John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."







Friday, December 11, 2015

24th lesson = God's Purpose in loving the Human Being

 

The Road To Calvary.

The Purpose To Be Lived On The Way To Calvary.
 
All of us are thankful that Jesus walked that road unto Calvary for us; and most of us even praise Him for so much love, in our behalf. During the last week before Jesus was crucified on the cross, he was preparing his disciples for the time when he no longer would be here in human form on earth. The four Gospels describe the life of Jesus. Each author describes it from a different perspective; John describes Jesus as the Son of Man. Something very beautiful that I learned by reading the Word of God is that Jesus teaches us through his experience on this earth, as how we shall deal with each situation that you and I face and encounter.
I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to include this part of the journey to Calvary; because if we follow Jesus, we have to walk the same path that He walked. Here I want to tell you what I learned in my experiences as: what we learn and the way to Calvary, and how we learn it. So, even though Jesus went to Calvary for us do we need to go this path as well? I believe in our Spiritual life we do yes.  Let's draw a symbolism here. Jesus as a human being had a day where he gave up his career as a carpenter to begin his Ministry. The Bible tells us that He fulfilled all that he was called to do. His Ministry included to go to Calvary to die for all of us, and after three days He rose again so that he could ascend to Heaven and assume all salvation for us; and also send us the Counselor, the Holy Spirit. One day you and I we were born in the flesh, to be able to be here on earth. But, according to the Bible as we have seen we were born spiritually dead. To be born again we are required to receive Jesus to be made Gods’ Children.
Now then it is fulfilled what Jesus said that just as the Father sent Him He sends to us as well, for we receive the power to be made Children of God. To be sent by Jesus we need to be His children, all those that believe in Him. Just as Jesus we have the right to practice our profession and pursuing our business to the point where God the Father tells us: I have a Ministry for you to fulfill. That is when we let go of our boats as did the disciples did and we follow Jesus wherever He trains us, to be His ambassadors here on earth. How often did the disciples witness the fact that Jesus sent them to go ahead across the lake, and he spent the whole night praying on Mountain.
 
The disciples know this because they tell us about it here in the Gospels. Jesus demonstrated that He as a human needed to be with his Father that was in Heaven to make sure that he working in accordance with the Will of the Father. Jesus left us an example to be followed, and the disciples were trained by observing Jesus fulfill his Ministry; while he was going it. Just like Jesus, you and I must also go somewhere alone to seek the Lord to talk to HIM. A fellowship is build walking together and being together to become acquainted.
I do not know how it is in your country; but, where I come from it is currently fashionable in Evangelical Pentecostals Circles go to worship upon the mountain to worship God. What the Bible teaches us is that we should climb the mountain alone as Jesus did to talk to the Father who is in heaven. Moses went alone; David sought God and was alone when he sought Him. Mountain tops are there for personal engagement with our Creator not Worship Services; those need to be done in the Temple. All the prophets in the past when sought the presence and assistance from above, they were alone and not making praise and worship ceremony so that from heaven would descend fire of anointment. The Bible shows us clearly when the disciples sought unanimous God's presence; they were all gathered in the Temple.
We go through the same process as Jesus did, we have to leave our family as he left His, and our profession as Jesus did. After this, then we begin to seek our Heavenly Father to know how, where and in what manner to work in the mission that He gives us. Similarly to Christ it is in our lives; we pass through the stage where we have to decide whether we actually we will answer in Gethsemane: not my will, but Thy Will be done. It is in Gethsemane that we abdicate our lives as Jesus said to the Greeks, if you love life and will not give it up, you will not receive it back. It is in Gethsemane that we abdicate in our live of the right to have freedom of choice. Now we make of Gods’ choice our own choice.
According to the Dictionary:
“If you say that someone has abdicated responsibility for something, you disapprove of them because they have refused to accept responsibility for it any longer. (FORMAL)”
Upon leaving the Garden where he was pressed, they led him to be judged. Jesus was forced to carry his cross to Calvary. Reading the story we see that Jesus was so weak that, compelled Simon to bear his cross. "As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross" – Mt.27:32.  Jesus had to carry his cross to the point where his body was literally broken, and they made someone else carry it to Calvary. In our life we also have to take up our cross, and we know that when the struggle is too heavy, the Holy Spirit helps us in every step. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me;" - Matthew 16:24. You and I, and every human being needs to come up with all our their burdens, dilemmas, problems and sins unto the Cross of Calvary. All our pain and sorrows, and all sins in our life we must lay them down at the feet of the Savior Jesus. Oh Glory for Cross of Calvary, it is by whom we are saved and cleansed from all the sorrows that breaks us and crushes us.
 
