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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Christ Brought Peace, Unity, and Reconciliation Through the Cross

Celebrating Good Friday today. We had our first "Fath in the Workplace" with SALT network yesterday, lots of great testimonies and sharing. Jesus did not die merely to save isolated individuals. He died to reconcile enemies to God and to one another, creating one new people through His blood.

The cross:

• brought peace with God
• destroyed hostility between people
• formed one body
• and calls us to live in that peace

Christ Himself is our peace. Through His body on the cross, He reconciled us to God, broke down the walls that divided us, and formed one new people who now live under the rule of His peace.

• “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”
• Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)
• “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

At the cross, Jesus did far more than forgive individual sin. He created a new humanity. He removed the barriers of alienation between God and man, and between people and one another. The cross is not only the place of pardon. It is the place of peace, reconciliation, and unity.

1) Christ Himself is our peace

Paul does not merely say Jesus gives peace. He says Christ Himself is our peace. Peace is found in a Person before it is experienced as a feeling.

• Isaiah 9:6 – “And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.”
• Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This means biblical peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Before peace can rule in our hearts, it must first be purchased by His blood.

2) The cross reconciled us to God

Humanity’s deepest problem was not social division first. It was separation from God because of sin. Jesus solved that at the cross.

• Colossians 1:19–20 – “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–19 – “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ... that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”
• Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son...”
• 1 Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.”

The cross ended the hostility between holy God and sinful man for all who believe. Peace with one another begins with peace with God.

3) Jesus broke down the wall of hostility between people

Paul’s language in Ephesians 2 is especially powerful because he is talking about one of the deepest divisions in the ancient world: Jew and Gentile. In Christ, that hostility was dismantled.

• Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
• Romans 10:12 – “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”
• Acts 10:34–35 – “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
• James 2:1 – “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The gospel does not erase human distinction, but it does destroy human superiority. At the foot of the cross, pride dies, boasting dies, and division loses its right to rule.

4) Jesus created one new people in Himself

Christ did not merely make peace between two hostile groups. He created something entirely new: one body, one family, one household of God.

• Ephesians 2:15–16 – “He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free.”
• Colossians 3:11 – “Here there is not Greek and Jew... but Christ is all, and in all.”
• Romans 12:5 – “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

The church is not a collection of like-minded individuals. It is a supernatural people formed by the blood of Jesus and filled by the Holy Spirit.

5) The blood of the cross is the basis of our unity

Christian unity is not built on personality, culture, politics, or preference. It is built on the finished work of Christ.

• Ephesians 2:13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
• Hebrews 13:12 – “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”
• Revelation 5:9 – “For you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
• 1 John 1:7 – “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

What race, class, tribe, language, and history could never accomplish, the blood of Jesus did. He brought near those who were far off and made them one.

6) Christ’s peace is meant to rule in the Church

The peace Jesus purchased is not just a doctrine to admire. It is a reality meant to govern our relationships.

• Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body.”
• Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
• Hebrews 12:14 – “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
• Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

“Rule” in Colossians carries the idea of an umpire or deciding authority. Christ’s peace should settle disputes, restrain fleshly division, and shape how believers relate to one another.

7) Unity is both a gift and a calling

The cross created unity, but believers are also commanded to preserve it.

• Ephesians 4:1–3 – “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling... eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
• John 17:20–23 – Jesus prayed “that they may all be one... so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
• Philippians 2:1–4 – “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
• Psalm 133:1 – “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

Unity is not maintained by ignoring truth. It is maintained by submitting together to Christ, walking in humility, and loving one another sacrificially.

8) The Church becomes a living witness of the cross

When hostile people become one family in Christ, the gospel becomes visible.

• John 13:34–35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• Acts 2:42–47 – The early church displayed shared life, generosity, worship, and favor before others.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:13 – “Be at peace among yourselves.”
• 2 Corinthians 13:11 – “Aim for restoration, comfort one another... live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

A divided church contradicts the message of the cross. A reconciled church displays its power.

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Saying No to What Holds You Back

 A Summary of Jon Weece's Teaching with Expanding Scriptures

My friend Chris sent me this message and a personal note of connection this week. Can a person of God fall away and sin so deeply, hurting the people they love, even destroy their family and still be counted as a person of God? This is the difficult reality we live in and the difficult reality Jesus lives to intercede for us now. The Holy spirit groans and creation groans and we have a pain in our side that won't fully go away - yet God's grace is sufficient for us. 

A few weeks ago we laid hands on Chris, I recommended  this because his story reminded me of my story. Suffering in Christ, with Holy Spirit brings unfathomable hope (Romans 8:17-30)

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The Core Problem: Appetites That Promise but Don't Deliver

We are creatures of appetite, wired for desire, but sin hijacks those desires, promising satisfaction while producing bondage. The things we reach for most often (comfort, distraction, control, pleasure) can quietly become the things that own us.

