Danger of persistently refusing God's offer of salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4)

 A friend pointed out to me the truths from Hebrews 2:1-4 that was in the new believers bible.

Summary: The danger is not merely committing isolated sins but persistently refusing God's offer of salvation.

The Big Idea

Hebrews 2:1-4 calls every reader to a decisive response:

• Listen carefully to God's Word.
• Do not drift into spiritual neglect.
• Receive the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
• Trust the gospel God confirmed through Christ, the apostles, miracles, and the Holy Spirit.
• Persevere in faith rather than ignoring God's gracious invitation.

The passage presents both God's grace and human responsibility. God has spoken through His Son, provided complete salvation through the cross, confirmed that message with signs and wonders, and continues to call people through the Holy Spirit. The question Hebrews asks every reader is simple: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3). The implied answer is that there is no greater rescue than the one God has already provided in Christ.

Key Theme: Don't Drift. Respond to God's Salvation.
Primary text: Hebrews 2:1-4

The warning in Hebrews is not primarily against ignorance, but against neglect. Spiritual drift is usually gradual. The writer urges believers to pay close attention to Christ because the salvation He offers is greater than anything that came before.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Hebrews 3:12-15: Guard your heart against unbelief that slowly pulls you away from God.
• James 1:22: Be doers of the Word, not merely hearers.
• John 5:24: Whoever hears Christ and believes has eternal life.
• Romans 10:9-13: Salvation is received by believing and calling on Christ.

Summary: God has spoken clearly through His Son. The proper response is faith, obedience, and perseverance.

---

Key Theme: God Desires Everyone to Be Saved

God's heart is consistently revealed as one of mercy and invitation rather than condemnation.

Supporting Scriptures:

• 2 Peter 3:9: God is patient, not wishing that any should perish.
• 1 Timothy 2:3-4: God desires all people to be saved.
• Ezekiel 33:11: God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires repentance.
• John 3:16-17: Christ came to save the world, not condemn it.

Summary: God's desire is universal salvation, but His invitation must be personally received.

---

Key Theme: God's Invitation Requires a Human Response

Salvation is God's work, yet Scripture consistently calls people to respond.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus invites the weary to come.
• Revelation 22:17: Whoever is thirsty may freely receive the water of life.
• Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized.
• Acts 17:30: God commands all people everywhere to repent.
• Isaiah 55:6-7: Seek the Lord while He may be found.

Summary: Grace is freely offered, but faith and repentance are genuine responses that God calls every person to make.

---

Key Theme: Salvation Is Entirely God's Work

People cannot save themselves. Forgiveness, justification, and new life come only through Christ.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is by grace through faith, not works.
• Titus 3:5: God saved us because of His mercy.
• Romans 3:23-24: We are justified freely through Christ's redemption.
• John 14:6: Jesus is the only way to the Father.

Summary: Salvation is accomplished by Christ alone and received through faith.

---

Key Theme: Human Responsibility Is Real

God does not coerce belief. Scripture repeatedly presents people with a genuine choice to accept or reject Him.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Joshua 24:15: Choose this day whom you will serve.
• Deuteronomy 30:19-20: Choose life.
• John 1:11-13: Some rejected Christ, while others received Him.
• Romans 1:18-21: Humanity is accountable because God has made Himself known.

Summary: God's sovereignty does not eliminate human responsibility. Every person is accountable for how they respond to Christ.

---

Key Theme: God Confirmed the Gospel Through Signs and Wonders

Hebrews emphasizes that the gospel was not based on human opinion. God authenticated it through miraculous works.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Mark 16:20: The Lord confirmed the message with accompanying signs.
• Acts 2:22: Jesus was accredited by miracles, wonders, and signs.
• Acts 5:12: Many signs and wonders occurred through the apostles.
• 2 Corinthians 12:12: Apostolic ministry was authenticated by signs and miracles.
• John 20:30-31: Jesus' signs were recorded so people would believe.

Summary: Miracles did not replace faith, but they confirmed God's revelation concerning Jesus Christ.

---

Key Theme: Ignoring the Gospel Has Eternal Consequences

Hebrews presents one of the New Testament's strongest warnings against neglecting salvation.

Supporting Scriptures:

• John 3:18: Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.
• John 3:36: Whoever rejects the Son remains under God's wrath.
• Matthew 25:46: Jesus describes eternal life and eternal punishment.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9: Judgment comes upon those who reject the gospel.
• Hebrews 10:26-31: Deliberately rejecting God's provision leaves no other sacrifice for sins.

Read More ->>

Prayer as Spiritual Command and Control

We've been exploring prayercourse.org with Teen Challenge that goes over the Lord's Prayer.  The Lord's Prayer (or "Our Father") is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4), emphasizing praise, dependence on God for daily needs, and forgiveness. It focuses on hallowing God's name, the kingdom coming, and deliverance from evil. I was amazed to discover Pete Craig doesn't handle forgiveness, so we created our own set of videos  that expands the important topic of forgiveness.  

