Worketh Patience

Romans 5:2-4  “By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,  and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

       And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

       And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

Worketh patience….”knowing that tribulations worketh patience”….worketh.

      We are not “zapped” with patience.   For the scriptures clearly state;  it is worketh patience.

If we are having trouble with a particular set of circumstances in our lives….maybe even having a fit about them…..

…then rest assured we will never acquire “hope”…or we will never “glory in tribulations”…that will enable us to acquire patience.

Patience is one of the strongest virtues of God!    Think how patient He has been with His people (me,  you) over all the years!

And patience works strength in us….strength to wait on God,  on people,  and on the right time.

Patience gives us calm assurance that God has not forgotten His Word to us….nor will He.   

Patience does not “sit down”….but goes ahead and works today what must be done….keeping our eyes….not on next year, or next week, or next anything….but on the task at hand….”for  the glory of God.”

As we receive all things which come to us….as from our Heavenly Father’s hand, we will know patience.

Patience is cheerful endurance…or hopefully keeping oneself under!   

        Under God’s Will and Way….under the circumstances till God changes them or us.

(Years ago, I taught Romans in our church Sunday School.   

We all know the verses:

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

But the context is amazing.  

Paul is manifesting in this letter to the Roman Christians….that the whole world is on trial before God!

The measuring stick is:   the glory of God!   For that was what we were created for….to show forth His glory. [Revelation 4:11]

Here is the God the Judge,  Who hath given His laws…and when those laws were grievously rejected and abused…

…He hath “commendeth HIs love toward us”[Romans 5:8]..sending His Son to save all who believe.

Here is God the Son, Jesus Christ,  Who hath given Himself to save His people, and give them eternal life to the glory of God. [Romans 5:17]

Here is God the Spirit,  Who hath given us the “quickening” to live by the Spirit of God to His glory. [Romans 8:11]

The great example Paul gives is Abraham…for Abraham “believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” [Romans 4:3]

       “Who against hope believed in hope,….and being not weak in faith,….he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief;  but was strong in faith,   giving glory to God.”  [Romans 4:18-20]

Giving glory to God. 

        Patience had her perfect work [James 1:2-4] in Abraham….and Paul is saying that it works in us as well.)

Tribulation worketh patience…this tribulation is pressure, afflict, trouble.   And in these,   we are to give glory to God…

…which is impossible if we have not learned patience.

Hope is the confident expectation that God will do what He says….and that hope will lead to the trying of our faith (tribulations:  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12)

        And amid these tribulations…pressures, afflictions, troubles….will work patience in us.

Again,  patience is a strong attribute of God….and He works it within us, by His Holy Spirit, to be able to cheerfully endure our walk through this world…for His glory.

The Pharisee’s meal

Luke 7:36 “And one of the Pharisees desired Him (Jesus) that He would eat with him.   And He went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.”

Jesus had been speaking about John the Baptist (verses 24-28)….the forerunner of the Messiah.   But…

Luke 7:30 “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves,  being not baptized of him. (John)”

Notice, that John’s call to repentance was rejected.   That was the counsel of God for them…for all Israel, to repent of their lax ways….their greedy ways….their self-righteous ways…. to welcome the Messiah,  Jesus Christ, the Savior and King.  (Luke 3:7-9)

But the Pharisees rejected this counsel from God….Him speaking through John the Baptist the best advice to get right with God,  that their hearts might be opened to receiving the Christ.

After hearing Jesus speak,  one of the Pharisees invites Him to come and eat with him (probably thinking he was giving Jesus an advantage by being there).    

      For the Pharisee….Jesus was on trial.   The Pharisee would listen to what He said,  then judge for himself about “this man”.

But what this Pharisee didn’t understand was,….that he was on trial.   “What will you do with Jesus?” was always the theme of every encounter….for Jesus came to save His people from their sins.

      What would the Pharisee,  Simon,   do about that?

Enter,…the sinful woman:

      Luke 7:36-37 “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house,  brought an alabaster box of ointment,

      And stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

When do we see our sin?   

      When do we come to Christ Jesus, the Lord?   When do we “see” Him for Who He is?

God’s goodness…when it is realized by the sinner….is the only thing that leads us to true repentance.

In the light of God’s mercy, grace, and love….in sending His Beloved Son as Savior for us….then we see our sin…(and if we are fortunate), we see it as in the eyes of a Holy God…

…and repent and adore Him for His forgiveness.

