To be Saved,  Spirit,  Soul, and Body 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

He is faithful….this is a wonderful name of our Lord Jesus.

Faithful here means to be trustworthy….like a parent who builds us up…we can trust ourselves to Him….and His guidance….for He wants the best for us.

All He does, is with the view in mind, to make us….and give us…all He has for us.

While we are body, soul, and spirit (this is the way we see ourselves,….

……although you will note: that He says spirit, soul and body)……we can not really separate one from the other….

What we feel in our emotions….we often show on our faces.    What we think, we often express in words.

But there is a complete salvation:  spirit, soul, and body.

We are body, soul and spirit….even when we are lost.  Our spirit is darkened, and we are alone.

But when we are born again….the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit,…comes into our spirit….and implants a new nature….God’s nature;  and gives us faith, and grace.

Then, everything changes.

Before we lived from the outward in….

…..things influencing us from our bodies:  

what we see,  what we hear,  what we smell, what we feel….all influence our souls…..and our soul’s reaction to them.

(Our souls are our minds….thoughts and reasons;   Our hearts….emotions and affections;   Our wills….which is the action part of us….for what we will, we do.)

But when we are born again,  we live from the inside out:

The Holy Spirit, in our spirit….which is now enlightened and empowered by faith and grace….

….presses against our souls….our minds,  our hearts affection and emotion, and our wills…

….to work out His Will and Word to us.

This “working out” changes our character into the character of Christ.

For God has placed within us a new nature…..a new disposition.

And we express our character through our bodies.

We are drawn to the things of God….we are interested in His Word….we are desirous of fellowship with others who love the Lord.

Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved,  as ye have always obeyed,  not as in my presence only,  but now much more in my absence,  work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

              For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

This working out is from the spirit to the body….because of the Atonement of Christ….

Because of what Christ did….and Who He is to us (our Lord and Savior)….we can claim the full salvation of us.

He saves us spiritually,  when we are born again.

        He is faithful….He will never let us go….nor let any pluck us from His hand.

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

        Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me,  saying,  Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:  therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

He saves our souls,….our minds from the world’s thoughts and opinions;  our hearts from inordinate affections,  and our wills from stubbornness and going our own way…

……as we yield to the Holy Spirit’s authority over our lives.

        First, in denying our self life, our habits, our opinions, our plans, our associates….(all of this is taking away the old….putting off)

Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another,  seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds,”

        

       Second, by taking on the character of Christ…by using the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)….that the Holy Spirit works within us (remember, now that we are born again,  we grow from inward to outward….yet all of us is saved)

Love,….when we would prefer not to 

(and love is in the active noun….not some nice, sweet, thought that never transfers to work)

Joy, which is the Presence of God in my life….even amid trials and tribulations.

Patience, when we would normally get frustrated…or run ahead.

Peace, when we would normally be in turmoil.

Yes, these and all the rest….can….will….be worked in our spirits, then our characters……through our bodies….by the Holy Spirit of God!

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God,  and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Do I pay any attention that my body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost?….the place where He is working?

Or do I think of Him as “a Roomer”;  one which has a room in my house, but that is all?

When Jesus Christ came to earth,….very God and very man….He was filled with the Holy Spirit,……

….because that is what we need….and He was an example in all things.

After that, every day was a day to work, to teach, to witness, to rebuke, to heal…

….yet everyday was filled with the ordinary things of walking, talking, eating, and praying.

His life was the template of the life God has for us….

…are we ready to be saved….spirit,….soul,…and body….and manifest Christ’s character through us?

Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abed-nego 

Daniel 3:1 “Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was three score cubits,  and his breadth thereof six cubits:  he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.”

We are all inclined to “success, and praise”.   Nebuchadnezzar was.   He had been given a interpretation of a dream by Daniel which spoke of himself as a “golden head”. (Daniel 2:37-38)

He then sought to show everyone, just how great he was.  The “golden head”, became a golden statue.

And now everyone gathered,……..and especially his princes, and people placed in authority, was to bow down to it!

Daniel 3:4-6 “Then a herald cried aloud,  To you it is commanded,  O people, nations, and languages,  

        That at what time ye hear the sound of……all kinds of music,  ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

        And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

But there were three Godly men, who had been appointed into positions of authority in Babylon, who did not bow to his image.  Their names were: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

       It was not that they did not respect the king,  but they were to worship one God, only.    So they could not bow down to any other “god”.

But, because of their positions,…..others are more than ready to accuse them before the king.

Daniel 3:12 “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of Babylon,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abed-nego;  these men, O king,  have not regarded thee:  they serve not thy gods,  nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

Nebuchadnezzar, knowing the jealousy of princes when they inform on one another,  gives these men another chance to bow down to his image.

Daniel 3:14-15 “Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them,  Is it true  O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abend-nego?  Do not ye serve my gods,  nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

          Now if ye be ready at what time ye hear the sound of…..all kinds of music,  ye fall down and worship the image that I have made;  well:   

          but if ye worship not,  ye shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;  

          And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hand?”