There on the cross at Calvary Jesus died for us and the Bible tells us in Romans chapter 6 that there we died with him. The purpose to be lived at this time is the fact that we are being prepared by Jesus as his disciple. Our comfort is that we have Jesus with us, training us and He is always at our side. A disciple of Jesus never walks alone, the Holy Spirit will guide them in all the truth, we have this promise in God's Word. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--” - John. 14:16. In the following chapter we will learn how each of us was baptized into the Body of Christ, to be part of it.

 
 
 
 In the Lord's Service 
I greet you in His Love
Antonina Penner.
Missionary
Masters inTheology..
 
ISBN- 978-0-9881063-1-4
Copyright 2012/11/26 by: “Ministério Visão de Águias”.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

23rd lesson = God's Purpose in loving the Human Being

 


Jesus Prepares His Disciples.

The Purpose To Be Lived When Jesus Prepares His Disciples.
The Preparation Of The Twelve. The main purpose of Jesus of coming into the world was to die as the Lamb of God to heal the broken relationship between humanity and God and rise from the dead to give eternal life to human beings. However, his life, death and resurrection for the world would be useless unless the world would know about this. If the men to whom he entrusted his work were unfaithful to him, his coming unto earth would have been in vain. Jesus could have brought several hundred crews of Angels to proclaim his kingdom here, but the Bible tells us that angels desired to do this, but God gave this task to human beings. Their preparation was not easy because they were being trained for a work totally different from what they imagined to be the objective of the training. They began to follow Jesus without any intention of becoming preachers. Their hope was that, because it is the Messiah, he would establish a world political empire of which they would be administrators (v.tb. Mt.13).
The method by which Jesus changed their concept about the work he and the twelve had to do was by introducing Himself to them with all the fullness of his divine glory; so that no matter how different his way of speaking and acting was from the way in which they expected the Messiah to speak and act, they still would believe it was Christ, the Messiah. That's one of the reasons he performed miracles and was transfigured before their eyes, verify how John describes it in chapter 20.30,31. (According to Halley's Biblical Manual, Pg. 448, Ed Life).
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Jesus explained in several occasions to his disciples that he would be crucified and rise again, but the twelve had difficulty understanding it at first. The passages in Matthew and Luke 16:21-23. 9:22 show us this scenario. In Mark. 8:31-33, Jesus clearly states here that it was necessary for the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. In chapter 9:30-31 Jesus once again foretells his death and resurrection, and in chapter 10:32-34. While Jesus was beginning his journey here on earth as the Messiah he chose his disciples and from the first day He already started training them. This was the practical in the training , the coop-practice so to speak. They watched Jesus do His Ministry and as they observed Him, they were trained to do so as well.
Jesus knew that transforming these laymen into apostles was not an easy task, so with patience and with great wisdom he led them in every step of the way. It was necessary to make them aware that he Jesus was the Messiah as required to in Scriptures fulfill them everything that was written about Him. He used these twelve to start the Church of Christ here on earth, the Bride of the Lamb. Peter calls our attention in his letter, of the fact that the angels desired the task of preaching the Gospel; was not given to them, but to the human being - 1 Peter 1:12. The last week before the Crucifixion was very intense for both Jesus, the Christ, as well as for his disciples. The disciples had difficulties to understand some things that Jesus tried to teach them. The disciples witnessed several scenarios where Jesus was literally going through tough trials. They observed, and often did not understand what was going on.
 
