Bible Study - Do Over - Indentity You Must Embrace - Romans 6:8-18 - December 29, 2013

Bible Study – Do Over – Identity You Must Embrace – December 29, 2013

This is lesson five in our series entitle “Do Over: Experience New Life in Christ.”

Our scripture is Romans 6:8-18.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

To the Christian, sin is no longer your master – CHRIST IS!!!

Grace is GOD’S gift to all who place their faith in CHRIST. Once a person has placed his or her faith in CHRIST, HIS grace is sufficient to satisfy past, present and future sins. Christians must keep in their minds that HIS grace is not a license to do whatever he or she desires to do.

Christians are accountable and responsible for their actions. If a Christian murder's, steals, cheats, commits adultery and the list goes on, he or she will suffer the consequences. Compromising our walk with CHRIST compromises our rewards because when we compromise, we are out of relationship and fellowship with CHRIST, which blocks the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thus, we miss opportunities to obediently serve HIM.

In the first five chapters of Romans, the Apostle Paul focused upon a person’s need for “justification” which is only possible through faith in CHRIST.

In this study, we move to Chapter 6. The Apostle Paul focuses upon how the gospel impacts and empowers our daily lives. Christians are no longer slaves to sin and serve sin because they have a new Master, CHRIST. The Apostle Paul introduces something for every Christian to ponder and that is dying to self. When a person is dead, he or she does not have any desire for anything because they are dead. Let’s explore!  

Let’s read Romans 6:8-11:

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, 9 because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him. 10 For in light of the fact that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God. 11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

In essence, Paul was writing that when a person places his or her faith in CHRIST, he or she died when CHRIST died; buried when CHRIST was buried; resurrected when CHRIST was resurrected; Christians ascended into heaven when HE ascended into heaven. Thus, a Christian’s citizenship is in heaven but he or she remains upon earth to be GOD’S representatives, as HE directs HIS children by the indwelling Holy Spirit. But for HIM to direct, Christians must be willing to allow HIM to direct their lives.

A dead person is not influenced by the dictates of sin. A Christian, in essence, has died to the flesh but lives in his or her resurrected body. Satan’s desire is that no Christian dies to self, whereas GOD’S desire is for every Christian to die to the desires of the flesh, be filled and led by the Holy Spirit.

So how do you die to self? When a Christian has such an intimate, personal relationship with CHRIST, HE lives through him or her. To me that is a process, which we call sanctification. It is something GOD does through the indwelling Holy Spirit but the Christian must yield his or her will to HIM.  Paul stated it best when he wrote in Galatians 2:20-21:

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.  

It is akin to marriage. When a man marries a woman, the two become one. She, generally, takes on the name of her husband. When they love each other so much, they desire the best for the other. When you love your spouse so much, he or she will give his or her life for their husband or wife. Being a Christian is no different. When we love CHRIST to the utmost, obediently serving HIM is a joy and not drudgery.

Paul put it well in verse 11: “So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

The Greek word used for “consider” is an imperative which means Christians “reckon or be of the opinion on a daily basis” to be dead to the lure of sin. It is an ongoing term, which means to keep going.

Let’s read Romans 6:12-14:

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

When you consider yourself dead, and then take on the mindset that you are dead to sin by not allowing sin to rule your life. CHRIST has conquered sin and so has the Christian.

Since you have considered yourself dead, do not allow any part of your body to lead you into sin. When a Christian offers him or herself to GOD, every part of his or her body is consecrated to GOD. Your body no longer belongs to you but to GOD.

As stated earlier, Satan will do all he can to defeat every Christian. When a Christian sins, it is easy for him or her to consider he or she either has lost their salvation or has become unworthy and no longer useful to GOD. Keep in mind that GOD knows our hearts and HIS grace is sufficient to forgive Christians for any sin he or she has committed. The Apostle John stated in 1 John1:5-10:

5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we • walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

GOD does not want the Christian to be weighted down with the burden of sin. HE makes a provision for the Christian to confess his or her sins.