Now here is a trial, which we, as Christians, often face:  

       Should we go along with the world in certain things?  

       Should we sacrifice our position, to honor the Lord?

Surely, we can do “good” in a position of authority;……..so, should we jeopardize it for God?

       Does it matter, if it is in a minor thing?  

Yes, every Christian knows the answers to these questions;  yet how often do we follow through,…..especially when it is going to cost us something?

These men were not only going to lose their positions,….but they were going to lose their lives.  And in a very terrible way…to burn to death!

Nebuchadnezzar was making it very clear where he stood:  Honor me or die; because “your God can not deliver you from my hand”.  (Boy, was he wrong!)

Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,  answered and said unto the king,  O Nebuchadnezzar,  we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

          If it be so,  our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,  and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.

         But if not,  be it known unto thee,  O king,  that we will not serve thy gods,  nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

But these three Israelites were also making it very clear where they stood:  with God, “their God”.

They said they “were not careful to answer” him.   

        Simply put, they did not care about his threats, or actions against them,……if it meant dishonoring their God, the real true God.

And further, they said, that God would deliver them,  whether by death or some other way.  

       But what ever happens,  they would not worship Nebuchadnezzar’s gods, nor bow down to the golden image.

That would dishonor their God.

Daniel 3:19, 21  “Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury,……therefore he spake,  and commanded that  they should heat the furnace one seven times more that it was wont to be heated.

          Then these men were bound in their coats, and their hose, and their hats,  and their other garments,  and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”

Furious,  Nebuchadnezzar told his men to heat the furnace seven times hotter than previously!  

        It was so hot that when the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego , into the furnace;  they died from the heat!

         (Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t so sure of himself.  Perhaps their God would be able to deliver them, after all.)

Daniel 3:24-25 “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished,  and rose up in haste,  and spake,  and said unto his counselors,   Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?   They answered and said unto the king,   True, O king.

          He answered and said,   Lo,  I see four men loose,  walking in the midst of the fire,  and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

While waiting for them to disappear from view, Nebuchadnezzar gets surprised by the men, up and walking in the furnace.

But there were four men walking there.   And one was like to the Son of God.

This is an amazing sight.  But unlike the others, Nebuchadnezzar saw the truth, and acknowledged it.

          He did not try to ignore it, and say:  “No, I will not believe that there is this kind of power, which can withstand me, and my fiery furnace!  I will close my eyes to this, and let them burn.”   

He did not do this.   He saw,……and he acknowledged,…..and then he believed.

Some men refuse the truth right before them.  They refuse to see, and will not acknowledge God’s Authority.   

         He can, and does what He will, with His own.  

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego knew this.

Now Nebuchadnezzar does, too.

Daniel 3:26-27 “Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace,  and spake,  and said,   Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abed-nego,  ye servants of the Most High God,  come forth,  and come hither.  Then Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abed-nego,  came forth of the midst of the fire.

             And the princes, and the governors,  and captains,  and the kings counselors,  being gathered together,  saw these men,  upon whose bodies the fire had no power,  nor was a hair of their head singed,  neither were their coats changed,  nor the smell of the fire had passed upon them.”

There was no smell of smoke; nor was there burnt clothing on them.  God had not only brought the men through……but also everything of theirs was without hurt, as well.

Nebuchadnezzar was changed;  though not completely purged from self-honor, yet.

But he honored the God which could deliver them.

        For he said (and he was talking about his own gods, as well): “because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”

Daniel 3:28 “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,  Blessed be the God of Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abed-nego,  who hath sent his angel,  and delivered his servants that had trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word,  and yielded their bodies,  that they might not serve or worship any god, except their own God.”

           

The principal we always need to remember is:

(1 Samuel 2:30).   “…for them that honor me  I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

We are to be in the world, but not of it.

        We are, instead, to be looking to the Lord, for His Word, and His help;  to honor Him.

Psalm 34:4-8 “I sought the Lord,  and he heard me,  and delivered me from all my fears.” 

          (This is when they were first called to come before Nebuchadnezzar.  How many fears went through their minds.  But the Lord saved them from these fears)

“They looked unto Him, and were lightened:  and their faces were not ashamed.” 

           (This is when they spoke boldly before Nebuchadnezzar, for their God.)

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

          (This is when, bound and thrown in the furnace, they lifted their prayers to God.)

“The angel of the Lord campeth round about them that fear him and delivereth him.”

           (This is when God saved them, by the Presence of Himself with them.)

“O taste and see that the Lord is good:  blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”  

           (This is the conclusion for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego……

And all who will trust in the Lord.)

Submit yourselves to God

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.”

My husband has had lots of messages using these verses for they supply a real encouragement to the battle weary soldier of Jesus Christ.

