The Gift’s of Our Father.

2 Peter 1:3 “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:”

It is such a blessing to be a child of God! We are all a child of God by grace, having been given life in the life and sacrifice of His own Son Jesus, His glorious blood cleanses us from all our sins against our Father. And please don’t forget to thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit who quickened our spirits and called us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, sealing that salvation. God hath before the foundation of the world chosen us to be His children, our salvation was not based on our merits, on our turning our own sinful thinking, nor on any personal commitment from us, but of God who graciously gave it to us.  John 1:12 - 13 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Oh, what a glorious gift of divine power that was given to us to have eternal life. However, here Peter wrote, “…his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life…” This is not just the breathing life into our nostrils, nor is it only talking about God causing us to be born from above, God’s divine power has given to us, all life. God gave us life in the womb of our mothers, God gave us eternal life in Jesus Christ, and in every aspect of our life is a gift from God. God said this divine gift was “…all things that pertain unto life and godliness…” This covers our entire life and not just a certain section or advent of our life. God added the words “and godliness”, this word means – pity – but it also means – holiness – and this Greek word comes from the Greek word “eusebes” which means – devout – which covers our life as Christians, yes it too is also a gift. As Christians our entire life from conception thru eternity is a gift from God, even our belief in biblical truth, to our church membership, to our work for the Lord, to our doctrinal stance, to our daily life, and thru our death. Our entire life and what it is, is a divine gift from God. Any goodness we do in this life is a gift from God and powered by the Holy Spirit and thru the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote these words, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:4 “Therefore, we do not all have the same divine gifts in life but the variety of gifts God gives us, even the gifts of godliness. Look what Paul wrote to the church at Rome, "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" Romans 12:4 – 6 While this is talking mostly about our position in the church he ends with “let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" meaning, the proportion that God by divine grace has given, or their proportion of the individual degree of faith given. The Holy Spirit does not give the same gifts to every saved soul, we are all given grace by measure that God has elected to gift us with. Paul also wrote in Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Meaning that God thru the power of the Holy Spirit has given a certain amount of grace to each if us, “…but the variety of gifts God gives us, even the gifts of godliness.” And this is all we are in Christ or all that we will ever be in Christ, we cannot advance beyond the divine gifts of God or the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Paul wrote that we “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;” We are simply nothing outside of God’s divine grace, but inside of the divine gifts of God we can move mountains. Men, some of our brothers in faith, even some Ministers and Pastors can kind of look beyond God’s grace and think they are above others, but we must walk carefully because the same divine grace that brought us a godly life can also take it. Paul wrote of himself these words, “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” 1Co 15:10 while Paul was being very gracious toward the power that brought his godly life, he was also being very truthful. God had called Paul to “…to glory and virtue:” this is the life God chose for him before the foundation of the world, but not only for him but also for us, we are all what God has made us. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8 – 9 All of these things are divinely given by God’s Holy Spirit to us to accomplish what God has ordained for each of us. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28 

