There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1)
1. Walking after the Spirit
A. No Condemnation
Definition of Condemnation: Expression of strong disapproval or Moral disapproval. Having neither hope nor future.
Opposite is to be approved, acceptance, loved by God (Matt 3:17, Jesus Baptism and 2 Tim 2:15, approved unto God)
B. Led by the Spirit
- Victorious life in the Spirit as sons of God (Rom 8:14, Gal 5:18)
- What do we inherit in the Kingdom of God? Righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)
- Righteousness = Right thinking (repent, change of mind), Right Character and Right Doing
2. Baptizo!
A. Origin of the word
- History: Greek poet and physician Nicander in 200 BC wrote about it as a recipe for making pickles!
- Best pickles are firstly dipped in boiling water than baptized in vinegar. First is short and second step is produces a permanent change (and irreversible)
- The vegetable’s aroma is overwhelmed with the fragrance of vinegar
B. Meaning for us
- Union and identification with Christ
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; (Mar 16:16a)
- Our life is overwhelmed with fragrance of Christ
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: (Gal 2:20a)
- Do people ‘smell’ or sense Jesus in our lives or is it a stink to people
For we are unto God a sweet savour (fragrance) of Christ (2Co 2:15a)
C. Why are we to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
And having met with them , He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me.
For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Acts 1:4-5)
Simply because it’s Jesus commandment to receive His promise.
Secondly it is Jesus who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, not from man.
D. What is it?
It is to receive a gift from God our Father in Heaven in faith. God gives because He loves!
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:11-13)
This verse is often mistaken about prayer, but it is about the giving of the Holy Spirit to His children. Why do you think God gives, when we say that once we believe in Jesus we already have the Holy Spirit? Is there something more that God really desires to give us?
E. Baptized with fire? Road to glory
I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt 3:11)
Stages of a Christian life: Justification – Sanctification – Glorification
- Justification: declared innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Rom 3:23-24)
- Sanctification: Continuous process of being set free from sin
being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 15:16b)
- Glorification: To honor, praise, approved by God not man
Rom 5:3-5: Endurance-> Experience-> Hope - > Love of God
3. Speaking in Tongues
A. The Manifestation
- In worship, our Spirit reaching out to God who IS Spirit (John 4:23). Worship is an expression of our Spirit not expression of our Soul.
B. Purpose for speaking in tongues
But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up, and exhortation, and comfort.
The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up, but he prophesying builds up a church.
I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy; for greater is he prophesying than he speaking in tongues, unless he interpret so that the church may receive building up.(1 Cor 14:3-5)
- For self edification, an uplift for ourselves. Garnering inner confidence to stand up to circumstances.
- Paul encourages us to speak in tongues to be built up!
- Speaking in tongues is a gift not for boasting (holier than thou attitude) otherwise it nothing but worthless noise. Love surpasses the gift.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (1Co 13:1)
B. Why Tongues?
- It’s the most difficult organ for us to control, definitely the first thing we need the Holy Spirit to help us deal with
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, so that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships being so great, and driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small rudder, where the impulse of him steering desires.
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. Behold how little a fire kindles how large a forest!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body and inflaming the course of nature, and being inflamed by hell.
For every kind of animals, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of sea-animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind.
But no one can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
By this we bless God, even the Father. And by this we curse men, who have come into being according to the image of God.Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:3-10)
Conclusion
Jesus desires to give us this special gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. He wants us to live a powerful and victorious life as His sons. The Holy Spirit in us means, we have the Lord continually within us to comfort and guide us (we are His Temple of His Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 6:19). When Jesus has our tongue, it's one of the first steps to Him being enthroned in our lives.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Believe in Jesus
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
(Joh 14:1-12)
1. Let not our hearts be troubled
- The statement of Jesus was made upon the word ‘troubled hearts’. Jesus encourages us with regard to the depths of our thought and emotions which is our heart
- This is about the issue of ‘trust’. Trusting God will be more difficult in the face of overwhelming circumstances, it is at these times especially in times of loneliness
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(Pro 3:5)
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
(Pro 29:25)
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
(Pro 30:5)
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
(Isa 12:2)
- Putting our trust is God is with regard to totality not partiality. Total trust brings a salvation (deliverance), protection and strength which is surrounded by worship to our eternal God.
2. Believe in God! How does that impact our lives?
- If the enemy know the reverential fear of God, what about us and how does that impact our lives? The result of demons believe in God differs from believers.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(Jas 2:19)
- Our comfort is in believing that we have a Great High Priest who mediates for us before the Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ stands between us and the accuser of the brethren.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Heb 4:14-16)
3. Believe that we have a destiny for He is the Way
- Our destiny is are mansions as prepared by Christ as our lasting dwelling place, final
- Jesus goes before us to prepare the destiny for us, therein lies our hope
- Thomas asked in John 14:5 for directions. In our believing Jesus we don’t look for directions in life rather we follow the footsteps of the Good Shepherd. Firstly we have to recognize the voice of the One whom we should follow. Therefore a relationship with the Shepherd must exist before there is the following to our eternity with Christ.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
(Joh 10:27)
- Following Jesus is a life of servanthood. This kind of servanthood brings honour from the Father!