"For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." — Galatians 6:7-8

"All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart." — Proverbs 21:2

"I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial. I will not be mastered by anything." — 1 Corinthians 6:12

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Step 1: Identify the One Behavior Holding You Back (35:15)

Honest self-examination is where transformation begins. Many people stay stuck not because they lack willpower but because they've never named the specific thing standing in the way. Naming it brings it into the light.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me." — Psalm 139:23-24

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." — Hebrews 12:1

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." — James 1:14

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Step 2: Build a "Stop Doing" List and Replace It (35:25)

Willpower alone fails because it only says no. Lasting change requires substitution, filling the space with something better. Scripture doesn't just command us to stop; it calls us to put on what we've put off.

"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires... and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God." — Ephesians 4:22-24

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:21

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely... think about these things." — Philippians 4:8

"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." — 1 Corinthians 9:27

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Step 3: Anchor Gratitude in the Promises of God (37:47 – 38:50)

Weece points to three pillars that sustain a changed appetite:

Creation. God made you on purpose and for a purpose. You are not an accident to be managed but an image-bearer to be sanctified.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." — Ephesians 2:10

Crucifixion. The cross didn't just forgive the past; it broke the power of the old self. You are no longer a slave to what once owned you.

"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." — Romans 6:6

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." — Galatians 5:1

Consummation. The story ends in glory, not defeat. That future hope reframes every present struggle and makes the temporary pleasures of sin look small by comparison.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." — Romans 8:18

"Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." — 2 Corinthians 7:1

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The Bottom Line

Gratitude for what God has done, in creation, at the cross, and in the coming kingdom, is not just an emotion. It is a weapon. When the appetite for God grows, the appetite for lesser things shrinks. The goal is not white-knuckled restraint but a genuinely transformed desire.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." — Psalm 37:4

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." — Psalm 34:8

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Called to Hard Things The Doctrine of the Cross for a Believer

Burden begins the work of faith. Nehemiah did not ignore Jerusalem’s ruin. He mourned, prayed, then acted (Nehemiah 1:3–4; 2:4–5). The burden was not an obstacle. It was the assignment. God often begins His work by placing a weight on the heart of a willing servant (Galatians 6:2; Isaiah 6:8).

The cross defines true discipleship. Jesus set the standard. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is not advanced Christianity. It is the baseline. A life centered on Christ cannot also be centered on self (Luke 14:27; Galatians 2:20).

Nehemiah 1–3 shows a man holding multiple legitimate obligations simultaneously, his professional role, his people, his king, his God and navigating them without abandoning any carelessly. He did not use one as an excuse to avoid another. He prayed before he planned, surveyed before he spoke, organized before he built, and trusted God's provision at every stage.

For men whose burdens overlap, where work identity, marital faithfulness, and physical limitation all press at once, the call is the same as Nehemiah's: not to resolve the tension before acting, but to bring the whole weight of it to God in prayer, and then move in the direction He opens. The burden does not disqualify. It is the context in which God demonstrates His power through surrendered, cross-bearing men.

God’s strength makes the burden bearable. Kingdom work cannot be sustained by human effort alone. Christ calls the weary to Himself and promises rest for those who take His yoke (Matthew 11:28–30). God’s power accomplishes what human strength cannot (2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Ephesians 3:20–21).

Prayer comes before planning and action. Nehemiah prayed before he approached the king and before he rebuilt the wall (Nehemiah 1:5–11; 2:4). Jesus modeled the same pattern throughout His ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Prayer aligns the servant with the will of God before the work begins.

Following Christ means dying to self. Scripture draws a clear line. Those who belong to Christ crucify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:24). Jesus taught that losing life for His sake is the path to finding it (Matthew 16:24–25; John 12:24–25). Self-rule and Christ-rule cannot coexist.

God’s purposes are larger than our plans. Nehemiah’s mission was part of God’s covenant story for His people. Scripture reminds believers that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). What He accomplishes through His people always exceeds human imagination (Ephesians 3:20; Proverbs 19:21).

Suffering often confirms obedience. Hardship does not signal failure in God’s work. Scripture repeatedly frames suffering as refinement and growth (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5; 1 Peter 4:12–13). The cost of following Christ carries eternal reward (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

The cross for a believer calls for complete devotion to God. God desires and deserves to be the top priority in a believer’s life. The sin of idolatry involves putting anything ahead of God. What do you prioritize more than God?

The cross for a believer includes selfless service to others. Selflessness allows a believer to flourish and experience immeasurable joy. How have selfish thoughts, attitudes, and actions stunted your spiritual health and joy? In what ways do you reflect the selflessness Jesus has exercised toward you?

Biblical themes that shape the message

• Cross-bearing discipleship: The cross is real weight, yet Christ’s yoke is light when carried in His strength (Luke 9:23; Matthew 11:28–30).
• Prayer as the posture of faith: Burden must lead first to prayer (Nehemiah 1:4; Philippians 4:6–7).
• Faithful suffering across history: God’s servants consistently carried burdens for His purposes (Daniel 9:3; Esther 4:14; Hebrews 11:32–38).
• Dying to self and living for God: The self-centered life is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), while Christ calls believers to His pattern of humility (Philippians 2:5–8).
• Kingdom priorities: Seek first the kingdom of God rather than personal gain (Matthew 6:33).
• God’s surpassing power: The work succeeds because God acts through surrendered people (Ephesians 3:20–21; Zechariah 4:6).
• Joy through endurance: The believer can endure hardship with hope because Christ sustains them (James 1:12; Philippians 4:11–13).
• A life built on the right foundation: Obedience to Christ builds on rock, not sand (Matthew 7:24–27).

