YOU CAN BE SURE : I Jn 5:7-21 (key verse 13)
1. of your ‘Fellowship’ with God through Jesus Christ (1:3)
2. that you ‘Know” Him by obeying His commands (2:3)
3. that we are ‘in Him’ by keeping His word (2:5)
4. that we are ‘His children’ by loving others (3:10,14,19)
5. of ‘ the truth’ by the anointing of the Holy Spirit (2:20,21)
6. to appear (be) ‘like Him’ by purifying yourself (3:2,3)
7. that we are ‘His children’ by loving others (3:10,14,19)
8. that you ‘have eternal life’ by your faith in Christ Jesus (5:13)
(if….walk, keep & do my commandments)
1. Plenty (vs.5): De 30:9, in every work: Pr 3:10- overflowing
(grace- Jn 1:14,16) Ps 23:5, Super abudance, Ps 16:11- joy
2. Peace (vs 6) : Ps 29:11- (bless), 119:165 ( great peace), Is 26:3(perfect)
safety & security(ps 4:8), Jn 14:27(my peace), Ph 4:7 (all
understanding)
3. Power (vs 7) : Mic 3:8( courage over sin); Zec 4:6( mightier than physical),
Ac 1:8 (power of the Spirit) Ac: 4:33 (authority)
Ro 8:37, I Jn 4:4 (through the indwelling Christ)
Eph 4:30 (sword- word of God), Eph 6:12 (sp. Battle)
4. Presence (vs 11): Deut 20:1, Ex 33:14, (confidence, courage), Is 43:2 (comforts),
Mt. 18:20(even to small groups), Ge 28:15, (pilgrimage of life)
Mt. 28:20 (unto the end)
· Eligibility or the ground for all these blessings is to be delivered out of the Egyptian bondage. No blessings in Egypt.
(Not a businessman who is a Christian)
I Cor10:31 – do all to the glory of God-
-(Something (light & Salt)- emanating from the Christian to others)
-I Jn 5:3- to obey God’s command is to love Him.
-Mt. 28:19- great commission – the command –‘ Make disciples’ (not go, baptize, teach) these are articles that relate to
- - Priscila & Aquila- tent makers (MTS- Missionary Tent making Serving Asia)
Battle of the mind:- (II Cor 10:3-5)
The strongholds enemy establishes in our minds:-
1. 1. Doubtful mind – Lk 12:29 2. 2. Sorrowful – Deut 28:65 3. 3. Chaffed- 2 Sa 17:8 4. 4. Hardened- Ex 7:22 5. 5. Despiteful- Ex 36:5 6. 6. Blind- II Cor 4:4; Rev 3:18 7. 7. Vain- Eph 4:17 |
8. 8. Earthly – Phil 3:19 9. 9. Shaken – 2 Thess 2:2 10. 10. Carnal- Rom 1:28; 8:7 11. 11. Fleshly – Col 2:18 12. 12. Highminded- 2 Ti 3:4 13. 13. Defiled- Tit 1:15 14. 14. Faint- Heb 12:3 15. 15. Doubleminded |
· · Demonic man in his right mind(Mk.5:15)
· · As a man thinks so is he (Prov. 23:7)
· · God wants to change into-
1. 1. Girded- 1 Pe 1:13 2. 2. Armed – 1Pe 4:1 3. 3. Renewed- Rom 12:2 4. 4. Sober- Tit 2:6 5. 5. Pure- 2 Pe 3:1 |
6. 6. Willing- 2Cor 8:12 7. 7. Stayed(focus)- Is 26:3 8. 8. Same (one)- Rom 12:16 9. 9. Humble- Phil 2:5 10. 10. Sound- 2 Tim 1:7 |
Weapons for pratical use:-
1. 1. Sword of the Spirit (word)- Eph 6:17
2. 2. Praise (thanking always) – Ps 149:6-9, I Thess 5:18
3. 3. Prayer life- Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6
4. 4. Daily walk in Spirit (submission)- Gal 5:16
5. 5. Controlling thought life – Phil 4:8-9
(thoughts)- thinking positive, wholesome thoughts.