Let's look at some of what goes on in the following situation. Jesus enters Jerusalem and is applauded by everyone as King; we know this passage as the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Here another episode happens that the disciples did not understand at the time.
In verses 14 to 19 of John chapter 12 describes the following:
Ø  V. 14 -15 "Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt". Jesus did this because He was fulfilling what was written by the Prophet Zechariah about him, and the Messiah had to fulfill all that was written about him: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" - Zech. 9:9.  Except that on the day that this happened his disciples did not understand it.
Ø  The apostle herein mentioned that they remembered after Jesus was glorified that these things were written about him. Vs 16 - "At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him".
Ø  Vs. 17-19 = “Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
Both in my life and in yours, we go through similar experiences. Some things happen and God tries to speak to us through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, but we do not heard or do not understand it and we are afflicted. Later on we go through another experience and it reminds us of what happened before and it seems like a light goes on in us and everything starts to make sense. I believe that after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit began to clarify things to them, the apostles must have said: now it sure makes sense what he said that day. Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Then we read that Jesus instead of introducing himself to the Greeks, at least the text does not tell us if he actually spoke to the Greeks or if he said the following to all who were there:
Vs. 14-18 =
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Jo. 12:24-28.
Jesus explains that unless a kernel of wheat which falls into the ground and does not die, it stays alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Jesus was referring about his own death here. These words were very concentrated and a profound teaching; short, but contained the essence of what he was go through in a couple of days. I believe he said all this, to these Greeks to learn as well, that Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hated his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Jesus makes it clear to them, if you love your life, you will lose it, and if you hate life in this world, you will gain eternal life. I think if I would have been there for the first time listening to Jesus say this, I would have said like some of the disciples said, what a tough speech this is who can understand it? The disciples and the Greeks, and all who were around him there; they probably did not understand at the time what Jesus meant by this speech. They expected that Jesus, the Messiah would reign now and get a wonderful future for the nation of Israel; and Jesus begins to speak about to fall in the ground and die? I think we would have been somewhat confused that day as well; with an explanation that made no sense at the time to anyone.
“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" - Jn. 6:60. Some translation say: who can understand it? So if I like my life I will lose it. But, is this what Jesus really meant? Jesus knew their thoughts and knew what was going on in their hearts. Jesus makes a point of emphasizing that it is necessary to make a choice. Like Jesus did with Peter, He asked him: Peter do you love me, then take care of my sheep, stop running after something that you believe will give you success; in this case I cannot use you in my kingdom. Jesus goes on to say: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be. And if any one serves me, the Father will honour him. The Greeks received this education, you want to follow me, then come, but you need to make a decision whether you will be by my side or not, this is what Jesus clarified. This message also serves for you as for me as well. And then he gets anguished, and everyone there witnessed this time as well. Can you imagine what the disciples must have thought at this hour? Surely, they were uncertain what they should be thinking at this time. A little fear, and puzzled as well.
He speaks in front of the public: "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" And God heard His prayer and answered: "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Jo. 12:27-28. Look at that beautiful fellowship between God the Father and God the Son on earth. When the Son spoke God heard and answered. Hallelujahs! And then we read that the crowd heard a voice. "The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die" - Jn. 12: 29-33.
The people were confused; they did not really know what it was. I believe they failed to understand that this was God's voice sounding there, because Jesus himself said that people that are in the world do not see the Holy Spirit and do not know Him; but we know do. This reminds me of two verses that speak of the fact that the person that is not of God does not hear His voice; therefore they concluded that it was a thunder.
Let's read the verses:
o   “The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” - Jn. 14:17. 
o   “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood” - 1 Jn. 4:6.
We know that the disciples saw it, as the Apostle John describes us what happened there at the time. Then Jesus says that: "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die" Jn12:30-33. Jesus makes a point to explain why all this happened. There were enough witnesses to declare that the Messiah had been introduced to them by the voice that came from heaven, God was speaking there to them. Many heard it, and it's something that cannot be disputed is many witnessed this. Please note as well as Jesus prepares his disciples, He prepares you and me at this hour. Jesus says: Now is the judgment of this world.
Jesus knew that with his death on the cross there, if he would fall as the wheat in the earth and die, this would bring the judgment to this world, the prince of darkness would be judged. And Jesus says, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me. He explains it briefly, everything we need to know that He is the Messiah who came to save that what was lost. We read in another passage in which Jesus says that no one takes his life away from Him, and yes, he who gives it of himself..
"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" - Jn. 10:18. Jesus makes it clear that He is always in control of the circumstances; he clearly states that no one can take away his life away from Him. So, of no one can take His life away from Him, and He gave it willingly for us; then we must agree that there was a very high purpose behind this action of His, relinquishing act of giving his earthly life, so that we can live. Jesus said He had the power to give it up and to take it back. He said: I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.
This is how Jesus gave us the purpose to be lived in “God is Love”.
 
“Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"  Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"  But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” – Jn.2:18-22.
As Jesus said destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days, in reality He was telling them that they could not do it; unless Jesus allowed them to do it. Everything was and is, and always will be in complete control of our God."  And we read that after Jesus was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. In this passage Jesus also indicates that he would resume his life after three days, after they crucified Him. Jesus, The Messiah is in control of everything. If, Jesus said if they did it with him, they will do it with us. Jesus was in control when they did it with Him, Jesus is also in control over what they will do to us or not. Oh glory, Praise God, Praise our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
 
 
 
 
 In the Lord's Service 
I greet you in His Love
Antonina Penner.
Missionary
Masters inTheology..
 
ISBN- 978-0-9881063-1-4
Copyright 2012/11/26 by: “Ministério Visão de Águias”.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 
 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

22nd lesson = God's Purpose in loving the Human Being


The Purpose Of Gethsemane.



Gethsemane is part of the life of the Perfect Man in Christ.

One day as Jesus was talking with his disciples; He taught them about who wants to be the greatest. Jesus does not promise the highest rank in his kingdom here on earth to those who serve him. It is necessary to be willing to pay the price of being a servant of God, just as Jesus did.

 
Jesus taught his disciples during three years, he led them in their growth in discipleship; until transforming them into future leaders of the Church here on earth. The disciples walked with Jesus from town to town, village to village. Jesus taught in front of them, healed, raised the dead, multiplied the loaves of bread, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, and innumerable other miracles. John makes an emphasis here to say: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" - Jo. 20:30-31


"When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles" - Lk. 6:13, Mt 10:1-8. These twelve were given the power to cast out demons and heal and they came back with the report as succeeded in their mission. Let's read Lc.10 :17-20 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven".


Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to give His life for humankind; and he talks with his disciples at supper time, but his disciples began to question who was the greatest among them. Jesus had trained them all the same, the twelve and the seventy alike, (some scriptures say seventy-two) giving the same power and authority at all alike, but at this time at the supper began an inquiry who was the greatest among them.


Let's read the passage:
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.
36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
37 It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  - Lk. 22:23-39.

 
®    This passage starts where they began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.  Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. = During three years Jesus had taught them to love one another, to treat them equal and that no one was to be called master, except for Him, who truly was the Master. He taught them to serve and be humble and they start to dispute to see who was considered to be the greatest. I think if these were my students, I would fail them all in the test, they did exactly the opposite that they were told.
®    Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Jesus in his loving kind way of guiding them in all He taught them directs them into the right vision they were suppose to have. He says: But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, (some translations say the smallest) and the one who rules like the one who serves.
®    For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Jesus made it very clear that He as the Savior, the Son of God, should be the one to be served; and he was teaching how to serve by serving them.
®    You are those who have stood by me in my trials. Jesus makes it clear to them that He knew that the disciples were with Him in His trials; then He says: And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was showing them that there was an appointed time when his disciples would get special seats in heaven; but only when the time was right, and not here on earth.
®    Jesus says to Simon Peter: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers". = Jesus knows when we are weak, He knows when we are going to be tempted, He knows if we are going to fail; and He knows how we are going to succeed. So, once your come out of the struggle, and when you overcome the tough battle than use the experience to lead other people to be strong as well. This indicates very strongly why God allows us to go through trials and temptations; so we can help others when they struggle.
®    But Peter replied to Jesus saying: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death".
®    Jesus knew ahead of time what was going to happen so he  answered him: "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me".
®    Jesus knows everything we need in every scenario and in each occasion. Then Jesus asked them: "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
®    Jesus made sure to show them that He was aware of everything that was about to happen and making His disciples prepared for everything, and after that He took them to the Mount of Olives. Verse 39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  At this supper Jesus was preparing them to see, it was not about being the best and the greatest; but it was about paying the price and going to the Mount of Olives to pray and be prepared for the upcoming battle.

