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On the Run from the Lord (Jonah 1:3)
Jonah 1:3, But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. When God records the failures of His people, it's not to discourage us, but instruct, help, teach, and warn us. What can we learn from Jonah? Nineveh was a city of wickedness in desperate need of the Lord. The opportunity for revival was great, but Jonah was not concerned about their need. Jonah's self-will took greater priority in his life than God's will. Jonah had no interest in what going to Nineveh to preach to those people. Jonah was willing to serve as long as it was something that was pleasing to him. The problem was not that Jonah did not understand the will of God, but that he did not like it. Choosing your personal will over God’s will always results in consequences. Running from God is a dangerous position in which to be. We can run but we have to "pay the fare." Jonah paid more than the monetary fare for the trip. He paid dearly for his rebellion to God. It costs to disobey, and you will pay for the ticket. The fare included many hidden expenses. Sin costs more than the price tag. Obedience to God will help the economy of an individual, of society and of the nation more than anything else. When Jonah refused to do the will of God, we find that the devil had a boat waiting. While running from God, Jonah hitched a ride with some Gentile sailors. God sent a storm that threatened to capsize the ship, so the sailors began to wonder about their Jewish stowaway. Even Gentiles knew about the Hebrew God, and these guys had no interest in finding themselves on the business end of his wrath. They knew the risks of harboring a fugitive from the God of Israel. They fell to their knees and pleaded for mercy, then threw Jonah overboard. Favorable circumstances and the absence of pain or difficulties do not mean we have gotten by with disobedience. The storm was disciplinary, intending to teach Jonah and call him back. It was also damaging. Sooner or later others will have to pay for our disobedience. Jonah was sound asleep (Jonah 1:5) and God had his eye on him. The worst thing about running from God is that one day we run out from behind His protection and are turned over to Satan (I Corinthians 5:5). Still in His permissive will, we miss the blessings of His desired will. James 4:17 tells us, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. The lesson is clear, don't run! If you are running, go back now! Before running from God, ask yourself, How much is my sin going to cost those around me? Because it is usually those near us that suffer the greatest harm for our mistakes. Jonah had no interest in going to Nineveh to preach to those people. Jonah was willing to serve as long as it was something that was pleasing to him. The problem was not that Jonah did not understand the will of God, but that he did not like it. Unfortunately, there are many Christians who do not want to do what God is leading them to do. Just because we do not like it does not give us a right to reject it. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Lord, I know that You pursue me because You love me. Forgive me for the times I have failed to fulfill Your plan for my life. Thank You for hearing me call out to You as You heard Jonah call out to You. May I have the courage and passion to do Your will the next time You call upon me. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Take Time Today to Rejoice in your Relationship with Jesus (Psalm 68:19)
Psalm 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." David wanted to praise the Lord with all that was within him. That was true in David’s day. How much more is it true today? Have you taken time to count your blessings of health, housing, food, electricity, water, air, strength, seeing, hearing, walking, smelling, touching, talking, your Bible, friends, family, a good church, your pastor? We have so much to be thankful for. God is the source of all these blessings. The blessings are not sporadic but daily. Everyday God blesses us. God is not tightfisted with His blessings. He piles blessings on top of blessings. He loads us to overflowing with blessings. Truly, He has daily loaded us with blessings. Daily we need to be reminding ourselves and giving thanks for the Lord’s benefits. Therefore, we have a duty to bless the God of our salvation. If that was true then, how much more so now! “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). This psalm expresses thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for the benefits and blessings He gives those who accept His commands and promises and who maintain a faithful relationship with Him. We must never forget God’s goodness to us (Deuteronomy 8:12-14; II Chronicles 32:35) or fail to thank Him for the blessings He generously gives us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; Acts 2:38-39; 9:17-18). To bless the Lord means to show admiration for the Lord as we thank and praise Him. The benefits of the Lord are, indeed, great and marvelous and it would be an act of ingratitude not to remember and appreciate them. When considering His benefits, we have the great gift of eternal life, through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. We have it every day of the year and are daily ready to meet the Lord, whenever He calls. Each day we have the indwelling presence of His Spirit, the illuminating guidance of His Word, the daily provision of all real needs and the assurance of His love. He has surely loaded us with benefits! Have you forgotten what the Lord has done for you? Are you so focused on problems, trials, or your ambitions, that you have failed to count your blessings? This kind of attitude develops a cold heart and a weak memory. I encourage you to repent of this kind of attitude for its this attitude that leads people to wander from the