Satan shall not prosper

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Our gracious God is certainly in control of everything in creation. God even created evil for His own glory, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Proverbs 16:4 God’s creation was for His glory and glory God will get. Satan is the Christians “adversary” and no other creature in creation hates God and Christians more than Satan. God said of our adversary, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8 God said Satan’s main purpose as our adversary was to devour us, which means to destroy us in totality as Christians and churches. Satan is not alone because he has countless angels that fell with him doing his will to destroy us. When I first was called to preach in 1983 Pastor Harace Hammond guided my attention to this verse, he told me that this is God’s promise to me as His minister, for me to always keep it in my heart. This verse remains in my heart even today, and it will till the day I die. God never promised we would not have battles or that we would not have to war with our old adversary, or even that he would not defeat us, but that Satan and evil servants will not prosper. The word prosper means Satan will not be profitable or in finality he will not prosper. As we look back at biblical history, we see Christians defeated, we also see Christians and churches through history since Jesus defeated and even killed. Even today in the world we still are battling our adversary and his angels, even in the worlds governments we are hated. Destruction would be ours if it were not for God’s grace. God promised in His word many times that churches and Christians alike would suffer great persecution. Therefore, it is not great thing if Pastors, churches, and church members alike shall suffer great tribulations and/or persecution’s and even suffer defeat even to the point of death. But none of them will ever prosper for their battle and victory. Victory belongs to us; victory belongs to God and His people. This victory was promised to us when Jesus Christ died on that evil cross. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 Our victory is not a promise to win the battles against Satan on this earth, because the world system is his, victory is his, if God allows. However, when the earth is finished so are his victories because his reward is being eternally punished in the lake of fire. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10 Even in our time, even today, the battle with our adversary rages on, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. However, whether we win or lose it is by God’s grace, this was God’s promise. “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Satan, like any other of God’s created creatures are limited to God’s power of allowance. As we saw in Job we see every day, Satan doing only as much as God allows. Our victory in Jesus Christ was not made for this world, but for the world to come. Satan and his angels have not suffered their defeat yet, but God will punish them, “…every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” Whatever we suffer on this earth we shall be rewarded in heaven, and whatever Satan does to God’s people he shall suffer greater in the eternal hell that was created for him and his angels. Satan will not win every battle, God’s grace will allow us to win some, and that win, every win will be such a blessing. However, our greatest victory will be when we are in heaven with our Lord. Evil will suffer loss, evil will suffer defeat, evil in the end will expire in the eternal hell never to be seen or heard from again. Satan only fights us because he cannot fight God, he has no power against God, the only power Satan has is what God has given him. God promises us that our fight is His fight, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14 While we can fight Satan, we cannot defeat Satan, but God can, and God will, Satan will not prosper! As Christians we cannot judge our victory by our earthly battles, for we have seen so many die at the hands of Satan and his servants. However, what may seem like a victory for Satan are defeats for him, victory will never be Satan’s. Today, we are still battling Satan and his earthly servants, their hate and their anger against God and God’s people are real. Our government is satanic controlled, our schools are satanic controlled, and almost everything else is satanic controlled, even some so-called churches and religious organizations. The fight may be ours, but the power is God’s, the victory will be God’s, and while it may seem like Satan has won, he has lost. We are God’s heritage, we are God’s own children, our churches belong to Jesus Christ and the victory will be ours, we will see Satan and evil people in hell in the end. Satan and evil will never prosper, here is our victory so let’s all shout, Victory is ours, HALLELUJAH!!!  Revelation 12:9 - 11 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."     

 

Deception

"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:6 – 7

Deception is an easy word; deception comes from Satan, and it is empowered from Satan. John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” People, even a lot of Christians are deceived because people allow their minds to stray into the thinking of the world. The world is blinded from God and His teaching, they are always searching for ways to glory and honor themselves, to be as good, as powerful, as an equal with God, and to do without God. Genesis 3:5 “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Satan deceived Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit by telling her she would be as a god. People forget that this world system was and is built on deception, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 Deception for Christians is anything that distracts a believer from God and His teachings. God is Truth, His word is Truth, which means His teachings are Truth. Almost nothing else is to be treated as truth, especially anything that give a single hint of opposition to the bible. Those that are taught God’s truth should “communicate” to others that truth. God does not teach us to be shy with His word, but to share it. His word must be a pillar in our hearts, and we must all work to make it a pillar in other hearts. The truth keeps us from being deceived, if God’s word is a pillar in your heart, you will not be deceived. People share thoughts, the world that is controlled by Satan is controlled by deceives. Everywhere you look, you watch, you read, even places of education are empowered by Satan to deceive minds everywhere. Their work is to brainwash evil into depraved minds, even minds as young as 5 years old and younger. Today the deceivers are convincing, through brainwashing that evil is good, that there is no evil except in the churches and in the bible. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 1:25 This deception streams down from “counterfeit churches” – counterfeit Christians – from our government – through our education system – through our news media – through written media – and down to casual conversation. All this is designed by Satan to brainwash peoples minds away from God and the Truth of the scriptures to deception. This deception is everywhere except the true churches which are pillars and ground of Truth, and those Christians that “communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