Sin will not rule over the Christian because as stated in verse 14:

14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

If the Christian is under GOD’S grace, then the Christian is free to sin? Wrong!! A true Christian will not willfully sin. Paul addresses this in our next scripture.

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God.

Let’s read Romans 6:15-19:

15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient • slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey —either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, 18 and having been liberated from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in • sanctification .

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that because of GOD’S grace, the Christian does not have the license to sin. CHRIST came into the world not to do away with the law but to fulfill the law. CHRIST fulfilled both the letter of the law and the Spirit of the law. When CHRIST gave HIS life and shed HIS blood on the cross, HE conquered sin and fulfilled the law. The law was, in essence, nailed to the cross when CHRIST was crucified. When a person places his or her faith in CHRIST he or she receives salvation and is no longer under the law. Christians are free from the law because they are under GOD’S grace.

Who is your master? It is the one you obediently serve. Paul stated it well in verse 16:

16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient • slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey —either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?

GOD made people with the freedom to choose.  Christians have placed their faith in CHRIST and as a result, Paul stated it best in verses 17-18:

“But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, 18 and having been liberated from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.”

Christians have been redeemed from sin and eternal death, by the shed blood of CHRIST. They have been bought with a price and belong to GOD. They are GOD’S slaves. Paul makes it clear in verse 19:

“I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them (your body parts or body of flesh) as slaves to righteousness, which results in • sanctification .

Our natural desire is to live according to the dictates of the flesh. Now, as Christians, through the miracle of rebirth, we need to yield our wills to GOD and obediently serve HIM. The process for living in relationship with CHRIST is called sanctification.

Sanctification is committing our body parts to obediently serve HIM. It is a process. When Christians build an intimate, trusting and personal relationship with GOD through CHRIST, the closer they get to HIM and understand the reality of HIS existence, the more they see their imperfection. You find yourself seeking forgiveness for those imperfections in your life, which Christians can acknowledge but then HE reveals that HIS shed blood has blotted out those imperfections and you are righteous before HIM. You see how unworthy you are but HE reveals your worthiness through HIS love and sufficiency.

When we asked CHRIST to forgive us for our sins, HE did – past, present and future. How much sin remained for HIM to forgive? It was and is ZERO. Satan’s desire is for Christians to live according to the flesh: defeated. But GOD’S desire is for HIS children to live as HIS Sons and Daughters free from the dictates and weight of sin. Again, GOD’S grace is not a license to sin but HIS free gift for Christians not to be weighted down by sin. It is an opportunity to live in HIS presence and obediently serve HIM.

The Apostle Paul put it well in several statements:

Sanctification is a process of renewing our minds to embrace our new identity in CHRIST:

Romans 12:2:

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Transformation is not forced upon a Christian, he or she chooses whether or not to yield their will to GOD and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him or her.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Colossians 3:7-10:

7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Yield your life in CHRIST to HIM and live as GOD’S children. This is living as led, directed and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We decide whether or not to take off our old clothes and to put on new clothes. Christians choose whether or not to take off their old ways and put on their new Spiritual life in CHRIST.

We are facing a new year. What is our Spiritual health this year as compared to last year? What will our Spiritual health be this time next year? LORD, here I am as I am and only by Your power and guidance will I grow Spiritually. My desire is to grow Spiritually by having and maintaining a loving, intimate relation with YOU. Happy New Year and bountiful Spiritual growth in this New Year. Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Do Over - Christmas Courage - Matthew 1 and 2 - December 22, 2013

Bible Study – Do Over – Christmas Courage – December 22, 2013

This is lesson four and it is a special lesson focused on the birth of CHRIST, which Christians celebrate as Christmas. Christians must keep in mind that we do not know when JESUS was born, it was not December 25. It was likely either early spring or fall. But the important matter for people to know is that HE was born just as GOD had revealed through the prophets of the Old Testament scriptures.

