“Redeemed” – Lesson Eleven – “Today Is The Day Of Your Salvation”

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This article is part 11 of 14 in the series Redeemed

“Redeemed – how I love to proclaim it!” Just the first few words of a tremendous song written by Francis Jane Crosby. This song inspired Dad to write this study, and even though some thoughts are added by myself, the over-all tenure of the lessons are as Dad intended. “REDEEMED,” from the Greek word “agoraso,” and pertains to “the market,” where one would go to purchase an item.

Recently I (dad) stood by the grave of FRANCIS JANE CROSBY, the author of that marvelous song. She went on to write, “I know I shall see in His beauty, the King in who’s law I delight; who lovingly guardeth my footsteps, and giveth me songs in the night… REDEEMED!”

Paul declares, “For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Now, take out your calendar… look for “yesterday” or “tomorrow”. Take out your dictionary and look for “Would’a,” “could’a,” “should’a,” and you won’t find these either.

Giving your life to Jesus, is strictly… a PERSONAL DECISION… YOUR DECISION. Accepting and trusting in Jesus is not something your loved ones can do for you. It is your decision. It affects everything and more… it affects your eternity. The express purpose of this little book is to lead those looking for a personal relationship with Jesus, to do just that. Please, DO NOT IGNORE – POSTPONE – DELAY this!

Jesus “paid the price” which was demanded to purchase you “in the market” and a new life is waiting for you if you want it.

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Ten – “Be Filled With The Holy Spirit”

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This article is part 10 of 14 in the series Redeemed

This chapter is as important as any of the others… The final instruction concerning the
Holy Spirit is given in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
While drinking wine to the excess will ‘take away one’s mind’, and Paul prohibits this, he on the other hand, encourages, “If you are going to be filled with (controlled by) anything, be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit.”

Drunkenness is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19). Too much wine (drunkenness) leads to ‘works of the flesh’. Yet as far as I can tell, one cannot get “too much” of
the Holy Spirit, which leads to more and more fruit of the Spirit.

Paul says, “Don’t “quench” the Spirit’s influence in your life (I Thessalonians 5:19). “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). If I am not to quench the Spirit or grieve the Spirit, what am I to do? “BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” This is not a ‘suggestion’, and it is not really an ‘option’ for the Christian. This is not an ‘alternative lifestyle.’ This is a COMMAND.

The reason why this is an important chapter is, because we are NOT commanded to
receive the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:39). We are PROMISED that we will receive the gift of the Spirit. Everyone knows the difference between a COMMAND and a PROMISE right? Yet we are commanded to be FILLED with, controlled by, the Spirit. In other words, instead of “grieving” or “quenching” the Spirit in your life… LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY!!!

(1) This command is an emphatic imperative which should be literally translated, “BE BEING KEPT FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT”. It is ‘present’ and ‘on-going’. While we all receive the Spirit as a gift (Acts 2:39, 5:32), we are to continually allow the Spirit to control, and fill our lives.

(2) This command is for each and every Christian. It was not just for the apostles, elders, deacons. Paul was not converted along with the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost. Frankly we don’t know where he was. However, we are assuming he was there since it was a ‘big’ day for the Jews. The Gentile Christians of Ephesus were not there either. Yet this command is for all Christians.

(3) This command is in the present. “Continue to be filled with the Spirit.” You eat food for your physical bodies every day in order to live – so allow the indwelling Spirit to feed, nurture and nourish you every day. The Spirit will lead and feed your spiritual nature.

(4) This is a command to be obeyed. Yet in the obedience, it is important to understand the motive behind it all. TO GROW IN CHRIST!!! Guilt, coercion, manipulation are not there. JUST GROW IN CHRIST!!! God will be praised, and the Spirit will continue to make and form Christ in you.

Just like it is hard to hide when a person is stoned, falling down drunk… it is hard to hide when your life is under the control, filled by the Spirit.

Although this short lesson does not exhaust the grand subject of “be filled with the Spirit,” it should whet your spiritual appetite. Get to it… Begin the day with prayer, and maybe a walk. Continued the day with a verse and a song… and a smile! You belong to Him now!

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The True Story Of “Lilly” (Part One)

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This article is part 1 of 2 in the series The True Story Of “Lilly.”

When we see grown people suffer from abuse, it bothers us, but when we hear or see a child being abused, we are incensed. It reaches us deep in our souls and we cry out for justice for the defenseless. Why doesn’t someone do something? Well, someone did, for ‘Lilly’.

