God’s Great Capacity to Forgive
I taught you the other week about the parable of the Forgiving Father. This, you may think, is a rehash of
that, but, it is not! This goes much further than that. Although we could spend a full month studying
God’s forgiveness there are facets that I want to explore with you that I believe will help you to walk a
more closer walk with Him.
First, will God forgive us? For the answer we go to I John 1:9
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
The “we” here are the born-again Christians. This is not talking about the people outside the pail. This is
not for them. They have to be saved, first, and you DO NOT get saved by confessing your sins! You get
saved by confessing Jesus, the savior from sin, as LORD and believing in your heart that God raised him
from the dead! (Romans 10:9,10.)
As a Christian we can go to our Daddy and … oh, some of you take offense to me calling God Almighty
“Daddy.” Well who are we? Sons of God it says in Galatians 4:6, Philippians 2:15 as well as Romans and
Corinthians and the term “Abba, Father” in Galatians is a loving tender term just like “Daddy.” We can
go to our Daddy, God, and confess our sins and He WILL forgive us. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
The next question is regarding levels of sins and is there a sin that God will not forgive us for. Nope!
There is only one sin that God will not and cannot forgive a person for and that is being born-again of
the seed of the Devil and I can guarantee that nobody receiving this article is in that state. So, what
about other sins? Are there some sins that are larger than others? No, sin is sin. There are no shades of
sin with God. Let me remind you that the definition of sin is broken fellowship with God. Nothing more
nothing less.
I want to share with you a little about the great Apostle Paul, Saul was his name before he was bornagain.
Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he
had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 8:1 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against
the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions
of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
The great Apostle Paul consented unto Stephen’s death! Stephen’s only crime was being a Christian.
Paul didn’t do this once, but, many times.
Acts 9:1-18 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, wentunto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a
light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is
hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
In the orient a person would plow with oxen and have a sharp stick so if the oxen would kick the
man would hold the sharpened stick low to the legs and the ox would kick back into the stick,
hurting himself. The stick is called a “prick.” Saul was hitting out “kicking” against Jesus Christ
and it was hurting Saul.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said
unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a
vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that
he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done
to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
This is wonderful. Ananias, just a “certain disciple” arguing with the Lord! I tell you, we have
freedom of will, just like Ananias. This should be a clarion call to all those who are told not to
question leadership. Ananias questioned the Lord and I can tell you he ranks a little higher than
the guy in the pulpit.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent
me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith,
and arose, and was baptized.A murderer, a man that persecuted the Christians, a man that sent Christian men and women to their
deaths in the arena and, yet, look at verse 15 Paul – a chosen vessel unto God and Jesus Christ! Also,
look at verse 17 where Ananias says “brother Saul.” In the orient you don’t call someone brother unless
you mean it and there is only one reason for Ananias to call him “brother Saul” and that is that Saul was
born-again.
It was NOT too late for Paul. He changed his ways and went from being a murderer to a great man of
God who received the greatest revelation, the revelation of the Mystery of the One Body.
It is never too late to turn to God! Confess your sins and He WILL forgive you. What is it to confess your
sins? Just say “ God, I’m sorry for _____________.” I’ll let you fill in the blank.
How many times will God forgive us. We seem to keep blowing it, messing up, sinnin’, for all you
Southern Baptists. But, will God continue to forgive us? For that answer let’s look at Matthew 18.
Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)
21 Then came Peter to him, Jesus Christ, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Let’s take this logically. I know this is talking about people i.e. Peter and others. But, let’s work
up the chain. If we are to forgive seventy times seven would Jesus do less? No! And, if Jesus
would not do less what about God? Jesus always did the will of the Father.
The term “seventy times seven” is a figure of speech meaning never-ending. We are to always
forgive our brothers and sisters. By the way, if it is hard to forgive another it is because you have
forgotten what God forgave you for.
Let me say that I John 1:9 does not have a limitation on how many times we can go to Him for
forgiveness. It says He is faithful and just to forgive us. God is always there waiting for His sons
and daughters to return to Him.
No man rises so high that he rises above the loving arms of God and no man sinks so low, but,
that the loving arms of God are underneath him. God is always there for you and for me and He
is always ready to forgive you and welcome you back into His loving embrace.
Having Done All Stand!
In these days of political correctness, we have been taught that everything is OK. That you go along to
get along. They are even having prayers in the Christian Churches to Gods other than the One True God,.
This is not right. Tonight, we are going to look at how and why men and women of old as well as men
and women of today hazard they lives to move the Word of God.
We have many examples of people who stood to proclaim and protect God’s Word in the Bible, but, I
would like to focus on just a couple. First, we will look at how Peter was changed.
John 21:1-3 (KJV)
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this
wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in
Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They
went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
You have to build this picture in your mind. The great Apostle Peter, the one who walked on
water, who travelled and learned from Jesus Christ himself, who, also, wrought miracles and
who had seen Jesus Christ in his resurrected body. This same Peter got to the point after ALL of
teaching and experience in Christ’s presence, says to six other disciples, some being Apostles, “I
go a fishing.”
What did Peter do BEFORE he started following Jesus, before he was called to the ministry? He
was a fisherman! What he was saying was “boys I’ve had enough. I don’t know what Jesus is up
to and as for this ministry, Jesus is gone. So, I am going back to my old ways – I’m going
fishing.”
If you read further you will see Jesus comes along and gets Peter back on track for the ministry.
Now in the Gospel of John, Peter is hiding, with other disciples, behind closed doors. Because he
was afraid.
