VICTORY!

  

WHERE IS YOUR HOPE PLACED?

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

I will start with an old hymn to help us to think about what Christ has done for us.  “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.”  “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.” The world is growing more and more evil and wicked.  It is time to wake up and stand for the truth of God’s Word against all evil.

Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:4-5 speaking of Christ Jesus, “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.  To whom be glory forever and ever, Amen.”  Let us especially emphasize the phrase, “..this present evil world.”  As we see the news of the day, we see what terrible ungodliness is so predominant in our present time.  Also in II Timothy 3:13, Paul says, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

Jesus spoke about the endtime in Matthew 24:6-8.  “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be nor troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Satan is having a “heyday” right now with all that is going on against Israel. We must look up and be ready for the coming of Christ at any moment for the overcomers of this Church Age.

What is the remedy - VICTORY!  Psalm 98:1 gives us great hope - “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.” We too can have the VICTORY.  This word in the Hebrew language is ‘yaw-shah,’ it means - “to be free, safe, defend, deliver, help.” II Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us about the Victory we can have from our dear LORD. “For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Our eyes need to be elevated. 2 Cor. 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” 2 Cor. 10:7 declares, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?” Perhaps Apostle Paul was remembering a Scripture from I Samuel 16:7 “...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  In Jesus’ day He was going to heal a blind man. (Mark 8:25) At first he did not get full healing. Jesus told him, “Look up!” And when he did, he was healed.

VICTORY is given unto us by Jesus Christ as it says in I Cor. 15:57 -”But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Victory defeats problems with our fleshly nature, the world, and Satanic powers. The word “victory” in the Greek means “conquest, and triumph” To be a “conqueror” means to “be able to take by force.” Romans 8:37, Paul says, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”  I John 5:4 states, “...this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”  To the seven churches of Asia, (Rev.1:20), were rewarded in the same way -if they were overcomers.

Most importantly of all was the promise in Revelation 3:21 - “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and have sat down with my Father in His throne.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

 Eternal Life

Part 2

Vicky Moots

There are some who may argue, “I know that Jesus said that I am safe in His hand, and no man can pluck me out of His hand, but what if I decide to jump out?” How foolish!

Can you loosen the grip of the Almighty’s hand on you? Are you stronger than God? If you are His child, one of His sheep, He will never let you go.  That is His promise, and He never breaks a promise.

It should also be noted that eternal life is a free gift from God. To be more specific, it is a love-gift, as we previously learned from John 3:16.  That love-gift was in the person of His Son, who was freely given to all who will receive Him as Savior.

God’s free gift is also spoken of by the apostle Paul in Rom. 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Greek word which is translated “gift” is “charisma.” According to Zodhiates this word means “the result of grace; an undeserved benefit from God.” God’s gift of eternal life is therefore something that cannot be earned and something which we did nothing to deserve.

In Matt. 19:16 we read of a rich, young ruler who came to Jesus and asked Him, “…Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Jesus answered him in v.17 by giving him an impossible task: “…keep the commandments.” The young man quickly replied that he had already done that, even as a child.

Jesus then told him to sell all of his goods and give to the poor and to follow Him.  We read in v.22 that he refused to do that and “went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Through the commandment to sell all of his earthly goods, Jesus revealed what was hidden in the young man’s heart: money had become his god.  He had already broken the first commandment, and therefore all of the Law: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3).

Jesus was trying to show him that neither he, nor anyone else, is good enough to be able to keep the Law.  The Law shows up sin and brings condemnation instead of life.  There is nothing good that we need to do, or can do, to earn eternal life.  The “good thing” (to die for our sins) has already been done.  It was accomplished on the cross by Jesus.  Eternal life is not associated with our works because it is a gift.

