Cain and Abel

Here is an example of two people brought up by the same parents…..having heard of Adam’s sin….and God’s just response….

…yet….making very different decisions to these facts.

For though God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden….still He set up a place where those who would, could meet with God,…..concerning their own sin, which everyone had, now. They must meet Him with a blood sacrifice….and talk with God there.

Having “drove” or expelled man from the garden, God establishes a altar protected by the Cherubim…the sword being the symbol of the Divine presence…and whoever would worship God must come here, to sacrifice.

Genesis 3:24 “So He drove out the man: and He (God) dwelt at the east of the Garden of Eden between the Cherubim, as a Shekinah (a fire-sword)…to keep open the way to the tree of life.”

(This is Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s translation from the original)

There at the east gate was a place….an altar….where they could meet with God….by sacrifice….

…this is what all the children of Adam and Eve knew….but especially Cain and Abel….being oldest….and to them hopefully in the line of the One who would put away sin.

(They would not have known anything about sacrifices unless sacrifices had been definitely appointed…..Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered…”.

It was not by presumption….but faith, based upon God’s appointing.

Where was this appointing?

Genesis 3:21 “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

After the sin, Adam had clothed he and his wife with fig leaves….but God killed animals and clothed them with their coats….

….manifesting how they were to be before Him in this world….clothed upon through sacrifice.)

There is a connection between Adam’s sin and Cain’s murder.

In Genesis 3 we see sin begin in man…..against God.

In Genesis 4 we see sin spreading….against our fellow man.

The one who has no fear of disobeying God….will have no problem “hating” his neighbor.

Genesis 4:2-5 “…And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

But to Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

Now I want to mention here, that both of these occupations were needed for the family….and it seems that both men were good at these jobs.

But when it came to the sacrifice to God….God was to be obeyed.

It was not a time to show off skill, but to sacrifice for sin….their sin, and come before God.

And the only sacrifice….was as God had showed them….a sacrifice of blood.

Abel, by faith, offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. (Heb. 11:4)

Notice, it was not Abel that was more excellent….but the sacrifice that was more excellent. God ever looks toward His Son….which the sacrifices always pointed to.

But unto Cain and his offering He (God) had not respect.

I am sure Cain’s offering was made up of his most beautiful and best fruits and grains. I am sure he worked hard to impress God…..but he came on the ground of personal worth……on the ground of good works…..not as a sinner in need of forgiveness.

He came in his own way….refusing God’s Way.

Cain represents those who think that they can…in their own strength or “goodness” live a life which pleases God….that God will have to “respect” their works.

Nothing we can do….even the best and most beautiful….can not take the place of simple obedience….in faith coming to God by sacrifice….the sacrifice of HIs Son.

And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Anger filled him….and his heart (countenance) “fell”.

Adam and Eve fell into sin, when they disobeyed God….and Cain’s heart fell into anger.

Cain refused God’s way of blood sacrifice….so God refused his offering

But God did not leave him….

Genesis 4:6 “And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

The Lord speaks to Cain…..a beautiful example of how God goes after sinners.

Perhaps Cain never really saw himself as a sinner….one who needed forgiveness….but now God shows him his sin,….and says there is a simple remedy….

….”just come with the right sacrifice and all will be set right….with the Lord and in your heart.

But if you do not….then sin is at the door….not just of your heart and thoughts….but it will rule over you…and destroy you.”

The verses suggest that Cain and Abel brought their offerings at the same time.

Cain saw Abel’s accepted by fire…..and when his was rejected….the thought that he might have to submit to his younger brother….that the rights of the firstborn, would be given to Abel.

Cain first refused to submit to God….and then in anger killed Abel, so he would not have to submit to him.

Genesis 4:8 “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

(Twice is mentioned “his brother”…..How much this shows James 1:15 “When lust (desire, passion) hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”)

When God asks Cain about Abel…..he lies, as says, “I know not.”

There was no repentance….after such a heinous act….no seeking forgiveness….

….but only the sneering…..”Am I my brother’s keeper?” He practically spit it out to God! How sin leads to sin compounded.

We can ask ourselves….which was worse,….the sin, or the attitude toward God’s rebuke….and finally HIs correction?