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
(Joh 12:26)
- Following Jesus has a glorious end. Our Savior is enthroned and our destiny is to reign in life through righteousness. This is the secret to victorious living.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:2)
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Rom 5:17,21)
4. Believe that we are set free for He is the truth
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(Joh 8:31-32)
- The truth that Christ brings to us sets us free not to sin but to life a righteous life which gives us the authority to reign in life (Rom 5:17, 21). Sin is mankind’s bondage which Jesus came to deliver us from the punishment of sin.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
(Rom 5:10)
5. Believe that we have abundant life for He is the Life
- We once dead in our sin, the life the Jesus gives to us is proof of His gift of Grace freely given to all who believe Him
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(Rom 5:12)
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(Rom 5:15)
- Jesus is THE LIFE that comes to us by just believing. Believe in the power of Christ resurrection, for this is the proof of His overcoming death.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
(Joh 11:25-26)
6. Evidence of a believing life
- Oneness with Christ as He is one with the Father. If we were to believe in the power of His resurrection, we have to also believe in His crucifixion. This speaks of a denial of past life of sin by living the new life of righteousness.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Gal 2:20)
- We live a life of abiding in Christ that is so powerful we can’t live without. We will then live, walk, speak, see, write, think, grief over sin, love, sacrifice like Jesus did. If we say we can’t live without Him, it shows in our in prayers, it’s the reflection of how deep or how shallow our dependency is on Christ.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
(Joh 15:5)
- What or who is our worship directed? Do we worship the songs, music, ministry, church, works of our hands in service, things, work, our pastor, a certain preacher, etc? Whose glory are we jealous for?
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
(Exo 34:14)
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
(Joh 14:1-12)
1. Let not our hearts be troubled
- The statement of Jesus was made upon the word ‘troubled hearts’. Jesus encourages us with regard to the depths of our thought and emotions which is our heart
- This is about the issue of ‘trust’. Trusting God will be more difficult in the face of overwhelming circumstances, it is at these times especially in times of loneliness
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(Pro 3:5)
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
(Pro 29:25)
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
(Pro 30:5)
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
(Isa 12:2)
- Putting our trust is God is with regard to totality not partiality. Total trust brings a salvation (deliverance), protection and strength which is surrounded by worship to our eternal God.
2. Believe in God! How does that impact our lives?
- If the enemy know the reverential fear of God, what about us and how does that impact our lives? The result of demons believe in God differs from believers.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(Jas 2:19)
- Our comfort is in believing that we have a Great High Priest who mediates for us before the Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ stands between us and the accuser of the brethren.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Heb 4:14-16)
3. Believe that we have a destiny for He is the Way
- Our destiny is are mansions as prepared by Christ as our lasting dwelling place, final
- Jesus goes before us to prepare the destiny for us, therein lies our hope
- Thomas asked in John 14:5 for directions. In our believing Jesus we don’t look for directions in life rather we follow the footsteps of the Good Shepherd. Firstly we have to recognize the voice of the One whom we should follow. Therefore a relationship with the Shepherd must exist before there is the following to our eternity with Christ.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
(Joh 10:27)
- Following Jesus is a life of servanthood. This kind of servanthood brings honour from the Father!
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
(Joh 12:26)
- Following Jesus has a glorious end. Our Savior is enthroned and our destiny is to reign in life through righteousness. This is the secret to victorious living.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:2)
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Rom 5:17,21)
4. Believe that we are set free for He is the truth
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(Joh 8:31-32)
- The truth that Christ brings to us sets us free not to sin but to life a righteous life which gives us the authority to reign in life (Rom 5:17, 21). Sin is mankind’s bondage which Jesus came to deliver us from the punishment of sin.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
(Rom 5:10)
5. Believe that we have abundant life for He is the Life
- We once dead in our sin, the life the Jesus gives to us is proof of His gift of Grace freely given to all who believe Him
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(Rom 5:12)
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(Rom 5:15)
- Jesus is THE LIFE that comes to us by just believing. Believe in the power of Christ resurrection, for this is the proof of His overcoming death.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
(Joh 11:25-26)
6. Evidence of a believing life
- Oneness with Christ as He is one with the Father. If we were to believe in the power of His resurrection, we have to also believe in His crucifixion. This speaks of a denial of past life of sin by living the new life of righteousness.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Gal 2:20)
- We live a life of abiding in Christ that is so powerful we can’t live without. We will then live, walk, speak, see, write, think, grief over sin, love, sacrifice like Jesus did. If we say we can’t live without Him, it shows in our in prayers, it’s the reflection of how deep or how shallow our dependency is on Christ.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
(Joh 15:5)
- What or who is our worship directed? Do we worship the songs, music, ministry, church, works of our hands in service, things, work, our pastor, a certain preacher, etc? Whose glory are we jealous for?
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
(Exo 34:14)
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