Our scripture Matthew 1:18-25; 2:19-23.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! CHRIST IS BORN!!!

Why is the birth of CHRIST so vital? The people of the world and all of nature have waited, since the moment Adam and Eve sinned, for the day of redemption. Redeemed from what? Redeemed from the consequence of sin, which is death and decay. Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. GOD told Adam if he ate the fruit from that tree, he would die. Eve was enticed by Satan to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and she, in turn, encouraged Adam to take a bite. The instant he did, their eyes were opened. They had sinned which placed a barrier between them and GOD. GOD in HIS foreknowledge already had a redemptive plan.

GOD stated in Genesis 3:15 - I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your • seed and her seed (JESUS). He will strike your head, and you will strike his (JESUS) heel.

Notice – “Her seed” = Virgin Birth.

When Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they receive the death penalty but all of nature was condemned as well. Sickness, death, evil and decay came into the world. CHRIST redeemed all humans who will place their faith in HIM but HE also redeemed nature as well. All of nature waits to be redeemed as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:19-22:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation (nature) eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to futility —not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it —in the hope 21 that the creation (nature) itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation (nature) has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the • firstfruits —we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the •redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

When people look around the universe, all of nature reveals the handiwork of GOD. Most people acknowledge that GOD must exist or at least a Master Designer was involved with all they see. When people attempt to define GOD, they come up with all sorts of ideas about GOD. GOD revealed various characteristics about Himself in the Old Testament. GOD in HIS wisdom and according to HIS plan was to reveal Himself in the form of flesh and blood. This was for all people to get to know HIM and have a personal relationship with HIM. HE came among the people of earth in the flesh and was born as a baby from the seed of woman empowered by the Holy Spirit. CHRIST is GOD in the flesh.

Keep the Trinity in mind – GOD - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit – yet ONE. HE experienced temptations and the things human’s experience – HE got hungry, thirsty, tired, sleepy, suffered pain, suffered loss, HE wept and the list goes on. HE knew that the shed blood of animals nor the very best in any human could live up to HIS standard of righteousness. Yes, HE gave the law but there was the letter of the law and the Spirit of the Law. No human can live up to the spirit of the law, thus the need for redemption.

So HE left HIS Glory in heaven and He came to earth, at just the right moment, to live as a human and experience life as a human. If HE lived a sinless life, HE would be the perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. Why? It was because HE made mankind and loves mankind. This is mankind’s opportunity to get it right.

Just as Adam and Eve chose to disobey GOD’S restriction thus receiving the death penalty, each person must choose whether or not to accept GOD’S redemption from sin and death by placing his or her faith in CHRIST. CHRIST is GOD’S provision for redemption, righteousness, forgiveness, mercy and grace.

JESUS left HIS Glory in heaven but all the power of heaven was on alert to come to HIS aid, if He called out. If HE had used that power then HIS redemptive plan would have failed but HE didn’t.

Just imagine, the tremendous temptation of knowing you have all that power at your fingertips and when you were being humiliated and abused resisting the tremendous urge to prove yourself. The human response, generally, is to prove who you are but JESUS did not respond in retaliation because HE knew if HE had taken matters into HIS own hands, mankind would be lost for all eternity. HE remained faithful to HIS calling.

Up to this point in world history, no one could put a face on GOD. The Apostle Philip asked JESUS to show him GOD and JESUS response is found in John 14:19-22:

Jesus Reveals the Father

7 “If you know Me, you will also know (m) My Father. (n) From now on you do know Him (o) and have seen Him.”

8 “Lord,” said Philip, (p) “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. (q) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? (r) The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. (s) The Father who lives in Me does His works. (t) 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe (u) because of the works themselves. (v)

GOD had given the message of HIS redemptive plan to HIS prophets over the years, as recorded in the Old Testament scriptures. Now, the appointed time had arrived for The Word to be born as a human. It was the moment in history for JESUS to be born. That Glorious moment had arrived. JESUS, The Promised Messiah, was not born in a palace but HE was born in a stable. Humble shepherds were the first to first witness HIS presence.

