Eph. 2:14-17

Ephesians 2:12–14

[12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (ESV)

In Christ we have everything we need.

Our Sufficiency is in Christ.

Growth in Christ is recognition of what we have in Christ. it is WHO we have in Christ that gives validity to WHAT we have in Christ. For when we realize Who He is it give understanding to What we have. Then our Faith is Strengthened our Love is Stable and our Hope is Sure.

There are five things that are ours in Christ by His Death.

There are many more I will just point out five from our text.

I. We have Peace – We have peace with God for Jesus Christ is our Peace. No more hostility between Jew and Gentile. Peace with God creates Peace with our fellowman.

II. The Walls of Separation are Broken Down – This may sound redundant but it is not. It is saying in the context of the passage by His Death, Christ has destroyed what divided us in the first place. If God made Peace with Jew and Gentile and left the walls up the walls would only serve to remind of the hostility. By His Death He has removed the ROOT of the offence.

III. He has Ended the Whole System of Jewish Law that Excluded the Gentiles– In the temple there was a Jewish part and a Gentile part. There were places to which the Gentile could not go. The Jews used the law to remember those strangers that dwelt among them. The text teach us, we are no more strangers, we are Fellow Citizens of the Household of Israel. We are the Commonwealth of the Redeemed. We are no longer Strangers. Halleluah to the Lamb! The old temple has been destroyed. It is not that we dwell in the temple, but God now dwells in us. God excluded the whole system. So we can’t hold on to what God has destroyed. No more coming in different doors for there is only one door, and that is Christ Himself. This was Achieved by His Death.

IV. He created in Himself one new man. What does this mean? How Do we Explain this? There is Jew and there is Gentile. At Calvary He killed them both down in Himself and what He pulled out of Himself was neither Jew or Gentile neither us or them but it was a Saint?

V. We are Bonded in an Unbreakable Union. One New Man. This is all ours by His Death.

Christians everywhere must celebrate not just a Pass from Hell, we celebrate all the blessings that are Ours by His Death.

I Thank God for His PLAN of Salvation, and I Thank Him even more for the MAN of Salvation!

The MAN who not only Died for my Sin but ROSE Victorious From the Grave and Forever Lives to Intercede on my behalf.

My prayer is that we will by God’s Spirit realize what is ours by His Death. and who is ours by His Death.

So that we might live in a strengthened faith that will allow us to enjoy the privileges that are ours.

They are given freely to us by His Death, so we should Marvel at the Greatness of our God and commit ourselves to live faithful and fruitful to Him as we love and serve our fellowman.

 

I Am the True Vine

1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  John 15:1-2 (ESV)

God’s People lives to be Fruitful or Spiritually Productive.

Brothers and Sisters, of the Christian Faith our lives count for the Kingdom of God.

God’s Ultimate Goal in Saving us was and is for us to be Conformed to the Image of Jesus Christ and Live Lives that Produce Spiritual Fruit.

This is Fruit for the Kingdom.

He has redeemed us to be A Fruitful Community of Believers that display Christ-Likeness in a Christ-Less World.

I have come to a point in life where I have never wanted my life to count for eternity more than I do now. I have never loved the Gospel Message like I do now.

I want my remaining days to be spent On the Gospel and in the Gospel.

Many who claim the name of Christ, it seems that Our Practice of the Christian Life is becoming Desired Passivity rather Desired Participation.

Passivity is often a cover-up for Disobedience. Passivity can make you feel good about what you Don’t Do. Rather than gratefully rejoicing about the things God give you the Privilege to do and you Are Doing.

I want Spiritual Fruit to Abound and Surround my life and my concentric circle of contacts, the fruit of the life of Jesus Christ live out in Godly Character, the FRUIT of the Spirit.

The Fruit of Souls Saved, the Fruit of Men and Women Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ.

My Impact and Influence for the Kingdom of God requires my Participation not my Passivity.

