Preachr34
  • Preachr34
    • Blog
  • Free Offer
  • Ministry Links
    • Other links
    • Other Bloggers
  • Contact me
  • BTCfP/L
  • About me

He is alive

6/21/2016

0 Comments

 
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. (Mar 16:2-6)
     Our Lord, having paid our sin debt, yet without sin, Himself was not subject to death. The grave could not hold Him. Death could not keep Him, for He is life. He has paid for our sins, and satisfied the Father’s wrath, and all who receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are no longer under condemnation but free. We free to free to live in Him the life we are meant to live through Him and free to live a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

     The stone was not rolled away to let Him out, but that His disciples and followers would see in, and know that He had risen, that He was alive, and would see them just as He said. The angel was sitting, no longer covering the mercy seat, but now at rest, just as we rest in Him who is our life, our peace, and our rest, because He has fulfilled the Law, made a way for us to have peace with GOD through His sacrifice and given us victory over sin, death, and the grave. We have victory in Him, not to live as we please, or to do as we will, but to accomplish His will and do the work He has for us to do in this broken and sinful world.

     The Lord Jesus has called His redeemed Church to serve Him as His ambassadors, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with that which GOD provides. Our GOD and Saviour has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and gave Himself for us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow up into the full measure of Him who commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Our Master has commissioned us into His service to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

Art Thou the King of the Jews?

6/20/2016

0 Comments

 
And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the superscription of His accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgressors.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of GOD. (Mar 15:25-28, 37-39)
      Jesus went willingly and humbly in our place to pay our sin debt and satisfied the Father’s wrath. Our sin was, and is, worthy of death, and only a perfect and spotless sacrifice of blood would be accepted. The sacrifice of animals had covered sin up to this point, and now GOD Himself, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who had become a man and lived a sinless life, the Lamb of GOD, offered Himself and took on all the sin of the world. He took all the sin of the world upon Himself, your sin, my sin, all sin upon Him who had never sinned that we who were dead in our trespasses and sins might receive the righteousness of GOD in Him.

     When we acknowledge our sin, repent, and forsake our sin while trusting GOD, placing our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary we are born again and made new creatures in Christ. We are free from sin and its wages, not to sin all we want or do as we will, but to do His will and liberty to live the life we are meant to live in Him. We are here to accomplish His work in this broken and sinful world, as His ambassadors and servants of the most High GOD. GOD has made a way to come to Him and removed the separation between GOD and man. We can come boldly unto Him who is our life, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

     Our Lord, who gave Himself for His Church, has called His people to serve Him, to submit to His Word, and to share His message of hope with all this world. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and with the providence of GOD. Our GOD and Saviour has commanded us to love one another even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another that all may be equipped to the work of the ministry and edified in the body of Christ. Our Master has commissioned us to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might hear the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that all those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

Could you not, keep watch with Me, but one hour?

6/17/2016

0 Comments

 
And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt. And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (Mar 14:34-39)
      Jesus was approaching His final hours on this earth before the Cross and His heart was heavy with the burden of sin that would be thrust upon Him for our sake and in our place. All the while He humbled Himself and did His Father's will that the purposes of GOD to redeem all who would repent of their sin and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary would be accomplished. Even with the burden of death and sin that would be placed upon Him, who knew no sin but became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him, He always did the will of the Father and all that His Father gave Him to do.

     His disciples, being up late and into the early morning hours of that fateful day, were weary and fell asleep. Not realizing the full impact of what was to come, despite His teachings about being turned over to the authorities and offered for sin and a ransom for many, they did not watch and pray as He desired. How often we let the cares of this world and our physical limits interfere with what GOD would have us to do. He tells we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and that is not talking about doing our will, or fulfilling our desires and lusts, or meeting our agenda or for our glory, but accomplishing His Will and all that He calls us to do in service, in discipleship, and in evangelism, that He might be glorified in us. He is our life, our strength, and our protection, against the attacks of this world, the weakness of the flesh, and the temptations and sin which would steal our joy, kill our relationships, and destroy our testimony and ministry, as we work for Him and do all that He calls us to do.