Hallowing God’s name means treating God's name as holy, sacred, and set apart, acknowledging Him with supreme reverence and honor. Jesus gives new power to walk differently - Mark 2:11 when we come to him in worship. Jesus told us the father is seeking people (not worship) who worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Jesus explains our disposition is to be an The angry, stay at home brother of the prodigal (Luke 15)

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is fueled by joy in the Lord. Joy in the Lord is fueled by seeing the future joy set before us. Christ endured the cross because of the joy beyond it. Paul endures imprisonment because of the joy ahead. Believers endure daily pressures through prayer because the Lord is near, the resurrection is certain, and the kingdom is coming.

Ephesians 6:10–20 establishes the battlefield. Verse 18 is not an add-on. It is the command-and-control system that activates every piece of armor. Paul shifts from equipment to communication. Armor without communication leaves the soldier isolated.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” The context begins in verse 10. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Verses 11–17 describe defensive and offensive readiness. Verse 18 commands the continual connection that keeps the soldier aligned with the Commander.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer
Spirit-led prayer is relational dependence rather than ritual repetition. Romans 8:26–27 teaches that the Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God” when our weakness limits our understanding. Jude 20 calls believers to “pray in the Holy Spirit” as the means of building themselves up. Colossians 4:2 adds, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Persistent prayer is the discipline that keeps the soldier awake and aligned.

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is a central theme in Philippians. Paul teaches it not as a technique but as a posture formed by rejoicing in the Lord, remembering Christ’s endurance, and living with eschatological confidence. Philippians 1–4 frames prayer as a continual, joyful dependence on God in the middle of suffering, uncertainty, and conflict.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer in Philippians
Philippians opens with prayer. Paul says in Philippians 1:3–4, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” The persistence is visible in “always” and “every.” The Spirit’s work is visible in verse 6. The One who began the good work is the One sustaining prayer, faith, and perseverance.

In Philippians 1:19, Paul links prayer and the Spirit explicitly: “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” His circumstances (chains, trial, and an uncertain verdict) become a laboratory for Spirit-enabled endurance. The Spirit uses the prayers of the church to sustain him.

Philippians 2:12–13 ties perseverance to divine empowerment. Believers “work out” their salvation because God is “at work” in them to will and act for His pleasure. Persistent prayer is the channel through which this cooperation takes place. The Spirit works while we pray.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 3 centers the believer on Christ Himself. Paul rejects self-confidence and presses toward knowing Christ, gaining Christ, and becoming like Christ in His death and resurrection (Philippians 3:7–11). Persistent prayer grows out of this ambition. It is the forward lean of a life that wants Christ above comfort.

As Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44-46

Rejoice in the Lord
“Rejoice in the Lord” is not sentiment. It is spiritual orientation. Paul says it three times:

• Philippians 3:1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.”
• Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
• Philippians 4:10: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly.”

The location matters. Joy is “in the Lord,” not in circumstance. Paul is in prison, uncertain of life or death. Yet he sees the advance of the gospel (1:12–18), the partnership of believers (1:5), the hope of resurrection (3:20–21), and the presence of the Lord who is “near” (4:5). This vision produces joy that does not depend on outcomes.

Rejoicing anchors prayer. Philippians 4:6–7 commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Thanksgiving is joy expressed. Joy and prayer work together to replace anxiety with peace that “guards” the heart and mind. Persistent, Spirit-led prayer becomes the ongoing practice of rejoicing in the Lord instead of rehearsing fear.

Practicing the presence of God (Philippians 4:6-8)

Rejoice in the Lord and Hebrews 12

• Hebrews 12:1–2 describes Jesus “for the joy set before him” enduring the cross, scorning its shame, and sitting at the right hand of God. Paul echoes this pattern throughout Philippians.
• Philippians 2:5–11 presents Christ’s humility and obedience unto death, followed by His exaltation. This is the same movement Hebrews 12 describes. Christ endured suffering because He saw the joy ahead. (as does everyone is Hebrews 11, "By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." Heb 11:3)
• Philippians 3:10–14 shows Paul living the same pattern. He wants to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. He presses on “for the prize” set before him. His persistence mirrors Christ’s endurance.
• Philippians 4:13 reinforces this dependence. Paul can endure all circumstances “through him who strengthens me.” The same Spirit who empowered Christ’s endurance empowers the believer’s persistence.

Prayer as Frontline Communication
Prayer is not retreat. It is battlefield communication with the Commander who directs movements, supplies strength, and gives timely intelligence. Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord… my cry reached His ears,” which reflects direct, immediate access. Hebrews 4:16 commands bold approach to the throne of grace for “help in time of need.” First Thessalonians 5:17’s “pray without ceasing” mirrors a radio kept open in active combat. This prevents spiritual isolation and enables real-time response under fire.

“Someone is Home” Theology of Prayer
Prayer rests on the truth that God is attentive, present, and responsive. Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.” Isaiah 65:24 reinforces, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Jesus models this confidence in John 11:41–42: “Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You always hear me.” First Peter 5:7 adds the invitation, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer assumes Someone is listening and ready to act.

