Month: January 2025

Friday 010325

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

We have two ground rules in this study:

1 – we are ONLY going to read and follow what is found (that pertains to us), in the Holy Bible.

2 – we are ONLY going to learn from a study, what effort we put into that study.

Continuing our study tonight, is still going to involve a lot of information looking back into history.

For some today, history can be difficult to accept. Many times, there are advantages in knowing our history, probably the major advantage is, we’re given the opportunity in not making the same mistake over again.

So, let’s begin tonight. Let’s go to Jesus in prayer:

Jesus we are continuing our study, we’re going to need Your leadership and Your guidance to help us hear the message that You want us to hear. Open our eyes and our ears tonight Jesus and allow us to see and hear that which is found in front of us. We love You Jesus. Amen.

So tonight, here are the verses we are going to study:

Revelation 3:15-17; Matthew 6:24, 19:23, 23:23; Luke 11:42, 18:11-12; Revelation 3:18; 2 Timothy 2:23.

In my attempt to spread the Word, to the people in the 21^st century, I am posting a new lesson every morning.

I am posting my lessons on eleven (11) different sites.

On Facebook, I am:

Whosoever Inhim

Whosoever inhim Bible Study

Or, in a search engine, simply type:

lrabbe.wordpress.com

whosoeverinhim.weebly.com

lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/my-site-2

lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/whosoeverinhim

whosoeverinhim.blogspot.com

www.tumblr.com/whosoeversblog

whosoeverinhim.cw.center

inhim.webador.com

free-4140862.webador.com

Again, this morning, I want to voice that there are those that do not believe the book of Revelation has been written for us Gentiles.

I agree except for chapters 2 and 3.

I think these seven letters are meant for this church age today.

The Christian life is a call to action, but followers of Jesus are susceptible to distractions. Jesus points out two of those distractions to the church in Laodicea, and they are shockingly relevant to the Christian church today.

Distraction #1: Wealth

Laodicea is one of the first-century churches that Jesus addressed in the book of Revelation. It is also the only church of the group which receives no praise from our Lord, only rebuke. Although the church existed in the first century, Jesus’ message is as much for us today as it was for them back in the 1^st century.

Revelation 3

vs15 ‘…I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot…’

vs16 ‘…So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth…’

vs17 ‘…Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything, and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Laodicea was a city famous for its own wealth. History tells us that when an earthquake destroyed the city in 60 A.D., Laodicea turned down offers of help from Rome. Laodicea felt invincible.

What was true 2000 years ago is still true today: wealth can lure us away from our greater purpose as Christians. No one starts out with the goal of turning money into an idol. But acquiring possessions has an intoxicating effect. Jesus himself said that you cannot serve both money and God at the same time; one or the other will dominate you

Matthew 6:24 ‘…No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 19:23 ‘…And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Money is a gift from God, but when it moves to the center of our lives, it becomes a distraction from the main purpose of every disciple of Jesus: helping people pursue God.

Money distracted the Laodicean church 2000 years ago, and it may be even more distracting for American Christians today. Consider this statistic: on average, people give a smaller percentage of their incomes today than they did during the Great Depression. That’s incredible! Even as America (and its Christians) get wealthier, we are drifting away from a heart of generosity. We are increasingly focused on our own lives rather than keeping the story of God, alive and well. Like Laodicea, we are distracted by our wealth.

Allow me to take a moment away from these earlier statements and let me voice a few things in greater detail.

There are churches today that will spend an entire Sunday service on how the members are told in the Bible they should be giving tithes every week.

This is right flat out, a lie. This is a sermon based on misinformation and it’s being told to entire congregations around the globe.

Not once are we told in the New Testament that we should be making weekly tithes. There is nowhere in the New Testament where a percentage amount is given, telling anyone how much we should be tithing from our income.

This is nothing other than a made up, man-made lie all about greed.

The word ‘tithe’ is found in three verses in the New Testament.