During ancient times, children that were unwanted were sold to pay off family debts, and if they were deformed they were killed or just left to die. Yet some cultures considered children with deformities as special, revered as holy, able to communicate with the gods.

Modern concepts have evolved from locking up children with deformities in asylums, to actively endeavoring to discover and develop the potential that each one has. There are many organizations that are actively helping children and adults with handicaps…

The story of “Lilly” is true. I have changed and left out names and places,  to protect the privacy of all involved, but it is a story that needs to be told.

She was born to a very devout but misled couple who did not understand God’s love or His  grace. She was born profoundly deaf. ‘Lilly’s’ parents, failed to see her as a blessing from God. They could have found help… even though finances might have been a hardship. There were programs available, books in libraries to help parents raise children with hearing impairments, schools for the deaf… so much help was (and is) available. They could have found support groups where parents gather and share information to help each other face the same challenges. ‘Lilly’s’ parents did NONE of these things. At least they could have institutionalized her, which sounds harsh, but it would have been a blessing compared to what they did.

Because of her parent’s poor knowledge and understanding of God’s word, His love, and grace, and because of their extreme beliefs, they failed to see the potential that was there. Instead they took her imperfection as a sign of some grave sins in their lives. (Like the ‘friends’ of Job, who believed that all suffering was a sign of sin, (Job 4ff). Even the disciples of Jesus had this belief, (John 9:1-2), but Jesus corrected them.

‘Lilly’s’ parents, filled with shame and fear that their primitive fundamentalist friends would judge them as sinful, boarded up the windows of a small room, with a 40 watt bulb for light hanging from the ceiling, and locked her away. (Out of sight…. out of mind.) This was her home and all she knew. For TWENTY ONE YEARS ‘Lilly’ existed in a world of almost non-existent love, human-kindness and communication, no radio, no television, no books, no windows… nothing. Her parents taught her nothing but pain and hardship. The world for her was dark, lonely and uncaring. ‘Lilly’ was ‘planted’ but didn’t have the nourishment to ‘germinate’ and ‘grow’. Yet every seed has the potential for growth under the right circumstances.

In a world where abuse was rampant, Christianity flourished. Everywhere the teachings of Jesus took root, the value of life and family relationships have changed for the better. “Training up a child in the way he should go…”(Proverbs 22:6), NEVER INVOLVED OR CONDONED ABUSE! “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1), while it instructs children to obey parents, does not authorize abuse. “Fathers, do not exasperate (act unreasonably) your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Please… IF REAL ABUSE IS SUSPECTED, GET INVOLVED. Break the cycle of abuse.

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The True Story of “Lilly” (Part Two)

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This is a true story, but names  We have changed, and omitted names and places to protect the privacy of those involved.)

Lilly was twenty one years old, deaf, locked up and abused, and places when she became so sick that she could no longer be hidden where her parents had kept her up to this time. The doctor was brought to the house, where he immediately recognized the abusive situation, and notified the authorities. Mercifully, she was taken from her parents and moved to a special home where she was loved and cared for. Her parents were tried and went to prison. Lilly, was sent to a facility for trainable mentally emotionally handicapped adults for assessment. She had no communication skills, and when tested, her I.Q. measured between 6 and 10, which is not trainable. They were about to give up on her, when a caring teacher intervened. “Let me teach her sign language… then re-assess her. What have we got to loose?!” Further he said, “I just want 6 months to try and teach her.”

The challenges for the teacher and the student were many, as you can only imagine. There was much at stake for Lilly, who was crying out for help.  ‘Lilly’s’ special classes began and from day one there was progress. ‘Lilly’ was like a sponge, soaking up information. It was like someone had flipped a switch. All he had to do was input the information and she seemed to be able to utilize it.

She began by learning words and their hand signs, objects and their signs, the sign language alphabet, numbers, and on and on. She had started learning and was not going to stop.  Daily learning activities were done, using the ‘reverse sequence’ technique to teach ‘personal care’. When he taught her to tie shoe laces, he let her do the last thing, (pull the loops tight). Then he would do all but the next to last two steps plus pull the laces tight, and so on, till she could do it all. The teacher said, “You can teach almost anything by breaking it down into enough steps, and using the reverse sequence technique.”

In six weeks she had learned over 300 word signs, plus hand signs for all the teachers and staff, and helpers, and all the students at the school, as well as how to write the words for the signs.