If this is your Passion for your Christian Life John 15 tells us Clearly how Spiritual Fruit must be Produced.

It will teach us about God’s Part in the Process, Our Responsibility in the Process and also we will be challenged to think more seriously about those of us who profess Christ and yet continually manifest ongoing habits of FRUITLESSNESS.

In our text Jesus is on a Divine Time-Table, He is about to face His Providential Predicament of being Crucified on the Cross.

Knowing this He spends His last evening with the men He loved most deeply. John said, in chapter 13 and verse 1,

[1] Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (ESV)

Love is a very personal thing, yet love always tells on its possessor. Love will ALWAYS let you know WHO AND WHAT A PERSON LOVES.

Facing A Providential Predicament Jesus deep concern is for the Faith Future and Function of His Disciples in the world. This is Demonstrated in the Teaching He has for them.

Jesus Nearing Removal from Earth is not a Removal of Concern for the Life of His Disciple on earth, because He is completely in tune with God’s Will Himself and for them.

And what He is about to do is the Father’s Will ( Die on the Cross) and He wants them to Remain Faithful to the Father’s Will.

Sometimes God Will for your Life can be Disturbing to Others, when they don’t understand God’s Will.

And the only way they can Remain Faithful to God’s Will is to be  Personally and Spiritually Connected to the Person of Christ and By Totally Embracing His Words and Teaching by Faith.

So if they are going to Live Productive Christian Lives and be a Fruitful Community, they must understand that their Connection to Christ and their Compliance to His Words are to be their Necessity in Living Productive Christian Lives.

In these 8 verses He teaches on Spiritual Productivity. We must read study and meditate on these truths.

1. Jesus Christ is the Only Sufficient Vine – He declares, “I Am The True Vine”See the vintage of the Branches is always dependent first and foremost on the quality of the Vine into which they are Attached. Your ROOT Attachment will Determine your Fruit ProductionChrist Alone is the Only Sufficient Source for Spiritual Productivity. Life Vitality and Nourishment that we need to Live the Christian Life and Produce Fruit Pleasing to God ONLY COMES in Connection with Jesus Christ.
2. God the Father is The Only Sufficient Vine-Dresser – and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

If we are to be Productive in Our Christian Lives we NEED someone to CARE after us so that we can be FRUITFUL.

Notice God the Father carries out 2 Task for to types of Branches.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes (Cut off, remove destroy) away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes ( cleanse or purge), that it may bear more fruit.

• One Branch Must be Cleaned Regularly
• One Branch Must be Cut Off Permanently

The Beginning to A Fruitful Life is the Connection to Christ and the Caring Concern of the Father.

The Proof is in the Fruit.

In my concentric circle of contacts of Christian brothers I have found much division on the subject of the Atonement.

Please notice that I said “Brothers.” I do not think one should question one’s salvation on the basis of whether one ascribes to a Limited or Unlimited Atonement.

I personally believe in a Limited Atonement. I believe that Christ’s death actually Accomplishes and secures the salvation of all who believe the Gospel.

I share the Gospel with everyone with no exclusion trusting the Spirit of God to make Christ known to whom He pleases.

However, I believe those that the Father has given to Christ will come to Christ (John 6:37a).

I have some concerns on both sides. I don’t think it is Christ-like to think less of a brother because he might not understand what you understand, especially when we say that only the Spirit of God gives spiritual understanding.

I don’t think it is appropriate or Christ-like to demean someone for this lack of understanding.

The good news of God’s free and sovereign grace does not produce arrogance and mean spirits.

I believe it produces humilty patience and love.

Now there are those on the other side who make statements like it doesn’t matter and they don’t divide but they want discuss.

I say to those please be cautious with those type of statements. Truth does matter if indeed Christ matters, for He declared that He is the truth (John 14:6).

Those who are faithful to sound exposition must preach the whole counsel of God’s word.

Many question why even preach on such a subject, just preach Christ. They don’t see a practical relevance. I say in loving response to that, there is much practical relevance. Why Preach on Limited Atonement?

