"Having an High Priest over the house of God" Hebrews 10:21
The faith of the Hebrew and Israelite looked forward to the future work of Christ. All of the Levitical laws, the commandments, the ritual in the tabernacle and even the furnishings in the tabernacle all represent Christ or His redemptive work to come. The faith of a true believer looks back and is founded upon the finished work of Christ. Without the work of Christ our faith looking back and the Hebrew faith that was looking forward is in vain. Faith in and of itself cannot save us.
I. Our Great High Priest the Mediator
II. Our Great High Priest the Sacrifice
III. Our Great High Priest over the house of God
I pray the Lord will bless you as you listen to the podcast message to the right.
A Voice Crying
"Be Ye Separate Saith the Lord" 2 Corinthians 6:17
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Dying Dog
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Peter 2:19-22
Often I have read this verse and wondered if this meant that backsliders have no hope. If we accept this notion then we limit the grace of God and His power to redeem the vilest of sinners. We would have to view David and Peter as irredeemable.
For the backslider the question may haunt them, “can God truly restore me”? For the backslider who is seeking repentance and restoration with the Lord the slightest infraction can plunge them into an abyss of guilt and shame that seems inescapable. Too often the backslider may just give up. This is an indication they are trusting in their own works and not the Lords mercy and grace. Don't give up. Keep pursuing the Lord. Many times during my 20 years of wilderness wanderings in sin I sought the Lord only to stumble in despair and resign myself to the bondage of sin. Yet, the Holy Spirit kept wooing my soul and never gave up on me. My latter life of sin was truly worse than the first. Not until I literally left family and friends, entering into a desert of solitude,seeking God, did I eventually find restoration with God. It took a radical decision on my part but even in my backslidden state God was giving grace. When God saved me in 1980 at the age of 19 I did not have many years of sin and sinful habits to contend with. Salvation at such a young age is a wonderful thing because it can spare the Christian of so much pain and turmoil years down the road. When I backslid I developed 20 years of sinful habits and behaviors making the latter far worse to overcome than the first. And its here where the nature of man fails and the empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit prevails. We cannot overcome sinful habits and behaviors in our own strength. It takes the cross of Christ to deliver us from the penalty and power of sin.
The backslider may struggle with sin and fight temptation but only when we surrender to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis is there victory in our lives. The victory is the Lord's, not ours. We are simply the recipients of God's gracious reward. When Christ said to forgive your brother 70 x 7 how much more patient is God with us, backslider? Should we sin that the grace of God may abound? God forbid. People use that 70 X 7 as a license to sin. They practice lawlessness and that's not what I'm suggesting here. Paul said, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. God desires us to pursue holiness. When we have done all that we can and come to the end of ourselves then we will trust in His grace to restore us.
Yesterday I found myself entertaining lustful thoughts of past memories. I became deeply disturbed and troubled under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Even the waitress at the pizza shop where I frequently dine asked if I was OK saying I looked very down in my spirit. I began to question, “Lord, have I not truly been in fellowship with you”? “Is my relationship with you not real but just a form of ritual I'm going through. Please show me Lord that I am not controlled by my old desires and passions.”
Last night I had a dream. In the dream were people I worked with back in the mid to late 90's when I was at the height of my willful debauchery. Suddenly a beautiful mixed breed border collie appeared in the dream. The dog vomited. I inspected the vomit and discovered he ate something I had made the day before. In the dream ,the day before I was in Florida. In reality when I left family and friends to get my life right with God I moved to Florida in 2008. In the dream I was concerned that what the dog ate may be killing him. The dog looked horrible. Moping along with drool coming out of its mouth and laying down with a whine. The dog was dying. I did not give the dog the food he ate though it was something I made. My dreams are really strange and usually don't amount to anything but are the result of eating spicy food too late in the evening. This dream appeared significant. In the dream the dog did not return to his vomit and the dog was dying.