GOD’S desire was for all, from the poorest to the richest, to find redemption and salvation through faith in HIM. But that redemption was not in the fact that HE was born but in the fact that HE lived a sinless life and gave HIS sinless life to pay the debt for sin, in full. When HIS blood was shed and HE gave HIS life upon the cross. The proof is not that HE died but in the fact that GOD raised HIM from the dead on the third day as proof that HE had accomplished GOD’S plan and purpose for mankind. CHRIST died for all but a person must choose whether or not to place his or her faith in HIM and accept HIM as his or her Savior.

When a person receives CHRIST, as his or her Savior, how much of GOD does he or she have? He or she has all of HIM!!! Then why don’t we do the things that CHRIST did when HE was upon earth? It is all about yielding the human will to GOD by building a trustworthy relationship with HIM through relationship with CHRIST. GOD’S desire is for each Christian to be made into the image of CHRIST through the process of sanctification.

GOD sent HIS Only Son to live among humans not only to be their Savior but to be the example for all who place their faith in CHRIST. Let’s explore, the birth of JESUS, The CHRIST!

The Apostle Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew to appeal to the Jews.

Let’s read Matthew 1:18-25; 2:19-23.

18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been • engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

Joseph’s plan versus GOD’S plan.

We see the love, trust and respect that Joseph had for his betrothed wife, Mary. He could have had her disgraced and ultimately stoned to death for her apparent sexual unfaithfulness to him but he didn’t. When a couple, during that day, was engaged, they remained celibate until they were actually married. The engagement period would be for a year. Matthew gave us the reason that Joseph treated Mary the way he did, “Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.” That was his 

solution but it was not GOD’S solution. Let’s continue:

20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.

GOD intervened in Joseph’s plan by sending an angel to Joseph while he was sleeping. The angel revealed GOD’S solution to the situation. As you read this account, you quickly see the sense of urgency. To me, it seems as soon as Joseph came to this conclusion, he went to sleep and had this dream. Mary was special and she was carrying a very important package. Joseph was given the name and purpose of JESUS. The unnamed angel quoted scripture to Joseph. This gives us a clue how to be assured of a message from GOD, it will not run contrary to scripture.  

Joseph got the message and responded by marring Mary but did not have sex with her until after JESUS was born. Yes, Mary and Joseph had subsequent children produced the way children are produced. I think this was to show that she was a normal female, chosen by GOD to birth HIS only SON: JESUS.  

Let’s read Matthew 2:1-18: Wise Men Seek the King

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King • Herod, •wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the •chief priests and • scribes of the people and asked them where the • Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was —the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

The Flight into Egypt:

13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called My Son.

The Massacre of the Innocents

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.

This scripture reveals that the wise men were not present when JESUS was born. When the wise men found JESUS, HE was in a house. Some Bible scholars speculate that JESUS was about 2 years old. Once the wise men honored JESUS and presented their gifts, they departed. Herod had requested them to come back to him and tell him where “the King of the Jews” was located. GOD intervened and warned them not to return to Herod. When the wise men departed an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream instructing him to take his family to Egypt. Again, Joseph was obedient and responded. How long was Joseph to remain in Egypt? He was to remain in Egypt until the angel brought him word that they could return to Israel. Notice that all of these maneuvers were part of Biblical prophesies.

King Herod died and Joseph received word to return to Israel. Circumstances guided Joseph to the right hometown where JESUS was to be raised, just as Bible prophesy had stated - Nazareth.

Let’s read Matthew 2:19-23:

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to 

Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. 23 Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that He will be called a • Nazarene.

King Herod died and the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream that the time had come for them to return to Egypt. Joseph responded. When he entered the land of Israel, Joseph learned that King Herod’s son, Archelaus, had succeeded his dad as ruler. This news guided Joseph to Nazareth, which fulfilled prophesy.