           The Lord showed him once that the first thing to do in any battle….with yourself, the world, or the devil….is to:

                             Submit yourselves to God.

We cannot properly resist the devil, if we are not submitted to God….for we are not standing with the Lord,….but we are fence-sitters….not having decided either way.

To submit to God is to exercise your will for the Lord.

           “This is what You want Lord, and  I  will,  to  do  it.”

“Submit” here is to place ourselves in a subordinate position to God.      

            Very much as if we are soldiers under our Captain Christ Jesus.

But once we have…then we are called to   “resist the devil”….or stand against him.

This is not having a conversation with the devil….for that was how Eve was tricked.

No we are to talk to Jesus Christ about it…and proceed from there.

           This we do when we choose to do God’s Will, for the devil would have us do the opposite.

We resist the devil when we cry,  “Lord, avenge me of my adversary!” (Luke 18:2-7)

We resist the devil when we deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus wherever He leads.

We resist the devil when we plead the blood over us, or others (Revelation 5:6)

“You can’t stop birds from flying over your head,  but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”

“…and he will flee from you.”    This is a wonderful experience when after you have come to complete submission to God, and stood against the devil….he flees.

But we are not to stop there….for we must remember this is a battle.

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.”   

         (I want to mention here,   that James is a very practical book.   He sees everything in black and white….there is no middle ground….there is no compromising with evil or sin….

…we are to deal with it by drawing closer to God and HIs Will.)

         No Christian that doesn’t seek to get as close to Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit and His Word,  is as safe as he should be.  

       “Draw nigh”….approach… HIs throne of grace to get mercy and grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)     

        And He will “draw nigh”…approach… to help and supply our every need.

        (My husband once received that we should fight with skill….using every weapon at our disposal….knowledge of our salvation,  Christ’s righteousness,  faith,  and prayer in Jesus name.

         But when we are in the heat of battle…things happen,  we become weary if we are not practiced in staying close to our Captain.

         And in the Roman army there were ways of holding on….and of signals between units.   Of getting extra help….and being safe till it came.

         The panoply is a Roman structure, made in the battle….made from the shields the foot soldiers carried.   

         When they were cut off from the main body of men,  or being overrun…then they would signal for the panoply to be made.      Each man would fit their shield together down on the ground…while the men hid behind it….others would place their shields over their heads…and they would have a mini fort built,  till the rest of the army could rescue them.)

You see the real battle is that the devil wants us to get far away from the Lord Jesus.   If we are left to our own devices….we are in trouble.

“Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;”

         Our hands signify our willingness to work….to do, to be obedient.   Have we let our hands hang down….have we not been obedient…or fully obedient to HIs Will?

“If we confess our sins,  He is faithful and  just to forgive us our sins….and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)        

         He forgives and cleanses….if we come to HIm and confess our sins.

        (I want to mention resentment, here.   There are so many resentments these days….over opinions,   over practically anything.     

         Now this is not convictions from the Holy Spirit….those must be followed, no matter what anyone else thinks.

But resentments are those feelings of hurt, anger,….or differences of opinion that are left to fester….like the sore which begins to turn red,  then pussy,  then infected.   

         We’ve preached before that   no Christian should feel resentment….because we have a Savior to go to,  and He saves us to the uttermost.   Whether the hurt is past, present, or future….We have a Captain of our Salvation which is ready to stand in the battle against this wile of the devil…to lead us to Victory in faith.)

“And purify your hearts, ye double minded.”        We all know that double minded means two-spirited…vacillating from one thing to another.

        Notice it is our hearts that needs to be purified….for our affections and our emotions lead our thoughts this way and that.

When our hearts are purified….or given single vision….we look for Christ in everything,  and what He wants,  is where our affections and emotions….and thoughts do.

With singleness of purpose….doing His Will…whatever that Will might be,  from the heart!

Our wills then can tame the heart and mind….when they are submitted to God….our wills become a real force for God in seeing to the wiles of the devil….and the sins of vacillating hearts.

To be wholly sanctified

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;  and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

         Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who also will do it.”

It is interesting to note when God uses a specific name for Himself.   

        Here it is….”the very God of peace”.

Why,  when He is speaking of sanctification,  does He use this name?

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.”

If we left out the means of this work….these verses would read:

       “Now the God of peace,…make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight…”

Because God is the God of peace to us,  we can be “made perfect” or complete in His Will.

And that “make you perfect”…..is sanctification.    Sanctification, is to be set aside to God.   It includes dying to self (Matthew 16:24,  Luke 9:23) daily….

…and living to God (Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24) daily.

Paul when he spoke of putting off the old man, and putting on the new,  describes it as this:

Colossians 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,  bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

        Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

       And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.

       And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body;  and be ye thankful.”

Notice, that the peace of God….from the God of peace,  is to rule in our hearts.

The means of this ruling peace,   is:   “our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep” 

“through Jesus Christ”.  (Hebrews 13:20-21)

It is by the blood of the everlasting covenant that Christ Jesus becomes our Shepherd…and we become the sheep of His pasture.