This woman, a sinner, came to Jesus for forgiveness….yet notice she does not ask Him for anything….

….but her heart and actions speak volumes!

                   She stood behind His feet, weeping.  

(Most meals were eaten in a half laying down position…so Jesus feet were beside Him…not under Him.)

                   When she saw that He did not rebuke her, a sinner, for being there….what mercy!   Then she began to wash His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair.

(Perhaps she saw that they were dusty….for Simon had not washed His feet when He entered…but she did)

                  Then, when they were clean,  she kissed them….surely, she, a sinner, could not even be so bold as to kiss His hand….no, she knew she was greatly privileged to kiss His feet.

                  Then she took that alabaster box of ointment…which would have been expensive….and anointed His feet….for she knew that every part of Jesus was precious.

Luke 7:39 “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it,  he spake within himself, saying,  This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him:  for she is a sinner.”

It is interesting to note that Simon knew she was a sinner,  yet failed to see his own sin.

      (Are we not the same way at times?)

       But Jesus is going to “answer” his unspoken criticism and judgment…with Truth.

               If Simon will see it, when it is pointed out to him….perhaps, there will be another sinner, seeking for forgiveness from Jesus.

“And Jesus answering said unto him,  Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee….” (Luke 7:40)

First Jesus gave the story of two debtors….one owing 500 pence….the other 50 pence.    The creditor forgave both of the debtors….

…but the question I have for you, Simon, is…which would love the creditor most?

Simon quickly answered the question….correctly:  the one that owed the creditor the most money…for he was forgiven the most.

Jesus told Simon,  that concerning the question….he judged correctly….

….but, concerning Him….his judgment had been wrong.

       If He (Jesus) had even just been a prophet….surely Simon would have treated Him with care and honor….but he had not.

Then Jesus showed Simon his many errors….in polite custom….and in love to Him….Who was more than a prophet…for He was a Savior.

       When Jesus came in….no water was even provided for Him.   (usually servants…or if it was a special person, the householder himself would wash the guest’s feet.)

       Simon had not kissed Him.  (again, a custom for guests.)

       Simon had not provided or given oil for Jesus’ head.(which was always done, as a perfume before seating to eat,  and as a mark of gladness that the person is there.)

“Why were these things not done, Simon?   Because you love “little”.    Your self-righteousness is always judging others,  but you  believe you don’t need to be forgiven….much…

….so you love God’s great gift, in the person of Me, God’s Son…”little”.

You think you honor Me with a meal….

…but this woman has honored Me with her love….which she gave without request.

       This woman, has loved much, for she acknowledges in her actions,   that she has sinned much, and that I am able to forgive her”

….and now He finally speaks to her:

        Luke 7:48 “And He said unto her,  Thy sins are forgiven.”

               Imagine:

Forgiven!  All my sins….at once, forgiven forever!  

Luke 7:50 “And He (Jesus) said to the woman,  Thy faith hath saved thee;  go in peace.”

Here was a message to all who were there….Simon and all his Pharisee friends….if they would hear it:

Faith in Jesus, saves.  

Faith in Jesus, leads to peace.

Faith in Jesus, is shown in the love we have for Him….for He is Lord and Savior.

What are we stumbling over?

Proverbs 3:21,23 “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:  keep sound wisdom and discretion:

       Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”

Proverbs 4:11-12 “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;  I have led thee in right paths.

       When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”

Notice that stumbling comes with ignoring or refusing God’s wisdom and  His Word.

Proverbs 4:18-19 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

       (the justified are to walk as the sun comes up….first it is not darkness, but grey…then light is brighter and brighter till we have walked with the Lord and there is no shadows in between us….till His light shines down upon us in fullness…”walking in the light” 1 John 1:7)

       The way of the wicked is as darkness:  they know not at what they stumble.”

My husband used to preach on these verses, and say:   “As Christians,  we ought to at least know at what we stumble”.

        Do we?

To stumble does not mean that  we necessarily  fall….simply that we give an occasion of falling….and lose our focus.   

       (And how important our focus on Christ for ourselves is, in these days!)

       But  it  certainly can cause us to fall….give us a ruin….and cause us to be overcome (instead of overcoming in faith). 

Either way, it weakens us….causes us to give way in the things of God…if even for a small time.

       There is also our witness to others.  If we stumble over His Word,….will we not make others stumble also?

Malachi 2:7-8 “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they (the people) should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

      But ye are departed out of the way;  ye have caused many to stumble at the law:…”

      The Lord showed the priesthood,  that they should be ready to speak His Word to any of the people that came to them….

