When the fullness of the time was come

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

“But…”. This is a connective term, which changes the direction of the narrative……having to do with what is before:

Galatians 4:3 “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:”

Paul is explaining that when we “were children in bondage”……this goes back to the traditions of Rome.

A man may have many children….his, or those he chooses…..but they are just children….till….

….the adoption of sons. He would go before the court of Rome….and openly declare that this child….was his son….his heir.

God has done this to us…..He has adopted us….and legally declared us to be His sons.

We were in bondage to the elements of the world….

What elements? The world’s attitudes, sins, anger and jealousy,….the world’s greed and self-exaltation…..the world’s lust for self-seeking pleasures.

We were under their control…..living and moving with the crowd to destruction…..

“But….”. Blessed change! But when the fullness of God’s time was finally come…..He did something so wonderful….

….so magnificent….

so different than expected….

….He sent forth on the greatest errand of mercy and hope….

……His Son, Christ Jesus, well beloved and holy….to redeem us….that we might be openly adopted and known as His sons.

Amen….Hallelujah….amen.

When we believe, then we are adopted and given HIs Spirit….as the certification of His salvation….and given an inheritance:

Romans 8:15, 17 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance…”

And now we will talk of the “fullness of the times”….now….in this time.

And God waited…..till the fullness of the time came for me,…for you….for us.

They saw our birth, and the gospel given…..how many times?

They saw our call…and our twists and turns in the way.

They saw our spiritual steps till now…..some small, some large….

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.”

The body is the instrument of the Spirit….so that if it be held for Christ, then the practical life is His.

The feet for walking at His bidding.

The hands to work His Way.

The tongue to speak for Him.

The ear to hear His Words….promise and command.

The eye to look at everything as under His control.

When we are born again, the body is the Temple of God, for it holds the Spirit of God within—and we are to bring our body to the Holy Spirit, and deny ourselves.

Romans 11:36 “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

This is how the body….the whole life, finds itself under the government of the Kingdom of Christ.

Now the fullness of the time has come for me, for you…..for us…..now.

As joint-heirs of Christ will we take our place in His kingdom, now….and be found faithful in that which He has called us to do?

That we may know

In the Bible, when God speaks of “know”….He is speaking of understanding what He says, and to get it in our experience. To know, we actually have part and lot in the matter.

Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

Now Bible hope is of the Holy Spirit. When you know the hope of your salvation….you know the witness of the Spirit within you. (Romans 8:15-16)

Those commentators which study the make-up of the Bible, say that Ephesians is the book of possessing our possessions. It is as Joshua in the Old Testament…..the people gaining their Promised Land….through God’s workings, through obedience and battle.

Ephesians is like that. It begins with:

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

There is our promised land…..All Spiritual Blessings….laid up for us to use in the heavenlies….in Christ.

He has chosen us, and predestinated us, adopted us, and made us accepted in Himself….

In Him we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, the riches of grace, and His will made known unto us.

We are given the Holy Spirit, and Himself as Head of the church.

All this we have….and should know as our personal experience.

Ephesians 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Together, as Christians, we are the people of God….a building of HIs making, and for His glory. (Eph. 2:20-22)

We are in the heavenlies, before the throne….in Christ.

He is working in the world….in us.

(I say in us,….because what is in us, really, comes out. It is shown abroad…especially the love of Christ.)

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

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

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

(A long time ago, when I was younger and more full of myself….I thought I can surely give explanation of these verses….

….and yes, to a (small) degree I could. I knew the love of Christ Jesus to me, both in salvation…and in fellowship.

But I have come to see….the ministry of these verses is in the church. When those that love the Lord,….are gathered together there is a special love filling the place. Not all feel or know it the same….but gathered together we may have a better glimpse of the Oneness and Abiding Presence.

The breadth….as wide as the church on earth itself.

The length….as long as Eternity.

The depth….for it reaches down to the lowest hell to save us….and keeps saving us for Himself.

The height….to Heaven where we will “know” in our fullest form.)

Our ministry is a personal one, to God and others. And our ministry is a corporate one, in our local church….and beyond….for the church: it’s growth and strength.

God loves His people….and gives us the Holy Spirit that we may know our part of the breadth, length, depth, and height of HIs love….by faith.

And we can never know this as we ought, till we begin to lose our love for ourselves.