      Our Lord has sent us as His servants and ambassadors of His Kingdom into this world, not to be conformed by it and its ways, but with the mind and heart of Christ, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as GOD provides, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. GOD has commanded us to love one another in fellowship, as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word until we all grow up into the full measure of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. We have been commissioned into the army of the Lord to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go to this lost and dying world, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

Take up the cross and follow Me

6/13/2016

0 Comments

 
And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation GOD made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore GOD hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mar 10:5-9)
     Though the message is not popular or politically correct, it is biblical that there are only two genders, and we are genetically either male or female, and one each of each gender are to come together in marriage and stay together as GOD designed and created us to do. We are all made in His image and He loves us enough that He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place and for our sin. Though our rebellion against Him has led to sin and death, He has not forsaken His creation, nor does He take any pleasure in the death of the wicked. He is not willing that any should perish and leave this world for an eternity without Him and it grieves His heart that many will chose to live this life without repenting of their sins and trusting in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and receiving by faith the new life in Christ He has already purchased in His own body on that tree.

      We are supposed to live holy lives in Christ that are different from the world, and when we do, the world will hate us for it. When we proclaim the Truth from the Holy Scriptures of Creation, GOD'S design for marriage, gender, or any other precept, those who are dead in their trespasses and sins and without GOD in their hearts, rail against us and persecute us, because they can't reach a GOD that deep down they know exists and are without excuse. When we shine as lights in the darkness and proclaim the Truth of GOD to this sinful and broken world, they resist and reject the Truth because their deeds are evil, just as ours were before we came to understand the One who was calling us to Himself and the reconciliation He offers to all who will repent and surrender to Him on His terms.

      Those who are now in Christ and have His new life and are a new creature living the life He wants us to live in and through Him are His people, and servants of the Most High GOD. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken. We are commanded to love one another as members in particular, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped to the ministry and the work of the saints. We have been commissioned into His service and are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through reconciliation and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

He that is not against us is on our part

6/10/2016

0 Comments

 
And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My Name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me. (Mar 9:35-37)
       When we come to Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and submit to Him in complete surrender on His terms and repent of our sins we are transformed by the power of GOD to serve Him. We are no longer slaves to sin, but servants of righteousness, new creatures in Christ, walking by faith the life we are meant to live in and through Him, and resurrected to serve our Lord, doing His will and accomplishing His work in this broken and dying world. Those who are counted as great are those who die to themselves daily and serve others, esteeming others better than themselves, loving with an unfeigned heart those within the body of Christ and extending the love of GOD to those without, that they might know Him.

      We serve, not to earn or keep any of GOD'S grace or favour, for we who are in Christ have already received His righteousness, and are secure in Him, but because of His example, and because the love of GOD constrains us and commands us to love one another as He first loved us. We serve because we are not above our Master, and He came to serve, even to give His life a ransom for many, and to pay the penalty for our sin that we could not pay. GOD commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and we now in and through Him who dwells within, love and serve others, not for our glory or to accomplish our goals, but that GOD may be glorified in us. We are His workmanship and ought to be doing that which He has set us apart to do, by His power, and in accordance with His will and His Word until He is done with us and calls us Home to be with Him.

       Until that day, His servants are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as ambassadors of the King to this lost and dying world. While we are here, we are to love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may be perfect, fully equipped to every good work. GOD has called us to serve, commanded us to love, and commissioned us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are to go, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit within us, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

How is it that ye do not understand?

6/9/2016

0 Comments

 
And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the Glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mar 8:34-38)
      Our life in Christ is one of surrender and submission. Surrender to His will and submission to His ways, which are above ways and not our own, makes us free. Free to live the life in Christ we were meant to live for GOD. The same repentance and dying to self that brought us to the Cross of Calvary by our faith in Him and His finished work of redemption in our place and for our sins is the same repentance and surrender to Him on His terms we are to exercise daily as we walk by faith in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We are not to go our way, or do our thing, or live as though GOD didn't exist until things get bad, and then expect GOD to clean  up our mess. Our GOD is not a genie to give us all we want, or the butler that corrects our mistakes and cleans up after our failures.

      Our GOD is Holy, and our perfect Father, and He requires Holiness and righteousness in His people. He calls us to live in Him and to walk in Him and will chastise those who disobey, He will correct those that stray, and will test us that we may grow in Him through His Word and the gifts that He has given to us because He loves us. There is nothing in this world, with its lusts, desires, and pride that is worth missing the blessing of GOD and His great Salvation. This world will not last, all that has been made will decay, be destroyed, or in the end be burned up, and only that which is safe and secure in Christ will be regenerated, renewed, and remade according to His purposes. Our faith and trust must be in Him who is our Creator, Redeemer, and King, not just Sunday, but all the time and in every situation, for He is Lord of all.

