Gospel Responses – Part 2

Michael continues that false prophets teach primarily for their own ungodly gain. They con and scam religious people who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness. They also teach for their own prestige and for the honor and praise of others. They preach their own slant on the interpretation of the Word by twisting the truth to their own ends. The Apostle Paul warned true believers, "beware of the dogs, beware of the false prophets.  By their fruit you will know them." Even though they claim to have done mighty works in the Lord’s name, they don't realize that a works-based merit system is contrary to the true word of God. The real question is not "do you know Jesus?"  The real question is, "Does Jesus know you." To the false prophets Jesus will say, "I never knew you." From the ultimate perspective, the real question is not whether others are saved, but rather, "are you yourself saved?"  When God reveals the heart of a true man and woman of God, then we who have been “born again” of God's Spirit can be "yoked together with likeminded believers." 

True believers bless those who persecute them, knowing the reality of Hell. They gladly go the second mile to serve others from a heart of the love of God that they may come to a “saving” knowledge of Jesus Christ.  American Evangelist Billy Graham said that most Christians in America are “American Christians” and not “Christian Americans”. They are citizens of America first, and citizens of Heaven second. True believing Christians represent heaven (as Ambassadors of Christ in Heaven), the country of their true citizenship. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ and him crucified. Reconciliation is only at the foot of the cross where Jesus paid our debt of sin. For He who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Repentance is the prerequisite for salvation. The Bible says that the human heart is deceitful above all things.  Repentance is to turn from myself and unto the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a 180 degree turn. I have found the enemy and he is me. Jesus Christ is the One who rescues us from our insidious preoccupation with self.

In the fourth response category are those of us who have accepted the gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. These are Christians who have confessed that Jesus is Lord and have believed that God has raised Him from the dead; having the dedication, devotion and desire to be a true disciple (student/follower) all the days of their life. We who have been “born again” (transformed from the inside out) of God's Spirit, knowing whom we have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep that (spiritual deposit) which he's committed unto us against that day of righteous judgement.  Those who are “truly saved” may have been in categories one through three, but have finally come to God's throne of grace with a contrite heart of meekness and humility. Where sin abounded, grace has abounded all the more. As the Apostle Paul said, "For I was crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Gospel Responses – Part 1

This week, Michael writes that there are four responses upon hearing the gospel of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The first response is outright rejection. John 3:20, says that even though God sent his son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved, those who love darkness of their sin more than light of truth and godly living are judged unrighteous ... condemned by their sin, and to bear the wrath of God because of their rejection of the Savior from sin.  “For every one that does evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

In the second response category are those who may go to church or listen to sermons but never enter into God's saving grace. Even though they may have attended a class about salvation, these are the people Jesus described in John 2:23-24: “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men." They "believed in his name" but He didn't commit Himself to them because He knew what was in their heart. They held on to their heart of sin and the sinful nature that they inherited from Adam. Even though they believed in His miracles and were astounded and marveled, they were not committed to follow him. Theirs was an “easy believism” and an “easy receivism”. This is the difference between the Jesus of the world and the Jesus of Nazareth. The true Jesus did not preach a "feel good" prosperity gospel of "what's in it for me."  People in category two are infatuated with Jesus but are in love with themselves. They have never had a true experience of denying themselves, taking up their cross and following Him. They are still lord of their own lives. They have not come to the point that "Jesus is Lord.", taking themselves off the throne of their life and placing Jesus on that throne. They have not had an interchange, where they exchange their sin for Christ's gift of righteousness by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. 

The third response category is about the people in Matthew 7. Theirs is a works-based misunderstanding of the meaning of salvation. They do not understand the grace of God and that salvation is the free gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. In verses 15-20Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruits." On the outside, they look like they produce good fruit. However, their fruit is rotten. Even though it looks good on the outside, they deceive themselves, and they deceive others. These false prophets are like wolves in sheep's clothing. They look like sheep, but they are wolves in disguise.

In verses 21-23 Jesus said, “Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” They who have a works-based misunderstanding of the meaning of salvation convince themselves and lead others astray that they are righteous in their own works. However, they reject Christ's righteousness by grace in doing so. Jesus said, be careful before you “fire the gun” of judging others. God didn't call us to be judges. Rather, he called us to be fruit inspectors. He said that by their fruit ye shall know them. For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, against such there is no law. Are they there?

