Category Archives: Faith

Obedient Faith

Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed.  The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Hebrews 11:1-2
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Faith is an action word! Faith is something that you believe will take place!  The result of this belief by faith produces a hope of what one desires and believes will take place.  Thus you place your trust into this hope that you desire to take place by your faith.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed to all people and nations for the obedience of faith.

Romans 1:5-6
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Obedience requires actions on your part.  In order for you to be saved through faith you must put forth actions necessary to be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to you.

Romans 16:25-27
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Again, we see the Apostle Paul has told us that the gospel was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.  So, what is the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

So the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Of which he tells us that we are saved by this gospel if we keep in memory what he preached to us.

Romans 3:19-25
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Remember the Apostle Paul said above that we are saved by the gospel, “if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”  So you can believe the gospel in vain and be lost!

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Here the Apostle Paul is explaining to us the process of how we are justified freely by God’s grace.

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

It is important to recognize what the Apostle Paul is referring to in this explanation.  Here the Apostle Paul speaks of the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God.  So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

We are speaking about being obedient to the faith that was made known to all nations.  We are speaking about the gospel of Jesus Christ that was revealed to us by the Prophets and the Apostles. This gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how we are to be obedient to this gospel that is able to save our souls if we keep in mind what was preached to us.

Remember we have learned that faith is an action word that one believes will take place producing a hope in the belief that one has, ultimately leading to the placing of your trust into what you have believed.  And we can believe in vain.  So how do we make sure we are obedient to the faith that was delivered to us and not be as one the believes in vain?

One must search the scriptures daily and see if what he hears is so by remembering that all scripture is inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Luke 22:19-20
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood is what allows us to have our sins remitted.

Hebrews 8:10-13
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

So how do we have our sins remitted according to scripture?

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This is how one partakes of the gospel of Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul preached about.

The Apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus, testifying of his conversion before the jews.

Acts 22:12-16
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Immediately Ananias told the Apostle Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord.  This is because the blood of Jesus Christ is applied to your sins when you are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins.

Remember we are speaking of being obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us.  The gospel of Jesus Christ of which was made know to all nations for the obedience of faith.

We have learned that this gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the New Testament Covenant that was given to us by God required the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins.  Our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ causes us to take actions of obedient faith in accordance to how we partake of the plan of salvation of which we believe by faith. This causes us to then apply what the Apostles and Prophets taught us to do to partake of this new testament covenant that the shed blood of Jesus Christ purchased for us.

We were told by God concerning the New Testament Covenant that he would be merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and iniquities would he remember no more.  So in order for us to receive the remission of our sins according to the scriptures we found that we must repent of our sins and be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins and that we would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That this promise was to all that was afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So what are you waiting for?  Let us be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Are you a Berean at Heart

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Acts 17:11
10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

A.  Understanding How Faith and Grace Operate

James 2:18-26
18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

The word wrought means to be a fellow-worker, i.e. co-operate.

23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Galatians 5:4-6
4  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 14:15
15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 2:11-12
11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

To be saved by grace you have to apply what grace teaches you.  To be saved through faith you must apply how faith operates.

Grace teaches us:  denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Faith works by love and Faith without works is dead being alone.

Jesus said,

John 14:15
15  If ye love me, keep my commandments..

So to fulfill what the Apostle Paul spoke in:

Ephesians 2:8
8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

You must then apply the process of each into the verse.

Ephesians 2:8 Brackets inserted by me
8  For by grace [which teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world] are ye saved through faith; [which worketh by love.] and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

So if faith works by love, and Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments; then you are saved by grace through obedient faith which works by love, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of grace given by God.

1 John 5:3
3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

With this understanding of how grace works and how faith operates

You then remember that….

2 Timothy 3:16
16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Then we all follow after what Jesus tells us to do, which is….

Jesus told us we must repent.

Luke 13:3,5
3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus told us we must believe and be baptized.

Mark 16:16
16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19
19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus told his disciples what to do and revealed the name to them.

Luke 24:47
47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The disciples were obedient and fulfilled both Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47.

Acts 2:38-39
38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Colossians 3:17
17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This would include the baptism.

The foundation that the Gospel stands on….

Ephesians 2:20
20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Jesus was both an Apostle and Prophet.

Hebrews 3:1
1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Deuteronomy 18:15-19
15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

And the scriptures agree that we must be obedient to the faith.