       As Shepherd of the sheep,  He has gone before to prepare our way,  today.     And He leads us….taking us where we need to go,  under His protection.

God is the God of peace…..and it is time,  that all the things that are at cross purposes with Him in our lives, be set right before Him.

Put off….put on: 

          bowels of mercies.    It is mercies,  for there are a multitude of them.   We can grieve with someone,  or rejoice with someone.   We can forgive, as we have been forgiven….for mercy in it’s very definition is: doing good to one who does not deserve it.

         Kindness.  Here it means “usefulness” to God and others.

         Humbleness of mind.    This is very specific.  Our minds are often thinking of ourselves in a better light than we are.  

The scriptures say:  “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is”.    We may be modest outwardly,  but what is our minds thinking we are?    

         (There was a time, when the Lord was showing me my work,…that I wanted to be the “hero” of my story.   I did not want to be a “side-character”, I wanted to save the world.   But God wanted me to fill-in in this capacity….and fill-in there.   He wanted me to stop when He said stop and go when He said go.   I liked to charge in….way too many times….and it usually ended,  not in saving anyone,  but in problems.

          Humbleness of mind  fits us to be here,  today….helping this one.   And there, tomorrow, doing that.    It takes what God gives and uses it….to His glory…leaving the “heroics”  to Him.

          We often forget, that when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were thrown into the fiery furnace….that it was not one leader, and the other two going along….but each in their place before God.   Daniel 3:12-30

         That is the way God would have each of us….in our place before Him….saying what each should say.  Notice it says that they all three said the same…no leader but God.  Daniel 3:16-18)

         Meekness, longsuffering.   Both are a fruit of the Holy Spirit within (Gal. 5:22-23)…which He works within us….through Christ Jesus.   For the Holy Spirit always shows us Christ, and how He is.

         Forbearing one another, forgiving one another.    We keep ourselves in the place that the Lord has for us,  with the people the Lord has for us….giving each the due consideration that the Lord wants….for they are His people.

        Put on charity….which is the bond of perfectness (completeness).   Love is the willed tendency of our hearts and lives.   

        We love Him, because  He first loved us.  

        We love the brethren because He loves them.   

        We love others because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but  have everlasting life.

Let the peace of God rule….and be ye thankful.

There is power enough, but it must be put to use.  We must yield to the Holy Spirit….and in our yielding, the power will come.

…”Put off the old man with his deeds….put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” (Colossians 3:9-10)

Hebrews 13:21 “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 for ever and ever. Amen.”

We know that perfection is attaining to that which we were brought into being for.   

             Do we know His plan for us?      Are we following after His purpose in the work He has called us to?

For it is all….through Jesus Christ…To Whom be glory for ever and ever.   Amen.

From the depth of our self life to the height of HIs glory (Ephesians 3:17-19)….that is the sanctification which comes from the God of peace….

…are we letting His peace rule in us….are we being thankful?

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

If we do this….in truth….then certainly we will:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”    

           We will not be putting out the fire of the Holy Spirit within us…to purify, cleanse, and make us zealous of repentance (Revelation 3:19)…..and good works (Titus 2:14)

“Faithful is He that calleth you,  Who will also do it.”

Can two walk together except they be agreed? 

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

This is God speaking to his prophet about Israel;  His own people.

Can He say the same about us?   Are we trying to walk with God, without bringing ourselves into that “agreement” with Him.

Maybe, in general, you agree with God.   But do you agree with the way He is bringing His will to pass in your life?

Do you agree with the circumstances you are having to pass through?

Don’t we at times reject the way God presents His Will to us?

And then we, in some way, refuse it?

We want God’s will.  But just not that way……or with these people,……or at this time.

Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Paul says:

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

             And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

You begin this by presenting your bodies to God, the Holy Spirit.

As Christ gave over control to God, the Father,  in the garden of Gethsemane,  for the sacrifice He was going to make.   

So we do the same.  

We give the Holy Spirit control: “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

Then we are to stay away from conformity to the world’s system.   That is stated in:

1 John 1:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,  and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Lust here is desire.   What we desire in our flesh….perhaps to lose  our double chin….or have that large burger with a half pound of bacon…..or a larger house, truck, etc.

These are desires that would please our flesh.   

That would not add honor to God,  but would just please ourselves.

What we desire with our eyes……Eve started this with a look a the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.   It looked so good.     

So does the newest movie star,  or that car, or that job.

And we desire to make us a  “Someone”.   Whether by ability, fame, wealth, or notoriety.      (Pride is the sin which caused Lucifer to become the Devil.  Isaiah 14:12-15)

We are to stay away from these things, for they are of the world.

We are to renew our mind:    Col.3:9-10,   Eph.4:22-24,  Titus 3:5   All talk of putting off the old man, and by the Holy Spirit,   being renewed, by putting on the new man.

