Wretchedness
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:”
The Faithful and True Witness calls us this.
So let us consider the facts of the accusation:
First, to understand the term “Wretched”: To be wretched is to be deplorably unfortunate, in condition or circumstances.
And we are.
We are sinners, and as such, all our righteousness is as filthy rags ( Isaiah 64:6)
We are also the Church, but living with the world that thinks the Bible is out of date, and that Christ’s words can be ignored.
Are we not just what He says we are?

Now the only other place that this term wretched is used in the New Testament, is:
Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Now just what is it that Paul wants here?
He wants to be saved from himself.   For he sees that he is wretched, which is better than not seeing, for then he can seek the deliverance he needs.
Self examinations are for the most part useless; because it is all of Self! Self! Self!
It is:
“How could I ever do such a thing?”
“The great me; how could I ever be that way?”
“How can I change to be a better I?”
But when you begin to see you are wretched, in the same way Paul saw, by the power of the Holy Spirit, then you also see that Christ Jesus is the only hope for deliverance.

Woe is me! Paul said. And so does everyone who realizes that they can not deliver themselves, from themselves.
And when this happens, then we turn to the Lord for salvation from ourselves.
Romans 7:15-23 “For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it , but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Paul saw his natural man (flesh), fighting against his spiritual man; and winning a lot of times.
This is the wretchedness Paul saw in himself; does any of it ring true to you?
Do you know anything about this, personally?
Wanting to do the will of God; but finding that root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), or that anger turn to hatred, or that you are willing to do anything, but that…all the things which deal with covetness (the desire for something we do not have). Whether it is prestige, riches, other people in our life, different circumstances, or great ability.
This was the sin in Paul’s life which showed to him his “wretchedness”. (Romans 7:7)

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Paul is saying, “I do not have the reality of His power working in my life. I am miserable.”
Paul later wrote concerning some who stayed in this position:
2 Timothy 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Because that is the crux of the matter.
Will you stay in the same position, when you see your wretchedness?
James 1:23-24 “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
God in Christ has offered us so much; how much have we obtained?
How much have sought Christ’s deliverance from ourselves?

We are as Christ says:
Revelation 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
Our lukewarmness, is our lack of zeal.
We set so little store by the things God has given us; the things we are called to do.
They are just not that important. We don’t really count for much; God does not really care about my obedience.

This is indifference in our Spiritual Life. And Jesus Christ, the Faithful and True Witness, says we make Him sick because of this.

The real need of us in Laodicea, is to see in honesty, our condition before the Lord; like Paul did.
We are what He testifies to: wretched. Sad, but true.
But what are we going to do about it?
We can:
1 Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
This is not self examination; but self judgement…accepting God’s judgement of us and doing what He tells us about it.

This judging ourselves is coming before the Lord, and honestly seeing ourselves for what we are; and seeking His deliverance.
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Indifference and wretchedness; or getting boiling hot towards God, and life.
Which will we do?

The Good Ground Hearer

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.”

“If we walk in the light”. We know that “light” means knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit, through the merits of Christ’s sacrifice.
We are to walk in that light, that the Holy Spirit gives us; to be obedient to the light we have received.
Does that mean sinless perfection? No, it does not!
What it does mean, is: that you get honest with God, in all your dealings with Him.
Prayer, Bible Study, witness, and worship. You get honest with Him.

You, in fact, become a “good ground hearer”.

Matthew 13:23 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
All that have the seed sown unto them, “hear” it. It is what we do when we hear, that separates us in Christ’s sight.
“And understandeth it”. The good ground hearer, understands the right of those claims made on his life by Christ; and answers them with a life that is open to and receptive to Christ.
(If you think Christ has not made any claims to your life, then you have not heard aright. And you have not understood His claim as Lord and Savior.)

Mark 4:20 “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
The good ground hearers are those individuals which: when they hear the Word given to them, they receive the Word.
They do not reject it, or say, “that is for someone else”.
To receive is to do what that Word requires of them.

Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
Here we see the reason behind the good ground: honesty.
Our hearts are never good, in themselves:
Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

But in Luke it says: “honest and good heart”. That is the only way it is good. We get honest with God and allow Him to search us and show us if there is anything we need to get straight with Him.
Then we can bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Christian; which is another Christian. (We are all called as witnesses of Christ’s life in our life)

This honest heart “keeps” the word. It obeys, and perseveres in that obedience.
It knows God is true and stays with Him in all the trials that come up, from obeying that Word.