Abel was dead….his blood, innocent blood cried unto God….and God heard it….as He still hears the pain, mocking, and persecution of HIs own…..

….and answers it.

God banishes Cain from the family…which he despised by killing Abel

God sends him out…..all men shall know he is a murderer….so he will not stay long anywhere.

The ground will not yield to him, even under toil.

Cain, perhaps seeing a little of what he has done…..but is more worried about the punishment, than the sin….cries….

….”this is greater than I can bear”. (This will be what the lost in the Lake of Fire will cry as well. But it will be forever then.)

….”from Thy face shall I be hid”…(this is the most terrible punishment….to be eternally banished from God….Who is all good, all peace, all comfort.)

Genesis 4:16 “And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord….”

For all who refuse God’s Way of salvation through Jesus Christ….God will yet say, “Depart from Me”. (Mat. 25:41)

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel heard that a sacrifice was the only way to God….and he believed and came….not in his own merits…..but by the merits of a blood sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:22 “…and without the shedding of blood is no remission.”

Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;….”

(One last thing:

Jude 11 “Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain….”

These are those who refuse to come to God through Christ. Sure, they know may not be perfect….but they think they are pretty good, and they do good things…..good enough that if God is a God of mercy….He will accept them and their works.

Well, God is a God of mercy….but that mercy comes through Jesus Christ alone for Salvation.

God has extended His Word to us….that we might hear and believe….

…and come to Christ Jesus the Lord….and live.

but all must choose….

…as God said to Cain….”If thou doest well”….if you will come, sheltered under the blood of My Son, Jesus Christ….”all will be well”

…”and if thou doest not well,”….if you refuse My Son….”sin lieth at the door…and will rule over you.”)

May we all be entered into the roll of faith…..and do the works of faith….live unto Christ Jesus our Lord….no matter our profession or place….that we might all live to the glory of God.

The Importunate Widow

Luke 18:2-7 “Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”

Here is the story of a widow, a Jewish widow before a Roman judge. (Jewish judges were usually in threes)

He would not care about her, for he thought she could do him no damage, for she had no money, or influence.

But she kept coming back, she was often in his court.

“Avenge me of my adversary”, is not a request for punishment of her enemy;……..but for a court appointed decree that would give her protection from her adversary.

To keep him from harming her, like a restraining order today.

Now he feared not God, nor regarded man; so anything he did, he did out of personal motives.

Her cry of, “Avenge me of my adversary”, he ignored, till he thought that she might ruin his reputation, because she was often in his court.

He, therefore, looked for a way to get rid of her; because she “weary me”. In the Greek, this means that she gives him a “black eye”.

She will ruin his reputation, make him stand out to those in authority. She must be gotten rid of, before people get the wrong idea about this judge.

He cared for nothing but himself. Yet from purely self-involved motives he thought it best to give her the restraining order. Exactly what she asked for.

Jesus says that prayer is to be like this. We are to come to God our Father with the same importunate prayer as this widow came to this unjust judge…..

…seeking a restraining order for the Adversary of our souls.

“Avenge me of my Adversary, Lord!”

Luke 18:1 “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

We are not to give up on God, which is what “faint” means.

After all the widow came to an unjust judge;…..but we come to our Heavenly Father,……which for Christ’s sake hears our trouble and will “avenge his own elect.”

David versus Goliath

1 Samuel 16:13 “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David upon that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

David had been anointed King of Israel by Samuel, because King Saul, had been set aside for his disobedience to God’s command.

Of course, Saul was still King. (The Lord would remove him when the time was right.)

And David, though anointed King, still kept his father’s sheep.

Months passed, till:

The Philistines, who were enemies of Israel, had come up to fight against Saul and his army of Israelites, and three of David’s older brothers had been called up to join the army, and fight them.

But as they come into view of the Philistines, they are terrified to see and hear the taunting of a giant, named Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:4-9 “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

And he had graves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

And the staff of his spear was like a weavers beam; and his spears head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul?

Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.”

This was quite a speech! “I am a Philistine”, but you are just “servants of Saul”.

Discounting Israel,…..and God.

Defying God’s Purpose, for Israel was brought into possess the land, by God; and defying God’s continued protection of His People.

