Bible Study - Why (5) - What Should We Do Now? - July 1, 2018 - Acts 2:37-47 - Jul

Bible Study – Why (5) – What Should We Do Now? – July 1, 2018

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Why Are We Here?”

Our focus scripture is Acts 2:37-47.

We do not live for ourselves, we serve GOD by serving others.

We must be careful regarding the above statement. Christians must keep in mind that the indwelling Holy Spirit prompts them to be observant and to respond as led by the Holy Spirit. Doing just to be doing isn’t the same as doing as led by the Holy Spirit.

Neither am I saying to do nothing because doing has merit as a teaching tool of the Holy Spirit. Living and responding is part of a Christian’s training. GOD is always teaching as we deal with the issues of life.

Let’s read Acts 1:4-8: (Lead-in)

The Holy Spirit Promised

4 While He (JESUS) was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promise. "This," [He said, "is what] you heard from Me; 

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 

This was an excellent question. GOD still had work to do upon earth before the end. GOD planned for Christians to work while we wait for the return of JESUS. We are still waiting and while we wait, we who know the truth, are to obediently serve GOD as led by the Holy Spirit.

JESUS referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth as recorded in John 15:26 and John 16:13:

26 "When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father-the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father-He will testify about Me.

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jerusalem was local, Judea was next door and the ends of the earth covers the rest of the world.

True born-again Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit is their assurance they are GOD’S Children. HE guides, teaches and endows them with Spiritual gifts. Let’s explore!

Acts 2:1-36: (Background – The arrival of the Holy Spirit.)

Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

This day and time was not chosen by those waiting for the arrival of the Holy Spirit but was chosen by GOD. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is NOT an “It”, but the Holy Spirit is HE. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.

Some may say, “I wish I lived in Jerusalem at that moment.” Do you? The Holy Spirit is the same Holy Spirit then, as now and just as available. As a born-again Christian, you have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guarantees that our salvation is secure and is a down payment from GOD that HE will fully redeem us the instant we leave our human body.

I like to think of our human body as our “earth suit.” Once we die, physically, we no longer need our human body. As a Christian, GOD is fashioning a special body suitable for heaven until JESUS returns to earth. At JESUS’ second coming, all secure through faith in JESUS, will receive their permanent Glorified body. The model is the Glorified body JESUS had when GOD resurrected HIM from the physically dead.

GOD sent the Holy Spirit manifested such that HE would not be confused with any other happening.  Notice the highlighted words in the following scripture:

2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 

3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 

4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. 

5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 

6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 

7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying, "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 

8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 

They were speaking known languages for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of CHRIST.

9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 

11 Cretans and Arabs-we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God." 

12 And they were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be?" 

13 But some sneered and said, "They're full of new wine!"

Peter's Sermon (Keep in mind that Peter walked with JESUS, taught by JESUS and was with JESUS on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter also denied JESUS three times but he repented and GOD used him in a mighty way. GOD never gives up on any person. Trust HIM.)

14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: "Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words. 

15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it's only nine in the morning. 

16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 

17 And it will be in the last days, says God that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 

18 I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female slaves in those days, and they will prophesy. 

19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 

20 The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and remarkable day of the Lord comes; 

21 then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 

22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. 

23 Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. 

24 God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. 

25 For David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh will rest in hope, 

27 because You will not leave my soul in Hades, or allow Your Holy One to see decay. 

28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; You will fill me with gladness in Your presence. 

29 "Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 

30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 

The ancestral line of JESUS traces back to King David. Prophecy was recorded and fulfilled by JESUS. JESUS was 100% human, yet 100% Divine.

31 Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay. 

32 "God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. 

JESUS was born 100% human thus died physically as all humans. JESUS was sinless. HE had to be sinless to pay in full for the sin of mankind. To prove that JESUS was the acceptable sacrifice for sin, GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to live eternally in HIS Glorified body. JESUS is the first fruit of The Promise of eternal life.

33 Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. 