Can this gift ever be lost? Is it possible to shorten something that has been declared by God to be eternal? Eternal life is not probational life.  In other words, it is not conditional.  It begins the moment we are born again and never ends.  How is this possible? The gift of eternal life which has been given to us by God is actually Jesus Himself, and He is eternal.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, for He said in Matt. 28:20, “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

In John 4:10, Jesus referred to Himself as the gift of God when He was speaking to the woman at the well in Samaria: “…If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Then in v.14 He tells her, “…whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Drinking of the living water brings life eternal, for it is the life of Christ Himself.  We drink the life of Jesus into us when we accept Him as Savior, and He dwells within our hearts eternally.  Jesus clarified the source of the living water in John 7:37 when He cried out to all those who were thirsty and said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”

Jesus is our source of life, so our new creation life is as eternal as He is.  At the moment we are born again, we are freed from death and condemnation, for Jesus bore the condemnation for our sins on the cross.  The promise of life eternal was given to us by Jesus in John 5:24: “Verily, verily [truly, truly] I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Peter also declared in I Peter 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” The word “incorruptible” means “immortal.” It is therefore eternal. If we are born again by eternal seed, then our new life in Christ is eternal just as He is.  Praise God for eternal life in Christ!

 The Lamb of God

by

Vicky Moots

The Lamb of God was crucified.

They pierced His hands;

They pierced His side.

For me He suffered, bled and died

To wash me in the crimson tide.

‘Twas love that held Him on the tree.

Oh, such love to die for me

To pay sin’s dreadful penalty.

Now I shall live eternally;

Amazing grace has set me free.

 John 11:32

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” – John 11:32.

Her DESTINATION: Mary came in obedience to Jesus word. She came without question, without hesitation. She came knowing where to come. She came publicly, though she had been told privately. She came with liberty, with boldness. She came with her sorrow, with her need. She came with her faith. Jesus waited for her to come. He did not go on until she has this personal time with Him. I believe He was watching and waiting until she came. Mary carried a burden of sorrow,  weighted down with the loss of her brother. She knew the relief she would find when she came to Jesus.

This is a wonderful picture of how we come to the Lord. We come because He has invited us, our hearts have heard His call. His love and compassion draws us. We come personally and privately but when we do, we do not care if others know about it. This is our privilege, and it is a precious one. We come to Him knowing where He is, He is not hard to find, He is waiting for us. All we need to do is lift up our hearts and eyes and come to Him by faith. We come to the throne of grace, with all our needs, all our burdens, all our fears, all our sorrows. We come to Him and lay everything at His feet. Jesus is watching and waiting for us to come. The fact that we are willing to come is a testimony of faith.

Jesus issued this invitation to “come” to Him, and Mary heard it and fully embraced it. He still offers this invitation today. It has not changed because he has not changed. The offer is made to those who feel their need and see that only He can meet their need. Jesus is waiting for those to do as Mary. It is seen in the invitation to discipleship: “come and follow me.” (Mat.19:21) It is an invitation to lay down our burdens and rest in Him: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mat.11:28). It waits upon the Lord’s leading and enabling. For Peter when seeing Jesus walking on the water, said: “Lord, if thou wilt, bid me to come unto thee.” (Mat.14:28). It is an invitation for the smallest, age does not matter: “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me” (Mat.19:24).

Her COMPREHENSION: John says Mary “saw him.” The word “saw” means she “knew” Him and recognized Him. This means that she “beheld” Him. I believe that means that Jesus filled her vision, she could see no one else. She saw Him with her eyes, but she also saw Him with her heart. She saw Him through the eyes of faith. She saw Him through her tears. Is this not wonderful! There is a progression in her journey from her house to His feet. First Mary came and then she saw. First, we must be willing to come, then we will truly see Him. We see Him in a greater way because we have come closer to Him. Mary, saw only Him. I do not think she saw the disciples or the people that followed her. Her eyes were fixed upon Him. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full, in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of his glory and grace.” Mary was about to see His glory and His grace revealed! This is what we do by faith with our needs. When we come by faith, we will see Him. He will fill our vision and I believe nothing else will matter but being in His Presence.