The stature of a perfect man does not describe who is greater or lesser in the heavenly Kingdom and yes, it is about obeying and walking as Jesus did. Jesus was an example in everything. He explains about this saying: But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. For this very reason it is important that we all remain faithful in the work that Jesus gave us. Do not let greed or love of money, status or high positions here on earth take our attention of the target. We have already studied in the present study that when the first human being took his gaze of the target he sinned and all mankind fell from God's grace.

 
After this conversation went to the Mount of Olives, the disciples followed him. It is essential that everyone who says that he is a disciple of Jesus follows his footsteps. Many people desire to be leaders, to shine and receive a very high salary and have a wealthy lifestyle as pastors and teachers being the head (senior pastor to be honoured) in the leadership of the Church of Jesus. According to this passage in Luke 22, these places were given to the apostles. We have to pay attention to the teaching that Jesus gave to His disciples, we shall walk as they were taught to walk; and continue steadfast as Jesus commanded them. Neither I nor you should go after something that will get us from the goal as Jesus instructed them. It is of utmost importance that we keep our eyes on Jesus, who begins and ends the good work in our lives. It is Jesus our Lord and King of Glory that is who determines what we are in his kingdom, therefore we submit and surrender unto Him as He pleases.

 
We have learned so far the stages that each one passes, and it is not possible for someone to want to do the works what the disciples did after Pentecost when we are still young in our faith. Fact is, not even Jesus began while he was young at age, and yes, He waited properly as the Father had commanded him. "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" - Jn. 5:30.

 
He made it very clear to them in several occasions that he was working and acting as he heard the Father speak. Jesus makes it clear in his teaching that we should live as He taught in the Sermon on the Mount. He instructed them how they should behave and conduct himself as his disciple. Jesus said that would transform them into fishers of men, and he did. The apostle Paul says that if someone desires the position of a bishop, or be an elder, or deacon, and so on, he aspires a good thing, but that should not be someone new in the faith. Notice how he writes this to Timothy. "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil" - 1 Tm. 3:6. I think for the same reason, we should not desire high positions; if God did not put us there, not to fall into the condemnation of the devil.
 
Many people believe that because they experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit when they received Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives; that this enables them to work immediately in Gods’ Kingdom. Nothing is further from the truth than this. Jesus, at the age of twelve was in the synagogue and he was listening and questioning the doctors, according to Lk. 2:46-47 = "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers”. Jesus at this time was already filled with the Holy Spirit, but he waited to descend upon him the anointing that came from his Father, at the right time for the right work.

Although he knew that He was the Christ who came to save the world, at twelve years he did nothing beyond what he was permitted to do. Jesus obeyed his parents at age twelve. “When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you". - Vs. 48 of Chapter 2. The truth that I want to emphasize here is the fact that Jesus was aware of everything he was going to do here on earth, he knew it all; that had to be a perfect grown up man before starting his journey as the Messiah. Jesus in spite of being God, He waited for the right time to act in God's Kingdom here on earth.

All of us that are His children and disciples we should only act and start working when the Holy Spirit enable us to do so, and when He leads us thereby. But when it comes to preaching and being a pastor, evangelist and so on, it must not be a neophyte; a recent convert. We should talk about our faith since the first day on, yes, just as Jesus did in the temple; he spoke, he was questioned in the temple among the doctors, but he submitted himself to those who were above him. It requires training to be transformed into an apostle of Jesus. Paul when he was converted, he was taken away for 14 years, and when he returned God began to use him. He still needed to be trained by Barnabas and the other apostles. In Luke chapter 4:16 we read that Jesus at age of thirty, on a Saturday he entered in the synagogue according to his custom; and He stood up to read. Jesus knew how to wait for the right day to go and read and proclaim that now was fulfilled what was written about him; Oh Hallelujahs.