Matthew 23:23 ‘…Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 11:42 ‘…But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every kind of garden herb, and yet you ignore justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 18

vs11 ‘…The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector…’

vs12 ‘…I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Isn’t it amazing that ALL three verses are speaking of Pharisees and scribes, the Jewish world. Nothing is noted about a Christian.

I wonder how many of these churches, raising their voices telling their congregation how the Bible teaches us to tithe, repeat these verses found in the New Testament?

Maybe the number 1 distraction to our churches is and has been our problem with WEALTH.

Churches from the 1^st as well as the 21^st centuries.

Distraction #2 is our culture.

Popular culture preys on the insecurities of the masses, and apparently this is not a new phenomenon. Laodicea was famous for producing rich, black wool for cloaks – and for them it was apparently a source of local pride. But Jesus turned it into a warning: Also buy white garments from me so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness.

Revelation 3:18 ‘…I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Here’s the irony: every generation has its own sense of ‘cool’, but it almost always looks silly to the next generation. Fast forward to the end of generations and you’ll see it from God’s perspective. The Laodiceans had it wrong. They were proud of their famed black wool, but Jesus saw past their outward appearance to their souls. In his eyes, it wasn’t a matter of swapping black for white garments. He declared that they were naked!

How much more do we get distracted and deceived by our popular culture? What we perceive to be valuable in this life can so easily draw us away from what really matters in eternity. Followers of Jesus have their true worth in the ‘robes of righteousness’ purchased by Christ himself at the cross. When we come to him and put those ‘white garments’ on, the stuff of this world loses its appeal. This doesn’t mean we are disconnected from popular culture; instead, we see beyond it to the stuff that truly defines us.

There are other distractions in today’s world.

There is the distraction of Preference.

We all like things done in a certain way. It’s part of our human nature.

We like our service to be in a particular order. We like the music to be in a particular style and a certain volume. We like our schedules to look like they’re supposed to look, and we like our community to feel in a certain way.

It’s okay for us to have preferences, but when we ask HOW we’re going to do ministry and it becomes more important than WHY we do ministry, we’re in big trouble.

Methods should never guide our ministry or our interactions with others. Mission should.

There is the distraction of being right.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:23 ‘…But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

How much should we have to do with controversies?

We should have nothing to do with controversy. We should walk away and leave before a disagreement can begin.

There is the distraction of Doctrine.

Doctrine is the basis of Christianity. If it were not for the Word, if it were not for God, would any of us still be here today?

We each should read the Word for ourselves so that we can be prepared for when we’re going to need it. If we only read what verses others suggest or pray about certain matters, are we not selling short what we have been given that day on the cross.

We each should have a basis for our FAITH. There should not be any possibility that a denomination, a church, a pastor or any theological group could take precedence over our FAITH.

If our FAITH can be so easily changed by someone or something, how much of a value can you really place on your FAITH.

Keep yourself in His Word and study the wonderous mysteries that He has placed at our feet. I love all of you. Remember that Jesus loves each one of us even more than we can comprehend the word itself.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Thursday 010225

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

We have two ground rules in this study:

1 – we are ONLY going to read and follow what is found (that pertains to us), in the Holy Bible.

2 – we are ONLY going to learn from a study, what effort we put into that study.

Tonight’s study involves a lot of information from looking back into some of mankind’s history.

History can be difficult for many to accept. We’re looking back in time at what happened to someone before us.

Sometimes there are advantages when looking at mankind’s history, one advantage, and probably the major advantage for us is, we are given the opportunity that prevents us from making the same mistake twice.

I’ve tried to teach that the Old Testament is that way for me, my most used example is found in:

Jonah 1

vs1 ‘…The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying…’

vs2 ‘…Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me…’

vs3 ‘…But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

God is NOT telling us to run and flee and hide ourselves from Him. We are being shown what happens to that person that runs and flees from the presence of God.

If we were continue reading Jonah, we’d find him in the belly of a large fish just because he ran from God.

So, let’s begin tonight. Let’s go to Jesus in prayer:

Jesus we are beginning a study tonight that we know we are going to need Your leadership and Your guidance to help us keep our human infections outside of this study and that we will only be able to hear the message that You want us to hear if You are there with us. Open our eyes and our ears tonight Jesus and allow us to see and hear that which is found in front of us. We love You Jesus. Amen.