Within three months her I.Q. was at 120, she was reading at a seventh grade level. After six months, tested for the last time, she was at 160!!!
After 4 years, ‘Lilly’ had graduated from high school. Before she was 30 she had completed her Masters and Doctorate Degree. She had earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and English, a Masters Degree in Special Education for the hearing impaired.

How many children have been treated as though they were an ‘inconvenience’, ‘in the way’? How many ‘Lillys’ have been crushed?

The people were bringing babies and children to Jesus so He could touch them. His disciples rebuked the people for bringing children, they were ‘in the way’. Jesus rebuked them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…”(Luke 18:15-17).

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“Satan”

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(This interesting study is used by permission from Olan Hicks)

There is a theory, widely held in Christendom, that Satan was once a chief angel of God in heaven and, as one writer put it, “Led the angels in singing praises to God.” (Hal Lindsey) The first thing wrong with that is that Jesus said it is not so. “He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth.” (John 8:44) Some versions read it “did not stand in the truth.” In the Greek text the word is “esteken,” a negative perfect tense verb. This means that he did not ever stand in the truth.

The theory that says the opposite to this is drawn from a careless misuse of some scriptures. In the Bible we first encounter Satan in Genesis 3:1, as a serpent. Note that this is at the very start of creation. The world was not yet populated, only two people existed on earth, but he is already Satan, the devil. Thus it is not right to think of him as becoming the devil at another time, centuries later in human history. Jesus was right in saying that he was totally evil from the beginning. Throughout the Bible he is never pictured any other way. Every appearance he makes is in pursuit of evil purposes.

Notice further that in Revelation 12 when there is “war in heaven” and Satan is cast out, the earth is full of people at the time. So it was many hundreds of years after he tempted Eve in the garden. The text says in verse 12, “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth for the devil has come down to you, having great wrath because he knows that he has a short time.” This was not Satan’s origin nor was it his first evil act.

Thus many questions occur. When was Satan “in heaven” and what does that phrase mean? Did Satan start out good and later become totally evil or was he always that way? From whence comes the idea that he was once an angel of God in heaven itself?

The two sections of scripture that get mishandled in the course of drawing that idea are Isaiah chapter 14 and Ezekiel chapter 28. In Isaiah 14 verse 12 says, “How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning? How are you cut down to the ground?” But back at verse 4 we find stated exactly who is in view in this section of scripture. “that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon and say…” Then follows the description of the fall of a great and mighty empire. This prophecy is specifically about Babylon, not about Satan. A sinilar thing is said in Revelation 14:8 where an angel says with a loud voice, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city. . .”  I do not know why the name “Lucifer” is included here but I do know that nowhere in this chapter is there any indication that it refers to Satan. That is purely human conjecture. In verse 16 this king is referred to as a “man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms.” Again here, the world was populated. There were kingdoms. So this is way forward in time from the garden of Eden, when Satan is already the devil. It certainly is not the time of his origin.

In Ezekiel 28:2 The word of the Lord said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre. ‘Thus says the Lord God. . .’” Here again the message is specifically addressed to  a human ruler concerning an earthly kingdom that will be thrown down. In the same verse the Lord says of him, “Yet you are a man and not a god.” At verse 12 Ezekiel is told to “Take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre” and then follows the words that men tend to apply to Satan. “You were the seal of perfection, (Verse 12) You were in Eden, the garden of God, (Verse 13) “You were prefect in your ways til iniquity was found in you.” (Verse 15) This does not mean it is applied to Satan. The context shows this one was a commercial trader.

Theologians recognize that Isaiah 14 was spoken to the king of Babylon and that Ezekiel 28 was spoken to the king of Tyre. But they assume that these have a secondary application to Satan. But this does not fit with the facts of scripture. Many Bible statements show that is not possible.

First, Jesus said that Satan was always evil and never abode in the truth. Second, his appearance in the tempting of Eve is a fact, showing that he was the devil before the earth was populated. Third, every action referred to in Ezekiel and Isaiah are done to humans, with an earthly population. Fourth, when Satan was “cast out of heaven,” (Rev. 12) he was cast down to a populated earth. Fifth, in heaven where the throne of God is there can be no sin, no evil. (Rev. 21:27) Satan, evil personified, was never there.

The fact is the Bible does not tell us about Satan’s origin. Personally I believe he is another god. Paul referred to him as “the god of this world.” (2 Cor. 4:4) I do not believe God would create something totally void of any good, which is how Jesus described Satan. But this is admittedly a guess.