Romans 1:5
5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 16:25-26
25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And how do we partake of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  By being born again of water and of the Spirit. (John 3:1-7).  This is fulfilled by applying Acts 2:38 which reads, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

B.  Understanding the Difference between the Works of Faith and the Works of the Law

John 5:39
39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Romans 3:19-20
19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:24-28
24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

But remember faith without works is dead being alone.  The works of faith is not the works of the Mosaic Law.  Faith is an action word that requires an action in accordance to what you believe.

James 2:21-23
21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Romans 3:31
31  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Matthew 5:17
17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Galatians 3:21-22
21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

And if you believe, then we must be obedient to the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the keeping of God’s commandments in accordance to our faith that we believe that God raised up Jesus our Lord from the grave.

Remember that under the Old Testament Covenant there was no remission for sins and the penalty of death was not yet taken back by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:9
9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 2:14-16
14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Romans 4:1-3
1  What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

This is important to understand.  Remember the Apostle James said, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works.”

The Apostle Paul and the Apostle James are talking of different works.  The Apostle Paul asked a question in verse 1 and answered it in verse 3.  The answer was by faith and the Apostle James gives us further explanation of the Apostle Paul’s words.

James 2:20-23
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The topic is faith!!

21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul said above.  He asked the question in verse 1 and in verse 2 said, “if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God” This is because the topic from verse 1 is found in the prior verses which is speaking of the Mosaic Law versus faith.

Even though the Mosaic Law had not yet come during Abraham’s lifetime, the Apostle Paul is speaking to people who understand the Mosaic Law and is telling them that Abraham was not justified by works of the flesh, but was justified by the works of faith.

Romans 4:4-5
4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

But this does not make void the works that accompany faith.  The works that accompany faith are not the works of the flesh nor of the Mosaic Law.

James 2:20-23
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Galatians 3:16-18
16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Romans 4:13-14
13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 4:4-5
4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Galatians 3:12
12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Romans 4:16
16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Galatians 3:23-24
23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:12
12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

C.  The True Tabernacle in the Heavens

Hebrews 6:13-20
13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 8:1-2
1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Hebrews 9:8-12
8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 8:3-4
3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

D.  The Earthly Tabernacle Served as an Example and Shadow of Heavenly Things

Hebrews 8:5-7
5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.
6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Romans 3:19-20
19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 3:21-22
21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Again, this being because remission of sins had not yet come and the penalty of death was still upon mankind.

Hebrews 8:8-13
8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9:1-9
1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Mark 15:37-38
37  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Upon the death of Jesus Christ, the way into the Holiest of all was now going to be by the blood of the Lamb, which was shed for the remission of sins.

The services as pertaining to the worldly sanctuary….

Hebrews 9:10-11
10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Hebrews 8:2
2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Hebrews 9:12
12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 9:24
24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Hebrews 9:13-15
13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Dead works referring to the works of the Mosaic Law.

15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Galatians 3:21-22
21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Hebrews 9:16-22
16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Likewise the New Testament!

Matthew 26:27-28
27  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:23-28
23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Isaiah 50:6-9
6  I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7  For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8  He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
9  Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Hebrews 10:1-23
10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Why?  There was not yet remission of sins.

2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

E.  Justification unto Life Eternal

Hebrews 10:38-39
38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Romans 4:17-25
17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 8:1-4
1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 3:21-28
21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 5:1-2
1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

F.  The Righteousness which is of Faith

Romans 9:30-33, 10:1-4
30  What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31  But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
10:1  Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Galatians 3:12-14
12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 8:1-4
1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:5
5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Galatians 3:6-14
6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:16-18
16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Romans 4:13-14
13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Galatians 3:25-27
25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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Grace – Moving from Condemnation unto Justification – Part 2

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Romans 5:10-19
10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17  For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

O the Manifold Wisdom of God!!!  O the depth of His riches!!!  How unsearchable are His ways past finding out!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 8:1-18
1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,neither indeed can be.
8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Praise God!!  What Precious Promises we have in God!!  What Precious Gifts God has given unto us!!  O How Precious is the Blood!!??!!

Hebrews 10:1-4; 14
1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

This process of Justification wherein God the Justifier of many, has given the free Gift of grace that reigns through the free Gift of righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, has forever purged us from condemnation and guilt concerning our conscience and has forever perfected the conscience of them that are sanctified, (which are those who have been born again by partaking of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection), and has set us free of the Law of Sin and Death.

Hebrews 10:26
26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Romans 6:23
23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

So we see that it is very important once we come to the knowledge of the truth, to not purposefully and intentionally go on sinning.  But instead we are to put our flesh to death concerning sin, and obey righteousness unto Life. 