So tonight, here are the verses we are going to study:

Jonah 1:1-3; Revelation 3:14-22; Genesis 2:2; Revelation 1:11; Matthew 16:23; Galatians 1:10; Luke 16:15, 6:26; James 4:4; John 5:44.

For awhile now, I have wanted to be involved in a study and assist Jesus in defining where we, individually are positioned in our lives today; what we need to do to get back on track with God’s commands; and how big of a hurry do we need to be in making our way back to Him and His teachings before the end is upon us.

This morning as I sat at my computer and with what I found; I think I’m ready to begin our presentation.

Let’s begin by opening our Bible to Revelation 3.

Now there are some that consider the book of Revelation to be a book that was written to the Jew … I believe it is too except these seven letters.

Please follow along with me,

Revelation 3

vs14 ‘…to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this…’

vs15 ‘…I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot…’

vs16 ‘…So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth…’

vs17 ‘…Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything, and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…’

vs18 ‘…I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see…’

vs19 ‘…Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent…’

vs20 ‘…Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me…’

vs21 ‘…The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne…’

vs22 ‘…The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus thank You for giving us what has been written in the Bible. Be with me and advise me to voice only what You want us to hear. Jesus, I love You. Amen.

This reading is the 7^th and final letter, found in the book of Revelation.

The number seven in Scripture has a special meaning.

In the Bible the number seven often symbolizes completion or perfection. Genesis tells us that God created the heavens and the Earth in six days, and, upon completion, God rested on the seventh day.

Genesis 2:2 ‘…By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Here in this one verse are the words ‘completed’ and ‘rested’ are used and I would like to suggest to you, a third word … and that is the word: ‘ALL.’

If we return to the book of Revelation and begin reading in chapter 1:11 ‘…saying, write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea…’  NASB (New American Standard Bible)

In vs11, I’d like to insert the word ALL in the place of the word SEVEN.

It should make sense that there had to be more than seven churches at the time when this book was written.

Replacing the word ‘seven’ with the word ‘completed’ or ‘rested’ in this case doesn’t make any sense. But, if the word ‘seven’ was replaced by ‘ALL,’ God would be telling John to send this scroll to ‘ALL’ of the churches and to us, mankind, to ALL the churches in ALL time.

That involves us today in the 21^st century. We today are a church.

A church must be more than a building … a building with four walls, a floor, a roof with a steeple and a bell.

A church is a religious body. A body that is united as a group of believers. Of ALL ages.

That is us. We are a religious body, a group of believers and I’m certain we are of all ages.

Several years ago, I participated in an online Bible study of the book of Revelation by Verse-By-Verse-Ministry (VBVMI) taught by pastor Stephen Armstrong which died from the corona virus back in January of 2021.

To this day, that Bible study has affected my life more than any other study I’ve been involved in.

Today, in the 21^st century, that 7^th letter has been directed to us, the church at Laodicea. We are that church God told John to write to.

Laodicea means, ‘judged’ or ‘judging by the people.’ The implication is that in this church, men’s opinions are exalted above God’s, resulting in a people lukewarm to Him.

Is this not a statement that defines most of mankind’s churches throughout this land in the 21^st century. Rather than us reading the Word that God has given us we find churches today that are printing their own books to follow. Rather than following who God chose for us, some of these churches follow the entire Bible, picking and choosing what they want to pass on to their congregations.

Where are we told we can do that in the Bible?

There is nothing more offensive in any relationship than indifference. This church is so offensive to the Lord that they make Him sick, and He will vomit them out of His mouth. Yet the greatest promises given to any church age are given to the overcomers in this age.

We have plenty in the biblical prophecies to warn us that this is no time to be lukewarm about God. If we are awake, the pursuit of God will be the daily drive of our life. When men’s opinions are exalted above the Lord’s, we take on an unsanctified sympathy for the ways of men and begin to fear their opinions more than God’s opinions. In our time, this is called ‘political correctness.’ Such a mindset will lead to a terrible fall, as the Lord warned Peter in Matthew 16:23.

