TEACHINGS

APRIL 2020 - Scroll down...

12th

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Jesus – our atonement, our redeemer, our deliverer.
Jesus – who went willingly to the cross to give up His life (life-blood) for us.
Standing in our place He endured the punishment of death to pay for our sins and iniquity.
And with His last breath…as Jesus gave up His life.
He declared before God and all eternity,
Jn 19:30 “IT IS FINISHED”.

And in Jesus we are reborn into freedom. Freedom from the condemnation and shame of who we were (living in sin, the world, and the flesh) for we have been bought with Jesus very blood.
And in Jesus we are no longer alone for we have been filled with the Holy Spirit…who is our comforter…guiding us in all (truth).
And in Jesus (no longer are doubting) but believing in Him…we enter into His salvation…and doing so we are now justified by God for believing in Jesus and what He has done for us.

For Jesus our Lord and Savior has made a way. For He has (Rev 5:5) “overcome” and He alone is (Rev 5:12) “worthy”.
Jesus is our resurrection and life and we come into salvation in Him and can obtain salvation in only Him for there is no other way. And in Jesus we have life (life eternal) for death no longer has a right or a hold on us.
Jesus was victorious over death and so we too become victorious over death when we enter into salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
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Let’s look at Jesus’ eternal victory.
Jesus had been crucified on the cross at Calvary on Friday and He was laid in the grave-tomb, and Jesus body lay in the now sealed tomb on Saturday (the Sabbath Day), and on the morning of the third day (the first day of the week – what we now call Sunday) we find the women, who had been preparing, about to go forth and visit the tomb very early at daybreak’s first light…

Luke 23:55 …the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Lk 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” NKJV
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“THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST”

There is victory at the cross,
Atonement has been made for our sins through the blood of Jesus,
We have been ransomed and redeemed,
The price has been paid,
But there is power in the resurrection!
For the empty grave brings freedom from death & fear,
A freedom known only to the Christian,
One who has chosen to lay down their life and fully take hold of Jesus as their savior.
And having done so everything in their life changes.
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To repeat what I have said,
Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross at Calvary,
The ultimate sacrifice made – with His own life, and His own blood,

But then Jesus rose from death & the grave.
And thus resurrected – He led the way to victory & freedom:

Away from the darkness of despair – and into the light of His eternal hope.
Away from the dungeon of fear – and into the freedom of joy – a joy full of glory.
Away from the cold constricting grip of death – and into the His blessing and promise of life eternal with Him.
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1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us
to be born again to a “living hope” through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. NAS

We have not just been saved into a thing of nothing. We have been saved into a “living hope”.
Those who are in Christ Jesus, those who have asked Him to be their savior.
Such ones are covered by His blood, and do not have to live in fear nor be afraid of death any longer.
For they are now living in the power of Jesus resurrection “the power of Jesus resurrection!”
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Let me explain…
That day on the cross – death arrived on the scene as Jesus gave up His spirit and cried out “it is finished!”
Jesus was dead – verified by the Roman soldiers (spear)…death put his claim on Jesus – and at that moment satan thought he had won – for the son of god was dead…but what satan did not conceive of nor comprehend…..

When Jesus died on the cross…the complete ransom price for the sin of mankind, was immediately paid with His blood,
Jesus in death was victorious!!!…for all mankind who would take Him as their savior.

But all was not yet complete…for something extraordinary happened…something satan and death and the grave had not anticipated.
Jesus rose from death and the grave into life. Jesus had no sin within Him.
satan had no place of accusation against Jesus.
He could not hold Him…death and the grave had no right to hold Jesus and on the third day – just as Jesus had prophesied.
On the first day of the week – that morning at daybreak – a new beginning for all eternity took place…

JESUS ROSE TO LIFE!!! Resurrected from death to life (resurrected to life eternal)
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Today – when death sees someone who is saved – reborn in Christ Jesus
death does not see that person
death sees only the perfect blood of Jesus that now covers that person
And death must pass-over them
And death cannot claim them
For death has no hold on them
For they have been saved and born again into life eternal in the salvation bought with Christ Jesus own blood
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Rev 12:11 And they (have) overcome (satan) by the blood of the Lamb NKJV

For the saved Christian, who professes Jesus as their savior, has been covered in the imperishable blood of Jesus.
Blood that was spilled for each one of us at the cross.
Such saved ones have become spiritually eternally immortal in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Cor 15:54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
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Consider this…
That day on Calvary Jesus was very near the end of His physical life when He cried out…

Lk 23:46 “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit”

And so each saved Christian has also done the same…
When we finally came to end of ourselves in this present world hopelessly trying to justify ourselves before God,
And we finally cry out, “Lord save me!” And Jesus answers…..and calls us into His salvation.
And at that moment…We walk away from who we were…and begin our journey into who we are to become…For we have chosen to take Jesus as our savior…And at that moment…we are reborn and become people of a different kingdom that is not of this world.