Galatians 5:13-26
13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

IF WE DO FALL SHORT AND SIN

1 John 1:9
9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    

Ephesians 3:11-12
11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Listen to what we are told in the book of Hebrews……

Hebrews 2:16-18
16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Succour: help; relief; aid; assistance.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

So when you fall into temptation and sin, don’t let the devil or yourself, begin to condemn you or to begin to give you a guilt trip.  Instead apply the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit!  Come Boldly unto the throne of grace with full assurance, for He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Remember, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now that we fully understand the process of Justification, and how the free gifts of God has brought life unto us, let’s continue with what the Grace of God teaches us.

Titus 2:11-15
11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Those who truly are following the Grace of God will deny themselves ungodliness and worldly lusts, and will live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly, in this present world.  They will be watching for the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s return and will become zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Ephesians 2:10
10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

In Closing, 

Colossians 4:6
6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

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Grace – Moving from Condemnation unto Justification – Part 1

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In our two lesson study of Grace we are going to be covering many topics.  These topics will include how grace is accessed, how we moved from the law to grace, who the Justifier of many is, how grace is applied, how our conscience has been perfected, how grace does not give us an occasion to sin, that if we do fall short we can boldly come before the Lord and ask for forgiveness, and finally, what the grace of God teaches us.

Ephesians 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Thank God for these wonderful gifts that were left for us.  You may be wondering what are some of these gifts that were left for us.  The Gift of Eternal Life, The Gift of the Holy Ghost, The nine Gifts of the Holy Ghost, The Gift of restoration of Sonship,  The Gift of Grace, The Gift of Righteousness, The Gift of the five fold ministry, namely, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Praise God for these wonderful Gifts!!

Lets begin our teaching on the Gift of Grace.

Acts 20:32
32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The very first thing we have just learned is that grace is able to build us up.  Unlike guilt which will tear you down.  However it also tells us that it will give an inheritance to all them which are sanctified.  So the first thing we better find out is how does one become sanctified?

Hebrews 13:11-16
11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Here we have learned that the blood of Jesus sanctifies us.

Romans 15:15-16
15  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16  That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

So now we have learned how one becomes sanctified.  We are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus Christ and the receiving of the Holy Ghost.  This is very important.

Recall: Acts 20:32
32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

This means that the Gift of Grace which is able to build you up, allows you to gain access to the inheritance, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ by the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which we have found is needed to be sanctified.  To be sanctified, one must be born again of water and of the Spirit as Jesus has told us in John 3:1-7.  Which was fulfileld in Acts 2:38-39 which reads, 38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Let’s find out how those that are sanctified can access the grace of God.

Galatians 5:5
5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Romans 5:1-6
1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So those who have the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, and therefore being justified by faith, have access by their faith into grace, wherein we stand.

3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are a Purchased Possession.  Bought with the Price of the Blood of Jesus Christ!!! 

Ephesians 1:12-14
12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Praise God for leaving behind such wonderful Gifts to us His people.

John 1:15-17
15  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:19-26
19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Since we all have sinned and fell short of the Glory of God, God sent Jesus Christ the Righteous, to be a reconciliation between God and man.  Now by our obedience of faith and partaking of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we now have access by faith in His blood unto God’s grace wherein we now stand.  Being then justified freely by his grace we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

At this time I would like to turn our focus on how we obtain the free Gift of righteousness.

Romans 4:2-8
2  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

So we obtain righteousness not by our works, but by obedience and by believing on God that justifies the ungodly.  This person, who has been obedient unto God and has believed on Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, this person, God forgives their iniquities and does not impute sin to them but instead as the Justifier of many, He imputes righteousness unto you, remembering your sins no more.

Romans 4:13-25
13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15  Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Now that we know that righteousness is not obtained by works, but is obtained by obedience, it is important to hear the words spoken in Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

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Applying the Word of God

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Apply:  1. to put to use, especially for a particular purpose.  2.  to bring into action;

It is important that we as Christians do not find ourselves being a hearer of the Word of God only.                               

James 1:22-27
22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Hear how important it is to apply the Word of God.  You don’t want to be one who hears the word and walks off and forgets what manner of man you are because you are not a doer of the Word, but just a Hearer of the Word.

25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

So if you are a doer of the Word, you shall be blessed in your actions.  Also notice that Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep yourself unspotted from the world.  This is True and Pure religion.