Matthew 16:23

‘…But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

This verse exemplifies the number of stumbling blocks we can find today in our religious pursuit.

We will become a stumbling block to the purposes of God if we become too sympathetic with the interests of men. This is why Paul wrote:

Galatians 1:10 ‘…For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bondservant of Christ…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Nothing can cause us to compromise our service to the Lord as much as the fear of man, or the tendency to please men.   

Jesus warned the Pharisees about this in:

Luke 16:15 ‘…And He said to them, you are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

If we do what is pleasing to men, we will do what is detestable in God’s sight. The reverse is also true. If we do what is pleasing in God’s sight, we will often do what is detestable to men. We have a choice: either God or men will detest what we are doing. So, who do we want it to be?

Jesus again warned in:

Luke 6:26 ‘…Woe to you when all the people speak well of you; for their fathers used to treat the false prophets the same way…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

This is the category we will fall into if we are driven by the fear of men, seeking their approval over God’s and speaking what is contrary to the actual message of God, making us false prophets.

The challenge is taken to a new level in:

James 4:4 ‘…You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

We are called to love the world, not be friends with it. Friends have common interests and pursuits. Our very lives are called to be a prophetic challenge to the world’s ways. If we take on the ways of the world, we become enemies of God.

Jesus gave another important rebuke to those who would live in the fear of men.

John 5:44 ‘…How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The Greek word translated ‘GLORY’ here could have been translated ‘recognition.’ So, seeking glory, or recognition, from men will destroy our faith. This is likely the main reason why there is so little faith and power in the church today.

This is the church age when most will fall to this deplorable condition. Yet there is hope and a promise given to those who overcome the spirit of this age that is greater than the promises given to any other church.

Continue in the Word and seek what promises He has for us in our future. I love y’all, but remember Jesus loves us even more than we each can comprehend what that word love even means.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Wednesday 010125

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

So, as we work through our study, we MUST remember the two ground rules:

1^st we’re only going to read and follow the words that we can find in the Holy Bible that are meant for us today.

2^nd we’re only going to take away from this study, what we put into it. We need to open our Bible and read it every day. We need to teach ourselves what is the truth and arm ourselves against all the lies that we are confronted with every day.

Here are the verses we will be using in tonight’s study:

Matthew 10:5-8, 15:24; John 20:19; Matthew 28:19-20, 24:30, 24:36; Acts 9:1-6, 9:15; Romans 11:11; Acts 26:17-18; Galatians 2:9; Matthew 15:24; Ephesians 3:2-12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 3:5, 3:1-6.

So, let’s begin …

Before we get too far into tonight’s lesson, HAPPY NEW YEAR y’all. I pray that everyone has a great year, this New Year.

Jesus’ Ministry

Jesus chose 12 disciples to be His followers.

When Jesus sent His 12 disciples out to spread His message, they were told to go out, only to the Jews.

Matthew 10

vs5 ‘…Jesus sent out these 12 disciples. Before they left, he said to them, Do not go to any place where the people are Gentiles. And do not go to towns where only Samaritans live…

vs6 ‘… Instead, you must go to the people of Israel. They are like lost sheep with nobody to take care of them…’

vs7 ‘…While you travel, you must tell people about the kingdom of heaven. You must tell them that it has now become near…’

vs8 ‘…Make sick people well again. Cause dead people to become alive again. If people have a bad disease of the skin, make them well again. Send bad spirits out of people to leave them. God has been very kind to you, so you should be kind to other people. When you help people, do not ask them for money…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

When Jesus came to this earth, He came just FOR the house of Israel, not the Gentiles.

Matthew 15:24 ‘…But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel…’ KJV (King James Version)

In a newer version, maybe easier to understand.

vs24 ‘…He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel…’ NIV (New International Version)

It wasn’t until after Jesus had been crucified and rose from the tomb that He told His disciples to go out into the entire world and teach everyone. Up until this time, Jesus only wanted His disciples to teach the Jews.