34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand 

35 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.' 

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!"

Some of the people did not recognize JESUS as Messiah while HE was upon earth because Satan blinds some people to Spiritual truth. Satan does not want any person to have a loving, intimate, personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Satan stills blinds today. Ask GOD to open your eyes to truth.

Let’s read Acts 2:37-41:

Forgiveness through the Messiah

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: "Brothers, what must we do?" 

38 "Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 

40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation!

The Good News is that those still alive upon earth have the opportunity to receive JESUS as their Savior through faith in JESUS.

We must repent. What does this mean? Repent is to turn around and go in the opposite direction. The Jews and those in Jerusalem were there seeking truth and seeking forgiveness from their sins by the shedding of the blood of an unblemished lamb. They would have to sacrifice another lamb in another year.

Now, know that GOD declared JESUS as the sinless, perfect lamb Who by the shedding of HIS blood paid, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith in HIM. JESUS gave HIS life once and for all. There is no need to continue to sacrifice for your sins. Those who accept JESUS as their Savior are for eternity GOD’S Son or Daughter. Christians are under GOD’S Grace. But Christians still sin, what do they do?

1 John 1:6-10: Notice verse 9 – A Christian’s part is to confess.

6 If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and 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 have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:20 and 21 as copied below?

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God." 

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (All who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Verse 40, warns those listening to beware of the current religious leaders because they missed the coming of the Messiah and refused to acknowledge all the Biblical confirmations. We must be careful lest we are blinded by the things the world offers over Spiritual truth.

Let’s read Acts 2:41-45:

A Generous and Growing Church

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers. 

43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 

44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. 

45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. 

Three thousand Jews and Seekers came to a saving knowledge of JESUS that day. They were eager to learn all they could from those who had walked with JESUS and been taught by JESUS.

The apostles performed many signs and wonders confirming the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

These new converts were eager to learn from those who had walked with JESUS and taught by HIM. They sold their possessions so they could study and learn many things e.g. how the Old Testament confirmed the life and ministry of JESUS as the promised Messiah.

Communal living was not Communism. They sold what they had and funded the opportunity for themselves and others to benefit from being together for Spiritual purpose.

Let’s read Acts 2:46-47:

46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Notice, they were compelled to share the truth which had been revealed to them. That is a natural response. When we learn and witness truth we want to share it with others.

When we discover something we have longed for and finally discover it, we want to share it. Salvation from sin and eternal death is the greatest news of all. A person going from sure eternal death, due to his or her sin, to eternal life because JESUS died where he or she should die. Now, that is Good News!

These early Christians went from house to house witnessing and fellowshipping. Are you excited to be a Christian? If not, why not?

Are we, as Christians, being the salt and the light that GOD desires for us to share because we who know the truth are HIS hands, mouth and feet? We are to go as HE directs us.

Later as recorded in Acts 4:4, we learn:

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

Christians must keep in mind that we are the hands and feet of GOD. Have we given over our responsibility of evangelism to the church staff?

GOD’S plan is for each Christian to be available to go to the person to whom HE directs.

If you are hesitant, then confess it to our LORD. HE will come to your aid. Satan wants you to be hesitant. The key is to let the Holy Spirit lead you. Wait upon HIM.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Why (4) - Why Did JESUS Come? - Luke 1:68-79 - June 24, 2018

Bible Study – Why (4) – Why Did JESUS Come? – June 24, 2018

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Why are we here?”

Our focus scripture is Luke 1:68-79.

JESUS came to remove our sin.

JESUS not only removes our sin when we accept HIM as our Savior but obliterates it. Christians are justified before GOD because of the shed blood of JESUS. Christians are made pure, holy and righteous before GOD because of faith in JESUS.

When a king was on the outskirts of a city a herald would run ahead of the king to announce that he was coming. That gave those in that city time to prepare for the arrival of the king.

GOD, in HIS wisdom, planned for a herald to announce the coming of the Messiah. HE wanted all who were looking for the coming of the Messiah to know that HE had arrived. This was especially to alert those who were students of the scriptures e.g. the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees.

