Friday 021425
Together, you and I, let’s open the Word and study what we’ve ALL been freely given. Use me to help you open up your Bible and search what God wants for us to hear. We’re only going to follow what we find written in the Word that pertains to us and hopefully from what we find, we will be able to use it in our lives, not only for ourselves but hopefully for those that we love also.
The verses we are going to study tonight:
Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 9:29, 15:28, 17:20; Mark 9:23, 10:52; Luke 8:48; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 15:24-28.
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I feel the first hurdle that so many must get over today is found in Acts 9.
Acts 9:15 ‘…But the Lord said to him, go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
The AKJV uses the words ‘chosen vessel.’
How can so many priests, pastors, denominations and teachers defend themselves from this one simple verse?
How can there be Christians today that just simply overlook this ONE (1) verse.
Are all these people claiming they are better than Jesus? Are they saying they are all wiser than Jesus was?
I think there are a lot of people that need to re-evaluate where they placed their loyalty and who they trust the most.
Jesus is the one commenting that He is choosing Paul. It’s written by Luke, the author of Acts and then there are the writings from 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 3
vs16 ‘…All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness…’
vs17 ‘…so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy, but he is talking about the entire works found in the Bible. Paul is telling us ALL Scripture has been Inspired by God.
Maybe the second (2nd) thing found in Acts 9, vs15 is the fact that Jesus chose Paul to teach the sons of Israel … does this mean Jesus has given up on the original apostles?
Acts 9:15 ‘…But the Lord said to him, go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
The original disciples never received the promises that are found in GRACE. The original apostles never received the description of the ‘MYSTERY.’
I’m unsure after Acts 9:15, there is really any need to go on, but we’re going to continue anyways.
Ephesians 2:8 ‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
This has got to be our number one defense that we can tell anyone.
For by God’s GRACE, we have been SAVED from death because of our FAITH, all because this is a GIFT that has been given to us by God, Himself.
Why is this verse not known be every man, woman, and child today.
Churches today teach our kids to recite from memory John 3:16 … it is unfortunate that they don’t show the same energy to have our children learn a verse that will truly save them from the agonies of torment, the endless years of an Everlasting promise of Destruction.
In the NASB version, there are 26 words used in John 3:16 and there are only 21 words used in Ephesians 2:8.
Five (5) words extra and still, the real Gospel is still missing from John … Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection.
I’ve had people recite the things the Bible tells us we are supposed to do to be saved …
… and my answer has always been, ‘I guess, my Bible doesn’t say the same thing.’
To go back to Ephesians 2:8 ‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible), I don’t see where I’m told I need to do anything extra other than to have FAITH.
Matthew 9:29 ‘…Then He touched their eyes, saying, it shall be done for you according to your FAITH…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Matthew 15:28 ‘…Then Jesus said to her, O woman, your FAITH is great; it shall be done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed at once…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Matthew 17:20 ‘…And He said to them, Because of your meager FAITH; for truly I say to you, if you have FAITH the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Mark 9:23 ‘…But Jesus said to him, If You can? All things are possible for the one who believes (FAITH)…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Mark 10:52 ‘…And Jesus said to him, go; your FAITH has made you well. And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Luke 8:48 ‘…And He said to her, Daughter, your FAITH has made you well; go in peace…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Where is it that Jesus tells us we MUST do something extra besides believing?
Matthew, Mark and Luke were gospels written before Jesus’ crucifixion but even then, Jesus never told us we needed to do something extra.
Our priests, pastors, denominations and most non-believers tell us there is extra stuff we need to do but the thing is that none of those people can truly promise and give us LIFE.
Jesus on the other hand … He is our promise for Everlasting Life.
I really thought today was going to be a difficult lesson to convey what I am trying to say and to be honest, basically it was that ONE (1) verse in Ephesians 2 that paved the way.
Now, Satan is going to flip because we are elated that Jesus has made it so easy for us, that Satan is going to do his best to destroy our good mood and this is where the Armor that God gave us comes in play.
God knew Satan was going to try and defeat us. Us, being nothing but a mere human being, Satan could easily defeat us. But with the Armor God has given us, we are undefeatable.
Ephesians 6
The Armor of God
vs10 ‘…Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might…’
vs11 ‘…Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil…’
vs12 ‘…For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places…’
vs13 ‘…Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm…’
vs14 ‘…Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…’
vs15 ‘…and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace…’
vs16 ‘…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one…’
vs17 ‘…And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…’
vs18 ‘…With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Of all the pieces of ARMOR that God has given to equip us from Satan, there is just one (1) Piece that can be used offensively.
And that is the Word of God, our Bibles. Not only will we be able to recite verses, keeping Satan (our attacker) at bay, we will KNOW the real verses which really matter to God so we will know if we’re being lied to in the future.
The Word of God has been given to us for our protection. We are the only generation that has the Word so available to us.
Bible software can easily be downloaded onto our smartphones, onto our tablets and our laptop computers.
This is a very big advantage for us today,
vs18 ‘…With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints…’
Prayer in our lives is very important for us. A simple recognition to God allows the Holy Spirit to fill our minds with all of God’s security and love.
Prayer is like a telephone line directly linked to God for our own personal use whenever we need to speak with Him.
The thing is we don’t need wi-fi or any man-made service to reach God, all we have to do is call on His name and He is there in front of us waiting to help.
Jesus came to this earth for many reasons.
First and foremost, Jesus came to this earth to fulfill the promises made to the forefathers back in the OT, near the beginning of the Bible.
Second, Jesus came to teach us about the importance in FAITH.
Third, Jesus was given as a sacrifice for every human being on the planet earth. It was the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ that is our promise of life.
One of my favorite passages found in the Bible is found in Matthew 15.
Matthew 15
vs24 ‘…But He answered and said, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel…’
vs25 ‘…But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, Lord, help me…’
vs26 ‘…Yet He answered and said, it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs…’
vs27 ‘…And she said, Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table…’
vs28 ‘…Then Jesus said to her, O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed at once…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
In vs24, Jesus tells us He was sent ONLY for the House of Israel, that was the Jew’s. But in vs28, Jesus acknowledges that because of the Gentile woman’s FAITH in Him, her wish has been granted.
This is our hope and desire, as well, in the future.
I love every one of you.
Keep your Bibles open and continue reading of His powerful message to and for us.
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>