….but instead they would not honor the Word….

…and because of that,  many were stumbling around, uncertain of what they should do….and many sinned because of the lack of true knowledge.

      And because these men refused to honor the Lord’s Word…. God’s blessing on the people and the nation was withheld.

1 Peter 2:2,7-8 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby:

      (This is the same exhortation as in Proverbs….since you now have the light of the Word….stay in the light,  walk in the light,  and grow with the light.)

       Unto you therefore which believe He is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

       And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the Word,  being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.”

Peter is showing that lack of obedience to HIs Word, leads to stumbling….

….and stumbling leads to dishonoring of the Lord.

He is the Cornerstone of His Word….He is the Rock on which we build our heart-homes.  He is precious to all who obey Him.

(Now I want to talk a little about obedience and disobedience.    We may think that we are obedient.    We pray,  we go to church,  we read our Bibles,  we encourage others to seek Him….but obedience is:

     “Believingly doing His Word to us.”    

How much do we believe when we pray?    How much do we believe when we hear a sermon?   How much do we believe the Bible is relevant to us in these days?  

      This is how much our encouragement to others is blessed.    

Because believing Jesus is part of obedience.

What do you have trouble believing Him for?

Disobedience is to wilfully and perversely [stubbornly] not believe…not do what is being told us by HIs Word.

     Are we being stubborn about what He has shown us….about us,  about our situation,  about another?)

Let us not “stumble” over the Word….let us take it to Him, and even if we cry….”I believe, help my unbelief”….let us put our full weight on Him….and step out in obedience.

A New Way 

Joshua 3:4 “Yet there shall be a space between you and it,  about two thousand cubits by measure:   Come not near unto it,  that ye may know the way by which you must go:   For ye have not passed this way heretofore.”

“You have not passed this Way, before.”

The Israelites were crossing Jordan to obtain their inheritance as God’s people.

They were to keep in their sight the Ark of God,  which was way out front, for that would lead them right.

There would be battles, some miraculous, others hard fought.  (Jericho—Joshua 6:20;    the forced march to Gibeon—Joshua 10:9-10)

There would be failures, and repentance’s.  (Achan’s theft—Joshua 7:10-11)

There would be those who did not want to leave the safety of the camp, to go into their own territory.    (Joshua 18:3-4)

And mostly there would be God, always present, guiding and leading….first, by Joshua.  

Then by the Law and priests.  

Then by their own love of God……if they would continue in it.

We have not passed this Way before.   We are entering into new territory,  new promises.

There is new ground to walk,  new heights to be gained.

Back a few years, my husband gave this testimony to the church…..

       Once I was taking one of my prayer walks, and I was praying about some things the Lord had been dealing with me about….when the Lord showed me that I had finally got these things into my life. 

(Sometimes, when you have been working at something for a while, as I had, we need to see just how far we have come….it is a great feeling to know you have gone  further with the Lord.)

      Wow! I felt on top of the heights!  And the Lord let me feel that for awhile as I praised Him for bringing me through.   

Then it was like He nudged me, and said,  “But up there is where we are going”……and as though the fog lifted before me, I saw a mountain,  very high, and a pinnacle there.

     Yes, I had finally gotten what I had prayed for….. but there was so much more to have in Christ….and He wanted me to know the….’where “we” are going’.

     There had been joy before, but now there was joy poured forth.  I felt empowered to leap mountains.

      I have found, since then, the way up, is difficult….but He has been with me.  And He has always been my greatest joy.

“You have not passed this Way, before.”

Our inheritance is in what we become, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And the calling and ministries He has given us.

It is the fruit of the Spirit within.  As we bare this fruit within, we conqueror our souls.   

Christ has saved them…now we are to possess them and give them back to Him, in love, joy, peace, etc.

Luke 21:19 “In your patience possess ye your souls.”

In other words,  have your mind, heart and will under subjection to God,….so no matter what is going on around you,  you will be kept and steady in the storm.

The Holy Spirit uses His Word to guide us into bearing these fruits; having what the Lord has for us….within us…and then through us.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith, 

                  Meekness, temperance;  against such there is no law.”

Love: The Spirit first makes sure, you know,  you are loved of God.  (1 John 4:19)

Then He implants love within you, for the Lord, and His people.    He leads you into desiring Him, in all His attributes.