The new man is the “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. (Col. 1:27)

That means we are to use the faith given us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit within us,…..to live as Christ did:  

Loving our Heavenly Father, and doing His will;

Loving the brethren and seeking their good.

Telling the world of God’s will and way,  as the  Lord directs.

We really can “agree” with Christ, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and His Word, everyday.

Bringing everything to Him:  every desire, every need, every promise…..and the Holy Spirit will make us pliable to God’s Will…..with contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6 “But Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The Woman at the Well 

John 4:3-4, 6-7 “He left Judea,  and departed again into Galilee.   For he must needs go through Samaria.

                 Now Jacobs’s well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey,  sat thus on the well:  and it was about  the sixth hour.

                There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water:  Jesus saith unto her,   Give me to drink.”

Why is the woman at the well important?

1. the Salvation of every person is important.
2. She became a light which brought her city to Christ,  though she was an adulteress.
3. Because Jesus lets us know that it is not in a place,  or because you are a particular people….but He tells that anyone must worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Jesus is passing through Samaria, and was tired, hungry and thirsty.   His disciples went into the city to buy some food.  And Jesus sat on the well, waiting.

She had come to the well when no one was around, because of what she was;  and yet wanted the truth of God’s Word…..even though she was, what she was.

(I am stressing this, because we all begin our journey with the Lord the same way:   We are sinners.   Maybe we have never done what she did,  but sin places us all on the same plain….on the way to death.)

“Why do you a Jew ask a drink of me, a Samaritan?” (John 4:9)

It seemed a good question,  for the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans,….thinking them defiled. 

(The Samaritans were the descendants of the inter marriages of Hebrew and the other nations. Ezra 9:1-2,12)

But Jesus came to save all those who would believe and receive His life.   

So, instead of pressing His right to a drink again;…….Jesus speaks to her about “living water”.

John 4:10, 13-14 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knowest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink;  thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.

                    Jesus answered and said unto her,  Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

                    But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;  but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Her reply was very practical:   “Give me that water so I won’t have to come and draw from this well.”

So Jesus brings her a step further toward real life, by dealing with her real problem:   “Go get your husband.”

Would she tell the truth?  

She replied,  “I have no husband”.  

John 4:17-18  “….Jesus said unto her,  Thou hast well said I have no husband:                    

                    For thou hast had five husbands;  and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband:  in that saidst thou truly.”

What would she do now?  Run away?  Spit on Him?  Throw water on Him?  

But instead she considered the truth, instead of her feelings,….and spoke to this man of something which was on her heart:   worship,….for she knew He was a prophet.

She wanted to know,  what was right,  in God sight.  

This is amazing…..she was being shown for what she was….yet…she is drawn out of herself….because she sees He is a prophet (she still does not see Who He is as Lord and Savior)….but she is being drawn toward more of the truth…

Let me say, that Jesus does this within us….He draws us out of ourselves….our circumstances….toward Him.

 “Were they right to worship in this mountain, as their fathers did?   Or were the Jews right in saying Jerusalem was the only place to worship God?”

Odd conversation for a woman who had been looking for satisfaction in sexual and romantic emotions.

John 4:21-22 “Jesus saith unto her,  Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

            Ye worship ye know not what:  we know what we worship;…

            …But the hour cometh, and now is,  when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:….

             God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

 Right here, could have been a problem;  if she did not really want the truth.

(Maybe this was what she had been searching for in those five husbands she’d had.

But to want the truth,….generally, and to face the truth for yourself,  is two different things.)

Yet, here again, she does not back away from getting the truth,……of getting that living water;……even when it came to what He would say about herself.

John 4:25-26 “The woman saith unto him,  I know that Messiah cometh,  which is called Christ:  when He is come,  He will teach us all things.

           Jesus saith unto her,  I that speaketh unto thee am He.”

Jesus had revealed Himself to very few people;  but to this woman who wanted the truth,  He did.

This  shows us the great value the Lord Jesus puts on truth,….and those that seek it.

(John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses,  but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

When truth is faced,  grace is always given….no matter what our background)

This woman was afraid of people….and how they treated her.

Because of that she  had come to the well at this time…..and met Jesus.

But hearing the Truth, and from the Messiah……sent her into that same town,   to tell all that she would meet, about Christ Jesus.

John 4:29 “Come, see a man,  which told me all things that ever I did:  is not this the Christ?”

By her witness,  many came to believe on Jesus, too:

John 4:39-42 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman,  which testified ,  He told me all that ever I did.

               So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that he would tarry with them:  and He abode there two days.

               And many more believed because of His own word.

               And said unto the woman,  Now we believe,  not because of thy saying:  for we have heard Him  ourselves,  and know that this is indeed the Christ,  the Savior of the world.”

