Bible Study - Signs (1) - The Sign of HIS Glory - John 2:1-10 - March 2, 2025

 

Bible Study – Signs (1) – The Sign of HIS Glory – John 2:1-10 – March 2, 2025

JESUS’ work in our lives is for HIS glory.

Our scripture is John 2:1-11.

We begin a new series of study for the next 8 weeks. Consider the signs that establish the fact that JESUS is the promised Messiah. Signs point out the way, but every person must get on the path to his/her final destination by being Born again in our human spirit by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. The eternal fact is, JESUS is the only way to eternal life, through the miracle of Spiritual birth. Once a person is Spirit-born, that “Born-again” person grows and as such that person is like a newborn baby. That person needs Spiritual nourishment and exercise. That is why there are churches and GOD ordained institutions to help those who are born of GOD through faith in JESUS to grow Spiritually. But some people and institutions fail and miss their call. It is vital that those who are born by the Holy Spirit minister as led by the Holy Spirit.

It is easy to get caught up in doing and missing the purpose for which GOD has called us or them. This can be true of the various church denominations. It is easy to get caught up in works and miss the mark of the main purpose of salvation through faith in JESUS, as we work.

JESUS is the promised Messiah. The only way to eternal life is through faith in JESUS. Why? There is NO other way to Heaven except through faith in JESUS. When a Spirit-born person dies, that person will be taken instantly to be eternally with JESUS and GOD in Heaven. When JESUS returns to earth to rapture the true church and take all Spirit-born people who are alive at that moment, to Heaven.

At that same time, all people who have been Born-again and died will return with JESUS and all, those who have died and Spirit-born people alive upon earth will enter Heaven. Count on it!

This new series of study confirms through “Sign’s” that faith in JESUS is the only way/path to eternal life in Heaven. HIS sinless human life opened the door to eternal salvation, however every person must accept JESUS as his/her Savior by faith. JESUS’ first miracle and sign was turning water into wine. Not just wine but the best wine.

Why wine? Wine must be converted from grape juice through the conversion process of fermentation under the right conditions. As it ferments it produces alcohol, which helps to keep a check on certain bacteria and to develop its unique personality as the wine develops. The container used in the fermentation process is also important.

JESUS said in Matthew 9:17:
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

The Jews had been under the law which was rigid but JESUS as the promised Messiah, HIS sinless life and the shedding of HIS blood qualified HIM to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin.

A person’s faith in the passion of JESUS would change the dynamics of salvation and worship. Since JESUS was and is the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin, HE would establish Grace for all who place their faith in JESUS. Thus, the sign of the empty cross is the ultimate sign of eternal life for all who place their faith in JESUS.

Once a person is redeemed from Hell through faith in JESUS, a Spirit-born person’s eternal citizenship is Heaven. So, once a person is Spirit born, that person can live like he/she desires? NO! GOD calls the Spirit-born person to serve as led by GOD through the indwelling Holy Spirit. GOD’S Grace and the leadership of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the new way to accomplish the will of GOD through faith in JESUS. HIS Physical life, physical death, physical resurrection, physical ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD, HIS FATHER, and the FATHER of all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion, establishes and confirms GOD’S GRACE.

JESUS tells us and HIS disciples in John 14:2: In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

The Passion of JESUS is the guarantee that eternity is real and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. JESUS died but GOD resurrected HIM from physical death to life eternal. JESUS was and is the first eternal fruit of eternal life. JESUS had to trust HIS FATHER, GOD, which HE did, to restore HIS eternal life, which HE had, through faith and trust in HIS FATHER, The One True GOD, YAWEH.

Christianity is the new wine skin as establish by JESUS. JESUS fulfilled the Law and established Grace for all who place their faith in HIM.

So, what does all of this have to do with our scripture?

Changing the dynamics of worship from offering blood sacrifices to placing one’s faith in the physical life, death by the shedding of the blood of the perfect acceptable sacrifice by GOD for all sin as evidenced by the resurrection, ascension and one day return of JESUS to establish HIS Kingdom upon earth is GOD’S redemptive plan for all people.  Salvation went from obeying GOD’S LAW to receiving GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

WOW! Sorry that it was a long way to get to the first sign.

Making wine is a conversion process and so is faith in JESUS.

Now to our scripture John 2:1-11:

The First Sign: Turning Water into Wine

2 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. ³ When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told him, “They don’t have any wine.”