To understand the Word is to see Who speaks to me. It is to know the reality of the creature before the Creator. We understand that God is God, and does command me to follow Him, wherever He leads.
This is the first agreement in walking together in the light with Him.

Then we receive the Word, that we might be changed into “a vessel unto honor, sanctified,meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). In other words, bring forth fruit…some thirtyfold, some sixty, some a hundred.

Then,(and in the Christian life, there is always a “then”. We are never to be stagnant; but always going on to more mature things.). Then, we “keep” the word. As creature before the Creator, because we have learned that He does all things well.
With me, in these circumstances.
With me, with these people.
With me; so I’ll keep His Word, and with patience, waiting on Him to bring to pass; I’ll stand.
Doing what He says, bringing forth fruit….maybe not a hundredfold, but I will bring forth fruit to His glory.
Thank you Heavenly Sower, for allowing Your Word to come to me.
Let it bring forth abundantly to You….in me, and through me.

Through the Knowledge of Him

2 Peter 1:1-2 “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

How much we need grace and peace in these days, in our individual lives.
It is to be had, in Christ. If you are born again, you have access to it by the Holy Spirit within.
But to have it “multiplied unto you”; that is through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

You will notice that our “faith” is through our Savior Jesus Christ; but the grace and peace multiplied is through Jesus our Lord.

He is our Savior as we rest the full weight of our existence upon Him, through the faith that is given us by the Holy Spirit.
He is our Lord, by our exercising our wills to make Him so.
And we only do this as we get to know Him.

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us unto glory and virtue:”
“According as His divine power”; not according to my miserable ability. But according to His divine power. The limitless, and Almighty power of God.

“All things” means all things.
“Hath given” means they are given us in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit within us; as we use them. And “them”, are all the things that are concerned, in us having Christ’s life and godliness in our everyday lives.
Again, it is through the knowledge of Him.

How important it is that we know Christ, and continue to gain knowledge of Him.

He has indeed called us to “glory and virtue”; to manifest His glory, even here in these circumstances, and among these people.
And called us to the virtue of His Holy Spirit within us: The Artea of His power.
Artea means “force”. He is that force within us, “working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
So we manifest His glory–the glory of His salvation, of His calling, of His love by the force of the Holy Spirit within our spirits; helping us to obey, and joy in it.

2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Christ has given us promises….His Word to claim and obtain for yourself; they are ours , but we must get them into our experience. That is what obtain means; to get them for ourselves.
They are given to us, that you might have the character of Christ, and escape the corruptions (envy, anger, lying)that the world’s system lives in. We each have our own lusts. Whether they be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical; we lust after what we don’t have.
Until we make Christ Lord of our lives, and yield to His will and way for our lives.

And the way that happens is to : Know Christ more and more, for ourselves.
This not to know about Him (although that is not bad), but to know Him. It is to know what He requires of me. It is to know the force of the Holy Spirit , and how we are to yield to Him. It is to know what He will do for me in the temptations, and trials that I go through.
It is to know Him. Through the Knowledge of Him, we multiply grace and peace.

Mark:
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

It was not always so. Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:
Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.
The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church. James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2)

Then Peter was taken, and put in prison to bring him out so the people could decide what to do with him.(like Jesus)
But Peter we know was kicked awake by an angel and brought out of prison (Acts 12:6-11). Then he found his way to Mary’s house, a Christian who had kept a prayer meeting going for his release.
Acts 12:5, 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; for many were gathered together praying.”
Mary was John Mark’s mother, and he witnessed many things in those early days.
But his personal faith was not so strong. (Which suggests that seeing miracles, or great spiritual acts does not increase faith, of themselves.)

Paul and Barnabas had John Mark for their minister(helper).
Acts 13:5 “And when they were come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

But as they went on in their missionary journey; John Mark became frightened and decided to go back from the work to Jerusalem, where he thought he would be safe.
Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, experiencing many wonderful and terrible things(this missionary journey was where Paul was stoned: Acts 14:19).
But no John Mark.