John 20:19 (KJV)
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith
unto them, Peace be unto you.
If you read the history of Peter he was always trying to be his best, but, always falling short. Fear
and doubt always getting in the way. Now look at Acts chapter two.Acts 2:14 (KJV)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of
Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Wow! What a change! In a little over a month Peter went from hiding behind closed doors for
fear of the Jews to standing up in the midst of the Jews and declaring BOLDLY Jesus Christ.
AND, he starts it out by saying “you listen to me!” What changed this man? We know it is by
free will that he is doing this, so, what changed him? There is only one thing that could have
changed Peter!
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.
THAT IS IT! On the day of Pentecost Peter spoke in tongues and at that point he KNEW beyond
a shadow of a doubt that he had the power of Christ inside! By knowing this he became a
workman together with God! (II Corinthians 6:1) On that day Peter became the man he always
wanted to be! I tell you he laid it out for those Jews that day and over Three Thousand people
were converted, born again. He changed the World by his believing.
The next person I want to look at is the Apostle Paul. Paul, unlike Peter, was a very educated
man. Trained at the feet of Gamaliel, the greatest teacher of that day. He was perfect according to
the Law and was a Pharisee, one of the highest positions in Judaism in that day. Until one day
when Jesus Christ met him on the road to Damascus. After that Paul had one purpose only.
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Because of his stand the Jews went from loving him to persecuting him.
2 Corinthians 11:24-27 (KJV)
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have
been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils
by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false
brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
nakedness.All of this persecution and suffering for ONE reason, to preach the Gospel of Christ! Now you have to ask
yourself “Why did he do it?” Why did Peter stand up in the midst of the Jews when he could have just
gone along to get along? The answer is simple. They knew what they had and they knew where their
home was and they had their priorities straight.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV)
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,
You are sealed when you do Romans 10:9,10.
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the
praise of his glory.
Ephesians 2:1-9 (KJV)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
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.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are
saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus.
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.
Romans 8:15-18 (KJV)
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.
Too many Christians believe that this life is the end all. I am here to tell you IT IS NOT! We
have so much NOW and so much WHEN CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US that we, like Paul
and Peter, should be working toward storing up treasures in Heaven by being BOLD and
speaking of the wonderful deliverance in Christ.1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
We are Christ men and women and God has chosen you at this moment in history to do what only you
can do for Him. So having done all STAND and proclaim Christ to the World.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand
Healing of a Man Born Blind
God can deliver to the uttermost and, yet, people doubt and walk away from the fountain of
living waters never getting their deliverance. Below is a story of a man born blind. He was a
man, not a child, not a teenager, but, a man. What I am pointing out is that this man was at least
twenty years old maybe thirty or forty. But even twenty years is a long time. He had lived with
the blindness from his birth. Never, in the history of the World, had a person been delivered from
being born blind. It would be easier to win all the lotteries of the World than to be delivered from
the blindness. Even when the physical eyes are healed there is another part of the equation. The
mind has to recognize what the eyes are seeing. I have read where a blind man that rode a bus for
years had an operation to repair his sight. When his eyes were healed up he, again, began to ride
the bus. But, because he had only experienced the bus from the entry door back in his blindness,
with his sight he could not see the front of the bus. So, to be healed of blindness means a lot
more than just healing the eyes themselves.
Let us now look at this great deliverance.
John 9:1-38 (KJV)
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was
born blind?
Please, read verse two again. Do you understand what exactly his disciples were asking? First,
they asked if the man sinned. Well, for the man to sin he had to have been alive. What they were
asking was from a prevalent belief then, and still is, of reincarnation. Did he sin in a previous
existence? Secondly, they asked if his parents had sinned. Every parent, that has a child that is
born with a malady, wonder if they did something wrong, if they sinned against God and that sin
was what caused the problem with their child.
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God
should be made manifest in him.
Could the man or his parents have done something so far off that he or his parents brought this
punishment on the man when he was a baby? That’s what they were asking. The man couldn’t
have sinned. He wasn’t yet born! There is no reincarnation because in Hebrews 9:27 it says that
“it is appointed to man once to die but after this the judgement.” There is no such thing as
reincarnation and Jesus closes the door on such a belief by stating “Neither hath this man
sinned.”
The parents could have sinned, but to the point that God would punish the baby for their sakes?
Never! Jesus states that they didn’t sin. All men sin, it says so in Romans 3:23, but, what is the
context? The context is punishment on the child because of what the parents did. Jesus settles it
for the disciples by telling them that it wasn’t the parents fault! “ Neither hath this man sinned,
NOR HIS PARENTS.” This should be clarion call to every father and mother that has a child
born with a malady or physical or mental impairment. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Things get
messed up.There was no punctuation in the original manuscripts, it was added much later and verse three
has a glaring error. The way it is punctuated means that God caused the man to be blind from his
mother’s womb so that Jesus Christ some twenty, thirty or forty years later could heal him. That
idea is straight from the pit of Hell. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (I John 1:15)
Light is life, light is deliverance, healing, love etc. Darkness is pain, sickness and suffering.
Verse three and four should be punctuated as follows:
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents. But, that the works of God
should be made manifest in him, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the
night cometh, when no man can work.
There should be a period after the word “parents.” So now the meaning is clear and fits with the
rest of the Word of God. “No, the man didn’t sin. No, the parents didn’t sin. But, because God
has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Because of this I must work the works of God by healing this
man blind from his mothers womb!”
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Jesus Christ was the light he was the deliverance he was the healing!