Biblical Prayer Warriors and Results

Epaphras: The Prayer Warrior (Colossians 4:12) and Results (Colossians 1:3-8)

Read More ->>

We pray to God in the presence of people, not to people (Heb 12:22-25, Matt 6:5-8)

"...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking..." Heb 12:22-25

"When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" Matt 6:5-8

How interesting life is. I've just turned 50 and have been thinking about God promises obeying Sabbath and Jubilee years bring blessings. Last year was a personal year of Jubilee (7x7=49) (Days of Elijah) yet I've found my heart has been holding God's decrees with contempt, through arrogant disobedience. Lev 26:14-46, woe to me, Lord forgive me and help me to renounce my pride - help me to see clearly and walk in your ways in spirit and truth. Help me to pray and not give up, knowing you see everything. I surrender my contemptuous attitude toward you, myself, and others. 

Sensing God's pleasure motivates our devotion

Repentance proclaimed, Holy Spirit reveals Jesus the Messiah in baptism (Matthew 3)

Repentance: Turning From Sin and Turning to God

Knowledge of SIN cultivates a conscience and heart for God

Read More ->>

Confess daily and repent from premeditated sin

In Is My Repentance Real If I Keep Committing the Same Sin? John Piper suggest we separate repentance from confession. Repentance can be thought of as agreeing with God, changing our heart and mind, lifting our eyes up and letting God put our feet on the path, seeing God as our guiding light. 

The daily activity of asking forgiveness is not repentance. Repentance happens when we come to our sense and give our lives back over to God like the prodigal son, like the thief on the cross, like the tax collector who beats his chest. 

• Life of Christians can go off the rails and require repentance like the Churches in first chapters of Revelation needed to repent from forsaking first love (Rev 2:4), allowing false teachers (Rev 2:16,20), being dead (Rev 3:2–3).
• False religious security of wicked, obstinate people leads to doom (Jer 6:22-8:3)
  

Our lives should look different after we've repented and given our lives to Christ: James 2:17, Heb 12:14, John 14:15, Matthew 7:23, Romans 6:2. Yet We Christians still sin everyday... sin can be defined as any action that doesn't flow from loving and abiding in Christ (every action in our lives isn't hitting a bullseye). 

• Jesus said "give us today, our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us
• 1 John 1:9. New International Version ... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• This is our daily habit of prayer and confession.
• As long as it's called today...Heb 3-4
• His mercies are made new everyday. Lamentations 3:22-23

Sin will be with us until our inner condition of rebellion is obliterated

Two kinds of confession

1. Superficial, fatalism. Express regret and sorrow but knowing that this is going to happen again, probably this week. Hypocrisy
2. Express guilt and sorrow, but have a hatred for the sin - you have every intention to make war against it. You are going to rob it of its power. Romans 7:16-19

Two kinds of sin

1. Not premeditate, blindsided. Before you wish you haven't done it but it's done. 
2. Premeditated sin, weighing it. You take some time wressing and then doing the sin. 

Warning against perfectionism and the reality of God's faithfulness to forgive us and make us holy: 1 John 1:8-10

Read More ->>

See, grieve, confess, repent (James 1:22-25, Heb 3:12-13, 1 Thes 1:5)

Reading Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life

God's Word is a mirror for us to see our spiritual selves clearly

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25

 - We must have sight of sin that is in our heart

The sin we don't grieve is sin that has deceived us

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

 - We need each other's help every day as we ingest God's Word

God's Word comes with power from the Holy Spirit who reveals truth to the listener

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thes 1:5

 - Our lives reflect the effectiveness of the truth God has revealed. 

Read More ->>

Jesus explains the law's purpose is righteous love (Matt 5:17-48)

This second week of the greatest moral teaching the world has ever known is foundational of the goodness we see in the world today. This is my 3rd time studying it in BSF and I've learned been learning new lessons each time. Last week I saw how Jesus teaches about honesty, intimacy with God and Kingdom living. The big idea was kingdom character produces influence stemming from our identity in Christ. Walking in light involves progressive humility and honesty (1 John 1:5-2:6) Jesus explained what true blessing looks like and now he explains the purpose of the law is righteousness. Jesus leads us to say "Yes" to love and to live as children of God. 

 Matthew 5:17-48 Big idea: The purpose of the law is righteous love as God's children

A) Jesus came to accomplish the purpose of the law, making us righteous for the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:17-20)

B) Jesus clarifies how the law is broken in our heart and mind first, guilty as hell (Matt 5:21-32)

C) Jesus teaches how the decision to love is fulfilled (Matt 5:33-48)

Content:

A) Jesus came to accomplish the purpose of the law, making us righteous for the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:17-20)

17-19) Jesus to accomplish the purpose of law, it's durable, positive, obeyed

 - Jesus fulfilled the moral law - Hebrews 4:15

 - Ceremonial law of Old Testament sacrifices 1 Peter 1:18-21

 - Old Testament prophecies Luke 24:26-27

20) yet righteousness of religion must be surpassed to enter the kingdom of heaven

