Sunday, January 3, 2021
NEW COMMANDMENT VIA NEW COVENANT
This Christmas: True Light, Jesus Christ, has come into this darkness promising,
John 8:12 “…he who follows Me shall no walk in the darkness,
but shall have the light of life.”
1 Pet 2:9 “…Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2:10 “…now you are the people of God…”
This New Year: His people showing forth His light through loving one another
1 John 1:5 “…God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
1 John 4:8 “…God is love…”
- light and love together
1 John 2:8-11
2:8 “…a new commandment…”
- w/Jn 13:34 “…that you love one another…”
(relationships; higher standard)
“…the darkness is passing away…”
“…the true light is already shining.”
- the true Light, “the Light of the world”, Jesus Christ
2:9 “…one who…hates his brother is in the darkness…”
2:11 “…one who hates his brother is in…and walks in the darkness.”
2:10 “…one who loves his brother abides in the light…”
The “light of life” shining through you this New Year by the light of loving –
NEW COVENANT: basis for forgiveness
Jer 31:31-33
Heb 8:6 “…He is also the mediator of a better covenant…”
8:12 “…I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”
2 Cor 3:6 “…a new covenant…of the Spirit…the Spirit gives life.”
NEW CREATION: not just forgiven/reformed sinners,
but new spiritual life continually renewed by freshness of Christ
2 Cor 5:17 “…new creation…” – new beginning; new nature
“…new things…” – new realm; newness/freshness of life “in Christ”
- new thru being joined to person of Jesus
NEW SELF: process of being renewed
Col 3:10 “…being renewed to a true knowledge…to the image of the One…”
- renewing in the likeness of Light & Love
Eph 4:22 “…lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted…”
- darkness & unloving
4:23 “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
- transformed by the will of God – light & love
4:24 “…in the likeness of God…in righteousness…holiness of the truth.”
- capable of loving & capacity for shining
NEW COMMANDMENT:
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as
I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
- via NEW COVENANT
NEW CREATION
NEW SELF
COMMUNION: “remembering” what Christ has done
“remembering” what church is becoming
Luke 22:19 “…This is My body…do this in remembrance of Me.”
22:20 “…This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in
My blood.”
This Christmas: True Light, Jesus Christ, has come into this darkness promising,
John 8:12 “…he who follows Me shall no walk in the darkness,
but shall have the light of life.”
1 Pet 2:9 “…Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2:10 “…now you are the people of God…”
This New Year: His people showing forth His light through loving one another
1 John 1:5 “…God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
1 John 4:8 “…God is love…”
- light and love together
1 John 2:8-11
2:8 “…a new commandment…”
- w/Jn 13:34 “…that you love one another…”
(relationships; higher standard)
“…the darkness is passing away…”
“…the true light is already shining.”
- the true Light, “the Light of the world”, Jesus Christ
2:9 “…one who…hates his brother is in the darkness…”
2:11 “…one who hates his brother is in…and walks in the darkness.”
2:10 “…one who loves his brother abides in the light…”
The “light of life” shining through you this New Year by the light of loving –
NEW COVENANT: basis for forgiveness
Jer 31:31-33
Heb 8:6 “…He is also the mediator of a better covenant…”
8:12 “…I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”
2 Cor 3:6 “…a new covenant…of the Spirit…the Spirit gives life.”
NEW CREATION: not just forgiven/reformed sinners,
but new spiritual life continually renewed by freshness of Christ
2 Cor 5:17 “…new creation…” – new beginning; new nature
“…new things…” – new realm; newness/freshness of life “in Christ”
- new thru being joined to person of Jesus
NEW SELF: process of being renewed
Col 3:10 “…being renewed to a true knowledge…to the image of the One…”
- renewing in the likeness of Light & Love
Eph 4:22 “…lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted…”
- darkness & unloving
4:23 “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
- transformed by the will of God – light & love
4:24 “…in the likeness of God…in righteousness…holiness of the truth.”
- capable of loving & capacity for shining
NEW COMMANDMENT:
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as
I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
- via NEW COVENANT
NEW CREATION
NEW SELF
COMMUNION: “remembering” what Christ has done
“remembering” what church is becoming
Luke 22:19 “…This is My body…do this in remembrance of Me.”
22:20 “…This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in
My blood.”
january 10, 2021
THE REAL PANDEMIC/PLAGUE
Sin Problem:
“Sin will take you further than you want to go
Sin will hold you longer than you wanted to stay
Sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay”
Satan never shows you the consequence s of sin, only the pleasures (Heb 11:25).