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Messianic symbols: Branch, Stone with Seven Eyes (Zechariah 3:8-9)

Zechariah’s night visions (Zechariah 1:7–6:8) center on two Messianic symbols. Together they describe a coming Priest-King who removes sin decisively and restores God’s people.

The Branch (Zemach): A prophetic title for the Messiah.

• Rooted in David’s line. Isaiah pictures a shoot from a dead stump (Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 4:2). Jeremiah strengthens the hope with a “righteous Branch” who will reign wisely (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15).
• Priest and King in one person. Zechariah says the Branch will build God’s true temple, sit on the throne, and unite the two offices in a “counsel of peace” (Zechariah 6:12–13). Psalm 110 anticipates the same union: a King on David’s throne who is also a priest “forever” (Psalm 110:1–4).
• The Servant who removes sin. God calls Him “My Servant the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8). This echoes Isaiah’s Servant who bears sin and justifies many (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 53:4–6,11).

The Stone with Seven Eyes: A symbol of Messiah’s perfect authority, insight, and saving work (Zechariah 3:9).

• Seven eyes = full divine knowledge. Seven signals completeness (Genesis 2:2–3). Isaiah speaks of the “sevenfold Spirit” resting on the Messiah: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2–3).
• New Testament links. John identifies the seven eyes with the “seven Spirits of God” and applies them to the Lamb (Revelation 5:6). Peter identifies Christ as the Living Stone and Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4–7; cf. Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16).
• Removal of sin in one day. God will “engrave” this stone and remove iniquity “in a single day” (Zechariah 3:9). This anticipates the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:12, 26; Hebrews 10:10–14; John 19:30).

“Seven Facets” or “Seven Springs”: Some propose the phrase may refer to facets or fountains, presenting Messiah as:

• A precious, perfectly cut cornerstone (cf. Isaiah 54:11–12).
• A source of living water for His people (cf. Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:14; John 7:37–38).

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Dying for the Sake of Another The Doctrine of Substitution

This week we studied Ezra 3, where Exiles are ordered to rebuild the temple. With their return to the promised land, the first order of business was to reestablish the worship and sacrifices God had ordained for His people through the law of Moses. Their spiritual renewal came before rebuilding the decimated city. With the place of sacrifice rebuilt amid Jerusalem’s rubble, the people rejoiced at this progress but also grieved their losses. Even though the temple had not yet been rebuilt, the altar represented the central component needed for the Israelites to offer sacrifices and worship God as He had commanded. With the altar rebuilt, they began again to celebrate the prescribed feasts of the seventh month of the year (Numbers 29). They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and offered many appointed sacrifices. By sacrificing animals, they acknowledged their sin and sought God’s atonement and forgiveness, as He had commanded.

The Israelites restored the temple and reestablished worship. They built the altar and sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord. They also celebrated sacred festivals, including Passover. Israel’s sacrificial system atoned for the people’s sin through animal sacrifices, which pointed to Christ, the Lamb of God. Our doctrine is Substitution, the notes define this as Dying for the Sake of Another. 

• A substitute takes the place of another.
• Israel’s sacrificial system revealed the gravity of human sin. The people confessed their sin and spilled the blood of animals that took their place, paying the just penalty their sin deserved.
• Jesus Christ died as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sin. All the Old Testament sacrifices point to Him.
• God’s own Son died as a substitute for all who place their faith in His atoning sacrifice.
• With Jesus as their substitute, believers stand before God not covered in sin but fully clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
• Unless Jesus stands as your substitute before God, you carry the weight of God’s just wrath against your sin. 
• Jesus took upon Himself the punishment He did not deserve to offer us righteousness we could not earn. 
• When I believe Jesus died and rose again as my substitute, I truly live—set free from the penalty of my sin and enabled to live a transformed life. With my sin debt fully paid, I can gladly surrender and serve the Savior who gave Himself for me.

 What helps you regularly recognize all Jesus did for you? How does Jesus’s sacrifice on your behalf move you to fresh wonder and worship?

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Threads of the inner veil (unrebuked self-life, self-sins), true rending should be excruciating

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning." -Hosea 6:3

The word "excruciating" originates from the Latin word "excruciatus," meaning "to torture, torment, or rack." This Latin word is derived from "crux," which means "cross," and refers to the suffering endured during crucifixion. The word "excruciating" itself first appeared in English around the mid-1600s. 

In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer talks about the "threads out of which this inner veil is woven."

It is woven of the fine threads of the self-life, the hyphenated sins of the human spirit. They are not something we do, they are something we are, and therein lies both their subtlety and their power.