(No this is not self-condemnation…that is just self-pity on steroids.

But this is truly to lose all that we worldly love, and place ourselves squarely in the flood of God’s love.

God’s love works for our good, not our wants…..His love works for His purpose in our lives, not our plans. God’s love molds…and sometimes that is in the furnace…but His love also shows that He is with us there.)

As we do, we see what it is to become of use to our God in our lives, and in the church….

Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

From the fourth chapter, on…..Paul exhorts about the walk of those that “know”….

We are to walk worthy of our calling…with all lowliness…with longsuffering for others….working to keep the unity of the Spirit….the Oneness we know.

We are not to walk as others do….but since we have learned Christ….we are to “walk in love, as Christ has loved us.”

As we walk with God, we are built up….further learning….further growing up into Christ….

….how infinite the knowledge of Christ is!

And then…..in our possessing our spiritual blessings…..we come to stand…possessing our armor….and holding what Christ has won for us….in our battles.

Ephesians 6:11, 13 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand agains the wiles of the devil.

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

Twice we are exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God”. All of it,….for if we use the shield of faith,…..but do not put on the helmet of salvation….we may be wounded in our thought life.

God is interested in us gaining all our possessions…..all He has won for us….all He has set aside in Him.

He want us to “know” Him….and be filled with all the fullness of God.

Will we begin to “know” in understanding and experience all of Him….for us?

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice

Psalm 27:7 “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

Psalm 20:9 “Save, Lord: let the King hear us when we call.”

One of our great blessings, as Christians, is that God hears our prayers, and answers them.

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

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

They may be short like Peter walking on the sea: “Lord, save me”(Matthew 14:28-30).

Or they may be long petitions, laying out our troubles before Him (Psalm 142:1-2).

Psalm 86:7 “In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.”

True prayer is finding out what God wants us to pray, and then praying in accordance with His Will…..for ourselves and others. Lifting up to Him, His Will; by our will and words.

Psalm 27:8 “When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

During the ministry of Isaiah, the Lord corrected His people….when after giving a wonderful promise to them, they did not ask Him to do it:

(The promise: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean…..a new heart also will I give you….and I will put my Spirit within you,…” Isaiah 36:25-27)

Isaiah 36:37 “Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them;…”

They did not ask for what He promised them.

Do we take for granted His promises, and not ask, for what He wants to give?

Sometimes the Lord asks us what we want:

David, after his sin in numbering the people, was given a choice as to the correction he was to receive,……..and his answer was:

“let us now fall into the hand of the Lord; for His mercies are great:….” (2 Samuel 24:12-14)

And I ask all who know the Lord Jesus……..where else can we feel safe….but in His hand……..even, when we are being corrected?

One of the things the Lord requires, when we pray…..is to listen for His answer.

Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

One of the great parables Jesus told about prayer is:

Luke 18:10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

I want to mention here, that both men went to the right place, to do the right thing: To pray to God,….both of them.

When men would go into the temple, they would look toward the mercy seat. It was hidden, in the Holy of Holies; behind the first curtain, the Holy Place (where only the priests ministered), and a second curtain.

It was where the blood of the sin offering was poured out for the sins of the nation. And to this mercy seat, all were to look, to pray. (Exodus 25:21-22)

The Lord tells of the Pharisee’s prayer first:

Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”

This man begins with praise to God…..but it is for himself, being so much better than so many others.

He was not a gross sinner, and he thanks God for that….and goes on to tell God: that he was a good man….certain that God appreciated him,….and his good works.

“…for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)

This man’s heart was full of himself…..so the words spoken praised God,…..

…yet his heart came out….and showed that the only thing he was praising was himself.

Luke 18:13-14 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

This man was a tax collector: usually they were a cheat or thief….taking more than Rome demanded….for themselves.

But his prayer was of repentance: “God be merciful to me a sinner”.

Mercy is God’s kindness to sinners. There are temporal mercies: the sun, rain, harvests, etc., for all.

And there are spiritual mercies, which include sending His Son to save us, His faith and grace to help us, and His Holy Spirit to guide us.

Titus. 3:4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;”

That is what this man wanted…..God’s mercy to him, spiritually, as a sinner…..one who had rebelled and offended God, and His Way.

He would not even look up….”would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven”.