 
The disciples were trained for three years in the teaching of Jesus before Pentecost. Each of them already knew that they should preach the Gospel; but they waited for the day that Jesus had appointed for them. Jesus suffered for the fact that he positioned himself and when he did this, he was persecuted by the enemy to whom He came to overcome. Jesus defeated the enemy dying on the cross and no one suffered more than Him. But, Jesus warns us that the disciple is not greater than his master, nor the servant above his Lord. He was persecuted, and we will be as well.

Something really beautiful happens when a life is tested, when we go through the fire and the trials here on earth, the best of us comes up. A lesson to be learned from the Garden Gethsemane is that our lives will go through experiences where we will be grinded and transformed to the point on which is brought out the better of us. On the Mount of Olives is where the olives are processed which grow there. These olives pass through the press to extract the oil from them. I researched a bit as how the olives are processed in order to extract the oil from them. When we go through trials, we are processed just as the olives are. As we go through trials and we act in spirit and live in spirit, than the fruit which is extracted from us is spiritual; that is what Jesus wishes to produce through us. We pay a high price yes we will go through temptations and be tested.

 
The greatest purpose to be lived on this earth is to bring forth through our life the image and likeness of God in us. We all are tested in the same way as master was tested, this will cause to come forth through us HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS: if we do walk and live as Jesus did. Just as the master the servants are too. We are not better than Jesus and if he was tested, so we will be. The Bible says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and I can live my life here as He did; through Him.

 
It is sufficient for the disciple to be such as his Master, and it is enough for the servant to be as his Lord. If Jesus was honored, we will also be. If Jesus was accepted, we will accept as well. The Master was persecuted, and it will also happen with his disciples. The disciple needs to be willing to deny himself, in order to be a faithful servant, as God requires it.

 
One Day in the Garden Gethsemane, Jesus prayed the following:

Gethsemane = 14:32-42pp -- Mt 26:36-46; Lk 22:40-46
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
36"Abba", Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.


In chapter 13 of John, in verse one we read that Jesus knew that the time had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Jesus knew what He had to do and what He would pass. And we can see in the three year trajectory he took his disciples wherever he would go; he was never caught by surprise of anything that happened, but He was aware of everything before it happened. Let us take a look at what takes place: He arrives at the Garden, and he says to his disciples: stay here, sit down, and I will pray. I do not know how you would have felt if you would have been there. But here is how I pondered over this in my heart: they were with Jesus at the supper, they were part of the scenario in the last week as Jesus entered Jerusalem; applauded by the people around Him as King. "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" "- Jn. 12:13.


With no doubt for Jesus it was very difficult to go through this experience that he had there in the Garden. Jesus had to submit himself to the Will Of His Father who is in heaven. God the Son, knew what he had to do here on earth, and what he came here for. But as a human being says the Bible he learned obedience unto death. If, they called the father of the family Beelzebub, how much more those of his household, he warns us.

 
The olive undergoes a process for the oil to be extracted from it. Every one of us needs to deny him selves so that the life of Jesus can be seen through us; that is the similarity of how we undergo the process as the olives. There in the Garden was extracted the Son of Man who came to save those who were lost, from Jesus the human being. At the same time that he was Jesus from Nazareth, seen in an earthly perspective; he was the Messiah, the Christ from the heavenly perspective. Jesus had to learn to position Himself as the Messiah, who had been sent. God allows us to go through trials, Jesus passed through them, for the purpose to be lived is the fact that God actually dwells within us, and his presence is reflected in our lives if we walk in His light.

 
We mentioned earlier in this book that Peter had to make a decision. And Peter took that decision. Jesus confronted him if asking him if he loved him. As Peter responded yes; Jesus told him: take care of my sheep. Do you love Jesus? If so, than, make your decision whether you will take care of Jesus’ sheep as He determined! Jesus confronted Peter with the question and repeated the same question three times.