      Our Lord calls His people to represent Him in this broken and sinful world, not of it or conformed to its ways, but conformed to Christ, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our Lord commands His children to love one another as He loved us and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow up into the full measure of Him who gave Himself for us. Our Lord has commissioned His Church to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go where He sends us we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and surrender, and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

Making the Word of GOD of none effect through your tradition

6/8/2016

0 Comments

 
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the Commandment of GOD, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the Commandment of GOD, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mar 7:5-9)
      All the rules and directives which the Pharisees had instituted to ensure that people kept the Law they couldn't keep, and the Pharisees didn't keep it either, had made such a mess of GOD'S Law that they were actually breaking both the letter and the spirit of the Law through their "law around the law". Their unbelieving lip-service to GOD while ignoring the intent of the Law to show them their need of GOD for Salvation, while also ignoring the true righteousness of GOD which the Law could never give, was true hypocrisy and Jesus rightfully spoke to the heart of the issue. Their hearts were not right, for without faith in GOD they looked to themselves and their religion for salvation, worshiped a god of their own making, and pridefully held to their own ideas of what the Law was for and to grant them their own righteousness.

      Self righteousness will not get anybody anywhere with a Holy and righteous GOD who demands, and He has every right to as our Creator, His people to come to Him on His terms and not their own. But, knowing that in our sin we cannot measure up, no matter how careful we are to the Laws and Statutes of GOD, He has given us the only sacrifice that will truly pay for our sin. He has provided Himself, when He humbled Himself and took our place on that cruel Roman cross that we might have life, His righteousness, and be reconciled to GOD through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. The Law by itself cannot save or make any one righteous, but Christ has fulfilled the Law, and He who is our rest, makes us righteous in the eyes of GOD, new creatures in Christ, dead to the Law, to sIn, and to ourselves, to live in Him the life we are meant to live.

       As His righteous servants, not in our own righteousness which is as filthy rags, but through the washing of the Word of GOD, we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. As His righteous people, the Church of GOD, holy and without blemish by the blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are to love one another as members in particular, and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we might grow thereby. As His righteous army, not with weapons of this world or of the flesh, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the armour of GOD, we go where the Holy Spirit which is within us sends us, and as we go, we proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance

6/1/2016

0 Comments

 
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the Bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the Bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. (Mar 2:19-22)
     These words by our Lord show us several important points about history, the Christian life, and our GOD'S plan for those who put their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation. Jesus reminds us that wherever the King is the Kingdom is at hand, and that He came to bring life. But it is not our old life that Jesus came to save, but to resurrect our spirits, which had died in Adam and our rebellion against Him, and give us a brand new life in Him and through Him. We don't just turn over a new leaf, or patch up our broken lives, and try to make do with GOD, or bring GOD into our lives, but live in Him and with Him the new life in Christ we were meant to live by grace through faith.

     When we repent of our sins and receive Him by faith we are made new creatures in Christ, no longer part of this sinful world and no longer conformed to this world and its ways and thoughts, but born again into His family, His Church, His bride. that we might do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and dying world. We are no longer to live for ourselves, or simply exist, but we are to serve Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. We are translated from the world of darkness and sin into His Kingdom of light and are now servants of the Most High GOD.

    As servants of our Lord and children of the King, we are His ambassadors with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as GOD leads us and provides for us to serve others. As His children and members one of another we are to love one another and disciple one another in His Word that we might be conformed to the image of His dear Son. As His ambassadors and witnesses of His Majesty and Glory we are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

Straightway He called them and they left and followed Him

5/31/2016

0 Comments

 
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him. (Mar 1:14-18)
      Having finished Job we will not take a journey through the Gospel of Mark, the servant Gospel. Mark will focus on the humble sacrificial service of our Lord. There is no lineage or history, because the history of a servant is not important. Mark starts right of with the ministry of Jesus and the Gospel which was, and still is, the central theme of His service. The redemption of man through the Cross of Calvary was always forefront in the mind of Christ, who willingly and humbly put on flesh, and put to death that flesh that we who believe in Him might live in and through Him.