Sin deceives us into believing we are free from the consequences of sin.
Consequences can last a lifetime or for eternity
(Rom 6:23)
Wages in our economy rise and fall, but the wages of sin remain the same – death
Far Reaching Effects of Sin:
- 6,000 years of human history (evil age; satan’s ‘domain of darkness’ – Col 1:13)
- 2,600 years of ‘times of the Gentiles’ (no descendant of David ruling Israel)
- excluded from the assembly of the Lord for 10 generations:
w/illegitimate birth (Deut 23:2)
w/Ammonite or Moabite (Deut 23:3 from Gen 19:36-38 Lot’s daughters)
- generationally to 3rd & 4th generation without repentance ( Ex 34:6-7; Num 14:18
- 70 year of Babylonian captivity (Lev 26:33-34; Jer 25:12)
lost God’s glory and land; ever since effected by others
- David’s 4-fold consequence of adultery and murder (2 Sam 12:6)
1) child died
2) son rebelled
3) concubines defiled
4) kingdom threatened (never same when regained)
Misconception – idea of Christianity as total acceptance and love without any
consequences or continuing repercussions
> minimizes the fear of God and His holiness, esp. w/relationships
Pt. – covenant promises will be fulfilled, but disobedience has long lasting
consequences and punishment
forgiven, but still suffer consequences
Jesus’ first coming:
Matt 1:21 “…He who will save His people from their sins.”
- a Savior from sin
not only forgiveness of sin, but salvation from sin
Jesus’ second coming:
Rev 11:15 ”…He will reign forever and ever.”
- a Lord that will eliminate sin & its rule
Gen 3 – sin of transgression (disobedience to known command of God)
Gen 4 – sin of “own way” (own efforts & own authority)
- both trying to be own God, to live by own choices
Pandemic of the human heart – sin
Satan’s intent is to kill, steal & destroy all those who have this plague in them
Satan is destructive only when he has somewhere to work, something that
belongs to him. Satan exploits the plague within us.
Danger of this pandemic is that we don’t know we have it
Terrible thing about this pandemic is that we can’t get to it
can’t remove it surgically, psychologically,
can’t help ourselves, nor can any other person help us
Troubling thing with this pandemic is that it lies within us - incubating
growing, getting into the bloodstream, into the life & can break out anytime
Only God can stop this pandemic
Only God the Spirit can make plain this plague so He can help & purge it
Only the Son of God, in whom satan has nothing to work with, can save & heal us
John 14:30 “…the ruler of the world…has nothing in Me.”
John 14:26 “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit…He will teach you all things, and brings
to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives
Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
14:28 “…I go away, and I will come to you…I go to the Father…”
14:30 “…the ruler of the world is coming, and he had nothing in Me.”
God can heal this pandemic of sin
God heals it by blood and fire – blood of the One in whom satan has nothing
cleanses and kills the plague of sin
cleanses from all sin – the blood of Jesus
- fire of the Holy Spirit that purges the impure out
purges old way & tendencies (inherited or chosen
keeps clean so don’t have an incubation of sin
that can break out
The precious blood of Jesus &
The fire of the Holy Spirit - heal this pandemic of sin
- restores to health
- brings real peace
God never called the church to salvage a world that has been cursed with the pandemic of sin and is under divine judgement,
But to preach the gospel – a Savior in whom the devil has nothing to work with
a Savior who gave His uncontaminated blood
a Savior who comes to save us from the plague of sin
- a Helper who makes this real, personal & available
a Helper who purges out the effects of the pandemic
a Helper who deals with any residue of the plague
a Helper who restores health and peace
Sin Problem:
“Sin will take you further than you want to go
Sin will hold you longer than you wanted to stay
Sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay”
Satan never shows you the consequence s of sin, only the pleasures (Heb 11:25).
Sin deceives us into believing we are free from the consequences of sin.
Consequences can last a lifetime or for eternity
(Rom 6:23)
Wages in our economy rise and fall, but the wages of sin remain the same – death
Far Reaching Effects of Sin:
- 6,000 years of human history (evil age; satan’s ‘domain of darkness’ – Col 1:13)
- 2,600 years of ‘times of the Gentiles’ (no descendant of David ruling Israel)
- excluded from the assembly of the Lord for 10 generations:
w/illegitimate birth (Deut 23:2)
w/Ammonite or Moabite (Deut 23:3 from Gen 19:36-38 Lot’s daughters)
- generationally to 3rd & 4th generation without repentance ( Ex 34:6-7; Num 14:18
- 70 year of Babylonian captivity (Lev 26:33-34; Jer 25:12)
lost God’s glory and land; ever since effected by others
- David’s 4-fold consequence of adultery and murder (2 Sam 12:6)
1) child died
2) son rebelled
3) concubines defiled
4) kingdom threatened (never same when regained)
Misconception – idea of Christianity as total acceptance and love without any
consequences or continuing repercussions
> minimizes the fear of God and His holiness, esp. w/relationships
Pt. – covenant promises will be fulfilled, but disobedience has long lasting
consequences and punishment
forgiven, but still suffer consequences
Jesus’ first coming:
Matt 1:21 “…He who will save His people from their sins.”