The vomit is sin and the dog is the carnal nature. God answered my prayer to show me that what I am doing is not behavioral but spiritual. When I first heard the gospel in 1980 it was a dramatic Damascus road experience for me. God saved me and put His love in my heart instantly. God's reclamation of me from my backsliding has been a different process. There have been times that God has witnessed to me in a clear and scriptural manner such as this dream. Twenty years of habits and thought patterns may not be swept away in an instant. Remember, Paul spent 3 years in the desert immediately after his conversion. He probably wrestled with his Pharisaic ideas until he was able to define his doctrinal positions. His theology in the book of Romans was not formulated overnight. He may have also wrestled with guilt from murdering Christians. People who have been brainwashed by cults often need to go through a period of deprogramming to correct their thinking about life in general. So the sinner may need significant time for their minds to be cleansed by God's word.
In spite of my sinful thoughts yesterday my time with the Lord has been very real and very sweet lately. The more time I spend in communion with the Lord the sweeter He grows to me. God assured me in my soul that the devil took advantage of a weak moment and I am not returning to the vomit and the old dog is dying, Hallelujah! Backslider, our hope is in Christ not in our behavior.
Backslider, what is keeping you from returning to Jesus Christ? You may need to make a radical decision for Christ. Perhaps there is some activity that has become your god. It could be hunting, fishing, sports or cars. Oh that men had as much passion for Christ as they do for their sports teams. We could have a third great awakening. What consumes your time? Maybe you have friends or associates who drag you down into sinful behaviors. Getting rid of these things will not make you holy. Turning to Christ and leaving anything that may hinder you from Christ will lead you on to holiness in Christ. Holiness is being set apart, separated unto God. Only Christ can make you holy but there must be some desire in your heart for this to happen. There is no temptation that comes upon you that is not common to man but God will make a way for you to escape. That way is the cross. Die out to sin and self. Put that carnal dog to death and let Christ arise in your heart.
2 Peter 2:19-22
Often I have read this verse and wondered if this meant that backsliders have no hope. If we accept this notion then we limit the grace of God and His power to redeem the vilest of sinners. We would have to view David and Peter as irredeemable.
For the backslider the question may haunt them, “can God truly restore me”? For the backslider who is seeking repentance and restoration with the Lord the slightest infraction can plunge them into an abyss of guilt and shame that seems inescapable. Too often the backslider may just give up. This is an indication they are trusting in their own works and not the Lords mercy and grace. Don't give up. Keep pursuing the Lord. Many times during my 20 years of wilderness wanderings in sin I sought the Lord only to stumble in despair and resign myself to the bondage of sin. Yet, the Holy Spirit kept wooing my soul and never gave up on me. My latter life of sin was truly worse than the first. Not until I literally left family and friends, entering into a desert of solitude,seeking God, did I eventually find restoration with God. It took a radical decision on my part but even in my backslidden state God was giving grace. When God saved me in 1980 at the age of 19 I did not have many years of sin and sinful habits to contend with. Salvation at such a young age is a wonderful thing because it can spare the Christian of so much pain and turmoil years down the road. When I backslid I developed 20 years of sinful habits and behaviors making the latter far worse to overcome than the first. And its here where the nature of man fails and the empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit prevails. We cannot overcome sinful habits and behaviors in our own strength. It takes the cross of Christ to deliver us from the penalty and power of sin.
The backslider may struggle with sin and fight temptation but only when we surrender to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis is there victory in our lives. The victory is the Lord's, not ours. We are simply the recipients of God's gracious reward. When Christ said to forgive your brother 70 x 7 how much more patient is God with us, backslider? Should we sin that the grace of God may abound? God forbid. People use that 70 X 7 as a license to sin. They practice lawlessness and that's not what I'm suggesting here. Paul said, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. God desires us to pursue holiness. When we have done all that we can and come to the end of ourselves then we will trust in His grace to restore us.
Yesterday I found myself entertaining lustful thoughts of past memories. I became deeply disturbed and troubled under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Even the waitress at the pizza shop where I frequently dine asked if I was OK saying I looked very down in my spirit. I began to question, “Lord, have I not truly been in fellowship with you”? “Is my relationship with you not real but just a form of ritual I'm going through. Please show me Lord that I am not controlled by my old desires and passions.”