What the Bible does reveal about Satan is exactly what we need to know, that he is evil, that he is a threat to our souls, and that he is very shrewd and constantly seeks to deceive us. When Jesus said, “I saw Satan, as lightening, fall from heaven,” I believe He was talking about his defeat when Jesus over came death. (Heb. 2:14-15) He was “in heaven” in the sense of what power he had, that he could possess a person without that person’s consent. But now Jesus has defeated him and thrown him out of that position. This is why James could say, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Satan now has to depend on being able to deceive you. He cannot take you by force. If we know that Satan is totally evil, if we are aware of his efforts to deceive us, and if we know that by faith we can win against him, then we know what we need to know. This is what God’s word clearly tells us. All else is speculation.

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Nine – “The Holy Spirit – How He Works In The Life Of Christians Today!”

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This article is part 9 of 14 in the series Redeemed

YOU AND I ARE NOT ALONE!!!

The news of Jesus had been preached to the multitudes of people who were there from all corners of the earth, and were there specifically to worship God. Some, perhaps many of them had cried out for the blood of Jesus a month and a half before. They had watched as He was beaten, spit on, mocked, rejected in favor of a murderer, and made to carry His own cross. They had seen Him nailed to the cross and raised up, naked, wounded and left to die… They had heard Him cry out, “O God, why have you forsaken me?” They may have been amongst the ones who stood, watched, laughed and mocked the Savior.

He died, rose again on the third day, and now they are confronted with and must deal with their guilt. Convicted by Peter’s words in Acts 2, they cry out “What must we do?” Peter continues and tells them they MUST “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38.

However, there is more promised besides FORGIVENESS OF SINS. The gift of the Holy Spirit, which is now a reality, is given to all who are followers of Jesus, Acts 2:39. In Acts 5:32 the writer says, “And we (Peter and the apostles) are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Jesus of course had promised the Spirit even before His death, (John 7:37-39). After all, the new birth (John 3) is one that involves “water” AND “Spirit.” The water referred to here of course is immersion in water, and the other element in this birth is that of the Spirit. In other words the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit then comes to live in us and we become body, soul and spirit beings.
The early church did not have the New Testament. It was being written, letter by
letter, to CHURCHES and INDIVIDUALS. When one was baptized, they were not given a copy of the New Testament with “Best wishes” written on the inside. Each Christian received the gift of God’s Spirit, literally living within them. Thus their bodies became “temples of the Holy Spirit” I Corinthians 6:19-20. It is the same for us today!

But what is the work of the Holy Spirit today in the life of the Christian? Well, the
same as in the First Century, the Spirit had then and has now a definitive work to do.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT BINDS US TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
Paul writes, “ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (I Corinthians 12:13).

We know the body of Christ is the saved, the church of God. We have learned that our entry into that body is the time we are born again of water and Spirit. Immersion in water is visible while being born of the Spirit is not, but it is just as real. Thus we are bound to the “body of Christ” with this new birth.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE “SEAL” MEANS – “YOU ARE MINE”
Football players when they are in practice, often wear T-shirts with “Property of St. Louis Cardinals” (for example). This section may be a bit repetitive, but it won’t hurt to look at it. As believers, “We are bought with a price” (I Corinthians 6:20), and that price of course is the blood of Jesus, (Acts 20:28).

God showed His presence in the Old Testament tabernacle, which signified, “This is My place, and you are My people”, now He dwells in the Christian (His temple), (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

This indwelling is the mark setting the Christian apart from the rest of the world (the lost), as one who now belongs to God. The Christian becomes “Holy Ground”, (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22). So, “You belong to Me” is the idea here.

It is easy to “fall” from a legalistic system, but not from a relationship.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US OVERCOME THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH
Sin will always be a part of our lives, and you as a new Christian especially will struggle with sin… but keep in mind sin is not your master, nor are you the servant and slave of Satan (Romans 7:18; 8:12-17). The Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts (Acts 5:32). Yet, ‘flesh’ (lusts/pride) and Spirit are pulling in opposite directions, always in conflict, (Romans 7:15-24).

As strong as the “pull” of the flesh is, the “pull” or influence of the Spirit in our lives as a
“paraclete” (Greek for “helper”) is greater. He is our Friend in time of need, comforter
that makes us strong and bold.