Joy: This is a choice fruit….for it is the lifting up of our hearts and minds, no matter what is going on.   It is of the Lord, and not circumstances…and it can not be “worked up”,  but it is a gift from our most Joyous God.   

(It makes us like cream….always rising to the top)

Peace: This places us firmly on the only solid ground…the Rock of Christ…and keeps us there.  The wind, storm, and enemies below may threaten….but can not move us off our Rock. (Philippians 4:7)

Long-suffering:  This is “putting up with” people for Christ’s sake.  Giving them another chance.  In the Greek it means, “long enduring temper” or patience.

Gentleness:  Being as kind to others, as Christ has been to you.

Goodness:  This comes from the “good works” we are to do as His workmanship…”created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”(Ephesians 2:10).

We are to be useful: to our family, our church, and others. (Romans 15:14)

Faith: This is a gift from God to us, that we might know Him, and this we are to do…using our faith, we are to increase our knowledge of the Lord by believing.  

Matthew 9:28-29 “And when He was come into the house,  the blind men came to Him: and Jesus said unto them,  Believe ye that I am able to do this?  They said unto Him,  Yea, Lord.

                        Then touched He their eyes, saying,  According to your faith be it done unto you.”

If He said, “according to our faith, be it to us”,…..how would we be?

Meekness: This is becoming humble…letting the Lord have all the glory, and letting Him exalt you, when He thinks it is good.   

[It is interesting to note, that as we go on with the Lord, we become more focused on giving Him all the praise…for we realize,  after dealing with us so tirelessly,  He deserves more than we can ever give.]

James 4:6 “But He giveth more grace,  wherefore He saith,  God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Temperance: Self-control,  or to have the mastery over yourself.   

And this leads us back to:

“In your patience possess ye your souls.”

God wants us  to obtain all the promises, all the gifts, all the fruits…..all…everything that He has for us,  in and by the Holy Spirit within.   

He uses every situation,  everyday to lead us forth to new things.

Will we be lead out, and follow Him?…..”for ye have not passed this way, before”.

Soldiers of Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”

Paul, here, tells the Christians at Ephesus, that…. as they are seated in Christ Jesus in the heavenlies;  able to receive all the spiritual blessings He has for them (Ephesians 1:3, 2:6)…yet,….they must now take a stand against the wiles of the devil.

Every servant of the Lord Jesus Christ is called to stand with Him….and if you stand with Him….you stand against the world-system, and sin.

And in order to do that, you must be empowered….for we are not a well: a reserve of water unto ourselves…..but a sponge in an ocean of power….soaking up constantly.

And that is what the original word means:  “..in the power of His might.”    To be constantly empowered.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God,  that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

This is one of the provisions from God,  to us…..but we are responsible to put it on.    It is said twice….a witness to us, of our responsibility, and privilege as His soldiers:

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Notice it is “stand against the wiles of the devil” ,   And “withstand in the evil day”. 

The wiles of the devil,  or tricks or stratagems……we stand against them….they are the “fiery darts”.    

      The devil is always making suggestions…reminding us of how we used to be….telling us not to believe God….this thing is not “bad”….and so much more.

The evil day….we withstand it, in ourselves, and from others……we will not let the world’s way of seeing, affect us.    

      Worry, tension, fear,….anger, malice, revenge….spiteful words, gossip, slander….and so much more,  can turn any day into the evil day….and we are to withstand it.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore,….”

I have preached before about the armor…..but the armor is not so many pieces that you wear….rather it is the truth of the experience that each piece signifies….

A soldier puts on his armor before the battle….in preparation for it.  And we are in a battle every day against the tricks of the devil.

Truth : the truth of our salvation…..knowing we are saved.

       Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,  that we are the children of God:”

…..and then knowing the truth of His love to us, personally. (1 John 4:16, 19)

Righteousness : we are clothed with the very righteousness of Christ.  But if we want our heart to be cleansed and protected, we need to live righteously….no hidden sin….all confessed, up-to-date. 

      1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,  we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Peace :  the place of rest, being sure of our walk with Christ—garrisoned about with peace. 

       Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God,  which passeth all understanding,  shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

       It  is the hiding place for every Christian in the turmoil of battle…..learning how to depend upon the promises of God for inner peace….no matter what is going on around us, then we are sure-footed.

Faith :  this is the practical use of the faith given you at new birth,……putting it to use, to overcome in the battles of life. 

      1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world,  even our faith.”