Let’s continue Michael’s message on responses to the Gospel in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Christ’s Living Water – Part 2

Romans 12:1-2“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle's message, the secondly, when we taste Christ’s living water of salvation, we (2) start releasing empty wells for a richer and truly satisfying life, both physically and spiritually. The Lord Jesus meets our needs. This is a feat that only God can create. God draws us back into the “real” issue, and frees us from seeking those things which are temporal to a transformational and lifelong process of finding spiritual and relational wholeness. The Lord does not want something from us, but some thing for us. He wants us to be spiritually fit and the righteousness of living water makes that “born again” transformation possible. 

Colossians 3:1-17tells us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds in things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, salve, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

Thirdly, when we taste Christ’s living water of salvation, we (3) recognize and perpetually revitalize our higher calling to live out the gospel. In John 4: 23-24, Jesus told the woman at the well and all of us, “the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers with worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Our walk towards Jesus is our spiritual journey to eternity. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:22-25a, “the righteousness of God through in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, received by faith.” 

The power of the body of Christ is in us and working through us. It starts with a first step towards Christ. Romans 10:8b-9says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Recognize and realize that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Make the choice to follow the Lord Jesus all on your own. He is risen. Drink of His living water.

In Christ, Brian

Christ’s Living Water – Part 1

John 4:1-14Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John, he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to the town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food). The Samaritan woman said to him, how is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans). Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink’, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Kyle explained how water is essential to life. Our bodies are made up of 60% water. The human body can last up to one month without food, but only one week without water. Yet, only 1% of the world’s water is available for consumption. Water is rare. Living water unto eternal life is essential and rare also. This living water is available to us today. How do we get this living water?

It is well documented in history that Jesus existed, but was he God or man? Jesus, himself, claimed to be God (the Son, the third person of the trinity, sent by the Father or our salvation from sin. With such a claim, Jesus would have to be either a liar, a lunatic, or the risen Lord – Savior of the world. All of the Apostles of Jesus (except John) were executed for that fact and the proclamation of the gospel. If it were not true, surely, they would have recanted their claim of Jesus’ divinity to save their life from a lie or a lunatic’s declaration. The reality is that Jesus Christ is the gift of God and is seeking and saving the lost in sin with the giving living water through the Holy Spirit. Everything else is just an empty well. Just like the Samaritan woman, without Christ, we are spiritually parched. 

John 4: 15“The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

A few things that happen when we taste Christ’s living water of salvation are (1) we receive satisfaction from above that wells up from within. Without faith, this statement makes no sense. The woman at the well was talking about a totally different kind of satisfaction. When we seek satisfaction from below (without God), we will be left empty and thirsty (unsatisfied). People who seek “life” outside of God, look everywhere and in all the wrong places. We drink from that well, then become thirsty again. We get immersed in the distractions of life, which are fake, rather than what is true. Revelation 22:1-2says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.”

Let’s continue Pastor Kyle’s Easter message in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? – Part 2

Jesus asked the rich young man to see what price he was willing to pay to inherit eternal life. Even though the young man was sincere in his desire to do the right thing, the real question is not, "are you doing the right thing?", but rather, "are you doing the right thing for the right reason?"  In other words, "Where is your heart?" In Jesus' time, they prescribed to the "prosperity gospel." They believed that material blessings were the result of living a righteous life. They thought that a life of misery and poverty was the result of a sinful life.  

However, Jesus preached a message that was contrary to their religion. Looking to the rich young ruler, Jesus loved him. In order to receive grace, we must accept the need for grace. With a heart of humility, we must first acknowledge that "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing." The hallmark of grace is that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

Jesus said to the rich young ruler, "only one thing you lack."  The young man didn't think that he lacked anything. Similarly, Americans are rich in material blessings.  Jesus said, "Go sell everything you have and give the proceeds to the poor." Money is a wonderful servant but it is a terrible master. You cannot serve God and mammon. Ye are slaves to whom you obey. Money gives status, power, position, and influence in a fallen world. The incentive for material wealth is a powerful influence.  However, Jesus said, "Is God your God, or is your money your God?" There is irony in the motto on US currency that says, "In God We Trust."  The irony is that the money itself is the god in which most Americans trust.

The rich young ruler obeyed the commandments related to "love thy neighbor as thyself."  However, he had broken the first and greatest commandment:  “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength.” The first of the Ten Commandments says, "thou shalt have no other gods before me."  In other words, "there shall be no other gods between your face and my face."  The question is, "am I living for God or am I living for my possessions?" The rich young ruler walked away grieved, for he had great possessions.  