When we are born again we are made alive, and spiritual beings as a direct result of the Spirit’s part in the birth, and since this is so, we are given His Divine nature to partake in, (2 Peter 1:2-3).

Now we are not left by ourselves to deal with sin. His prompting and leading in our lives gives direction and help in dealing with sin. We often pray “guard, guide and direct us”, right? Well, either He does or He doesn’t. (I) We believe He does! THE ONE YOU SURRENDER TO, WILL RULE THE ONE YOU HEED WILL LEAD. THE ONE YOU SERVE, WILL BE YOUR MASTER, (Romans 8:5-9).

Yield to the Spirit and he will help you overcome the flesh and its power.

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US PRAY
My favorite chapter in the Bible is Romans 8… Read it! Now read Romans 8:26-27. Powerful verses right? There are many times when we are trying to pray, and we manage to express some of our thoughts and feelings but then what about those things that we really have a hard time with. Things too deep to put into words.

Good news! The Spirit of God expresses them for you to the Father. He lives in you, so He knows your feelings, and expresses them to God. The most primitive prayer, the most inadequate words, are taken by the Spirit and expressed in words that are true expressions of your feelings and presented to the Father. The most withered and impotent cries, are heard with urgency and importance.

Never under estimate this point. Always remember, that when life and struggles are too hard, and the pain seems too great… when Satan appears too strong for you, and you fall before the throne of god, that His Spirit is INTERCEEDING and presenting your prayer before your Father! Never forget this!

5. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE THE POWER OF OUR RESURRECTION
Paul says, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:9-11). (Underline that in your Bible!)

That is powerful. The Holy Spirit works in the lives of the Christian, not only now, but even when we pass from this life. Death is feared by one and all. Lately, we have witnessed on the news how ISIS has had Christians beheaded or shot, and who knows what else they will do. I have thought about this, and wondered what I would do in that situation… Christians in the early church of the First Century also were persecuted… DO NOT THINK THAT BECOMING A CHRISTIAN WILL RID YOUR LIFE OF ALL TROUBLE AND HEART ACHE. Becoming a Christian sets you against the world, and the evil powers of the world.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Death has been conquered by our Savior, and in Him WE ARE THE WINNERS, not death.

I would like to think I would say, “Father forgive them for they don’t understand what they are doing.” Then I would like to think, I would look back at my tormentor and say, “Send me home friend!”

Grow in grace!

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Eight – “The Brotherhood”

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This article is part 8 of 14 in the series Redeemed

Paul says in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

If this were modernized it might read, “In Christ all the barriers, and prejudices are gone.
There are to be no Jew and non-Jew sides, no racial divisions, no social class divisions, no male or female prejudicial differences. Christians are equal and one in Jesus.”

So it is time to “nail this down” the “brotherhood” of Christ, belongs to Christ, no
one else. The church was ‘founded’ as a result of the work of Christ, and ‘built’ to accomplish (carry on) His work here on earth. Becoming a part of the brotherhood of Christ means ‘belonging equally to Him’, ‘united equally together’ in the work and mission of Jesus. Becoming one with Christ, we therefore become one and equal with each other in the fellowship of the saved, (Ephesians 2:14-22; 5:23).

Obedience does not change the gift aspect of this relationship for anyone. Salvation is no less a gift for the rich as it is for the poor. Salvation is no more a blessing for the man than it is for a woman. All are encouraged and expected to grow spiritually and be involved in evangelistic effectiveness. Whatever we do in Christ to further the work and accomplish the mission of Christ is BECAUSE of Jesus. Every single member of the saved community of Christ is the recipient of the gift of grace. (1) Brotherhood in Christ is a PRESENT REALITY, (2) Brotherhood in Christ is created by God, thus a DIVINE REALITY, (3) Everyone is equal in Christ.

There are no ‘big wheels’, nor ‘charter members’ who are ‘elevated’…We don’t vote on someone coming into the brotherhood to see if they are “good enough”, or “worthy”, because none of us are. The love we share for each other, is simply because of the love that Jesus has for each individual.

So, as surely as Christ has not loved us because of skin color, bank accounts, houses we live in, the jobs we may have, or the status we have in the community… each
Christian is bound to love the brotherhood the same way. WE APPROVE THE CHOICE OF CHRIST, WHO BY HIS REDEEMING WORK, HAS CHOSEN US ALL AND BROUGHT US INTO BROTHERHOOD. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF WHO IS IN OR OUT…JESUS IS!