To be specific, the self-sins are these: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the light of God is focused upon them. The grosser manifestations of these sins, egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion, are strangely tolerated in Christian leaders even in circles of impeccable orthodoxy. They are so much in evidence as actually, for many people, to become identified with the gospel... (wowza! sounds like me Anointed Enthusiasm, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63 ESV)" We are God's instruments, not God's conduits

One should suppose that proper instruction in the doctrines of man's depravity and the necessity for justification through the righteousness of Christ alone would deliver us from the power of the self-sins; but it does not work out that way. Self can live unrebuked[Pg 46] at the very altar. It can watch the bleeding Victim die and not be in the least affected by what it sees...

Self is the opaque veil that hides the Face of God from us. It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction. As well try to instruct leprosy out of our system. There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free. We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us. We must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgment. We must prepare ourselves for an ordeal of suffering in some measure like that through which our Saviour passed when He suffered under Pontius Pilate.

Let us remember: when we talk of the rending of the veil we are speaking in a figure, and the thought of it is poetical, almost pleasant; but in actuality there is nothing pleasant about it. In human experience that veil is made of living spiritual tissue; it is composed of the sentient, quivering stuff of which our whole beings consist, and to touch it is to touch us where we feel pain. To tear it away is to injure us, to hurt us and make us bleed. To say otherwise is to make the cross no cross[Pg 47] and death no death at all. It is never fun to die. To rip through the dear and tender stuff of which life is made can never be anything but deeply painful. Yet that is what the cross did to Jesus and it is what the cross would do to every man to set him free.

Let us beware of tinkering with our inner life in hope ourselves to rend the veil. God must do everything for us. Our part is to yield and trust. We must confess, forsake, repudiate the self-life, and then reckon it crucified. But we must be careful to distinguish lazy "acceptance" from the real work of God. We must insist upon the work being done. We dare not rest content with a neat doctrine of self-crucifixion. That is to imitate Saul and spare the best of the sheep and the oxen.

Insist that the work be done in very truth and it will be done. The cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective. It does not keep its victim hanging there forever. There comes a moment when its work is finished and the suffering victim dies. After that is resurrection glory and power, and the pain is forgotten for joy that the veil is taken away and we have entered in actual spiritual experience the Presence of the living God.

Lord, how excellent are Thy ways, and how devious and dark are the ways of man. Show us how to die, that we may rise again to newness of life. Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down as Thou[Pg 48] didst rend the veil of the Temple. We would draw near in full assurance of faith. We would dwell with Thee in daily experience here on this earth so that we may be accustomed to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to dwell with Thee there. In Jesus' name, Amen. - AWTozer

Doctrine: Humanity tied to the Romans road. 

• Image bearers of God, uniquely given a spirit for relationally bear fruit, rule and subdue. Yet all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
• Distinct from other created beings. God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
• God's representatives. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
• Made for fellowship with God, everlasting friendship. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" 

Lord I lay me down, I'm not my own - I belong to you along, lay me down, lay me down. Hand on my heart this much is true, There's no life apart from you...Letting go of my pride, Giving up all my rights, Take this life and let it shine...It will be my joy to say, Your will, Your way!

Faith in Jesus is my response to his Spirit speaking to me (Genesis 8:20; 9:9; Hebrews 11:7)

Take off your sandals and put on the Gospel of Peace

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God's love held Jesus to the Cross, not the nails

Yesterday, my friend Jason from SALT shared this amazing truth. It was God's love that held Jesus to the Cross, not the nails. That morning I had been pondering all the Lord is showing me through Receiving a fresh word from the Lord, preparing our hearts (Jer 4:3)

• Command #1: “...Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts... 
• Default "...or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it." Jer 4:3-4

I was pondering how the Lord changes our hearts and enables us to be fruitful. Galatians 5:22-25 exploded like a geyser of living water.

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
• I'm commanded to "break up my unplowed ground" and "circumcise myself to the Lord" to "circumcise my heart" and the only right tool to use is "love" 
• Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit
  

I was pondering the great illustrations of good news and witnessing from the word studies from Bible Project, (and BSF lesson this week about eternal life in heaven) and just discovered The Lost Sermon of Tim Mackie -  Discovering the Melody, he says Job is 11 hours into a jazz ensemble and the melody is summarized by Jesus in Luke 24:46-47,  Messiah -> suffer and die -> resurrection, forgiveness of sins for all who repent. This is Jesus "summary sentence" of the old testament:

"And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ Luke 24:46-47

In the Q & A section of the sermon Tim talks about suffering and God's confidence in Job is like God's confidence in Jesus. God has confidence in us if we are connected to Christ. He also shares a story of his boys taking the hammer and clawing the dirt with it for hours in the backyard. Sure it sort of works but it's the wrong tool for the job. Turn it around and you can nail pieces of wood together. The big idea is to see the old testament like Jesus saw it, to have it mentor us like it mentored Jesus. We are the apprentice of Jesus, we should learn to use the tools correctly. Biblical authors share different aspects of what they saw (Ezekiel is different from Isaiah and John's Revelation is different). Everytime God interfaces with people its in our contexts (personal, cultural, imaginative). Presence of God is the most real thing but indescribable. 