After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to speak about the growing problem of Judiazers. (Those that taught they could not be saved except they follow the Law, as well.)
Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas were sent by the brethren to go to Jerusalem, and having spoken about what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles; it was determined to receive the Gentiles without making them follow the Law.

Along the way, John Mark must have come with the men which came back to Antioch, for he is found there, when Paul and Barnabas begin to talk of visiting the churches they had preached to before, “and see how they do.” (Acts 15:36)

But before they get started, a contention; so sharp that it pulled them apart.
Acts 15:37-38 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
But Paul thought not good to take with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.”
You will notice the terms the Holy Spirit uses here:
Barnabas “determined”.
Paul “thought not good”.
John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew, and he would want to give him another chance.
But his “determined”, meant, he already had his mind made up. He was going to do this. No matter.
Paul “thought not good” was looking at the churches. How would it appear to them to have someone who would not hazard his life for Christ to come and minister to them?
The churches that had begun had to stand against persecutions, and blasphemes….how could he stand before them? How could they, with him along?

Now notice the Holy Spirit’s terms for the results of this contention:
Acts 15:39-40 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
Barnabas “took”. Hard, unmoving.
Paul “chose”. Thinking what should be best for Christ’s work.
Barnabas took off with Mark. It seems as if the Holy Spirit is emphasizing his willfulness. What a shame! You never hear of Barnabas’ work in the Scriptures again.
Paul chose, having the recommendation of the brethren, unto the grace of God.

Two different choices…two different ways.
But what about Mark?
He grew up, and was restored to the ministry with Paul.
Colossians 4:10″Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandment: if he come unto you receive him:)
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

And he was a fellow helper of Peter.
1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”
Some say the Gospel of Mark is actually Mark writing it for Peter.
Whether that is true, Mark was restored, but the ministry of Barnabas was not heard of again.

Later Paul writes about bishops:
1 Timothy 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

We are to keep growing, yielding to the Holy Spirit. (Don’t become willful in your own opinion.)
We will never have sinless perfection…but we can be forgiven, grow, and go on with Christ.
Mark did.

Launch out into the Deep
Luke 5:4 “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Here the Lord is getting surrounded about with people , who want to hear more of the word of God, by the lake of Gennesaret.
Two fishing ships were at hand, although the men were out of them, so Jesus enters into one of them and asked the owner, named Simon, to:
Luke 5:3 “And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”
There was some effort to this favor for Jesus, and now Jesus is going to do Simon a favor.
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nests for a draught.”
Simon, here, was trying to be polite; and gently tells Jesus that they had already done everything they could to get a catch of fishes.
Luke 5:5 “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
But he also added, “But at thy word ”
Here is obedience. Peter might not have agreed with the plan. Might not have thought it would work; but would do it anyway, to honor Jesus.

Jesus had “borrowed” Peter’s ship, and now He would “pay” him for the use of it.
Luke 5:6-7″ And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”
A net full of fishes, to the breaking point, was what He gave.
“Pressed down and running over”. (Luke 6:38). He spoke this word…He fulfilled this word to Peter, here.

But now, with the “payment” given; Peter realizes this Jesus was who John the Baptist testified; “The Lamb of God”. (John 1:35-41). That He was indeed the Christ.
Peter then fell down (probably a most unusual position for the energetic fisherman)
And cried “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Luke 5:8-9 “When Simon Peter saw it he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes that they had taken:”
“Lord” is the right title for Jesus. And it led to following Jesus.

Luke 5:10-11 “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.”
They forsook all and followed Him.
This is the best gift–to be called to follow Jesus.

Launch out into the deep. A simple command, simply followed; which led to becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus also calls us to “Launch out” with Him in our everyday lives, to be obedient to Him.
We may not “agree” with the command; or think we have already done all we could;
but we will obey.
“They forsook all”; they had known Jesus before (as John 1:35-41 shows), but now their lives were at Jesus’ command.
What about us? Do we know Jesus, yet have not “launched out” with Him into true discipleship?
He calls, will we follow?
We may never “forsake all” in the same way as Peter, James, and John did here….but we are always called to place Him first.
And with Him first, everything else is seen to. (Mark 1:20)
Matthew 6:33. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Faith and Hope
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
And both faith and hope take the things of the Holy Spirit, in our spirit, and make them real to us.
We must exercise our wills with the Holy Spirit within, and then faith and hope become strong helps in our walk with God.