God has given us all things richly to enjoy. The enjoyment is living in fellowship with our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and one with another in the household of faith.

Material blessings pale in comparison with the greatest blessing: that we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? – Part 1

This week, Michael writes that the greatest danger is not failing in something important but that you'll succeed in something that doesn't really matter.  The world's definition of success is diametrically opposed to God's definition of success.  

According to Mark 10:17-27, a rich young ruler came running to Jesus and asked him a question:  “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

The rich young ruler ran up to Jesus seeking affirmation.  He said, "What must I do to inherit eternal life" Jesus knew what was in the heart of man.  He asked the rich man a question to examine his heart:  "Why do you call me good?  There is none good except God." Jesus as a rabbi, knew that the Jewish rabbis never allowed others to call them good. As the apostle Paul said, "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing."

Jesus also knew that the young man had studied the Ten Commandments. On another occasion, a Pharisee had asked Jesus, "what is the greatest commandment?"  Jesus had answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and with all thy strength.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  The first four of the Ten Commandments are about our relationship with God. Jesus reminded the young man about the other six commandments regarding our relationships with others.  

The rich young ruler said that he had kept all of the commandments that Jesus mentioned. He thought that inheriting eternal life was about doing good works.

However, the human heart is deceptive above all things and desperately wicked. The flesh lives to fulfill the lusts (over desires) of the flesh.  One of the desires of the flesh is to receive the praise and affirmation of others.

Let’s continue Michael’s message on inheriting eternal life in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Love and the Heart

Matthew 22:37  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

One daily devotional teaches that according to the Lord Jesus, this is “the great commandment of the law” and this is also the first verse in the New Testament to associate “love” and the “heart.” This “love,” of course, is not romantic love (the Greek word for that love is never used in the New Testament at all), but the divine type of love (Greek “agape”), as in “God so loved the world.”

The message explains that the “heart” (Greek “kardia”, from which come such English words as cardiology) is mentioned often in the Bible, but almost never means the actual physical organ. It refers to the emotional and spiritual components of man’s nature — “the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). We use “heart” for the same purposes in English.

Just how this particular date came to celebrate the heart as a symbol of romantic love and to be called Valentine’s Day is uncertain. There were various emperors, popes, and religious leaders named Valentine in the early history of Christendom, including two Roman Catholics designated as Saint Valentine. In any case, Christians should remember that true Christian agape love should be manifested in our lives every day of the year. To that end, “see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

True Christian love can only be expressed out of a heart that has been made pure. As Paul wrote young Timothy, “Now the end of the commandment is charity [that is, agape love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:5). And remember that, first of all, we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). 

Love and Blessings

God Is Able

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

I’ve heard it said that we often tend to bring the image of infinite God down to our finite mind’s size. But one article rightly clarifies that the Bible (the Word of God) portrays God as omnipotent—all-powerful, able even to create all things from nothing, speaking them into existence. The fallen individual is portrayed as totally insufficient to do anything but fail. Yet the Bible also teaches that great things will be done in, and through, and to us. How? It is only through God’s power and wisdom that anything of substance will be accomplished. He alone is able. Consider the following sampling of tasks He is able to perform for us.

God is able to do the work of salvation in a believer’s heart. “Wherefore [God] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). We can entrust that salvation for eternity “unto him that is able to keep [us] from falling, and to present [us] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24).

In this life we will have physical needs, and included in a passage on the obligation we have to give so that others’ needs will be met is Paul’s claim that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Furthermore, He alone is able to equip us for service. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12).

His able ministry toward us does not stop in this life, for He “shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:21). As our text Ephesians 3:20  teaches, He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

The Sinner's Saving Prayer

Luke 18:13 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

I remember the first tome that I heard an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord, was watching Pastor D. James Kennedy’s church service and associated featured topic on the Sunday Television broadcast, just before the show concluded. I’m sure that most, if not all TV Ministers and Evangelists have often urged lost men and women to pray this “sinner’s prayer” if they desired to be saved. Our pastor gives a “sinner’s prayer invitation at the end of every Sunday Worship service.