1. It magnifies the work of Christ because it presents an atonement that is a finished work not a possiblity.

2. It give hope in evangelism because when we evangelize we know that Christ is actually saving not potentially.

3. It ministers gloriously to the believer’s assurance because the believer can find assurance in an actual completed work that is particular rather than general.

4. It deepens a believer’s love for the Lord when properly understood what Christ has done for them. Love is magnified in a deeper since of appreciation when love has a particular object.

5. It enables us to offer a truly finished work. Which ampliflies Grace and diminishes human works.

It is my honest desire not to see brothers divided and treat one another like enemies or something less because of a theological position. It is also my desire to see brothers open the Scripture and discuss theological positions and trust the Spirit of God to give illumination.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

In reflection I am drawn to hear the voice and words of my Pastor, Dr. James Brown Sr. singing his favorite song, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.

This song is loaded with Theology. It declares the Sovereignty and Providence of God. It Also declares the Trust and Confidence of the Believer in God for his Well being.

A. W. Tozer speaking on the Sufficiency of God, declared.

Since He is the Being supreme over all, it follows that God cannot be elevated. Nothing is above Him, nothing beyond Him. Any motion in His direction is elevation for the creature; away from Him, descent. He holds His position out of Himself and by leave of none. As no one can promote Him, so no one can degrade Him.

It is written that He upholds all things by the word of His power. How can He be raised or supported by the things He upholds?

Were all human beings suddenly to become blind, still the sun would shine by day and the stars by night, for these owe nothing to the millions who benefit from their light. So, were every man on earth to become atheist, it could not affect God in any way. He is what He is in Himself without regard to any other. To believe in Him adds nothing to His perfections; to doubt Him takes nothing away.

Twentieth century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, not to say enjoyable, to believe that we are necessary to God. But the truth is that God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist. That we do exist is altogether of God’s free determination, not by our desert nor by divine necessity.

Probably the hardest thought of all for our natural egotism to entertain is that God does not need our help. We commonly represent Him as a busy, eager, somewhat frustrated Father hurrying about seeking help to carry out His benevolent plan to bring peace and salvation to the world, but, as said the Lady Julian, “I saw truly that God doeth all-thing, be it never so little.” The God who worketh all things surely needs no help and no helpers.

This is the God My Pastor was singing about. It is clear to me why he couldn’t contain himself when he sang.

His hope was in a Sovereign God who works all things by the counsel of His own Will. Eph. 1:11

He knew he couldn’t control life, but he didn’t have to. He had a God who was controlling everything, including himself.

He knew Trials, Troubles and Tribulations were all UNDER Divine Control. Even the devil is under Divine Control.

He knew the God he was singing about was working all things together for his  good because he loved the Lord and was the called, according to His purpose. Rom. 8:28

And he knew those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.            Rom. 8:29

These God Promises are to All His Children, He will never leave us or forsake us.

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:5-6

Therefore,  All True Believers can Sing with Great JOY! I don’t Know About Tomorrow, but I Know WHO Holds Tomorrow!

If (Since) God is for us, who (OR What) can be against us? He (God) who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure (fully persuaded, convinced) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:31-39

What A Blessing to Live in Recognition of the Sovereignty and Providence of God!

Guarding the Truth: Building Fences

2 Tim 1:13-14

13    Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14   That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

I am often challenged and convicted in several areas of my ministry. The weight of the ministry in which God has called me to is beyond my strength and abilities. However, he always provides that which is needed. And for that I am truly grateful. This blog is a pulling together of old notes comprised from a conference i attended years ago. Old notes, but Great refreshment!

However, they are being expressed from my heart today as God spoke to me.

Times are very difficult, that is these are very crucial times in the life of the church. We are living in a postmodern culture. That is postmodernism at heart denies absolute truth.They deny the absolute so everything is relative. This is ultimately a denial of God. If truth is relative, you have your truth and I have mine, and the one you see in the mirror is your God.

