Salvation Is Of The Lord

Jonah 2:6+9 says, “You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You… Salvation is of the Lord. 

There is much in that whole chapter of Jonah that relates to God, and to Jesus, and to Israel, and to us. But I would direct our focus this morning to, “Salvation is of the Lord.”  How does God save sinners? By taking the penalty for sin (death) which was due man, onto a body of His own to enter death, undeserving, under His own power wherein death had NO power over Him so He could destroy it, and sin, and satan. That is my nutshell version. There is SO much more there on that theme that you could write a book on it. In fact… He did. You’re holding it.

Latitudinarianism

One great danger of the church today consists in the rise and progress of a spirit of indifference to all doctrines and opinions in religion.

The Old Concealed - The New Revealed

"What is in the Old concealed, is in the New revealed" ~Augustine

If you keep reading the Old Testament you will read about the mysteries of God that even the prophets didn’t know about as Peter wrote, “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time (when), the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow (two advents). To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to you they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Rejoice !!!

Luke 10:20 says, "Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven!"





If you are a born-again believer, your name is  written in Heaven! Secure in the eternal book of God. Secured by the blood of the Lamb. Our names, personally inscribed by the omnipotent hand of God, is known in the glory of heaven, not because of any merit on our part, or success here on Earth, nor popularity; but because of God’s love and grace. And Heaven rejoices over us.

Why Did Jesus Come

In Luke 4:18-19 reading from the NKJV, it says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

And in verse 21 He said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”


Jesus doesn’t just proclaim the message—He brings the deliverance.

Exodus

I was reading in Exodus recently from my morning Spurgeon devotions, and even though I, and I presume everyone else know the story AND I saw the movie... I was struck by the one verse that came in my email... 7:12, “And Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

Paul, the WORST of Sinners… What?

1 Timothy 1:16 says, However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Is there any misunderstanding as to what this verse says? “For this reason” Paul obtained mercy... Right? I will address “for what reason” in a moment, but for now, the verse is saying that Paul obtained mercy because he was a sinner so that Jesus Christ might show forth His patience AS A PATTERN to those who are “going to” believe on Him for everlasting life. Can anyone understand this verse differently? Absolutely some do because they won’t let go of their religion. But this verse is more complicated because Paul says IN ME FIRST (protos).

Consider Him

Heb. 12:2-3, Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Questions

In Mark 8, we read a very familiar verse that the whole world has heard at one time or another but disregards as “religion” and they, of course, do not want “religion.”

I heard someone speak, a while ago, about “Questions” in the Bible. If you want to stay busy for a while, chase down and study out those questions. So... in Mark 8:36 we read,

The Silence of the Lamb

In Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 18 we read where Jesus is brought before Pilate by the priests and pharisees.

In Matt. 27:12-14 we read,  And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

I Am Disappointed

The “church” has failed a great many sincere believers of that Gospel we first heard, by which we are saved. The “church” is not that which saves us. It is faith, and nothing else, in the finished work of Jesus the Christ. As Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you THE gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

Do Not Profane God’s Altar

Exodus 20:25-26, “And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it. Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.”

God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, so that no trace of human skill or labor would be applied to it. Human wisdom wants to arrange the gospel into a system, a religion that is more congenial to the corrupt fallen nature, but instead of “improving” the message, carnal wisdom pollutes it until it becomes “another gospel.”

Self-Denial

When a believer begins to discover something of the awful tyranny of the self-life, or has been endlessly struggling against that tyranny, he becomes intensely concerned about the denial of self with the resultant freedom to rest and grow in Christ. Man has many ways of seeking to escape the thralldom (bondage) of self; God has but one way. First then, some of these man-centered methods.

The Glory of the Redeemer

John 1:10-14 says, He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own (that which belongs to Himself) and His own people (fellow countrymen) did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power (authority) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

How Many Gospels?

"Strong objection is offered by Covenant theologians to a distinction between the gospel of the kingdom as preached by John the Baptist, Christ, and the other disciples and the gospel of the grace of God. One of them states that to make such a distinction is “unfortunate” and “dangerous.” He with others contends that the kingdom gospel is identical with the gospel of divine grace. Here nevertheless will arise an absurdity which does not deter this type of theologian, namely, that men could preach the grace gospel based as it is on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ when they did not believe Christ would die or be raised again (cf. Luke 18:31-34)." ~Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder and first president of Dallas Theological Seminary 

Crucify Him

John 19... Jesus has been arrested by the Pharisees and chief priests and is brought before Pilate, who interrogates Him. He, Pilate goes out to the crowd to tell them that he finds no fault in Jesus for anything, but he says in 18:39, “you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 But they all cried out, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Barabbas was a notorious insurrectionist and murderer no doubt awaiting death himself. So reluctantly, Pilate releases Barabbas and brings Jesus back inside, and had the soldiers scourge Him, and punch Him, and mock Him with the crown of thorns.