Notice, she is not afraid of the townspeople, now.   They are not different….she is.   She has met the Savior….and believed on Him. (John 1:12, Romans 10:8-13)

What of us?    How much do we value the truth, especially for ourselves?

Have we hidden lives we do not want to admit to?

Or are we believing in a doctrine,  and that is enough?

The truth is,  that everyone who comes to Jesus Christ,  can find the water of life……

……real satisfaction…..and know for themselves that He is Lord and Savior,  for themselves….and show Him to others.

I beseech you

Beseech is a word meaning “to call near”.     Gather around the Lord, and hear His Word to us.

Romans 12 is one of the most practical chapters in this book.

It begins with our surrender to die to self.    That we may be kept from the world (it’s attitudes and influence)….. the flesh (our self-life),  and the devil (who seeks to separate us from God, by sin, pride, and anger)

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you   therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is  your reasonable service.”

          (A note here,  the whole burnt sacrifice,   which was a voluntary sacrifice,   of which this speaks,   was brought to the door of the Tabernacle, and the person placed their hand on the beast and confessed his sins, and then he killed the beast and the blood was sprinkled by the priests around the altar, and the beast was cut up, cleansed on the inside,  and  wholly burnt on the altar….Leviticus 1:3,9

When Paul calls for a living sacrifice….he is saying, bring yourself wholly before God, the Holy Spirit,… and lay yourself upon the altar of His day by day Will.)

         “ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

           Then Paul, in a very practical fashion….goes on to explain that when we give ourselves to God….we are not to think of ourselves “more highly that we ought”…because we have done this,…but to be honest, and see the measure of faith God has given us.

This “measure of faith” has to do with our work….our ministering to others….our gifts and callings.

Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith:” 

Some may be given great faith to go and preach in foreign lands, or work in the ministry to churches….or some may be given special faith to start and finish a particular work.    But all we do for the Lord, should be by His grace through the measure of faith He has given us.

            (It is a great blessing to know,   when things get tough and tribulations come,  that the Lord has sent you into this situation….this place, this people.)

           Paul goes on and speaks of faith for ministry,  teaching,  exhorting,  or giving,  ruling or being in an authoritative position…

….and the gifts of mercy to others…and always with love in our hearts to God and those we are sent to…

…fervent in spirit, which means to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit, and His Word to us…and see to what He is telling us, today…

…continuing instant in prayer….being ready to pray for anyone, anywhere.   Always staying before the throne of grace to get the help we need.

         (  When my daughter and I, began our ministry of prayer….it was in a most unlikely place.    She had a paper route, and really came to love the people she delivered to.   They became almost like family….and when she and I went out together…many of them would mention  about so and so being in the hospital…or had fell down, etc.

            Well my daughter and I began to tell them we would pray for these things.  And we did…making a prayer list,  but also immediately praying for those sick and troubled…even as we walked around.

            Although seemingly uncaring….many began to seek out our prayers, telling us about other troubles…and we began a work of prayer for many of them.)

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,  live peaceably with all men.”

          (  My husband had a message on this verse once….and said,…

…”The apostle must have known that there are some people that we can not live peaceably with.

So Paul, here,  says plainly  that we must not worry what others do….we must have the attitude that we will  not cause the strife…or aggravate it….even if they do.”)

All of this chapter…up to this point….is stressing the self-denial of life….and work.   

But then things become different and difficult:    It is not so hard to love those who love and follow the Lord….but:

Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved,  avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:  for it is written,  Vengeance is mine;  I will repay, saith the Lord.

             Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;  if he thirst, give him drink:  for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.   

              Be not overcome of evil,  but overcome evil with good.”

Here Paul again speaks of his love for them….”dearly beloved” or “Friend”

             To avenge is to make people suffer for what they have done to you or a loved one.

And we are to be dead to vengeance….for only God has the authority to judge….and He plainly says:  I will repay.

This, plainly, is a hard saying…..maybe we can see we are not to “stand up for ourselves”….but for others we love? or for the work? Or for the Lord?

Once we place ourselves on that Altar of God, the Holy Spirit….He will use many things to “burn us up”….or purify us wholly.

God can take care of HIs own glory….but we are to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude3)    But this is to make people aware of the Truth….once they are aware….it is up to them.

God can take care of HIs Work….but we are to be “faithful stewards”(2 Cor. 4:2) of the gospel of God….but this again is in making known the Truth…and doing what we can.

God can take care of us….and those we love.   How many times has He delivered, and cared for us?    

         Our enemies are in great danger….not that they know it….but the real victory, for us here, is:

“Be not overcome of evil”….if we acted like they do,   we would be the ones overcome.

“But overcome evil with good.”….this good is moral strength….is a willed confidence that God will bring His good out of the situation….for HIs glory.

          And this can only be in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through us….as we are that sacrifice unto God.

Let us gather near to God and hear His provision for us in this world….”Sacrifice to Me.    This is voluntary….I will not require it.  