After His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead …

John 20:19 ‘…On the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting together. They had locked the doors of the room because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Then Jesus came and he stood among them. He said to them, Peace be with you…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The disciples were hidden away and locked in the room for several reasons. First and foremost, they were afraid of being hunted down and killed the same way that Jesus had just been crucified.

Jesus calmed the apostles down by speaking with them. Thomas was not in the upper room when Jesus appeared. When Thomas returned, the disciples told Thomas the good news that they seen the Master, but he did not believe them.

Matthew 28

vs19 ‘…So you must go to people in every country of the world. Teach them how to become my disciples. Baptize them by the authority of God the Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit…’

vs20 ‘…Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will be with you until the end of time…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The disciples had plans already in their minds that were clearly different from this NEW plan that Jesus had for them.

After Jesus told His disciples to go out into the entire world to spread His message, the disciples were hiding from the Jewish leaders. They were hiding from the Roman soldiers. The disciples were afraid.

The disciples also knew from the teaching by Jesus that He would one day return to start His Kingdom here on this earth.

Matthew 24:30 ‘…Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky; and all the peoples of earth will weep as they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

All through Jesus’ ministry, He taught there was coming the day when the ‘Son of Man’ would return to this earth.

These disciples, just as every other human being had no idea when this was going to take place,

Matthew 24:36 ‘…No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come-neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

The disciples had no intention on missing the returning of Jesus. They’d teach the Jew, but it would be from Jerusalem.

What do you think Jesus must have thought?

What do you think He would do because the disciples didn’t seem to be interested in leaving Jerusalem?

What about them only teaching the Jew?

After the stoning death of Stephen (Acts 7) by the Orthodox Jews, God put the Jewish nation on the back burner … Jesus decided it was a time for a change.

Saul was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus, on his way to kill and capture those believers of Jesus.

Acts 9

vs1 ‘…In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest…’

vs2 ‘…and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem…’

vs3 ‘…As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed around him…’

vs4 ‘…He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me…’

vs5 ‘…Who are you, Lord? he asked. I am Jesus, whom you persecute, the voice said…’

vs6 ‘…But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

The disciples, they knew Jesus was going to return and they intended on being present ‘in Jerusalem’ for that return.

Our advantage today, in the 21^st century, we know the return wasn’t going to happen in the disciple’s lifetime, however in the disciple’s defense and to a bunch of the other believers in Jesus, they didn’t know there was going to be 2000+ years, of the church age, before He would return again to this earth.

Saul / Paul was chosen by Jesus to spread the Good News to the Gentile people.

Acts 9:15 ‘…But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…’ AKJV (Authorized King James Version)

God chose to offer Salvation to the Gentiles, just to make the Jews jealous.

Romans 11:11 ‘…I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy…’ AKJV (Authorized King James Version)

Paul explained to king Agrippa what Jesus had told him would be his ‘chosen’ assignment.

Acts 26

vs17 ‘…And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles…’

vs18 ‘…to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me…’ NLT (New Living Translation)

From the meeting in Jerusalem, between the original remaining apostles and Paul, a decision was made between these men, themselves.

It was decided that the original disciples would stay and teach the Jews, while Paul would travel and spread the Good News given by Jesus, to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:9 ‘… James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be the leaders, recognized that God had given me this special task; so, they shook hands with Barnabas and me, as a sign that we were all partners. We agreed that Barnabas and I would work among the Gentiles and they among the Jews…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

My observation, along with several other teachers of the Bible today, not one (1) time during Jesus’ ministry before He was crucified, did He speak of GRACE. Not one (1) time is the word GRACE used in the Old Testament.

Jesus did not come to this earth to define God’s GRACE. He came to collect the lost sheep from the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 ‘…Jesus replied to his disciples, God has sent me to help only the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have lost their way…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

There are many that claim Jesus was sent to be the voice for God and His new gift of GRACE.

This is impossible since GRACE was not given to anyone until after Jesus had been raised back to life after His crucifixion.