Notice, this event took place on the third day. The old wine ran out and that opened the way for the best new wine to be served. JESUS fulfilled the law by keeping the Law and giving HIS sinless/unblemished life by HIS sinless blood being accepted by GOD as the perfect atonement for all sin. As such, GOD resurrected JESUS from the dead on the third day as proof to show that the sin barrier had been atoned for all who will accept JESUS as his/her Savior. HIS passion conquered the penalty for sin, which is eternal death, and established Grace through faith in JESUS.

The mother of JESUS was at the wedding. This was a festive occasion. JESUS had his disciples with HIM.

A crisis came up during this festive occasion. The wine ran out! This was not good for such an occasion. It would be an embarrassment to the wedding family and the bride and groom.

The fact that the wine ran out was a serious matter. The knowledge of this fact would have been embarrassing to the host family. The mother of JESUS received the word, “The wine is out!”

In John’s telling of this event, Mary did not panic but turned to JESUS and told HIM of the crisis. Where do we turn when we have a crisis?

⁴ “What has this concern of yours to do with me,^[a] woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.”

JESUS response “woman” at first read seems to be curt but it is not.

My understanding is, “mom, why are you telling me about this need?” Good question. What do you think? Consider that GOD chose Mary to give birth to HIS only begotten son, JESUS. JESUS had a purpose. Was this event a special milestone to Mary for JESUS to begin HIS earthly ministry? Had JESUS earthly adopted father, Joseph, died? There is no mention of Joseph. Did JESUS need this prompt from HIS mother to focus on HIS true calling?

Here I speculate. JESUS began HIS public ministry with a miracle at this wedding and completes it at the end of HIS dispensation with the “Marriage Supper of The Lamb” when all has been completed.

The Marriage supper/feast of the LAMB as recorded in Revelation 19:9: Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.”

Who are invited to the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb?” All who have placed their faith in JESUS, HIS passion and redeemed by faith through the shed blood of JESUS.

Back to our scripture. JESUS responded to HIS Mother’s request. We must keep in mind that Mary was chosen by GOD as HIS handmaiden to give birth to HIS only SON. Mary was chosen and is not worshipped. Only JESUS, the only SON of GOD is to be worshipped. Our human mind wants us to believe that Mary has special influence over JESUS. JESUS gave HIS sinless life for all who place their faith in HIM so they can approach GOD with complete confidence and trust that GOD hears them, when they place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

We know this as recorded in John 5:19 - Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. Why? JESUS is the WAY to eternal life and every step had to be perfect. Why? Satan desires for there to be a glitch in the path to eternal life through faith in JESUS. But praise to our LORD the path to eternal salvation is secure through faith in JESUS.

⁵ “Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants.

This is a message to us who have placed our faith in JESUS. “Do what HE tells us, as Spirit-born followers.”

⁶ Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons.^[b]

Why six? Seven is the Jewish number for completion. The ministry of JESUS was just the beginning. HIS passion would complete HIS earthly calling.

We speculate, we know that it was a practice, at such a gathering, which invited guests who needed water to clean the dust and dirt off their feet, sandals, hands, body parts, clothing, etc., thus the purpose of the water jars. The water containers were there for purification, but JESUS repurposed them.

Another consideration why were the water containers where they were? It was customary at such events when the guests had become tipsy, the head waiter or the person in charge of the event would instruct the wine stewards to dilute the wine with water.

⁷ “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So, they filled them to the brim. ⁸ Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.”^[c] And they did.

Notice, JESUS did not taste it. Why? HE knew what HE requested had been done. Why? Because HE trusted HIS FATHER, GOD and HE only did what HE saw HIS FATHER doing.

⁹ When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom ¹⁰ and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

What is the message? Water in pots intended to be used for cleaning hands up to the elbow, feet, etc. can be changed into the best wine. Just think what JESUS can do in your life and my life when we allow HIM to let the spring of living water bubble up in our lives as HE leads and directs.

JESUS told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:7-14 - ⁷ A woman of Samaria came to draw water.

“Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, ⁸ because his disciples had gone into town to buy food.

⁹ “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with^[d] Samaritans.^[e]

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.”

¹¹ “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? ¹² You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”

¹³ Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. ¹⁴ But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well^[f] of water springing up in him/her for eternal life.”

Placing your faith in JESUS is the beginning of your Spiritual journey to experiencing this living water within you. Living water never gets stagnant and is always fresh. JESUS extends HIS invitation to you to receive this living water, which is salvation through faith in JESUS and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Welcome into the eternal Family of GOD if you have asked JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your life.