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed
the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
In the Orient, they believed that the spittle of a holy man had healing. Does this mean that every
person who is blind should have clay made from spit dabbed in his eyes? No! But, Jesus Christ
by revelation knew where this man’s believing lay. It wasn’t the spit nor the dirt that had power
in it. It was the man’s believing! The man believed! How do I know he believed? Because in the
next verse Jesus tells him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam and the man went and washed.
Believing is an action verb. The man obeyed Jesus Christ. He went and washed!
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went
his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not
this he that sat and begged?
9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and
said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them,
He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not thesabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a
division among them.
17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes?
He said, He is a prophet.
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight,
until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he
now see?
20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born
blind:
21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he
is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed
already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Fear always encases, fear always binds. It stops a person from being the man or woman they
know to be. In the time of Jesus Christ to be thrown out of the synagogue meant that you
couldn’t buy groceries, no one would talk to you. You would be totally excommunicated from
society. This fear gripped the parents so, instead of proclaiming the joy of having their son
delivered from something that had never been healed before they said “he is of age ask him.”
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we
know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that,
whereas I was blind, now I see.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it
again? will ye also be his disciples?
28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not
from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth
his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born
blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
This is the problem in pulpits today. They want to control people, they want to be the leaders
and, yet, they know not what the teach or whereof they affirm.
Rather than being happy for this man they want to accuse Jesus Christ. The reason they did this
was because this healing could impact their authority. People would stop coming to the
synagogue and start following Jesus.34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?
And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost
thou believe on the Son of God?
36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Here is a great lesson to all leadership! Until this point, Jesus Christ didn’t tell the man who he
was. He didn’t say “come follow me” or “from now on you need to come to my fellowship!” All
Jesus did was dabbed mud in the man’s eye and sent him off to wash. No commitment was
required just believing.
It should have been the greatest day in the man’s life. He was healed from an incurable illness.
You would think that everyone would be rejoicing with him. But, his parents turned their backs
on him, the neighbors drug him to the religious leadership and the religious leadership chastised
him and threw him out of the synagogue. The only one to look for him after he was cast out was
Jesus Christ!
37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
LORD I BELIEVE!
What are the burdens that hold you back what fears worries and doubts do you have? Isn’t it time
to cast off those weights and declare “LORD I BELIEVE!”
Being An Example
I want to share with you a record regarding love. When we talk of love we often quote John 3:16 or I
Corinthians 13. But, those scriptures, as much as they teach us, do not give us an example. We as
people, also, need examples.
Sermons We See
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds.
For to see good out in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
Edgar A. Guest
The record that I am thinking of is in Luke chapter eight. And, the preacher and teacher was the greatest
of all, Jesus Christ.
Luke 8:43-48 (KJV)
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians,
neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood
stanched.
This poor woman had been bleeding from the vagina for twelve years! She wanted deliverance so bad
that she spent all of her money trying to be healed. She was considered unclean by the Jewish
community. She was so desperate to get her healing she did what was socially and culturally wrong. She
pushed through the MEN to get to Jesus, women just didn’t do that, and all that she could reach through
the pushing and shoving was the hem of his garment. JUST A TOUCH! But that is all that was needed.
SHE WAS HEALED! Now this could have been all to the story, but, no. It wasn’t enough. Jesus knew it
wasn’t enough. She was healed, but, she needed more and that more is love.45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master,
the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
I told you it was tight quarters. The crowd thronged him. They were so tightly squeezed together God
calls it a press. I was in a line once that was so tightly pressed together that my feet came off the ground
and I was hovering above the ground by over a foot. That’s about the press that they had.
Peter and the disciples thought Jesus had a screw loose. In all this pushing and shoving and turmoil
everybody was touching him. They didn’t understand.
46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
The word “virtue” is the word power. Let me interject here that as a Christian you have the same power
latent within you. All you have to do is learn how to use it.
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.
Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Luke 8:47 (KJV)
47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she
declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed
immediately.
She came trembling! A person will tremble when they are afraid. This woman broke all of the social rules
of the day and now she is being called in front of all of the men AND in front of the Master himself.
This woman had all kinds of thoughts running through her head. She had to have. Breaking all the rules
and yet getting her deliverance. Was it real? Was she supposed to be healed? Did she somehow steal
her healing? What would the people think? What was the Master going to do?
48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
He said unto her DAUGHTER! Jesus Christ couldn’t have loved her any more if he had put his arms
around her! You see, in that culture a person wouldn’t say “daughter” unless they meant it. The
daughter that Jesus was talking about was a daughter of Abraham, a daughter of believing. Just this one
word told her that she deserved her healing! It put all of her doubts and fears aside and comforted her
heart. Jesus did this with all the pathos of one who truly loved.Then he ads “be of good comfort.” For twelve years this woman did everything she could to get her
healing and now she finally had it. No one could take it away. All that stood around must have wondered
at this woman who only touched the hem of the Masters garment and had him stop in his tracks. They
didn’t get their deliverance. They didn’t stop Jesus in his tracks. Why? Verse 48 has the answer “ thy
faith, the word “faith” is the word believing, hath made thee whole.
The very last thing Jesus said to this wonderful daughter of Abraham is “go in peace.” I bet that woman’s
heart soared within her. I bet she walked on cloud nine for weeks. What a tender loving record of one
woman’s deliverance.
Have you looked at the situation that Jesus was in when he stopped? He was headed to a house to raise
a girl from the dead. I don’t know about you, but, if I was headed to a house to raise a girl from the dead
I don’t know if I would have stopped to give this one woman the thing she needed to bless her life and
cement the reality of her deliverance in her heart and life.