GOD is still involved in guiding HIS children to just the right place at the right time to obediently serve HIM. When GOD leads are we willing to follow? It was critical for Joseph to be obedient to GOD’S command. He was.

The birth, life and death of JESUS was kept a mystery from the rulers of that period. GOD still keeps HIS plans a mystery to rulers of this world but HE is sovereign and in charge.

1 Corinthians 2:6-9:

6 However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him.

GOD’S ways are far above human thought. Because GOD loves you, HE allowed HIS only Son to come to earth and give HIS life just for you. Do you accept or reject JESUS as your Savior. Accept CHRIST as your Savior and receive HIS gift of Salvation and eternal life.

Merry Christmas to all and continued bountiful blessings!!!

Bible Study - Do Over - Christmas Courage - Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-23 - December 22, 2013

Bible Study – Do Over – Christmas Courage – December 22, 2013

This is lesson four and it is a special lesson focused on the birth of CHRIST, which Christians celebrate as Christmas. Christians must keep in mind that we do not know when JESUS was born, it was not December 25. It was likely either early spring or fall. But the important matter for people to know is that HE was born just as GOD had revealed through the prophets of the Old Testament scriptures.

Our scripture Matthew 1:18-25; 2:19-23.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! CHRIST IS BORN!!!

Why is the birth of CHRIST so vital? The people of the world and all of nature have waited, since the moment Adam and Eve sinned, for the day of redemption. Redeemed from what? Redeemed from the consequence of sin, which is death and decay. Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. GOD told Adam if he ate the fruit from that tree, he would die. Eve was enticed by Satan to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and she, in turn, encouraged Adam to take a bite. The instant he did, their eyes were opened. They had sinned which placed a barrier between them and GOD. GOD in HIS foreknowledge already had a redemptive plan.

GOD stated in Genesis 3:15 - I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your • seed and her seed (JESUS). He will strike your head, and you will strike his (JESUS) heel.

Notice – “Her seed” = Virgin Birth.

When Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they receive the death penalty but all of nature was condemned as well. Sickness, death, evil and decay came into the world. CHRIST redeemed all humans who will place their faith in HIM but HE also redeemed nature as well. All of nature waits to be redeemed as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:19-22:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation (nature) eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to futility —not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it —in the hope 21 that the creation (nature) itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation (nature) has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the • firstfruits —we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the •redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

When people look around the universe, all of nature reveals the handiwork of GOD. Most people acknowledge that GOD must exist or at least a Master Designer was involved with all they see. When people attempt to define GOD, they come up with all sorts of ideas about GOD. GOD revealed various characteristics about Himself in the Old Testament. GOD in HIS wisdom and according to HIS plan was to reveal Himself in the form of flesh and blood. This was for all people to get to know HIM and have a personal relationship with HIM. HE came among the people of earth in the flesh and was born as a baby from the seed of woman empowered by the Holy Spirit. CHRIST is GOD in the flesh.

Keep the Trinity in mind – GOD - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit – yet ONE. HE experienced temptations and the things human’s experience – HE got hungry, thirsty, tired, sleepy, suffered pain, suffered loss, HE wept and the list goes on. HE knew that the shed blood of animals nor the very best in any human could live up to HIS standard of righteousness. Yes, HE gave the law but there was the letter of the law and the Spirit of the Law. No human can live up to the spirit of the law, thus the need for redemption.

So HE left HIS Glory in heaven and He came to earth, at just the right moment, to live as a human and experience life as a human. If HE lived a sinless life, HE would be the perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. Why? It was because HE made mankind and loves mankind. This is mankind’s opportunity to get it right.

Just as Adam and Eve chose to disobey GOD’S restriction thus receiving the death penalty, each person must choose whether or not to accept GOD’S redemption from sin and death by placing his or her faith in CHRIST. CHRIST is GOD’S provision for redemption, righteousness, forgiveness, mercy and grace.