“Human love” and “human mutual acceptance” and “human mutual interest in spiritual
things” is not enough. Human love and acceptance, loves and receives people for their own sake. Loving in Christ means we love people for Christ’s sake.

As surely as Christ did not choose on the basis of skin color or social status or moral
performance … our brotherhood with Him, is not based on race, color, or moral performance. Peter says, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (I Peter 2:17). Here he is ‘pointing’ in four directions, (1) towards God, (2) towards those that are without, (3) towards earthly rulers, (4) and towards the brotherhood of Christ.

Now that you are a believer, one who’s every sin is washed away, and one who’s every sin will be forgiven in grace by his blood; you have brothers and sisters all over the world. From every nation, and tribe on earth. You are part of a world wide body, church, family, of God in Christ Jesus.

Brotherhood is not a dream, a wish, a hope, a goal for which we strive. It is a present reality. Something to be enjoyed, and preserved by exercising love and patience, and applying the grace of God to each other. We dare not “disown” those whom God claims as His own!

“Honor your rulers” but “LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD”. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

When you are a Christian, you truly belong to a marvelous family, and brotherhood. Do all you can to encourage and build it up. Because we are “heaven bound”… together!

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Seven – “The Church – The Family Of God”

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This article is part 7 of 14 in the series Redeemed

Let’s establish some basic foundational truths
1. THE CHURCH DOES NOT SAVE…. THE CHURCH IS THE SAVED, ALL OF THE SAVED. Outside the church one is not saved. Remember in Acts 2:38, 41, 47, that those who gladly received the words spoken by the apostle Peter, repented of their sins and were immersed into Christ, were forgiven and received the gift of God’s Holy Spirit… these were added to the church.
2. THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS, since He bought and paid the price for “her” (Acts 20:28).
3. THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING with a name on a sign outside.
4. THE CHURCH IS COMPOSED OF THE SAVED… ALL THE SAVED!
5. THE CHURCH DID NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL NAME. The names which are found on church buildings, are denominational, and the result of differences and division.  Jesus prayed for unity in His people, not denominations.

The nature of the church is seen in phrases used to describe relationships with the Head of the church… JESUS, with God, each other, and even with the world.

FAMILY OF GOD
When you were born, you didn’t waddle down to the waiting room and choose a
family! You were born into a family! You “belonged” from birth to that family. When you are “born again” you are born into ‘a family,’ God’s family. You will have brothers and sisters you may not even know… simply because they too were “born” into that family. God our Father has been “adding” people to His family since the day of Pentecost. He only adds those that are saved, (Acts 2:47).

Paul says, “but if I am delayed, I write so you may know how you ought to
conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar
and ground of the truth, (I Timothy 3:15). While the church doesn’t save, (Jesus saves), it is the FAMILY OF THE SAVED. The concept of ‘family’, is used to convey ‘relationship’ which Christians have primarily with God thru Jesus, and therefore with everyone else who has this relationship. This is why Christians call each other ‘brother’ and ‘sister’.

BODY OF CHRIST
Referring to the authority of Christ, Paul writes, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”(Ephesians 1:22-23). In Ephesians 4:4 he says, “…. there is one body…” (This means that there is one church, which is his body.) This is not said to be offensive… but to cause you to think. When a baby is born, does it matter which family he belongs to? Of course… there’s just one for that child… the one he is born into.) Paul says in Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” The head (Christ), directs, and preserves, and instructs the body. The saved are members of that body – the church. No building is as beautiful as that.

Important!!! If you loose a member of your physical body, and the importance of
each member becomes very apparent. Same with the church, the body of Christ.

KINGDOM (RULE) OF GOD
Christians are children in His family, members of the body of Christ, are servants in His
kingdom (under His Covenant rule). Paul says in Colossians 1:13, “For he has rescued us from the dominion (RULE) of darkness and brought us into the kingdom (RULE) of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13).

*** We no longer belong to “king” Satan, nor do we listen to his demands. We don’t march to the beat of his drums. So in regards to the world… those who are under this special rule of King Jesus, are to be DIFFERENT from the world (Romans 12:1-2), INVOLVED IN A SPIRITUAL WAR AGAINST THIS WORLD (James 4:1; I Peter 2:11; I John 2:15-17; Revelation 19:11) and thus we are to wear SPIRITUAL ARMOR (Ephesians 6:10-18).