The one thing that she needed was Love.
We can get enough criticism and negatives in less than a minute to last us a life time, but, we can never
get enough of love.
Criticism and negatives are like a saw on a tree. Enough of it will take down the mightiest oak. Love is
like the sun and spring rains which builds and heals the heart.
If we are to have an example to walk by let it be Jesus Christ. Let us walk the Christ walk and show the
world the love that only Christians can manifest.
Daniel’s Example for Us Today
I think everybody has heard of the prophet Daniel. Specifically, Daniel and the lion’s den. But, there is a
lot more regarding Daniel and what he had to stand for and against in his day. Enough so that it should
speak volumes to our ears.
Before we go to the Book of Daniel I want to explain why I am writing this article at this time. There are
many many people that are looking at this period of time as the End Times. They are concerned with
what this government might do or this or that country is going to do as well as what a group of people
might be planning. Most of us can’t do anything about what some evil doer might do. We can put extra
food or supplies away or make plans to leave the large population areas for safer climes. But, as
changing anything that someone might do we don’t have control. Daniel was like this and Daniel’s
example rings clear as to what to do.
You see, Daniel was a stranger in a strange land. As a young lad he was chosen to be trained up and to
stand in the house of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon.
Daniel 1:1-6 (KJV)
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house
of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the
vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of
the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in
knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s
palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he
drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Now Daniel stood with the God of Israel. That meant he had certain rules that he lived by, one of
these being what he ate. Now the food in the Kings palace was excellent, but, it was outside of
what God dictated that the Children of Israel should eat. So, Daniel chose to eat vegetable soup
rather than the sumptuous food of the Kings table and God blessed him and his friends for their
stand.
Daniel 1:8-16 (KJV)
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s
meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that
he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed
your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which
are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to
drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children
that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the
children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and
gave them pulse.
Daniel didn’t get involved in the politics and whims of others. Even though he was in a strange
land he chose to do what God instructed the Children of Israel to do. What about us? Are we OF
this world or just in it. We are NOT of this World. Our home is in Heaven! We are just passing
through. This doesn’t mean that we hide or remove ourselves from society. No, not at all. We are
to be shining beacons of God’s love and grace. Daniel didn’t hide, but, he stood for and with
God.
Daniel 1:17-21 (KJV)
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:
and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of
the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found
them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
While Daniel was alive he had three changes of administration, kingdoms, first was
Nebuchadnezzar, second was Cyrus and then there was Darius. In all of these Daniel and his
friends stood with and for God. These men stood steady in giving the best advise they could to
the king, but, at the same time not compromising on their commitment to God.
Now Daniels friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s stand for God got them in to trouble
with King Nebuchadnezzar. We will have to make the same kind of decisions from time to time
in lives. Do we do what people want us to do? Do we do what society dictates or do we stand for
God because He stands for you.
Daniel 3:1-30 (KJV)
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the
breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the
captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the
provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the
sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the
image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that
Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and
all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king
hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a
burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and
worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet,
flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship
the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a
burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not
thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have
made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we
are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he
will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat
the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other
garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the
flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of
the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto
his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and
said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have
no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and
said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and
come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together,
saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed,
neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have
changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any
god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing
amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their
houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Now you will notice that in verse eight that people “accused the Jews” of whom was Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego. People will always find fault with those who endeavor to walk with
and for God. But, is up to the believer as to the outcome.
The same accusers were around for Daniel, also. Always trying to find fault always trying to get
Daniel in trouble, but, they never could find a fault in Daniel. Why? Because Daniel walked with
and for God.
So now we get to the record of Daniel and the lion’s den.
All through his life Daniel never lashed out, never tried to find fault with others. He always stood
faithful to God, always gave good advice and service to the King. But, because of his stand for
God he wasn’t liked by a lot of people.
Daniel 6:1-28 (KJV)
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over
the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give
accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit
was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the
kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was
there any error or fault found in him.5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it
against him concerning the law of his God.
6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King
Darius, live for ever.
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the
captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that
whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall
be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to
the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows
being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and
prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his
God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not
signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days,
save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is
true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the
captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh
his petition three times a day.
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart
on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of
the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be
changed.
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now
the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver
thee.
17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his
own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning
Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of
musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king
spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest
continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:
forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done
no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up
out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found uponhim, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they
cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the
mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;
Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God
of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who
hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
To Daniel did it matter what the evil doers of that time were plotting? To Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego did it matter what the King was doing or that people were waiting to accuse them,
the people knowing that it was a matter of adhering to the commandments of God or of men?
The answer is simple “No” it didn’t matter to Daniel nor to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
how bad things got. They made a commitment to God and they stood.
It is up to us. Do we look around at the circumstances or do we STAND with and for the One
True God?
The God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is the same God then that He is today.
However, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were servants of God you and I are sons of
God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have much more potential, much more power and
much more authority than they did. We too can stand with and for God in this day and time.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t bow to the whims of man and God saw to it that they
didn’t burn. Daniel didn’t buckle in his commitment to God and because of his stand with and
for God, because of his BELIEVING he was delivered.
Let me leave you with Psalm 2. According to Psalm 2 God has everything in hand even if we
don’t know how. “Blessed are all they that put their trust in God.”
Psalm 2:1-12 (KJV)
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD,
and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I
begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the
earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a
little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
YOUR PASS KEY TO HEAVEN
Tonight I want to lay down for you, once and for all, HOW you get to Heaven. With NO if, ands or
buts about it. This is a paper on baptism and the way of God more perfectly.