Last night I had a dream. In the dream were people I worked with back in the mid to late 90's when I was at the height of my willful debauchery. Suddenly a beautiful mixed breed border collie appeared in the dream. The dog vomited. I inspected the vomit and discovered he ate something I had made the day before. In the dream ,the day before I was in Florida. In reality when I left family and friends to get my life right with God I moved to Florida in 2008. In the dream I was concerned that what the dog ate may be killing him. The dog looked horrible. Moping along with drool coming out of its mouth and laying down with a whine. The dog was dying. I did not give the dog the food he ate though it was something I made. My dreams are really strange and usually don't amount to anything but are the result of eating spicy food too late in the evening. This dream appeared significant. In the dream the dog did not return to his vomit and the dog was dying.
The vomit is sin and the dog is the carnal nature. God answered my prayer to show me that what I am doing is not behavioral but spiritual. When I first heard the gospel in 1980 it was a dramatic Damascus road experience for me. God saved me and put His love in my heart instantly. God's reclamation of me from my backsliding has been a different process. There have been times that God has witnessed to me in a clear and scriptural manner such as this dream. Twenty years of habits and thought patterns may not be swept away in an instant. Remember, Paul spent 3 years in the desert immediately after his conversion. He probably wrestled with his Pharisaic ideas until he was able to define his doctrinal positions. His theology in the book of Romans was not formulated overnight. He may have also wrestled with guilt from murdering Christians. People who have been brainwashed by cults often need to go through a period of deprogramming to correct their thinking about life in general. So the sinner may need significant time for their minds to be cleansed by God's word.
In spite of my sinful thoughts yesterday my time with the Lord has been very real and very sweet lately. The more time I spend in communion with the Lord the sweeter He grows to me. God assured me in my soul that the devil took advantage of a weak moment and I am not returning to the vomit and the old dog is dying, Hallelujah! Backslider, our hope is in Christ not in our behavior.
Backslider, what is keeping you from returning to Jesus Christ? You may need to make a radical decision for Christ. Perhaps there is some activity that has become your god. It could be hunting, fishing, sports or cars. Oh that men had as much passion for Christ as they do for their sports teams. We could have a third great awakening. What consumes your time? Maybe you have friends or associates who drag you down into sinful behaviors. Getting rid of these things will not make you holy. Turning to Christ and leaving anything that may hinder you from Christ will lead you on to holiness in Christ. Holiness is being set apart, separated unto God. Only Christ can make you holy but there must be some desire in your heart for this to happen. There is no temptation that comes upon you that is not common to man but God will make a way for you to escape. That way is the cross. Die out to sin and self. Put that carnal dog to death and let Christ arise in your heart.
Friday, October 9, 2015
An Act of God
There was a time when insurance forms and legal documents would refer to catastrophic events like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods as, "Acts of God". I'm not sure if they do this anymore. When we as a country acknowledged these events as Acts of God it inferred a sense of accountability to Holy God. Today, Americas neo-pantheistic culture could not even think of a pantheistic god as unleashing his fury upon "innocent" people. God is a God of love, right? Love is sometimes best expressed at the end of a paddle. And I'm not talking about the kind of paddle that rows a boat. The book of Hebrews tells us that God chastises those whom He loves.
For the Christian who may die during an "Act of God" it means they are now present with the Lord. For the unregenerate to die during an Act of God we can only interpret this to mean the wrath of God has been brought to bear upon this person. Like the death of a loved one, its during times of massive destruction and loss of material goods that we are forced to reflect upon spiritual things or those things of eternal value. The Act of God is an act of mercy. A blessing in disguise. Is there anything that God does that is not right? Is there any "Act of God" that is not pure but has for its end our eternal good?
The greatest things, the most noble things that we may experience or achieve almost always involve pain. Childbirth is the most perfect example of this most joyous event involving tremendous pain, not just for the mother but for the infant who fights and squirms his way to ultimately come screaming into the world. Jesus said that unless a corn of wheat, a seed, fall into the ground and die it cannot bring forth fruit. If you want to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ it will often involve very painful things in this life. For this reason we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We must set our affections on things above and not on things of this earth. The painful things we experience on this mortal coil are temporary. The joy of the Lord is eternal.
Too many Christians live their lives focused on what brings them pleasure or comfort. Pension plans and retirement funds take more of their energy than communion with Christ in the prayer closet. Your pleasures and pensions could be literally gone overnight. I've seen it happen to people. Then what do you have? Its all temporal my friends. Look to Jesus. If you don't enjoy bowing before Him in love and adoration now what will you do in heaven? The next time an "Act of God" may come your way embrace it. He is wanting your attention. He deserves and delights in all the attention we can give Him.