- filling with the word of God;Ps 119:11
(focus) – waiting on the Lord- looking to Him- Heb 12:1
* Guard your mind- Pro 4:23
1. 1. Condition of Bartimeus- blind & begging
2. 2. Chance- last chance Jesus passing that way
3. 3. Cry- for mercy making effort, asking
4. 4. Compassion- Jesus stood still – His care & concern
5. 5. Call- Jesus called him when others objected
6. 6. Cast away garment- confidence in Jesus
7. 7. Came to Jesus for healing (conversion)
8. 8. Choice- chose the sight- need (real)
9. 9. Cure by faith (new creation)
10. 10. Continued with Jesus- followed Him (consecration)
Compared to Disciples life after Pentecost- the difference in their lives.
1. 1. The presence of God was very real in their lives.
2. 2. The power of their witness to penetrate people’s hearts.
3. 3. The purity of their lives.
4. 4. The perspective of the things around them
5. 5. The participation by involvement.
NEW BOTTLE FOR NEW WINE :- Lk 5:1-39
1. 1. New conviction (1-11);- doing out of love- wholly.
2. 2. New cleansing (12-15);- a testimony to show.
3. 3. New power (18-26);- of forgiveness to rise.
4. 4. New desire (27-32);- to please the Lord.
“BORN AGAIN”- Characteristics of those born again:- I Jn 5
1. 1. Believes (faith – saving/ transforming) in Christ.
2. 2. Loves God & His people – in action
3. 3. Obeys God’s commands joyfully.
4. 4. Overcomes- is victorious over the world
5. 5. Witnesses to the eternal life.
6. 6. Prays & confidence – according to His will
7. 7. Lives free from sin- character/ conduct.
8. 8. Spiritually understands- because of Christ.
CHURCH AS A BUILDING/ TO BE BUILT UP:-
Mat 16:18-19; I Pe 2:4-10; I Cor 3:10-17; Eph 2:20-22; 4:15-16.
1. 1. Plan – according to the grace of God- (Ro 8:28-29)
2. 2. Foundation- Lord Jesus Christ (Lk 6:46-49)
3. 3. Builder- Lord, His servants,
4. 4. Labourers- together with God.
5. 5. Materials- quality
6. 6. Methods- Divine
7. 7. Testing- to last, remain.
Personally- 2Tim 3:16; Ro 14-19; 15:2.
Family- Eph 5:29; I Pe 3:1-9
Church- Ac 20-32; I Cor 14:3,26; II Cor 10:8
DELAYED BLESSINGS TEST FAITH:- Psalm
130
Psalm 130:6 :- My soul waits for the Lord more than watchman wait for the morning.
Psalm 40:1 :- I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
* Divine delays test man’s courage & patience.
* A delayed :- Birth of a son – Gen 15:2-5
many years waiting – Gen 21:2 ; Lam 3:23- Great is His faithfulness
Sacrifice provided – Gen 22:8-14
Victory (seven days marching)- Josh 6:12-20
Messiah- Gen 3:15; Lu.2:25-30
Healing- Mat.15:22-28
Relief & Resurrection – Jn 11:6,32,43,44
Gift of the Spirit- Lu 24:49
Deliverance – Ac 12:5-7
Escape- Ac.27:20-44
James 5:7- Be patient, therefore, brethren...
God blessing Jacob at Peniel.
Introduction:- Jacob was a man of blessings- received from mother, father & uncle too. Not satisfied – only materially, earthly prospered.
- Needed God’s blessing- to change him totally.
- God blesses to changes us totally & spiritually.
- Man can receive as well as forfeit divine blessings.
- First blessing pronounced upon Adam & Eve to be fruitful (Ge-1:28)
- blessing repeated to Noah (Ge.9:1)
- Abraham blessed by God – 7 fold-(12:2), passed on to Isaac (26:3)
- Isaac blessing Jacob (27:27)- obedience was the conditions.
- God’s blessing doesn’t depend upon our resources etc. but it supercedes all. Eg. Widow’s meal, lad’s lunch, Peter’s
fishing etc.
- certain conditions have to be met to receive God’s blessings.
- In the Old Testament the blessings are mostly related to long life, wealth, health & victory in battles, plenty of food etc. all
temporal.