Jesus says in Luke 18:14, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The account does say that this publican, after praying thus, “went down to his house justified”. But, one commentary explains that there is more here than appears on the surface. It is not merely God’s mercy that is needed for He has already been merciful to let us continue to live at all. The word translated “merciful” is used only one other time in the New Testament and is there translated “make reconciliation for.” In Hebrews 2:17, speaking of the saving work of Christ, it says that He came “to make reconciliation for the sins of the people”. It is also closely related to the words for “propitiation” (meaning Christ being the only suitable, satisfying and saving sacrifice) and “mercy seat” (referring to the sacrifice on the Arc of the Covenant inside the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

This parable of the Pharisee and the publican in the book of Luke is set in the context of the Jewish temple worship, where sinners would bring their sacrificial offerings to cover their sins, knowing that “it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul” (per Leviticus 17:11). Such sacrifices were completely worthless, however, if offered in a spirit of religious pride and/or self-righteousness (“everyone who exalts himself will be humbled”). There must be repentance and faith in God’s promise of forgiveness through the death of an innocent substitute, pre-figuring the true “Lamb of God” (Messiah) whose coming death would truly make eternal reconciliation for the sins of the people. The publican prayed in this vein, and he was saved.

The commentary clarifies that in our day, on the other side of the cross, a sinner’s saving prayer must say, in effect: “God, be propitiated (that suitable, satisfying and saving sacrifice) to me on the basis of the death of Christ for my sins.” Such a prayer, offered in sincere repentance and faith in God’s promise, brings justification (remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment; or an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ) before God.

Happy Easter 2019

Happy Resurrection Day

Happy Easter 2019

Jesus Wept

Luke 19:36-44 “As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Last Sunday, I was back up at my father’s church and celebrated the Palm Sunday worship service at the Little Church in the Pines (The Lighthouse on the Lake) with him. Pastor Rolff explained that Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry was about “Jesus is coming”. The crowds shouted “Hosanna”, which is translated “save new”, with joy and celebration in a “red carpet” treatment for the promised Messiah of God’s arrival.

But, why did Jesus weep? Because, the Lord knew the future; that they would not accept the true Messiah and that the offer of salvation would be rejected. The people praised Jesus on Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a warrior Messiah. In doing so, they were choosing to follow self and continue in the darkness of sin; choosing death instead of life. Romans 10:21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Jesus wept because of those who would never understand why He came. Jesus came in love as a willing sacrifice for all who would repent and believe in Him. Jesus wept for the lost. Do we love Jesus? Do we accept His love? Have you given your life to the Passover Lamb of God? Have you asked Him to lead and guide you?

Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is defined as a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. These are the facts of the event, but the eternal meaning, personal application and ever-lasting consequences are what truly matter. The holiday of Easter becomes all too familiar and people go through the motions. Do we understand the significance of “Resurrection Sunday”. Do we understand His death on the Cross and His victory over sin and death for our salvation? Jesus Christ was not a warrior, but a Savior. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only One who can redeem us by His atoning blood and save us.

Imagine that the Lord Jesus is looking at you and weeping. How He wishes today that you and I would understand! By Jesus’ death on that Cross for our sins, we are forgiven and saved from Hell. Understand that He died for you. Have you committed yourself to Him? Be transformed by inviting Him into your heart and whole life. Follow Him and grow and godly maturity as a child of God. Turn fully to the Lord Jesus, your Savior, and reflect Him unto others with love, joy an peace. Jesus came to conquered sin and death. He wept and came for you!

In Christ, Brian

Happy Good Friday 2019

Have a Blessed Good Friday

The Apostle Peter's Encouragement – Part 3

1 Peter 2:12-14 “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

Michael continues that we submit ourselves as sons and daughters of God with gentleness according to the love of God. The Spirit of Christ in us will determine the world's reaction to the Word of God that we witness with our behavior. They don't care that you know until they know that you care. 

Continuing in 1 Peter 2:18-19: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”

Why should we be submissive to an unreasonable master?  This finds favor (to God and men who admire our character) when we for the sake of confidence toward God suffer unjustly.  They don't watch if we seek "just retribution" but they take notice when we bear up under unjust suffering.  This is the mark of Godly character.  This is an example of God's living epistle, known and read of all men.

Bearing up under suffering was the example of Jesus himself:  1 Peter 2:20-25: "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

According to 2 Peter 1:10, Our calling is to give all diligence (with meekness and humility) to make our calling and election sure.  We look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy (of our salvation) endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.  Because of the price he paid on our behalf he has called us to "show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light...”