Does it seem to you sometimes as if God says things over and over again to you? He will proceed this way until He sees we grasped it. We see that Jesus only did this with Peter. He asked his disciples about the fact of he loved Him. Peter had to decide whether he would receive "God is Love" in his life and allow Him to reign or not. Every human being will be questioned by God whether he loves Him or not; and if he does, he will be commanded to go and take care of Gods’ sheep. It is necessary to decide here on earth if we will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives or not. Since this is the entrance to the eternal home; Jesus is the door. When we make our life dwelling place of our God, then we are written in the book of life. Jn. 1:12-13 says it very clear: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”


Maybe you're walking in the desert of your life, or might be climbing the highest mountain as Moses had to climb. Some of us are asking just like Peter, if is You oh Lord, tell me to walk upon the waters. Many tasks and things that God sends his disciples to do here on earth, it to test their faith, but if God commanded us to go; He enables us to this, according to his good pleasure. When we are slandered, and maybe even called Beelzebub, as they did with our Lord and Savior Jesus, we must learn with God how to respond as Jesus did. Submit everything to God the Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus and allow Him to reign in every circumstance.



 In the Lord's Service 
I greet you in His Love
Antonina Penner.
Missionary
Masters inTheology..
 
ISBN- 978-0-9881063-1-4
Copyright 2012/11/26 by: “Ministério Visão de Águias”.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

21th lesson = God's Purpose in loving the Human Being





Perfect Man in Christ is a Fundamental Requirement.



The Stature of Perfect Man in Christ is a fundamental requirement to fulfill our duty here on earth; and not an option.

It is a commandment to walk in Christ as He walked here on earth in His Father. Jesus said: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him”- John 14:20-21. There is an undeniable fact: More and more in our globalized world, the pursuit of excellence in communications and positions of perfection is a challenge for anyone who wants to achieve a higher level of professionalism. In a competitive world where good marketing staff may be the password for success, there is a need of the technical competence; combined with behavioral and emotional competence, including more enriching interpersonal relationships.

Furthermore, in the spiritual world it is no different; for those who are part of God's family, and are part of the Body of Christ, who should be announcing The Good News Of Love Of Our God of salvation for those who had been lost = that is, every human being. How would this professionalism be in the Kingdom of God? I am impressed by the words of Jesus and let them meditate here now. Jesus gives us a tremendous example how to be the best among all. Hallelujahs!! I believe that it is worth to quote the whole text here to obtain an overview of the subject. I marvel how Jesus taught, and we must learn from this from Him.

“1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
2 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;
6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi'.
8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.
9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. "Matthew 23:1-12.

And... Lk. 22:24-30.

" 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Bold is my emphasis)
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. - Lk. 22:24-30.

Through the warnings of Jesus in this passage we see that in Gods' Kingdom, the goal is not to want to be the best in communication and marketing; as it is in the world of commerce in which anyone who makes the best advertisement is the victor. Jesus makes it very clear how the attitude should be in our heart, we are brothers serving the Master; the Christ. God is our Father, and as the apostle says we are ambassadors of the greatest. We are here representing God here on earth, the one who is the Greatest. And there is more, the GREATEST = GOD, lives within us and communicates through us. Jesus as He represented His Father here on earth gave us an example, as how to proceed, he washed the disciples’ feet. And afterward he told them they should serve each other.

“Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” - John 14:23 NIV.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, keep my words: and my Father will love him, and come unto him and make our abode with him" - John. 14:23. KJV.

Let's study this a little bit here:

-       "Jesus spoke to the crowd and saying to his disciples." The teaching that he gives in this text is for the general crowd and his disciples.

-       "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you”.  = Jesus was warning them that there are many people who are looking to have the church leadership, as well as the theological line that they prefer to apply, but he says that we should not be so. We shall obey the commandments of God, instituted in the Church of Christ. And when the servants of God teach us, we should do our best to obey the Word of God.

-       So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; = This it is an alert that we must pay attention to and seek God to help us not err in this regard. When God reminds us that there are leaders within the kingdom of God acting wrong, and we should not do as they do, it is because the matter is serious. The Bible speaks of false prophets, speaks of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus said in John 10 about the thief who comes to kill, steal and destroy. We must be careful whom we place as leaders in our churches. They must be proven as the Word of God says. They need to be approved to perform their functions in the church.

-       they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; = People who love to be served first at the communion, and the chairs of honour in the churches. Chairs that are placed for the elders and deacons and important pastors, should not be a dispute on them. There are people who fight for the best positions in the church. Jesus teaches us that we should not be as such.