If you are born again, then you have this peace with God by Christ Jesus, and we are ready to proceed further.

Romans 5:2 ” By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“Access”, think of the doors of heaven opening; and power, strength, encouragement, whatever you need; coming down to you.
This is this access that faith in our Lord Jesus Christ gives us. For it opens into “grace”.
“Grace” is the unmerited favor of power.
Grace is the power of God to save, of course.
But it is also the power of God to keep, change, to do what He has called you to do in your life.
Zechariah 4:7 “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

This is the grace we have access to, through faith, by our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the grace that empowers us to stand.
We seek it from Him, or we never stand.

And if you are experiencing this grace, you should also be experiencing:
“And rejoice, in hope, of the glory of God.”
This hope is from the Holy Spirit…you can’t work it up, it is given.
It is the confident expectation that God will do what He said.
He will work glory out of my life, as I yield to Him, and stand with Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Paul was rejoicing in that power, even though it meant his prayer was not answered the way he wanted.

Romans 5:3 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
When you are kept–sustained is a better word. Kept is taken care of like we are still babes in Christ.
Sustained is upheld, and that is for maturing Christians.
Our Rock is Christ…and He is always strong for us.
So when you are sustained by this faculty of hope (that confidence from the Holy Spirit that God will do what He said), you can indeed glory in tribulations–for you see that they are all to the glory of God.(though you may not see how at the time)

Tribulations work patience within us. These tribulations aren’t just those which lead to martyrdom. No, they are also the trials, which are really trials of the way.
Places so hard to overcome (they are often called mountains in Scripture) that they are seen as impossible to us.
But they work patience with in us, by waiting on God to do the impossible.(and how many times He has done so for us!)
“Worketh”. That doesn’t mean we will be instantaneously patient—Oh, No.
But worketh patience.
If we are having a “fit”; or rebelling against a certain set of circumstances; you need to go back and “access” more grace.
For you can not be experiencing that hope that will enable you to gain patience in these circumstances, for you have given up that confidence in God.
Grace is enabling; and how much we need enabling in our work, and life.
And God does do the impossible; If not for us the way we want….then in us to yield in a mighty way to these circumstances and have the victory in them.

Romans 5:4 “And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”
And how much experience we will have in our walk with God! That patience that He has worked within us, will gain us such experiences that will increase our dependence on God, Who gives us hope.
You will know as you receive from your Father’s Hand, all that comes to you; His grace abundantly, and His love.

Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
This confidence that God will do what He says, has been proved again and again; and the Holy Spirit within us lights up the love of God within us, so that we are blessed by His Presence in all circumstances.
We are not ashamed of our God and His working in us, though the way be rough or smooth….God’s love encourages us to have more of His boundless joy, peace, and love.
All of this is by the Holy Spirit within. Stifle not the Holy Spirit. Yield to Him, and enjoy His gifts of faith and Hope.

By His Word
Mark 11:2-3 “And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, wherein never man sat: loose him, and bring him.
And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? Say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.”

This is, of course, the colt that Jesus rode into Jerusalem with the shouts of “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”. “Hosanna in the highest”.

This is where Jesus presents Himself to the King’s City as King, according to prophesy:
Zechariah 9:9 ” Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

As King, although unrecognized by the rulers, He goes into the temple:
Mark 11:11 “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.”

And as King, He sees all that needs to be set in order in the temple.
But He does not stay in Jerusalem….but goes out of the city.

The next day, coming into Jerusalem, to do the work that needed to be done; He was hungry.
Mark 11:12-13″And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”
Here Jesus was hungry, and walked out of His way to have some figs.
On fig trees, the figs come on before the leaves; and there were leaves, so there should have been figs.
It was not the time of figs, but there were leaves; so there should have been figs.
But He found none.

So by His Word:
Mark 11:14 “And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.”
You will notice “And Jesus answered”; Why this term?
Because the tree had “spoken”. It had rejected feeding the Son of Man, Jesus Christ; therefore Jesus “answered” it with a curse.
(Some say the fig tree is a figure of Israel: Religiously looking good, but without fruit unto God. But is there any among us, that can say that the Lord has not looked for fruit from them, and found leaves, only?)