          But it is the means to have  the faith and grace that flows from My Holy Spirit….giving strength and power….to you and through you.”

Christian, What do you think of Christ?   

Song of Solomon 1:2 “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth:  for Thy love is better than wine.”

This is not the kiss of the Father to the prodigal son.  (Luke 15:20)

This is not the kiss of the woman sinner on Jesus feet. (Luke 7:37-38)

This is the kiss of the mouth.  One on one relationship of love.

Our Christian life begins a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.  

Saved sinner to Savior;……that should lead to disciple and Master.   

Which gives way to friend to Friend;….and that can lead to Union and Communion. 

There is,  as this maiden here in the Song of Solomon finds,  always a closer relationship  with the Lord. 

Have you found His love so?  

For surely to know His love is more inebriating than wine. (Ephesians 5:18)

This love is not what He has done for you;  but what He is to you.

She loved Him, and wanted a closer relationship with Him.  She wanted nothing to come between them.

What about us?   What comes between us and our Lord?

What has cooled your affections for Jesus?

What of your heart’s desire?  Is it for Christ, and His Will to be done in your life?  

Or is it satisfied with just hearing, (at a distance) about Christ?

Is this not the reason of our lukewarm attitude toward our Lord?  

And how much of what He has given us, is spoiled because of our attitude toward it?

Song of Solomon 1:7 “Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon:  for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?”

We are Christians;  we are not going to desert Christ.   But we often are “turned aside by the flocks of Thy companions”.      We follow His ministers,  or a certain doctrine,  or get so wrapped up in “working for Christ”;  that we become distanced from Him.

Of course, we should go to Church.  Yes, we should be attentive to Gospel messages.   We should always know the doctrine of faith.

But for the individual Christian,  we should always keep our relationship to Christ in first place.

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”

Union and Communion

What God wants in the believer, is a continuing walk,….a developing union with every forward step we take.

        When we are in union with HIm, there are no divisions  or hidden strife with Him.  

The object of union with Christ Jesus,  is communion in the Spirit.   (communion is partnership with the Holy Spirit….so that in every day, in every act we are yielding to His guidance,)

       (Every believer talks with God, in prayer, in cries in the night, for deliverances, and intercessions.

       But this “communion” is spirit to Holy Spirit, within.   It is the nestling of our hearts and heads against the shoulder of the strength of God….and telling the unbridled truth about yourself to God:  both in confession of sin, and in praise for victory, and in everyday trials and attitudes.)

       Communion is developed only by our increased identification with Christ….and His honor and glory.

When we behold the King,  we are transformed into the same character of our King.    We become Christ-like.

Then His glorious life can be seen in our personalities.    For we each are a  unique personality.  

              We each can draw as close to Jesus.   We each can have union and communion with Him.

Peter is such a perfect example of this increased union and communion…He was a fisherman, called by Jesus to follow Him….and when He did…..he was quick to speak his mind 

              “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” Matthew 16:15-17

                          When Jesus said He was the bread of Life, and many became offended…Jesus asked his apostles,  Will ye also go away?    Peter quickly replies:  Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.”  John 6:68

                          On the Mt. of transfiguration:  “And Peter answered and said to Jesus…For he wist not what to say;  for they were sore afraid.”  Mark 9:5-6

                           When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.   “Then answered Peter …Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Matthew 19:24-27

                            When Jesus told them plainly of the elders and chief priests would take and crucify Him…”then Peter took Him and rebuked Him,…Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be…”  For which Jesus corrected Peter…for the cross was God’s Will.

                            When Jesus said that all would desert Him….Peter quickly spoke up and said “Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee.”

And Peter’s actions…when he walked on water to go to Jesus…

…when he cut off the servant’s ear in the garden of Gethsemane.

…when he ran to the tomb, even though he did not believe yet that Jesus was resurrected….and more.

Peter was impulsive,  quick to speak…headstrong at times,  always trying to figure things out…..but always following on after the Lord.

And Jesus never tired of guiding him,…and warning him.   Bringing him closer to Him, for Peter was privileged to be in the inner three.

              It is very true, the closer we are to Jesus, the safer we are….no matter our personalities….for they will begin to take on the personalities of Christ Jesus.

       (In contrast, you never read….in any of the gospels,  that Judas sought to get more knowledge from Jesus, or spend more time in listening to Jesus….or, even that Jesus ever corrected him, except with the rest of the disciples.    

       How this shows that the Lord’s time, Word, and corrections are so valuable to us!   If He left us to ourselves….where would we be!)

Again I want to stress that Peter truly loved the Lord…..and though he sinned greatly….he was forgiven abundantly.

              We all know that Peter was chosen to speak to the crowd at Pentecost….while the other disciples interpreted his message in other languages to the many that were gathered (Acts 2:6,14)….but though that was a great day….

…..the work had  just begun. 

              There was services to have,  seeing to the needs of the church….there was persecution to stand against….all in Jesus name.