-       “They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi'. "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.” = Many pastors love to receive praises and greetings. Presently at the time of pursuing doctorate in theology and everything else to achieve a PhD, everything revolves around whoever can be best. Jesus draws our attention in this regard.

-       And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

-       Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. = Titles are not sin, provided that they do not cause us to sin against your brethren. Jesus is the Master, and not us; we are his disciples and servants.

-       But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

-       But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

-       And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me. Jesus desires us to be the same as he is. And the Father had conferred the kingdom unto Him, and he was conferring the kingdom unto his disciples. Therefore, we should not strive to be the biggest, but strive to serve one another.

Oh glory, Hallelujahs!! May God, the Eternal Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be praised and exalted!

We are greater than Jesus’ employees; He chose, equipped and prepared us for this work. We are His ambassadors’, we represent Him here now on earth. After Jesus was resurrected He told his disciples: "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" - Jn. 20:21. Let's analyze this a bit. The same position that Jesus received here on earth by his Father He gave to the Church. He said, As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. It was Jesus who qualified us for the work He has sent us to do. It is not our character nor our skills and neither our knowledge gained in any university that qualifies us; but the Blood of the Lamb does.

No "human being" can be perfect on his own efforts, cannot even reach the stature of a perfect man on his own. It is Jesus who saves us, heals us, prepares us in the right way, leads us, equips us and Jesus uses us in accordance of his goodwill. Jesus sent us to do the same mission he had received to go after those who were lost. But, it is not us that do the work, but He does it through us. Paul writes to the Philippians that the One who began the good work in us will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ; Fl. 1:6,2:13. And also says that He operates both, to will and fulfill according to his good will God works this in the lives of each of us, we only need to accept it.

As you can see God has a purpose too high for each of us to live here on this earth. It starts here on earth and will continue there in glory with Him Eternal life begins here when we invite Jesus to be our Lord and Savior of our lives. J Jesus prepared his disciples so well that he did not forget any detail. Jesus warned the disciples that they would be persecuted like he was, and that none of us is more than the master. If he was persecuted, we will be also.. 

Mt 10:24-25 "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! "

§  The disciple is not greater than the master.
§  The servant is not above his master.
§  It is enough for the disciple to be like his master.
§  And it is enough for the servant to be as his Lord.
§  If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household.

Let us pause a bit here in this verse from Matthew 10:24-25. Let's look at these five important points that Jesus pointed out. The disciple is not greater than his teacher, and the servant is not more than his master. Have you ever meditated upon the fact that Jesus said this? If we analyze this situation, it is obvious that a disciple is not greater than the master, and why is it then that Jesus made this observance to his followers?

I truly believe in fact that God used lots of love as He called the human being to do this task of bringing the gospel to the unsaved. The Bible says that the angels desired to proclaim the gospel, but God gave it to the human being, (1 Pet 1:9-12). God had previously experienced a day where his creature wanted to rise above Him.

Isaiah 14:12-18
“12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
15 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.
16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,
17 the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?"
18 All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb.”


We read in Isaiah 14:12-18, the description how the morning star fell from the heaven. The chapter describes the fall of Lucifer, and according to verse 14 it says: “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High”. Jesus knew the devil would tempt many of the followers and disciples to boast about the fact that God uses them. Jesus said that whosoever believeth in him would do greater works than he did. Jo. 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father".

I believe that Jesus wanted to warn his disciples that the temptation exists; and it can happen for a person to feel the desire to be a top and high leader over the others, especially when God uses him a lot. When a person is honored a lot here on earth, the opportunity arises for him to become high headed. Jesus teaches us that we must remain humble just as he was.

He taught them also that, if they persecuted Jesus; they will also persecute us. Jesus sent the human being as the Father sent him, and He sent us to preach the gospel to every creation unto the ends of the earth. I believe Jesus was saying that the Church, the Body of Christ, would do greater things than He did when he was here in person. God has an eternal purpose with the human being He created in his image and likeness, hallelujahs.










 
                                                                                                                                In the Lord's Service 
I greet you in His Love
Antonina Penner.
Missionary
Masters inTheology..
 
ISBN- 978-0-9881063-1-4
Copyright 2012/11/26 by: “Ministério Visão de Águias”.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher


Rev. Billy Graham