Back, taking care of the family’s sheep, was David. David loves the Lord, yet had not been called to go up against Goliath, either by the army (at that time they did not even know anything about David), or the Lord.

Until:

1 Samuel 17:17-18 “And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp of thine brethren;

And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.”

David’s father sent him on a simple errand,…….to supply his brothers with some food from home.

Little did Jesse realize that in doing so, he would set in motion the rest of David’s life work.

(How many times are we in the right place…..at the right time to minister in word or deed to others? We did not know we were sent….but we are there….

….are we prepared?)

Yet, though it was just an errand, David did it with faithfulness:

He left the sheep with a keeper (for he did not neglect the small duties);

And went, rising up early to do as his father commanded.

As he came, the battle between the armies was setting up, and David came and spoke to his brothers.

At the same time, Goliath came and taunted Israel again. David heard the taunt, and knew that it was against God, not just Israel.

So he wanted to hear what would happen to anyone who went up against this giant.

His brother was angry, thinking he had come just to see the battle; but David ignored the anger, and kept after his goal of learning about this giant’s challenge.

Saul, hearing about this man’s bold words against Goliath; sent for him and questioned him.

And David spoke just as boldly, when the reality of fighting this giant, was presented.

I must pause in the narrative, and explain that in our life time we are presented again and again with these things:

There will be simple errands the Lord will send us on that will change the course of our lives. (Or the lives of others)

We will be misunderstood, and have angry (a lot, sometimes) words thrown at us.

We must ignore the anger; and speak our words, or do our duty faithfully.

And we must be prepared to act in faith and boldness, on the Lord’s side.

1 Samuel 17:32 “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. “

Here, David presented himself as a warrior. Not a soldier in Saul’s army, but a warrior for the honor of the Lord.

He told of God’s past protection against a lion and a bear; and saw no difference between them and this Philistine,….because this giant had defied the armies of the living God.

In other words, Goliath was not taunting men, but God. And in that case, Goliath was in a lot of trouble; even if he was a giant.

1 Samuel 17:36-37 “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.”

We must understand, that David trusted the Lord. He felt, that since no one was going to fight Goliath, that God’s honor was being slandered.

And he realized that he should do something about it.

That his life would be forever changed; he did not yet know.

There was no long preparation to fight Goliath: Saul tried to give him his armor, but David put them off; for he had not used them before. “He had not proved them”.

But instead, with confidence in God to deliver, David took what he knew.

(And so should we. We should not get talked into conversations of philosophy, or other doctrine;…

…..what we need to say is about our Lord Jesus Christ and His work…..in us and for us).

1 Samuel 17:40 “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a script, and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

Notice how the Holy Spirit in the Word does not magnify the means of deliverance which David took. Instead He emphasizes that they are common, and simple.

(As Paul said, himself: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Now let us consider Goliath.

He was a champion: had many battles, and won.

He was a giant. Taller, and broader, and stronger than all the men of Israel, even Saul (of whom it was said he was head and shoulders above the Israelites. 1 Samuel 10:23-24)

He did not want to yield to Israel, or the God of Israel;…….he wanted to rule, and make these God fearing Israelites his servants.

He had taunted Israel for forty days, and not one Israelite had come to take his challenge.

He felt very confident that none could beat him, and so when he saw David, with his shepherd staff, he mocked.

He took it one step further, for he cursed David by his gods. (I told you Goliath was in a lot of trouble.)

But now, for David.

(This should be our position, any time we go to do our duty: in work or battle. We are to do it in faith, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ)

1 Samuel 17:45-47 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the hosts of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

For the battle is the Lord’s.

This we should realize for our work, as well.

If we have been sent, and are obedient; then the Lord will be with us, guide us, and will see His Will done.

1 Samuel 17:49-51 “And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Therefore David ran, and stood before the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.”

All that David had told Goliath, happened.

Certainly by God’s Power,…….through faith.

But also by the means of David’s arm.

God alone gives grace, but He gives us the privilege of standing with Him, and acting for Him in certain situations.

The instruction was from the Lord, the Power was God’s, the faith was by the Holy Spirit; and the Lord chose to use David.

It should be the same with us. Instruction, power, and faith to obey His Word to us, to do His Will for our lives.

But we must do it.