For the Christian who may die during an "Act of God" it means they are now present with the Lord. For the unregenerate to die during an Act of God we can only interpret this to mean the wrath of God has been brought to bear upon this person. Like the death of a loved one, its during times of massive destruction and loss of material goods that we are forced to reflect upon spiritual things or those things of eternal value. The Act of God is an act of mercy. A blessing in disguise. Is there anything that God does that is not right? Is there any "Act of God" that is not pure but has for its end our eternal good?
The greatest things, the most noble things that we may experience or achieve almost always involve pain. Childbirth is the most perfect example of this most joyous event involving tremendous pain, not just for the mother but for the infant who fights and squirms his way to ultimately come screaming into the world. Jesus said that unless a corn of wheat, a seed, fall into the ground and die it cannot bring forth fruit. If you want to grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ it will often involve very painful things in this life. For this reason we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We must set our affections on things above and not on things of this earth. The painful things we experience on this mortal coil are temporary. The joy of the Lord is eternal.
Too many Christians live their lives focused on what brings them pleasure or comfort. Pension plans and retirement funds take more of their energy than communion with Christ in the prayer closet. Your pleasures and pensions could be literally gone overnight. I've seen it happen to people. Then what do you have? Its all temporal my friends. Look to Jesus. If you don't enjoy bowing before Him in love and adoration now what will you do in heaven? The next time an "Act of God" may come your way embrace it. He is wanting your attention. He deserves and delights in all the attention we can give Him.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Shotgun Devotion
I live near Charleston, SC and currently am watching the flood waters rise behind my house. I live very near the Ashely river which is one of the two rivers that forms Charleston Harbor or as the locals say, "the Ashley and Cooper Rivers come together to form the Atlantic Ocean". The flood waters are creeping up the side of my house as I write this but I believe that God is in control and the waters will subside without damage to my home. My immediate area had 17.34 inches of rain in four days. Naturally I have been a bit anxious the past two days and have not slept much. I keep vigil to ensure a flash flood or surging water does not threaten me or my property.
This morning I had what I call a shotgun devotion. I usually have a biblical book that I read through and was recently reading through Nehemiah for my prayer time. This morning I asked the Lord to speak to me in His word. "Dear Lord, help me make some sense of this catastrophic event in SC". Its the worst flooding that South Carolina has had in its 345 year existence. When you shoot a shotgun you just point and shoot. I opened God's word at random and I let my eyes fall on a text. There isn't much aiming going on. I opened the word and my eyes fell on Isaiah 47:7 "And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever" Tell me that God does not have a sense of humor. I praise Him for His gentle love and comedic relief during such a stressful time. I laughed out loud and said, "OK Lord", I don't think this really applies to me. Then my eyes turned to the opposite page at Isaiah 48:1-2
"Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. 2For they call themselves of the holy city,"
When I saw the word "water" that got my attention. That is what I have seen around my home for 4 days now and its preoccupied my mind. I did not want to read something into the text that isn't there until I read the next verse, "for they call themselves of the holy city". Google or Bing, "Holy City" and up pops Charleston. The Holy City is THE nickname of Charleston because it is supposedly populated with the largest number of churches in any American city. Sadly though Charleston could easily be the people that Isaiah is writing to because they "make mention of the God of Israel but not in truth or righteousness".
Charleston is a beautiful city. Its charm is very seductive but not in a sleazy way like New Orleans. But it is seductive none the less. Charleston is repeatedly voted the friendliest city in America by different travel magazines. The ambiance of the town is very romantic. It's a foody town where one can enjoy fine dining at over 200 restaurants for an affordable price. Charleston history is American history with a vital role in the two most defining wars of American history, the Revolution and the War Between the States. I was drawn to her charm the first time I visited and decided right then I was moving here. I think charm is the perfect word to describe Charleston. Charm n. 1. The power or quality of pleasing, attracting or fascinating. 2. A particular quality or feature that fascinates or attracts. 3. Anything that is worn for its magical affect as in warding off evil.