You can only go as far as you have been taught. The Ephesians had this problem in the first century
and we are still faced with the same issue today.
The Ephesians were good, honest sincere people. Their instructor at the time was a silver tongued
orator, named Apollos, that was giving his all for Christ, but, he hadn’t been taught the greatness
of the revelation given to the Apostle Paul.
We are going to start our journey in Acts.
Acts 18:1-4 (KJV)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife
Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation
they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
So, Aquila and Priscilla spent time with Paul. While they spent time with Paul what do you think
they talked about? The revelation of the Gospel of Christ given to the Apostle Paul, that’s what
they talked about! Talk about an education, Wow! This couple was on the fast track to the knowledge
of the Grace Administration. Some of the points of that administration are; We are saved by grace
not of works lest any man should boast. The Christian is a child of God. Greater
is he that is in you than he that is in the world. To name just a few.
Acts 18:18-21 (KJV)
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren,
and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea:
for he had a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and
reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem:
but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
So, Aquila and Priscilla travelled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus and then Paul left, leaving
Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus.
Acts 18:24 (KJV)
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus.
You’ve got to see this in your mind! This couldn’t be better if it were written today. Aquila and
Priscilla are there. Apollos is there. The tension is building! What is going to happen? This is
so… so human!
Acts 18:25 (KJV)
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and
taught
diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
What is the baptism of John??
Matthew 3:1-6 (KJV)
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and
his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
John’s baptism was a baptism of water! Good ole’ fashion dunkin! I was sprinkled… Ha! You know
there are three types of John’s baptisms around today. Dunking, sprinkling and what I call dry
cleaning. Dry cleaning is where you sit and think about getting dunked. The Quaker religion does
this.
So, here is an eloquent orator, a spiritual man, but, all he knows is John’s baptism.
Acts 18:26 (KJV)
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they
took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
They “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What a statement. They didn’t interrupt
him. They didn’t tell him he was wrong. What they did is invited him out for coffee or over for
lunch and then they shared the greatness of the Christ administration with him. This is just so
fantastic! Just a couple of believers teaching a man that was MIGHTY in the scriptures. How many
men, that are mighty in any walk of life, do you know that are humble enough to listen to two
simple little people? I tell you this man, Apollos, was a great man and a humble man.
So now the question begs what is the more perfect way of Acts 18:26?
Well let’s look at Acts 19. You see, Paul did a circuitous route and ends up back in Ephesus and he
meets some believers that were taught by Apollos.
Acts 19:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper
coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We
have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
If you look back at John’s baptism you will see that they were confessing their sins and being
dunked in the Jordan. But, Paul is teaching that that time is over because what the Jews were
looking forward to in Matthew chapter three was accomplished and now we are looking back at Jesus
Christ’s accomplishments.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with
tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
All of this is wrapped up in Romans 10:9,10.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Who wrote the Book of Romans? Paul did! This is the Way of God More Perfectly!
The word “saved” is the Greek word – sozo. This word means completely whole. Mentally, physically
and SPIRITUALLY whole!
There is another record involving Peter that we should look at, also. It is in Acts chapter 10.
Acts 10:1-48 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the
Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people,
and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him,
and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy
prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou
oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household
servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon
the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a
trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet
knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou
common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the
men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am
he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good
report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into
his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and
certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called
together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped
him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep
company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man
common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for
what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I
prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of
God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the
house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now
therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is
Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from
Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in
Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and
drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained
of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry
certain days.
What this says is that after the people in Cornelius’s house were born again of God’s spirit they
were to be baptized with John’s baptism. Well, hold on a minute. Didn’t Aquila and Priscilla
expound unto Apollos the way of God more perfectly? Is Peter reverting to the old ways? Yes,
actually he is. This is the first time that Gentiles were born again of God’s spirit. This was all
new to Peter. In Acts chapter ten, that we just read, GOD had to teach Peter the same lesson three
times over for it to stick. Peter was a Jew. Up until this point in time nobody outside the pail of
Judaism was allowed near God. So, Peter had some quick catching up to do. What God had Peter do in
Chapter ten was open the way for ALL WHO WILL- to be born again of God’s spirit. Heaven bound and
all hell can’t stop them from going!
Let’s get back to the issue of water and Peter. Peter goes back to Jerusalem and he is called
before the other apostles and he expounds unto them exactly what took place and in Acts 11:15-
17 Peter tells the leadership a little more.
Acts 11:15-17 (KJV)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but
ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus
Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Whether Peter dunked them in water or not doesn’t matter. What happened BEFORE he thought about
immersing them is what matters. What happened was that they were already FILLED WITH THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
There is one more record that we must look at and that is in Acts chapter eight.
Acts 8:26-39 (KJV)
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the
way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under
Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem
for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest
thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would
come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his
life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of
himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here
is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said,
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that
the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Phillip definitely baptizes the eunuch with water. There are a lot of things that men of God do by
revelation that makes no sense to those looking in from the outside. Jesus making clay with his
spit and putting it on a blind man’s eyes and telling him to go wash it off. Or, Paul who preached
the end of circumcision and confronted the Christian leadership because they wanted to start
circumcising the Gentiles. Yet, he takes Timothy, his understudy, out and circumcises him.
Why? Because every situation is different and only God knows what is required. That is why most
people can’t understand the Bible because they don’t see the greatness of men of God walking by the
spirit, by revelation.
Let me ask you some questions. What did Phillip preach? He preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Where did Phillip tell the eunuch to believe? In the inner most part of his being – his heart.