To hear aright

Mark 4:23-25 “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And He (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you; and unto you that hear shall more be given.

For he that hath, to him shall be given; and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”

Do we have ears that hear our Lord Jesus Christ? In His Word? In His messages? From the Holy Spirit within?

If we can “get around” what the Lord is saying to us…..we have not heard aright.

For we are responsible for our hearing….and once we have heard His Word to us….we are responsible to act on that Word.

(Once, the Lord pointed out to me, how much I had heard…..I had read the Bible through….I had read Christian books….read devotional books….heard many messages and teachings on the Word of God.

But then He asked me…..what had I used? What was I using?

We sometimes think of God’s Word as……just good advice…..but that is not true.

When His Word is given….He means for it to guide us, help us, comfort us, awaken us, correct us, teach us.

All those things which change us from babes in Christ…..to grown up children of God.)

We have been called to walk….this is a step by step process.

And to do that, we need to concentrate on this step….get there….and step on.

We need to know the next step.

When we know the things that are required at our hand….we need to do them.

Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

When we know that things are not quite right….we need to stop and deal with them….taking them to the Lord and hearing His Word about them.

1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

(This unction is an anointing for our calling. In other words, that we will know, what we need to know.)

Philippians 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (complete, grown up in Christ), be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

If you would grow up into Christ (be perfect, or complete)….and attain to that which you were created for….

…..then, if there is anything in you, at cross-purposes with God, He shall reveal this to you.

For the closer we draw to Christ, the more will we discover the corruptions of our old nature….

……and the more we will want to be delivered from them…..even the smallest of them (to our way of thinking)….

….Paul, a brilliant and educated man….after his conversion, still cried out when he discovered his covetousness (Romans 7:7)….

….for he realized that he could not control it…..it was controlling his inward thoughts, even though he did not want it to….

Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

(We think of covetousness as a small sin…..but God sees it as it is: it is wanting something He has not given us…..or does not want for us.

Wanting what someone else has, because that will make us equal or better, in our sight, than they. This is against the law of love….and Paul knew it.)

And the more we see the corruptions of our old nature, the more we will want deliverance from it….which is only in Christ.

Where there is no sense of our unworthiness…..

….and where there is no sorrowing over our lack of growth in Christ…..

…..are we hearing His Word to us aright?

It is in our acknowledged weakness that we are made strong.

For the Lord told Paul, “….My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…..”. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul testified of what kind of man he had been….

1 Timothy 1:13 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

And then he told of the “exceeding abundant” grace God gave him:

1 Timothy 1:14 “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

That exceeding abundant grace is for us, as well…..whatever sin, or habit, or anger,….we face.

Hear the Word:….

…..for Paul said, we have an “exceeding abundantly” for all who will let Christ work it in us:

Ephesians 3:16, 19-20 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Are we just looking Real?

Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

“Knowest not”! How could that be?

Because they are hiding,…covering themselves with external works ; therefore they can not see they are empty inside…..

They talk of what they have, before men……Jesus speaks of what they are to Him.

The gospel of God only saves…if we have it in our experience. If we have been born again.

Paul tells of those that…

2 Timothy 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Ever learning, but never really acquiring the experience of this truth. Never having it in present possession.

They knew something about it, and worked at learning facts about it,…..but never subjected themselves to Christ Jesus, to get the experience of those facts,….into themselves.

Head knowledge will lead to a mental agreement of certain facts, but it is the apprehending of those same facts in our experience that will save us and set us free.

2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:…”

If our lives do not show the power we profess, then we are denying the power of Christ somewhere in our lives….for Jesus will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

We may have the “form”, we may look real,……but still deny the power He wants to give us, through subjection to Him.

If we are Christians we have come to see ourselves as lost, in need of a Savior….

Without hope in this present world.

Then we have come to believe, and receive Christ Jesus,……Whom to know aright is to have Eternal life….being born again by the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever (1 Peter 1:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9)

This is to experience Justification.

We are made “not guilty” before a Holy God, because of what Christ Jesus did on His cross….taking all our sin and guilt and penalty on Him.

And more, in Christ,…..we are given a righteous standing before God.

But justification is only half of the life of a Christian. The other half is Sanctification.