Our study will examine the birth of John to Zachariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a cousin of the Virgin Mary.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Luke 1:5-25: (Background)                                      

Gabriel Predicts John's Birth

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 

6 Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 

7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. 

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 

9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 

According to Bible scholars there were 18,000 priests in this division of priests hoping to be chosen for this once in a lifetime event.

10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 

11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.

13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 

14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. 

16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 

17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. 

18 "How can I know this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." 

19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 

20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." 

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 

22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. 

23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. 

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 

25 "The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people."

Let’s read Luke 1:57-66:

The Birth and Naming of John

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 

58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 

60 But his mother responded, "No! He will be called John." 

61 Then they said to her, "None of your relatives has that name." 

62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN and they were all amazed. 

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue [set free], and he began to speak, praising God. 

65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 

66 All who heard about [him] took [it] to heart, saying, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

Luke 1:67:

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

What the Prophet Zechariah prophesied is recorded in verses 68-71:

This is referred to as the Benedictus or the song of Zechariah.

Two truths are revealed in this Holy Spirit inspired prophecy:

-         GOD provided redemption for HIS people.

-         GOD saved us from our enemies.

Let’s read Luke 1:68-71:

JESUS CHRIST Came to Redeem Us from Defeat

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 

68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 

70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times; 

71 salvation from our enemies and from the clutches of those who hate us.

The religious leaders knew that the promised Messiah would come through the lineage of King David thus the reference to the “house of David.”

GOD’S promised redemption as recorded in the scriptures is taking place. The horn of an animal represented “power,” “strength” and “victory.” The term is recorded in Psalm 18:2:

1 I love You, Lord, my strength. 

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. 

JESUS, The Messiah, delivers all from that which no person can do for him or herself. It is through faith in JESUS by the power of HIS sinless life and HIS shed blood.

As we read this scripture, you can understand how the Jews, under the rule of the Romans, jumped at the idea that the promised Messiah would be an earthly ruler and deliver them from their earthly enemies. Once we get notions in our head it is hard for us to shift gears.

When we encounter situations that perplex us, often, we need to back off and look at it from a different perspective. I know when I encounter a spiritual issue that lingers, I try to back off and ask our LORD, “What are YOU trying to teach or reveal to me?”

Let’s read 1:72-75:

72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant- 

73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 

74 since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear 

75 in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days.

When GOD makes a covenant, HE does not break it. A covenant is an agreement between parties. A covenant refers to GOD’S promise to an individual e.g. Abraham or a nation e.g. Israel.  

The Apostle Paul addressed the issue of can a person trust GOD to fulfill HIS covenant relationship as recorded in Romans 8:35-39:

35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 

37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Thus Christians are free to serve GOD as recorded in verses 74 and 75:

74 since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear 

75 in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days.

Let’s read Luke 1:76-80:

76 And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 

77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 

78 Because of our God's merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us 

79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

80 The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

What role would John the Baptizer play in GOD’S redemptive work?

What was recorded in the Old Testament?

Isaiah 40:3:

3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 

Malachi 3:1:

1 "See, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple, the Messenger of the covenant you desire-see, He is coming," says the Lord of Hosts. 

John the Baptist would:

-         Be the herald for JESUS e.g. HIS forerunner.

-         Prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah

-         Point to the fact that salvation would come through the Messiah.

The promised Messiah has come and fulfilled HIS mission. Do you believe it or reject it. What is the “it”? It is salvation from sin and its consequence eternal death. What are the benefits? They are eternal life, rebirth as GOD’S Son or Daughter, citizenship in Heaven. 

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Why (3) - Why Can't We Fix It? - Deuteronomy 5:32-33 and Galatians 3:10-12, 19a, 24-25 - June 17, 2018

Bible Study – Why (3) – Why Can’t We Fix It? – June 17, 2018

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Why are we here?”