This, to me, explains why the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem for Jesus’ return … they had no idea about anything called GRACE other than the prayer they said before they ate their meals.

In Ephesians 3, this is the apostle Paul speaking …

vs2 ‘…You must have heard that God has chosen me to do that. He has been very kind to give me this work to help you…’

vs3 ‘…God has clearly shown to me his true purpose. That was a secret before, but God has helped me to know it. I have written a few words about this already…’

vs4 ‘… When you read those words, you will be able to understand. I have come to know God’s true message about Christ…’

vs5 ‘…God did not tell this secret message to the people who lived before us. But now the Holy Spirit has shown it to God’s apostles and prophets…’

vs6 ‘…This is the message of God’s good news: Gentiles, as well as Jews, may receive the good things that God has prepared for his children. We may all belong to the same group of God’s people, like we are his body. Everyone who is united with Christ Jesus receives the good things that God has promised…’

vs7 ‘…I tell that good news to other people, because God chose me to serve him in that way. That was God’s gift to me, because he is so kind. God uses his great power to help me in that work…’

vs8 ‘…I am the least important of all God’s people. But God has given this special work to me because he is so kind. He has sent me to tell his good news to the Gentiles. Then they know about the many valuable things that Christ has prepared for us…’

vs9 ‘…I help everyone to know how God makes his purpose happen. God himself created all things, and he has hidden this secret during past times…’

vs10 ‘…But now God wants the people of his church to show everyone how wise he is in every way. He wants the spiritual rulers and everything that has authority in the heavens to know this…’

vs11 ‘…This had always been God’s purpose, from the beginning of all things. And it was our Lord Christ Jesus who made it happen…’

vs12 ‘…Because we are united with Christ, we can come near to God. We are not afraid to do that. We can be sure that God will accept us, because we trust in Christ…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This next part, please understand, I’m not trying to be morbid, but I am simply trying to speak the truth that is written in the Bible.

It is after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection that made Everlasting Life possible for us Gentile’s.

The Gospel that we were given by the apostle Paul was all about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

vs1 ‘…Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand…’

vs2 ‘…By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain…’

vs3 ‘…For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures…’

vs4 ‘…And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures…’ KJV (King James Version)

It was in Ephesians 3:5 that informs us why this small detail was not known earlier during Jesus Ministry.

Here are several different translations.

Ephesians 3

vs5 ‘…No one knew about this mystery until God’s Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets…’ CEV (Contemporary English Version)

vs5 ‘…In past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

And then finally, the same entire passage in a different translation.

Ephesians 3

vs1 ‘…For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of the Messiah Jesus for the sake of you gentiles…’

vs2 ‘…Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God’s grace that was given to me on your behalf…’

vs3 ‘…and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past…’

vs4 ‘…By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about the Messiah…’

vs5 ‘…which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret…’

vs6 ‘…The gentiles are heirs-in-common, members-in-common of the body, and common participants in what was promised by the Messiah Jesus through the gospel…’ ISV (International Standard Version)

Most of the time, all the many different religions/denominations found in this world today, all celebrate, theoretically, the same God, but for some reason, there is only a small, minor difference that stands between each one of these different religion/denominations.

Sometimes these denominations differ on how members are to dress, how long their hair can be, the definition of a marriage, do they need to go to a church building, the days they must go to church.

Hence, religions today are re-shaping our beliefs around how we must live in that particular religion instead of teaching us what God wants from us.

But none of these churches, more interested in dress and the length of our hair never teach us Acts 9:15 where Jesus made a change and Jesus CHOSE the Gentile that BELIEVES His Message.

This is a deep, heavy study and we ran very long this morning. Keep studying His Word for yourself, so that you will know the truth behind what God is trying to tell us.

Read what is written in the Word, God’s Word.

Not the commentary in your Bible but instead read the  words God had written for you to hear.

We have been offered LIFE, but only if we BELIEVE the Message that God tells us … not the message a pastor, a church or a denomination want us to hear.

Read God’s Word for yourselves.

I love every one of y’all.

I am InHIM.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen.

InHIM. ><)))o>