Justification deals with our guilt. Sanctification deals with the problem of the power of sin in our lives as Christians.

Justification is once for all….but sanctification is day by day, minute by minute, in the experiences of our life.

In sanctification, the cross must do it’s work….not Christ’s cross, but my cross.

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Our cross is anything of God’s Will to us, that cuts across our will,…anything we can say “no” to.

For it is, “If any man will”.

We “resist”, when we refuse to yield to Him and His Will.

But when we deny ourselves, and take up our cross, then we are willing with God.

By denying ourselves, we can come to the place where we no longer resist His Will in anything. We obey because we want to please Him.

It is not sinless perfection,….nor instant obedience….but final obedience.

We will to do God’s Will….no matter what.

(I want to take a minute and explain: “resist”. It means to stand against or oppose. It is where we are saying,……..I will not do this, or I will not do this, Your way.

We may not like what God wants us to do, or be afraid of doing it….but when we refuse, for any reason, we are resisting His Holy Spirit. [Acts 7:51])

The cross deals with our will….making it willing. For God works within us both to will and to do (Philippians 2:13), if we will deny ourselves and yield to the Holy Spirit.

And when our will is yielded to Christ’s Will, our will becomes a real powerhouse.

Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

But then God deals with our “life”. Our self-life, our character, our habits. Not necessarily bad things….just “my” things.

Most of us will get rid of the “bad” things of our life, pretty easily….but the “good” things….or the habits that do no harm (we think)…..are ours….we can keep them.

Jesus Christ came to save us to the uttermost. He saves us from the guilt of sin, and the power of sin;…..then He sets us free in all the areas of our life.

(Sometimes we forget this was always Christ’s Ministry…….offering it when He was here, though rejected……..and it continues to be His ministry, by His Holy Spirit, in all who belong to Him.

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”)

He deals with every facet of our personality and life, and makes it His.

When He does, we are freed from everything which has a hold on us, in anyway.

Sometimes we never realize how strong an influence an idea we have,…..our habits,…..or our plans have on us.

Not “bad” in themselves….but the Lord wants to free us from their influence,…..to have spiritual liberty in Him.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

As we have said, the Lord Jesus usually starts with some strongpoint…..some “stronghold of reason” that we have in our makeup….that we have acquired by some experience, and which must be brought into subjection to Christ…

And it is by the insistence of the Holy Spirit, pulling down these strongholds.

(I “learned” at an early age…..if anyone was going to defend me….it was going to be me.

No one else was going to.

But when I became a Christian, the Lord began to deal with me about this attitude.

It was not “bad”,…..but it hindered my growth in Christ, for I could not trust Him fully.

I tried and tried to let it go.

But…..finally I came to Christ Jesus….and He showed me what had happened to make me this way. And I forgave.

Denying myself, then became easier. Trusting Christ became a real joy….and I had liberty….real freedom from myself, here.)

Than we cast down imaginations….past, and future.

Of what could have been,…..or might yet be.

Than the Holy Spirit deals with every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

Anything that would cast doubt on the Truth of what God has said to us.

All of this is by the power of the Holy Spirit within us,…..and us cooperating with Him.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

We must yield, but it is His power in us, that gives us the victory and liberty of Spirit….bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

True liberty is freedom from sin, and freedom from ourselves.

There is a lightness of spirit, and a wholeness beyond measure, when we yield our everything to Christ, and His Holy Spirit within.

May we all have it.

Paul writes, “That we should put off concerning the former conversation the old man…..and that ye put on the new man, which….is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22,24)

I used to think, when I was first born again, that this seemed so easy…..just stop doing the “bad” things….and start doing “good” things….

…..but Paul is talking about “putting off the former conversation (way of life), the old man”.

Who is the “old man”. We call it “the flesh”, the “old nature”,…..which simply means our old life in the darkness of this world.

My old habits, my old way of finding direction, my old attitudes toward others, my old speech.

( A lot of “my” there…..and that is the “former conversation the old man”….which centers around “me”.

Frankly I believe the Lord implants within each of us a love for the truth, for goodness, for kindness…which is for ourselves and others.

But we also must….and I believe it is imperative….if we are to “put on the new man (Christ’s life in us)…which is created in righteousness and true holiness”….