Lord and will eventually lead people out of church and causes them to be selfish, bitter people. Charles Spurgeon told this story: “Afflictions, when sanctified, make us grateful for mercies which before we treated with indifference. We sat for half an hour in a calf's shed the other day, quite grateful for the shelter from the driving rain, yet, at no other time would we have entered such a hovel. Discontented people need a course of the bread of adversity and the water of affliction to cure them of the wretched habit of complaining. Even things which we loathed before, we shall learn to value when we are in troubling circumstances. We are not fond of lizards, and yet at Pont St. Martin, in the Aosta valley, where the mosquitoes, flies, and insects of all sorts drove us nearly to distraction, we prized the little green fellows, and felt quite an attachment to them as they darted out their tongues and devoured our worrying enemies. Sweet are the uses of adversity. It brings into proper estimation mercies which were before lightly esteemed.” Thank the Lord for the blessings of salvation you can enjoy right now. What a wonderful privilege to know Jesus Christ personally! Because of salvation we will someday enjoy a home in Heaven, a sinless body and eternity with Christ. We all look forward to our future with Jesus Christ, but it's easy to forget about the benefits of salvation for today. Since God is the source of all our blessings, He deserves the full measure of our praise. If we honestly assess all that the Lord has done for us, it will not take long for us to begin rejoicing that He daily loads us with benefits. Let's take a moment to remember a few of the many blessings we can enjoy every day as Christians. · Alongside counting all of those blessings, let's make it a goal this year to make those blessings count. · Go reach the lost at your workplace or in your neighborhood. · Make it a point to help fellow Christians who need encouragement. · Lift up those who are hurting in prayer. · How will you bless the Lord today? Prayer, Father in Heaven, forgive me for complaining of the things I don’t have and create in my heart a spirit of contentment for the things I do have. I never again want to fail to thank You and praise You for Your daily blessings. I understand that many of the blessings You have blessed me with are for the purpose of blessing others. Help me to make these blessings count. In Jesus name, Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Joy-FULL (I John 1:4)
I John 1:4, And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. John wants his readers to know joy. When you experience meaningful, intimate fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, you will experience true joy that is not dependent on your circumstances and that is not found anywhere else. True joy surpasses external circumstances. It is stability on the inside in spite of what is occurring on the outside. Joy means an inner gladness, a deep seated pleasure. It is the depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. Those who love Jesus and know Jesus and live for Jesus will have joy in life. When asked about their faith only 3% of Americans mentioned enjoyment of their relationship with God as their greatest source of spiritual fulfillment. John G. Mitchell wrote, “The enjoyment of spiritual life can come only as we walk in fellowship with God. A Spirit filled life is the enjoyment of divine life; it is that life of fellowship. There is no higher experience for a believer, either on earth or in heaven, than the experience of personal, intimate fellowship with the living, sovereign, eternal God.” Warren Wiersbe said, “Joy is not something that we manufacture for ourselves; joy is a wonderful by-product of our fellowship with God.” Lehman Strauss said, “There can be no real joy until the partnership with God and His Son and His children has been established. When our fellowship is what it ought to be, the attainment of the fullness of joy will result.” Charles Simeon said, “There are but two lessons for the Christian to learn: the one is, to enjoy God in everything; the other is, to enjoy everything in God.” Somewhere along the way we have missed it. We equate joy with happiness and happiness with joy. When you are happy you do have joy, no doubt, but you can have joy and still not be happy. We cannot be happy about our circumstances from without and still be filled with joy from within. People that are suffering persecution, illness, sickness, loss of a loved one can still have the joy of the Lord. It is during these times that people may not be outwardly happy, but Jesus can give them inward joy. Dr. R.A. Torrey and his wife went through a time of great heartache when their 12 year old daughter was accidentally killed. The funeral was held on a gloomy, miserable, rainy day. They stood around the grave and watched as the body of their little girl was put away. As they turned away, Mrs. Torrey said, ‘I’m so glad that Elizabeth is with the Lord and not in that box.’ But, even knowing this to be true, their hearts were broken. Dr. Torrey said that the next day, as he was walking down the street, the whole thing broke anew—the loneliness of the years ahead without her presence, the heartbreak of an empty house, and all the other implications of her death. He was so burdened by this that he looked to the Lord for help. He said, ‘And just then, this fountain, the Holy Spirit that I had in my heart, broke forth with such power as I think I had never experienced before, and it was the most joyful moment I had ever known in my life! Oh, how wonderful is the joy of the Holy Ghost! It is an unspeakable glorious thing to have your joy not in things about you, not even in your most dearly loved friends, but to have you a fountain ever springing up, springing up, springing up, always springing up 365 days in every year, springing up under all circumstances unto everlasting life.” A little girl remarked about her principle said that she believed he went to Heaven every night because he was so happy every day. The principle was told of this and he used a great metaphor about a Christian’s joy. He said, ‘Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there.” Jesus came that we may have that kind of joy. He wants our joy to be full, complete, not lacking in any way. The joy of the Lord is our strength. He is our source of joy, knowing Him and living for Him gives great joy to the heart. Jesus Christ is our source of joy and gives it abundantly to us. 1. Joy comes from God’s protection and trusting in Him. Psalm 5:11, But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 2. Joy comes from the presence of the Lord in our lives. Psalm 16:11, Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 3. Joy comes from God’s salvation. Isaiah 12:3, Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4. Joy comes from the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 5. Joy comes from knowing that your name is written in Heaven. Luke 10:20, Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 6. Joy comes from the Word of God. John 15:11, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 7. Joy comes from answered prayers. John 16:24, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Questions to Consider:
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for the Bible. Your Word helps me glorify You as I experience true joy and close fellowship with You. Help me to remove anything in my life anything that would hinders fellowship with You. Help me to never settle for occasional or distant fellowship, but a closer walk with You in obedience. May I make and spend time daily with You in Your Word and in prayer. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Christian’s Race (Hebrews 12:2)
Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Brian Wilkerson said, "I once ran in the New York City Marathon. The first half of that race is a party. You're swept along by 28,000 runners, crowds lining the streets, and people running in costumes. You're touring the ethnic neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens. You feel like you could run forever. At mile 13, you cross over into Manhattan and start heading north, away from the finish line. Central Park is behind you, and you're going in the wrong direction. The crowds are thinner now. The party's over. At about mile 16 or 18, you hit the wall. You're absolutely miserable. Physically and psychologically, you're busted. All you want to do is stop running. I remember passing one of the first aid stations. There were runners lying on cots—pale and gaunt, with IVs dripping into their arms. I thought to myself, 'Those lucky dogs.' At that point I began to despair. I imagined myself having to go home and tell everybody I didn't finish. Why did I ever sign up for this race? What made me think I could do this? That's when it hit me. One way or another, I had to get to Central Park. That's where my ride was. I had no car. I had no money. I would have to get there on my own two feet. So I might as well keep running. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don't think about the next 6 miles; just think about the next step. And if you can keep that up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, the miles pass. And when you cross that finish line, it feels like glory—even when you're in 10,044th place. Some of you may be hitting the wall right now—feeling like you can't go on, like you'll never make it. Following Christ is harder than you ever imagined it would be, and you're thinking about giving up—about doing something foolish. Don't do it! There's no magic to endurance racing. It's all about continuing." Bruce kept going forward by controlling his focus from fatigue to finishing. We must do the same in our race for Christ. Our Commitment. Committed believers do not get diverted. When we got saved we entered into the race of the Christian life. Our Concentration. Conditioned believers do not despise discipline. This race is a marathon and not a 100 yard dash. If we are to run this race effectively then we must train so we can build our endurance. A runner without endurance can never run successfully in a long distance race. There are times when a race can be difficult and we must press on to the finish line. I remember when I ran cross country in high school. The practices we very exhausting, but they would prepare you to run the race more effectively. When the race gets tough and you feel like quitting, remember the cloud of witnesses cheering for you. We must concentrate and focus on Jesus Christ. The word looking means "to focus or to keep the eyes fixed on." It means to fix your gaze upon and to look exclusively without distraction. The idea is to give complete attention to that which is before you. Like a runner in a race concentrates and focuses on the finish line, we are to have our eye fixed on Christ. If we are going to do well in this race we must keep our eyes on our Lord. Despite life's doubts and difficulties, regardless of the failures and falls, in spite of the hindrances, we can have confidence that our salvation is certain. When our race is finished we will be glorified. Prayer: LORD, You have chosen the course for my life. It’s been both exciting and exhausting however, I have a finish line to cross. I want to thank You for the patience and joy You have given me on my course. As I run this race it’s my desire to please You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Profits of Pleasing the Lord (Proverbs 16:7)