It’s important not only to note that we are now under His special rule, but that it is a rule
of LOVE and GRACE. He loves His people tremendously, and continues to bless and forgive and help them. God (Jesus) is King, the church is His Covenant people, His word is the ‘guide book’. John says, “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5). (Thus not only is Jesus King of all kings… He is our KING.)

“THE CHURCH” (Colossians 1:18), This is the word in Greek, “ekklesia” and means “called out. It was in the New Testament times used of any assemblies called out for a specific purpose, but it came to be used of God’s people. “Called out ones,” The idea is that God’s people are those called out of the world to be different… like Jesus.

“THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON” (Col. 1:13) The kingdom we speak of here is that “rule” which was given to and remains with Jesus (Matthew 28:19). The relationship would necessarily be that of Christians being the subjects of the King. Following Jesus is not a burden, it is a privilege.

Here are some other designations and phrases found in the New Testament which are used in reference to the people of God under Jesus.

“CHURCH OF GOD” (Acts 20:28; Galatians 1:13),
“CHURCHES OF CHRIST” (Romans 16:16),
“BODY OF CHRIST” (I Corinthians 12:27),
“FLOCK” (Acts 20:28),
“BRIDE, THE LAMB’S WIFE” (Revelation 21:2,9),
“TEMPLE OF GOD” (I Corinthians 3:16,17,19).

IMPORTANT!!! Again, not one of these designations were used as an “official name” for a ‘church’ sign. These designations all speak in different ways, of the relationship Christians have with God, Jesus, and each other… and in regard to the world (lost).

IS THE CHURCH A DENOMINATION OR COMPOSED OF DENOMINATIONS?
Well, the simple answer is “NO.” There were no denominations back then. Christians, met in each others homes, (Acts 2:41-47). Jesus prayed for unity, (John 17:20-21), not division (I Corinthians 1:10). The word ‘denomination’ refers to a particular group, with a particular name which believes in a particular way of doing things as opposed to others who claim to be Christians. This sets that group apart from others. In Mathematics, it refers to the bottom number of a fraction, which is the amount of times the top number is to be divided into. Therefore, put all this into simple terms, the whole idea of DENOMINATIONALISM IS WRONG, (especially within the body of Christ,
(Read I Corinthians 1:10-13)). We just want to be Christians, and meet where other Christians meet, how about you? When the early church was established on Pentecost, the first thing on the agenda in their “business meeting” was not the choose a NAME! or BUILD A BUILDING!

Look at Acts 2:41-47 “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Look in Acts 6, where the church chose spiritual men to help free the hands of the apostles toevangelize, by taking care of the needy within the church. Traditions, human regulations, names, organizations, robes, titles, creeds, are wrong, and hurt the Savior that died for us…. ALL THEY DO IS DIVIDE. This also explains why people today are so confused, and or turned off at “church”. ALL DENOMINATIONAL NAMES ARE SIMPLY BARRIERS TO THE UNITY THAT JESUS PRAYED FOR AND SHOULD BE REJECTED. JUST BE A CHRISTIAN

Why be a simple New Testament Christian? Planting the “seed of the kingdom” (Luke 8:11), the word of God, we learn: 1.) what the early church was, 2.) how they became disciples, 3.) their worship (which was pretty simple), 4.) their designations, and the relationship to Jesus and each other, 5.) their joy which came from grace, and 6.) their hope because they are the ones Jesus is coming again to take home to be with him.

Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?

When we follow their examples, Jesus will add us to His Family, body, kingdom,
church. Call yourself a Christian, (Acts 11:26). You won’t be the only Christian, but you
will be a Christian only.

Then you meet with those who are in the “family of God”.

SOUL WINNING – IS NOT WHAT YOU DO, BUT WHAT YOU ARE! A disciple is a soul winner, a disciple. Say what?! A “soul winner”! Someone who shares their faith, in love, patience, example of changed life, gentleness, and kindness and concern. Why? Why not?! If Christ has changed your life… why not share the good news with others? It is the natural outcome of becoming a Christian.

Look in Acts 8:4 new Christians who were being persecuted for their faith also but still went everywhere sharing Jesus with others. The church grew in a fantastic rate. This is fulfilling the love command of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, to go everywhere and share Jesus, make disciples of every nation. It is a world wide goal to reach everyone.

Every believer is a sermon read by all they come into contact with. This affects your life, all of it, your family, your job, your play, your driving. It’s not a game, not a social club where you make business contacts… It is the saved of God.

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