…..we must learn to discern God’s thoughts or attitude about things……for this circumstance. The important word is “learn”.)

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

And Jesus Christ is our greatest teacher.

It might seem odd to quote these verses and use Jesus as our example….but He, as the Man Christ Jesus is our greatest example in everything. He put aside HIs glory, and became obedient (Philippians 2:7-8)….and every word He said, every act was in obedience to the Father.(John 12:49-50)

Example:

Christ Jesus has just been baptized….a Voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt.3:17)

(Hallelujah, the work for our salvation begins!)

But,….before there is the ministry of Word, there is the ministry of battle.

Jesus is led,….”the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness”.(Mark 1:12)

The Spirit’s guidance is immediate….He is to go into the wilderness…to be tempted of the devil. (As Jesus was our example….and are we not often tempted of the devil….especially when we have made gains in our spiritual lives?)

Luke 4:2 “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, He afterward hungered.”

For forty days (the number of testing and trials) Jesus is tempted of the devil. I believe this is so bad, that these tests are not even recorded!

But when they were ended….he was hungry…

(Now I want to say here, that Jesus had been tempted of the devil already….it does not start here…..but that these three temptations are recorded for our learning.

He was the Son of God, yet He was tempted in all points like as we are (Hebrews 4:15)…

…..and here we are shown Jesus denying himself,…..resisting the devil, drawing nigh to God (James 4:7-8)….and using the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God in these temptations….for our learning)

Luke 4:3 “And the devil said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.”

Just like this, the devil always starts with “who” we are. “If”….is the question…..If Jesus was the Son of God. If we are really born again….then surely God would supply your needs…He would not let you “go hungry”….or go without….so do something!

But to Jesus, there was no “if”…..so He would do what His Father wanted….and He used God’s Word.

“It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Wow! He included me, when He quoted this.

I shall not live by seeking to solve all my problems the way the world or devil wants…..not even the necessities….but I shall live by every word of God to me…and do what He says.

We know that the next test was a time test: Jesus came to save the world from sin….to make it the kingdom of God, and His Christ.

The devil said that he would give Jesus all the kingdoms…..now,…without the cross, suffering, shame….if (there is that word again)….Jesus would worship him.

The Lord Jesus Christ will certainly have all these kingdoms….they shall come and worship Him….

…..but it would require the path of duty…and the cross.

(And the devil tries us the same way.

Forget Christianity….I can give you “happiness” now….you do not have to deny yourself anything….Just listen to me.)

But Jesus gave the answer we all should, “Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”

Then there was the test of appearance, and announcement:

The devil took Jesus to the top of the Temple and said, “If Thou be the Son of God, throw yourself down….for the Word says, that He will keep you, angels shall catch you and you will not even hurt your foot.”

What an announcement of Who He was, that would have been!…..

…and I believe angels certainly would have caught Him….

…..but God wanted Him to preach the kingdom to people all around the country….again the simple path of duty….

….so Jesus, and we too should say, “It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

I will follow God’s Word….and keep in God’s Way.

Luke 4:13 “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.”

The temptations were over…..for a season. And when we have stood in our place….and had the victory over a temptation…..let us rejoice in HIs Spirit, and His Word, which has given us the victory in this battle…

…and know that there will be others, for we belong to our King and Lord Jesus Christ.

But that with the temptation….He will make a way to escape:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Let us look for that way….His way….and escape the temptation….and have His Victory in us.

Haggai

Ezra 5:1 “Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.”

Haggai was an old man, and Zechariah was a young man.

Both were told to talk to the leaders of the returned remnant (they had been seventy years in captivity in Babylon, for their sins, but had come back, after the opportunity came to return.)

Zechariah spoke mostly in visions, telling the people, that they had returned for a purpose: which they should continue in, and finish.

His was a message to encourage and build up.

But before they could be built up; they needed to Awaken! To God’s claims on their lives. This Haggai did.

Haggai was a man who got right to the point.

Haggai 1:3-5 “Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house (God’s temple they were to rebuild) lie waste?

Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”

You see, the people who had returned to Israel, had started building the temple with great enthusiasm.

As soon as God’s work was started: enemies came.

They said, Let us “help” you.

