Tue, Mar 25th - 4:36AM

Brothers and sisters, let us not forget to minister the comfort and truth of the gospel to one another and share the gospel in this present evil world as often as the opportunity presents itself, that all who believe will be saved. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ God the Son of God fill you, me, us, with joy and peace as you, me, us rest confidently in His undying eternal love and truth for He has declared: Jhn 6:37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. If anyone out there has a Saviour that will abandon them and/or a salvation that has a deal breaker clause, they absolutely do not have the true Jesus Christ, but a false one who can never save forever.

Salvation is the permanent free gift of God, not a temporary breakable deal. Therefore God calls all men to come to the true everlasting Saviour Jesus Christ of the unbreakable, irrevocable, eternal New Covenant, believe on His name and receive true eternal permanent salvation forever: Eph 1:6 - To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Immutable: irrevocable, not transposed, not to be transferred, fixed, unalterable, unchangeable: Heb 6:18.

Dearly beloveds, let us pray that all amongst us who have experienced being rejected and unloved, the bruised, and broken hearted will receive the healing virtue of God’s love which will secure them in hope, and peace with Him as they drink fully and often of the healing balm and elixir of His eternal love and truth poured out freely, continually upon His people.

Saints (G40 hagios), let us patiently return to our study to dine fully at Lord Jesus’ table to learn, understand, and receive His truth and guidance with the Holy Ghost leading us into all truth regarding the Son.

Again, we note that although John’s disciples and the Jews had a question about the issue of purifying, we see that when they actually came to him neither group asked him anything about the issue of purifying, therefore John in this instance had no reason to and did not address this issue.

Jhn 3:26 - And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

The Jews were followers of the Levites, divided and corrupted amongst various sects while John’s disciples who were dedicated with him, both were now greatly troubled-grieved, that this Jesus and His disciples were outperforming them in making disciples and men were losing interest in their respective ministries. They would be cautious with John, he was not a man to trifle with, and it seemed they feared to directly denigrate Jesus whom John had shown great approval of therefore they laid a statement before him without even mentioning Jesus by name-a subtle indication of their disapproval of Him:

SOMETIMES THE THREAT TO A MINISTRY CAN COME FROM WITHIN.

We know from scripture that God had chosen and anointed John the Baptist from the womb of His mother Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary the virgin through whom Jesus was conceived through the Holy Ghost. He would forego marriage and children; his entire life had been an intense burning zealous one-a man on fire, completely devoted to fulfilling his mission from God as the forerunner of the Messiah commissioned to preach repentance, turning men from sin to God in preparation of the coming Messiah: Isaiah 40:3;  Malachi 3:1; Luk 1:76.

However, now his mission, his life work was ending, his great ministry decreasing. He had deep admiration and fame amongst the common people and his disciples had cast in their lot and dedicated their lives into this ministry. Was this the final test of John’s faith? Would he be tempted to “fight” to keep his ministry going? Would he be tempted to agree to stop Jesus’ ministry, thus corrupting, perverting his own ministry making it just another sect that interfered with men trying to come to Christ?:

Jesus taught:  Luk 5:37

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

 Luk 5:38

But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

We are clearly forbidden by God to mix, add or subtract grace with anything. Jesus cites the issue  that some can have with with His New doctrine of Grace:  Luk 5:39

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

John answered: Jhn 3:27 - John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

In defense of the Christ, John testifies that the Christ was not operating on His own as a presumptuous usurper or competitor, but given that right and authority from God the only valid authority that can give power to men. Without God’s approval no man can receive authority nor power. Brothers and sisters, we too do well to remember that we are not in any competition, but co-laborers together focused on doing God’s will, never our own.

John the Baptist humbly recognized the sovereignty of God who gives gifts and power to do His will. Like John the Baptist as we humbly assent that only God can give men their work and power to perform it, we also will not be tempted to envy or feel inadequate towards those who have a greater or more prominent ministry, because we know it is God who can be absolutely trusted to assign all of us our work and power which He determines is for our good and His glory.

The Levites claimed that their approval/authority in God was due to genetics, along with the sects who added their higher learning, and membership in their respective sects as sealing their approval/authority with God.