      Faith always sees God in the situation….and places our confidence in Him.   Faith is “moveable”, like a shield…….it covers our minds, our hearts, and our wills….it goes down and covers our walk, and work…..reminding us of God, not the circumstances.

Salvation : this is to think saved…..think that I belong to Christ,  therefore,  I am to act as His.

     1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (gather your thoughts), be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

The Word of God :  what a mighty weapon, if we use it. (Read it, and learn it).  A growing knowledge of the scriptures, and how they apply to our life.

      Accusations from the devil and the world, come…..and we should do as Jesus did, when He was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11),……we need to meet those accusations with the Word of God.  

      It is that Word that the Holy Spirit reminds us of, at the time……for  then it is delivered with power.

All-prayer :   God answers prayer because we believe Him.

       Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you,  whatsoever things ye desire,  when ye pray,  believe that ye receive them,  and ye shall have them.” 

       We should pray in Jesus Name (John 16:23-24)….asking His will done.

 1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him,  that,  if we ask anything according to His Will,  He heareth us.

              And if we know that He hear us,  whatsoever we ask,  we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

To put on the whole armor of God,  we need to get in our experience,  the power that the Lord has made available for us in this battle…..whenever and wherever that is.

The power that is set forth in these pieces….and then we need to….”Stand therefore….”

Gratitude

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

Here is a prayer of gratitude…for we find Paul’s thoughts fully absorbed in the subject of the exceeding riches of God’s grace to His people.

Paul’s heart is so overflowing with love and praise to God…that practically the first thing he writes to these Ephesians (with whom he had spent three years)…is adoration of God the Father.

        “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

(And Jesus taught us that the first thing we should do in prayer is adore and worship Him….”Our Father which art in heaven….Hallowed be Thy Name”.)

What does it mean to “bless God”?  .   Only God can bless…as all blessings come from HIm.    But for us to be said to bless God….is  to acknowledge HIs goodness and show our highest gratitude to Him for all He has, is and will do.

In this prayer,  Paul is seeking to unite the church in Ephesus,…and all believers through this letter…to magnify the Lord with him….and see and praise Him,  that He is the Source of all spiritual blessings.

       Paul is not asking for anything….He is not petitioning God for these blessings.   He is bursting forth with adoration and gratitude for the blessings God has already given in Christ!

God alone can bless…or give of His bounty…His largeness of mercy, grace, power in the Spirit, personal sanctification, forgiveness, hope and love.

“Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings”.   Each word is chosen with the Spirit’s anointing.

        It is not just “all blessings”…..

       It is not “all gifts”….but “all spiritual blessings”  because Paul is stressing His new covenant title:  God our Father….the Father of Jesus Christ our Lord.  (John 20:17)

(The last thing Jesus did before He ascended back to heaven was to bless His own:

       Luke 24:50-51  “And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.

       And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”

And in the last day, when the Son shall sit on His throne and judge the nations, He will say:

       Matthew 25:34 “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand,  Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”

Our blessings are part of our eternal inheritance…these blessings are universally for His own.   They are not just for the strong and courageous….or the weak and feeble….but for all Who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ….

…for they are “in heavenly places in Christ.”  

In Christ we are completely blessed….for there are “all spiritual blessings”.)

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

When the love of God is “shed abroad” in the heart by the Holy Spirit,  our hearts can not be silent.

        The One being blessed by Paul (and he is calling us to bless Him as well)….is the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When God is said to be the God of any person,  what this means is that He is their covenant God.

        (In the Old Testament,  Israel’s God was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.   But God promised a “new covenant”  Jeremiah 31:31-34.

         In the New Testament,  God is seen as “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”….and He is to be seen and praised, adored as such.  Hebrews 10:9)

This grand title also manifests that He is the God of our accomplished redemption.  

       Surely He Purposed it and Ordained it (John 6:27,37, 44,)..sent His Son to purchase it…

….and has now given us this heritage as His children,  His sons:

       Romans 8:1,14-15  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…

       For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

       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.”

As He has redeemed us through Christ, we are no longer our own….we belong to Him.  It is in yielded obedience to this fact in our lives, as we make Him our King, that we truly begin to enjoy these blessings as we should.

As we are in Christ, He is our Father and it is this precious relationship that is our confidence:

       Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,…

       (that is the Father’s throne, and it is a throne of grace to us who believe, because we are in Christ Jesus)

…that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Again we want to say:  only God can bless.    We simply return His blessings to Him,  in the form of praise, and worship.