Where does Romans 10:9,10 tell you to believe? In your heart! So when was the eunuch born again of
God’s spirit, before or after being immersed in water? BEFORE! He already confessed Jesus as Lord
and believed in his heart that God raised Him from the dead. So, WHY, if the eunuch was already
born again did Phillip immerse him in water. Because God is an individual God and knew what it
would take to solidify this concept in this man life.
Does the Bible ever say that John’s baptism is wrong? No. But, what it does say is that there is a
more perfect way, a way into the spiritual realm of God’s love and Grace and that is Romans
10:9,10. By confessing with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believing in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead YOU, yes, you reading this article are made spiritually whole. You are
sealed with that holy spirit of promise.( Ephesians 1:13) and you are sealed unto the day of
redemption (Ephesians 4:30.) You are a child of God (I John 3:1,2.)
II TIMOTHY 2:15
II Timothy 2:15
I wanted to share with you the importance of II Timothy 2:15 with you as it pertains to our growth in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The word “study” is the Greek word “Spoudazo.” The word spoudazo gives emphasis to the effort and the time. It means to give a diligent effort with a view to the time or a concerted effort due to brevity of time.
Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say just read the Bible to show thyself approved. It doesn’t say have a daily devotional. It doesn’t say read the Bible piece by piece over the course of a year. These are all good, but, if you want to grow in spiritual knowledge, if you want to make a difference you have to STUDY God’s Word.
For example, the word “receive” in the New Testament has only one meaning in the English. However, in the Greek there are two words for “receive” and the difference between the two is like night and day.
The two Greek words translated “receive are “lambano” and “dechomai” The word “dechomai” means to receive subjectively. Let’s take a look at a couple of verses.
Luke 8:13 (KJV) 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive (dechomai) the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Mark 10:15 (KJV) 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive (dechomai) the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luke 10:8 (KJV) 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive (dechomai) you, eat such things as are set before you:
2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive (eisdechomai, from eis-into and dechomai to subjectively receive) you,
James 1:21 (KJV) 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive (dechomai) with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
When someone receives (dechomai) something they don’t do anything with it. Let’s say someone gave me a set of golf clubs and I put them in my garage and never used them that would be the word “dechomai.” However, if someone gave me a set of golf clubs and I took them out and played a round of golf with them that would be the other word “lambano.”
Lambano means to receive into manifestation. This is singularly significant when it comes to the study of the holy spirit.
Acts 1:8 (KJV) 8 But ye shall receive (lambano) power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 2:38 (KJV) 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 (lambano) the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Men have taught over the centuries that we no longer have the power of God among us. No more speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophesy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and gifts of healing. Well either they were/are wrong or the Bible is wrong because the Bible clearly states that when we receive the holy spirit, and we receive it when we do Romans 10:9,10, that we are to do something with it we aren’t to shelve it, we aren’t to forget what we have received, but, we are to do something with it and according to I Corinthians chapter 12 there are only nine manifestations of holy spirit, only nine things that you can do with the holy spirit that you receive.
Ladies and gentlemen, Christians are the most powerful beings to walk this Earth, but, we are walking so far below par because we have been taught wrong! Look, years ago I had a hundred dollar bill stuffed away in my wallet. I carried that wallet for years all the while that hundred dollar bill was neatly tucked away in one of those crevices. There were many times I could have used some extra cash, but, I didn’t use that hundred dollars because I didn’t know I had it. If you have been taught that you don’t have the holy spirit or that there are no manifestations of the holy spirit and you believe that, and you can only go as far as you are taught, you will never use that power that is latent within you. This why we must STUDY the Bible.
Two other words that go hand in hand with dechomai and lambano are the words platho and plaroo. These two words are translated into English as the word “filled,” but, they mean two different things.
Plaroo, pronounced play-ra-o, means to be filled to capacity. It is as if you filled a glass with water so full that if you put one more drop in it would overflow. Platho, pronounced play-tho, is filling that glass to overflowing.
Luke 2:40 (KJV) 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled (plaroo-filled to capacity) with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Acts 2:2 (KJV) 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled (plaroo-filled to capacity) all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 13:9-10 (KJV) 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled (platho-filled to overflowing) with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
See, what he said was the overflowing of the holy spirit.
Acts 4:8 (KJV) 8 Then Peter, filled (platho-filled to overflowing) with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
Again, what Peter said is the overflowing of holy spirit.
Acts 2:4 (KJV) 4 And they were all filled (platho-filled to overflowing) with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
I have gone off track from the start of this writing so that I could show you the importance of not just reading the Bible, but, studying the Bible. So, now I want to get back to II Timothy 2:15.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There is only one way to show yourself approved unto God and that is to be a workman of the Word, the Bible.
The Greek word for “rightly dividing” is orthotomeo and means to make a straight or right cut. It further means that there is only one right cutting. When a diamond jeweler cuts a diamond he studies the diamond to figure out how to cut the diamond. There is only one way to cut the diamond correctly. If he cuts it wrongly he will destroy the diamond. This is the word that God chose to use regarding the study of His Wonderful Matchless Word.
And the last part “the word of truth,” which is much more costly and much more precious than diamonds. The Bible is THE WORD OF TRUTH.
The closer you look at something in nature the more beautiful it becomes. That is because it is from the hand of God. So, also is the Bible. The closer you look, the more you study the more beautiful it becomes.