Even today, holy brethren, we know that it is common for some in error to attribute their power and authority in ministry to their institutions, organizations, denominations, founders, genetics, and humanistic doctrines, various persons, which God forbids: Luk 14:11;
1 Corinthians 4:7.

Our focus is to promote the gospel message to all men, not to make a name or achieve fame for ourselves. ONLY WHAT WE DO FOR CHRIST OUT OF LOVE AND TRUST IN HIM WILL LAST FOR ALL ETERNITY.

Johns disciples and the Jews had avoided mentioning Jesus’ name. Here John states clearly the superior office of Jesus as the Christ

WARNING TO THOSE CLAIMING IN ERROR SALVATION ON THE BASIS OF BEING A FOLLOWER OF JOHN THE BAPTISTS WATER BAPTISM, WHETHER DUNKED OR SPRINKLED NEITHER IT NOR JOHN THE BAPTIST TAUGHT SAVATION WAS THROUGH HIM

Jhn 3:28 - Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him:

The Christ: Christ = anointed; Christ was [and is]¹ the Messiah, the Son of God; anointed.a

Both John’s disciples and the Jews had avoided saying the name of Jesus. Here John goes much further stating the Office of the Christ: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 Phl 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 Phl 2:11

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. See this whole chapter.

John was a tough rough man, wearing camel hair, eating locust and wild honey, on fire, totally dedicated to his mission, no time to hang out shopping for food and clothes in the towns nearby. Water was often not near the towns causing men the need to haul it to the towns in huge quantities for convenience. John called men out of their comfort zone showing proof that their desperate need for the water of this baptism could not be thwarted by any inconvenience or discomfort that they might experience in coming to it.                    

John gives a surprisingly tender, example to these two very different groups as to what our attitude should be towards Christ in a profound, heartfelt, humble, endearing final testimony showing his great love, and adoration of the Christ, understanding who he was in relationship to Christ. We can fully understand who we are only in comprehending who Jesus is and who He has made us in Himself.

 Jhn 3:29

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Jesus is the sole legal possessor of the church appointed by God and sole door by which any can enter by faith. Rather than be jealous or envious of Him, or seeing Him as a competition John confesses His deep love in being granted such intimacy with Christ-in this he was well satisfied.

We too share the deepest intimacy with Christ as children of His bride chamber. Let us also rejoice and be fully satisfied in hearing and obeying Him being invited into the deepest innermost sanctum, kept and preserved by His love and power: Luk 5:34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

We will continue, God willing with this question, which most of us know the answer: WHY DID JOHN GIVE THE SAME TESTIMONY TO HIS DISCIPLES AND ALSO TO THE JEWS WHO WERE NOT HIS FOLLOWERS?

Mon, Mar 17th - 2:31AM

Brothers and sisters, let us God’s eternal holy family of priests give abundant offerings of love, worship, thanks and praises to Jesus Christ God the Son of God whom God our Father has appointed our eternal Saviour, High Priest, and Mediator for ever and ever. He is invincible, unbeatable, and unconquerable, and worthy of worship, honor, glory, rulership, dominion, power, strength, Majesty, and splendor forever and ever world without end.

Let us pick up our Bible and actively read and obey it. We know it will not read itself. Let us not spiritually starve ourselves, or stumble due to neglect of feeding our spirits with the only food given by God our Father wherein we can be fed, sustained, grow and over time mature and be established in the faith-THIS IS THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS.

Besides private Bible study, many of us attend Sunday school and Bible study in church which is always good. However, if you have not done so invite someone to study and pray with you, on a regular basis. This can be done in person, by zoom, or phone. I love you so much holy brethren, and I thank God for your sitting together with me at Lord Jesus’ table that we can be fed by Him, in the presence of God our Father, which pleases Him, with the Holy Ghost standing by even the Spirit of Truth aiding our understanding of all things regarding the Son and salvation.