Do You Know What I Have Done Unto You?

In John 13, we read, that at His last Passover on earth, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. His chosen were clean once for always because they were His, not all of course. But they needed their feet washed. Jesus nevertheless washed Judas’ feet also. And in verse 12 Jesus said,
“Do You Know What I Have Done Unto You?”

The Truth Shall Make You Free

John 8:32, And  you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The conjunction “and” requires us to know what verse 32 is linked with, so... John 8:31,
If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed.




Verse 32 is conditional on verse 31. If  you continue in My word... That’s a whole study in itself! Then  you will know the truth, Jesus said.

The Holy Spirit

I do not hear much teaching on the Holy Spirit across the many venues of Christian exposition. Let me raise a theme of study... The Holy Spirit!

Luke 24:46-49 says, Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with POWER from on high.”

I Am Disappointed

The “church” has failed a great many sincere believers of that Gospel we first heard, by which we are saved. The “church” is not that which saves us. It is faith, and nothing else, in the finished work of Jesus the Christ. As Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you THE gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

Who Can Comprehend?

1 Cor. 2:6-7, We speak the wisdom of God in a MYSTERY among those who are spiritually mature, the hidden wisdom which God predetermined before the ages for OUR glory...
...verse 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

Who can comprehend the width and length and depth and height of God's love and mercy, displayed in salvation in Christ Jesus! These are infinite considerations too remarkable for finite minds.

The Essential Bible Study

To be biblically illiterate is to be biblically incompetent. I’m not pointing fingers. This is a fact observed in scripture itself about people who didn’t know what they were doing when "handling" the Word of God! A great  admonishment for me  to study the Bible myself ! So I do. 

2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable  for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

That passage alone is Bible study enough to know that we NEED  to study the Bible!

The Vast Nursery

In the "ward" called Christianity, there is a vast nursery of babes, which encompasses most of the domain. They are fed milk sporadically but it is of little nourishment. So the newborns come in, and they grow…ever so anemic.

Day Care is but one day a week. The rest of the time they are left to their own devices. Some mature to kindergarten. Few graduate beyond the elementary. The scholar is an unrecognizable mutant. This is the vast nursery of today's Christians. There are few attendants and even fewer doctors. The babes are sometimes left to lie in their own ineffectuality.

Art For God

Like everything else, ART was ordained, instituted, and established for God and for His purposes. And like everything else, it has been perverted and corrupted.
Both in Genesis 4 and here in Exodus 31:2-5 the LORD declares His will...
“I, the LORD, have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in SKILL, in UNDERSTANDING, in KNOWLEDGE, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, and with cutting and setting stone, and with cutting wood, to work in ALL KINDS of craftsmanship.”

This Do In Remembrance of Me

This whole book that we call the Word of God is, in fact, a testimony to CHRIST, Who is from everlasting. CHRIST is from Genesis to Revelation. But how many realize that CHRIST was ordained, called, established, appointed, predetermined, declared, confirmed in eternity before creation. We must understand that God, in His Omniscience, knew the beginning and the end of what He would do. That is, His Divine plan and purpose would require, by His own design, a creation of life, a corruption of that creation, a Law to condemn the corruption, an atonement for that corruption, a people called out of that corruption for His own possession, a sacrifice called out of His people that would overcome the corruption, so that He could bring about His New Creation. That is over-simplified I know. Each theme there is a Bible study of its own. 

He Healed Them All

Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matt. 12:15

Great multitudes means exactly what it says... many, many people; a very, very large crowd. Some of us will conjure up various numbers and size of “crowd” but the point is well taken. Jesus is surrounded by more than a handful of people, as some of the more liberal, progressive transliterations imply. So, having established a number, consider and contemplate that “He healed them ALL!”

Examine Yourself- part 6 of 6

Let me tell you something else. The saved person does not ask "How close can I get to sin without falling?" They ask, "How close can I get to God?" They don't walk the line between light and darkness. They run from the edge and press into the throne. They want no part of the things that once held them in chains. They don't flirt with the grave they were raised out of. They dance in the freedom of new life, and yet we live in an age where sin is celebrated, where compromise is marketed as wisdom, where holiness is mocked, and truth is considered hate. But you, if you are truly saved, you must be different, you must be set apart, you must shine like stars in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. You must walk the narrow road even when it is lonely, and yes, it will cost you. The narrow road is never crowded, it's never easy, but it is holy, and it leads to life.