 - Cross makes it possible, the resurrection makes it real, we partake/experience in the Holy Spirit

 - Jesus finished the work on earth (John 17:4) but has "unfinished work" in heaven (Heb 4:15-16, 7:23-28)

B) Jesus clarifies how the law is broken in our heart and mind first, guilty as hell (Matt 5:21-32)

21-22) Murderous words: Ancestors told, don't murder - subject to judgment, I say anger, curse words danger of hell

 - 1 John 2:7-11; 3:10-15

 - 23-24) Reconcile before offering: Offering? Remember sibling has something against you, first be reconciled then offer gift

 - 25-26) Settle matters quickly, adversary gets worse after court, prison, paying hard time

27-28) You heard, don't commit adultery, I say, look lustfully adultery in heart

 - 29-30) Eye causes stumble? Gouge it out. Right-hand causes sin? Cut off. Better than the whole body going to hell. 

Principle: Repair broken relationships and cut out anything that causes sin in your life

Be proactive: 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8

31-32) Divorce certificate, I say except sexual immorality, makes her victim of adultery

Doing the right thing is a matter of Love, not Law

C) Jesus teaches how the decision to love is fulfilled (Matt 5:33-48)

33-37) Don't break vows to Lord, I say 'yes' or 'no' anything more from the evil one

38-42) Eye for Eye, don't resist evil person, slap/insult? Give more than asked or required (from an adversary, under duress, or someone without means)

43-44) Love neighbor hate enemy? Love your enemy and pray for persecutors 

 - 45-47) God's common grace (sun and rain) for all, only nice to friends? 

 - 48) Be perfect children of heavenly Father

Principle: Don’t repay evil with evil, give more than asked or required

 Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:22-24; and Philippians 2:12-13.

Read More ->>

Tough talk with God (Jeremiah 15)

Was reading Revelation 13, Beast conquers the world, another beast forces blasphemous worship, that show how following Jesus looks completely opposite of following the beast. Rev 13:10 is linked to Jer 15:2, so reading Jeremiah 15 in the message version I saw this interesting conversation with Jeremiah and God
...But why, why this chronic pain,
    this ever-worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You’re nothing, God, but a mirage,
    a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!

19-21 This is how God answered me:

“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
    Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
    Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
    Don’t change your words to suit them.

Cool how God can handle our hurts and grief, but doesn't leave it at that. Praise God for a good word to help us through the tough times. 

Read More ->>

All sin is first against God, only God can make it right and change us

From Bsfinternational.org notes (https://resc.mybsf.org/PPL1_AdNotes_14_062018.pdf)

All sin is first against God. Saul confessed his wrong toward David but never acknowledged his rebellion against God.42 Saul’s life kept moving away from God. As believers struggle with sin, their lives ultimately move Christward.43 When the struggle is hard, remember: God has committed Himself to making each of His children like Jesus.44 If God is your Father,45 He will bring you safe to heaven.46 Ask Him for courage to allow His Word and Spirit to examine47 and change you.48
41: Confession: Psalm 51:1-10, 17
42: Saul’s rebellion: 1 Samuel 15:22-30
43: Believers’ struggle: Psalms 32; 41:4; 51; Romans 7:1-8:17; 1 John 1:5-9
44: Like Jesus: Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3
45: God’s children: Matthew 6; John 1:12-13; 1 John 2:15-16,23-24
46: Eternal security: John10:27-30; Philippians 1:6;1 Thessalonians 5:24
47: Sin exposed: Psalms 19:7-11;139:23-24; John 16:8
48: Transformed: Romans 12:1-2;Philippians 2:12-13

Read More ->>

Sin Types: Iniquity, Transgression-trespass, Apostasy-backsliding

Can you trespass without knowing it? Does that negate the transgression? What does it mean that we were "brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Psalm 51:5 ESV. Why is apostasy and backsliding possible? Do we have free will to do the right things and avoid the wrong things? Who determines what is right from wrong?

I'm working on modifications to a new believers class called "first steps" to present, "Christianity 101 (Morality)" to my coworkers next week. The class uses questions from a personal perspective to link Biblical truths. Questions like, "How would you feel if all your thoughts, words and actions were on display for everyone to see?" and "Have you ever struggled with the temptation to do wrong or conversely known the right thing to do yet failed to do it? What do you think is the reason for this struggle?"

In the original class we had 4 sections, "Your perspective", "Bible Basics", "Biblical Perspective", "Bible has answers for you", however the I only have 1 hour for work instead of 1 and 20+ minutes we have at church. So I have to limit the sections and do some editing.

The focal point of the meeting is "life change" - defining sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Spirit comes to "he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:" John 16:8 NIV

This morning I'm reading: What is iniquity according to the Bible?, which included What is the difference between iniquity, sin, and transgression?

Psalm 32:5, mentions sin, trespass, and iniquity
Iniquity is our thought process in our heads, premeditated choice: "Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand."