Proverbs 16:7, When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. A pair of Canada geese set up housekeeping on an island in a farm pond in New Jersey. Year after year these two returned to raise their young. One summer, only one of seven eggs hatched, and the hatchling died the next day. The parents moped for days only to be faced with a new problem. From the woods by the lake another pair of Canadian geese emerged with eight brand-new babies. For some reason, this new pair had chosen the farm pond, and woefully, the island itself, as their brood site. As they arrived on the scene, they went straight to the island ready to do battle for the rights to the location. Of course, the residents fought hard to keep what they thought was their own territory, but they could not drive the newcomers away. As night approached, the resident pair still occupied the island, except for a corner where the new pair huddled with their young, having been granted sleeping privileges. The farmer and his wife went to bed that evening wondering what the outcome of the battle would be the next day. Imagine the farmer's surprise the next morning when he looked out on the lake and saw eight baby geese swimming peacefully with not one but two parents in the lead, and two bringing up the rear. By making peace, the adult geese had not only provided double protection for the goslings, but had also provided the resident pair with babies to care for to replace the ones they had lost. In the same manner as the geese, the Lord gives us insight on what we can do to get along with people, especially our enemies. He tells us to please the Lord by the way we live. When we honor God with our lives, when we love others including our rivals, He will make our enemies to be at peace with us. People have tried such things as flattery or bribery to appease enemies, but have failed. A genuine Christian is the most lovable personality in human life. God has a way of raising up friends for those who serve Him and do His will. God however, can change the heart of an enemy when our ways please the Saviour. Though there are many enemies of the righteous, when our lives truly please the Lord, in due season, God will cause them to be at peace with us. God does not promise freedom from enemies. The world’s crowd never likes God’s people, but deep down in their heart, they respect those who are truly godly. Though they might persecute and mock the righteous, yet God will cause them, in due season, to respect His people. The greater principle is that God blesses the righteous. He takes care of them. Pleasing God produces peace. No effort of the United Nations can ever produce the peace that pleasing God does, yet how disinterested the nations of the world are to please the Almighty. During the Civil War, Stanton treated Lincoln with utter contempt. He called him a "low cunning clown" and "the original gorilla." He said there was no need to go to Africa to capture a gorilla when one was available in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln, however, never retaliated. Instead, he made Stanton his war minister, believing that he was the best qualified for the office. Years later when Lincoln was killed by an assassin's bullet, Stanton looked down on his rugged face and said tearfully, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Even if our life doesn't please our enemies, we haven't lost anything. We are still pleasing God, the only One who truly matters. A righteous life disarms opposition. Albert Barnes put it this way, "Goodness has power to charm, and win, even enemies to itself." Our effort to live for God and be peacemakers will usually make us more attractive to those around us, even our enemies. They may not believe what we believe, but many of them acknowledge that we are standing for something that is good or we have something that is special. Our patience, wisdom, diligence, kindness, and love also make a big impression on those who oppose us. When we look at the lives of Joseph in Egypt, David in Gath, or Daniel in Babylon, we find that these dedicated men reaped peace with their enemies because their ways pleased the Lord. God knew what was in the hearts of these men and He knew they were determined to please Him. Peace is created when God’s ways become man’s ways. If God does allow some persecution by our enemies, it is for our good, (II Timothy 2:12) and for His glory (I Peter 4:14). God will deal with those who oppose His followers. Believers who focus on pleasing God in all of their ways can leave the fate of their enemies in the Lord’s hands. When a person strives to please the Lord, enemies find it more difficult to find fault with or to criticize him or her. One who is trying to uphold the great commandment to love others as oneself will be much more likely to win over an enemy than someone who is being rebellious or argumentative. It is the believer’s role to please the Lord, and it is God’s role to convert or convict the enemy. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, my greatest desire is to please You in all things. Help me to resist pleasing the world rather than pleasing you. Help me to always stay close to You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com I Get To Go To Church (Psalm 122:1)