Examine Yourself – part 5 of 6

God doesn't want half of your heart. He wants all of you. He doesn't want weekend worship and weekday rebellion. He doesn't want lip service and life compromise. He wants the kind of faith that causes you to burn the bridges to your past, to set fire to your idols, to walk away from sin without looking back. True salvation is costly. It costs your pride, it costs your control, it costs your plans. But oh, what it gives in return...

Examine Yourself - Part 4 of 6

You cannot cuddle the very sin Christ was crucified for. Salvation is not just about going to heaven, it's about being made holy. It's about God reclaiming what sin tried to destroy. It's about restoration, redemption, renewal. It is the power of God that doesn't just save you from something, it saves you into something... into purpose, into destiny, into sonship, into the image of Christ. The blood of Jesus is not weak.

Examine Yourself - Part 3 of 6

You say "God knows my heart." Yes He does and that should terrify you if your life doesn't match your lips. He sees the bitterness you hide, the lust you tolerate, the pride you feed, the idols you protect, and He calls you not to condemnation, but to repentance. Repentance is not a one-time event. It is a lifestyle... a daily dying, a constant realigning with God's will. If you haven't wept over your sin in months; if you haven't felt conviction in your soul, then perhaps you've hardened your heart. The Spirit still speaks. The question is “Are you listening?” He convicts, He warns, He calls, but every time you silence His voice, every time you say not now... your heart grows colder, your ears duller, your soul more numb, and eventually the truth that once pierced you no longer moves you. Don't wait until your conscience is too callous to hear Him. Don't gamble with your soul.

Examine Yourself - Part 2 of 6

A tree is known by its fruit.
So what does your fruit say? Let the Spirit examine your heart; let the word be your mirror. Have you truly repented? Have you truly believed? Has grace changed you or just made you comfortable. 

Examine Yourself – Part 1 of 6, attributed to Billy Graham

You may carry a Bible in your hand, you may walk through the doors of a church every Sunday, you may wear the cross around your neck and even say grace before meals, but I stand before you today to declare this truth... none of that means you are truly saved. You think you're saved, but this proves you are not because salvation is not a performance, it's not a ritual, it's not a habit you picked up from your parents, or a culture you were born into. It is a radical transformation. It is a death and a resurrection and if your life doesn't bear the marks of that divine interruption, then I say this with love and urgency, you are not saved.

Resurrection

Job 14:14 asks, If a man dies, will he live again?

It sounds like Job wasn’t so sure. Perhaps he asks a rhetorical question? But then in chapter 19:25-27 he writes, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit we must remember... 
I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, when I awake in my flesh I shall see God, I myself will see him, with my own eyes; I, and not another. How my heart (or soul) yearns within me!

Rom. 15:4 says, For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Who Were/Are The Nicolaitans

Rev. 2:6, But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Rev. 2:9, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a [e]synagogue of Satan.”

Rev. 2:14-15, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

For ALL Have Sinned

 “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23

But let’s back up to verse 9 a minute...
Are we better than the Jew? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written:

Will He Find Faith

“When the Son of Man      comes...”    Luke 18:8

The question raises the possibility that when Jesus returns, there might be a decline in faith and a prevalence  of doubt or unbelief.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

The Word... the Bible is FULL of what God has done and IS doing FOR us. Beginning before creation, where God, in the counsel of His own will, ordained Christ and Redemption of the Body of Christ as the culmination in the execution of His purpose and plan.
What? What do you mean by that?
Well, if you really want to know, and you really want to believe it, you’ll need to study that out yourself.

The Mystery of Christ

Col. 4:3-4, ...pray also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak
the mystery of Christ, for which I am also
in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

In Col. 2:2-3 Paul says (to churches everywhere), My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings, in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The mystery of God is Christ!
...and the mystery of Christ is that of the Incarnate One.
The Mystery of Christ is that God ordained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge to be hid in Him from before the foundation of the world... Christ was brought forth from everlasting.

Traditions of Men

Traditions of men:
the Apostle Paul is
the worst sinner.
(1 Tim. 1:15)

Word of God:
the Apostle Paul is
FIRST in the Body of Christ.
(1 Tim. 1:15)

Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone

Faith, if it has not works, is dead. James 2:17
REALLY? Does one need to “work” (keep the law) to keep faith? Can you lose your salvation?