They wanted to stop God’s people from being separate from them and their ways. (The world always wants to interfere in God’s Will and work.)

But when the remnant refused, saying they alone would build God’s house. Then trouble began. (Ezra 4:4-6).

The enemies accused the remnant of rebellion to the king of Persia, and he believed them, and commanded that they stop what they were doing!

What should the remnant do? (What they should have done was send their own letters to the king, reminding him of what the former king had promised and decreed for the house at Jerusalem! Ezra 6:1-7)

This was their purpose: To rebuild the temple, so that the first thing (and the Lord is always to be first in our lives), would be His people in a right relationship to Him, by sacrifice.

(We must remember that the sacrifices of the temple were looking forward to the Great, and Only True Sacrifice for sins: Jesus Christ, our Savior.)

When they had stopped building the temple; they started working on their own houses, and estates. They built very elaborate houses for themselves.

But God would not let them forget their purpose, so:

Haggai 1:7-9 “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.

Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts.

Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.”

This fierce and serious message was heard (thankfully), and obeyed.

Haggai 1:12 “Then Zerubbabel…,and Joshua…,the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.”

And the Lord encouraged them:

Haggai 1:13-14 “Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.

And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel….,governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua…., the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,”

When the Lord is “with us”, we are in a very secure place, for His power is at work for us.

For the Lord also made Darius the king find a decree, which had not been found before.

By that decree, the Israelites were not only to be left alone to build the House of God…….but they were to be funded, and encouraged! (Ezra 6:2-3, 6-7)

And the Lord gave them a very great promise:

Haggai 2:7, 9 “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with (the)glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Part of the temple they were finishing, would be there when God sends His Son, Jesus Christ. (It was; for Herod built his temple around part of this original building. Jesus walked on the stones they laid.)

(Notice how many times Haggai uses the name The Lord of Hosts. This name signifies that the Lord is Captain of His army…..and that army can be anything….angels, hornets, hail,…..and He uses His army for our protection.)

And, when they obeyed; The Lord blessed them in all the other things:

Haggai 2:19 “Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”

The Lord has said to us:

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We are to concentrate on His Purpose for us: to do His Will.

And He will be “with you” today, tomorrow, and so on.

What is a Christian Life?

Our Christian life is one in which God leads us to trust Him in trouble.

Isaiah 26:3 ” Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

To wait on Him in anxiety, and fear.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

To praise Him for Himself, alone.

Psalms 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

To look to Him in every situation.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Psalms 34:6 “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

To love Him in correction.

Psalms 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”

Hebrews 12:5,11 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

And mostly, to believe that He knows, and does best.

Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”

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.”

Our Christian life is one where we learn to lean on Jesus Christ for everything and in every situation….because He loves us, we learn to love and trust Him.

Continue, continue.

John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

To continue….to stay, be present, abide.

Here Jesus was in the treasury of the Temple,….He had forgiven the woman taken in adultery….and said that He was the Light of the world….and spoken of His Father, as HIs witness, always with Him….and that He was doing those things that please the Father.

John 8:30 “As He spake these words, many believed on Him.”

Wonderful….but Jesus would lead them on with Him….so He said….

“If ye continue in My word….”

Belief is the putting of my self, onto Christ….but it is only the beginning.

There is so much more to following Christ. We must come under subjection to His Word…then we will know the truth of things in our lives….and be free from the world and the constraints of sin!

Example:

The potter and the clay. (The Lord and us)

First, the potter chooses the clay….there are various kinds of clay, for various uses….so a clay is chosen….and placed in a bowl with water.

For next, the clay has to be made pliable in the water…..worked, so that there are no hard lumps…..no unyielding places.

Then, the clay is placed on the wheel…..finally we are going to be made into a useable vessel for the Master!

And the potter pushes and shapes…..letting the wheel turn….some places need more water applied…..some need a rougher hand to form…..

Then….we are done, right?

No….now we need to be fired…..the soft and pliable clay needs to be hardened to stand, or continue. We could never hold water, or things without being fired just right.

Then, for some vessels….the work is done….they are used. For others there is the painting and glazing….and firing; and glazing and firing again.

All, so that we may be a useable vessel, meet for the Master’s use.

Will we continue?

