Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Hebrews 12 - Unshakable Kingdom

God will shake everything that can be shaken so that which cannot be shaken shall remain. Heb. 12:27 But the only thing in the end that will not be shaken is the kingdom of God. V-28 This powerful chapter talks about Jesus the example of endurance, faith and victory. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, dispised the shame, sat down at the right hand of the Father." The only thing that will satisfy your look for truth and victory is Jesus Christ.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Short - Fullness of Healing #1 - You are healing

1 MIN. VIDEO. Say it with me, "I am healing because Christ in me is operating in fullness through me." Peter and John on the way to the temple told the lame man, "Such as WE HAVE we give you, rise and be healed." If Christ is living inside of you and you are walking in His fulness, you are healing. You should be walking in healing power for yourself and others 24/7. This truth transforms you life. Dig deeper, and don't just live on the shallow truth, cast the net into the deep waters.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Court of Heaven - The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) is a model prayer given by Jesus to His disciples. It contains important teachings about the nature of God, our relationship with Him, and the way we should pray. In understanding this prayer through the lens of the Court of Heaven and seeing Jesus as our Advocate, we gain deeper insight into how this prayer reflects both the legal and relational aspects of our standing before God. The Court of Heaven Concept: The Court of Heaven is a biblical metaphor for the spiritual realm where God, as the righteous Judge, presides. Jesus, as our Advocate (or Intercessor), represents us before the Father. This concept comes from passages such as 1 John 2:1, which speaks of Jesus as our Advocate with the Father, and Romans 8:34, where He intercedes for us. The idea is that in this "court," legal matters (sin, forgiveness, righteousness) are addressed, and Jesus defends us against the accusations of the enemy (Satan). The Lord's Prayer and the Court of Heaven: The Lord's Prayer, with its rich theology, can be seen as laying out the petition of a believer standing before the Court of Heaven, seeking God's will to be done and asking for the help of our Advocate, Jesus Christ. Let's break down the Lord's Prayer with this framework: 1. "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name." Position of Authority and Honor: We acknowledge God’s sovereignty and holiness. In the Court of Heaven, the Judge is holy and supreme. We begin with recognizing His position and honor before we make any requests, which is akin to addressing the court with reverence for the judge. Jesus, Our Advocate: Jesus, as our Advocate, presents our case before the Father. Acknowledging God as our Father and His holy name aligns us with His will and prepares us to make our requests in accordance with His righteousness. 2. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Legal Petition for God's Will: In the Court of Heaven, God's will is paramount. This line asks for God's kingdom to manifest on earth, asking for justice, righteousness, and the fulfillment of God's purposes. It is a request that aligns with God’s decrees. Jesus, Our Advocate: Jesus intercedes to bring God’s will to fruition. He advocates for the implementation of the divine will on earth, both in spiritual and earthly matters. 3. "Give us this day our daily bread." Request for Provision: This part asks God to provide for our needs. In a legal context, it is like requesting sustenance or support in the trial of life. The advocate, Jesus, intercedes on our behalf for provision, recognizing our dependence on God for our daily needs. Jesus, Our Advocate: As our Advocate, Jesus understands our physical and spiritual needs, advocating for us to receive what is necessary for our lives and growth. 4. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Seeking Forgiveness and Justice: This petition addresses the need for forgiveness, both for our own sins and in forgiving others. In the Court of Heaven, forgiveness is a central theme. Through Jesus, we can receive forgiveness for our sins, and He advocates for us to be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Jesus, Our Advocate: Jesus is our High Priest who presents His sacrifice as the basis for our forgiveness. His advocacy ensures that the penalties of sin are paid through His atonement, enabling us to receive mercy from God. 5. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Protection from Accusation and Sin: In the Court of Heaven, the enemy (Satan) often acts as the accuser, bringing charges against believers. This line is a plea for protection from the forces of darkness, asking God for deliverance from temptations and the influence of evil. Jesus, Our Advocate: Jesus, as our Advocate, helps protect us from the schemes of the enemy. His intercession ensures that we are not subject to trials beyond our ability to endure and that God provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus as Our Advocate in the Court of Heaven: In 1 John 2:1, it says, "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus stands in the heavenly court as the one who pleads our case before the Father, using His sacrifice as the basis for our justification. Jesus’ advocacy ensures that, despite our sins, we are declared righteous through His atoning work on the cross. His intercession before the Father is the means by which we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He defends us against accusations. Summary: The Lord’s Prayer can be understood as a prayer that aligns us with God's will, acknowledges His holiness, and petitions for forgiveness, provision, and protection—all within the framework of the Court of Heaven. Jesus, as our Advocate, presents our case before the Father, ensuring that we are covered by His sacrifice, guided by His will, and protected from evil. Through His intercession, we have access to the Judge's favor and mercy
The Book of Hebrews in the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as greater than several key figures and elements of the Jewish faith and Old Testament institutions. Here are some of the major comparisons made in Hebrews that highlight the superiority of Christ: 1. Christ Greater than the Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14) The author of Hebrews opens by emphasizing that Jesus is superior to angels, who were revered in Jewish tradition. While angels are servants, Jesus is the Son of God, who has inherited a more excellent name (Hebrews 1:4). Jesus' authority and divinity are underscored, as He is worshipped by angels (Hebrews 1:6), and they serve Him. 2. Christ Greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) Moses was considered the greatest of Jewish prophets and the leader who brought Israel out of Egypt. However, Hebrews explains that Christ is greater than Moses. While Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house (Hebrews 3:5-6). Jesus' role as the builder of God's house surpasses Moses' role as a servant within it. 3. Christ Greater than the Levitical Priesthood (Hebrews 4:14-7:28) One of the central themes in Hebrews is that Christ is the ultimate High Priest, superior to the Levitical priests of the Old Testament. The Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices repeatedly for their own sins and the sins of the people, but Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, offers Himself once and for all (Hebrews 7:27). He is not from the line of Levi but from the order of Melchizedek, a mysterious and eternal priesthood, making His priesthood superior to the temporary and imperfect Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:17). 4. Christ Greater than the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13) The Old Covenant, established through Moses, is described as temporary and insufficient to bring complete salvation. Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant, one that is built on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The Old Covenant could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but the new covenant through Christ provides true forgiveness and transformation of the heart (Hebrews 10:16-17). 5. Christ Greater than the Sacrifices (Hebrews 9:11-28) The sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Christ, through His own blood, entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, securing eternal redemption for believers (Hebrews 9:12). Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Christ's sacrifice is perfect and final, making it superior to all others. 6. Christ Greater than the Temple (Hebrews 9:11-14) The earthly temple was a place where God's presence dwelled, and where sacrifices were offered. However, Jesus' ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is greater, as He is the true and better temple, offering the ultimate and once-for-all sacrifice for sins. 7. Christ Greater than the Faith of the Old Testament Saints (Hebrews 11) While Hebrews 11 honors the faith of Old Testament figures like Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, it highlights that they looked forward to the promises fulfilled in Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment of the hope that these figures had, and He is described as the "author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2), surpassing even their great faith. Conclusion: In the Book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and institutions, greater than angels, Moses, the priesthood, the sacrificial system, and even the Old Covenant itself. This depiction encourages believers to hold fast to their faith in Christ as the ultimate and perfect Savior, who provides a superior way of salvation