Rom. 4:5, But to him who does not work but BELIEVES on Him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH is accounted for righteousness.
Are these verses a dichotomy or a misunderstanding? I have come to learn that these verses, although ripe for conflict, are a misunderstanding produced and nurtured by the fact that people cannot separate the Word to believing Jews of the Kingdom, from the Word to the “called-out” Body of Christ. Many people don’t even know the difference in what I just said. STUDY!!! 

Amazing Atoning Grace

Many people believe Grace and Gospel are synonymous (the same thing), and, in a way, they are. The definitions of these deep, profound words are, for us today in this age, I believe, too simplistic... basic, unsophisticated, adolescent. The Christian (Bible) definition of Grace = “unmerited favor” while the definition of Gospel = “good news.” Many believe the Gospel and Grace “began” with Jesus and the four “gospel” accounts of His ministry.

Ripe For Wrath

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matt. 24:37 

So, the second coming of Jesus the Christ will be preceded by a reappearance of events in society as occurred in the days of Noah before the Flood. What kind of “events?” Well, #1, Gen. 6:5... “The wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Two Gospels? How about FOUR?

Paul said, The ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God. Acts 20:24 

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you THE Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:1-4
Believe... and nothing else!

The Cross Is Not A Fashion Statement!

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree!" Gal. 3:13
The cross is the symbol of the shame and suffering of Jesus' crucifixion. It is itself, also, a curse. Wearing a cross as a mere piece of jewelry, is a form of sacrilege--reducing the sacred symbol of Christ's sin-atoning sacrifice to a mere ornament. The cross is not a fashion statement, but the emblem of our Lord's suffering and death. To treat it lightly, is to trample upon the solemn truths of Calvary, where the Son of God bore the wrath of the Father in the place of His elect people. Such careless use dishonors the gospel, making what is holy into something trivial.

Why Do You Need The Gospel?

You might say, “What?” What is a gospel? Exactly! That’s a good question because most people today probably never use that word in the normal course of conversation.  I never did. Even after someone gave me the definition of “gospel” (good news!) I do not recall incorporating the term in my conversations. I don’t think I ever said, “Hey man, check this out... I got some gospel today. I just got a promotion.” Who says that? The word is foreign to many people outside of churches. So the word “gospel” we usually hear, if at all, in religious conversations. And I did not have very many “religious” conversations back then.

So let’s define G O S P E L.

The Kingdom of God

Kingdom of God; Kingdom of Heaven; Kingdom of the Lord; Everlasting Kingdom; Gospel of the Kingdom; Kingdom of Christ. Distinctions, distinctions, distinctions.

It is so much easier, as many have done, to disregard “distinctions” and just say. “They’re all the same thing.” You go ahead and say that... the Bible makes distinctions; and then I have to find out what they mean!

Isaiah 40

Verse 12, Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or measured heaven with a span of his hand, and
calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Who has weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?
The implied answer is, “No one but God.”

Proverbs 8

In John 5, Jesus said,

"You search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life and they are they which speak of me.”

So if we look at Proverbs 8 for starters, we read beginning at verse 1...

A New Covenant

The word “covenant” in the Bible covers a lot of Israel’s history. Beginning, in order, with the Edenic Covenant, then the Adamic Covenant, and the Noahic, then Abrahamic, Mosaic, Palestinian, Davidic, and then the New Covenant. These all are explanations and promises of God to Israel. There should be NO disagreements that Israel is still the core of all God’s dealings with the human race. If we could take Israel out of history, the whole Bible falls apart. Likewise, if we could take the Apostle Paul out of the picture, then we as Gentiles revert back to what Paul said in Eph. 2:12...

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are brought close by the blood of Christ.

Bible Study

There is only one God. Believers and some unbelievers would agree with that. But, “How many expressions of God are we aware of?” I believe most would say, “One.” Any other answer treads on thin, controversial ice, and yet going out where others fear to tread opens a wealth of otherwise missed opportunity and blessings. The safe, comfortable attitude is always, “Go along to get along.” But therein is the spiritual death of the church in the world.

The Love of Christ

In John 11:35 we read;  Jesus wept.
The familiarity of this verse, for many people, lies in the fact that it is the shortest verse in the Bible. But this is a very profound verse. It reveals Jesus' perfect human nature and deity in His compassion for people because He loved them with the perfect love of John 3:16... “God SO  loved the world...” God expressed His love for His creation in that verse... and His plan for redemption. This kind of love does not bring a reserved compassion, but mournful grief for the state of creation. As Isaiah 53:3 says, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.