John 9:2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Apparently tradition in the Jewish culture had it that if you had some type of physical disability it was because there was a history of sin in you or your family. It is interesting that they would presume that they were without sin, after all, they didn't have a physical disability. We see this type of confusion in the story of Job , and we certainly see it today. There are preachers in the word of faith movement today that will tell you that you are not rich, or you are not healed because you don't have enough faith. Of course, if you send them more money then your faith will increase to the level needed to be rich, or be healed.
Jesus makes it clear that this is not the issue:
John 9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Talk about being predestined! This man was predestined to bring Glory to God through Jesus healing him. Jesus wasn't suggesting that the family was sinless, He was saying that their sin had nothing to do with his ailment. But, like everyone else in the world, he was created to bring God Glory. Not everyone will bring God Glory in this life, but whether it be in this life when people see what God has done in your life, or in eternity when God pours out His wrath on the non-believers; either way God will be glorified.
John 9:8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"
As I read this today I couldn't help but draw a parallel between this man who was physically blind his entire life and begged for help, and those that are spiritually blind and seeking The Truth. Until they encounter Jesus, they will not see The Truth; but if they really are thirsting for The Truth and continue to beg for It, there spiritually blind eyes will be open.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
John 9:11 He answered and said, "A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight."
It is interesting to note that Jesus could have opened his blind eyes right on the spot; but instead He calls him to an act of obedience. The man could have ignored Jesus' command and thought how silly it was that He had put mud on his eyes; or he could have obeyed. Over and over again, The Word gives illustrations, examples and commands of obedience and surrender to Jesus Christ.
John 9:16a Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." ….
Much like today, these men were so wrapped up in their religion that they were blinded to the things of God.
After the religious leaders intimidate and cross-examine him and his parents, this man raps it all up with one of the greatest statements any believer could ever make:
John 9:25 He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."
Many times you hear people say they pray, but they do not have a relationship with the only one that can answer prayer. Many times you see people on Facebook and other venues that may be going through a trial in their life and call on others to pray with them, yet they are clearly of the world. This is a very hard thing for people to hear, but the Word of God makes it clear, God does not hear the prayers of non-believers:
John 9:30-31 The man answered and said to them, "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!
31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.
The verses following this are an amazing demonstration of a person being born-again and given the Godly wisdom needed. It is also interesting to see how the “brightest minds of religion” receive his rebuke:
John 9:33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."
34 They answered and said to him, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out
Later in the chapter Jesus has another encounter with “the religious”:
John 9:41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
Verse 41 reminds me of those that, when faced with The Gospel, say, “what about those that have never heard?” We know that God is Just, and He makes a clear statement about this. If they are blind to The Gospel, indicating that they have never heard it, or don't have the ability to comprehend it, they are without sin. However, the question should not be what about those that have never heard, or can't comprehend; the better question is, what are you going to do with what you have heard. There are two things I know for sure: One; if you are reading this, you do not qualify as one never having heard. Two: The question, “what about those that have never heard” will not help you on the day of Judgment if you reject Jesus Christ in this life.
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Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Are you of the devil?....Are you sure?
John 8:21-24 Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come."
22 So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?"
23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Why will people die in their sin?
Because they are of this world
Why are they of this world?
Because they don't believe that Jesus is The Son of God, The Savior of the world, The Messiah
These people were waiting for The Messiah and although He was standing in front of them they did not believe.
Because they did not believe, they were not from above, they were NOT born again.
Because they were not born again, they could not go where Jesus was going.
Where was He going?
Back to The Father, To Heaven
Jesus said, they will die in their sin, why?
Unless you believe in Him your sin cannot be redeemed, so if you do not believe in Jesus you are still in your sin. People are only in one of two places, either they are still in their sin or they are redeemed from the consequences of their sin. In short, people are either slaves to sin, or dead to sin.
What are the consequences of dying in your sin?
You don't go to Heaven
If you don't go to Heaven, where do you go?
There are only two eternal destinations, Heaven or hell; so, if you die in your sin, you go to hell, a place of complete seperation from God, a place of eternal punishment
When Jesus pronounces you saved, what does He want from you?
Leave your life of sin, repentance
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
On our own we will fall hopeless short of leaving a life of sin, so how do we do that?
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
Abide
ABI'DE, v. i. pert. and part. abode.
abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. Class Bd. No 7.]
1. To rest, or dwell.
3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable.
4. To remain, to continue.
Who is a slave to sin?
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
That covers all of us, so how do we get out of the bondage of sin?
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
If the Son makes you free you will desire to abide in Him, this is how you know that you are born again, born of God, why is this crucial?
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Clearly, Nicodemus was confused, like many people today, look what Jesus follows up with in verse 7:
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Why don't people understand this?
John 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
So, if somebody is not born again they are not of God, who are they of?
John 8:42-44 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
22 So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?"
23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Why will people die in their sin?
