Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Looking ahead

12/31/2012

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to GOD. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD. (Romans 14:9-12)

As we think over the end of this year, and face a new one with all its challenges and opportunities; let us remember that those of us in Christ, those of us who are blood bought; are not our own and will stand before our Saviour to be judged, not for our sins, but for that which we have done in Him and for Him. We need to remember that other Christians are family and work together for the Kingdom. That's what is important, and as we grow to be more like Jesus Christ; there will be rough edges smoothed over, there will be imperfections removed; and it is a process. He is still working on us until He takes us Home. Give Him the Glory that is His due for what He is doing, and let Him do it in you.

But for those that are without, those that don't know GOD, those that don't have a faith relationship with Jesus Christ; you are lost, you are still in your sIns. It is harsh, but it is the truth. And you can either surrender now to GOD on His terms and have your sIns forgiven or you can bow before Him as your Judge without any remedy for that which has separated you from GOD and is deserving of death. He doesn't want that for you, Jesus died that you might live. Live eternally with Him now, in right relationship with Him and with other Christians.

Let Jesus be in you; what He truly is, Lord of All in this coming year.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

The Gift of Grace

12/28/2012

For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of GOD. And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:16-19)

The well known gospel verse gives us much hope in this world for it reminds us of GOD's love for the unlovable. But it also warns us that those that do not receive His gift of grace are condemned, in fact they are condemned already and by rejecting GOD simply remain in their unconverted unregenerated sinful state worthy of death. It is not a easy warning to hear, but it is necessary to hear and heed it as it bears witness not only to our sinful state without Christ, but also to GOD's remedy for sIn. Our sIn that put Christ on that Cross. Our sIn that makes us worhy of death. Our sIn that separates us from a righteous and Holy GOD. Our sIn that only He could pay for, and only when we believe and receive Him can we be saved from our sIn.

I urge you as we draw rapidly to the close of this year to make this the time that GOD gives you, not only a new year, but a new life in Christ that brings you into His family, His presence, and His service. Not a new leaf, not a new resolution, but a new creature by the power of GOD.

If you have experienced that new birth, share it with others today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

A different way.

12/27/2012

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. (Matthew 2:9-12)

When the wise men came some time after the original Christmas night, they came into the house and worshiped Jesus. They bowed before Him and presented their gifts; gifts that represented His ministry and purpose as well as being practical for His escape and journey. They didn't know about that part, but GOD did. And after they left the house they went home a different way. Everyone who has an honest repentant encounter with the Living GOD has left a different way. No one can be in His presence and remain the same as he was before. If you have truly met the Lord Jesus the choice is before you; surrender to Him on His terms or reject the gift He offers in the sacrifice of His dear Son.

He calls all of us to receive Him and be born again, even telling us that without it we cannot understand the things of GOD. Believe Him today and be saved.

If you are already one of His, share His Love with others that they might live.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

The Best gift of All,

12/26/2012

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
GOD, and saying, Glory to GOD in the Highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men. (Luke 2:13-14)

We continue to praise GOD during this Christmas season as we join with the angels and shout Glory to GOD for His coming to earth to bring peace: Peace with GOD through the blood He shed on the Cross of Calvary, and Peace between man for those that know the Prince of Peace. Those that are born again are one in Christ, and are now in fellowship with the Body of Christ.

The Good Will that GOD extends through His Son, is because of His love for us. If you surrender to GOD on His terms and receive His free gift of Grace by Faith, He will save you and you will be a new creature in Christ. He will begin a good work in you, and start the process of conforming you to the image of His dear Son.

He is not willing that any should perish and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, so accept the gift of Life this Christmas Season.

If you already in the Family of GOD, share the gift that GOD provided to you, today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Christmas wish.

12/25/2012

And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

GOD with us.

12/24/2012

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Two well known prophecies of the birth of our King. A child, who will reign. A child who is GOD Himself in the flesh. A mystery, but necessary, for He bore the sIns of the whole world. His first coming, though as a peaceful King, was more as a suffering servant. He was a humble obedient Son who came down and took on the form of a man, that He might present Himself as a sacrifice in our place. And because of His obedience, and completion of all the tasks that the Father had given Him while on this earth; GOD has highly exalted Him and given Jesus a Name which is above every name and that ALL will bow to our living Lord.

We celebrate His birth, but more importantly we remember His death, burial and resurrection until He comes again. For that is the real reason He came. The Cross is the real Christmas tree. All things point to it. All scripture speaks of Jesus Christ. His birth as GOD in the flesh was foretold as payment for our sIn. And when we receive Him, we will be born again. When we surrender to Him on His terms, we will be saved. The best gift of all. Make this a real Christmas; accept His free gift of Love, Grace and Mercy on your behalf and become one of His Children today.

If you are already a child of the King, let someone else know of the real miracle of Christmas this season.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

A Tri-fold Ministry of Grace.