So they continue into Jerusalem, where yesterday they had praised and blessed Him.
Mark 11:15-16 ” And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.”
Yesterday it was to manifest Himself as King, today it is to do the work of His Father, for His house. Setting in order that which was wanting in the service of God.
He did this Himself, casting out; and refusing entrance to those who would violate the temple. He had done this once before at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-16). Now He would do it again, as a witness against the hardness of their heart.

Then by His Word:
Mark 11:17 “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.”
Not only did He cleanse, He spoke concerning God’s will for His house.
To set in order.

Mark 11:18-19 ” And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought out how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
And when even was come, he went out of the city.”
But here again, He was rejected. The people were amazed at Him speaking with authority the doctrine of God. Amazed but unresponsive. And the rulers, instead of submitting to God’s Word, only sought to destroy Him.

The work finished He came into the city to do, He again leaves the city. He would not stay a night in Jerusalem, until the night of the passover feast.

By His Word the fig tree was cursed, and by His Word the temple was cleansed.

Mark 11:20-21″And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
And Peter calling to rememberance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree that thou cursedst is withered away.”
By His Word it was all done.
Then the Lord Jesus, wanting to set forth the importance of our words, showed His disciples what it was all about.

Mark 11:22 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”
Faith is that active ingredient in our life which makes real the things of God.
God will act for you if you have faith in Him. For real faith, trusts Him.
Are you doing and saying because it is what you want?
Or are you doing and saying because God wants you to?
Leaves are words, Fruit is obedient deeds.
A temple serving man, is not God’s temple.
Have faith in God….don’t just look good, or go along with everyone else. But believe God’s Word and obey Him.

Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
What a wonderful Word from our Lord Jesus! What an encouragement to His disciples, for soon everything was going to change. The reality of their faith would soon be shown. There were going to be plenty of “mountains” that would need to be removed in front of them, to bring them past Jesus crucified, to Jesus resurrected, to Jesus ascended, to the Holy Spirit given.
Here is faith in action.

And what is the mountain that I want to see cast into the sea?
It is that “mountain” (within me, and within my circumstances) that hinders me from seeing done, what I’ve been called to do by the Lord.
I want that mountain or mountains removed!

It is according to :
“And shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass.”
Faith sees God; “shall believe” is the hearts response to God’s Word to us.
The disciples were called to put their faith in action and believe God’s Word to go on in their callings.
So are we.

Mark 11:24-26 “Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when we pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
To believe when you pray, asking God for your requests, is to place yourself at His disposal to bring them to pass.
To do this, nothing must come between you and God.
Therefore, forgive, if you have anything against another person; and God will forgive you.
Everyone is on the same level: we all need forgiveness. And Jesus was plainly teaching that sins are to be forgiven, that our prayers are not hindered.
We need to pray…we have mountains to be removed. So have faith in God, and believe when you pray, forgiving all; that you may be forgiven. Then those mountains will be removed!
By His Word: He has said these things that we might put them into practice.
What will we do with them?

Loves thou Me more than these?
John 21:15-19 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, loves thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkest whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

Jesus brought back Peter after his three denials, with three affirmations of love.
Jesus knew Peter loved him. But there is a big difference in loving the Lord, as long as it is not going to cost me anything to do so.
Or loving Jesus, even though it costs you everything to do so.
Peter fell into sin and denied the Lord, because he stood outside with those waiting to see what would happen….rather then go in with John to the palace and be there with Jesus during the judgement of the Sanhedrin.
Outside, neither with or against, is a dangerous place to be. For surely someone or something will make you choose. And when you do; you may find, like Peter, you have just denied your Lord.
But Jesus knew Peter’s heart; and had made provision for it:
Luke 22:31-32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not : and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

The Lord has also made provision for us; that we might be restored any time to Him and that we might go on and be used for Him. (Peter certainly was: Feed my sheep and lambs. And he did.)
We, too, are asked, “Lovest thou Me?” The Spiritual Reality of our hearts is our answer…for Jesus already knows if we love Him.
Spiritual Reality is not measured by our accomplishments;
But by the hearts loving embrace of all that is set before us:
“For His Sake”

Reality, is it for me?
Matthew 16:24-25 “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.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
This is the Path to Reality for everyone of us.
We will have spiritual reality, to the degree we walk in it.
Will you choose this path?