Those that humble themselves under the hand of God, will be exalted in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5)

This man wanted mercy for forgiveness, and grace for salvation……

And he got it. “This man”—the publican—went to his house justified.

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

Real repentance does not go out and do the sin all over…..and that is what this man wanted….he wanted mercy for his sin, and salvation from it……and he got it.

Sadly, the Pharisee did not. He went home the same, as when he came….thinking he was in God’s favor…..but, he neither received mercy, nor justification.

Psalm 85:7-8 “Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”

The Water of Life

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. Let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Whosoever will:

Drink deep of this life giving flow! That it might be in you, rivers of Living Water.

Have you ever noticed the force of flowing water? It follows the path of least resistance. It flows over fields, or roads. It comes up to dams and stops; unless the force of that flow is strong enough.

Are we blocking the life giving flow?

Water in scripture always speaks of the life giving influence of the Word of God, applied to my circumstances, by the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.

He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him shall receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

This feast was the Feast of the Tabernacles. It was a feast of remembrance. All the males of Israel were to come to Jerusalem for it, so there would have been a large crowd gathered.

The priests in the Temple, were to go out in procession to the wells outside the city, and fill their vessels (jars),……..and bring them up the hill to the Temple.

They were singing as they went:

Isaiah 12:2-3, 6 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation.

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

Then they would come into the court, right before the steps going up to the Brazen Altar, where they sacrificed,..

….and they would pour out this water, singing this.

This they would do for six days.

The seventh day, the great day of the feast, they would gather in the court; and stand there: no procession…..no water….just standing, waiting.

They would again sing this song: and wait in silence for a set time.

At that moment, (as these verses tell) Jesus moved out of the crowd, and onto the steps leading up to the Altar, and…

“…Jesus stood and cried, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.”

He had offered Himself as the Bread of Life before,…..and been rejected,…….because they did not understand that “eating” this bread was believing in Him as the Son of God.

And now Jesus offers Himself as the the Way for life-giving salvation….as the water poured out.

“He that believeth on Me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

He was speaking here, of the Holy Spirit which would be given to all who would receive His Words and believe in Him as Lord and Savior.

He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, because He knew they would reject Him, and He would be crucified, and raised the third day.

He was saying, “I am offering you a way to have life;…..through believing in Me, the Holy Spirit will be given you.

When He comes to you, it will be as refreshing, and forceful as a river of living water within your life!”

What a commotion and conversation this caused…..some thinking He was the Messiah…”This is the Christ.”

….others refusing Him…”Shall Christ come out of Galilee?”

But talk was all there was for most of them. This was the second year of His ministry….He was showing them all He could be to them…

…if they will.

Of course, they did crucify Him,…

…but He arose the third day….by the power of God.

Forty days later, when He went back up to heaven….He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us.

The Holy Spirit within us, shows the Word, and becomes a force within us to help us, guide us, correct us, and encourage us. How much we need Him.

But are we “drinking” deeply of this life-giving flow? Or have we blocked the flow in our lives somehow?

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. Let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

You see it says, “To drink,…you must come.”

Come, as Jesus said, standing on the step. Come to Him, and receive. Stop blocking it, by unbelief, or fear, or grief, or even just hesitation. Yield to the Holy Spirit.

Just Come, hear His Word, and Drink the Water of Life, freely.

Faith…in action, in walk, and in preparation

       Hebrews 10:22-23, 38 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,…

In Hebrews, there is a faith chapter….but all through the book, the writer has been exhorting the persecuted Christians to faith in Christ Jesus….a reliance on that faith….and what that faith will give them.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith….

Now the just shall live by faith:…”

We often think of faith as “a thing” which comes to our aid when doubts assail us.

But faith is a living substance implanted in our new nature by the Holy Spirit, that gives us the ability to see God in and behind,  all and every circumstances, giving us great peace and stability in our life.  It not only shows us God,  but commands us to follow and obey Him.

       Faith is always there in every believer….though little or great,   as it is used. 

 And the writer was trying to get these beleaguered Christians to “hold fast our profession” (Hebrews 4:14)….if “we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:6)….if they be “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)

And in these days of wars, chaos, and hatred….we, too, should hold fast our profession….we should believe God… and live and be governed by faith.

Faith and love are in equal parts in the new nature.   We are not great in love and small in faith,…or great in faith and small in love.