Our focus scripture is Deuteronomy 5:32-33 and Galatians 3:10-12, 19a, 24-25.

We are unable to live up to GOD’S holy standard.

Why did GOD give us the law and the Ten Commandments when we cannot keep them to the letter or spirit? Simply, we, as humans, needed something to give us a measure of how much we miss the mark of GOD’S standard for living upon earth in obedience to HIM. We, as humans, are unable to live up to GOD’S Holy Standard and we need to know that. GOD gave us HIS Standard in the law but there are two aspects of the law and commandments – the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The letter of the law is step one and the spirit of the law is step two. Missing the mark is sin.

JESUS stated it best as recorded in Matthew 5:27-28:

27 "You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. 

28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Verse 27 reveals the letter of the law whereas in verse 28, JESUS addressed the spirit of the law. The “spirit” of the law reflects the heart or the very core of our being and it is our core that must be changed.  

JESUS spoke to this as recorded in Matthew 15:19:

19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

The external will never change permanently the internal. The external can influence the internal by getting our attention. That is why GOD’S Masterful, ultimate plan came in a person – HIS Only SON, JESUS. JESUS came to earth to live as 100% human, yet 100% GOD. HE was tempted in every way as humans are tempted, yet without sin. HE lived a sinless life and gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay, in full, the penalty for sin.

GOD had stated to Adam in the Garden of Eden that anyone who ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would die. That meant the guilty person would die spiritually, eternally and ultimately physically unless the guilty person was redeemed.

GOD’S plan was to open the path between man and Himself by breaking the barrier of sin. Human effort, by keeping the law and commandments, was not adequate to reach GOD’S goal of perfection. Eve and Adam made a decision to disobey GOD. Thus, it takes a decision to restore that which disobedience originally took away. The Apostle Paul stated it best in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (All who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

GOD declared eternal death as the penalty for anyone eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. GOD is sovereign and just as HE imposed the eternal death sentence HE also had a plan to redeem humans from HIS imposed eternal death sentence. GOD’S redemptive plan of restoration cost the physical life of GOD’S only SON, JESUS. For JESUS to be fully qualified to give HIS life to redeem others, required that JESUS to be sinless. GOD is sovereign. HE chose for our sin to be fully and completely placed upon sinless JESUS, the perfect sacrifice, so that those who place their faith in HIM are declared sinless. Through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth those who place their faith in JESUS instantly become GOD’S Sons or Daughters. This is through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth or born-again. After the penalty for sin had been paid in full, JESUS ascended back into Heaven. JESUS took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD. Then as GOD had promised, HE sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The indwelling Holy Spirit internalized HIS Spirit within every Christian. How do we know that?

1 Corinthians 3:16:

16 Don't you know that you are God's sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

Since the Holy Spirit lives within each Christian, why do we struggle and seek HIM when HE is already present within?

Could it be that we allow the physical to rule our lives? If so, how do we change that ruling relationship? It is faith. How much faith? JESUS made it clear to HIS disciples as recorded in Matthew 17:20:

20"Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 

At the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her heart is the instant of salvation. That person becomes a born-again Christian and GOD is his or her Father.

We have been conceived by the Spirit of GOD and become a child of GOD. We are GOD’S Son or Daughter with all the rights and privileges as HIS child and nothing will ever change that fact. What did GOD tell us about HIS relationship with HIS Father, GOD?

John 5:19:

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

So why do we, as Christians, not live in the power of the Holy Spirit? Let’s read on ----

Matthew 12:29:

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

The strong man within every Christian is JESUS. It is JESUS, Who has defeated Satan, the demons and evil spirit world. So how do we allow the strong man of our house to be bound? It is unbelief, greed, fear, addictions, doubt, failure to nourish our spiritual nature with GOD’S Word, or communicate with GOD through prayer and the list goes on. Christians, including me, allow the things of earth to build our mindset and influence our focus on the things that aren’t important to GOD. It is time for house cleaning and cast out, verbally, the things that prevent us from obediently serving GOD. We must rely upon HIS power and HIS presence within each of us not to look at what is impossible with man but what is possible with GOD. What is possible with GOD? All things are possible with GOD!