 I started this with the word:   Gratitude.  

       It means an acknowledgement of what has been given to us….through words or actions.

Paul’s adoration of gratitude to God…for Paul saw and experienced the blessings God had for him…overflowed from his heart and lips.

       Paul was in prison when he wrote this….but the circumstances we are in….cannot stop the blessings of God to us as we yield ourselves to Christ Jesus our Lord and King.

Spiritual blessings….all spiritual blessings….how many have we taken from the hands of our God?    For they are in Christ Jesus….let us reach out and submit ourselves to His Will, and surely we, too will know the gratitude….overflowing gratitude to God for all we have in Christ.

Let Us Lay Aside Every Weight 

Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us,  and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

If we were running in a race,  and wanted to finish it, that we might win;    we would remove every weight from our pockets, every backpack, every jacket;  all that would catch the air, or hinder our running.

This is a long distance race which is being spoken of here in Hebrews;  and we need all patience and endurance to finish it.  Therefore,  we are called upon to remove what would weight us down.

Just what are these weights?

These weights are anything and everything that hinders us spiritually.

They are external things that we can drop or “lay aside”. (Certain relationships are weights, going to certain places can hinder us,  and past failures and thinking of them all the time.  These are weights,  which slow us down.)

To run well you should not be burdened with anything.

And we are called to run the race laid before us.

We are called to walk with God. (Colossians 2:6).   

And run our race. (Philippians 2:16)

The two are different:

The walking speaks of the quiet conversation you have as you walk with a friend, day by day.   This is our life.

The running speaks of our work,  which we are all called to finish.  

If you’re a Christian,  you are in the race.   God has given you a “work, or calling” to do.  

(There are many callings:  as a witness of Jesus Christ, as a prayer warrior, as a preacher of the Word,  as a teacher of the Word, etc.)

Finish it, and you have the reward and honor He has waiting for you, for being devoted to Him. (Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  Matthew 25:21)

But God does not save us, without giving us the Holy Spirit to enable us for anything He calls us to.  

It is not:  You are saved, now do something for Me.

But:  You are saved, now let Me do through you. I in you, and you in Me.  That is the way we will finish…together.

Paul spoke to the Galatians about this very thing:

Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well;  who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?”

Men had come to Galatia, to the established church there, saying that being Christians was O.K.,….but if you really want to be….somebody to God,….you have to follow the Mosaic Law, as well. 

Then you will be super-great Christians.  (Not true)

No, Paul says.  You are being weighed down with old traditions,  which were laid aside in Christ’s crucifixion, and resurrection.

Don’t be hindered in the race.  But finish your course. 

Doing the good works that  God has ordained or made full provision for….for you.  (Ephesians 2:10)

We should all seek the Lord that He might show us,  what are the weights which hinder our running.   And as He does, let us lay them aside, and go on to “finish our race”.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore, seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,  and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

                              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.”

Anything from the Holy Spirit will not burden you down, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”.  (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Let us lay aside our weights which hinder us;  and look to Jesus, Who began a good work in us,……and Who will finish it. 

The Lost Sheep  

Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep,  if he lose one of them,  doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,  and go after that which is lost,  until he find it?”

This man has one hundred sheep.  But one has left the flock and gone seeking something apart from the rest.  

(Perhaps a distant patch of grass.  Or following a butterfly.  Or just wanting to be away from everyone else.  

But he left to pursue an illusion.  For there was nothing out there, that would have been good for him;…..that the shepherd would not have led him into.)

Still,  ninety-nine sheep is pretty good.  You’re bound to lose one or two;  but the Shepherd does not see it that way.

He sees it as the lost one feels:  lost, unable by itself to come home.  Exposed to the weather, and other animals.  Away from the Shepherd’s care.

Perhaps the sheep had taken the care for granted:  it would always be there. 

At first, maybe, it was fine.  The sun was shining, there were new things to explore.  But he turns and does not see the flock anymore.  

Oh, well, he thinks, I can just turn this way?   Or was it that way I came?

But then he feels alone: he does not know where water is,  or a safe place.  He is lost.  

It wanders around, now, not knowing where he is or where he should go.  

So the shepherd does for the lost sheep,  what the sheep can not do for himself.

The man goes after that sheep.

And how does he do it?  He leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness grazing together;  and retraces his steps, till he finds it.

The Shepherd finds it too weary to walk back to the flock, and rest.  So he picks it up, and carries it back to it’s place in the flock…..