It must ultimately come down to “for His sake”. God never alters our wills; our will must be exercised for Him.
We must choose to deny self, and follow Him.
We must choose to lose our self-life, to find our Christ life.

Our wills are not free, because they are influenced by our minds and hearts.
What or Who do you love?
What influences your thinking most; God’s Word, or the World’s opinions?

As you go along with Christ, you find out these things and (if you will) deal with anything which comes between you and Jesus.
We are to go about our Father’s Will, by denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Christ.
But what is “my” cross?

Christ’s cross was the wooden one on which He sacrificed Himself, and shed His blood for my sins.
We can never “pick up” His cross. Nor are we called to.
We are called to pick up our cross:
Our cross is anything which God requires that cuts across our wills. It must be something you can refuse to do. Christ said, “If any man will”; therefore you may “will not.”
Sickness, your parents, or siblings (no matter how trying) are not your cross.
You can not refuse them.
(It can be something concerning them: taking care of your parents–you don’t have to, but God wants you to. That can be your cross.)
Your cross is anything which God requires that cuts across our wills; which is a matter of choice.

And He calls us to do it for His sake.
The Christian walk is a love story–or should be.
Yes, in every relationship where our hearts are concerned, there are going to be arguments. (Some call these differences of opinion, some call them having a fit with God) but they are arguments.
Even in the Old Testament times God wanted a love relationship with His people and asked them to:
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
He wanted them to come and talk to Him about what was between them.
What reason had they for seeking idols?
What reason had they for refusing to understand His corrections?
Proverbs 1:23 “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

He was and is ready, always, to give more understanding and grace by His Holy Spirit, to us in any situation (yes, even the ones we are not suppose to be in; to help us out).

His call to us is, always, “come and follow Him.”

True Sanctification is the heart’s longing after the Lord, Himself.
Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
This is what we should desire and long after: fellowship, and communion with the Lord.
David wanted this: “that will I seek after”.
And David was not without sin or corrections.
Yet he knew God, and His love for him, and loved the Lord.
What about us?
Lovest thou Me more than these?

Disciples–Learners, and Friends.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come and learn of Him.
If we are born again, we know how to “Come”…for we did come to Him for Salvation.
To learn of Him is to stop thinking we already know…and to hear what He is saying.
A good example is the feeding of the five thousand.
The story is in all four gospels:
Matthew 14:15-21. (Verse 16) “But Jesus said unto them (His disciples), They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

Mark 6:35-44. (Verse 37) “He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?”

Luke 9:12-17. (Verse 13) “But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.”

John 6:5-13. (Verse 5-6) “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

In all the accounts, Jesus is healing and teaching the multitudes which followed Him into the desert place. He has compassion on them. For He sees them as sheep, not having a shepherd.
He has let the time pass, because He wants to teach His disciples a lesson.
First: In themselves they can do nothing. “Give ye them to eat.” Showed them that they couldn’t.
Second: If they give what He has blessed, and given them; there is enough and to spare. “Bring them (the loaves and fishes) hither to me….and looking up to heaven, he blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled:…”(Matthew 14:18-20)

Lessons from our Lord includes everything. From prayer (Luke 11:1-13), to strife among brethren (Matthew 18:15-17, John 13:34-35), to faith (Matthew 15:30-31, 17:20), and forgiveness (Matthew 1 9:21-35).
We are learners of Jesus:
Ephesians 4:20, 24 “But ye have not so learned Christ; (speaking about all those who have understandings darkened, who are separated from the life of God)
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:”  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”

All this comes down to; learning to walk with Him:
Amos 3:3 ” Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
As we lose our self-life, we must come to many agreements with Him. This is the learning process.
There must be an Absolute Surrender to Christ; For He must Reign. This is where we decide, once and for all, that we will follow Christ; wherever He leads.
But it is only by many deliberate acts of the will, that we make Him Lord of our lives, practically.
For it is only through our wills that we submit to His Lordship.
In each instance of obedience, our minds and hearts move the will to decide for Christ. This is another agreement made and another part of ourselves given to Christ to rule.