And like Jesus that day on the cross…We too have committed our spirit into God’s hands in Jesus…Placing all of our hope in the promise of salvation through Jesus sacrificial blood on the cross of Calvary…And the power of His resurrection from death to life!!!
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Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ and “experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead”…..NLT

We can live this way – becoming delivered into the full power of the resurrection.
Jesus victory is complete – it is a finished work!
Fear and death have been conquered…In Jesus – forever!

Eph 1: 20 ……. {GOD} raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. NKJV

Christians can live in overcoming victory – in Jesus resurrection power…The doorway has been opened…The stone of resistance…..That had blocked our way has been rolled away forever…By Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior and King!

We overcome by the saving blood of Jesus the worthy Lamb of God
But [as given in Rev 12:11] we also overcome by the word of our testimony (our living witness before all eternity) as we live out our lives each day in Jesus’ resurrection power

(Unfortunately the audio recording posted on the Website ends here)

For we are testifying through our lives that:
the grave no longer has a hold on us,
hopeless despair no longer has a hold on us,
unbridled fear no longer has a hold on us,
the darkness of death no longer has a hold on us,
satan the devil no longer has a hold on us,
for we are now living each day in Jesus Resurrection Power!!!
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To close…..
Jesus words spoken to Martha shortly before He raised Lazarus from the grave…..

John 11:25 Jesus said to her… (Lazarus’ sister Martha) “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? ” NAS

And these words of Jesus were directed to Martha that day…But the question He asked her is also directed to each one of us to consider on this “Resurrection Day”

Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
Have you asked Jesus to be your savior?
If Jesus is your savior, are you living each day in the power of His resurrection?

Prayer:
Jesus – thank you for Your sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus – thank you for Your saving blood.
Jesus – thank you for Your empty grave.
Lead me today into the full power of Your Resurrection, that I may overcome all fear and become a living testimony of Your eternal victory, freedom, salvation and hope.
In Jesus name, Amen
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Sunday, April 19 “The Christian Walk in Jesus”

Heb 12:28-13:3 Follow through these verses with me and renew your hope and life in Jesus.
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Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken…
The kingdom of Jesus cannot be shaken
He has gone to the cross for all of us

And on that cross

He gave up His spirit and declared:

John 19:30 He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.

But then Jesus was resurrected from the grave

From death to life

And then He ascended on high…

Acts 1:9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; 11 and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

And Jesus now sits at the right hand of His father in heaven…

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Rom 8:34-35 Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

And God gave Him a name, which cannot be shaken…

Phil 2:9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When we come to Jesus and repenting we ask Him to be our savior, we are covered by His blood, we are given His name, and become part of His kingdom, which cannot become shaken – and having been born again (made new) we begin to understand Paul’s declaration…

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Eph 1:20 [For God] raised Jesus from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

But even more – much more – for the promise of an overcoming life lived here is expanded with the promise of Jesus who will one day return as our King and Lord who reigns over all…

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

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Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom, which cannot be shaken…let us show gratitude NAS (let us be thankful NIV) (let us have grace KJV)

And let us choose to…

Ps 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving!

And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

5 For the LORD is good;

His loving kindness is everlasting,

And His faithfulness to all generations.

Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving…

Christians – if they are truly showing gratitude (thankfulness) to the Lord

should be the ones in any group

no matter where we are at, that make the difference,

they are the salt and light, the flavoring of love, the aroma of Christ Jesus

that changes the very spiritual atmosphere within a place

and when Christians do so they drive out satan the devil and his evil ways…

And as we begin to live in such a way…let us show gratitude,

By which we may offer to God an acceptable service…

Now we may be thinking I thought I was saved by grace through faith, not works…Yes you are correct…

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

Yes “grace through faith” is a true statement – but we also need to continue to read on for in the same passage for there is more…

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works”, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

James 2:26 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

And not just works lifted up from within ourselves towards God,

but expressed outwardly towards others who are around us…

For God is vastly concerned with our relationship and fellowship towards Him

But GOD is also genuinely concerned with how we as a part of His family in Jesus – who wear His name – express ourselves towards others – whether saved or not saved

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Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom, which cannot be shaken…let us show gratitude

…”by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; (Godly fear)

When we realize who God is and who we are before Him

And what He has done for us

When we fully grasp such a spiritual revelation

Very quickly – how we look at our place before God will change

God will no longer just be an idea or a concept (out there somewhere)

He will become our friend – a true and trusted friend…

One we would not want to let down or disappoint

And when we have come to know God in such a way

We will begin to understand the possibilities of such a friendship

and what we have in Christ Jesus our savior

And soon the joy of our discovery of Jesus will rise up within us

Like a passionate fire

And we will want others to also know what we have found

That they too would come to know God’s love and care in Jesus

That is…those around us – who are lost and suffering with no hope or mercy

because they have no savior (they do not know Jesus) and neither do they know God…

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Heb 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Just as we see in Jesus Rev 1:14 …His eyes were like a flame of fire…

And as He declared…

Luke 12:49 {Jesus said} “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!

What sort of fire is Jesus referring to here?

The fire of His gospel (Jesus good news) about His salvation and the fire of His love

the fire of His hope and mercy going out everywhere.

A fire and a presence that cannot be put out

and continues to burn and increase around the world in places hungry for Jesus

John the Baptist declared…

Matt 3:11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus desire is for us to come into a place

That He is the cornerstone of our lives,

and that we would choose to live for Him and His kingdom – first in all we do

(let me backtrack for a moment) Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude,

by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

How do we show this “gratitude”, this thankfulness towards God?

What acceptable service are we to offer-up and how do we accomplish doing so?

We will look at three (3) in the verses ahead

Things all of us are to be doing each day – everyday in our Christian life

Things given to us by God – things which will give each one of us an eternal witness before God and before Mankind

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Heb 13:1 Let love of the brethren continue.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Again, Jesus declared John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

And again – a third time Jesus declared John 15:17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

We are to Love God – but we are to also love others (neighbors) as ourselves

Mark 12:31 “…’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

But the full blessing God receives from us is when we not only love Him

But to also love others in the same way God loves mankind

For God gave up His son for mankind

and God is blessed when we die to ourselves and love others as He loves them

Matt 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven

Make a personal choice to honor God in all you do and choose to react in a way that is contrary to the response the world around would expect and say is ok and even justified.

When we do so we are…

James 2:8 …fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”

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Heb 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

We are to reach out to others…….

In the parable of the Good Samaritan – the Samaritan demonstrated the love of one to his neighbor

by helping the stranger along the road.

A thing which demanded much effort and cost in time & money

And the Samaritan had nothing to gain from such a thing

other than to be pleasing to God.

And so with us when we help others along the way…

we become a blessing to the kingdom of God and perhaps even entertain angels – why angels?

Because God can trust us to be faithful to take care of them as He sends them out even as…

Abraham entertained the angels,

Lot invited them into his home,

Consider this in your own lives – will God find you doing the same?

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13:3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

There is a terrible consuming trap many fall into.

One of unholy judging of others…casting judgement by making comparison to ourselves.

Such as: Why can’t they be… – or –

what is their problem… – or –

they ought to do this or that, and on and on and on

For example…judgment is often cast on “women in abuse” who are terrified to leave and “men in abusive jobs” they cannot quit

Such ones do not need judgement but prayer and encouragement and a kindling of hope

Other persons problems we can easily see,

And many of the problem’s others have – we probably would never have

and yet – unfortunately – many Christians fall into the trap of unholy judgment

measuring others by their own standards of measurement

Instead of extending and releasing mercy & kindness & love and prayer in Jesus name and for His kingdom

I always wonder if the one who will readily cast judgment – would do as well as the one who is suffering

if they had to change places and live in one another’s life contending with the same conditions

Beware!!! – It is easy to fall into the trap of unholy judgment

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To Close: we begin to make a “Christian Walk in Jesus” when we remembered what Jesus was anointed to do. For when we are reborn into salvation in Jesus, in His image we also are anointed to do the same.

Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” NKJV

Choose this day (and the days ahead) to make the remainder of your life a “Christian Walk in Jesus”. Amen