Luke 24:24-47 is wonderful, in a walk for 8 or 9 hours (20 miles, similar to walking from Southdale to Weaver Lake Maple Grove) Jesus opened their minds to the scriptures (Luke 24:25-27). I hold the belief that the unnamed disciples on the road to Emmaus wrote Hebrews. 

I'm super excited for the Next Three BSF Studies

• 2025-2026 Exile & Return: A Time to Build 
• Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, Malachi
• 2026-2027 Romans
• 2027-2028 The Life of Moses

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When Jesus was dying he was speaking God's word

 I've had the opportunity to learn about unanswered prayer at my work these past few months. Our last session was called Holy Saturday: Where?

I learned that when Jesus was heard saying "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and "It is finished." This is the first part of Psalm 22 and the last part:

Like an electrical cord, we need the positive and negative to flow. By holding together the hurt and the hope, power can flow through our pain. 

Jesus was meticulously quoting scripture that spoke to his hurt and hope.

Despair: (Psalm 22:1-2)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Hope: (Psalm 22:3-4)

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Despair (Psalm 22:11,16-18)

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help...they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

Hope (Psalm 22:27-28,30-31)

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations...Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (John 19:30)

Matthew 27:45-46;Psalm 22:1,31;John 19:28-30;Psalm 22

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Jesus apostles bring healing and good holy gospel to Jews (Matthew 10)

 Matthew 10

A) Prayer, authority, and instruction for the workers (Matt 9:36-10:15)

B) Expectation of cost and promised provision (Matt 10:16-25)

C) Righteous holiness separates us for God (Matt 10:26-42) 

Matthew 9:36-38) See crowds, have compassion - harvest in plentiful, workers are few. Pray to the Lord of the haven't to send out workers into his field. 

10:1) Jesus called twelve disciples, authority to drive out impure spirits, heal every disease and sickness

 - 2-4) Simon Peter & Andrew, James & John Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon Zealot, Judas Iscariot

 - 5-8) Don't go among Gentiles or Samaritans, rather lost sheep of Israel, proclaim as you go, "kingdom of heaven has come near", heal sick, raise dead, cleanse leprosy, drive out demons for free

 - 9-15) Don't bring supplies or money, rather search for a worthy person there offer peace, else leave but know judgment day will be unbearable for them.

Jesus authorizes 72 workers into his Fathers fields (Luke 10:1-24)

16-20) Sheep among wolves, shrewd, innocent, guarded - witness to high officials Spirit of Father speaks through you

 - We bear testimony of Christ within us, having decided ahead of time to stand (Luke 21:12-19)

 - 21-23) Family relationships betrayed to death. Hated because they don't know Father God (John 15:21), persecuted? Flee.

 - 24-25) Jesus suffered so will his disciples

26-31) Unafraid, concealed will be known, proclaim the individual message, fear God, remember sparrows

32-33) acknowledge Jesus, he acknowledges us before Father in heaven

 - 34-39) Not muddy "peace" but division, holiness, separation, a clean knife cut, oil, and water. 

 - Doing right with God benefits everyone, even enemies. Our burden/cross is loving those who hate us

 - We find our life when we live for God and bless everyone even those who curse us

40-42) Welcoming cold water is a chain of righteousness and reward from God

 - our culture of "Your Welcome" has become "no problem" 

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Light of listening and bearing the cross (Luke 8:1-9:45)

 A) Jesus teaches about the light of listening, hear God's word and do it (Luke 8:1-21)

 - Jesus demonstrates his power over nature, demon-possessed people, life/health (Luke 8:22-56)

B) Jesus gives power to disciples, healing, cast out demons, feeding 5,000 (Luke 9:1-17)

C) Jesus begins teaching about the cross, transcending time (Luke 9:18-45)

Luke 8:1-3) Jesus, apostles & disciples bring good news of kingdom of God everywhere

4-10) Parable of sower and soil, means “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’"

11-15) Seed: God's word, on hard hearts (devil), rocks (immature), in weeds (distracted), fruitful (honest, good heart, patience)

 - Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

16-18) Light is for all to see, everything concealed is seen in the light of listening, be careful how you hear and be given more (fruitfulness)

19-21) Jesus family hear the word of God and do it

22-25) Woke Jesus rebukes the wind and waves resulting in calm, "where is your faith [confidence in Jesus]?"

26-33) Before the encounter Jesus commanded unclean spirit out of the man (29), demons acknowledge Jesus as Son of God (28), Jesus asks for name and gives permission for Legion to enter herd of pigs.

34-39) herdman interpret the miracle as a terrible waste of money, spreading like gangrene to everyone so they asked Jesus to leave them, so Jesus does and commands the healed man to proclaim all God has done for him.

 - Tale of two cities, no one is neutral with Jesus

 - I think I found a new life verse: Luke 8:39, Money, the power of God's word and dreams

40-56 ) Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and another woman to teach about expectations (Luke 8:40), faith (Luke 8:48,50), and reactions to events (Luke 8:52,53,56)

 - An interesting contrast,  the demon-possessed man is told to tell everyone (Luke 8:39), but parents not to tell what happened (Luke 8:56), personal testimony over witnessing? I wonder about this young girls life, reminds me of Gram Seed (from Alpha "What should I do with the rest of my life?")