Our Lord Jesus says: “Continue in My word…then you will know the truth…and the truth shall make you free.”

Truth is of primary importance…..it leads us out of darkness into God’s light, for God is True. It keeps us from evil and error….and shows the way we should go. It frees us from all other ways, attitudes, and the opinion of the times….for it anchors us in God.

So Jesus says in….John 15:9 “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.”

This was spoken to His disciples….those who had stayed with Him for three years…they had continued in His word….now, for the trials ahead….continue in My love. Know it,…hold on to the truth of it,…shelter under it.

In Acts, Paul encourages those Jewish believers, to continue in the grace of God…..not in the traditions of the Law.(Acts 13:43)

In Colossians, Paul stresses that true reconciliation is in Christ.

(In Colossians, Christ is set before us as the object of our hearts. The Spirit of God is only mentioned once.)

It is His work in the cross, in a double sense: atonement for our sin….and the power of grace conquering the heart!

Therefore, Paul says to “Continue in the faith…grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel….”. “To present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:”. (Colossians 1:22-23)

In the practical part of Colossians, where home life, and job life are discussed…..we are told to:

Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

Continue to pray for the work…..ours, and our church and pastor….and watch….expecting His answer….both in His Word, and in the lives of others.

(I have come to see the value of the family altar. Having prayers at the start of the day with family members, for the things going on today….a song and prayers.)

Paul, at the end of his life, writing Timothy, who was a young man when Paul took him as a helper…..yet had grown into a Pastor and godly man….so Paul says to him…

….I am going to die, I have finished my course…..now you continue yours and follow the Word….continue to grow, and finish the work you have to do.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Continue in the Word…..you have grown from it…..continue in it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Lord Jesus comforted by His Word,

…..and rebuked the “little faith” of His disciples….and the hard-hearted of the Pharisees….

…..and instructed and led His own…..even to restoring Peter after the resurrection….

…..telling them and us:

“Go, teaching and make disciples…with all the things I have said….lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Let us continue in His Word, His love, His faith and grace, till we too finish our course.

He never Slumbers.

Psalm 121:1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

As Christians where should we look for help? There is only One who can really help us.

And our testimony should be: “my help comes from the Lord…”

He is the creator and sustainer of heaven and earth.

He rules and overrules in the affairs of men, whether they acknowledge Him or not, for He is God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22-23 “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

Isaiah 50:7 “For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”

And how does He help us? By a guidance in the Holy Spirit, which keeps us from “being taken” in the devil’s traps. And gives us courage to follow Him.

And if we are tripped up; He keeps us from being “utterly cast down”.

Psalm 121:3-5a “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper:…”

He, who numbers the hairs of our head, will watch the steps that we take.

The illustration here, is as children are watched by their parents; ever ready to intervene if needed.

And as sheep are watched by their Shepherd to protect, as well as guide into right paths.

He is called the Keeper of Israel…He guides and preserves those that are His.

(It also suggests that He fights for us: as David did against the lion and the bear. [1 Samuel 17:34-36])

Proverbs 3:23, 26 “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

Psalm 37:23-24 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.”

God neither sleeps nor slumbers.

He neither sleeps at night….so we can.

Nor slumbers during the day….when it is time to work, He is right there to help us.

The Keeper of Israel is a covenant Name of God. When He looks at us, He sees us in Christ, covered by His blood and righteous, in Him.

His eye is ever toward the righteous.

Psalm 33:18 “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy;”

Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord shall preserve thee from evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

Three times in these two verses, it says: preserve. Preserve means to hedge about with thorns, so nothing can come in, to harm.

He shall preserve from all evil. From sin, the world, and the devil. (“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation…” 2 Peter 2:9)

He shall preserve thy soul. With all its emotions, thoughts, and actions; He shall keep us by His Spirit. (1 Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to revealed in the last time.”)

He shall preserve thy going out and coming in. Our every day life is here spoken of.

We go out of our prayer times to face the world and all that comes to us;…..

…..and we come in to seek Him for strengthening fellowship and love.

(John 10:9 “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”)

The Lord our Keeper shall preserve “thee”. It is always personal.

He shall preserve you. He shall preserve me.

Praise Him for all His wonderful works.