Iniquity unchecked leads to calloused heart (Matt 13:15 NIV) and God leaving the person, "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves," Romans 1:24 ESV

Iniquity is carried over generations (Rev 17:4, Gen 15:16). Iniquity leads to unnatural affections, leads to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28-32). Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

Iniquity leads to transgression
Transgression is to intentionally disobey. Apostasy-backsliding is a gross transgression, treason in which a "Christian" carries the name of God in vain.

Today if you hear his voice don't harden your heart, repent. Ask, seek and knock. Turn to the Lord and receive healing and forgiveness.

Read More ->>

How does being in Christ, set us free from sin?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death...And he (Jesus) who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ...Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:1-2,27,34 NIV

•  My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God (Job 16:20), while Job's life is caving in (Job 16:1-17) he sees Christ through heartfelt tears and prayer (Job 16:18-21)
• The Anointed One, Messiah was prophesied to make intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), having poured out his life unto death - he bore the sins of many
• Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
• The ascended Christ enter heaven and now appears for us in God's presence (Hebrews 9:24)
• Christ's love and faithfulness atoned for our sin, we avoid evil through fear of the LORD (Proverbs 16:6), but if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1)

Thank you Lord for buying my freedom and giving me new life. Let me use my life for good, helping others in your name (Matthew 25:34-36). I make plans and pursue goals but it's you who established my steps (Proverbs 16:9). Teach me to number my days, give me a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Thank you for my family, friends, and acquaintances who have died, showing the brevity of life (Psalm 39:4), thank you for the pains in my own body showing me how fragile my own life is, yet all that you've given me to do will be accomplished in your perfect time (Psalm 139:16, Eph 2:10).

In Christ, I am a new creation. Free to live righteously, giving my life for the benefit of others, to the glory of God. 

Read More ->>

Best response when someone confesses sin and what to avoid

I heard a preacher give this funny anecdote. At the end of training the older pastor says to the apprentice, "son when you're receiving confession, you've got to say something other than 'WOW'"

Three reactions to avoid
1. Judging, either for or against
 - you have every right to...
2. Problem Solving, sound like "you should..."
3. Indifference, might sound like 'okay rub some dirt on the wound and get back in the game'

So how do we respond if Judging, problem solving and indifference are not the right way?

Three reactions that will always help
1. Respond Biblically
 - Speak as though speaking the very words of God, 1 Peter 4:7-11
 - Speak truth, in Love, (Jesus said by your love they will know your my disciple)
 - "the world says, but the Bible says" - good example: the world says a thief is no longer a thief when he stops stealing, but the Bible says "Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." Ephesians 4:28

2. Triage and bring it to the Lord in prayer
 - assign degrees of urgency, plead to the Lord, then trust and follow his guidance

3. Have compasion
 - Jesus looked at people with compassion, we are to do the same.

Read More ->>

The Brevity of LIfe

Apr. 16, 2017

"Easter" - - Troy Dobbs

Watch • Listen •  Study Guide

1. Life goes by fast
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
James 4:14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jas.4.14.NLT

Not about meaning but, brevity of it

James 4:13-15, don't get ahead of yourself because you don't know what God's timing is. Don't make plans without God.

2. You are wired to think about eternal life.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Yet God has made everything beautiful in its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
http://bible.com/116/ecc.3.11.NLT

Hard wired dissatisfaction  (15-year-old yearning to grow up or older persin wanting youth)

Jesus is the only answer

3. We are all going to die and then face judgment (deaths appointment).
Heb 9:27
Judgment based on what?
 - our morals, thought life, church attendance?
 - what we did with Jesus.

To forgive our sins, 1 John 5:11-12
John 3:18
Rom 8:1

Everyone dies, not everyone truly lives

John 11:25-26
Resurrection and the life, do you believe?

Romans 10:9
Confess with your mouth

Storing seed,  preparing ground, sowing seed and results
 - a seed that is dead from improper storage
 - hard ground  (removal, addition

Read More ->>

Jesus preached repentance as did the early church (Doctrine of Repentance)

In his book "Doctrine of Repentance", Thomas Watson writes to the reader: CHRISTIAN READER,
The two great graces essential to a saint in this life are faith and repentance. These are the two wings by which he flies to heaven. Faith and repentance preserve the spiritual life as heat and radical moisture does the natural...Repentance is a pure Gospel grace. The covenant of works admitted no repentance; there it was, sin and die. Repentance came in by the Gospel. Christ has purchased in His blood that repenting sinners shall be saved. The Law required personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience. It cursed all who could not come up to this: “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal 3:10). It does not say, he that obeys not all things, let him repent, but, let him be cursed. Thus repentance is a doctrine that has been brought to light only by the Gospel.
Listen to this puritan classic here, get the free pdf here, below are my notes from chapters 1-4

Jesus preached repentance as did early church (Matt 4:17;Acts 3:19;8:22;Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47)
Repentance is a foundation grace (Heb 6:1)
Repentance is a grace required under and coming by the Gospel.
Repentance comes by the Word (Acts 2:37; Jer 23:29) and the Spirit (Acts 10:44; Zec 12:10; 1 John 2:20; Acts 8:29)
Infusion of grace breeds repentance
Repentance depends upon a change of heart.
Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed

Six ingredients of the spiritual medicine of that make true repentance
1. Sight of Sin: prodigal “came to himself” Luke 15:17, we need illumination – the light of life

2. Sorrow for Sin: Look upon whom they have pierced and shall mourn, as for an only son (Zec 12:10). Martyrs shed blood for Christ; penitents shed tears for sin (Luke 7:38). Sorrow is shown with a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), beating the breast (Luke 18:13), sackcloth, pulling hair (Isaiah 22:12; Ezr 9:3) outward signs of inward sorrow. Sadness for the offense, not for the punishment. Lament not for scandalous sins – but the heart sins, the root, even though it doesn’t blossom.  If there is not some dawning of faith in the soul, it is not the sorrow of humiliation but despair.
a.       Penitential work consists of fasting, penance, pilgrimages, in which there is nothing of spiritual pain. They torture their bodies, but their hearts are not rent. (to rend your heart is to trust God's precision scalpel)

3. Confession of Sin: voluntary (Luke 15:18), feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse. Confession must be sincere; hypocrite confesses sin but loves it. True confession particularizes sin (not like Nebuchadnezzar –“ had a dream but it’s gone from me” (Dan 2:3,5) – like Israel “we have served Baalim (Judges 10:10).  We must confess our sins with a resolution not to act them over again (Isa 1:16), so we don’t fall into a hardened heart like Pharaoh (Exo 9:27,34).
a.       Confession must be qualified:
    i.       It reproves those that hide their sins – many would rather have sins covered than cured.
    ii.      It reproves those who confess sin but only by halves, not all. If we do not confess all, how should we expect that God will pardon all?
    iii.      It reproves confessions that mince and extenuate sins. Grace makes the worst of evils, but hypocrites make the best of them (i.e. "born that way," "just the way I process")
   iv.      It reproves those who are far from confessing sin, they boldly plead for it. Instead of tears of lament, they use arguments to defend sin.
b.      Let us show ourselves penitents by sincere confession of sin.
  i.      Holy Confession gives glory to God.
  ii.     Confession is a means to humble the soul. A true penitent confesses that he mingles sin with all he does. Therefore anything good seen in him is a reflection of God's work, not his own.
  iii.      Confession gives vent to a troubled heart.
  iv.      Confession purges out sin.
  v.      Confession of sin endears Christ to the soul (Romans 7:25) – that God should appoint His own Son to lay down.
  vi.      His blood for the payment of our debt, how is free grace magnified, and Jesus Christ eternally loved and admired.
  vii.      Confession makes way for pardon (Luke 15:20, 1 John 1:9)
c.       It is reasonable (if one has wrong another) and easy (compare to first covenant)

4. Shame for Sin, blush a holy bashfulness (Eze 43:10; Ezr9:6) “blood of Christ in the face.”
a.       Every sin makes us guilty, much un-thankfulness, naked, put Christ to Shame, instigated of the devil, turns us into beasts, folly.
b.      Our sins are worse than that of a heathen because we sin against more light.

5. Hatred of Sin, Sound repentance begins in the love of God and ends in the hatred of sin.
a.       Set your heart against sin, universally, in all forms. Not just strong aversion but personal enmity.
b.      Real hatred in ourselves and others too (Rev 2:2; John 2:15; Psalm 101:7)
c.       Godly: sin is a thorn in the eye, wicked: it is a crown (Jer 11:15) loving sin is worse than committing it (Heb 10:26)
d.      Sin is the cursed thing (Rom 7:13) as seen by its origin (1 John 3:8), nature (Rom 2:23; 1 Sa 2:30; Eze 16:43; Isa 7:13; Eze 6:9; Heb 6:6) and affliction (sickness, poverty, death). Affliction causes repentance and prevents damnation (Psalm 119:71; 2 ch 33:12; 1 Co 11:32). Affliction reaches the body, but sin poisons the fancy and disorders the affections. Affliction is corrective; sin is destructive.
  i.      Sin is worse than affliction is evident because the greatest judgment God lays upon a man in this life is to let him sin without control. Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)
  ii.      Compare sin with hell, and you shall see that sin is worse. Torment has its emphasis in hell, yet nothing there is as bad as sin. Hell is of God’s making, but sin is the devil’s creature.
e.      Sin is the Trojan horse out of which comes a whole army of troubles