As a new Spiritual born, you need Spiritual nourishment. Feed upon GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible, pray and ask GOD to open up your mind to truth and tell others that you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into life and help you to grow Spiritually. If you are not already in a Bible believing, teaching church or fellowship ask JESUS to lead you to where you can be fed Spiritually and grow.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Special Edition - More on Priesthood - February 25, 2025

 

Bible Study – Special Edition – February 25, 2025

JESUS works in our lives is for HIS glory.

In our last study, we touched upon a person being born again in his/her human spirit by the Holy Spirit and once born of the Holy Spirit that person is called to Priesthood. GOD equips those HE calls with Spiritual Gifts.

A person must be born a human first and then can be born again in his or her human spirit by the divine Holy Spirit. This takes place when a person realizes he/she is a sinner and needs salvation. This is the work of the Holy Spirit WHO works within every person to lead and guide him/her to seek GOD. Salvation comes through faith in JESUS and HIS passion. The fact that GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS, WHO willingly came to earth to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin.

This is the story of salvation through faith in JESUS, THE CHRIST!

When a person places his/her faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, a miracle takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. That person is born-again in his/her human spirit, the egg, by the divine Sperm of GOD, The Holy Spirit, to be eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter.

As the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5: Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our earthly tent (human body) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. ² Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked. ⁴ Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[b] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[c] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has^[d] come! ¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

JESUS willingly did this for all who will place their faith in HIM.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life? If not, now is your opportunity. Salvation does not come through the eloquence of words but the sincerity of a person’s innermost being, his or her heart where truth resides.

If you prayed such a prayer, then welcome to the eternal family of GOD. You need Spiritual food to help you grow Spiritually – reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Bible, Prayer, talking to GOD, and Spiritual exercise which is telling others about JESUS as given the opportunity.

GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to all Spirit-born people. There are many Spiritual Gifts. The three main passages describe just a few of the spiritual gifts:

Romans 12:6–8:

 ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:4–11:

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Indeed, the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. ²³ And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, ²⁴ which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^[d] 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

Love is the better way. When GOD gifts HIS chosen, Satan will do all he can to get a Spirit-born person chasing the Spiritual highs and not focus on what GOD desires for him/her to focus upon as HE leads and guides through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Many may think or say that will not happen to me! That is when a person is most vulnerable. All Spiritual gifts are to be used as GOD directs.

! Corinthains 12: Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Indeed, the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. ²³ And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, ²⁴ which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^[d] 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

What is Apostle Paul’s better way? Love.

It is essential that Spirit Born Christians do not get puffed up by having one or more Spiritual Gifts. They are given to minister to the body of CHRIST, which is the true church.

Why did our LORD lead me to write this?

As you may recall in last week’s study, the LORD led me to write about those who are born Spiritually are members of the Priesthood. As such, we are given Spiritual Gifts to be used to minister to those in need.

GOD equips those who minister with Spiritual Gifts to minister as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. There are many Spiritual Gifts that GOD gives to those who are called to use them for the good of the body.

As Spirit-born believers, we are to trust as GOD gives each opportunity to serve/minister, which requires a step of faith, a strong prayer life and trust in GOD.

GOD equips HIS Children/Priests with Spiritual Gifts to be used to minister to the body of believers.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Heart of Worship (6) - The Gathering for Worship - Hebrews 10:19-25; 13:12-15 - February 23, 2025

 

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (6) – The Gathering for Worship – Hebrews 10:19-25; 13:12-15 – February 23, 2025

Worshiping alongside others encourages us in our faith.

Our focus scripture is Hebrews 10:19-25; 13:12-15.

What is your most rememberable worship service?

For me it was Christian Business Men’s Committee (CBMC) gatherings, listening to fellow Chrisitan businessmen speak and teach GOD’S Word.

Let’s explore!!!

First, who wrote the book of Hebrews? Some say the Apostle Paul, others say Luke, Priscillia but the bottom line is we really do not know.

But what we do know is that the dynamics of worship changed after the passion of JESUS. Worship went from obeying the law and living under the Law, to living under GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS.

People, in general, sought to be in right relationship with GOD. Jewish worship made a dramatic shift. There was no longer a need to shed the blood of animals or make various offerings. Faith in JESUS and HIS shed blood paid for all sin but a person must acknowledge and accept such a magnificent Gift.

Since the passion of JESUS, Spirit-born Christians, as recorded in 1 Peter 2:5 - ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood^[a] to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

Being a Spirit-born believer is vital to GOD’S redemptive plan. At the Instant you ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart, the power of GOD has already begun to work in you. GOD calls all to repentance and it is up to each person whether or not he/she accepts GOD’S Call.

What is the “unpardonable sin?” Bottomline, if you worry that you might have committed the “unpardonable sin.” GOOD NEWS, you have not because you would not care, if you have. That is the sad part. Your heart has grown callous and no longer hears the voice of GOD.