 - Prayer is intimacy with God that leads to the fulfillment of His purpose

Luke 9:1-6) Jesus gives disciples power and authority to cast out demons, heal all diseases and tell everyone about the kingdom of God - so they began (Luke 9:6 a new life verse)

7-11) Herod and people speculate Jesus's identity, crowds followed to Bethsaida, kingdom of God, healing

12-15) Twelve; send them away for food, Jesus; you give them something to eat, with a work breakdown plan

16-17) 5 loaves, 2 fish - prayed thanks, all satisfied, 12 basketfuls of leftovers

 - Jesus Feeds 5,000+ and Promise we will do more

18-20) Jesus, private prayer, w/disciples crowds say but, who do say I am? God's Messiah

21-22) Son of Man must suffer rejection, killed, on the third day raised to life

 - Three Days, recurring theme in the Bible for changing your heart

23-27) Jesus; Desire discipleship? Deny yourselves, take up cross daily, follow me - give your life to save it - some here will see kingdom of God before they die (i.e. not Judas).

 - Give up your own way (Luke 9:23), carry your own cross AND follow me (Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:27, Mark 8:34), worthy (Matthew 10:38). The Cross of Christ is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor 1:17-18),

 - To carry our cross and follow him means we do the same with our lives: he took our wrong-doing upon himself (Galatians 3:13), hostility is gone (Ephesians 2:14,16), desire and sinful nature nailed to Jesus Cross (Galatians 5:24), for our Salvation (Galatians 5:11, 6:12,14), humble obedience to God (Philippians 2:8), he reconciled everything to himself (Colossians 1:20), canceled the record of charges against us, disarming devils (Colossians 2:14-15)

 - Carry your cross and follow Jesus in conduct: Philippians 3:18, "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ." - rejecting the Son of God (Heb 6:6), no good fruit in ministry except the personal fruit of understanding means everything (Heb 6) - Trust God to grow as we water and sow (Hebrews 6:4-12, 1 Cor 3:5-9)

 - Remaining in Jesus brings relational consequences with God and people

 - Personal Holiness is being honest with God daily

 - The Cross for a Believer

28-30) Eight days later Peter, John, James to mountain, in prayer face/clothes bright as lightning, glorious splendor Moses and Elijah

 - Offerings that won't spoil: Honey and Salt

31)  They spoke about his departure (decease, exodos), which he was about to bring to fulfillment (accomplish) at Jerusalem. (happened with us will happen with you  Deuteronomy 34:5-6; 2Kings 2:11)

- Jesus eternal reign over all enemies began at his ascension

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb 12:1-3)

32-36) Pillar of cloud envelops them "this is my Son, whom I have chosen, listen to him", they kept it secret (Luke 9:21-22)

 37-40) next day, crowd, only son, "spirit seizes him", screams, convulsions, foaming mouth, disciples couldn't drive out, persistent-destroying him

41-43) "unbelieving, perverse generation", Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed boy, amazed greatness of God

44-45) Listen carefully, Son of Man delivered into hands of men, didn't understand, hidden from them afraid to ask

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Justification is evidenced by Peace of God (Gen 15:6, Rom 5:1, Phil 4:4-7)

 Genesis 15:6 is one of the most important verses in all Scripture, for by it we learn that all people in all ages are justified by grace through faith. “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Second Day: 5 a) What did Abram believe? B) what’s connection between belief and righteousness today?

In Genesis 15, God gave His promises to Abram. Abram’s belief, his faith in what God had promised, was the basis upon which God declared him righteous – justified. (Rev 12:11 blood of the lamb, word of testimony)

Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of a person, concept or entity (John 11:25-26; 12:44; Hebrews 11:1). Abram believed God’s Word, His promise. Righteous means in right standing or morally upright behavior. God declared Abram to be in “right standing” before Him. 

When I believe God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life through Christ, God declares I am “right with Him.”

Being Right with God is the Shalom that transcends all understanding Gen 15:6, Rom 5:1, Phil 4:4-7

Personal faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for sins, not works or signs (Romans 3-5) 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)”

 - Justified: Romans 4:25 says, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

 - through faith: Romans 3:28 - "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

 - we have peace: Christmas time peace, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.“ Jesus our Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), Jesus took my sin to the Cross, "the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. (Isa 53:5)“

Peace: the gift from God we are commanded to seek

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Sacrifice that pleases God, Jesus and our holiness for Him (Genesis 8:21)

 Genesis 8:28-21, tells us that God commanded Noah to leave the Ark, and in doing so - He first offered a Sacrifice to God that was pleasing to God. 

BSF lesson asked me what sacrifice is ultimately pleasing to God and what sacrifice can I make today that is pleasing to God. I never before connected the promise of God in Genesis 8:21-22 to Romans 3:25-26 "because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished" - His forbearance was the provision of Christ's atoning work on the Cross. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness."

Read these verses to see God's work in Noah's life, Noah's response and the impact Noah's response had on God. I love how Genesis 8:21 tells us "God said in his heart," isn't this wonderful! 