Psalm 122:1, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. God’s house should be a place where we can enjoy deep and intimate fellowship and interaction with the Lord through worship and the work of God’s Spirit in our lives. It is also a place to share and express God’s love with others who are devoted to the Lord. What a blessing there is for God’s people to be able to assemble together for worship. As Israelites ascended to Jerusalem for the high holy days each year, there was joy and excitement as they anticipated arriving in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Christians to this day ought to have the same joy upon entering the meeting place of the local church. Recent trends in Christianity reveal that the church is revamping traditional worship services to accommodate the world. More and more congregations are calling off Sunday evening service in an attempt to promote family and leisure time. Statistics prove that although America is still a religious nation, it is placing less emphasis on faithful church attendance. The current trends that de-emphasize church attendance are not producing mature Christians; on the contrary, the results show that more and more believers are becoming colder and more secularized in their faith. Such a practice is contrary to Biblical commands. In these dark days we need the church more than ever. The Church of Jesus Christ is a place of refuge, rejoicing, and renewal. If we fail to make church a priority we have failed in our priorities, and we will certainly hinder our spiritual growth. The Lord God established the church, Jesus gave His life for the church, and the Holy Spirit empowered the church; we should be willing to go to church! Don’t allow the schedules of life to hinder you from going to the House of God! Be as David said in Psalm 122:1, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. David was delighted and he rejoiced at the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord. As a man after God’s own heart, David loved being in God’s presence. He accepted the invitation with enthusiasm. Like David, our hearts should fully anticipate going to God’s house. For believers, God’s house is the local church (I Timothy 3:15), and the Lord has commanded us to assemble regularly there with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). We ought to rejoice when the appointed time comes to go to church. If we lack gladness for worship, we have a spiritual problem. Of course, there are some who are tools of Satan who would make the house of God an undesirable place. Sadly, many professing believers today do not worship in God’s house regularly. And for many of those who do, going to church is a dreaded duty rather than a delight. Just as sad are those who allow their lives and their children’s to become so crowded with activities that there is no time for church. Others are so exhausted by work and family responsibilities that they find it difficult to go to church. We need to make corporate worship a joyful priority in our lives. Joyful worship is possible only if we love the Lord. Scripture is clear, corporate worship is not optional. We must not neglect to gather with God’s people for worship and for nourishment from God’s Word (Hebrews 10:25). While it is possible that worship and preaching may become routine and be taken for granted. We tend to rationalize that our relationship with God is a personal thing, and we don't have to participate in a church to be nurtured in our faith. However, the Scripture teaches us that the Holy Spirit within us draws us together into a fellowship with other believers. We are the "body of Christ" in the world today. As a collective group of believers, we are to worship, to witness, and to carry on the ministry of Christ. God has created the church for the purpose of our growth in discipleship and the Word, that we might be encouraged and strengthened in our walk with the Lord. Too many people look on church attendance and participation from the perspective of whether or not they get anything from it. The worship service may not be stimulating, and the sermon may be boring, so we rationalize that it doesn't do us any good. We may consider the people who attend to be hypocrites whose lives do not reflect what they profess on Sundays. But we must remember that it is not about the style of worship, the sermon, or other people but our relationship with God and worshipping of Him. Our focus should be on Him, and regular participation in corporate worship is essential to maintaining the focus of our daily lives. We must not submit to a self-centered perspective on church attendance as if it is about us and what we get out of it; we have an obligation to others. The church is for us to encourage and minister to others that we all might live out our faith in the world more effectively. Be as David said in Psalm 122:1, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. David was delighted and he rejoiced at the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord. You will find that the more of yourself that you invest in your church, the more you will love it. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the privilege of corporate worship. I pray that I would have a proper attitude about participation in church, that it would be an experience of meeting You, a time of personal renewal, and expression of ministry to others. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Power of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:6)
Matthew 28:6, He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Philippians 3:10, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. There is more evidence that Jesus Christ rose from the dead than history teaches about Julius Caesar. So, I don't think we have to labor the point of the physical, visible, resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a miracle. Paul's writing to the Christians at Rome in Romans 1:4, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Also, in our text it says, the power of his resurrection. What thrills me is that you and I are meant to know this power in its various aspects toward us. Notice some things about "the power of his resurrection." Feeling fearful about death is a most common response. But according to our text, there is nothing to fear and no reason to feel hesitant at the empty tomb of Jesus. In fact, along with the early followers of Christ, who found the clothes of Jesus and angels inside, we are blessed with the truth and evidence of an empty tomb! Death Was Conquered. Jesus entered into death’s domain and declared it helpless. For the believer, death is simply the doorway from this land of sorrow to that Heavenly land of splendor where