Her SUBMISSION: The words “fell down” means to “prostrate oneself” and is used of those “making supplication.” It is also used to show “worship.” Mary is not ashamed to do this. The one she has taken in her home as she sat at His feet as a disciple. Mary did this privately, now she will do this publicly. Mary is overcome and overwhelmed by both sorrow and joy. There is sorrow that her brother has died and joy that her Master has arrived. She fell at His feet physically, lay prostrate before Him and in so doing showed an absolute surrender and acceptance to His will. This is the position of an overcomer, of one who not knowing why things happen, rather than rebel, come and not only kneel but fall on their faces before the Lord. Jesus did this when prayed to His Father in the Garden. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Mat.26:39). Jesus gave us a visible example of self-surrender when He accepted that cup of suffering. He would drink every drop because it was the Will of God. That surrender of His will is the foundation for His victory. He was not the Victim at the Cross; He was the Victor. 

“At his feet” is the place and position seen in the testimony of overcomers. It is a place of submission, also a place of victory. The 24 elders and 4 living ones, who had been standing around the throne, in a place of authority later “fall down before him that sat on the throne” (Rev.4:10). They have overcome, and are overcoming as they stand in His presence and are overcome with joy. This is absolute adoration and  submission. They are in closer proximity to Jesus and have a deeper revelation of Him. The great multitude, who stand before the throne, give a testimony of faith, but I noticed their testimony is given standing. There is a reaction from all who hear their testimony. When it is heard, those who are standing closer to the throne, fall down before the throne on their faces and worship God (Rev.7:9-12). Both these groups have a testimony of faith, but one does so standing, and the other does so kneeling. What Mary does is a picture of those who have made it a habit and are comfortable at the feet of Jesus. This submission is a place of victory and overcoming.

Her DECLARATION: The words of Mary sound the same as the words of Martha. But she says them from a place of submission. She is at His feet, bowing down,  submitting to His Will. They are words that come from her deep faith. Martha had a measure of faith when she said these words, but it was not the same as Mary’s. What she says is not an accusation, but a declaration and confession of faith. She knew if Jesus had come her brother would not have died, just as Martha did. She declared this. She calls Him, “Lord,” just as Martha did but unlike Martha, she does not say anything more. Martha had told Jesus she knew He could “ask” God, and God would hear Him. But Mary does not ask Him to ask God for anything. She sees His power and authority and simply submits to Him. She did not say, ‘Why did you not come sooner? Why did my brother have to suffer and die?’ She did not blame Jesus. Her words combined with her sorrow and submission, will move Jesus in a way that Martha’s words did not. Martha had a little faith, but Mary had greater faith. Each of us have different degrees of faith and we all grow in our faith.

 The Privilege

AND

Power of the gospel

Bob Briner

I Thessalonians 2:4

“To be put in trust with the gospel” – Entrusting man with the gospel was perhaps the greatest responsibility God ever gave to him, while at the same time, it was perhaps one of the greatest privileges. The Apostle Paul was very glad for the ministry he had been given.

To Paul, it was indeed a privilege, the very highest vocation. “Ye remember…our labor and travail…we preached unto you the gospel of God…how holy and justly and unblameable we behaved ourselves…we exhorted, comforted and charged every one of you” – I Thess. 2:9-11.

Paul expresses to Timothy his pleasure that he was called to be a minister of the gospel, I Tim. 1:11-12, “Which was committed to my trust.” Here is the word “trust” again that we read in I Thess. 2:4. The Greek reads “Entrusted” which means to charge to a specified office. In verse 12 of I Tim. 1, Paul tells of his enabling. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me.” Paul says in I Cor. 15:10, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Paul would agree certainly with Jesus when He said in John 14:10, “The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.” Just as Jesus, in His humanity became that vessel through which God the Father could work, Paul became a vessel through which Christ could work. We do the same as we yield to His enabling. The apostle says, “I can do all things through Christ.” We whole heartedly agree!