HEZEKIAH
In the Old Testament there is a record of a King of Judah and Jerusalem that endeavored to do what was right and to bring back Judah and Jerusalem from worshiping other gods and for all of his efforts Jerusalem was besieged by the greatest army in the World at that time. The king was Hezekiah and his story has a lot to teach us today.
2 Chronicles 29:1-7 (KJV) 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 3 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. 4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. 7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 29:20-21 (KJV) 20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. 21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 29:30 (KJV) 30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.
2 Chronicles 30:1-5 (KJV) 1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel. 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. 4 And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
2 Chronicles 30:18-22 (KJV) 18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. 20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 31:20 (KJV) 20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
So, here is a man that is doing all he can to lead the people of Judah and Jerusalem back to God and to live his life according to the Law of God. You would think that God would put a wall around Judah and Jerusalem, to give special treatment Hezekiah. You would think that once Judah and Jerusalem turned back to God ALL would be good.
Actually, it did go well for fourteen years, but, then the Assyrian army came calling.
2 Kings 18:13-37 (KJV) 13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house. 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
How many times in our lives do we endeavor to walk according to God’s Word only to have circumstances turn against us. And, how many many times do we try to figure it out on our own. That’s exactly what Hezekiah did. Hezekiah was the one that had the Temple repaired. He was the one that had the doors and pillars of the Temple overlaid with gold to bless God and to bless God’s people. Now he had it removed because of the circumstances!
17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.
It didn’t do any good! The Assyrian army still came to destroy Jerusalem.
18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. 19 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
These spokesmen for the King of Assyria are very logical in their reasonings with the men of Jerusalem. Egypt is not going to help you and OH Yeah, by the way, Hezekiah took away the gods that you worshipped. So, there is no one to help you. He just didn’t know the whole story.
23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
What he is saying here is that Judah and Jerusalem are so small, so insignificant that they don’t even have enough men to ride a few of the Great King of Assyria’s horses.
Fear, fear, fear, fear, fear. All this man is doing is trying to instill fear in the hearts and lives of the people in Jerusalem. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances, someone wants for fight with you, someone comes against you with a court order, someone in your family is sick and the doctors say it isn’t good, it doesn’t matter the circumstances it is always about getting you to be afraid, to get you to turn away from the promises of the One True God.
25 Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
So, here you have it! Rabshakeh says God Almighty told Assyria to destroy Judahand Jerusalem. Well I thought Hezekiah and all of Judah and Jerusalem turned their hearts to the Lord? All of Judah and Jerusalem hang in the balance just like you and I when we are confronted with circumstances. do we knuckle under or do we STAND. HAVING OUR LOINS GIRD WITH THE TRUTH AND THE PROMISES OF GOD AND HIS WORD?
26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. 27 But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak
these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? 28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: 29 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: 30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: 32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. 33 Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? 35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? 36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
Here we go! Rabshakeh has presented his case to Jerusalem and it wouldn’t matter to him if the Assyrian army tore down the walls of Jerusalem or the people of Judah and Jerusalem came out of their own volition. NOW, it is up to one man to determine the fate of a whole nation!
2 Kings 19:1-37 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. 4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
Glory Hallelujah. Hezekiah got it right! The very FIRST thing he did was to turn to God, to GIVE IT TO GOD! When circumstances come at us let US turn to God FIRST, let us GIVE IT TO GOD!
5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
In the Old Testament, in the Law of Moses it is required of the people to kill a prophet if the prophesy does not come to pass because he didn’t speak for God! This man Isaiah was a prophet of God and his word will come to pass. What a blessing, what a relief! It is now in God’s hands and He is going to take care of Judah and Jerusalem!
What about us? Do we have the same confidence in The Word of God? The promises in God’s Word are just as real, just as powerful as the promise given by Isaiah in verses 6&7 to Hezekiah.
8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. 9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying, 10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah? 14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
What a beautiful thing, Hezekiah spread it before the Lord. Doesn’t the Bible say cast your care on Him for He careth for you? Yup, it sure does it is in I Peter 5:7.
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 17 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, 18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only. 20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
God will hear your prayer just like He did Hezekiah’s!
21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. 23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel. 24 I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places. 25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. 26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up. 27 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
Sounds to me like God is a little upset with the king of Assyria. It is not good to anger God.
28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 29 And this shall be a sign unto thee (Judah and Jerusalem that what I say shall come to pass,) Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof. 30 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. 32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Because of Hezekiah’s stand Judah and Jerusalem were delivered. Judah and Jerusalem prepared their hearts for fourteen years to seek the Lord and to live by His Commandments. It was not God that told the king of Assyria to destroy Jerusalem it was Satan, the Devil. We, as Christians, have an adversary in this World who is always voting against us. God is always voting for us. How we vote determines the election!
God is always there for you. Prepare your heart to seek the Lord and when circumstances raise their ugly head – Stand, lay your cares on God, claim His promises and watch the great deliverance of God!
GOD FIRST
In our day and time we have many distractions and many sources to turn to in time of need. We have the internet, we have the library, professionals, parents and other family members, friends, television. But, as Christians we have examples as well as directives from God as to who we are to go to FIRST.
This article is about going to God first. It seems that this would be axiomatic (self-evident, unquestionable,) but, how many of us really do that? How many of us turn to God when we have a need? When I say a need I mean a dire immediate need. A need so immediate and so grievous that your mind automatically flips to the avenue of fastest deliverance. For example, someone breaks a leg. Do they automatically think doctor, hospital, ambulance or do they turn to God for His healing. I have told you this before, if you don’t get deliverance from God then, by all means get to a doctor, but, give God His rightful place and go to Him first.