Power of Faith - Hebrews chapter 11

Hebrews Chapter 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," is a powerful chapter that defines faith and highlights the acts of faith by various individuals in the Bible. This chapter emphasizes that faith is not just belief, but also trusting in God's promises even without seeing the outcome. It begins by explaining the nature of faith and then recounts the stories of significant figures from the Old Testament who lived by faith. Key Themes of Hebrews 11: Definition of Faith (Hebrews 11:1-3): Verse 1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is described as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. It is trusting in what God has promised, even if it has not yet been realized. The Role of Faith in the Old Testament (Hebrews 11:4-38): The chapter goes on to list individuals who demonstrated great faith in God. Some of the prominent figures mentioned include: Abel: Offered a better sacrifice than Cain (v. 4). Enoch: Walked with God and was taken to heaven (v. 5-6). Noah: Built the ark in obedience to God’s command (v. 7). Abraham: Trusted God’s promises and obeyed His calling, even when he did not know where he was going (v. 8-12). His faith was also evident in his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac (v. 17-19). Moses: Chose to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin in Egypt (v. 24-26). The Israelites: By faith, they crossed the Red Sea (v. 29). Rahab: Aided the Israelite spies and was spared during the fall of Jericho (v. 31). Faith and God's Promises (Hebrews 11:39-40): Even though many of these individuals did not see the full realization of God's promises in their lifetimes, their faith was counted as righteousness. They looked forward to a better, eternal reward. Verse 39: "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise." Verse 40: "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Lessons from Hebrews 11: Faith involves trust in God: It is more than just believing in God's existence; it is trusting in His plan and promises, even without clear evidence. Obedience in faith: The people listed in Hebrews 11 acted on their faith, showing that faith leads to action. Endurance in faith: Faith requires perseverance, as many of these individuals faced hardships and did not see immediate rewards for their trust in God. Looking ahead: Hebrews 11 highlights the importance of looking beyond the present and fixing our eyes on God's eternal promises. Conclusion: Hebrews 11 encourages believers to live by faith, drawing strength and inspiration from those who have gone before them. It reminds us that faith is central to our relationship with God and is the foundation of our hope in His promises

Friday, March 22, 2024

We demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives by walking and living in the Spirit. It manifests in the "fruit of the Spirit". This fruit is acutally singular which is LOVE. Love then manifests in 8 different ways. Joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. This is the power that love has in our lives. Paul, all through Galatians, is emphasizing the central message of the true gospel. It's not in the keeping of the law, which no one can do, but in living in the grace of God. Paul uses father Abraham as our challenge to faith. He believed God's promise to him and became the father of all who believe. And the final seed of Abraham was Jesus Christ. This was the fulfillment of Abraham's promised blessing. In Christ, the Father said, all the nations would be blessed. And everyone what believe's God, by faith, is of the seed of Abraham. So Abraham's seed is not a race, but "Faith".

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Beatitudes - Mourning to Comfort

This teaching of Jesus was considered radical in His day. What does the kingdom of God really looke like? What do the citizens of the kingdom act like? The beatitudes are not moral goals we are to try and attain in the power of the flesh, but real character traits that are evident in the lives of kingdom kids. How can grief and mourning be a blessing? How can happiness come out of them? All these questions are answered in this video. The secon of the 8 beatitudes we are looking at in this series.