every tear shall be wiped from every eye and the saints of God will live forever in the glorious presence of our exalted Saviour! (I Corinthians 15:54-57; II Corinthians 5:8). Hell Was Conquered. When Jesus died for mankind, He descended into a place called Hell. When He arose from the dead and ascended to His Father in Heaven, the Bible tells us that He took those souls with Him to the Father in Heaven (Ephesians 4:8-10). Now, all those who believe in Jesus go directly to the Father when they leave this world. Hell has forever been removed for the child of God! The Grave Was Conquered. Throughout their entire lives, countless people live in fear of that moment when they lay down their body in death. When we lay this flesh down in death, our spirits ascend to the Father in Heaven (I Corinthians 5:8). The next time we see our bodies, they will be glorified and will be like His body, (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I John 3:1-3. Sin and Satan Was Conquered. A dead Saviour cannot save anyone! But One Who is alive can save all who come to Him by faith (Hebrews 7:25). Sin does not have to defeat you! Jesus won the victory over sin on the cross when He arose from the dead. You can be free by faith in Jesus. Satan is the enemy of God and of the people of God. He tried every way he could to prevent Christ's plans to go to the cross. The death of babies in Bethlehem; the storm on Galilee; the temptation; the oppression in Gethsemane and so on. Jesus endured every temptation, He weathered every storm and made it to the cross. Satan saw his power broken and himself judged. He was defeated forever by the Lord Jesus! The tomb is empty that our lives might be filled! Yes, Jesus had been in the tomb! But, now it was barren and empty. Christ has risen from the dead! Hallelujah! He is alive and well! And, He lives to live in believing hearts! Sin left us barren, empty and unfulfilled. But, by His Spirit, the living Lord resides within us. Now we can say: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). The tomb is conquered that our beings might be healed! Before God saves sinners by His grace, the law of sin and death completely rules over them. There is nothing that is not diseased and defiled. The resurrection life of Jesus, however, brings spiritual healing and productivity. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22). The tomb is open that our souls might be sealed! Jesus Christ is alive! He lives to live His life in us! From His life comes blessing and healing. Having received His life, we are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Death has no power over us! The cemetery presents no fear! The seal of Christ’s tomb was broken, but believers are “sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 7 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”.
7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross – PART - 7 PART 7 - Christ’s 7TH Saying (Luke 23:46) Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: Luke 23:46, And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up His spirit. The Word of God tells us that as He uttered these words, He bowed His head and gave up the ghost. Physicians report that when people are dying, they try to raise their heads for one more breath. He bowed His head. What is worth noting is that the sufferings did not take His life, excruciating as though they were; He laid it down of Himself! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! Christ had announced earlier in His ministry that He would give up His life on His own (John 10:18). Christ would give His life when He decided, not when man decided. Christ gave up His own life. Nobody took it from Him, because no one has the power to do so. He willingly gave up His life for you. Jesus had the power to destroy all those who were attempting to destroy Him (Matthew 26:53). But He restrained Himself and endured this horrible death because of our sin. While Jesus was dying on the cross, God was still God, He was still on the throne and reigning omnipotent. The events around the cross, the earthquake, darkness, the rent veil, and the actions of our Lord as He was suspended between Heaven and earth, convinced the Roman centurion that Jesus was not only a righteous man, but He was God. Jesus voluntarily gave His life for us, yielding every moment of His life, even unto death, to God’s plan and purpose. Jesus commended His spirit unto God and then gave up His spirit. This fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 31:5, Into thine hand I commit my spirit: …. The word “commend” in Christ’s seventh saying from the cross means to “entrust, to commit to one’s charge.” The Lord Jesus entrusted His spirit into His Father’s keeping. He entrusted or committed Himself to the guardianship of the Father. As is stated in another text, “Christ . . . through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God…,” (Hebrews 9:14). When the first drop of Jesus’ blood was shed it sealed Satan’s fate forever. At that moment, He returned in spirit to His Father in heaven. At this moment, the temple’s veil was rent Matthew 27:51, signifying that the death of Jesus had settled the sin problem and had removed the barrier between sinful men and a holy God, Hebrews 10:19-20. Paul used the same word when he wrote to young Timothy. He wrote, “For I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (II Timothy 1:12). Because Jesus entrusted His spirit with the Father, we can entrust our spirits in His saving and keeping power. Since He committed His all to the Father, we can commit our all to Him, also. Throughout His earthly ministry, Christ magnified the sovereignty and authority of His Father (John 6:38, 44; 10:29). Lovingly trusting Him to safely guard His spirit, the Lord Jesus entrusted it into His Father’s “hands.” The God Who held Him in His hands of mercy in life could be trusted to hold