The etymology of "charm" is found in witchcraft. Charleston is the birthplace of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Freemasonry is very big and very influential here for over 250 years. Freemasonry is not witchcraft but it finds its common origins in the mystery religions of Babylon. While there are many churches in Charleston the Masonic influence is pervasive. Add to that a cultured hedonistic spirit that includes widespread public acceptance and promotion of homosexuality and you have a "holy city" but not in "truth or righteousness".
Charleston is a beautiful town and I love her history but it is a wicked place. When the word "wicked" is used its often associated with mass murderers, sadistic psychopathic killers like Charles Manson or Hitler. Nice and kind people can be wicked. At the root of all sin, whether it be murder or telling a white lie, is pride and vanity. Exalting oneself and having a disregard of God is wickedness. Secular humanism is clearly wicked but one does not have to murder, steal or rape to be a secular humanist. Charleston can be described as the "anti-New Orleans". Charleston is clean, hospitable and you won't read of riots happening every other weekend. New Orleans is wicked for its sexual promiscuity and occult activity. Charleston is guilty of the same thing but in a more covert or refined manner.
I'm not sure if this is why God unleashed His fury upon South Carolina, but I can't help but think this may have something to do with it. It may also have something to do with the all out attack upon all things Confederate. I am not politicizing anything here. The reality is that the state opted to believe a lie rather than stand for the truth when it came to taking down the Confederate flag which was legally hoisted. Truth is truth whether its biblical, scientific or historic. The South Carolina government promoted a lie about history instead of standing for the truth. How can they be trusted with political matters. The ramifications of their actions will have far reaching effects. Every symbol of American freedom including the cross of Jesus Christ will be assaulted.
16These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19
The satellite image of this storm of the millennia shows the storm clearly targeted South Carolina from its Northern coastal border to its Southern Coastal border. No matter where the hurricane moved the low pressure over Georgia sucked in the water vapor into South Carolina. The bands of rain that poured in off shore looked like the hand of God guiding them right up I-26 from Charleston to Columbia. I was on my computer nearly every hour watching this for four days.
God is trying to get somebodies attention down here. Seek the Lord while He may yet be found.
This morning I had what I call a shotgun devotion. I usually have a biblical book that I read through and was recently reading through Nehemiah for my prayer time. This morning I asked the Lord to speak to me in His word. "Dear Lord, help me make some sense of this catastrophic event in SC". Its the worst flooding that South Carolina has had in its 345 year existence. When you shoot a shotgun you just point and shoot. I opened God's word at random and I let my eyes fall on a text. There isn't much aiming going on. I opened the word and my eyes fell on Isaiah 47:7 "And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever" Tell me that God does not have a sense of humor. I praise Him for His gentle love and comedic relief during such a stressful time. I laughed out loud and said, "OK Lord", I don't think this really applies to me. Then my eyes turned to the opposite page at Isaiah 48:1-2
"Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. 2For they call themselves of the holy city,"
When I saw the word "water" that got my attention. That is what I have seen around my home for 4 days now and its preoccupied my mind. I did not want to read something into the text that isn't there until I read the next verse, "for they call themselves of the holy city". Google or Bing, "Holy City" and up pops Charleston. The Holy City is THE nickname of Charleston because it is supposedly populated with the largest number of churches in any American city. Sadly though Charleston could easily be the people that Isaiah is writing to because they "make mention of the God of Israel but not in truth or righteousness".
Charleston is a beautiful city. Its charm is very seductive but not in a sleazy way like New Orleans. But it is seductive none the less. Charleston is repeatedly voted the friendliest city in America by different travel magazines. The ambiance of the town is very romantic. It's a foody town where one can enjoy fine dining at over 200 restaurants for an affordable price. Charleston history is American history with a vital role in the two most defining wars of American history, the Revolution and the War Between the States. I was drawn to her charm the first time I visited and decided right then I was moving here. I think charm is the perfect word to describe Charleston. Charm n. 1. The power or quality of pleasing, attracting or fascinating. 2. A particular quality or feature that fascinates or attracts. 3. Anything that is worn for its magical affect as in warding off evil.
The etymology of "charm" is found in witchcraft. Charleston is the birthplace of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Freemasonry is very big and very influential here for over 250 years. Freemasonry is not witchcraft but it finds its common origins in the mystery religions of Babylon. While there are many churches in Charleston the Masonic influence is pervasive. Add to that a cultured hedonistic spirit that includes widespread public acceptance and promotion of homosexuality and you have a "holy city" but not in "truth or righteousness".