Those who deny absolute truth, I always ask are they ABSOLUTELY SURE? LOL

People make claims to God that have no frame of reference. Declaration with no frame of reference is USELESS! These statements come from a god of their imagination.

Paul prophetically warned us about these times in

2 Tim 3:1-14

1     This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2     For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3     Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4     Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5     Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6     For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7     Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8     Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9     But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10    But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11    Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13    But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14    But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

(KJV)

So Paul writes to Timothy and to us saying regardless of what other do, we must GUARD the TRUTH. This can only be done by our faithful obedience to God and His word. We can do this by Building Fences.

There will always be those who desire to disrupt the plans and purposes of God.

Illustration: I read about a family who  Brenda  purchased a home it was for the joy the pleasures and comforts of their  family. Now this also included the land that came with it. However after a while they started to have problems with dogs coming into our yard leaving their waste and threatening the planned pleasures of their lives. They had a playground built for their children but they were afraid for them to go out because of the dogs.

So they decided to build a fence around their property to protect their children’s livelihood and planned pleasure. Now they were very carefully in selected someone to build the fence. We wanted someone who knew what they were doing and were faithful to the responsibility.

Paul is warning the church there are dogs coming on our property leaving their mess and threatening the livelihood of our people. We must build fences to keep them out. There were codes and building restrictions that had to be followed.

The story caused me to think and meditate about the Subject of Guarding Truth by Building Fences.

What should we look for in the Fence Builders for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ? Paul tells us in God’s Word

 

1. They Must Have A Heart For Ministry

2 Tim 1:6

6     Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

(KJV)

 

2. They Must Have A Unashamed Fidelity

2 Tim 1:8

8     Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

(KJV)

 

3. They Must Have A Life Of Sanctity

2 Tim 1:9

9     Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

(KJV)

 

4. They Must Have A Deep Love For The Doctrine

2 Tim 1:13-14

13    Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14    That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

(KJV)

 

What is the Function of the Fences we build?

1. To Mark Our Territory
2. To keep Intruders out
3. To keep the Family in and Safe
4. To Secure the well being of the Family
5. To Ensure the Love Joy and Peace of the Family

What are the Dangers of Building Fences?

1. Positioning Them To Narrow and giving up Property that is Rightfully Yours
2. Positioning Them To Broad taking and making Use of Property that is not Yours
3. Confusing Fence Building with Highly Cultivating Garden (SELAH)

 

Brothers God has entrusted us with His precious truth we are to guard it with our lives.

Doctrine is important. The word doctrine simply means teaching.

A man’s doctrine will determined his practice.

In Paul’s writing notice how he presents the Doctrine first then he calls for Duty. the Indicative then the Imperative.

Examples: Ephesians, Galatians, Romans

A man will never know what he is against until he knows what he is for. We must protect the truth at all cost SOULSare at stake.

More than that, the Glory of God.

Now remember, God will be glorified! He gets just as much glory in the punishment of the wicked as he does in the salvation of the elect.

1 Tim 4:16

16    Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

(KJV)

Remember  we must give an account. So in these perilous times we must Guard the Truth. If we would think even further people are saved by coming into the knowledge of the TRUTH. 

Jesus makes that bold declaration of Absolute Truth, “I am the WAY the TRUTH and the Life”.

So let’s be faithful to our calling Paul says to Timothy and us

2 Tim 2:15-18

15    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17    And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18    Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

(KJV)

Here we see clearly there were men were off in their Doctrine which effected their Duty.

So Paul commands  us,  “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

 

AS WE GUARD THE TRUTH BY BUILDING FENCES TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Holiness is arguably the most neglected attribute of God in the contemporary church. If asked to describe God, many Christians would mention his power, love, wisdom, or a list of other attributes, before they mention holiness. Yet in scripture, holiness is God’s central, defining, and foundational attribute. In fact, the word the Bible uses to describe God more than any other word is “Holy.” And God is so holy that everything associated with God becomes holy.