- But in the New Testament the focus is on spiritual & eternal life- others follow.
- In Eph 1:3- already blessed in every spiritual blessings- first salvation then all.
(Rom 8:28; Col 2:10; James 1:17; II Pe.1:3)
- ‘Blessing” is above our ability/ understanding, more than or capability, abundance, full)
- Need to realize & claim these blessing by faith & prayer
- Here, blessings for Jacob is peace & assurance of protection against his brother Esau.
1. Emptying necessary:- Gen 32: 22-23- Jacobbole= to pour out.
Jacob left everything- empty yourself- no blessing till its done. }
e.g. Abraham’s love for Isaac- emptied – God blessed. } separation
Noah- earth emptied of the evil- blessing came afresh. }
Peter- left all- What have we? Jesus said- all ye have’ –Mt 19:27-30 }
2. Encounter face to face with God:- personal encounter. Gen 32:24
- keep yourself open to God- daily appointment with God. }
- Jesus alone with God in prayer- Mt.14:23; Lk.22:41 } seclusion
- self-examination God looks into us as individuals. }
3. Wrestling (Preserving) prayer:- till the breaking of the day. Gen 32:24
Struggle-fight to finis, organize, travail in prayer. }
- let me not be weary- in due season we’ll receive. –Gal 6:9 } steadfast.
- hope to the end.- I Pe.1:13 }
- Abraham seeking the Lord’s mercy for Lot.- Ge.18:32 }
4. Humility accepted:- Gen 32:25. became weak. When we are weak, then we are strong.’ Earthen vessels’ Humility comes
before exaltation.
II Chron 7:14- humble themselves & pray then I’ll hear & heal. }
I Pe.5:5-7- humble yourselves. } subjection
II Cor. 12:9- Paul- when I am weak, then I’m strong. Jesus example- Phil 2. }
5. Prevailing prayer:- Gen32:26- taking hold of God’s power.
‘Except thou bless me’ – becoming desperate with God.
- committed to nothing short of God’s blessing.
- he wept & made supplication to God- (Hosea 12:4)
- Moses prayer for Israel- (Deut.9:18)
- Elijah prayed- (James 5:17)
6. True confession :- not only accepting, but confessing the sin is important.-accept as & who we are before God.
“I’m Jacob” (before Esau)- now Jacob- the sup planter (taking the place of others).
“I’m the chief of sinners (Paul –I Tim 1:15)
7. Total change:- no more Jacob- but “Israel”- Prince.
Believing in Jesus – makes ‘Son’s of God’ (Jn.1:12) Kings & Priests (Re.1:5,6)
In Christ everything new (II Cor.5:17)- Purpose-why?; Perspective- how?, Personality- what?
8. Spiritual desire:- to know Him, your name, Lord?
- He’s altogether lovely (songs of Solomon 5:16)
- that I may know Him (Phil.3:10)
-His name shall be called- wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace (Is.9:6)
9. Enlightened life:- ‘Sun rose after God blessed him’
- all the time Jacob ‘ in dark’
- Paul’s prayer for enlightenment –Eph 1:18
* Peniel- Face of God.
At Peniel-there is blessing
Come to Peniel- get a vision of God.
-Look into your lives & measure with the Word of God.
1. Humbled/ weakened (vs 25)
2. Hungered/ desired (vs.26)
3. True confession (vs.27)
4. Changed (vs.28)
5. Spiritual desire to know Him (vs.29)
1. Face to face with God – Intimate communion
2. Salvation- life preserved
3. A new life began (sun rose)
4. Humility
5. Peace (with Esau)
Characteristics of prayer:-
1. Pouring out prayer :- (vs.22) – Jabbok- to pour out.
2. Pre-emptying Prayer :- (vs.23)-‘sent them over’- emptied all.
3. Personal prayer :- (vs. 24)- left alone
4.Perserving prayer:- (vs.24) until down.
5. Prevailing prayer :- (vs.25).
The Lord Jesus Christ visited Bethany 8 times. He never once stayed overnight in Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives and Bethany are side by side. On each occasion, after healing or teaching or performing miracles in Jerusalem, He would return to Bethany or Mount of Olives in the evening.