12/21/2012

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. (Deuteronomy 18:18)
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalms 110:4)
Yet have I set My King upon my Holy Hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. (Psalms 2:7)

Here we have three different prophecies of the ministry of Christ; Prophet, Priest, and King. The gifts of the Wise Men correlated to these prophecies as well as financing the travels of a poor Jewish family. Myrrh relates to His office as Prophet; He told forth the Word of GOD to His people and was rejected. Frankincense relates to His office as Priest; He offered Himself, the only worthy Sacrifice for sIn. And Gold was for His office as King, to rule, not only His people, but the nations as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Each of these offices was initiated in His first appearance, and will be concluded in His return. If you are not ready you will meet Him as Judge rather than Friend. If you have not heard His Words, than you have rejected the Prophet of GOD. If you have not received His Sacrifice on your behalf, you have scorned the Great High Priest. If you have not surrendered to Him on His terms, then you remain at war with the King of Kings, since you are none of His.

Each of us must be sure of this point. Either you are one of His, or not. Those of us that are, are commanded to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole world. Those that are not, are commanded to repent. GOD is not willing that any should perish, and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He wants you to be saved. Admit your sIn, and receive the forgiveness that He freely offers through His Son, that He sent to die for you. The decision is yours, today is the day of salvation, now is the appointed time.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

David's Lord.

12/20/2012

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. (Jeremiah 33:14-15)

Not only is the Messiah a descendant of Judah, He also is a descendant of David the king. His royal line is confirmed in the genealogies of both Matthew and Luke, for Mary was a descendant of David by his son Nathan.
Jesus, after the flesh is the Son of Man; a son of Adam, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of the Tribe of Judah, and of the royal line of David; and yet He is also the Son of GOD who is Lord of ALL. He is called the Branch of Righteousness for He is without sIn, and only He could effectively offer Himself in our place. We are all guilty of sIn against a Holy and Righteous GOD who demands punishment for sIn. GOD's plan has always been to send His Son to be the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

But that gift is only ours when we receive it. When we, by faith, surrender to GOD on His terms and acknowledge our sIn before Him and accept the free gift of Salvation that He offers through His Son. There is no plan B, there will be no other opportunity after this life is past to be saved.

Celebrate this Christmas season with a new birth in Christ, who loves you and gave Himself for you.

If you are already safe in His arms, share the gift of Good News with those you meet.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

The Real Christmas Gift

12/19/2012

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)

As a opening, this passage looked back to the deliverance that GOD provided to His people when He brought them out of slavery and Egypt. As a prophecy, it looked forward to the escape of the earthly family of Jesus following His birth and Herod's attempt on the young child's life. GOD has always had this plan for our salvation and all Scripture speaks of Christ; in character, in type, in prophecy, or historical narratives. We can trust that GOD has not, and will not be surprised by the events and actions that seem to envelope us; just as He was not surprised by the actions of a despotic earthly king. He delivered His people, and His Son and He has and will deliver all those that call upon His name for salvation.

Placing our trust in Him and our confidence in what He has said and done is to believe His Word and rely on Him solely because He cannot lie, and will accomplish that which He has said. It is Faith; Faith that comes because of His Word, which is true and His character which does not change.

Surrender to Him on His terms and let Him give you a brand new life: and you can say with the prophet that GOD has called His child out of Egypt (your slavery to sIn.) It is a wonderful promise that makes the gift of His Son to us the real Christmas gift.

If you know the joy of His Salvation share it with others this season.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

The Word made Flesh in the House of Bread.

12/18/2012

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

Not only is this a prophetic passage about the first coming of the Lord Jesus, it was directly referenced as applying (though not believed by Herod or the Priests) when the Wise Men showed up looking for 'Him that is born King of the Jews'. The priests knew exactly which King the Wise Men were looking for; the Messiah who was to come. No wonder they were troubled by the appearance of these men from the East; They were foreigners looking for the Jewish Messiah, whom the Jews believed would deliver them from the oppression of the foreign nations they were under. He will do this when He comes again, but His first mission was to deliver ALL people from their sIn. He ministered in His role as Prophet presenting Himself as the Messiah and was rejected, offered Himself as a sinless sacrifice in His role as Priest and dying for our sins, and now reigns and rules as King when He will return to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

His sacrifice on the Cross was perfect and His resurrection proved that it was accepted by the Father as payment for all sIn, but it is only effective when applied on behalf of those that receive it. Just as a gift is not ours until we receive it, so is the free gift of Salvation offered to all but not accepted by all. GOD is not willing that any should perish and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD. A perfect standard that none of us can measure up to and that is why Jesus came, just as He had been saying He would since He made that exact promise to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Believe that you might be saved today: believe you are a sinner and repent, surrender to GOD on His terms; believe, that GOD put to death the flesh that you might have life and receive Him today; believe that He will do what He says and call upon Him to save you.

If there is a time and place where you and GOD have conducted this covenant; share the life that He has given to you with others with grace and mercy.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

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