6. Turning from Sin, weeping and turning together (Joel 2:12, Eze 14:6; Isa 55:7, Job 11:14).
a.       Dying to sin is the life of repentance, perpetual fast – turn and never go back
b.      Notable change, wrought in the heart – Satan would have Christ prove deity by turning stones into bread, Christ accomplishes a far greater miracle in making stones become flesh,  Christ turns a heart of stone into flesh.
c.       Notable change, wrought in the life. Discernable to others, dark to light (Eph 5:8; Acts 9:21), from jailor to nurse and physician (Acts 16:33)
d.      Turn from sin with the heart; It is odious to make a show of turning from sin while the heart is still in league with it.
e.      Turning from all sin (Isa 55:7), destruction of every lust; he who indulges one sin is a traitorous hypocrite
f.        Turning from sin upon a spiritual ground (right manner from the love of God). When men and their sins are congealed together, the best way to separate them is by the fire of love. (You Can Say No to Sin (Titus 2:11-14)
g.       Turning from sin to God. In True repentance, the heart points directly to God, as the needle to the North Pole. The repenting prodigal not only left the harlots but arose and went to his father. God complained “they return, but not to the most High (Hos 7:16)
h.      Real turning from sin is such a turn as has no return. Forsaking sin is moving off one’s native soil, never more to come back to it. Returning to folly is a fearful sin because it’s against clear light – against the illumination of the Spirit (Psalm 85:8). Returning to sin gives more power to the devil over a man’s life than before (Matt 12:45). Actual turning from sin is divorcing it (Acts 3:26). Turning reproves those who are but “half-turned/almost Christian (Acts 26:28). Cake on one side, dough on the other (Hos 7:8)

Read More ->>

Faith in Jesus is a spiritual issue not simply intellectual

I enjoy talking with people about Jesus. Hearing what they believe and why. I especially love seeing how the Holy Spirit works between people. I call these divine appointments and I've notice they happen more frequently than I used to think. These moments require spiritual discernment, like Ananias had in confirming what the Lord told to Saul (Paul) Acts 9:10-12,17-19. Later Paul wrote with inspiration from the Holy Spirit about the reality of spiritual discernment, confirming Jesus teaching and James would write how believers come to together in fellowship as part of God's plan for us. Prophets said we would be taught by God (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:15-16) and this happened when Jesus Christ came into the world and after his ascension when he gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide us (John 16:12-13; 1 Cor 2:10, 14; 1 John 2:20,27)
Acts 9:10-12,17-19;1 Cor 2:8,11-14;John 5:38,44;7:17;James 3:13-18;5:13-20

MaryKateMcDevitt

Why is intellectual belief not spiritual faith?

(The people that crucified Jesus didn't understand)...For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:8,11-14 NIV

Does his word dwell in you?
Jesus said plainly, "...nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent...how can you believe if you don't seek glory that only comes from God...Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God (John 5:38,44;7:17)

Spiritual wisdom verses earthly wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. - James 3:13-18 NIV

Getting right with God in fellowship with believers
God who sent Jesus to us, also draws us to Him. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. we see this in Paul's conversion in Acts 9.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:13-20 NIV

Read More ->>

Judging people in love, according to the faith

Jesus said judge not lest ye be judged , as we judge so we will be judged (Matt 7:1-5). Luke 6:37 expands this teaching of Jesus with "Forgive and you will be forgiven" both passages warn us about judgement that condemns, is usually something we don't like in ourselves (the log in our eye Luke 6:41). Jesus illustrates this with the towns people who would stone the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus said, "whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her (John 8:7)". Jesus tells us remove the log in our eye, then we'll see clearly to remove the speck from our brother's eye (Matt 7:5)". The world passes judgement to condemn but the church passes judgement from within to restore.

AIM: Sin in our lives, in our church needs to be confronted and removed so the little ones can be restored

First remove the sin from within yourself
Regarding Matthew 7:1, I found biblehub.com shows the Matthew Henry Commentary, "We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts, but not make our word a law to everybody. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground. " I've often heard people say, "the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective." however this is only the second half of James 5:16 which says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." This is a clear teaching of how and why the church meets together in small groups, so that we can share our convictions as illuminated by the Holy Spirit in context of the Bible and our own lives. We also hear other believers sharing in the same way so we can pray for each other so that healing can occur.
Matthew Henry Commentary says, "To acknowledge our faults to each other, will tend greatly to peace and brotherly love. And when a righteous person, a true believer, justified in Christ, and by his grace walking before God in holy obedience, presents an effectual fervent prayer, wrought in his heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, raising holy affections and believing expectations and so leading earnestly to plead the promises of God at his mercy-seat, it avails much. " On a side note when ever you see a "Therefore" in scripture you should always back up and see what it's there for James 5:12-18 gives context.

Confession of personal sins

• Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:6)
• Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:5)
• Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. (Acts 19:18)

Righteous people having powerful and effective prayer

• We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. (John 9:31)
• Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. (Genesis 20:17), Abraham's faith is explained as obedient to God's call on his life and legacy, confidently looking forward to "a city with eternal foundations, designed and built by God" (Hebrews 11:8-10). Abraham is the father of our faith (as well as Judaism and Islam Genesis 17:3-6).
• So the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. (2 Chronicles 30:20), Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel (2 Kings 18:5), the Lord was with him and he was successful in everything he did (2 Kings 18:7). Hezekiah is in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:9-10)
• My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has (Job 42:8). This is beautiful truth for our church and people we love. Looking back at my life I can see how I was spared because of another intercession on my behalf. When I was not walking with God but against him; God heard the prayers of others and I was saved. This truth is also found in Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prayed for Peter. Peter's folly was to think his faith was fine Luke 22:33, but Jesus then explained it wasn't (Luke 22:34). Luke 22 shows us both Judas and Peter betrayed Jesus but Jesus prayed for Peter and while Judas killed himself (Matthew 27:1-5), Peter repented saying "Lord, I love you" and accepted the call to "feed my sheep" (John 21:1-19) - but we notice the repetition of Jesus asking Peter "do you love me" three times (John 21:17) - this hurt Peter as I'm sure he was remembering his own sin of deny Jesus three times earlier (Luke 22:54-62). 
• Jesus has prayed for all Believers (John 17:20-26), who believe through the message of the apostles for perfect unity so that the world will know that Jesus is from God who loves the world as revealed in Jesus through the Holy Spirit and his word (John 3 and 14-16).