     Jesus declared the Kingdom was at hand, because the King was there. Even though He cane to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many, He is still the King. He is the King which the Jews rejected for Caesar, and He is the King which others reject for themselves, their own gods, and their own human rulers. But for those who received Him gave He power to become the sons of GOD. Our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and our repentance of our sins which we acknowledge are an offense to a Holy GOD has led us to a right relationship with Him through grace. Not by our works but because of His service and His sacrifice in our place.

     We who are His by faith are now fishers of men, ambassadors for the Kingdom, and ministers of reconciliation, equipped with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may know Him and see Christ in us, the hope of Glory.  We who are born again are now children of GOD, and members one of another, to love in fellowship and service, as we disciple one another in the Word that we may grow in Him who is our Lord. We who have been given His life are now His servants, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go where He sends us, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments

The LORD turned the captivity of Job

5/27/2016

0 Comments

 
And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing which is right, like My servant Job. (Job 42:7-8)
     As we wrap up our journey through this both difficult and interesting book of Job, possibly one of the oldest books of the Bible, we see the Word of the Lord unto Job and his friends. GOD was not pleased with Job's friends, for their mistaken characterization of Him, of their attacks on Job and his righteousness, and for their lack of comfort in his time of need. None of them were aware of the spiritual battle and trial that Job was undergoing, nor did they understand GOD and His righteousness and mercy.

     That mercy was displayed when GOD told them to repent and offer sacrifices for their sin through Job. Job prayed for his friends and forgave them and they were spared the judgment they deserved. GOD was under no obligation to offer mercy, but because of His love, He forgave them their sin. He also blessed Job with more than he had before the trial began. His property and health was restored and he had additional sons and daughters and lived a long time. He also got his request granted and his words were written in a book, the book of Job.

     In this broken and dying world there are certain truths we can count on: one, GOD is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Two, trials and tribulations come to all, either directed or allowed by our Sovereign King or as a result of living in this post-flood world. In all of these we can trust GOD, whether we are being tested, chastised, or just being rained on. On this side of the grass, we may never know, but we can go to our Father and seek His face and rest in Him who is our rest, our peace, our life, and our eternal security. He offers His great Salvation to all who will acknowledge and repent of their sin against Him and receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     GOD, who is full of mercy and grace, is also a GOD of judgment and justice. His love is perfect, tempered and balanced by His authority over His creation. He calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory and know of Him through His Word and through His servants. GOD commands His Church to love one another as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby. The Lord has commissioned each of us who are His to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and sinful world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
0 Comments
<<Previous


    My Blog:

    Comments on the Scriptures, book by book. Working our way through the Scriptures with commentary, encouragement, and equipping. Feel free to add your own comments, or to send me a message concerning what GOD is saying through His Word.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2022
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All
    Angel
    Antichrist
    Authority
    Birth
    Blessing
    Calamity
    Charity
    Cherub
    Christ
    Comfort
    Commandment
    Confession
    Confusion
    Contentment
    Counsel
    Covenant
    Creation
    Death
    Deliver
    Delusion
    Destruction
    Devil
    Faith
    Faithfulness
    Father
    Fear
    Fellowship
    Fool
    Forgive
    Glory
    GOD
    Godliness
    Gospel
    Grace
    Heal
    Heaven
    Hell
    Holiness
    Hope
    Idols
    Inheritance
    Joy
    Judge
    Judgement
    Kingdom
    Knowledge
    Law
    Liberty
    Life
    Light
    Lord
    Love
    Marriage
    Memorial
    Mercy
    Morning
    Mystery
    Nations
    Obedience
    Offering
    Pastor
    Peace
    People
    Power
    Praise
    Prayer
    Pride
    Priest
    Promise
    Prophet
    Provision
    Refuge
    Religion
    Resolved
    Rest
    Restore
    Reward
    Righteous
    Sacrifice
    Salvation
    Scriptures
    Service
    Sheep
    Shepherd
    Sin
    Spirit
    Strength
    Submission
    Suffering
    Testify
    Thanksgiving
    Tradition
    Treachery
    Trial
    Truth
    Understanding
    Victory
    Way
    Weakness
    Will
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Wonderful
    Word
    Work
    World
    Worship
    Wrath


Engaging and Enabling People to Enjoy Jesus Christ.