The text I have been capture by is Leviticus 10:1-3

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

The central theme of the book is Holiness. The book intends to show how

Israel was to fulfill its covenant responsibility to be ‘a kingdom of priests

and a holy nation’ (Ex 19:6; Lev 26:5).

How to maintain the vital covenantal relationship between the Israelites

and their God is the concern of the book of Leviticus.

New Testament theology makes full use of the idea of holiness. All

Christians are holy, “saints” in most English translations. That is, they have

been called by God to be his people just as ancient Israel had been

(Col.1:2; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2:9-10; Exod. 19:5-6). But this state of holiness must

find expression in holy living (Col. 1:22; 1 Pet. 1:15).

Sanctification is expressed through obedience to the standard of teaching (Rom. 6:17-19), just as in Leviticus through obedience to the law. Peter urges his readers to

make the motto of Leviticus their own: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet.

1:16). The imitation of God is a theme that unites the ethics of Old and

New Testaments (Matt. 5:48; 1 Cor. 11:1).

Now in the text we find that the sons of Aaron offered Unauthorized Fire unto the LORD and were killed. So we see that God takes worship very serious. It is to be done His way and not ours. All worship must be consistent with te Word of God. Unauthorized Fire can be understood as that which the LORD had not commanded.

It is interesting to me these were Aaron’s sons. Aaron was the brother of Moses. Aaron was the High-priest. He was the only one permitted into the Holy Holies, the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. And yet they were killed in an act of worship for doing what God had not commanded. I am trying to emphasize that they were not some heathen or pagan young men. They were consecrated to the priestly office, coming to attend their office the very first day after their consecration to offer incense to God, they ventured to offer incense with strange fire, with other fire than God had appointed (Unauthorized Fire). Upon that, the fire of God’s wrath broke out upon them and killed them both presently in that very sanctuary before all the people.

They were two men very renown in the country and before all the people of Israel, two men that God had greatly honored as you shall find in the beginning of the 24th chapter of Exodus. I am wanting you to see that these were men of Privilege and Position and yet they are consumed. What a warning this is for the people of God on how serious God is about worship and His holiness. Privileges and Positions are no Protection when it comes to approaching a Holy God.

This story troubled me much at first glance. I said to myself how could God bring such judgement on men of such privilege and position? As a preacher of the Gospel it just seemed to me to be a bit harsh. Then as I reflected and contemplated more on who God is I got it.

We are amazed at the judgement of God because of our lack of understanding and reverence of His Holiness that we miss the amazement of His Grace. The question is not why God killed them. But why has he not killed me and others of us who have also been guilty of offering Unauthorized Fire. Halleluah for the Lamb!

Privileges and Positions are not Protection. To whom much is given much is required. Privileges and Positions should serve as motivations for love and appreciation for God and His grace toward us. Love and appreciation should manifest itself in obedience to God’s Holy Word.

In Isaiah 6 there is the mentioning of the Seraphim these angelic beings who hovered over the throne of God as guardians. They are God’s supernatural secret service team. They are Privileged to have such honored Positions. They are Holy Angels the bible says they have six wings. The wings are used to guard others from the throne of God and to guard themselves from God’s throne. Two of the wings are said to cover their face. Get this they are Holy Angels Privileged and Positioned yet they cover their face from God.

They are holy angels who guard the throne of God. Yet they are still creatures. And even with their Privileged and lofty Positons it is still necessary for them to shield their eyes from a direct gaze at the face of God. That’s how Holy God is. He is not just set apart from sin. He is set apart from all creation. So even the Holy Angels that guard his throne had better beware, lest they become objects of his Holy Wrath.