       They are equal—for faith sees God, and love attaches ourselves to Him in any capacity He shows Himself.

     So now the writer, having exhorted to faith…..gives examples of what he has been speaking of.  He shows that the practical  life that really pleases God…at any time….was a life of faith.  

Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

      For by it the elders obtained a good report.”

      Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

Faith is a governing principle of our practical life.   It draws us out of the world around us, by  giving evidence to us of the heavenly world….the things unseen.

It gives us independence of the world—the world’s allurements and opinions.   The circumstances of the world do not control us;…

…because we have faith in God and He is in control.

      God spake this world into being….so what we see…was made by what we can not see—the power of God.

Hebrews 11:4-5, 7 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

      By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that He pleased God.

      By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

Able is first….and the first act of faith was to see our sin….and the complete insufficiency to come before God, in our sin.

     But then faith (which always sees God and His Word) remembers God’s provision to cover Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21) by the slaining of animals….and Able, in faith, brings a sacrifice.

By this act of faith Abel witnesses of God—His holiness, and His provision for sinners, by a sacrifice, pointing to Christ.

And by this,  Abel obtained from God a witness that he was righteous in HIs sight because of this offering.

Abel deals with faith in God about our sin and His provision in HIs sacrifice.

Then there was Enoch.

By faith Enoch lived a life of dedication to God, walking with God….apart from the world around him.

     His life was lived everyday in faith.  He believed God’s Word of judgment on the world (for he had a warning from God, and named his son,  Methuselah meaning “it will come when he dies”)

Living in faith, he not only had a walk which was separate from the world….but in faith he warned the people, that they might repent and turn back to God. (Jude 14-15)

     His life of faith continued until “Enoch was translated…and was not found, because God had translated him..”..to live with God without seeing death.  

Enoch deals with our walk of faith….everyday, walking with God,…warning of the judgment to come. 

Then there is Noah.

The Word says…”Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”.(Romans 10:17)

     The rain and flood had not been seen yet in the world…but Noah believed God.

Noah heard the Lord…and in faith..”moved with fear” which is the beginning of wisdom…prepared the ark.

This was witness against the world’s view:    that everything will continue to be as it is.

This was witness of God’s righteousness for it promised judgment to come on the lives of the men of the world, if they did not seek God’s provision.

He preached in action and words, while the ark was being built and the animals gotten.

And God gave witness, by sparing them.    The rain did come…the flood did come…but they were safe in the ark….bringing them through to a new earth.

Noah deals with our preparation for the Lord’s coming….we are to be doing the good works we have been called to, and in witness, warning others, that now is the time to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be safe.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Faith in action saved from sin and brought Abel into God’s presence with acceptance.

    Faith in walk saved Enoch from the contamination of the world and into God’s presence without seeing death.

    Faith in preparation led Noah through the judgment on the people of the earth and led him to a new inheritance.

Faith sees God and gives evidence within us that He and His Word is real; so we can draw near….and receive a full reward of our faith.

God’s Vineyards

Isaiah 5:1-2 “……My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

And He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.”

Israel was God’s vineyard. He “planted” them…..expecting fruit.

For He had done all that was necessary so that they would bring forth fruit.

The fencing,…..to separate them to Himself….and away from the corruptions of the nations around them, by His laws.

Removing the stones,…..removing the inhabitants which were there……hinderances to receiving the grace through His Word, into their hearts.

He built a tower…..He sent leaders to watch over them.

He made a winepress….expecting fruit to flow from them….to give the joy of the knowledge of God….to others.

These were all privileges…..means of coming close to Him….

….and opportunities for those blessings to be manifest out to the nations around them….and to the world.

But…

They brought forth wild grapes…..bitter and unusable.

Isaiah 5:7 “For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah His pleasant plant:

and He looked for judgement (discernment between good and evil in their dealings), but behold oppression;

For righteousness, but behold a cry.”

God goes on to tell of how their actions were going to send them into captivity.

He cries, “Woe, Woe, Woe….” (Isaiah 5:20-23)

Woe to them that call evil, good…and good, evil.

Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes….refusing God’s Word.

Woe to them that cause many to get drunk….on wine and money….giving bribes to get the wicked off….and prosecute the righteous.

Isaiah 5:24 “Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as the dust:

Because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.”