…..And then leads the flock home.

Luke 15:5-6 “When he hath found it,  he layeth it upon his shoulders, rejoicing.

                        And when he cometh home,  he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them,  Rejoice with me,  for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

Rejoicing is a word which describes a calm, peaceful happiness.  I have found what was lost.  I have not lost any!   (Everything is safe in the fold, as it should be.)

And the Shepherd calls His friends and neighbors to rejoice with Him.

Of course, we know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd,  for He gave His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

1 Peter 2:24-25 “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree,  that we,  being dead to sins, should live unto His righteousness:  by whose stripes ye are healed.

                              For ye were as sheep going astray;  but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life;  they shall never perish,  neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

And He is still seeking and shepherding us,  as Christians, today. 

Christians go astray,…..too often,…..and we are in need of His seeking us again, and again….and bringing us back into our place.

Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd:  He shall gather the lambs with His arm,  and carry them in His bosom,  and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

Christ Jesus is now our Great Shepherd.  He is now “making us perfect” or complete in Himself.  (Lambs grow into sheep)

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace,  that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,  that Great Shepherd of the sheep,  through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

                                   Make you perfect in every good work to do His will,  working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight,  through Jesus Christ;  to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.”

He is leading us into all the places that are good for us (green pastures),  

He is protecting us from all our enemies (wolves in sheeps clothing, things which “devour” 1 Peter 5:7-8)

He is “preparing a table before us, in the presence of our enemies”  by giving Himself as an example,…..leading us:

“Follow Me, and I will hedge you about in your everyday trials,….come with Me and I will supply your needs by My grace.”

Maybe we are the lost sheep,  or we have been the lost sheep.   

Praise God,  He has sent His Son to seek and save us (Luke 19:10)!

If you have gone astray, today…….Christ is seeking you,  to save you…even now.

Ezekiel 34:12 “As a shepherd seeketh out His flock in the day that He is among His sheep  that are scattered;  so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”

Romans 10:9-13 “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.

                 For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Call upon Him today for whatever you need saving from.

The Power of God unto Salvation 

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth:  to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

The power of God to everyone that believeth.

Are you such a one?

Do you evidence this power of God in your life?

For this power unto salvation is spiritual reality.  

“For He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

This means Jesus Christ delivers us from them.  In Hebrews it is said,  “to the uttermost” 

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,  seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

This is not just a wiping away of the past sins, although that is true.

It is the saving from the sins of today:  that is,  He saves us from doing them….and yes, He saves us from wanting to do them, as well.

This is what it means by “to the uttermost”.

Our Salvation is four-fold:

From the love of sin….this is not complete,….but it is a real change in you, where your sin is concerned.    

It becomes a burden….and you feel it’s weight against you, and you want to be saved from it.

From the guilt of sin…by being born again: receiving Christ Jesus into your heart and life.     

Romans 10:9 “And 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.”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,  who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”     

We are not condemned,  but at liberty to walk with God!

From the power of sin…by obedience to His Will…by yielding to the Holy Spirit within.    

Romans 6:16 “Know ye not,  that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,     his servants ye are   to whom ye obey; whither of sin unto death,    or of obedience unto righteousness?”   

Here we get the power of God for our everyday lives….against sin and the world.  

(We are “under new management”).     For God empowers obedience,….

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

…..and the Holy Spirit within gives us a growing love for Christ.

From the presence of sin.    

Taken into His glorious Presence in Heaven…whether by Rapture, or when we die, to be with Him forever.

Ephesians 1:3-4. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

                                         According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,  that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:”

                                 He has a purpose for all He has saved.  

       And all this was set in motion for us….you and me…before times eternal.

Think of it!  God Almighty has a purpose for me.   Though I rebelled against Him and His Will,  yet He set His love upon me, and drew me to Himself:

John 6:37, 44 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

                          No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

In the scriptures, the purpose God called me to, is spoken of as: “good works”,  or “bringing forth fruit”

John 14:12 “Verily, verily, I say unto you,  he that believeth on Me, the works that I do  shall he do also;  and greater works than these shall he do;  because I go unto My Father.”

(And His works were prayer, preaching, calling others to the Kingdom of God, feeding, healing, and manifesting the words and works of His Father God.

All this He did before He laid down His life for us.)

John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen Me,  but I have chosen you,  and ordained you,  that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain;  that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name,  He may give it you.”