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

The Apostle Peter's Encouragement – Part 2

1 Peter 2:6-8 “Built up as living stones we will not be disappointed.  However unto those who don't believe the cornerstone Jesus Christ will be a stumbling stone. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: where unto also they were appointed.” As living stones we're built up to offer spiritual sacrifices holy unto God.

Michael continues that although Christians are in this world, we are not of this world. (John 15:18-19 and John 17:14-16). The wealthier the culture becomes, the more the people will worship the almighty dollar and the idol "blessings" of this world. When true Children of God preach the Word of God, the world will persecute them and ostracize them for speaking against what the God-rejecting world system considers “politically correct”. The secular world does not realize that the true blessing is to pursue the Blessor (Creator God) and not the blessing. Therefore, Peter reminds us that we are God's building, His holy temple and that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the firm foundation.

According to 1 Peter 2:9, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” The Lord chose us before we chose Him. He chose us before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. We're a royal priesthood with direct access to our Heavenly Father. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. We, who have been born from above, are an holy nation. We're citizens of Heaven, having been born again, not of corruptible seed (of Adam) but of incorruptible (of God) by the Word of God which lives and abides forever.

Continuing in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”. To win the spiritual battle, we must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” The two offensive weapons in our spiritual arsenal are the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and prayer. We're aliens and foreigners in a sinful world of darkness. We're citizens of Heaven. 

To bear up under suffering, we must understand that this world is not our home; we're just passing through. If we hold on to the things of this world, John said, the love of the father is not in us. In a hostile world, Jesus said, "Blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven."  As the Apostle Paul said, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The love of God defeats the hatred of the adversary (Satan) and his minions.  According to Romans 12, “be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.”  

Let's conclude Michael's message on Peter's encouragement in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

The Apostle Peter's Encouragement - Part 1

This week, Michael writes: The good news of the gospel is throughout the bible. Even the Old Testament is full of the good news of God's salvation. The messages in the four gospels are challenges for Christians to live as “unto God and not unto men”. The blessings in the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11 fly in the face of worldly wisdom.  God's blessings are diametrically opposed to the world's definition of the "pursuit of happiness." The world's happiness is based on "happenstance."  It's a fleeting emotional high. That which is of this world is temporal ... here today and gone tomorrow.

The Apostle Paul had persecuted the Christians before he had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He humbled himself and understood that he was the "chief of all sinners."  Paul knew according to the spirit of Christ that he was given a new nature by God's abundant grace and mercy. Paul learned to strive to keep himself under subjection to his new nature of the spirit. When we realize that we are subject to the new nature, God will break our hearts for what breaks his. Sin is the nature of the flesh for which Jesus Christ sacrificed his life as a righteous payment for sin on our behalf.

The men who wrote the New Testament were holy men of God who were moved by God's Holy Spirit. The New Testament defines the enemy as the adversary, the devil, the thief whose purpose is to steal, to kill, and to destroy. His tools are the old nature, the boastful pride of life, the over desires of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. Jesus Christ redeemed us from our sinful nature, for He who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

We were not deserving of God's saving grace. We were deserving of death; for the wages of sin is death. However, where sin abounded grace much more abounded.  Even though we were guilty before God, the righteous judge, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin. We're forgiven and loved, not because we were worthy of forgiveness and love, but because love, mercy and grace is the nature of God himself. For in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. When we realize that God's salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, then we can "thank God for his unspeakable gift."  

The apostle Peter wrote two epistles so that people of God could "make their calling and election sure."  Peter wrote to believers in "enemy territory."  1 Peter 1:13-17 says:  “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:”

Peter exhorts the believers to long for the pure milk of the unadulterated word of God. The Christians were fearful of the persecution of the believers. However, despite the trials of this world, we can "gird up the loins of our mind". We're in control of our thoughts and attitudes according to our holy calling. "Holy” means to separate our thoughts, actions, and behavior according to God's divine design. For God is no respecter of persons. He is however, a respecter of His Word. Holiness is according to God's terms and not the world's terms. Therefore, be ye doers of the Word with godly fear, reverence, and respect.

Let's continue Michael's message on Peter's encouragement in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

The Will of the Lord

Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

I read that there is no more exalted theme in the world than the will of God, nor is there a more important practical question than how to know the will of God. Of greatest significance is the recognition that it is His will—not man’s will—that is important. We are made up of body, soul and spirit; the soul being made up of our mind, will and emotions. God created us that way for a reason. It is the child of God’s goal to willingly align their will with the will of God in order to live and serve our Lord with purpose.