God sent them into captivity, to be servants and slaves of the heathen…..because they refused His good law…..because they refused His Word through righteous leaders and prophets.

That was Israel…. but there is another Vineyard.

John 15:1 “I am the True Vine, and My Father is the husbandman.”

This shows that God is now placing all His purpose in the One True Vine…..His Son, Christ Jesus….and all that belong to this Vine.

He has given us the privilege of being…..in Christ Jesus,…..as branches, HIs life flowing through us.

John 15:5 “I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.”

The purpose for us here, is to abide in Him.

Some, He will have to “purge”….or trim the excess….that His life will bring forth fruit through us….to the full.

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

(My mother used to have a grape vine….Concord grapes….that was on a line next to the garden. Year after year, it would sprout more branches, and less fruit….for the excess leaves took away the life from the fruit.

One year, my mother took her pruning shears and went out, in the fall, and cut that vine back, till only the main vine and a few main branches remained.

Frankly, I thought she had done it in…..but it came back and produced big, beautiful clusters of grapes, the next year.)

Sometimes, like my mother’s vine….we need to be trimmed of excess things….to get back to the relationship of Vine to branches.

Christ is the Vine…..we are the branches…..surviving from the life coming from Him.

He gives us fruitfulness as we “abide” in Him.

This stresses the importance of relationship…..fellowship….and worship of Christ.

For our life is in Him….and Him alone.

God’s Vineyards are for the producing of fruit to His honor, glory, and use.

Israel failed to bring forth fruit to God….then. (Although one day they will)

Christ will never fail, and we are to be abiding in Him….and bringing forth the fruit of His Spirit.

Paul’s personal warning to Ephesus

Ephesus was an especially important city for the spread of the Gospel.

It was passed over at first, for Paul was sent by the Spirit to Philippi in Greece….and then up to Athens and then to Corinth.

But then, on his third missionary journey….Ephesus is visited and the gospel is given. He stays almost three years preaching to the people there….

(…it is there that he writes 1 Corinthians, and sends the letter….for he did not want to come in judgement, without giving them a chance to correct the sin themselves.

…it is there he writes Galatians, correcting the error of combining Judaism and Christianity.)

After he leaves Ephesus, and goes around to the other churches….he comes back. He is heading to Jerusalem to share his testimony of his conversion, from believing in God…as a righteous Jew…and hating and persecuting the Christians….

….to knowing and believing in Christ Jesus the Lord, the Son of God, the Savior….who died and rose again the third day.

Paul feels, (though he has been called to the Gentiles), no one can turn the anger and malice that the chief priests have stirred up against Christ to his nation,……like he can…

….for his testimony…and his life, demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ, God’s Son….against this anger and hatred.

But going by Ephesus, to Jerusalem, he calls the elders of that beloved church to speak….one last time to them personally.

Acts 20:18-21 “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you in all seasons,

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations,…

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

Testifying….repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul begins by reminding them of his labor among them….the self-denial, tears, and trials which came up, because he brought the knowledge of Christ to them.

He tells them that he knows that more trials,….and even bonds….await him at Jerusalem…

….but “none of these things move me”….I will not stop because of what is ahead….

…because….”that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

(Should not we all have the same feeling toward our calling and work for Christ….to finish our course….with joy!)

He tells them that they will not see him again, and makes it clear that he has declared “unto you all the counsel of God.”

He had not held anything back……he made sure they had all the gospel…..all that the Lord Jesus had showed him and told him.

Then he warns them….(and this is a warning we, as Christians, should all listen to…..and obey)

Acts 20:28-31 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

For I know this,…..grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, and remember, that…..I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

The warning is simple…..stay with the Word of God.

Don’t twist my words to make them say something else….and watch for others…for they will try and twist them, as well.

The Holy Spirit has given you the job to look after the fellow members of the church….so watch, for yourselves,….and then for them.

Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

“I commend you to God”…..commend means to deposit as a trust or for

protection.

Paul had fought for and taught them while he was with them,….but now….

…..he deposits them into the hands of God….to teach them by His Holy Spirit, and the Word of His grace….and for God to protect them.

He reminds them, he had worked among them….not taking anything from them….worked and supported the weak…as the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:36 “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.”

In the last words to Ephesus which Paul spoke in person….he reminds them of his example….