GOD has a plan for your life, and HE called you to serve HIM as HE directs you through the indwelling Holy Spirit. But you have to be Spirit-born before being redeemed from Hell by the shed blood of JESUS, through faith in JESUS.

What happens when a person is born again?

Did you ever think of being a Priest? A Priest has many vital functions in the Kingdom of GOD.

1.    1 Peter 2:5

you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2.    1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

All who are Spirit-born are called to serve and GOD equips them.

Let’s read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 10:19-22: ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to: confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Bottom line JESUS, no matter what sin we have committed or been tempted to commit, we have a Savior WHO says to us, “I KNOW,” “I was tempted in every way, but I overcame that temptation and so can you with MY strength. If you committed that sin, confess it because MY shed blood redeems you for its consequence.

When a person is “born-again” through faith in JESUS, what does that mean?

Hebrews 10:19-22:

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— ²⁰ he has inaugurated^[e] for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— ²¹ and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 

The passion of JESUS changed the dynamics of worship. There was a major change from living under the law to living under GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS.

Before the passion of JESUS, we read in Hebrews 9:22: ²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life to redeem all who place their faith in HIM.

Since the crucifixion, death, bodily resurrection of JESUS, JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days. Then HIS resurrected body ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of HIS FATHER. To me this is GOD’S way of revealing to all who are born of GOD’S Spirit the assurance of their bodily resurrection and ascension into Heaven at the rapture of all Christians when JESUS returns to earth to gather all who are born of the Holy Spirit.

GOD established GOD’S grace for all who place their faith in JESUS. GOD gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her life.

The ascension of JESUS is an example that the Spirit-born human will bodily ascend into Heaven at the rapture of the true church when JESUS returns to earth to establish HIS reign upon earth.

What takes place when any person places his/her faith in the passion of JESUS? First, he/she is born again in his/her human spirit by the Holy Spirit, which takes places quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

After a person has been born again in his/her Spirit, that is only the beginning of his/her Spiritual journey.

The Spirit-born person has been redeemed by the shed blood of JESUS. That person is a new person, born again but remains upon earth, who is called by GOD to serve in GOD’S kingdom. As such, GOD equips that person with Spirituals Gifts to minister upon earth. Why?

We read 1 Peter 2:9: ⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[I][j] a royal priesthood,^[k] a holy nation,^[l] a people for his possession,^[m] so that you may proclaim the praises^[n][o] of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

GOD’S redemptive plan went beyond salvation, but to ordain all who are born of the Holy Spirit to be priests.

Revelation 1:6: ⁶ and made us a kingdom,^[a] priests^[b] to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Satan does not want Spirit-born Christians to know or think they are priests in GOD’S redemptive plan. All Spirit born people are called to minister as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:14-16: ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

JESUS is not only a Spirit-born persons’ High Priest but their Brother through the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family.

In Ephesians 4:11-12:

¹¹ And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints (ALL WHO ARE SPIRIT BORN – That is you if you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM to come into your life, you are a Saint.) and for the work of ministry, to build up the body of WHO Christ, ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

Let’s read Hebrews 10:23-25:

²³ Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Why would a Spirit-born person waver? Simply, the earth is a battlefield. Satan still walks upon earth to deceive and discourage even the Saints. So, stay focused upon who you are in JESUS because JESUS has defeated Satan. 1 John 4 - ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one who (Satan) is in the world.

JESUS has won the victory!

What does that mean? Satan does not want any Spirit-born person to believe that. So, what does a Spirit-born person do?

Claim the victory as written in 1 John 4:4.

Let’s read Hebrews 13:12-15:

¹² Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify^[e] the people by his own blood. ¹³ Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace. ¹⁴ For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. ¹⁵ Therefore, through him (JESUS) let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 

GOD does not leave those who are Spirit-born helpless. GOD equips those who are Spirit-born with Spiritual Gifts. Some of these Gifts are given in 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

Pay special attention to verse 11 – “As HE WILLS.”

There are many more Spiritual Gifts that GOD gives us when needed.

In Galatians 3: ²⁷ For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. ²⁸ There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male, and female, since you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

As a Spirit-born person, you are equipped to minister upon earth until GOD calls you home to be with HIM, JESUS, and all other Saints.

What does the Apostle Paul reveal to those who are Spirit-born in 1 Corinthians 2: ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

How did the Apostle Paul know this?

2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

It is believed that this man was the Apostle Paul.