Gen 8:15-22; John 12:27-33; Romans 3:25-26; 1 Peter 2:21-24;Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8; John 15:13; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15-16

Personal lessons: 

Jesus died to make us right with God

 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" 1 Peter 2:24

 - This is demonstrated in John 12:31-33, "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die."

 - Lord, let me die to sin and live for righteousness. Right, just, merciful, acknowledging God, humbly with God, to lay down my life for my friends, not conformed to the pattern of this world but transformed by the renewing of my mind. Help me to see your will and approve of it in me. You have glorified yourself and you are doing it again. Amen. Selah. 

Bring our first to God (each morning, each blessing, each thought)

 - I like BibleHub because of the Cross References to other Bible passages in line with the verse. Reviewing Gen 8:20, showed me Able brought the firstlings (Gen 4:4).

Pray for our family, interceding on their behalf: 

 - BibleHub also showed me that Job was concerned for his family's well-being. Knowing each person has a heart where every inclination is evil from Childhood (Gen 8:21), Job would interecede for them (Job 1:5)

 - Noah may have been following God's instruction to leave the Ark and realized sin in his family and perhaps his own attitude in the work. So instead of complaining he built an alter to the Lord and as Heb 11:7, talks about His Faith leading to actions for God and his family. "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. "

Live for God daily, kindness toward everyone

 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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The Cross for a Believer

Years ago after study of the life of Moses, and I thought about the commandments of Jesus. Yesterday in Bible Study we talked about Jesus the cornerstone the builders rejected and how people stumble (1 Peter 2:6-8) or avoid the difficult teachings of Jesus.

Jesus's call to discipleship is easy (Matthew 11:28-30), yet there is a personal cost (Luke 14:28). To lay oneself down (Romans 12:1-2) and surrender to a life of full obedience and the renunciation of all contrary plans once committed to.  Following Him may mean we lose relationships, dreams, material things, or even our lives.

One way Jesus spoke about this was to talk about the cross, saying, for example, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

• necessary, not optional (Luke 14:27)
• personal; for you (Matthew 16:24)
• voluntary; not forced, willingly accepted (Matthew 19:21-22)
• mortal; to kill all selfishness
• bears eternal fruit (John 12:24-26)

1 Cor 6:9,11,14,19-20

...do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived... And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also...Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/6-19.htm

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Jesus death on the cross for the deceived and defiant (1 John 3:4-8)

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is (Deceived).

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning (Defiant), it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:4-8)

God the Son died for us, for a child of God to sin indicates that he doesn't understand or appreciate what Jesus did for him on the cross.
 - Lack of understanding and appreciation is the sign of a hard heart against God (Matt 13:15, Isaiah 6:10, Acts 28:27, Deut 29:4, Psalm 119:70)
 - In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. Matt 13:14
 - For this people's heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.' Matt 13:15
 - To understand with your heart and turn is the meaning of repentance.

Christ appeared to take away our sins
 - Sin is whatever is not of faith (Rom 14:23)
 - thought of foolishness is sin (Prov 24:9)
 - Not doing what is good (James 4:17)
 - Lawlessness, Unrighteousness (1 John 3:4, 5:17)

I'm guilty of all of these things right now. I see this and seek God's forgiveness and strength, tools, wisdom to change to abide in Him. I repent, not as a ritual but as a mindset. I'm not held back from God, at the Cross Jesus has taken away the partition between us and God. We are allowed and welcome to come to God for forgiveness through Christ. This belief followed by obedience in prayer to cast your cares upon him, allowing him to care for you. repentance is simple. We complicate things unnecessarily. In https://run.alphausa.org/ free classes you can learn how simple it really is. The best part of Alpha is doing it in a community where you can talk with people about what you're learning.
 - Keep it real, keep it simple (start with where you are), keep it honest
 - When praying for others we are like waiters taking orders from a guest and sending it to chef. The chef makes the meal and we deliver it. Likewise, we present a persons request to God on their behalf.


  

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Walking in light involves progressive humility and honesty (1 John 1:5-2:6)

Reading Wiersbe, Be Real (1 John): Turning from Hypocrisy to Truth (The BE Series Commentary).

Chapter two,Walking and Talking (1 John 1:5-2:6)
- Our enemy is sin (mentioned 9 times in these verses
God is light, sin is darkness
- Contrast between saying and doing (1 John 1:6,8,10;2:4)

As a child must learn to walk and overcome many difficulties, the Christian must learn to "walk in the light." The fundamental difficulty involved is a matter of sin.

Sin is more than outward disobedience, it's our affections, the desire of the heart, what we give attention to (1 John 2:16), it's lawlessness or independence from God (1 John 3:4, can two walk together except they agreed Amos 3:3).

• Abraham in the hall of fame for faith (Heb 11), still didn't walk by faith perfectly. He went to Egypt and lied to Pharaoh (Gen 12), Help God by having a son with Hagar (Gen 16). God forgave Abraham this sin, but he didn't change the results. "No one can unscramble an egg."
• Peter denied the Lord three times and tried to kill a man when Jesus was arrested. Satan is a liar and murderer (John 8:44) and Peter played into his hands, yet Christ forgave Peter (John 21).
• The fact that Christians sin bothers some people - especially new Christians. We fight against sin (not with it) Gal 5:16-26). Sin in the life of a Christian is worse than sin in an unsaved person.

