The Blood of Jesus [study guide]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

The Blood of Jesus (PDF)

(Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.)

When the man and woman whom God had created chose to sin against Him, He separated them from His presence. They attempted to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together and girding them around their waists (Genesis 3:7). This was man’s attempt to cover his own sin and shame.

“The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald

God did not honor the fig leaves, so He shed the blood of animals to make them “coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Here He chose to depict the sacrifice of the coming Redeemer by the offering of innocent animals. The atonement for the man and woman by the sacrifice of these animals prophetically pointed to the Savior who would later come and personally shed His holy, sinless blood to redeem His creation which had been contaminated by sin.

From the cradle of creation through the dispensation of the Mosaic law, in Christ’s redemptive blood on Calvary’s cross, and throughout eternity future, we see that in the Creator’s economy, it is blood that quenches the fire of His holy vengeance.

It was out of the riches of God’s mercy and grace that our sins have been remitted by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let us now follow this blood line through the Bible.

1. Of Cain and Abel’s sacrifices, which one did God honor? Genesis 4:3-5

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Adam’s and Eve’s son Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” at the time of sacrifice. Obviously, God instructed Adam and Eve to sacrifice animals to continue to cover their sin. God had already foretold that His Son would be sent to redeem the fallen race (Genesis 3:15). The blood of this animal that Abel offered prefigured the blood of the Messiah which would later be shed to redeem mankind. Abel pleased God because he displayed faith in His Word concerning the blood sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make. This is the beginning of the blood river of redemption which flows from Genesis to Revelation. Cain’s sacrifice was rejected because it did not align with God’s redemptive program. It was like much of the religious activity we have today, of self-will and man-made tradition, instead of that which God requires.

2. Complete the following statement made in Hebrews 11:4:

“By ________ Abel offered unto God a more ___________________

__________________ than Cain, by the which he obtained witness

that he was righteous, ______________________________________:

and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

God honored the faith that Abel displayed in the coming Redeemer and declared him righteous thereby.

3. What is essential for the remission of sin? Hebrews 9:22

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“Remission” means a dismissal or release from a debt or penalty. In the New Testament, it is used concerning the forgiveness of sins. Remission of sins occurs when God applies the blood of Jesus to the life of the believer, thereby, canceling his sin debt.

4. Read Exodus 12:1-14. What kind of lamb did God instruct His people to sacrifice? Exodus 12:5

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5. What did the Lord command His people to do after they had killed the lamb? Exodus 12:6, 7

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6. What did God say that He was going to do to the Egyptians for their sin? Exodus 12:12

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The Egyptians would not let God’s people go; consequently, God was going to send a death angel through the land of Egypt (Egypt represents the sinners of the world) and kill the firstborn male child and beast of every family. This event is called the Passover which was to be God’s judgment upon the sin of the Egyptians.

7. What role did the blood play for God’s people who placed it on the door posts of their houses? Exodus 12:13

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While the nation of Israel was under Egyptian bondage, the Lord informed Israel that each family was to shed the blood of an unblemished lamb and place the blood upon their door posts before He delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 12). So, today, every disciple of Jesus should apply the blood of Christ’s redemption to his life daily in prayer and through a life of obedience to the Word (1 John 1:7; Revelation 12:11). The blood which initially cleanses one upon repentance and faith in the Son of God, is to continue to daily cleanse that person from his sins and iniquities (1 John 1:7).

8. For what reason did God say that He would pass over – not allow harm to come upon His people? Exodus 12:13

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Judgment was averted by the presence of the blood. Where the blood was applied, God’s wrath was appeased. Is the cleansing blood applied to every area of your life?

9. What did the Lord state that He would do when He saw the blood? Exodus 12:13

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Here we see that the atoning blood appeased the wrath of God. He said that this blood would save the people from His justified wrath. The unblemished lamb was a type of the spotless Lamb of God which was yet to be slain (1 Peter 1:19), saving those who would receive Him, from the holy wrath of God (Romans 5:9). The Israelites openly expressed their faith in the coming Savior by placing the blood of the unblemished lamb on their door posts in the sign of a cross (up and down and across). This blood had to be personally appropriated/applied by each Israelite family (Exodus 12:3-4).

10. Who is our Passover Lamb? 1 Corinthians 5:7b

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11. Under the Old Covenant, what did God require to make atonement for the souls/sins of His people? Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 17:11

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Under the law God instructed the nation of Israel to approach Him by the sacrifice of animals. The sins of the people were atoned for by the blood of animals (Leviticus 16:34; 17:11). This prophetic pattern of God continued to cover the sins of His people from the time of the fall until the One whom these sacrifices foreshadowed appeared. Those in Israel who genuinely loved the God of all truth, fervently anticipated the arrival of this repeatedly prophesied Redeemer. About 4,000 years after man had fallen, a prophet sent from God, John the Baptist, saw Jesus Christ the Reconciler approaching, and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It was “the fulness of time” and the Father had sent the promised Redeemer into the earth to take “away the sin of the world” (Galatians 4:4; John 1:29). The sacrifices that previously atoned for Israel would now be superceded by the one sacrifice of “the Lamb,“ God’s only begotten Son (Hebrews10:1-23).

These blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were instituted by God to point to the One who would pay the ultimate sacrifice for the sin-debt of the world. Jesus was the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament blood sacrifices. His pure and spotless blood was about to be shed to pay fully for the sins of the world. The Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world (in the mind of God) was now manifest on earth to redeem mankind from his sinful and separated state (Rev. 13:8; Jn 1:14).

12. What did Jesus say just before He offered Himself on His altar, the cross? Matthew 26:28

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13. For what purpose was Jesus going to offer His blood? Matthew 26:28

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14. How was the Church purchased? Acts 20:28; Revelation 5:9

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15. How did our God make peace and reconcile mankind to Himself? Colossians 1:20

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16. In light of the truth that Jesus made peace between God and man through the blood He shed, wherein should we glory? Galatians 6:14

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And what should we preach? 1 Corinthians 2:2

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17. According to Ephesians 1:7, what two blessings does the believer receive through the blood of Jesus?

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As is clearly announced in the God-breathed New Testament records, redemption and the remission/forgiveness of sins only comes by the blood of Jesus, and is a gift granted by the Father out of the abundance of His grace. To redeem (as in redemption) is to buy back. We had been sold out to sins by the first man and our own rebellion, yet, God, in His great mercy, came in the person of Jesus Christ to buy us back to the Father. The blood of Christ is God’s agent for removing man’s sin. All of the baptismal water in the world cannot wash away one sin. The blood of the Son of God is the divine detergent that cleanses man from sins and the guilt that it brings. To receive the person of Jesus Christ is to partake of the unspeakable benefits of His blood.

18. How are men not redeemed? 1 Peter 1:18

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19. How are men redeemed? 1 Peter 1:19

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God the Father honors the blood of Jesus as full payment for sins. It was the divine price paid for man’s redemption. His blood alone satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem mankind. Man was bought back and therefore can be brought back to peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

20. Read Romans 3:21-26. Complete the following found in Romans 3:24, 25:

“Being justified freely by his ___________ through the

____________________ that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set

forth to be a _____________________ (the atoning sacrifice) through

______________________________, to declare

___________________________ for the remission of sins that are

past, through the forbearance of God.”

21. How are sinners “made nigh (close)” to God? Ephesians 2:13

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22. What agent of God justifies the person who receives Jesus Christ? Romans 5:9

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23. What is the believer saved from because of the blood of Jesus? Romans 5:9

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God is holy and demands holiness of the human race that He created. His wrath on sin and all who partake of it is appeased only by the blood of the Lamb Jesus.

24. Refer to Revelation 1:5 and complete the following:

“And from_____________________ , who is the faithful witness, and

the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto _____________________________, and __________________

_______________________________________________________.”

25. What is purged when the blood of Jesus is applied? Hebrews 9:14

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Not only does the blood of Christ take away the sins of the one who personally receives Him, but also the guilt that is always coupled with sin. The shame of sin is removed when the blood of Jesus is applied (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9). If there is a shortcoming, the repentant believer can always find forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. God’s part is the blood, our part is repentance. Repentance on the part of the transgressor is a must for the removal of sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7-9).

26. Why can every single disciple of Jesus enter into the holy throne of God with great boldness/confidence? Hebrews 10:19

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Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter behind the veil into the holy of holies to meet with God (Hebrews 9:7). Because of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid, every believer can approach God in the holy of holies. In the same hour that Jesus died, the thick veil that separated the Old Testament saints from the presence of God was ripped open (Mark 15:38). This marked the hour that God came out from behind the veil to meet man on a personal basis – All this because of the blood of Christ that was poured out for mankind. Personal access into the very presence of God has been granted to all who truly trust in the precious and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Each disciple of Christ now has entrance into the very throne of the Father where Jesus is seated on His right hand, making intercession (Hebrews 7:25; 10:19-22).

27. As the child of God walks in the light, what is it that continues to cleanse his sins? 1 John 1:7

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It is the blood of Christ that continues to make the disciple of Jesus holy before the Father as he continues to walk in obedience. It is the blood of Jesus that sustains the people of God in holiness before Him.

28. What two weapons recorded in Revelation 12:11 has God given to the Body of Christ to overcome Satan and his angels? Read Revelation 12:7-11.

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Overcoming the enemy comes from being washed by the blood of Jesus and upholding the standard of His holy Word as a weapon of spiritual warfare. Jesus supplied His blood, you are to supply the testimony of its power to redeem (Psalms 107:2).