Because they are of this world
Why are they of this world?
Because they don't believe that Jesus is The Son of God, The Savior of the world, The Messiah
These people were waiting for The Messiah and although He was standing in front of them they did not believe.
Because they did not believe, they were not from above, they were NOT born again.
Because they were not born again, they could not go where Jesus was going.
Where was He going?
Back to The Father, To Heaven
Jesus said, they will die in their sin, why?
Unless you believe in Him your sin cannot be redeemed, so if you do not believe in Jesus you are still in your sin. People are only in one of two places, either they are still in their sin or they are redeemed from the consequences of their sin. In short, people are either slaves to sin, or dead to sin.
What are the consequences of dying in your sin?
You don't go to Heaven
If you don't go to Heaven, where do you go?
There are only two eternal destinations, Heaven or hell; so, if you die in your sin, you go to hell, a place of complete seperation from God, a place of eternal punishment
When Jesus pronounces you saved, what does He want from you?
Leave your life of sin, repentance
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
On our own we will fall hopeless short of leaving a life of sin, so how do we do that?
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
Abide
ABI'DE, v. i. pert. and part. abode.
abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. Class Bd. No 7.]
1. To rest, or dwell.
3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable.
4. To remain, to continue.
Who is a slave to sin?
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
That covers all of us, so how do we get out of the bondage of sin?
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
If the Son makes you free you will desire to abide in Him, this is how you know that you are born again, born of God, why is this crucial?
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Clearly, Nicodemus was confused, like many people today, look what Jesus follows up with in verse 7:
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Why don't people understand this?
John 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
So, if somebody is not born again they are not of God, who are they of?
John 8:42-44 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Got Humility?
Humilty....the place of entire dependance on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of man. It is the very root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of humilty, is the root of every sin and evil.
In all heaven and earth, pride and self-exaltation are the gate and curse of hell.
The truth is this: pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
In all heaven and earth, pride and self-exaltation are the gate and curse of hell.
The truth is this: pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Illegal in 52 Countries and Counting!
Why do you think that The Message you are about to receieve is illegal in 52 countries...so far?
The answer is simple, this world is under the direct influence of Satan, the most evil being ever.
Satan knows that The Word of God is clear, if you die in your sin you will pay for that sin in hell for
eternity. Satan wants you in hell with him. The devil cannot be redeemed, there is no forgiveness
to be had for him. However, although you and I deserve hell just as much because we have broken
God’s Law, God provided a Way for our “sin debt” to be paid. God’s Word says that if we have broken
just 1 Commandment, we are guilty of all....lying, theiving, lusting, coveting, and blaspheming
(just to name a few) will condemn you forever. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God, if you believe that, and you feel the heavy hand of conviction right now...You are ready for
the Good News. If you do not see your need for a Savior, then you are not prepared to be
introduced to The Savior. However, if God is drawing you to His Son, it is time for you to know Him.
God The Father sent Jesus to the Cross of Calvary to die a brutal death. God The Father poured out
His Wrath on His Son....the very Wrath that you and I deserve, Jesus willing took upon Himself
to be the payment, the redemption, the finished work to crush Satan and sin. If God, through His
Holy Spirit has given you the understanding to believe this Good News, you are ready to pass from
spiritual death to spiritual life. When you surrender your life to King Jesus and call out to Him
for forgiveness and confess Him as your Lord saying, “no longer my will Lord, but yours be done
in my life”, that’s when you become Born-Again. Don’t buy in to the lies of this world that discredits
the term “Born-Again”....Jesus said that unless you are born-again you will not see the Kingdom of
God. This means when we receive Jesus as Our Lord He fills us with His Holy Spirit and we become
a new creation, born of The Spirit....Born Again! We will no longer desire to say, think and do things
that are not according to the will of God. When we walk, live and practice sin the Bible calls this
walking in the flesh. When you are born-again the desires of your heart will change and you will
no longer “walk in the flesh” , but in The Spirit instead”
The answer is simple, this world is under the direct influence of Satan, the most evil being ever.
Satan knows that The Word of God is clear, if you die in your sin you will pay for that sin in hell for
eternity. Satan wants you in hell with him. The devil cannot be redeemed, there is no forgiveness
to be had for him. However, although you and I deserve hell just as much because we have broken
God’s Law, God provided a Way for our “sin debt” to be paid. God’s Word says that if we have broken
just 1 Commandment, we are guilty of all....lying, theiving, lusting, coveting, and blaspheming
(just to name a few) will condemn you forever. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God, if you believe that, and you feel the heavy hand of conviction right now...You are ready for
the Good News. If you do not see your need for a Savior, then you are not prepared to be
introduced to The Savior. However, if God is drawing you to His Son, it is time for you to know Him.