Charleston is a beautiful town and I love her history but it is a wicked place. When the word "wicked" is used its often associated with mass murderers, sadistic psychopathic killers like Charles Manson or Hitler. Nice and kind people can be wicked. At the root of all sin, whether it be murder or telling a white lie, is pride and vanity. Exalting oneself and having a disregard of God is wickedness. Secular humanism is clearly wicked but one does not have to murder, steal or rape to be a secular humanist. Charleston can be described as the "anti-New Orleans". Charleston is clean, hospitable and you won't read of riots happening every other weekend. New Orleans is wicked for its sexual promiscuity and occult activity. Charleston is guilty of the same thing but in a more covert or refined manner.
I'm not sure if this is why God unleashed His fury upon South Carolina, but I can't help but think this may have something to do with it. It may also have something to do with the all out attack upon all things Confederate. I am not politicizing anything here. The reality is that the state opted to believe a lie rather than stand for the truth when it came to taking down the Confederate flag which was legally hoisted. Truth is truth whether its biblical, scientific or historic. The South Carolina government promoted a lie about history instead of standing for the truth. How can they be trusted with political matters. The ramifications of their actions will have far reaching effects. Every symbol of American freedom including the cross of Jesus Christ will be assaulted.
16These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19
The satellite image of this storm of the millennia shows the storm clearly targeted South Carolina from its Northern coastal border to its Southern Coastal border. No matter where the hurricane moved the low pressure over Georgia sucked in the water vapor into South Carolina. The bands of rain that poured in off shore looked like the hand of God guiding them right up I-26 from Charleston to Columbia. I was on my computer nearly every hour watching this for four days.
God is trying to get somebodies attention down here. Seek the Lord while He may yet be found.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Keeping the Faith Part 3
Today's message in this series is entitled; Through the Flesh
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh Hebrews 10:20
The Levitical Offerings did not make provision for all sin and could not take away the guilt or penalty of sin. Salvation has always been by grace through faith.
A. A New Way- God the Father looks upon His Son as the sacrificial lamb that was freshly killed for us
B. A Living Way- The freshly killed Lamb is alive.
C. Consecrated Veil - “Take up your cross and follow me” leaves no room for half hearted submission. As the one bringing a sacrifice to the tabernacle or temple would lay their hand on the animal to confer their sin and identify with the animal sacrifice so we through faith confer our sin upon Christ the Lamb and identify with Him in His death. Can we give Him any less than our ALL?
You can listen to the 20 minute message in the podcast link to the right or go here: http://cryinthewilderness.podbean.com/e/keeping-the-faith-part-3/?token=6c1a4e671181aef56b5e74f98cb49c3f
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh Hebrews 10:20
The Levitical Offerings did not make provision for all sin and could not take away the guilt or penalty of sin. Salvation has always been by grace through faith.
A. A New Way- God the Father looks upon His Son as the sacrificial lamb that was freshly killed for us
B. A Living Way- The freshly killed Lamb is alive.
C. Consecrated Veil - “Take up your cross and follow me” leaves no room for half hearted submission. As the one bringing a sacrifice to the tabernacle or temple would lay their hand on the animal to confer their sin and identify with the animal sacrifice so we through faith confer our sin upon Christ the Lamb and identify with Him in His death. Can we give Him any less than our ALL?
You can listen to the 20 minute message in the podcast link to the right or go here: http://cryinthewilderness.podbean.com/e/keeping-the-faith-part-3/?token=6c1a4e671181aef56b5e74f98cb49c3f
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Glory of Women Vs. Glory of Men
In the not too distant past women found there greatest purpose in life was bringing life into the world. Women who were barren were often looked down upon as one in disfavor with God. In Genesis 29 and 30 we read the story of Rachel and Leah, wives of Jacob, who engaged in a birthing competition. Rachel was barren and complained to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!" Rachel was so eager to have children that she experienced childbearing by proxy through her handmaid Bilhah. When Leah appeared to be barren she gave Jacob her handmaid to bear a son. Poor Jacob never got a nights rest because these women were competing with one another through childbirth. The more children one bore the more honor they had. I believe those who scorn large families are actually shamed in their hearts because their desire for affluency take precedent over Gods blessing of children. Bearing sons in the ancient world was more prized then daughters because men were the rulers, leaders and bread winners. The scriptures do not state how many daughters Jacob had but it probably equaled or numbered more than the number of sons. Eventually, Rachel bore a son and she said, "The Lord has taken away my reproach". Rachel, Leah and their two handmaids became the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. God took this selfish competition between these women and created a nation. Elizabeth was old and past child bearing years yet the angel of the Lord spoke to her husband Zacharias and told him she would bear a son. When Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist she said, " The Lord has taken away my reproach".