JESUS left HIS Glory in heaven but all the power of heaven was on alert to come to HIS aid, if He called out. If HE had used that power then HIS redemptive plan would have failed but HE didn’t.

Just imagine, the tremendous temptation of knowing you have all that power at your fingertips and when you were being humiliated and abused resisting the tremendous urge to prove yourself. The human response, generally, is to prove who you are but JESUS did not respond in retaliation because HE knew if HE had taken matters into HIS own hands, mankind would be lost for all eternity. HE remained faithful to HIS calling.

Up to this point in world history, no one could put a face on GOD. The Apostle Philip asked JESUS to show him GOD and JESUS response is found in John 14:19-22:

Jesus Reveals the Father

7 “If you know Me, you will also know (m) My Father. (n) From now on you do know Him (o) and have seen Him.”

8 “Lord,” said Philip, (p) “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. (q) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? (r) The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. (s) The Father who lives in Me does His works. (t) 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe (u) because of the works themselves. (v)

GOD had given the message of HIS redemptive plan to HIS prophets over the years, as recorded in the Old Testament scriptures. Now, the appointed time had arrived for The Word to be born as a human. It was the moment in history for JESUS to be born. That Glorious moment had arrived. JESUS, The Promised Messiah, was not born in a palace but HE was born in a stable. Humble shepherds were the first to first witness HIS presence.

GOD’S desire was for all, from the poorest to the richest, to find redemption and salvation through faith in HIM. But that redemption was not in the fact that HE was born but in the fact that HE lived a sinless life and gave HIS sinless life to pay the debt for sin, in full. When HIS blood was shed and HE gave HIS life upon the cross. The proof is not that HE died but in the fact that GOD raised HIM from the dead on the third day as proof that HE had accomplished GOD’S plan and purpose for mankind. CHRIST died for all but a person must choose whether or not to place his or her faith in HIM and accept HIM as his or her Savior.

When a person receives CHRIST, as his or her Savior, how much of GOD does he or she have? He or she has all of HIM!!! Then why don’t we do the things that CHRIST did when HE was upon earth? It is all about yielding the human will to GOD by building a trustworthy relationship with HIM through relationship with CHRIST. GOD’S desire is for each Christian to be made into the image of CHRIST through the process of sanctification.

GOD sent HIS Only Son to live among humans not only to be their Savior but to be the example for all who place their faith in CHRIST. Let’s explore, the birth of JESUS, The CHRIST!

The Apostle Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew to appeal to the Jews.

Let’s read Matthew 1:18-25; 2:19-23.

18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been • engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

Joseph’s plan versus GOD’S plan.

We see the love, trust and respect that Joseph had for his betrothed wife, Mary. He could have had her disgraced and ultimately stoned to death for her apparent sexual unfaithfulness to him but he didn’t. When a couple, during that day, was engaged, they remained celibate until they were actually married. The engagement period would be for a year. Matthew gave us the reason that Joseph treated Mary the way he did, “Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.” That was his 

solution but it was not GOD’S solution. Let’s continue:

20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.

GOD intervened in Joseph’s plan by sending an angel to Joseph while he was sleeping. The angel revealed GOD’S solution to the situation. As you read this account, you quickly see the sense of urgency. To me, it seems as soon as Joseph came to this conclusion, he went to sleep and had this dream. Mary was special and she was carrying a very important package. Joseph was given the name and purpose of JESUS. The unnamed angel quoted scripture to Joseph. This gives us a clue how to be assured of a message from GOD, it will not run contrary to scripture.  

Joseph got the message and responded by marring Mary but did not have sex with her until after JESUS was born. Yes, Mary and Joseph had subsequent children produced the way children are produced. I think this was to show that she was a normal female, chosen by GOD to birth HIS only SON: JESUS.  

Let’s read Matthew 2:1-18: Wise Men Seek the King

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King • Herod, •wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the •chief priests and • scribes of the people and asked them where the • Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was —the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

The Flight into Egypt:

13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called My Son.