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship,  created in Christ Jesus  unto good works,  which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;  teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,  singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

                                   And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,  do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

Titus 2:14, 3:8 “Who gave Himself for us,  that He might redeem us from all iniquity,  and purify unto Himself a peculiar people,  zealous of good works.”

                             This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,  that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.   These things are good and profitable unto all men.”

Our purpose, is to pray—for ourselves, and others;  to witness of the light of God in our own life;  to preach, teach, be a soul winner,  as we are called.  

We are to seek the good of all men (and there is no good, without God in it).

These are the obediences which are given to us to do, for the glory of Christ. Big or small in the world’s eyes….they are of great value to Jesus.

Everyone has their place in His purpose.  

And it is as we are in our place, walking with Him everyday, that we fulfill our purpose.

God’s salvation is full of power.  Power to save us to “the uttermost”, and power to save others.

What greatness dwells in Him….and He is, by the Holy Spirit, in us.  

Let us draw out His grace for our life.

Mightily Grew the Word and Prevailed 

Acts 19:20 “So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed.”

Prevailed here, means…had a force or power in the lives of those that heard.

And how is it, that the Word grew?

Background:

Paul was in Ephesus.  He had been preaching there for about two years….”so that all they that dwell in Asia (Minor) heard the Word of the Lord Jesus…”   

He had also, by the Holy Spirit, worked miracles.

Acts 19:10-12 “And this continued by the space of two years;  so that all they that dwell in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus,  both Jews and Greeks.

             And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

             So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them,  and the evil spirits went out of them.”

When we hear the Word…it makes demands on our life;  which we either yield to, or refuse. 

All, in this area, had heard….God was making demands on their lives about His Son, Jesus Christ…

And by Paul, the Lord was healing many from spiritual and physical illness.

Paul not only preached the Word of God, concerning Jesus Christ,….but that Word had prevailed in Paul….so it could prevail,  through Paul.

But when God does a work,  then there are always those that seek to mimic it, especially for money…..some were even using the names of Jesus and Paul…

Acts 19:13, 15-16, 20 “Then certain…took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying,  We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

               And the evil spirit answered and said,  Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

               And the man in whom the evil spirit was  leaped on them and overcame them….so they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

              This was known to all….dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

              So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.”

The Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified….for God showed that though He will honor His Name,…… He will not honor those who only seek to use It for their gain.

His Name is powerful only to those who shelter beneath Him, in believing obedience.

The Word of God is the instrument of salvation.

1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again,  not of corruptible seed,  but of incorruptible,  by the Word of God,  which liveth and abideth forever.”

Now this Word lives and abides.

      If it is not a living Word to you,  you have not heard it aright.

      If the Word does not make demands on your life, you have not heard it aright.

The gospel must wound, before it can heal.   

It wounds our pride:  for we are sinners, like everyone else.

It wounds our reason:  we can do nothing to save ourselves.

It wounds our hearts:  it points out our secret sins.

“And the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified”.   

Here was the prevailing influence.   He showed that He would honor His obedient servants…..

……but not those who did not know Him, and only wanted to use Him (Matthew 7:21)

“And fear fell on them all”….the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….and it drew many to hear the Word…..believe on the Lord Jesus,…..

…..for it amazed them that Jesus Christ knew their heart’s  motives,   as well as their words.

Acts 19:18-19 “And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.

                  Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

And many that believed came and confessed…

God requires honesty….getting right with Him….and when necessary,   your brethren.

And showed their deeds,….to know the healing power of forgiveness from these things.

Acts 19:19 “…and burned them before all men:…”

This was an act most necessary to have done with it all.

And the results?

Acts 19:20 “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

God’s Word was being shared….neighbor was telling neighbor…..and it was having the victory in the lives of these people.

Do we want to know the power of the Word of God? 

Then we must give ourselves to God….to be prevailed upon.

If we, in believing obedience act upon what I know He requires of me now….I will  know that prevailing  power for myself.

There is for each of us that believe on Christ Jesus…..that power that is “exceeding, abundantly,  above all that we ask or think….according to the power that works within us”.  (Ephesians 5:20)

Are we born again?  Are we sheltered under Him, and obedient to His Word?

Then that Word will prevail in us…..and through us.

It is in knowing His Will, and doing it.    

And as His children,……we are as responsible to know His Will,….as to do it.

In our progressive walk before the Lord, we must always leave the better…..for the best.

This must always be done if the Word of God is to prevail through me…..it must prevail in me….where I am….with the circumstances I am in now.