August 2015 – Become The Sons of God

Redeemed… 8/29/15

Shoaib Khokhar asks:
“? Question to my Facebook nation. I know Jesus love us. But why does he love us Much? Just because he created us? Not that that’s not reason enough all on its won.”

The Bible tells us that God is love. We were in Him and with Him before the foundation of the earth. We could not comprehend Him who is Love. And so we descended to this time-space dimension we call earth with all it’s limitations and struggles.

Ultimately each of us will be forced to accept our miserable estate and death will have it’s way. But to demonstrate just how much love He truly is, God came to humanity in the form of a human (a state in which He pre-existed) and defeated death itself. By believing in this Jesus, who is in truth God, (for in Him dwelt the fullness of the godhead bodily) and accepting His work on a cruel cross, by repenting of one’s sinfulness and committing one’s life to Him, a lost sinner can be saved and inherit Eternal Life. Hence we are Re-deemed or brought back to our former glorious estate by Him who purchased our salvation by His own precious blood.

And not only did He conquer death but He went to hell where I was supposed to go because of my sin. He actually took my punishment. This is the story of the Prodigal Son. We all are prodigal sons. You see my friend, love can never truly be fully understood unless it is lost with no hope of ever getting it back, but regained against all hope. Hence we are REDEEMED! Then love is finally and at long last understood.

Indeed, God is understood in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Why is that necessary. So that we can enter into Oneness with Him. So that we can inherit all things. So that we will know Him as well as He knows us. So that we will be “filled with ALL the fullness of God.” Oneness with God is the fellowship He desires (see John 17). And even a partial understanding of this love is enough to transform the vilest sinner into saint. In this GREAT SALVATION we go from a prodigal son to a Son of God. Yes, indeed, He is the FIRST BORN among MANY brethren. HALLELUJAH.

PRAISE HIS NAME FOREVER!

Redeemed [Live]

Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law – 8/25/15

He did not come to re-establish, reinforce, reintroduce, reiterate, reaffirm, remain in, or re-institute the law. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ [Jn 1:16].”

Why is this important? Because the law was taught by priests who were from the tribe of Levi. They were known as Levites or Levitical Priests. But Jesus was from the tribe of Judah whose descendants were called Jews. Now Moses, and all 12 Hebrew tribes including Judah descended from Abraham. And yet Abraham gave tithe or 10% of his spoil to Melchizedek because Melchizedek was from a higher order than the law.

Melchizedek had neither beginning of days nor end of life. Likewise in Hebrews 6:20 Jesus is revealed “after the order of Melchizedek.” For example, Jesus said, “before Abraham was I AM [Jn 8:58].” Again Jesus is like Melchizedek for “He ever liveth to make intercession for us [Heb 7:25].” Intercession means Jesus is advocating like our lawyer for our innocence because He paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. The intercessory work of Christ is God’s grace or unmerited favor.

If we trust in our ability to keep the law we will surely perish. Even our righteousness is as filthy rags [Isa 64:6]. If we repent of our sins, seek forgiveness for our sinful nature and trust, or have faith in His grace to save us,we will stand before Him at the Judgment Seat clothed in His righteousness and inherit eternal life.

Fernando Ortega – Jesus Paid It All [Official Music]

John the Baptist – 8/8/15

QUESTION: Something I’ve been wondering about, John the Baptist…what made people listen to him rather than dismiss him as a crazy man? He was so respected that he was able to pave the way that pointed to Jesus!

RESPONSE: According to Jesus he was the greatest of all prophets while the Old Covenant prevailed (Lk 7:28a). He came in the Spirit and power of Elijah (Lk 1:17). Jesus even said he was Elijah returned as scripture foretold (Mal. 4:5-6 and Mt 17:12). So think of the ministry and miracles of Elijah and realize John’s ministry was greater. Hence what he said came to pass. What he declared – happened. Indeed, when he baptized Jesus the heavens opened, the Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove and the voice of God was heard (probably like thunder) saying “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him (Mt 3:16-17).”

And realize this; if, according to Ben Franklin, George Whitefield could easily preach to a crowd of 10,000 in the mid 1700’s, how many more by one anointed from his birth (Lk 1:16).

Obviously his lone voice stirred an entire nation; so much so that the royals even felt threatened (Mt 14:4). Despite his immense popularity he had to be silenced. All of what he said and did was not recorded, but it is sufficient to say that Jesus said he was the greatest prophet. And yet what is even more surprising,…the fact that Jesus said of us who enter the kingdom (of grace by faith) that we receive a greater portion than John (Lk 7:28b). Now that is truly amazing! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. Thank you JESUS.