God desires for us to know His will—both His will in general, as revealed in Scripture, and His “specific will” in each particular decision. The latter must in every instance, of course, be fully compatible with the former, as the Holy Spirit, who leads us, will never contradict the Scriptures that He inspired. Thus, an indispensable prerequisite to finding the personal will of God is knowing His general will.

The lesson explained that the general will of God is expressed, first of all, in the fact of special creation. Then Christ became man in order to accomplish God’s will as our sin-bearing substitute on the Cross on Good Friday; by this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all - Hebrews 10:10. It is His will that this should provide salvation to all who believe. “This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life” – John 6:40. This in turn entails individual regeneration of the spirit which was dead by sin for all who receive Him; those “which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” - John 1:13.

Furthermore, His will includes absolute security in Him, our sanctification, and ultimate glorification. Thankfulness in all things and a godly and virtuous life are also God’s will. A believer who understands, believes, aligns and obeys God’s will is then prepared to know and follow it as their will in life abundant in Christ. 

For God So loved the World – Part 2

 

John 3:17-21 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle massage on God’s love for the world, by stating that the Holy Scripture, the very Word of God, tells us that our Creator Father God condemns no one to fire, hell and damnation; we condemn ourselves by rejecting the free gift of redemption, forgiveness, restoration and salvation through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Some believe that since God is love (that love and mercy are an attribute of God), that everyone is going to Heaven and we can continue to willful reject God and sin against Him and His creation. There is a twisted and distorted belief that nobody is going to Hell, even though the Bible says the opposite. We have to be careful to not think that we know more than God and fashion Him into our image and desires.

Hebrews 9:27 clarifies, “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” What judgment?  Revelation 20:10-15 explains, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Everyone is accountable to sovereign God, our Maker. There is no sin in Heaven, just saved sinners, who repent and by faith accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who atoned for the sins of the world on that Cross and paid the price for sin. We have a choice to make because we are condemned by our sin and the default is hell. Everyone needs a Savior, and there is only One.

John 3:35-36 says clearly, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” To make this point perfectly clear, 1 John 5:12-13 tells us, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

The most important things we need to know from John 3:16 is that God created and loves us. The psalmist writes in Psalm 139:13-14 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” The Prophet Jeremiah delivers the true Word of God in Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Love gives and sacrifices. Saving faith is living in the “light” of God’s truth. Sure, there will be people who choose to reject God’s redemption gift for salvation and live in the darkness of sin, denial and rebellion. But God calls all of us to higher godly things in life by repenting of sin and, by faith, accepting the atoning sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, who He sent as our Savior and Lord. 2 Peter 3:9 reinforces that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” For God so loved the world that He gave.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ requires us to live daily in obedience to God’s holy Word, Will and Way as a saved child, no longer hellbound, but a citizen of Heaven forever. 

In Christ, Brian

For God So Loved the World - Part 1

 

John 3:14-17 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

This last week, Pastor Kyle continued in our Sunday sermon series through the book of John. He stated that the greatest love known in the world is only a small fraction compared to the love has towards us ... more than we’ll ever know this side of glory. It was His attribute of love that motivated our heavenly Father to “give” to a fallen world a Savior. Get a glimpse of God’s heart.

Ephesians 2:1-6 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

We continue to sin, but God doesn’t wait for us to realize our sins and change. God is unwilling to allow us, who He created and loves to perish without an opportunity for redemption. Just as parents long for connection with their children, so does our heavenly Father. God initiated the action of redemption, forgiveness, restoration and salvation. The reality is that people do not understand is that by sin, we are perishing. Romans 3:23 tells us clearly, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, yet Romans 5:8 explains that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What needs to be understood is the gospel truth of what Romans 6:23 communicates, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Our part is to repent of our sin, then as Romans 10:9-10 declares, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

Pastor Kyle gives us some life application because we do not always feel excited about everything going on in our life. Bad things happen in life to everyone sometime, but we can choose to love in it and through those situations with the knowledge that good times return. Storms always pass. Keep doing the things that motivate and bring about positive and pleasant living. God “gave”, so we sacrifice to make room for others to know and love the Lord, experiencing the love of God. Catch fire in your heart for the love of God towards others.