Caution. When we see the power of GOD working through us, our ego can move in. Again, our flesh wants to rule. We must keep in mind that it is GOD’S power according to HIS plan and purpose at work through us.

Our lesson focuses on “Why can’t we fix it” by our own efforts.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Deuteronomy 5:32-33:

32 "Be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or the left. 

It is easy for the issues we encounter in life to get us to turn our minds from GOD’S activity and ability to the solutions the world offers. We, as humans, often desire a quick fix to the issues we encounter along life’s journey.

33 Follow the whole instruction the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess.

GOD was preparing the Israelites to enter the Promise Land. In the land there would be bounty but there would be things that could turn their heads away from GOD. They were going to enter a land of plenty physically and spiritually.

If our purpose in obediently serving GOD is for our prosperity, we are allowing our flesh to get in the way and lead us. So what is the whole instruction which the LORD GOD has commanded? It is trust and faith. It is to obey the letter and the Spirit of the law and commandments. Our sinful nature must be changed, which we control. We must decide who controls our lives, our flesh or GOD.

Ephesians 4:22-24:

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

The Apostle Paul was painting a word picture of a person taking off his or her old clothes and putting on his or her new Spiritual clothes of righteousness. Even though Christians are born-again, they still have to make decisions regarding their lives. Their old nature is often comfortable but they must give up the things that are contrary to the things that prevent them from growing Spiritually and obediently serving GOD. It is the process of sanctification, which is being made “Saint like” or being set aside to be used by GOD for HIS purpose. Yes, you can be a sanctified plumber, nurse, mother, father, pastor, teacher, solider, policeman, business person or many other callings to obediently serve GOD.

Let’s read Galatians 3:10-12:

Law and Promise

10 For all who [rely on] the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law. 

11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. 

The Bible is very clear that GOD honored faith as righteousness before GOD gave the law and commandments as recorded in Genesis 15:6:

6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Faith comes from the heart and is internal, whereas keeping the law and commandments comes from personal ability and is external. Those under the law are judged externally by their conscience, whereas those of faith are accountable to GOD.

What is the end-point of the law and commandments? Is it judgment? What is the end-point of faith? It is GOD’S Grace! Would you rather live under GOD’S judgment or GOD’S Grace? I personally choose GOD’S Grace through faith in HIS Only SON, JESUS.

Yes, GOD credited Abram’s faith to him as righteousness. We must realize that Abraham was not perfect. He had issues throughout his life but he also had great faith. To me, when GOD told him to sacrifice his son Isaac, that was huge. Yet, Abraham had such faith in GOD, if he had sacrificed Isaac, which meant slaughtering Isaac, burning him and reducing him to ashes that GOD would resurrect him from the ashes. GOD would restore Isaac back to his former self. How do we know that? It is recorded in Genesis 22:5:

5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we'll come back to you." 

The law has no power, it takes an enforcer. The highway patrol stops you when you exceed the speed limit or run a stop sign. But the enforcer has to catch you. Faith is internal and self-policing.

12 But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.

The Law is based upon a person’s ability and will to be obedient to the Law. Faith is based upon a person’s genuine love of GOD and a genuine relationship with GOD to continuously build upon that loving, caring relationship. Love of The One True GOD is the motivator. Once you have found that relationship, nothing can separate you from HIM. The law begs a relationship with it but not GOD.

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 

14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

There were two paths to salvation one was through the Law before JESUS came to earth, which was a place holder for that which was to come. And the other was through faith, which is immediate and present. Since the passion of JESUS there is only one path to GOD and that is through JESUS. JESUS said it best as recorded in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

15 Brothers, I'm using a human illustration. No one sets aside even a human covenant that has been ratified, or makes additions to it. 