Him in His hands of might in death. This is also true for you and me! Christ died honoring God by committing His most precious possession into God's hands. You honor a person when you entrust into their care your most priceless possession. Since Jesus committed His spirit to the Father in the hour of death, then the Father must be eternal. The spirit would live on with the Father on the other side of death. As Christ committed Himself into the hands of the eternal God with certainty, so all believers can be assured about the ages to come. Through Christ, we will not only live with the Father, but will live as long as the Father lives. Christ died with a prayer on His lips. Some die with a curse on their lips. You do not die praying if you have not prayed much in your life. The fact that you will face tribulation in this world does not lessen the power of God in any way. In fact, it should motivate you to tap into the reservoir of faith. Have you committed your life into God’s hands’? Romans 12:1-2. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, as Jesus commended Himself to You, my desire is to commit my life to Your service. May I seek to win more people to Christ by sharing the Gospel more often. In Jesus name, Amen! Thank you for reading PART 7 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”. Please visit this website tomorrow. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross – PART 6
This is PART 6 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”. PART 6 - Christ’s 6TH Saying (John 19:30) It is finished: John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost. From the beginning, Satan opposed the work of redemption. Beginning with Abel’s death, he attempted to hinder the coming of the Messiah. Pharoah in Egypt, attempted to keep the Hebrews in bondage and to have all male babies drowned in the Nile River, in order to prevent the coming of the Messiah. God foiled Satan’s strategy delivering the Jews. Wicked Haman attempted genocide the complete and utter destruction of all the Jewish people. Herod attempted to destroy all male Jewish boys to prevent the Messiah from taking the throne. Satan had tried numerous times to stop Calvary's plan. But he failed and Christ conquered victoriously. The Lord Jesus was not ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Corinthians 2:11). Through His life and ministry, He fought the enemy with the Word (Matthew 4:1-11). But in His death, glory be to God, the Seed of the woman crushed the head of him “…that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). Praise the LORD, Jesus said “It is finished and not, I quit!” It is finished speaks of Christ’s success over Satan. Satan had opposed Christ going to the cross and dying in the way heaven had planned. The word ‘finished’ occurs 3 times: a) Genesis 2:1. At the completion of God’s physical creation, b) John 19:30. When salvation was completed on the cross. c) Revelation 16:17. “It is done” at the 7th vial judgment. Here our Lord Jesus used the Greek word “Tetelestai” meaning, “It is finished, and as a result it is forever done.” The very words of the Lord Jesus, “It is finished,” make it clear that He did win! When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” the redemptive work He came to accomplish was done. Nothing else needed to be added to it. The word “Tetelestai” speaks of accomplishment, satisfaction, and victory! Examples of this are: 1. A servant reporting to his master would say “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:4) 2. A farmer would use this term when there was born into his herd an animal so well-rounded, beautiful, and healthy that it seemed to be without defects and fault. 3. An artist or sculptor who finished a great masterpiece would stand back and say “Tetelestai. Tetelestai,” meaning that the painting is so perfect that nothing can be added to it. It needed no corrections nor any improvements. 4. A merchant would say this when “The debt is paid in full”. As our Kinsman Redeemer, the Lord Jesus paid the exacted payment to set us free from the bondage of sin. 5. A priest would use this word when examining a perfect animal sacrifice when the devout worshipper brought a lamb without blemish, a male of the first year (according to God's instructions in Exodus 12:5), to be offered as a sacrifice. 6. The greatest and example is when Christ said it to describe His payment for our sins on the cross. When our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered Himself as the Lamb of God on the altar at Calvary being such a full, complete and perfect payment that nothing could he added to it. Jesus fully met the righteous demands of a holy law. He paid our sin debt in full. The Lamb of God shed His blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:24-28). His Sacrifice for sins which was perfect, pure, powerful, once for all, eternal, finished, and done forever. Amen and amen!!!! The Creator (John 1:1-3) was sacrificed for His creation. Everything Christ did was according to the Scriptures. While on the cross, Christ spoke of finishing the work of salvation. Calvary was the sacrifice that finished all sacrifices for sin which made salvation possible. Christ had completed perfectly the work assigned to Him. Jesus paid the perfect price for sin and bridged the gap between a holy God and sinful people. Jesus had proclaimed He laid His life down, in John 10:18, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. The truth of this claim was verified in John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Jesus was not robbed of His life; He voluntarily laid it down in John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. When Jesus declared, It is finished, His work of atonement for sin was done. The demands of the law had been met. The debt for sin had been paid in full. Nothing can be or needs to be added to Christ’s finished work on the cross Jesus endured the punishment for our sins against God, He opened the way for people to have a relationship with Him. Paul said “I have finished my course.” II Timothy 4:6-8. Will you finish your life’s work that God has given you to do? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Jesus to shed His blood, to die, and pay the price for my sins. Thank You for giving Him the strength to finish the word He did at Calvary. He did it all He finished the work You sent Him to do. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 6 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 7. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross – PART 5