Privilege and Position Are No Protection

ThThe Danger of Unauthorzed Fire

One of the best books I ever read is by the Old Puritan Pastor Jeremiah Burroughs called GOSPEL WORSHIP. I would encourage every Christian to read it. There seems to be a loss of reverence in our comtemporary worship services. Much of what is done focuses more on us than on God. The bible is clear God must be worshipped in Spirit and Truth. God tells us how to worship Him. We are not permitted to offer worship to God however and whatever we desire and think it is acceptable. Many say as long as you are sincere it doesn’t matter. This poses a problem because there is the danger of being sincerely wrong. Worship is for God, not for us. Sadly, that simple statement is foreign to our day. This is not to say we or not benefited in worship. God is to be glorified and we are edified in doing so.i believe we are enriched greatly by worshipping God, but it must be on His Terms.

Leviticus 10:1–3 (ESV)

 

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

This passage gives evidence and validity to the fact that God is serious about how He is worshipped. People of God don’t take worshipping God as some casual thing. He is Holy and He must be reverenced.

Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs masterfully gives guidelines to facilitate the reader to move closer to God in worship. Through 14 sermons, Burroughs carefully explains the right manner of worshipping God in the three great ordinances of hearing the Word, receiving the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. Burroughs shows that true worship is reverent, focused upon our Holy God.

In a sermon Burroughs wrote on this passage three things he highlighted that I think we should take heed to. He says;

1. That in worshipping God, there is a drawing nigh unto Him.

2. That when we do draw nigh to God, we should take heed to ourselves that we sanctify God’s name. (Treat His Name as HOLY)

3. If we do not sanctify God’s name in our drawing nigh to Him, then certainly God will sanctify His own name upon us.

On the first point Burrough says, “That in God’s worship, there must be nothing tendered up to God but what He has commanded. I call this, “No Use of Unauthorized Fire”.

All that we do in worship must be consistent with the Word of God which is the Will of God. I must ask myself am I acting upon what God has prescribed or am I acting upon what I desire?

Aaron’s sons offered fire that God had not commanded. This means we must have a warrant for the worship of God. If I do not have Scripture to warrant me, I am acting insubordinate. We must all be willing worshippers, not will-worshippers.

If you would worship God, you must have a commandment of God for the worship. If there is no command from God then you worship in vain (Matthew 15:39). We can’t use Unauthorized Fire!

I will pick up more tomorrow with Privilege and Positions Are No Protection.

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24e Danger of Unauthorzed Fire

One of the best books I ever read is by the Old Puritan Pastor Jeremiah Burroughs called GOSPEL WORSHIP. I would encourage every Christian to read it. There seems to be a loss of reverence in our comtemporary worship services. Much of what is done focuses more on us than on God. The bible is clear God must be worshipped in Spirit and Truth. God tells us how to worship Him. We are not permitted to offer worship to God however and whatever we desire and think it is acceptable. Many say as long as you are sincere it doesn’t matter. This poses a problem because there is the danger of being sincerely wrong. Worship is for God, not for us. Sadly, that simple statement is foreign to our day. This is not to say we or not benefited in worship. God is to be glorified and we are edified in doing so.i believe we are enriched greatly by worshipping God, but it must be on His Terms.

Leviticus 10:1–3 (ESV)

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

This passage gives evidence and validity to the fact that God is serious about how He is worshipped. People of God don’t take worshipping God as some casual thing. He is Holy and He must be reverenced.

Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs masterfully gives guidelines to facilitate the reader to move closer to God in worship. Through 14 sermons, Burroughs carefully explains the right manner of worshipping God in the three great ordinances of hearing the Word, receiving the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. Burroughs shows that true worship is reverent, focused upon our Holy God.

In a sermon Burroughs wrote on this passage three things he highlighted that I think we should take heed to. He says;

1. That in worshipping God, there is a drawing nigh unto Him.

2. That when we do draw nigh to God, we should take heed to ourselves that we sanctify God’s name. (Treat His Name as HOLY)

3. If we do not sanctify God’s name in our drawing nigh to Him, then certainly God will sanctify His own name upon us.

On the first point Burrough says, “That in God’s worship, there must be nothing tendered up to God but what He has commanded. I call this, “No Use of Unauthorized Fire”.

