiritual growth is never separate from learning of and from Christ! (Hebrews 1; Isaiah 53; Colossians 1-2; John 1, etc.). Growing in grace is also never separate from knowing and discovering more of Christ the LORD, Heaven’s KING.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” 2 Peter 1:2
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Any person, teaching, icon or ritual that robs or intercepts glory from the Person and work of Jesus Christ is of the arch enemy of God and His prize creation (mankind). The adversary has come “to steal and to kill and to destroy” (Jn. 8:44, 47; 10:10; Col. 2; 1 Pet. 5:8). According to 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Satan has his “ministers” and these deceivers are known by whether or not they clearly and fully elevate the divine person of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work and whether they promote or condone any person or teaching that does not clearly elevate Christ as the supreme LORD and the only Savior of depraved sinful mankind (Col. 1-2; Rev. 1:8).
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:12-20
Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, Creator and Sustainer of all that is (Col. 1:15-17). He is the only Salvation and hope of men and is coming soon (Col. 1:14, 20). This is the message of the book of Colossians. Have you recently studied this rich and invaluable book and mined out its precious truths?
Colossians 2:8-10 warns believers to “Beware” of any “philosophy” or “traditions” that would be elevated above Jesus Christ and supremely loving Him who is supreme and pre-eminent above all (Isa. 45:21-23). “Educated” men in leadership who do not profoundly elevate Jesus Christ actually boast of such (their academic accomplishments) when they ought to be ashamed that they have actually rebelled and paid good money to be defiled and misled. It is these men that Paul tells us are “deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). A philosophy can be known to be God-honoring or antichrist based on what it ultimately does with the Person and redemption of Jesus Christ. Any religious teaching that does not magnify and glorify Jesus Christ is antichrist and to be exposed as such (Rom. 16:16-18; Col. 2; Jude 3-4).
Paul the apostle of Jesus, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:13-17).
The believers at Galatia had allowed false teachers who were “accursed” to come in and lead them to count rituals and times and foods (all non-essentials to salvation) to become important and Christ to become demoted (Gal. 1:6-9; 4:9-11).
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently (clearly) set forth, crucified among you?” Galatians 3:1
In light of the reigning King of all kings, Maker and LORD of the whole universe, we must ask: Who is man? Who is the phony religious leader who touts himself and is promoted by the faithful who are deceived by him? What miracle did any of these people ever do? Where are the nail scars in their hands and feet?
“Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:13
Men who mislead others have one thing in common – they are mere sinful men…Zechariah 11:17 calls them “idol shepherds” of Satan himself….” See also 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. They are icons – “idol shepherds” of Satan himself to draw away and intercept your attention and heart’s affections from the only One who came and redeemed your precious soul (Zech. 11:17; diligently study Colossians 2). Like Lucifer before he was thrust from Heaven, they seek to usurp the place of worship that belongs to the LORD alone (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18).
“(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)” Psalms 49:8
The Great Shepherd came to grant you life – Satan’s goal is to rob you of your inheritance that Jesus Christ came and fully paid for. Will you let him? Whom will you serve?
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:17-20
Who in history other than the very Son of the living God ever foretold his own death, burial, and resurrection and then accomplished it? Who shed His sinless blood on your behalf? Who else in history laid down His life, giving His own blood to pay for your sins and bring you into a vital relationship with the Father and purchase Heaven on your behalf? Who? Who? Who?
If Jesus Christ is truly the Supreme being in all the universe, is He not worthy of our exuberant praise and gratitude? Does He merit a moment of verbalized praise and thanksgiving?
“By him (Christ Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15
Study Colossians closely.
Jesus Christ came to the earth exactly how and when the “more sure word of prophecy”, the Scriptures, foretold that He would come and to fulfill the Messianic prophecies of Himself to the exact detail (2 Peter 1:19-21).
“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalms 40:7-8
“From cover to cover of the OT it was foretold not only that Christ would come into the world but that He would come with an eager, ready spirit to do the will of God. The will of God was not just in His head—it was inscribed in His very heart.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, open my eyes to behold the glory of the only begotten of the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous! Teach my heart to discern any religious teaching that does not blatantly elevate Christ as LORD of all and soon coming and sole Head of His true Church (called out ones)! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
More on the Supremacy of Christ:
The Supremacy of Christ
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:1-3
The remnant disciple must take pleasure alone in the divine Person, work, and riches of Christ. It is in Jesus Christ alone that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…are hid” (Col. 2:3). We are “complete in him, which is the head of all principalities and powers” (Col. 2:10). He should savor and be ever grateful for the fullest sufficiency of “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). He is privileged to appreciate and delight in Christ’s name, life, power, and superiority, as the only “Head” and high and mighty “Potentate” or supreme Ruler of His eternal kingdom. All others posing as such or unduly elevating themselves as they seek to steal His glory are brazen wolves, thieves, counterfeit, and wholly false (Matt. 7:15-20; 24:5, 11. 24; Jn. 10:1; Col. 2:4-19; 2 Jn. 7-11).
“Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16
There exists no one else except Christ who is all of God, Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Counselor, and King of all kings (Jn. 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2-3; Rev. 1:8). Jesus Christ is unique in all of history. No other was born of a virgin by the Holy Ghost, called “God with us,” showed us the Father, lived a perfect and sinless life, conquered death by “the sacrifice of himself,” satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice as He did “taste death for every man,” died on a cross with the superscription “THE KING OF THE JEWS,” was buried and guarded by numerous soldiers and then fulfilled His own prophecy by rising from the dead to prove He is the very Son of God and Messiah, and promised to return for His own (Matt. 1:23; 24:30; 27:37; Jn. 1:1-4; 14:9; Rom. 1:4; Heb. 2:9; 9:26). There is no one comparable to Jesus Christ.
Father, in Jesus’ name, please give Your people an ever deepening revelation of the cross of Christ, “the blood of his cross” by which exclusively we are redeemed, bought back to Thee…. and also the cross He commanded us to take up daily. In Jesus’ name.
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. … For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 1:20; 3:3
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