……he tells them of the bonds ahead for him, for that will show how serious he is….in what he tells them next…

…and he warns them…of the perversion of the Word of God…by themselves and others.

He points out that the Holy Spirit has chosen them for this job, and will enable them….but they must…watch.

Then he gives them into the Lord’s hands….how safe we are there….as we obey Him….

….and then, finally, Paul kneels and prays with them.

The love he has for them….and the importance of his message to them…

…..is seen in these words…..

……for in no other place….though he stops and preaches….are the words recorded.

We, also, have been commended to God…..are under His protection.

Let us take heed to these words….

……….to the gospel of God (the Word of His grace),

“which is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

…..and to the warnings….to watch…for any perversion in ourselves and for our church.

For…unto us…

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Twice here in this verse alone, the prophet tells all who will hear, that it is “unto us”. The message of Christ is always personal…

….first He is seen as a child….in His humiliation. Leaving heaven to come here, as a babe….placing Himself into His Father’s hands for everything….being born of a woman,…born under the law, to honor it and fulfill it…honoring His Father in it. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Then He is seen as a Son, given……”unto us”…..(Matthew 3:16-17)…..

…He was “given”…..presented unto us as the Son of God,…coming to manifest His Father’s Will toward us: in life, and in sacrifice for our sins….(again, “given”; as a sacrifice was)

The government of all is upon His shoulder: It was always so, for He is the Creator and Sustainer of all. (Psalm 24:1-2)

But in a new way,…..after His birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection…….

…….the government is upon His shoulder,…..for God has given all authority and power into His hands, for the accomplishing of the complete Purpose for mankind:

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.”

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.

For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.”

And His name shall be called:

Wonderful….. “singularly marvelous”

Of course it should, for He was wonderful to do the Will of the Father, and come to earth to save…me, you, us.

He is wonderful in all the long-suffering mercy and grace He pours upon us, by His merits….giving us His presence, HIs peace, and joy.

He will be wonderful in that day when He comes and takes the Kingdom of this world to Himself….making it a Kingdom of peace. (Isaiah 9:7)

And finally establishing the Eternal Kingdom for ever.

Counselor….

He knows the eternal counsels of the Godhead….and brings them to pass…..

Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning; and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

He “worketh all things after the counsel of His Will” where our salvation is concerned. (Ephesians 1:11)

And as our personal Counselor (Psalm 16:7)…..He gives us the way to overcome…(Revelation 3:18)…in these last days.

The mighty God….

Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

His strength of character, and His strength of purpose….for He went through everything to accomplish completely the salvation of His people….defeating sin, and death

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The everlasting Father….

He is God….the Trinity…..One with the Father, and the Holy Spirit….there is no separation, but in their offices to His people.

John 14:9 “….he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father;…”

John 10:30 “I and My Father are one.”

The Prince of Peace….

He was always Peace….in Him was no strife, ever…..eternal peace was His character.

Even now He brings peace to all who receive Him…….by His salvation, and by His Spirit….

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

Ephesians 2:14,17 “For He is our peace, Who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

One day….the whole of creation will know His peace….under His Kingdom…..

Hosea 2:18 “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely

Isaiah 11:6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

On a night full of the light of stars…..shepherds watched over their flocks…..and saw the dazzling light from a angel…..

……then they went and saw a greater Light….Jesus Christ….born “unto you”…

Luke 2:9-11 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:15-17 “…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

We think of this as the beginning…..when this was the center of all the Purpose of God.

From eternity past….God thought of us and our Salvation…..making a Covenant…a plan….a Purpose for each of us.

When we were born again,….we began our journey in that Purpose…..a Purpose which flowed from before times eternal (1 Timothy 1:9)……unto us…..through Christ Jesus.

And His Purpose flows on…..till all that He has said will be…..will be….with us….and all who will receive the Lord Jesus, Who was born….unto us.

As the multitude of heavenly hosts said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

The Way of Holiness

Isaiah 35:8 “And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

“Holiness” in scripture is defined two ways;….when it speaks of God, it means His sinlessness, and His perfection of Goodness.

When it speaks of us (Romans 12:1, Hebrews 12:14), it speaks of scantificaltion….setting ourselves aside to Him, for His use.

The Lord gave my husband this verse years ago,….stressing his messages….that if he preached it….He would give understanding to those who would to hear it.