All that we do in worship must be consistent with the Word of God which is the Will of God. I must ask myself am I acting upon what God has prescribed or am I acting upon what I desire?

Aaron’s sons offered fire that God had not commanded. This means we must have a warrant for the worship of God. If I do not have Scripture to warrant me, I am acting insubordinate. We must all be willing worshippers, not will-worshippers.

If you would worship God, you must have a commandment of God for the worship. If there is no command from God then you worship in vain (Matthew 15:39). We can’t use Unauthorized Fire!

I will pick up more tomorrow with Privilege and Positions Are No Protection.

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24

I am reading the Book of Ephesians. I had to stop after chapter 1 and meditate and reflect on what i had read. As I carefully reflected. I concluded tat the Lord was maturing me greatly by increasing my understanding of my salvation. All I can do is Rejoice and Praise Him!

This is a Great Hymn of God’s Amazing Grace.

In Ephesians 1:3-14, there are 202 words in 12 verses that actually make up one sentence. Wow! Many english teachers would say this is grammatically incorrect. However, I have concluded everything grammatically correct is not always theologically powerful. The sentence structure may not fit our standards, but the theological teaching will transform our lives.

Paul is Praising God! He is praising God for the Blessings that are ours in Jesus Christ. There is great wealth and richness in Jesus Christ. It is awesome to fully comprehend and realize all that we have in Jesus Christ. we have been blessed (Past Tense) with EVERY spiritual blessing that we could ever possess. this makes me shout with JOY UNSPEAKABLE! But there is More.

We have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World. this means God set His Affection upon me before I Existed, therefore without my Permission. He loved me before I ever existed. This means being in Christ is not about My Behavior but God’s Benevolence, which definitely impacts my Behavior. His Action toward me is the primary cause of My Action toward me. I love Him because He first loved me. I searched through this Doxology and I could not find one single thing we did to contribute to our salvation.

In this Great Work God is DOING the DOING. It was God the Father’s Plan to bless in Christ and choose us in Christ. “If God had not chose some heaven would have none”. There is more!

After He Blessed and Chose us, He Adopted us into His Family. It is one thing to be Blessed and Chose into a Kingdom, but it is unbelievably amazing to become a member of the Royal Family. Blessed, Chose Adopted, then Redeemed by God the Son. Purchased by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Released from the Bondage and Brutality of Sin!

There is more! Sealed by God the Holy Spirit, which He is the Guarantee of my getting a FULL Inheritance. The small phrase “In Christ”, has very weighty Implications. In Christ actually implies three thing:

In ChristImplies Three Things;

1. The Believers United RelationshipIn Christ
2. The Believers Deep Intimacy In Christ
3. The Believers New Identity In Christ

Now I better understand why Paul used 202 words in these 12 verses which make up 1 sentence. He couldn’t stop praising our Thrice-Holy God for such a A Great God and a Glorious Salvation!

All who are in Christ, should Praise God as well!

So today Christian, take your mind off of what you  don’t have Materially and Praise God for the Wealth of Riches you have Spiritually IN CHRIST! Today take your eyes off our your Problems and Praise God for your Privileges IN CHRIST!

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

 

Have you ever wonder why the doors of your church are still open? Why are we not Shut-Down!

Some say because of the faithful few in the giving of their time efforts and resources.

Some say it’s the prayers of the church.

Some say the faithfulness of the Preacher.

I stand firm without the fear of successful contradiction.

The doors of the church remain open because of Election. God’s Electing Grace!!! Halleluah for the LAMB!!!

Think about it. If God didn’t chose some heaven would have none.

The functions and orders of life is because of God’s Choosing not ours. this is Glorious News!

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, [2] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being [3] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him [4] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

God has Selected the Rejected to Shame the Respected that the chosen’s boasting would be in the LORD.