Our self-efforts are useless without the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:12-13), the Holy Spirit produces abundant fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22-23)
Three approaches to sin:

1. try to cover our sins with lies (others, self, God) (1 John 1:5-6,8,10;2:4)
- lies to make a favorable impression on others, but when light shines it reveals our true nature (Eph 5:8-13)
- lying to others leads to self-deception that can only be corrected by humble intervention by another person (like David and Nathan 2 Sam 11-12)

Diagnostics of Dishonesty (Bible, fellowship, prayer, worship, character)
- The first symptom of walking in darkness is a loss of blessing from the Bible (you can't see it anymore)
- lose of fellowship with God and with God's people (1 John 1:6-7). As a result, prayer becomes an empty form to him. Worship is a dull routine. He becomes critical of other Christians and starts staying away from church: "What communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Cor 6:14
 - Loss of character (1 John 2:4), the insincerity, lack of truthfulness is no longer a role, it's his essence of life. He's no longer a liar because he tells lies; he tells lies because he is a confirmed liar.

The real self is better than a false self of shallow, tasteless lies.
2. We can confess our sins (1 John 1:7,9)
Jesus Christ's propitiation overcomes darkness with light, hate with love (1 John 1:5, 4:8). The cross (1 John 4:10, Romans 3:23-26)

Jesus Christ advocates for those who trust in Him, gives us the Holy Spirit (John14:16, 26; 15:26)

Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

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You must give up your own way (Luke 9:23)

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. - Luke 9:23 

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. - Acts 20:21

Fatih is the work and it's as simple as looking at God

Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Matthew Henry Commentary

Luke 9:18-27 It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.

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The Cross for a Believer

Jesus did not make His call to discipleship easy. On the contrary, He stressed the cost of following Him, showing it meant full obedience and the renunciation of all contrary plans that one might prefer to make for oneself. One way Jesus spoke about this was to talk about the cross, saying, for example, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is necessary for faithfully following Jesus; it is not optional (Luke 14:27). No one who refuses to take up their cross and follow Jesus can be a Christian. It is personal; no one can do it for you (Matthew 16:24). It is voluntary; no one is forced to take up the cross. A person must take it willingly (Matthew 19:21-22). It is mortal; the cross is meant to kill all selfish desires or ambition. We must die to self here if we would bear eternal fruit (John 12:24-26).

Bsfinternational.org

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There is a huge difference between believing and knowing

I've been researching how other faiths and people view Christian Bible teaching. By Christian Bible teaching I mean to say, taking the Bible lierally, trusting what it says is true and applying that truth to our lives. Time and again I see offence coming between people who hold to religious dogma and tradition. As a self-professing bridge builder, I like to help people see the way to cross over to a new life relationship with God. 

Big Idea: Knowing is experienced

Time and again I've witnessed this truth, "But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear." Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV

How to build a bridge to knowing

A guy walks into the doctors office, the doctor says, "What seems to be the problem?"
 - "It's not a problem per se, just something strange. You see I pass gas alot but it doesn't smell or make a sound. In fact while I've been in your office I've passed gas 20 times."
 - "I see" says the doctor and he writes a perscription asking him to come back in a week. The guys comes back very alarmed, "Doc, what was in those pills! Now my farts are loud and smell terrible!"
The doctors says, "well now that we cleared up your sinus and unpluged your ears we can take a look at that." (author unknown)

I did a Bible search on "Know" and found the word 1,163 times. Ezekiel 16:59-63 explains how God is faithful to his promise as seen in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(59) Sovereign Lord says: I WILL as you deserve you despied my oath, breaking covenant

(60) I WILL remember my covenant, I WILL establish everlasting covenant w/you (Gen 9:16, Ezek 37:4-6,14, 23-24,26)

• (61) You'll remember, be ashamed. In John 16:7-8 Jesus talks about sending the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of this prophesy - the spirit of truth will convict hearts. I love Ezekiel 37:14, "I will put my Spirit in you an dyou will live...KNOW that I the LORD have spoke, done it, declares the LORD"
• (62) I WILL establish my convenant with you, KNOW that I am the LORD. Luke 1:77 says, " to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins," 
• (63) "when I make atonement for you..." Matt 26:28, Luke 22:20, affirms the new covenant is established by the Cross of Jesus, his blood". The ressurection proved the sacrifice was acceptable to God and Jesus opened their minds to truths pointing to him in the old testiment (Luke 24:44-48)

What is the New Covenant?

Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

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Christ brought peace, unity on the cross, broke the wall of hostility between us (Eph 2:14)

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Ephesians 2:14 NLT  

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

For Christ himself has brought peace to us

• Isaiah 9:6, For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

He united Jews and Gentiles into one people 

• There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us

• through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. Col 1:20

http://biblehub.com/ephesians/2-14.htm

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