Sin within the Church like cancer (hurting the little ones)
From the article To Judge or Not to Judge? on Grace to You says, "A church that does not discipline a sinning member is like a person who has good reason to believe he has cancer but who refuses to go to a doctor—because he either does not want to face the problem or does not want to face the treatment. If he waits too long his whole body will be permeated with the disease and it will be too late for treatment to do any good. No church is healthy enough to resist contamination from persistent sin in its midst, any more than the healthiest and most nutritious bushel of apples can withstand contamination from even a single bad one. The only solution in both cases is separation."

Matthew 18 starts with disciples asking "who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" and Jesus answered unless you turn from your sins and become like little children you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven, so anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4). Jesus then says, if any causes one of these little ones who trust in me to fall into sin they would be better off drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:5-6). Sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting (Matthew 18:7).

The church is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18) and there is cause for separation from within the body. Regarding those who do the tempting that causes a little one who trust in Jesus to sin, it's better to cut them out even if they are as precious as a hand or an eye (Matthew 18:8-9).

Now Jesus goes into the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) explaining that it is not God's will that even one of these little ones should perish. Jesus said, "Temptations are inevitable" (Matthew 18:7), a sheep will wonder off and yet God pursues that little one like the good Shepard he is (Psalm 23:1-6). He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and he that began the work is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Jesus teaches how to correct another believer who sins
Go privately and point out the offense. If the person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. If that doesn't work, take one or two others with you and go back again so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If they refuse to listen take your case to the church and if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as an unbeliever/heathen/pagan/Gentile/tax collector (Matthew 18:15-17). Forbid and permit on earth as it is in heaven, in unity and agreement as followers of Jesus (Matthew 6:10; 18:18-19). This is exactly what James 5:16 is talking about.

As we judge ourselves and others in the church, we must forgive according to the faith
Jesus continues the discussion with his disciples about "who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" with the parable of the Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35). Forgive 70 times more than you think is the most gracious you can show forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22).

The parable shows a man forgiven of a debt that couldn't be paid who doesn't forgive a small offence from a person begging for mercy. Jesus concludes parable, "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” - Matthew 18:31-35

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed
When Jesus Prays for Your Faith
Body Of Christ, The Church
What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)?

Read More ->>

God makes saving faith available to all people, yet some reject it

Romans 10

AIM: Understanding the Gospel occurs in our heart, leading to confession

A) Paul desires Israel to understand God’s way of faith in Christ.

(1-2) My heart + prayer for enthusiastic people (toward God) to be saved

(3-4) They don’t understand God’s way, cling to own way (works righteousness)- Christ accomplished purpose of law, all who believe

(5-8) Moses Righteousness: wrong understanding = “obey law” vs. correct understanding = “faith in God” (God puts it close, on your lips and in your heart, so that you can obey - Deut 30:12-14)

Application: Do I understand other people's point of view towards God before I engage in sharing my own? How will I ask my Buddhist friend what they believe about God? When will I schedule time with my Buddhist friend to learn what they think about Jesus?

B) By believing we are made right with God, by confession we are saved.

(9-10) Openly declare Jesus is Lord, believe in heart God raised him from dead, believe in heart = right with God, declaring your faith = saved

(11) God revealed it’s safe to build your life on believing God (Isaiah 28:16)

(12-13) God saves and gives generously to all who call on him

Application: An essential belief of Christianity is that God raised Jesus from the dead, is the resurrection central in my teaching? Do I also give weight to need for declaring faith in the act of salvation? How well do I communicate steps of faith, do I understand my friends current faith journey?

C) Faith comes by hearing the Good News about Christ, but not to everyone.

(14-15) How unless believe, heard, told by someone, who go, sent, feet of messengers (Isaiah 52:7; Ephesians 6:15)

(16) Not everyone welcomes Good News, even Isaiah told about Jesus (Isaiah 53)

(17) “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

(18) They have heard God (Psalm 19)

(19-20) They understood: some rejected, found while not looking, loved while indifferent (Deut.32.21; Isaiah 65:1; Rev 3:19-22)

(21) God’s arms were open all day but they follow their own evil paths and crooked schemes (Isaiah 65:2)

Application: Knowing that sharing the Good News some will come to faith, how will I start in my efforts to share the Good News daily?

Read More ->>