Whether women today will admit it or not they possess or at some time in their life will possess a God given desire to bring life into the world. I call this inherent need to birth the glory of women. As carriers of new life I can think of no greater glory a woman can have. This is why abortion is so evil. It attacks the act of procreation which is a divinely appointed function for creation. Giving birth was and should be a defining point of womanhood. It was a defining point for 4,000 years and still is in most of the world except for Western Civilization in the past 50 years. Now childbearing takes second place to a woman having a "career". It's been my observation that the woman who sets aside her procreative responsibilities to pursue selfish aspirations will not assume the role of mother when the time comes. Women still give birth today but very few are mothers. Public schools and day cares are the "mothers". Children spend more time with strangers who have no God given authority over that child and thus there is no inherent responsibility to teach that child in the ways of God but I am digressing a bit. The point I am making here is that the glory of women is to bring life into the world. So, what is the glory of man? Answer: To take life out of the world.
Every age of history is defined by war. Men are typically drawn to war. I can't recount the number of stories I have read and heard of teenagers sneaking off to join the fight. It's happened in every war the United States has fought in. Some wars evoke a greater response relative to the moral issues that may surround it. During WWII there were many men who committed suicide because they were found physically unfit to serve in the military. This was an unbearable reproach upon them as was barrenness in a woman. Their rejection to serve their country made them feel less of a man.
Throughout the ages the heroes of boys were often generals or warriors. And those heroes who killed were perceived to be justified in their killing. Two of my heroes are Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. They were Godly men who fought a noble cause to defend their homes and families against an illegal invader. I think Lee captured a glimpse of man's depravity when he said, "It is good that war is so horrible or we should grow fond of it".
The highest citation bestowed by the U.S. government upon anyone is the Congressional Medal of Honor. In many instances killing is directly related to the Medal of Honor. Our countries highest honor is often associated with killing. I am not a pacifist or conscientious objector. I believe there is a time for peace and a time for war. However, its my opinion that during my 54 years on this planet I can think of only two times the U.S. was justified in using military forces and that was the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Grenada and the Iranian hostage crisis. The sad thing is that history is defined by death. The glory of men is to kill. And to kill with skill. Most men are fascinated with killing. I've watched many a war movies and shoot em' up Westerns. So, I'm not pointing a finger at anyone but making an observation that I fear most of us give little thought to. We are desensitized to killing and glorify the death of our enemies.
Stop and think with me. Where does killing and death come from? Where did it start? It started with Adam and Eve committing sin and bringing death into the world. As gruesome and horrible as death is we entertain ourselves with it through movies, books, music and art. Its like watching your neighbors house burn. As horrible as it may be it becomes a source of entertainment and it does not disturb you as much because its not your house. I believe this propensity to be entertained by violence is another evidence of the depravity of mankind. Even though the hero is killing for a just cause its still killing and should not be a source of entertainment for a Christian. I'm not suggesting that we should not be prepared for war. Studying war is one thing. Being entertained by it is another.
Christians should entertain their minds with the fact that Jesus conquered death and the grave. He does not take delight in the death of the wicked but we certainly do.
Ezekiel 18:23,32 "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?","For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Ezekiel 33:11 "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
The glory of men is to kill. Is this something to really aspire to? My greatest heroes in history are John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Martin Luther, John Knox, Peter Cartwright, Elijah, Paul and Jesus. These are the men I want to emulate. Men who brought eternal life to others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The glory of women is to bring life into the world and the glory of men is to take life out of this world. Oh, that I may glory in the cross of Christ my king. To the men reading this, glory not in taking life unless it is your own life you take to the cross.