Whether we study alone or with others, dearly beloveds, the Holy Ghost is always standing by searching out our needs, and ready to minister the Word to our hearts, minds, and understanding, enabling us to obey and live by the Standard of Christ within the boundaries of the New covenant understood within the whole of scripture without error, nor any contradiction:  Jhn 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Jhn 1:13 - Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Believe:  to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with; to lean and rely on.

2Ti 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The world presents a false picture of the church as soft, weak, unstable. However, the church of Jesus Christ is eternal, strong in the power of God and armed to the teeth well able to overcome any foe whether the world, devil, creature, satanic slander: 1Jo 5:5; Rev 12:11.

Jas 2:19 - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2Co 10:4 - (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Jhn 3:25 - Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

A questioning: enquiry; a questioning, debate, a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy.

Even today, brothers and sisters, we know that some people still understand neither the baptism of John, nor the purifying with water under the Law. Some even name their buildings the Church of John the Baptist, and others naming their buildings after some mountain or Old Testament prophet in the Old testament, or combining the Baptism of John with the Law.

Let us not forget those who debate the validity of salvation based upon total immersion baptism vs sprinkling. The purification under the Law was a do or die thing: The priests had to wash themselves before entering the temple to do service or God would kill them, and Jews who sinned or under certain circumstances or incidents had to wash or be cast out of the nation if they refused. On top of this the Pharisees added their own traditions of purification which Lord Jesus declared: Mar 7:9 - And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

In other chapters in the Bible John clearly teaches the nature of his baptism because Jews under the Law were coming to receive his baptism showing its promise was superior to that under the Law, but it was only in preparation for that promised final spiritual baptism needed once only which would be available to those who put their faith in the resurrected Christ who would baptize/purify wash away all sins from them and forever seal them with the Holy Ghost, not common water.

We don’t get the impression that John the Baptist was angry that his disciples or the Jews had a question regarding purifying. Most certainly disciples should be encouraged to ask questions to ensure that they get the answers to settle any questions that they might have.

It is significant that in this instance John the Baptist never answered his disciple’s question nor the Jews question regarding purifying by water.

Jhn 3:26 - And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

In order to know how many people were getting baptized by Jesus, means either they and/or someone else was keeping count and giving out this information. The chief priests and Pharisees had heard that Jesus baptized more disciples than John, and many people believed on Jesus due to the many miracles that He did.

John’s disciples and the Jews saw the ministry of Jesus as dangerous competition that would cause the loss of their respective ministries. However, the chief priests and Pharisees came to the conclusion that they had to kill Jesus to preserve their turf: Jhn 11:48 - If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. We know the priests and their surrogates cared nothing for the nation. They were religious pimps whose sole interest was to maintain their power and wealth extorted from the people. Next, we will look at the response of John the Baptist and why his response is just as important for us today as when he first gave it so long ago.

Mon, Mar 10th - 9:22PM

Dearly beloveds, let us go to the Lord’s table, in the presence of God, the Holy Ghost standing by to guide us into all truth that we may learn, live, and grow in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ God the Son of God whom God our Father has appointed to us for these very things so graciously and freely. Jesus has left Nicodemus, and the scriptures abruptly notes Jesus’s arrival in Judaea.

Jhn 3:22

 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

Jesus never baptized anyone:  Jhn 4:2

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

The Pharisees and lawyers refused to be baptized by Jesus’ disciples:  Luk 7:30

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Jesus came to John to be and was baptized of him. Although John wanted Jesus to baptize Him, John the Baptist was never baptized: Mat 3:14-15.

According to the scriptures, Holy brethren, God commanded water baptism by John to serve two purposes:

1. To be a mechanism by which God would authenticate/ reveal that the Messiah had come and show forth absolute proof of His identity: Jhn 3:23.
2. John was given the ministry of water baptism as a forerunner of Christ to prepare and get men ready for the coming Messiah by offering them the opportunity of water baptism to publicly admit they were sinners, confess their sins and show that their hearts had turned to God as they were waiting for the Messiah to come who would take their sins away: Mar 1:4; Mar 1:8.
3. Water baptism or the baptism of John is before the atonement and resurrection and is not the same as the baptism of the Holy Ghost nor can it save anyone. All who believe in the risen Saviour receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost wherein they are eternally sealed and indwelt by Lord Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Ghost.
4. Important take aways here is that water baptism did not save anyone. Jesus did not get baptized to be saved, again, it was a mechanism commanded by God to reveal the arrival and identify of Him as the promised Messiah, and to prepare the repentant for His coming.