The Massacre of the Innocents

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.

This scripture reveals that the wise men were not present when JESUS was born. When the wise men found JESUS, HE was in a house. Some Bible scholars speculate that JESUS was about 2 years old. Once the wise men honored JESUS and presented their gifts, they departed. Herod had requested them to come back to him and tell him where “the King of the Jews” was located. GOD intervened and warned them not to return to Herod. When the wise men departed an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream instructing him to take his family to Egypt. Again, Joseph was obedient and responded. How long was Joseph to remain in Egypt? He was to remain in Egypt until the angel brought him word that they could return to Israel. Notice that all of these maneuvers were part of Biblical prophesies.

King Herod died and Joseph received word to return to Israel. Circumstances guided Joseph to the right hometown where JESUS was to be raised, just as Bible prophesy had stated - Nazareth.

Let’s read Matthew 2:19-23:

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to 

Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. 23 Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that He will be called a • Nazarene.

King Herod died and the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream that the time had come for them to return to Egypt. Joseph responded. When he entered the land of Israel, Joseph learned that King Herod’s son, Archelaus, had succeeded his dad as ruler. This news guided Joseph to Nazareth, which fulfilled prophesy.

GOD is still involved in guiding HIS children to just the right place at the right time to obediently serve HIM. When GOD leads are we willing to follow? It was critical for Joseph to be obedient to GOD’S command. He was.

The birth, life and death of JESUS was kept a mystery from the rulers of that period. GOD still keeps HIS plans a mystery to rulers of this world but HE is sovereign and in charge.

1 Corinthians 2:6-9:

6 However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him.

GOD’S ways are far above human thought. Because GOD loves you, HE allowed HIS only Son to come to earth and give HIS life just for you. Do you accept or reject JESUS as your Savior. Accept CHRIST as your Savior and receive HIS gift of Salvation and eternal life.

Merry Christmas to all and continued bountiful blessings!!!

Bible Study - Do Over - A Love You Can Experience - Romans 5:1-21 - December 15, 2013

Bible Study – Do Over – A Love You Can Experience – December 15, 2013

This is lesson three in our series entitled “Do Over: Experience New Life in Christ.”

Our scripture is Romans 5:6-11, 18-21.

Even at our worst, GOD loves us. That is beyond our human comprehension. John 3:16-17 establishes GOD’S love for mankind:

16 “For God loved the world •in this way: He gave His •One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

The Apostle Paul has given us much to ponder along with some important words. He will give us some additional words in this lesson. Let’s explore.

Let’s read Romans 5:6-11, 18-21:

Let’s read Romans 5:1-5 (Introductory)

Faith Triumphs

1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Just because the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee by training and had a special, personal encounter with CHRIST on the road to Damascus, he had to place his faith in CHRIST – “We have been declared righteous by faith in CHRIST.” The result of being declared righteous by the shed blood of CHRIST, Christians been reconciled with GOD and are no longer at odds with HIM. They are at peace with HIM. Since we are at peace with HIM, we can come into HIS very presence and get to know HIM intimately and personally. When we get to know HIM we behold HIS Glory and we rejoice in HIS Glory. Because Christians are at peace with GOD, HE has imputed to them HIS eternal gifts of mercy and grace.

When we have built an intimate, personal relationship with HIM, when afflictions come our way, we can rejoice because we know that that HE is perfecting us so we can serve HIM. Notice the progression:

-         we also rejoice in our afflictions,

-         because we know that affliction produces endurance,

-         endurance produces proven character,

-         proven character produces hope.

-         This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

-         GOD confirms HIS presence in our lives through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

This introductory scripture prepares us for Paul’s next statements.