This is PART 5 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”. Christ’s 5TH Saying (John 19:28) I thirst. John 19:28, After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. We all know the common cry of daily thirst in our bodies. When the water level of the body falls below a certain point, the brain signals that we are thirsty. On a hot day, we have all become especially thirsty for water. But most of us have never known the thirst that accompanies suffering and death. Physicians have assured us that there is no suffering comparable to that of an unassuaged thirst. It’s been said that those who died on the cross became so thirsty that their tongues would swell and protrude from their mouths. The Lord Jesus had suffered in many inconceivable ways. He had been mocked, beaten, and scourged. Then He had the cross laid upon His bleeding shoulders and back. When He reached Calvary, His hands and feet were nailed to the tree. The cross was then dropped into a prepared hole. As His body screamed with pain, indicating the intense level of His sufferings. Christ did all He did according to a divine arrangement and order. The words “After this” conclude the movements of this event. “After” His prayer for forgiveness; “After” His acceptance of the thief; “After” His mother and His disciple were addressed; “After” the Father withdrew His presence from the Son; “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished . . . saith I thirst.” The Jews, stunned by what they have already experienced, now hear a cry that stirs sympathy in the hearts of some of the crowd. Jesus again reveals His humanity by declaring "I thirst." In response to this cry, some of the people standing by took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it to His mouth. Jesus had refused the pain deadening wine that was offered to those about to be crucified (Matthew 27:34). A soldier moistened Jesus’ lips with cheap vinegar on a sponge (John 19:29). “I was thirsty and ye gave me drink” (Matthew 25:35). When Jesus cried, “I thirst,” no doubt He was thirsting for the Father’s presence from which He had been separated. Perhaps He was also thirsting for the finality of His redemptive work. Remember as the rich man was thirsty in the tormenting flames of hell (Luke 16:24), so the Saviour, bearing our sins in His own body on the cross, was thirsty as He suffered the judgment for us. What infinite and precious love! It is clear that the Lord Jesus was concerned “that the scripture might be fulfilled.” In John 19, four references are made to prophetical fulfillments related to His crucifixion (John 19:24, 28, 36, 37). In His life and in His death, the Living Word did what He did in perfect agreement with the written Word. In order to fulfil the Scriptures Jesus said, “I thirst.” He had just endured three hours of darkness when He felt the wrath of God and separation from God (Matthew 27:45-49). Jesus experienced darkness, thirst and isolation as well as spiritual sufferings “My soul thirsteth for God” (Psalm 42:1-2). This fulfilled Psalm 22:15, “My tongue cleaveth to my jaws.” This shows the deep suffering Jesus went through. Messianic themes in Psalm 69: Psalm 69:3, my throat is dried. John 19:38, I thirst Psalm 69:4, They hated me without a cause. John 15:25, They hated me without a cause. Psalm 69:8, I am become a stranger to my brethren. John 7:5, For neither did his brethren believe in Him” Psalm 69:9, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. John 2:17, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Psalm 69:21, they gave me gall for my meat: in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. John 19:28-29, After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. Jesus had earlier said: “He that believeth on me shall never thirst” John 6:35, and “If any man thirst, let him come into me and drink” John 7:37. Jesus who gave His life so man need never thirst spiritually, endured great physical thirst. John 4:13-15. The One Who had said that those who are thirsty are invited to come unto Him and drink was now thirsty. He thirsted that sinners might have their thirst quenched at the Fountain of the Waters of Life. Today, we can “give Jesus a drink” by sharing what we have with those in need. The Lord wants to draw your focus beyond the immediate to the eternal. Everyday we encounter empty vessels who are in desperate need for the Fountain of Living Water. Many in this world are spiritually thirsty, but they have found nothing to quench their thirst. They have pursued the waters of pleasure, success, fame, and fortune; but they have been chasing a mirage without the Living Water Christ offers. It is our moral obligation to guide these people to the Living Water, whatever the cost. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, my soul truly thirsts after your righteousness. My desire is to continually pursue You each day until Your Son Jesus comes back for me. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 5 of the 7 PART Series titled “7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross”. Please visit this website tomorrow for Part 6. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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