I have a friend who was in an automobile accident and was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead and his body was delivered to the basement of the hospital to be picked up by the funeral home. A nurse happened by his body and saw his eyelid move and she began resuscitation, and he was brought back to life.

He told me that there were no human words for him to describe what he saw in Heaven.

Yes. There is life after death. If you care to read of the experience I had while alive and driving down I-85, check the actsclass.blogspot.com upper lefthand corner is a search. Put in Mrs. Green.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Heart of Worship (5) - The Lifestyle of Worship - Colossians 2 and 3 - February 16, 2025

 

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (5) – The Lifestyle of Worship – February 16, 2025

Life is an act of worship when we know the truth. Life upon earth is the training ground for eternity.

Our focus scriptures are selected passages from Colossians 2 and 3.

The Apostle Paul was in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae. Colossae was 1,300 miles away from him.

The Apostle Paul had not visited the church in Colossae.

Let’s read Colossians 2:1-5:

2 For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. ² I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.^[a] 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

There was no need for them to explore other religions or seek other paths to THE ONE TRUE GOD because JESUS THE CHRIST is a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge, and JESUS is all you need. True then and true now.

The Jewish teacher Gamaliel educated the Apostle Paul. Paul knew the Law, but grace was revealed to him on the Road to Damascus through his faith in JESUS The CHRIST.

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

⁴ I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. ⁵ For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

The Apostle Paul had not visited Colossae. But he had a heart for the Christians in Colossae. Why? Because they were brothers and sisters in JESUS through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

The Apostle Paul was in Rome when he wrote his letter to the church at Colossae, 1,300 miles away. Paul’s letter is GOD’S gift to Christians then and today.

The Apostle Paul knew that Satan would do all he could to get the Christians to compromise. The same battle takes place today. We must study GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible, and build our trust in JESUS based upon truth and not hearsay. It is up to every true Christian to know GOD’S Word and evaluate it against what is being taught by fellow Christians, teachers, pastors, etc.

Why? Because as we get close to the second coming of JESUS, the distortion of the TRUTH will get worse.

In Matthew 24: For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Spirit-born Christians are the elect.

The Apostle Paul was concerned with the Spiritual growth of all the Christians in Colossae being misled by corrupt teaching. The Apostle Paul then and to us today admonished Christians to focus upon the teachings of JESUS and not distortions of truth that sound good to the flesh.

As Spirit-born Christians how are you to do that? You need to know who you are in JESUS and not to look at the world for your teaching but to elevate your thinking to the things in the Heavenly realm, not the earthly realm. Why?

Because as a Spirit-born believer your citizenship is now in Heaven for eternity.

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of this fact in Philippians 3:20:

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5: ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (she) is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has^[d] come! ¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

2 Corinthains 4:7 - ⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin (JEUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

The Apostle Paul considered himself already in Heaven, he was witnessing, teaching, and waiting until HIS LORD JESUS was finished with the work GOD had for him upon earth.

While we are upon earth, GOD and JESUS have work for each Spirit-born person to accomplish for the Kingdom.

While you are still upon earth, always keep foremost in your mind, who you are in JESUS. You know the truth, don’t hide it because others need to know what you know, and GOD will give you opportunity to share the Gospel through your life and/or through your life as you encounter life each day.

Those who know the truth of salvation are the light of JESUS in a world of darkness.

Therefore, be prepared to share what you know, which is ----

Colossians 3:1-25:

The Life of the New Man (Or Woman)

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (WOW!!!)

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient,^[b] 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. ⁸ But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[c] Creator. ¹¹ In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Notice, in verses 9 and 10, you are in control of what you put on and what you take off. These actions are acts of your will.

As a Spirit-born Christian your life is ever changing on an ascending scale because you are growing in the knowledge and application of truth through your faith in JESUS.

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[d] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, ²⁴ knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Relationships are vital when Christians serve their LORD JESUS, especially those who are married. Husband and wife relationships are vital to serving our LORD JESUS.

Why are husband and wife relationships vital?

1 Peter 3:7 - ⁷ Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

James 4:3 - When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

The bottom-line is what is in our hearts? Are we trying to deceive or con GOD? GOD knows our hearts, so be truthful with GOD when we approach HIM.

Keep in mind as recorded in John 3:16:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[a] He gave^[b] his one and only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Notice: EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS!

Everyone who places their faith in JESUS is, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Those who are born of the Holy Spirit are called to be GOD’S ambassador. That is a high calling to serve GOD. An Ambassador represents his/her country in a foreign land. Since Heaven is the home of all who are Spirit-born, they are in a foreign land. 

 

Blessings!!!