This is why the churches and individual membership are so important in this world, we are the spreaders of the “good news”. We must keep ourselves from being beat down by Satan swinging his bat of deception. We must remain the light in the world shinning bright and refusing to be deemed by Satan’s lies or half-truths. We must remember to “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Our prize, that is our reward from Jesus Christ in eternity, accomplished only by sowing the truth of God’s word as we learn it in church. Being good and faithful servants of God. Not allowing ourselves to be deceived by Satan and the world, but coming out and being separate, by fighting deception, by fighting Satan even if it cost us everything in this world, even our life. If your prize is in this world, you are already deceived and will allow sin over truth to rule your mind. 1 Corinthians 3:13 - 15 "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."  Deception is easy because it is natural to people, lying, cheating, stealing, just sin in all forms are natural to people. “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:” Romans 3:13 Beware my beloved Christian, Satan has the ability to make a lie look like a truth. Beware and be not deceived! “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;” Deuteronomy 11:16 

Who is Jesus Christ?

Colossians 1:15 - 17 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Everyone needs a proper understanding Who Jesus is, because it seems that so many today have no idea who He is. His name is Jesus, and He is “The Christ” or the Anointed One meaning He is the Messiah. His proper name is Jesus the Messiah, John 1:41 “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” Second, Paul called Him “image of the invisible God” The word “image” means - a likeness, or resemblance of God. This is defined as such because of His incarnation which means Jesus was the manifestation of Deity or of God. Paul also called Jesus the “form of God”, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” Philippians 2:6  The word “form” means – nature – of God, therefore Jesus “thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” The word equal means - as much, equal, like – which tells us that Jesus the Messiah is the mirror image of God in the flesh. Therefore, Jesus was not committing robbery of God’s image because He said these words, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30 The Jews, because of their ignorance of Jesus crucified Jesus because of these very words. John told us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 Leaving no doubt at who Jesus is, He is God in the Flesh, “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.” John 1:14 Therefore, without question Jesus is God in the flesh and to us He is the Messiah as the woman at the well came to understand. "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (26) Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." John 4:25 – 26

So, why did the Jews not understand who Jesus was, why did they crucify their very Messiah? Because it was not revealed to them by the Holy Spirt, understanding who Jesus is, is a revelation it doesn’t come naturally. Paul who was Saul of Tarsus, who was also a very educated Jew said these words. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:" Galatians 1:15 – 16 Saul was a nasty Jew, he hated Jesus and His church, but Jesus called him and saved Him through revelation, Paul did not change on his own, Jesus changed Him. People confuse God’s chosen Nation with God’s chosen People. God’s chosen Nation is the nation that the Messiah would come through, Jesus was a Jew but rejected as the Messiah by His own people.  “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11 All Jews will not be saved, Saul was as many others were, but the nation itself hates Jesus so much they crucified Him out of pure rejection and hate.

Paul said in our text these words, “…he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Only Jesus Christ can give people a real salvation. Paul wrote that salvation “…ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves…” Eph 2:8 Paul went on to say that salvation is not of works verse 9 “Not of works…” because it is of grace. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6 Grace praises the Creator and works praises the creature, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 1:25 So, if you believe that salvation is by works you have rendered God and the Messiah useless and the glory is yours, but at the same time you have changed God’s truth into a lie and called God a liar. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."  1 John 5:10 – 12 “Him a Liar” means you make God I liar because you reject His account of salvation and changing the truth of God into a lie. The chosen nation that God chose to have His Beloved Son to enter this world, has and still deny Him. The Jews make countless money off of Jesus name, but they still deny the truth about Who He is, the Messiah. Countless so-called Christians and so-called churches deny Jesus Christ as Savior because of works for salvation. Remember what God said, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6 Works is a denial of Jesus Christ as Saviour and calling God’s record of His Son a liar. If you do not know who Jesus the Christ is, then you are not saved. John 5:37 - 41 "And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. (38) And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. (39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (41) I receive not honour from men."