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say "and to seeds," as though referring to many, but and to your seed, referring to one, who is Christ. 

17 And I say this: the law, which came 430 years later, does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God, so as to cancel the promise. 

18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

The promise of full and complete redemption came through “the seed of Abraham,” JESUS.

Remember Genesis 3:15 - 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. 

The offspring of Eve, even though thousands of years later, her seed, JESUS would crush Satan’s head. Do you recall what GOD did to make certain that HIS plan was done according to HIS plan as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 - 7 On the contrary, we speak God's hidden wisdom in a mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

If GOD honors faith why did HE give us the Law? Let’s read on ---

The Purpose of the Law

19 Why the law then? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. [The law] was ordered through angels by means of a mediator. 

The law was given as a place holder until The Promised Seed, JESUS, was born, as a human, yet GOD, upon earth. JESUS had to fulfill the law and the prophets. HE had to give HIS physical life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay in full the penalty for sin. GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to reveal to all the world then and now that JESUS is the Promised Messiah. When GOD resurrected JESUS, HE resurrected HIM in HIS Glorified body to show all who place their faith in JESUS the type of Glorified body they will receive at the return of JESUS to earth at HIS second coming.

The Seed is JESUS and HE is our mediator before GOD for our sin. Satan accuses us before GOD each time we sin. JESUS is The mediator, personally and individually, for all who place their faith in HIM. When we accept JESUS as our Savior, it is personal. JESUS is not only our Savior but our advocate when Satan accuses us for our sins. Our sins are blotted out by the precious shed blood of JESUS. Only the shed blood of JESUS has the power to blot out sin.

In 1 John 1:7-10 we read: (Note verse 9)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Yes, Christians sin and we must confess our sins. We have sins of commission and sins of omission. Sin breaks our fellowship with GOD but never breaks our born-again relationship as HIS Son or Daughter. Sin impacts our obedience to respond to GOD’S will and purpose for each of us. So confess any unconfessed sin and ask GOD to restore your fellowship with HIM and to help you continue to build the right relationship with HIM through obedience.

20 Now a mediator is not for just one person, but God is one. 

There is one GOD. JESUS is One but HE gave HIS life for all who place their faith in HIM. Have you come to JESUS and asked HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart? If not, now is that opportunity. It is not saying the right words. It is the attitude of your heart. Do you desire salvation through faith in JESUS? If your answer is yes, then tell HIM.

21 Is the law therefore contrary to God's promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. 

If obeying the law could make a person righteous then JESUS would have not needed to come to earth to give HIS sinless life to redeem mankind.

22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin's power, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 

GOD in HIS wisdom bundled all sin together and when JESUS gave HIS life upon the cross, HE paid the price for sin, all sin, in full. What must a person do? JESUS, being One, gave HIS life for all. JESUS is the Savior for all who place their faith in HIM. It is the act of faith that activates the “Promise.”

23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 

24 The law, then, was our guardian described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.

25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher. 

26 for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Notice the word “guardian.” A guardian in the Roman culture was a slave assigned the task of helping or training a young child to become a responsible adult. The “guardian” offered around the clock supervision and protection to one under his or her care. Now that faith has come in the person of JESUS, the law is no longer the guardian. A Christian’s guardian is the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What does this mean to you? Let’s read what JESUS has to say as recorded in John 5:24:

24 "I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 

The instant a person places his or her faith in JESUS, he or she has eternal life and will not come under judgment because when JESUS died and took sin captive, HE paid the penalty for all sin. Therefore, the person who places his or her faith in JESUS has passed from eternal death to eternal life. What mankind lost due to the original sin was regained by JESUS for all who place their faith in HIM.

WOW! Freedom from the Law and filled with GOD’S Grace that is what it means to be a born-again Christian. Do you know this freedom? May you experience it now! May GOD fill your hearts with HIS love, which can only come through faith in HIS One and Only Son, JESUS! Shout with JESUS “IT IS FINISHED!” Blessings!!!