              Peter opened the church to Gentiles….so that you and I could be admitted into the church.

And at the end of his ministry…Peter wrote about our speech:

             1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (according to God’s Will);  if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth;    that God  in all things  may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

Peter wrote about persecution:

            1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith,  being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ;”

Notice that the theme of all is….the glory of God in Christ Jesus.   Peter had come a long way.

Union in all our onward steps with the Lord, leads to communion of the Spirit.

           It is a partnership, if you will, of us and the Holy Spirit…working together for our lives and work…to be, only for  the honor and glory of God.

Nehemiah and the wall of separation and protection 

Nehemiah was a servant of the king of Persia,  a cupbearer, an Israelite.

      He was in a place of relative safety….of wealth and comfort…

….yet his heart worried over the Israelites which had gone back to the land of Israel, to build a temple there,…..for they were in bad straits.

And Nehemiah was a true worshipper of God,…who sought the good for the returned remnant….so he prays.

     This is very wonderful….and it also should be the basis of our actions in the world….prayer for guidance and blessing for the Will of God….in us and through us.

       Nehemiah wanted permission to go to Jerusalem and help them against their enemies.

Nehemiah 1:5-11 “…I beseech Thee, O Lord God….that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments:

       …that Thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray…day and night…for the children of Israel…and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee:….

       ….Remember, I beseech Thee, the word…If ye transgress, I will scatter you…

       But if ye turn unto Me, and keep My commandments and do them;….yet will I gather them from thence and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set My name there.

        O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants,  who desire to fear Thy name: and prosper, I pray Thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man….”

       

If he was to get permission to go to Jerusalem….God would have to do it.

      Yet the means of prayer and obedience was to be used…that is God’s Way of bringing His Will to pass….through His servants who confess their sins, and seek His Will.

So Nehemiah bravely asked to go to Jerusalem and help the poor Israelites there.

Nehemiah’s concern was the wall.    It had been destroyed under Nebuchadnezzar,  torn down and burnt.   It was now just rubble….and there was no separation or protection without it.

(Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”    

      Without the walls of God’s Will and Word to separate us from the world’s influence….we will be subjects to every attitude and emotion…rather than subjects of our King, Christ Jesus.)

He is given permission…..with a timeline to return…..

…so Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem!

      He is made the governor…..yet works to express his authority against the wicked, rather than the righteous….unless there is sin in Israel to deal with.

He waits….secretly looking things over….before he speaks (Nehemiah 2:12-15). 

But  then lays out the plan the Lord showed him:

Nehemiah 2:17-18 “Then said I unto them,  Ye see the distress we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire:,  and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

       …And they (the Israelites)said, Let us rise up and build….”

       They had to remove the old stones….by using what they could.   Each family,  each man building by their house….or moving into a house by the wall. (Nehemiah 3:28)

The wall was a masterpiece….separating these Israelites from the people who were in the land, around them.

Nehemiah 4:6 “So built we the wall;  and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”

It gave them safety….walls are always for safety against the enemy around us….none can get in unless they are let in. 

It gave them stability….they were staying….not like a homeless people among other people….

….but with a city, Jerusalem, again…..and a temple to worship God….and a plan for moving forward with God.

And mostly it gave them purpose.   Each family was given their part to build….and they were to be careful how they built….to place it straight….to build joining together for a fortress.

(And we have a purpose to build God’s “building”….

         Ephesians 2:20-22 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,  Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;

         In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

         In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

…and we are to….”take heed how we build thereupon”.)

        They were also to build with their sword on their thigh….or a weapon close at hand….for there were enemies.

Nehemiah 4:9, 17 “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them…

        They which builded on the wall, and they which bare burdens, with those that laded,  every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”

Prayer was kept first,  for God’s help is always the best…then,

There was a trumpeter to blow if this section was being attacked….the others could come running to aid them.

(We are to be watchful in prayer….with the Word of God, ready to be used anytime. )

There were gates, built also…… they were open during the day, the time of light…..so people could come  in if they wanted to.       There was a watch,  we must watch always….but there was open gates….if any man would come in at the appointed time. Nehemiah 7:3

(Our walls of separation are not so many bricks and mortar…..but our devotion and obediences to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

        A few might admire our devotion to God…..some may send encouragements….

….but many will resent or fight against us….in thought, word or deed.

Yet the work needs to be done….we must build….right next to us.  

       In our own homes, and families….with our friends and our workplace….our neighborhoods….our town.

Remember we are building a wall….a strong fortress of God’s Will in our lives and in the lives of others…to separate us to God, and from the world’s influence.)

When the walls were done….there was celebration with the Word of God being read before all the people.   There was seven days of celebration…”the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

There was still much to do….but they were established….separated to God’s Will…hearing the Word of God….and being taught in the truth.

(And the Lord will establish us…in His grace and truth…

1 Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile,  make you perfect (complete),  stablish,  strengthen,  settle you.”)