29. What is the agent that will cleanse the Great Tribulation saints? Revelation 7:14

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30. In the ordinance of communion, what is symbolized by the drink? 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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The drink is to bring us into fresh remembrance of the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. He has purchased us with His own blood.

31. What does “the cup” of “the fruit of the vine” represent as instituted by the Lord? Matthew 26:26-30

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His body was broken and His blood flowed to the earth. When we break bread and drink wine/grape juice, we are to do it in remembrance of His sacrifice for us, without which we would have no hope of redemption whatsoever.

THE WORK OF REDEMPTION IS COMPLETE IN JESUS CHRIST. HIS BLOOD FLOWS JUST AS FRESH AND POWERFUL THIS INSTANT AS THE MOMENT IT WAS SHED. TAKE A MOMENT TO EXAMINE YOUR HEART. THE LORD JESUS INVITES YOU TO COME TO HIM FOR THE CLEANSING OF ALL SIN AND THE SHAME THEREOF. AS YOU REPENT OF ALL SINS BEFORE GOD, ASK HIM TO TAKE AWAY YOUR SIN AND GUILT THROUGH CHRIST’S PERFECT BLOOD. THANK HIM FOR HIS BLOOD.

ENRICHING ASSIGNMENT:

In 250 words or more, detail the ways that the Word of God should be incorporated into the daily life of the believer. (Tips for your essay’s content: study, performance, prayer, warfare, proclaiming, meditating upon, memorizing, etc). Search the Scriptures as your source for this essay and use Scripture and references to validate your statements. Begin with deep and prayerful meditation on God’s Word. Write your essay neatly and in an organized manner.

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION: Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7b

It would be very advantageous for you to cross reference all of the Scriptures in this study. For example, pencil in each topically similar verse into the margin next to the corresponding verses on this same subject. Write out these verses with references on index cards – make it a priority to carry and post them where you will study and meditate upon them. These two measures will build in you a wealth of truth on each topic. This will help you to retain and become resourceful in the Word of God – ready to be used of Him. Capture the knowledge that you have learned, don’t let it slip away from you.

Capitalize on your efforts. This is preparation in earnest (2 Timothy 2:21).

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

How We Know the Bible is the only Holy Book on Planet Earth [podcast]

The Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood

The Remission of Sins

Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]

God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“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

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer. Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world. Just don’t take a vacation from God. He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”―Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”―Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”―Dr. Lucas D. Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”―William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4

“Diligence”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.

Putting God First [podcast]

If God’s Word isn’t important to you, it’s because He isn’t important to you. If anything comes before the LORD in your day, you are an idolater. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 GOD’s WORD cannot get into you if you aren’t into it. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Jesus commanded: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 As you seek God, […]

"He that Loveth Pureness of Heart" [podcast]

IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED? TODAY is our day, it’s your day, to throw up those hands and that heart to the LORD who made you, and cry out to Him to grant you a pure heart, one that is innocent, clean, washed, delighting in Him. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4 When the LORD is truly working in a man, that man is learning to love “pureness of heart.” “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall […]

Are You a “Dream Chaser” or a Jesus Seeker? [podcast]

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 Jesus didn’t come to the earth to seek His own will or dream His own dreams but rather to do the will of His Father. “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:41-42 Christ’s […]

Nourished Up and Enduring to the End [podcast]

Recently a dear brother in Christ related this testimony to me of our LORD’s work in his life: “I had a ‘back to Jesus’ moment after the election. As I was horribly disappointed in our country and the dividing of even my own friends, I was praying: ‘I’ve lost faith in my country, I’ve lost faith in my friends…’ then it hit me… I had put my faith in the wrong things. It’s so easy to depend on others. But now I am trusting only in my Lord and Savior.” “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose […]

Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

“If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

7 Questions on Justification [podcast]

7 Questions on Justification How is fallen mankind made righteous, justified in the eyes of a holy God? (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16) What law makes New Testament believers “free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2) What could the law not do? (Romans 8:3-4) What is fulfilled in the life of the born again, Spirit-led New Testament follower of Christ? (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4) How does the Law apply to saints? How does it apply to sinners? (1 Timothy 1:9-11) Can anyone be justified by the works of the law, by law-keeping? Become intimately familiar with Galatians 2:4-5, 16; […]

Dispensationalism Exposed and Destroyed [podcast]

Beware of theological systems. Get and remain organic in your study of God’s Word. Allow no mere man to think, to reason for you! Beware of the dispensational heretics. It’s a cult system full of lies including the “eternal security” fairytale which is espoused by moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their lives in this sinful world, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus in the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Dispensational heretics claim that only Paul’s writings are important for New Testament saints. They say that Paul’s writing are written TO New Testament saints […]

Articles

Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it SHALL accomplish that which I please, and it SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

“read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
“gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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