God The Father sent Jesus to the Cross of Calvary to die a brutal death. God The Father poured out
His Wrath on His Son....the very Wrath that you and I deserve, Jesus willing took upon Himself
to be the payment, the redemption, the finished work to crush Satan and sin. If God, through His
Holy Spirit has given you the understanding to believe this Good News, you are ready to pass from
spiritual death to spiritual life. When you surrender your life to King Jesus and call out to Him
for forgiveness and confess Him as your Lord saying, “no longer my will Lord, but yours be done
in my life”, that’s when you become Born-Again. Don’t buy in to the lies of this world that discredits
the term “Born-Again”....Jesus said that unless you are born-again you will not see the Kingdom of
God. This means when we receive Jesus as Our Lord He fills us with His Holy Spirit and we become
a new creation, born of The Spirit....Born Again! We will no longer desire to say, think and do things
that are not according to the will of God. When we walk, live and practice sin the Bible calls this
walking in the flesh. When you are born-again the desires of your heart will change and you will
no longer “walk in the flesh” , but in The Spirit instead”
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
New Heart with New Desires
There is no greater evidence of being born again than seeing the desires of your heart changed. You can not argue with a changed life. I had a guy arguing with me about not using the Bible to prove my faith.....well....that's it.....He has changed me....the desires of my heart are different.
Collin Smith wrote a great article on this:
The Problem of the Petrified Soul
By Colin Smith
"I will take away your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) Think about it. God says your problem is that the capacities of your soul have been petrified: "You have a heart of stone, but I will give you a heart of flesh." How does this happen? How can the hardened soul be made alive again? One soul, fully aliveThink about the incarnation-God becoming man. The Son of God took our flesh, but His becoming man meant more than taking our flesh. It also meant that He assumed all the faculties of a human soul: Think about the mind of Christ, a mind that learned the Scriptures. Think about the heart of Christ that was moved with compassion. Think of the will of Christ setting his face to go to Jerusalem, submitting His will to the will of the Father as He prayed in the garden, "Not my will, but your will be done." Think about the conscience of Christ. We usually think of conscience working retroactively. You do something wrong, your conscience tells you afterwards. Jesus never knew that because He never sinned. Conscience also works proactively-like a spider's web alerting us to approaching danger. Think of the imagination of Christ, how He used parables to bring the things of heaven down to earth. Think of the memory of Christ, how on the one hand He could forgive, and how He kept affirming the goodness and faithfulness of God. How your soul can be made aliveThat is the greatest promise of the gospel-that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ comes to your soul. Think of it, the Spirit of God comes into the boardroom of your soul, and occupies that vacant seat at the table. When He comes, He comes as the Chairman of the Board. He comes to preside. When He comes, He summons the other members of the Board: "Mind," He says, "we need to get you renewed.""Heart, we need to get you changed.""Will, we need to get you redirected.""Conscience, we need to get you educated.""Imagination, we need to get you focused.""Memory, we need to get you trained." The new chairman begins to direct the members of the Board. There will still be battles in the boardroom. The Spirit of God can be grieved, but He comes as the chairman, not as the dictator. Where He is welcome, change will begin. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory..."(2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Collin Smith wrote a great article on this:
The Problem of the Petrified Soul
By Colin Smith
"I will take away your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) Think about it. God says your problem is that the capacities of your soul have been petrified: "You have a heart of stone, but I will give you a heart of flesh." How does this happen? How can the hardened soul be made alive again? One soul, fully aliveThink about the incarnation-God becoming man. The Son of God took our flesh, but His becoming man meant more than taking our flesh. It also meant that He assumed all the faculties of a human soul: Think about the mind of Christ, a mind that learned the Scriptures. Think about the heart of Christ that was moved with compassion. Think of the will of Christ setting his face to go to Jerusalem, submitting His will to the will of the Father as He prayed in the garden, "Not my will, but your will be done." Think about the conscience of Christ. We usually think of conscience working retroactively. You do something wrong, your conscience tells you afterwards. Jesus never knew that because He never sinned. Conscience also works proactively-like a spider's web alerting us to approaching danger. Think of the imagination of Christ, how He used parables to bring the things of heaven down to earth. Think of the memory of Christ, how on the one hand He could forgive, and how He kept affirming the goodness and faithfulness of God. How your soul can be made aliveThat is the greatest promise of the gospel-that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ comes to your soul. Think of it, the Spirit of God comes into the boardroom of your soul, and occupies that vacant seat at the table. When He comes, He comes as the Chairman of the Board. He comes to preside. When He comes, He summons the other members of the Board: "Mind," He says, "we need to get you renewed.""Heart, we need to get you changed.""Will, we need to get you redirected.""Conscience, we need to get you educated.""Imagination, we need to get you focused.""Memory, we need to get you trained." The new chairman begins to direct the members of the Board. There will still be battles in the boardroom. The Spirit of God can be grieved, but He comes as the chairman, not as the dictator. Where He is welcome, change will begin. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory..."(2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
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