Whether women today will admit it or not they possess or at some time in their life will possess a God given desire to bring life into the world. I call this inherent need to birth the glory of women. As carriers of new life I can think of no greater glory a woman can have. This is why abortion is so evil. It attacks the act of procreation which is a divinely appointed function for creation. Giving birth was and should be a defining point of womanhood. It was a defining point for 4,000 years and still is in most of the world except for Western Civilization in the past 50 years. Now childbearing takes second place to a woman having a "career". It's been my observation that the woman who sets aside her procreative responsibilities to pursue selfish aspirations will not assume the role of mother when the time comes. Women still give birth today but very few are mothers. Public schools and day cares are the "mothers". Children spend more time with strangers who have no God given authority over that child and thus there is no inherent responsibility to teach that child in the ways of God but I am digressing a bit. The point I am making here is that the glory of women is to bring life into the world. So, what is the glory of man? Answer: To take life out of the world.
Every age of history is defined by war. Men are typically drawn to war. I can't recount the number of stories I have read and heard of teenagers sneaking off to join the fight. It's happened in every war the United States has fought in. Some wars evoke a greater response relative to the moral issues that may surround it. During WWII there were many men who committed suicide because they were found physically unfit to serve in the military. This was an unbearable reproach upon them as was barrenness in a woman. Their rejection to serve their country made them feel less of a man.
Throughout the ages the heroes of boys were often generals or warriors. And those heroes who killed were perceived to be justified in their killing. Two of my heroes are Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. They were Godly men who fought a noble cause to defend their homes and families against an illegal invader. I think Lee captured a glimpse of man's depravity when he said, "It is good that war is so horrible or we should grow fond of it".
The highest citation bestowed by the U.S. government upon anyone is the Congressional Medal of Honor. In many instances killing is directly related to the Medal of Honor. Our countries highest honor is often associated with killing. I am not a pacifist or conscientious objector. I believe there is a time for peace and a time for war. However, its my opinion that during my 54 years on this planet I can think of only two times the U.S. was justified in using military forces and that was the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Grenada and the Iranian hostage crisis. The sad thing is that history is defined by death. The glory of men is to kill. And to kill with skill. Most men are fascinated with killing. I've watched many a war movies and shoot em' up Westerns. So, I'm not pointing a finger at anyone but making an observation that I fear most of us give little thought to. We are desensitized to killing and glorify the death of our enemies.
Stop and think with me. Where does killing and death come from? Where did it start? It started with Adam and Eve committing sin and bringing death into the world. As gruesome and horrible as death is we entertain ourselves with it through movies, books, music and art. Its like watching your neighbors house burn. As horrible as it may be it becomes a source of entertainment and it does not disturb you as much because its not your house. I believe this propensity to be entertained by violence is another evidence of the depravity of mankind. Even though the hero is killing for a just cause its still killing and should not be a source of entertainment for a Christian. I'm not suggesting that we should not be prepared for war. Studying war is one thing. Being entertained by it is another.
Christians should entertain their minds with the fact that Jesus conquered death and the grave. He does not take delight in the death of the wicked but we certainly do.
Ezekiel 18:23,32 "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?","For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Ezekiel 33:11 "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
The glory of men is to kill. Is this something to really aspire to? My greatest heroes in history are John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Martin Luther, John Knox, Peter Cartwright, Elijah, Paul and Jesus. These are the men I want to emulate. Men who brought eternal life to others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The glory of women is to bring life into the world and the glory of men is to take life out of this world. Oh, that I may glory in the cross of Christ my king. To the men reading this, glory not in taking life unless it is your own life you take to the cross.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Keeping the Faith Part 2
Continuing this series of messages in Hebrews I hope you find encouragement in keeping the faith. The message today is Through His Blood. In Hebrews 10:19 we find three wonderful points to ponder:
A. Our Privilege- Come Boldly
B. Our Place- The Holiest of Holies
C. Our Provision- The Blood of Christ
Please listen to the short message in the podcast link to the right and come boldly before the throne of grace.
A. Our Privilege- Come Boldly
B. Our Place- The Holiest of Holies
C. Our Provision- The Blood of Christ
Please listen to the short message in the podcast link to the right and come boldly before the throne of grace.
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