Paul says, “He counted me faithful” I Tim. 1:12. Note, the apostle says, “counted” not “Made” and this is suggestive of Grace. God “called those things which be not as though they were.” He sees the end from the beginning.

The last part of verse 12 reads, “Putting me in the ministry.” If we are successful in one ministry the Lord gives us, it’s because He does the “Putting” Col. 1:25-29. Paul’s “putting” is first noted in Acts 9:15, “For he is a chose vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles.”

“Even so we speak” – Paul said, “For necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel” I Cor. 9:16. We are admonished to be prepared to give out the Word; Col. 4:6; I Pet. 3:15. Paul tells Timothy: “The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” II Tim. 2:2. “Even so we speak” – So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” Rom. 1:15. Paul loved his vocation!

“Not as pleasing men, but God” – C.E.O.’s of large corporations make huge compensations because they have what one would call “great responsibility.” They must please customers, employees and stockholders, but they answer only to man. They that are entrusted with the gospel, of course, answer to God. He is the One they want to please. Col. 1:10 and I John 3:22.

“Which trieth our hearts” – One translation says, “But to please God, who is testing my motives.” When the Pharisees put Jesus to the test to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, we read “But He knew their thoughts” Luke 6:8.

When feeding the 5,000, Jesus did not say, “How shall we feed them?” He said, “Whence shall we buy bread?” In John 6:6 we read, “And this he said to prove him” for he himself knew what he would do.” Jesus knew Philip would count his money. “For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” Matt. 6:8. He knows our thoughts and motives, past, present and future.

We read of the power of God’s Word in Psalm 33:9, “ For he spake, and it was done.” Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus said to him “Launch out unto the deep, and let down your nets.” Peter responds by saying, “At thy word I will let down the net” Luke 5:5. The centurion told Jesus in Matthew 8:8, “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” We read in Genesis, all of  God’s works, He merely spoke into existence. Paul speaks of the power of God’s Word in Rom. 1:16, “For it is the power of God unto Salvation.”

“Even so we speak.” – We hesitate oftentimes to give others the Word of God – perhaps because Satan may tell us, “They won’t listen to you” or “They will only ridicule you.” This may be true in the natural, but the gospel is not natural, it is supernatural! May the Holy Spirit cause us to remember the difference and to boldly proclaim the gospel. We too, as Paul, are glad that God has entrusted us with the gospel and “so we speak.” We pass it on! Not to please men, but God – who knows our motives and “trieth our hearts.”

The gospel tells us that we are not alone in our spiritual battles, but that the Lord is with us. He is on our side, it’s His battle and He makes us winners!

If God be for us, who can be against us?”

 A LESSON FROM ENOCH

Enoch lived in days of old,

Before the flood, we are told.

No record of his house or lands,

Nor fame or fortune was his claim,

But “dedication” was his name.

He prophesied of heavenly things,

The Lord’s descent on heavenly wings.

One day his friends looked, but in vain,

  To find their neighbor was their aim.

They never laid him ‘neath the sod,

Simply because he walked with God.

Translations door was opened wide,

And Enoch found himself inside.

The lesson here is plain to see,

God’s promise holds for you and me.

Christ soon will come as Enoch said,

To claim His own, both live and dead.

If we that day will gladly meet,

We must surrender at His feet.

If we walk with God in Enoch’s way,

With joyful hearts, we’ll greet that day.

For then, we too, with upturned eyes

Will see the Lord come from the skies,

Then with a shout and trumpet cry,

We’ll gather to Him in the sky.

–Thora Evans

 The Encouraging Word

 

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will rescue you and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

“Do not fret or have anxiety about anything; but in every circumstance and in every thing by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God.” Philippians 4:6 Amp

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He Who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

“I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.” Psalm 16:7

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2

Martha Wainright