Let’s continue Pastor Kyle’s message on God’s love for the world in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Peter's Example for Us – Part 2

1 Peter 5:1-11 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Michael continues that according to 2 Peter 1-21:  “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

These profound "Words of Truth" were written according to God's Holy Spirit by revelation to his servant, Jesus' disciple Peter. Even though he was a lowly fisherman without lofty credentials, God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.  

Our responsibility like Peter’s is our response to God's ability ... to yield to the Holy Spirit of Christ in us, the hope of Glory.  He has called us as able and sufficient ministers of the New Testament of the good news of the gospel of grace. The good news of the gospel is God's saving grace in John 3:16-17.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes 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.”

Jesus called Peter to do the impossible, however Jesus said, "with God all things are possible to him that believes." As the apostle Paul said, “I am sufficient unto all things and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Peter's Example for Us – Part 1

This week, Michael reassures us that regardless of the current events on the world stage, God is still Sovereign overall. The Almighty Lord orchestrates His Will behind the scenes. What men meant for evil, God meant for good. The word of God is truth regardless of the affairs of men and the events unfolding within God's timeline.

In the meantime, God exhorts us to look after the flocks of His people that He's called us to shepherd. According to the Apostle Peter, “feed the flock of God which is among you. Taking the oversight thereof, not of constraint, but willingly.  Not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” Peter himself had to learn the meaning of discipleship following his Lord Jesus Christ. Through perseverance in the trials of life, Peter learned to trust in the Lord with all his heart and lean not to his own understanding.  God's word teaches us by example that regardless of trials and tribulations, God is our sufficiency in all things.

John 1:41 records Peter's introduction to Jesus by his brother Andrew. Peter was a fisherman from Galilee, an "everyday man" who had no distinctive worldly credentials.  However, God uses earthen vessels, like Peter and like us, so that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. Peter learned to be a disciple by following in his Master's footsteps. Jesus taught Peter by repeating important life lessons in groups of three. Peter denied Jesus three times and then Jesus asked Peter three times "Do you love me?" Peter eventually learned what it meant to love his Lord.  Three is the number of completeness. God completed Peter as a “man of God” with trials of three so that Peter could come to understand that God alone is our sufficiency and that we are complete in Him.  

Jesus asked Peter the most important question: "Who say ye that I am?" The answer to this question will reveal the heart of a true man of God. Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you Peter, son of Jonah, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my father which is in heaven."

Before Jesus' crucifixion, Peter said to Jesus, "Even if the whole world denies you, I'll never deny you." His heart was to serve his master but his confidence was in his own ability. Jesus reproved him saying, "before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times". God will break our hearts for what breaks His. After Peter had denied his Lord the third time, Jesus caught Peter's eye. Peter turned away in shame and guilt, went away and wept bitterly. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake.  He picks up the threads of our broken hearts and weaves them together again.

There were three "I love yous" and three commissions that Jesus gave Peter after the resurrection. Peter had returned to his fishing business. Jesus met him and his crew on the shore of the Sea of Galelee. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me with the (agape – heavenly unconditional) love of God more than these?" He pointed to Peter's fishing nets, his boats, and his crew and asked "do you love me more than these?" Peter said, "I love (phileo – brotherly love) you.  I'm fond of you."  Jesus said, "feed my young lambs." Jesus asked again, "Peter do you love (agape) me?"  Again Peter answered, "I love you like a brother." Jesus said, "feed my sheep." The third time Jesus asked, "Peter do you phileo me?"  Peter said, "Lord you know all things, you know that I love (phileo) you the only way I know how."  Jesus said, "feed my flock." Jesus knew what was in the heart of a man. Peter had a heart to serve his master but he needed to learn that his calling was not to be a fisher of fish, but a fisher of men. Jesus knew that even though Peter did not yet understand the spiritual “agape” love of God, he would eventually understand God's unconditional love when he received God's Spirit, the "power from on high" at the day of Pentecost.

The world considered Peter an unlearned and ignorant lowly Galilean. However, at the day of Pentecost he received the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter preached the first message of salvation to the church at the temple in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The crowds were perplexed by his powerful and eloquent words because they recognized his accent as an uneducated Galilean. Then they took note that he had been with Jesus. Later Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit and wrote two epistles by revelation of his Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's continue Micheal's message on the Apostle Peter's example in the next post.

In Christ, Brian