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

 Jhn 3:24

For John was not yet cast into prison.

John was not afraid to challenge the powerful with the truth. He castigated Herod the tetrarch for taking his brothers wife, and therefore Herod the tetrarch put him in prison and later to death:  Mat 14:3-12.

None of us should think that it will cost us nothing to preach the gospel.

Mon, Mar 10th - 9:16PM

Brothers and sisters, we know we can thank God for the multitudes of spiritually healthy churches who have been brought up on the Word of God and maintain a steady diet of the Word. Let us encourage one another daily to feed generously on the Word of God. Why does God command us to be steadfastly addicted to His gospel of His Son and Lord Jesus Christ: firstly, we know that you, me, us-no church can be equipped to grow without the Word of God, it is not going to happen.

Rom 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2Ti 3:16

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

 2Ti 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Through Jesus Christ, God the Son of God:  Eph 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ALONE IS QUALIFIED AND COMMANDED BY GOD TO ORDAIN/TRAIN/TEST SERVANT OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, AND HELP THE BODY TO MATURE- GROW, LIVE AND MINISTER THE WORD IN THE WORLD.

 Eph 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 Eph 4:13

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:

 Eph 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.  Feel free to see this whole chapter and to study on your own in many scriptures God’s teachings on the new man.

Dearly beloveds, we know that we do not grow up overnight, but with steady patience over the course of time as we learn, study, practice/apply, live and share the word of God. Praise Lord Jesus who lives in us and helps us daily. He gives His Church the servant officers and body general to partner with Him in building up His people by His word. Jesus is faithful; therefore, we have the greatest confidence that God will conform us to His image over time. We have Jesus our High Priest/ Advocate in heaven, calling us by name and praying for us before the throne of His Father, with God our Holy Spirit also continually making intercessions for us before God our Father. Therefore, let us be fully persuaded, convinced, and convicted: Phl 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 2Co 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

 2Th 2:17

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

 Heb 13:21

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Act 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

I.an overseer

1. a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent
2. the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.

Dearly beloveds, we know that God is not commanding only the overseers to feed the church, but also you, me, us the flock also:

Col 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1Th 5:11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Edify: to build (up from the foundation); to restore by building, to rebuild, repair, to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness, to grow in wisdom and piety.

We know that there are no alternatives to the Word of God wherein the church can achieve unity, maturity in knowledge of the truth love and power of God.

Unfortunately, some in error paint a wishy washy, touchy feely, warm and fuzzy picture of the Christian being a “broken sinner”, a hapless victim of their old sin nature, whom God understands and accepts that they just cannot help but sin. Their remedy is to confess to Jesus their sin and keep on doing the same sin with no real change or willingness to stop practicing the sin, mainly because they do enjoy it. The plain truth is we are forgiven people, saints, no longer sinners. God doesn’t expect us to grow on our own, but over time with His help and t that of the church as a whole we grow and gain self-control over the old man, knowing that we do not have to choose to practice any sin having the God given power over our old nature or flesh as the new man:  Rom 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Eph 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Then there are some who claim to depend only on the Holy Spirit to know the truth, not the Bible because everything is not in the Bible: however, while it is true everything that Jesus did is not recorded in the Bible He gave us all that we need to know from God in its entirety:  Jhn 15:15

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Say it with me holy brethren: GOD COMMANDS US TO TRUST THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD OF INERRANT TRUTH-FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE

God commands us to test all teachings by scripture. It cannot be said often enough that scripture interprets/teaches scripture, proves, authenticates, and backs up scripture within the context of the whole of scripture from beginning to end without error AND WITHOUT ANY CONTRADICTIONS WHATSOEVER. The word of God fully defends itself by scripture and corrects those in need of correction by scripture within the whole context of scripture.

love and truth forever, serola

Wed, Mar 5th - 4:22AM