- a Savior from sin
not only forgiveness of sin, but salvation from sin
Jesus’ second coming:
Rev 11:15 ”…He will reign forever and ever.”
- a Lord that will eliminate sin & its rule
Gen 3 – sin of transgression (disobedience to known command of God)
Gen 4 – sin of “own way” (own efforts & own authority)
- both trying to be own God, to live by own choices
Pandemic of the human heart – sin
Satan’s intent is to kill, steal & destroy all those who have this plague in them
Satan is destructive only when he has somewhere to work, something that
belongs to him. Satan exploits the plague within us.
Danger of this pandemic is that we don’t know we have it
Terrible thing about this pandemic is that we can’t get to it
can’t remove it surgically, psychologically,
can’t help ourselves, nor can any other person help us
Troubling thing with this pandemic is that it lies within us - incubating
growing, getting into the bloodstream, into the life & can break out anytime
Only God can stop this pandemic
Only God the Spirit can make plain this plague so He can help & purge it
Only the Son of God, in whom satan has nothing to work with, can save & heal us
John 14:30 “…the ruler of the world…has nothing in Me.”
John 14:26 “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit…He will teach you all things, and brings
to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives
Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
14:28 “…I go away, and I will come to you…I go to the Father…”
14:30 “…the ruler of the world is coming, and he had nothing in Me.”
God can heal this pandemic of sin
God heals it by blood and fire – blood of the One in whom satan has nothing
cleanses and kills the plague of sin
cleanses from all sin – the blood of Jesus
- fire of the Holy Spirit that purges the impure out
purges old way & tendencies (inherited or chosen
keeps clean so don’t have an incubation of sin
that can break out
The precious blood of Jesus &
The fire of the Holy Spirit - heal this pandemic of sin
- restores to health
- brings real peace
God never called the church to salvage a world that has been cursed with the pandemic of sin and is under divine judgement,
But to preach the gospel – a Savior in whom the devil has nothing to work with
a Savior who gave His uncontaminated blood
a Savior who comes to save us from the plague of sin
- a Helper who makes this real, personal & available
a Helper who purges out the effects of the pandemic
a Helper who deals with any residue of the plague
a Helper who restores health and peace
sunday, january 17, 2021
Rev 12:1 “…a women…”
- Israel, descendants of Abraham thru Jacob
12:2 “…with child…in labor…in pain to give birth.”
- travailing 2,000 years to bring forth the promised seed
- w/Gen 12:3 “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- w/Gen 22:18 “…in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- w/Gen 28:14 “…in your descendants shall all the families of the
earth be blessed.”
- w/Gal 3:8 “…God would justify the Gentiles…the gospel…
to Abraham…ALL…SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
3:14 “…in Christ Jesus the blessings of Abraham might come
to the Gentiles…”
3:16 “…promises…TO YOUR SEED…that is, Christ.”
- history: true, literal & redemptive
Rev 12:3 “…a great red dragon…”
seven heads… - 7 kingdoms/empires
ten horns…
seven crowns.” - 7 rulers over those 7 kingdoms/empires
- spiritual warfare
- Satan’s strategy to prevent the promised Seed from being birthed
thru annihilation or assimilation
Rev 17:3 “…a woman…seven heads…ten horns…”
17:7 “…the mystery of the woman…seven heads…ten horns.”
17:9 “…wisdom…seven heads are seven mountains…” (not Rome)
17:10 “…they are seven kings;
five have fallen, (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece)
one is, (Rome)
the other is not yet come…” (identity of 7th ??)
17:11 “…the beast (Antichrist)…is himself also an eighth…”
17:12 “…ten horns…are ten kings…not yet received a kingdom,
but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.”
17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb…”
> > “Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not?” Set 3 – Part 6B
Intensity & historicity of the spiritual warfare of the ages/of human history
through the kingdoms of the world
7 kingdoms – with the intent to annihilate or assimilate God’s chosen people
7 rulers - each a type of antichrist ruling over Israel for a time in history
7 kings & 7 kingdoms that will give rise to the 8th & ultimate kingdom of antichrist
Identity of the 7th head (kingdom)??