Friends:
John 15:15 “Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
These disciples had traveled a long way with Christ, and had determined to go on with Him, although He was hated by the Pharisees, and rulers.

There is an old saying: “A wise man is he, that keeps his friendships in constant repair”
And this is as true with Christ, as well as our other friends.

A man with God can be a majority of One in any situation.
Look at John, the disciple:
When Jesus’s time was come, He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.(John 18:1)
The eleven were with Him, but three of the eleven were closest to Him…Peter, James and John. When Judas and the band of soldiers which were to arrest Him, came; they all fled. Jesus had asked that His disciples be let go:
John 18:8 “Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:”

Mark 14:48-52 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.
And they all forsook him, and fled.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
And he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.”
This young man, I believe was John….but look what he did right after that.

John 18:15 “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”
Here he was allowed to go into the place of judgement….the high priest knew him. This could have been life threatening. But he went into the palace to be with Jesus.

And after they led Jesus away to Pilate? And to Golgotha? John was there also. None other disciple, but he was.
John 19:25-27 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to his disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
John was a young man; who had fled to save his life….but came back to follow Jesus, not only to find out what would happen to him, But to stand with Him, both in the place of judgement and death.

Friends. We, too, can be friends with Christ.
We can stand with Him, not that we won’t fail, but that we will seek Him and stand with Him, after we have.
A wise man is he, that keeps his friendships in constant repair.

Profitable Servants to the Lord.
Luke 17:7-10 “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

As servants, it is our duty to serve, and do all that our Master requires.

The full price of every soul to be saved;
And the work of every soul which is saved;
Has already been paid for by our Master, Jesus Christ.

But if all we do, is that which is required of us, we too, must say unto Him:
“We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do.”

Now if we would be profitable servants, we must go beyond doing what we are told, (although that is VERY important)…We must become devoted to our Master, Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 15:12,16-17 “And thy brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let them go free from thee. (Notice the servant is purchased, as we are purchased by Christ–redeemed)
And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thy house, because he is well with thee;
Then thou shalt take an awl; and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant forever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.”

This speaks of loving our Lord. We become profitable servants by the loving obedience we give Him.
2 Peter 1:10-11 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Then we shall be “ministered unto abundantly”….”if ye do these things”. This speaks of reward.
Heaven is the place for all His children. We will all be welcome, whether weak Christians or strong Christians. But the “everlasting kingdom” is a place where our reward for devoted service is given. Our place in this kingdom is determined by our devotion to Christ here, and now.
What we have become under the hand of the Holy Spirit in our submission to Him; and to what and Whom we have loved.

Again, God is love…and wants us to love Him and others.(This is impossible, naturally, for we really only “love” ourselves {if we were honest}, and those who love us. (Matthew 5:46)

But Christ calls us out of ourself love to learn, through faith, the way to real love.

2 Peter 1:5-7 “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;
And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.(love)”

Notice, we are to give ” all diligence”. In other words, we are going to have to work at yielding to the Holy Spirit.
He gives us faith at new birth; and what we are to do with is: add to it.
Faith used, gives us Artea (virtue) or force, the force of the Holy Spirit within us (and how grateful we should be when we can “feel” His presence in our walk)
And this leads to knowledge–about ourselves, and about what God will do for me.
And this encourages us to be temperate, (or as I like to say: To walk, not run into things; to look before we leap…to be ready to leap, but to look first)
And this leads to patience, for we must wait on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all things.
And this leads to godliness, or being conformed to the image of Christ’s character, and having His opinions.
And this leads to brotherly kindness….If we have come this far, we know a whole lot about ourselves, and we have learned not to judge anyone; rather to see our brothers in Christ as just that: Beloved Brothers.
And this leads to charity or love. This is not sentimental love. But rather the practical “Standing with” love that God does to us.

Look at all the “fruits” you have learned! Look at what you have accomplished by now!
2 Peter 1:8-9 “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

I have separated these, because there is a great gulf between these two believers.
One having submitted to the Holy Spirit goes on in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And the other, limping along toward heaven….no “seeing” the joy of service to Christ, living as the world around them.
Christ calls us to be servants…which will we be?
Profitable or not?