The reason that we don’t go to God first is that we have been trained, throughout our lives, that God is too busy, God doesn’t answer the small things, the signs, miracles and wonders that we read about in the Bible are no longer available. Those are lies from the pit of hell! God is as real, as concerned about you and me and as ready to deliver us as any time in the history of man. The reason we don’t get our deliverance is that we have been trained wrong. No one has taught us the conduit to God’s deliverance. That conduit is our ability to believe.
John 16:23 (KJV) 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV) 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God (literally: Believe God.) 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Believing is the KEY to power, to deliverance to seeing God work in this day and hour! There is a record in Mark about Jesus endeavoring to teach and help people in his own home town.
Mark 6:1-6 (KJV) 1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and
healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Do you see what it says? They were offended in him and he didn’t do mighty works because of one thing, ONE THING, their unbelief! You can change your thinking around so that you EXPECT God to heal you, that you expect God’s deliverance, that you look forward to seeing God’s hand working in your life. All it takes is training.
Romans 12:2 (KJV) 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
You by the freedom of your will have to turn away from things of this world and get enough of the word of God in your mind so that you believe God and His promises to you.
In Mark there is a record of a man seeking deliverance for his son. I wish to take you through to this record to show you the steps to the man and his son’s deliverance.
Mark 9:14-27 (KJV) 14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
He brought his son to the disciples for deliverance. You would think if anybody could help they could, after all they were the Apostles, they were given power to cast out devils and heal the sick by Jesus, himself. But they couldn’t. Now the man is looking to Jesus for deliverance.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Most commentators say that Jesus was talking to the Apostles. He wasn’t. He was talking to the MAN.
20 And they brought him (the boy) unto him (Jesus): and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
Now, Jesus is going to get to the heart of the problem.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
The man needed deliverance as much as the child! Help US. This is the same cry in the hearts of men and women, today! Help us, Help me!
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
I am reaching out to you right now! God will help you. All things are possible to those that BELIEVE!
Everybody is responsible for their own deliverance. You are responsible to believe. The only people that aren’t responsible are children, the insane and dead people.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
The Bible is not a book for everybody, it is a book for those who want to believe. It is impossible to please God without believing (Hebrews 11:6.) and it is filled with story after story of those who got their deliverance by one act. The act of believing.
God is ready, willing and able to deliver us. It is not up to God because His promises are yea and amen. It is up to each individual to rise up to the privilege of believing and appropriating God’s deliverance. What a privilege to put God first.
GOD CARES FOR YOU
I have talked to many Christians, heard many Christians and read articles from many Christians who talk about God being in Heaven. Well OK, but, the context was God is up there and we are down here. That is the philosophy of all religions, a god or deity afar off who hears you, sometimes. Further, you don’t go to the god or the deity with small matters, but, only with the BIG ONES. Is this what Christianity is all about or is there more, much more than this.
I’ll tell you right here and right now that Christianity IS much more than this and the people that espouse the ideas that I just mentioned have no idea what the Bible says nor do they know the heart of God for His people. Also, they have no idea of the position that the Christian holds.
First, does God care about you and every facet of your life.
Luke 12:6-7 (KJV) 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Well, according to the Bible, God knows, not only, the color of your hair, but, how many hairs are on your head. When is the last time you counted the hairs on your head. This is a figure of speech explaining how well God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, knows you. He knows you better than you know yourself.
So, God knows each and every one of us intimately, but, does He care for us and when are we to go to God in Prayer?
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Well, here we go again. The Bible contradicting what the main stream philosophy in the churches is today. So, do we leave the little concerns of our lives to ourselves? NO! We cast ALL our care on Him because He does what?? He cares for you and He cares for me. Everything that is a concern to us we should cast on Him.
Do you know what the word cast means? Well, it means cast, but, the example is astounding. Have you ever saddled a horse? The saddle is heavy, the stirrups unruly. So, when you put the saddle on the horse you heave it up in the air and throw it all on the horse. That is what the word “cast” means. Once you “cast” it on the horse you don’t pull it back off and carry it around the arena, do you. It goes on and it stays on. Same thing with cares and concerns. You put them on God and you leave them there! Granted it takes practice to do that because we were taught just the opposite, but, you can do it.
Isaiah 49:16 (KJV) 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
What this verse is saying is that God has your name and mine tattooed on His hands and not just on His hands, but, on the palms of His hands. God doesn’t have hands. Again, this is a figure of speech telling us how much God cares for us. The palms of the hands are very sensitive and it is very painful to tattoo
anything on the palm of a hand. But, God has done it and the word “walls” means those palms are always there right in front of God’s eyes. He is always thinking about you, He is always looking at your name he always remembers you.
God knows us and He cares for us, but, how far away is He?
Philippians 2:13 (KJV) 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God is right there with you. He never leaves you or forsakes you. Not only that, He is at work within you. How does He do that?
Romans 8:11 (KJV) 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.
Philippians 1:6 (KJV) 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:
Colossians 1:27 (KJV) 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Christians have been taught to have a low opinion of themselves. But, God’s opinion is much higher. He see’s you and you are His sons and daughters. We should act like it. Not only on a horizontal level among our fellow man, but, in our relationship with God. We should have a Father and son or Father and daughter relationship. We should be casting all our care on Him and expecting answers and deliverance. You’ve got to come to a decision in your mind that the Bible is telling the truth and start acting on it or else you will be in the soup for a life time.
Galatians 4:4-7 (KJV) 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
1 John 3:1-2 (KJV) 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Christians are of the royal household of God and God stands ready to help you with every need in your life.
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