- not in the historical continuity, sequence w/other empires
- never controlled Israel or Jerusalem
b) Ottoman Empire – Byzantium Empire, a continuation of Roman in the east,
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) fell to Ottomans 1453
- Ottomans controlled Israel & Jerusalem 400 years
1517 to 1917 at end of WW1
- Turkey’s president Erdogan’s ambition is to reconstitute
the Ottoman Empire & recapture Jerusalem for Islam
- Islamic caliphate; Islamic Ottoman empire
“Take-aways”:
Bad – if only filtered through me & for me
- if only self-help/benefit (‘if I haven’t gotten something out of it’
- not realistic today (fantasies) & not prepared for tomorrow
- not in the battle, the real spiritual battle
Good - about taking God for what He had said & the way He has said it,
brings to awesomeness of who He is
- Historical: true human history, true redemptive history
of God’s people; relentless pressure & persecution
- Spiritual Battle: real, intense & intensifying
Satan’s Strategy – Assimilate &/or Annihilate
God’s Sovereignty – Covenant Faithfulness & Kingdom Rule
Rev 11:15 “…kingdom of the world has become the kingdom
of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign…”
- Israel, descendants of Abraham thru Jacob
12:2 “…with child…in labor…in pain to give birth.”
- travailing 2,000 years to bring forth the promised seed
- w/Gen 12:3 “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- w/Gen 22:18 “…in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- w/Gen 28:14 “…in your descendants shall all the families of the
earth be blessed.”
- w/Gal 3:8 “…God would justify the Gentiles…the gospel…
to Abraham…ALL…SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
3:14 “…in Christ Jesus the blessings of Abraham might come
to the Gentiles…”
3:16 “…promises…TO YOUR SEED…that is, Christ.”
- history: true, literal & redemptive
Rev 12:3 “…a great red dragon…”
seven heads… - 7 kingdoms/empires
ten horns…
seven crowns.” - 7 rulers over those 7 kingdoms/empires
- spiritual warfare
- Satan’s strategy to prevent the promised Seed from being birthed
thru annihilation or assimilation
Rev 17:3 “…a woman…seven heads…ten horns…”
17:7 “…the mystery of the woman…seven heads…ten horns.”
17:9 “…wisdom…seven heads are seven mountains…” (not Rome)
17:10 “…they are seven kings;
five have fallen, (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece)
one is, (Rome)
the other is not yet come…” (identity of 7th ??)
17:11 “…the beast (Antichrist)…is himself also an eighth…”
17:12 “…ten horns…are ten kings…not yet received a kingdom,
but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.”
17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb…”
> > “Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not?” Set 3 – Part 6B
Intensity & historicity of the spiritual warfare of the ages/of human history
through the kingdoms of the world
7 kingdoms – with the intent to annihilate or assimilate God’s chosen people
7 rulers - each a type of antichrist ruling over Israel for a time in history
7 kings & 7 kingdoms that will give rise to the 8th & ultimate kingdom of antichrist
Identity of the 7th head (kingdom)??
- Nazi Germany – from a Christian nation via higher criticism (liberalism)
- not in the historical continuity, sequence w/other empires
- never controlled Israel or Jerusalem
b) Ottoman Empire – Byzantium Empire, a continuation of Roman in the east,
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) fell to Ottomans 1453
- Ottomans controlled Israel & Jerusalem 400 years
1517 to 1917 at end of WW1
- Turkey’s president Erdogan’s ambition is to reconstitute
the Ottoman Empire & recapture Jerusalem for Islam
- Islamic caliphate; Islamic Ottoman empire
“Take-aways”:
Bad – if only filtered through me & for me
- if only self-help/benefit (‘if I haven’t gotten something out of it’
- not realistic today (fantasies) & not prepared for tomorrow
- not in the battle, the real spiritual battle
Good - about taking God for what He had said & the way He has said it,
brings to awesomeness of who He is
- Historical: true human history, true redemptive history
of God’s people; relentless pressure & persecution
- Spiritual Battle: real, intense & intensifying
Satan’s Strategy – Assimilate &/or Annihilate
God’s Sovereignty – Covenant Faithfulness & Kingdom Rule
Rev 11:15 “…kingdom of the world has become the kingdom
of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign…”
|
Lexington Foursquare Gospel Church
(PO Box 570) 21 Snowy Egret Lane Lexington, VA. 24450 |