* Bethany means ‘house of figs’
Figs speak of health- 2 Kings 20:7; I Sa.30:12
Figs are part of the normal diet of the Jews.- I sa.25:18; I Chron.12:38-40
Bethany a house of figs is also house of health.
His first visit: Lk 10:38-42- He came to show them their true condition. Peter’s condition revealed & changed.
Jn 1:35-42; Lk.4:38,39; Lk.4:40,41
1. The Master’s motive.
2. Resurrection Power:- Jn.11:3- He was called to visit Bethany. (Phil 3:10; 4:11-13) To let the family see for themselves how
the power of resurrection might come into them. Jn.11:44- Loose him and let him go.
We all need fellowship- one another.
3. Christ the head:- Jn.12- they made Him the Head of their home.
Five simple divine principles for a triumphant life, a happy home and a living church.
a. We must go to Him for everything & get His approval for all our plans.
b. We must seek the daily appropriation of the power of resurrection for all our needs & problems & trials.
c. We must have fellowship & be subject to the word of God.
d. There must be joyful service.
e. True devotion & worship with humility & gratitude.
4. The kingship of Christ:- Mark 11. Lord Jesus entering Jerusalem from Bethany on an ass & colt.
The joy came from Bethany (small place) & continued into Jerusalem.
5. Partnership with Christ:- Mark 11:11- so share His burden with them.
6. Place of rest for the Lord.-Mark 11:19- after cleaning the temple.
7. The Exaltation of Christ- Mark 14:1-9; Mathew 26.
Mary anointing the Lord’s feet with precious ointment.
- how the Lord is exalted & magnified as one who is far more precious than anything else. (I Pe.2:7; Rev 5:12)
8. The second coming of Christ:- Luke 24:50
i. wait for God’s time.
ii. be governed by the Holy Spirit (Ac.1:5) & led only by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)
iii obey Him (Acts 1:7)
“You will have no power at all against me, except, it were given to you from (GOD) above”
(JOHN.19: 11)
‘There was given tome a thorn in the flesh (2COR 12:7)
The ills of life turn into angels of blessing if we remember God is in them. His permissions, which mean great trial to us, head us to places of benedictions.
1 The bow of promise is seen in the dark cloud of judgment (GEN9: 13)
2 The story of pillow of Bethel is the forerunner of the ladder to the story (Gen28: 11,12)
3 The binding of moriah is followed by the raising from the dead (Heb11: 17-19)
4 The 7yrs of service is rewarded by the acquisitions of Rachel (Gen29: 28)
5 The backside of the desert in the prelude to the burning bush of revelation (Exodus3:1,2)
6 The fiery furnace reveals the succouring Saviour ( Dan3:25)
7 And Gethsemane is crowned by Olivet (Heb5:7l; 2:9)
The roll of the tides takes the roughness from the stones and makes them smooth.
BIRTH OF JESUS
HOW VARIOUS PEOPLE RESPONDED TOTHEBIRTHOF THE SAVIOUR, LORD JESUS CHRIST:
(THE REACTIONS & RESPONSES OF THE PEOPLE ):-
JESUS=( Heb)JEHOSHUA=YASHUA =THE SALVATION OF JEHOVAH (OSHEA=SALVATION
1) Angels Heavenly Messengers with Revelation 2 Cor.5:20 |
Lk.1:28-30 ; Mat:20,21 Lk .2:13-14 |
Praised God, Rejoiced. Proclaimed to Mary, Joseph &shepherds |
|
2 Mary: Surrender/Dedication |
Lk1:29,34,38,46-55 Lk 2:19,33 |
Behind (Angels words) Dedicated herself , Worshipped God , Marvelled , Cooperated with God &Joseph . |
|
Joseph : Responsibility cooperating with God |
Mat.1:18 –19,24-25 Lk2:33 |
Believed (Angels word ) Obeyed (recepted Mary ) Cooperated with God Fullfilled his responsibility |
|
Shepherds Proved &Proclaimed |
Lk2:15-16,20 |
Instant obedience Faith in angels words Planned,Proceeded, Proved ,Praised, &Proclaimed |
|