A highway is a road built up and maintained….so that those that come out of the fields and byways….and get on it,…..will see the sign posts and know how to go to their destination.

This “way of holiness”,……is also called “the Way of the Holy One”. For it is the Lord’s way, that will lead us back into a right relationship with God.

But here, is an announcement of “a way”, “a Way of Holiness”. (Trumpets! should be blown here)

But who can travel on this way?

It says “the unclean shall not pass over it”….

….but, doesn’t that include us, and everyone?

Yes, for we are all as an unclean thing.

Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

So if we are all unclean, how can we travel on this highway?

Only by seeking cleansing, from the One Who maintains this Holy Way.

We can be cleansed by the precious blood of Christ:

Zech 13:1 “In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanliness.”

Eph. 5:25-26 “…..as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

But by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb with out blemish and without spot.”

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.”

And what about those, who come, hear God’s gospel and travel on their way?

Well, the Lord says, even if they are fools (those men who reguard not God or His government)…..they will not be able to mistake, or misunderstand…..the call of Christ.

They will understand the simple gospel message.

They will understand God’s claims on their lives……whether they yield to “this Way”, or not.

They will not be able to say….”we did not know”…..”we did not understand”

God’s claims are:

Come unto Me, Look and be saved, Believe on Me, Follow Me, Call upon Me.

“Come unto Me”…..

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me, O ye that labor and are heavy ladened, 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.”

“Look and be saved”…..

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

“Believe on Me”…..

John 6:47 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

“Follow Me”…

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

“Call upon Me”….

Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:9-10, 13 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with mouth confession is made unto salvation.

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

This Holy Way, this “highway” is clearly marked out…..and it is open to all who will hear the gospel message, believe it, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives, as Lord and Savior.

On this Way of Holiness,…..we have company……”the redeemed shall walk there:” (Isaiah 35:9)

And One other goes with us:

Luke 24:13, 15 “And, behold, two of them went the same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

And it came to pass, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.”

These two believers were blessed on that road to Emmaus, with the company of the resurrected Lord of glory….Jesus Christ.

But so are we, who travel that Way of Holiness, to heaven. Jesus comes with us…..never leaving, nor forsaking us…..but with His Word, guiding us in this way of peace.

Revelation 4:10-11 “The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

For Thou hast created all things.

Christ, the Son of God, created all things…..He spoke and they were.

And as Jesus Christ, the Son of Man/Son of God….He has bought back all that was lost at the fall.

But what we each must consider is:

What is His pleasure for me?

(This is not just where I am to go, but how am I to get there?

And what am I to become along the way.

In all my days, and all the happenings of those days, there must be a plan and a purpose to look to.)

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

I press…..I give my all to God, to do His Will.

One thing I believe the Lord has required above all else from His own…..is Obedience.

1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

No amount of religious activity will ever take the place of simple obedience.

This He values most….

….for obedience shows our inclination toward God….and shows faith in HIs Word to us.

Human evil came from the refusal of Adam and Eve to obey the rules of the Creator,….this was the cause of the first sin.

And the force behind it all was, of course, the Adversary, Satan……his suggestions and tricks….twisting God’s Word to convince them.

Whatever…..or Whoever we give final obedience to……that is our God.

But HIs personal pleasure or determination for “me”…..is to come to the place where I and Christ are One…..in will, in love….and in thought.

And it is the thought life that is last….

…… it is often like a butterfly in summer….flying here and there….never staying long in any place.

Our thoughts are the same….here for a moment….and then flying there.

1 Peter 1:13-15 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”

To “gird up” means that we are to gather our thoughts…..

…we are to bring them in…..and place them under the authority of Christ.

The flowing garments of the men in Jesus time, would be girded up…..or tied with a belt….if they were going on a long journey, or working.

Otherwise the garment would hinder their ease of walking…..it would be an extra force against them, as they were going along.

So, we need to “tie up” our wandering thoughts…..especially when we pray, hear a message, or read our Bible.

We should be concentrating on what God has for me to pray, hear, or see.

In heaven, we will cast our crowns before HIs throne…..with worship and praise.

But now we have the inestimable privilege to give Christ Jesus His rightful honor….in our lives…..our willed lives, our affections….and in our thoughts…..

…for the Lord Jesus is worthy.