Let’s read Romans 5:6-8:

6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

Again, Paul included himself in the helpless state humans were in before CHRIST. Until CHRIST came to earth, humans were in a helpless state. The Jews had a sacrificial system that gave them hope. The shed blood of animals was a place holder until CHRIST could shed HIS blood to pay for the sin debt in full. GOD is no respecter of persons and neither was CHRIST because HE gave HIS life and shed HIS blood for all who will place their faith in HIM. As we studied earlier, there were the ungodly and those who thought they were Godly, the Jews or Jewish proselytes. All were in need of salvation.

“Christ died for the ungodly.” The word “for” means “in place of.” CHRIST died in place of the un-Godly and all were and are un- Godly.

GOD went to the full limit for a people that HE gave the right to choose. At the exact moment in time, HE allowed CHRIST to come to earth, live, give HIS life for their sins, be resurrected as proof that CHRIST conquered both sin and its consequence of eternal death. CHRIST revealed Himself to over 500 people on earth after HIS resurrection and then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD, HIS Father and the Father of all who place their faith in CHRIST.

Why did GOD do this for the people of earth? Because HE loved them. HE had created mankind to have fellowship with HIM but Adam and Eve sinned and as GOD told them, if they ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would die. They did and as a result all offspring of humanity inherited both physical death which we witness every day and eternal death, which we have been told about but will not witness until we breathe our last breath.

Ephesians 1:4:

4 For He (GOD) chose us in Him (JESUS), before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love

This goes back to the question I raised some time ago, “Where were you before you were conceived?” Based upon this scripture, I believe we were and are in the mind of GOD. I believe HIS foreknowledge allowed HIM to see every person who would ever be conceived as a human coming from the offspring of Adam and Eve. Consider that if a critical ancestor in our lineage had died, we would not exist.

Therefore, those who HE foreknew needed an opportunity to be conceived and have the opportunity to make their own decision regarding CHRIST. I look at earth as GOD giving humans a second opportunity to choose HIM and eternal life over death which Adam and eve chose by eating the fruit from the knowledge of good and evil. So how do you choose?

Paul states well the love that GOD has for all humans in verses 8 and 9:

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

CHRIST giving HIS life is one thing but there is so much more. Since Christians have been declared righteous by placing their faith in CHRIST, 
they are “saved” from GOD’S wrath. GOD hates sin because sin robs people of their eternal life and fellowship with HIM. What HE has waiting those who place their faith in CHRIST is beyond anything the human mind can think or dream about! HE does not want anyone to miss out but the choice is theirs to make.

When we could care less about HIM, CHRIST gave HIS life for just you and just for me. Let’s continue in verses 10 and 11:

10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have now received this reconciliation through Him (JESUS). Let’s explore a little further about original sin.

Death through Adam and Life through Christ. (My insert)

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, in this way death (Physical and Eternal) spread to all men, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. (Ignorance of the law or knowledge of the law, does not determine physical death.) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One (JESUS). 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. (Whereas when Adam sinned, death came to all humans but when CHRIST gave HIS life to pay the debt for sin, salvation did not automatically come to all humans.) For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in • justification. 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Let’s read Romans 5:18-21: (My Insert)

18 So then, as through one trespass (Adam) there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act (JESUS) there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience (JESUS) the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. (The law reveals how far short humans fail to meet GOD’S standard of perfection) But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood just for you and for all who place their faith in HIM. When a person places his or her faith in HIM, it triggers a multitude of Spiritual happenings:

Salvation, rebirth of the spirit, become GOD’S child, eternal life, citizenship in Heaven, made righteous, justified, sanctified, mercy, grace, redemption, expiation, forgiveness, the indwelling Holy Spirit and so much MORE!

But if you have never accepted CHRIST as your Savior, you cannot comprehend these gifts from GOD to you through CHRIST. Accept HIM as your Savior and begin the joy of your salvation through CHRIST. You will have difficult times, as well as, times of great joy. 

CHRIST will NEVER FORSAKE YOU OR LEAVE YOU. After all HE bought you with HIS life and shed blood. The world hates Christians but this is not our home. Keep in mind that humans were not made for time but for eternity! Blessings!!!