Matthew 7:12-27
12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.
15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

As a hearer of the word, it is important that you also be sure that what you hear is truth.  We will know every person by the fruit they produce, because a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.  Likewise a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Take notice of whom Jesus tells us it is that would make it into the kingdom of heaven, those who do the will of my Father.  Another words, those who apply the Word of God.  It is these people that will gain access to the kingdom of heaven.

22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

We learn here from Jesus that we need to be a Hearer, a Believer, and a Doer of the Word of God, or you are likened unto a foolish man that built your house upon the sand and as the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon your house; that it fell: and great was the fall thereof.

It is very important that we always verify what we are being taught with the scriptures.

Acts 17:10-12
10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

John 5:24
24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 2:7-13
7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11  For there is no respect of persons with God.
12  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

So you don’t want to find yourself only being a hearer of the Word of God, but also a doer.

John 14:15 Jesus tells us something extremely important.
15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Romans 1:1-6
1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Obedience Requires Action!!!!

Romans 16:24-27
24  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Galatians 5:5-6
5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 15:10
10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

At this time I would like to turn your focus upon Abraham, the father of all them that believe.

Genesis 22:1-14
1  And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3  And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Notice that Abraham did not question God, nor did he hesitate to do what the Lord had commanded of him.

4  Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5  And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Abraham had faith that not only would he return, but also his son Isaac would also return with him.

6  And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7  And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Abraham was confident that God would provide the sacrifice, and believed that he and his son would return back to his camp.

9  And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10  And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11  And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12  And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13  And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14  And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

James 2:20-26
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What James is trying to expound to us, was that Abraham’s faith, wrought with his works, brought him to the place of offering up the child of promise; trusting that God was able to rise him up again from the grave.  This showed that Abraham truly feared the Lord and fully trusted in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:17-19
17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Faith produces actions of obedience in accordance of what you believe.  Thus Abraham believed God, obeyed God, and God then imputed unto him righteousness for his faith in God.

Genesis 22:12
12  And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Abraham believed God would provide Himself a sacrifice.  He knew that God would do what He had promised him.  A father of many nations through his seed Isaac.  He put forth actions of obedience to God.  This was how faith was made perfect.  It is one thing to say I believe God will keep His promise.  It is another to walk up a mountain, tie your only son up, place him on an alter you made, and then take a knife and begin to strike him dead.  It was the obedient actions of faith taken that made faith complete.  Because faith without works is dead being alone.  If Abraham would have said I believe God will keep His promise, but did not obey what the Lord told him to do, His faith would have been dead and nothing more than that of words.

Let’s be sure that we are not only Hearers of the Word of God, but also Doers of the Word of God!!!

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Lord If Thou Wilt Thou Canst Make Me Clean

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Matthew 8:1-2
1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

A leper cried, “Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean!” The leper spoke of a physical corruption of his fleshly healing of his body, he suffered from a natural, physical corruption of his flesh. This desire terrified the people of Jesus’ day, there was no cure – for it was highly contagious in some cases.

People with leprosy were cast outs separated by themselves, not able to live with their families. Their very flesh rotted, their fingers fell off from rot, their toes fell off, their lips, nose, and ears rotted off. It was horrible beyond our imagination. It was a “living death”. If I were this leper and saw Jesus coming by, I too would have worshipped Him and cried, “Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean!”

Today, Church, sinners are suffering from “Spiritual Leprosy.” Spiritually in the eyes of God they are corrupt, rotten, decaying, already spiritually dead.  But Praise God, Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly.

When we hear His voice (“Jesus)” harden not your heart, “for today is the day of Salvation.”  Jesus will save and cleanse and make clean and whole all sinners who cry out to him “Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean!”

Now let me speak of us, the Church; the saved, the body of Christ, his sons and daughters.

Yes, Lord I have repented.
Yes, Lord I have been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of my sins.

And thank God, I have received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the spirit giveth the utterance! Thank you Jesus, praise your name! Hallelujah, I have been born again!

But, oh, Lord I have not been perfect since that wonderful day of Salvation. I  have fallen short. I have failed. I have sinned. Church we have fallen short, we at times have failed, we are guilty of sin!!

We must cry out “Son of David have mercy on me!”

Thank God for His Word, “the Bible” wherein lies our Salvation our hope.

I John 1:5-10
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Then this is the message, verse 9, If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is after being saved, being born again!

I John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

We have an advocate.
He is our propitiation for our sins.
Walk as He walked.

Matthew  8:3
3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him “the leper”, saying, I Will Be Thou Clean, and immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Church today; right now, Jesus is stretching out his hand to the sinner and to us the saved, saying come; repent. I will be thou clean!

Lesson written by Perry Harris.

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