Springhill Church

Series: Redemption

  • Redeemed – Part 4

    (Colossians 1:12-14 NKJV) (12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    I once read about the story of a man that was travelling from England to the United States during the days of great ocean liners that were the main mode of transportation. The voyage usually took about a week and this man had saved most of his money to be able to buy a ticket so that he could take the trip.

    Throughout the trip, every evening he would watch as the other passengers would get dressed and go to the dining room and eat the wonderful food that had been prepared. While this was happening, this man would go to his cabin and take some crackers and cheese that he had brought with him and he rationed it out every day so that he would have something to eat.

    On the last day of the voyage, as the ship was nearing its destination, the Captain saw this man on the deck and asked him, “Sir, have we offended you in some way or not provided good service to you for your trip?” The man replied, “Oh no. I have been very happy with the accommodations.” “The reason I asked,” The Captain said, “Is that I have not seen you in the dining room one time throughout the whole trip.”

    The man replied, “Well that is because it was all I could do to save the money just to by the ticket to board the ship and make the trip, and therefore I could not afford all of those wonderful meals.”

    Shocked, the Captain replied, “Sir I am so sorry. All those meals were included in the price of your ticket, and you could have been eating with us all along.”

    This man did not know what had been bought and paid for and belonged to him all the time.

    • Many believers do not know what has been bought and paid for by Jesus and belongs to us now!

    (John 8:32 NKJV) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

    (Hosea 4:6 BBE) Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge…

    I read another story about a man who was found dead in the small, shabby apartment that he rented for $3 a week. He had been a familiar sight on the streets of Chicago for about 20 years, always dressed in rags and eating out of garbage cans.

    When he wasn’t seen for two or three days, concerned neighbors went to look for him and found him dead in bed. An autopsy revealed that he had died of malnutrition, yet a money belt was found around his waist that contained more than $23,000.

    The man had lived in abject poverty, peddling newspapers for a living, yet he had money. He could have lived in the finest hotel in town but instead lived in the little, run-down room. He could have eaten the best food, but he died of malnutrition.

    This man did not use what he had in his possession.

    • Many believers may know (or have some idea) what belongs to them, but do not use what God provided for them in Redemption.
    • One of the many things Christ paid for in His Plan of Redemption, is our authority in Him.

    (Luke 10:17-20 NKJV) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (18) And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

    (Luke 10:19 TPT) Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority.

    Does the Church today have or need any less authority than these disciples did in Jesus’ day? No!

    Matter of fact, Jesus was delegating that authority to them as a man anointed by God under the old covenant.

    • Jesus personally defeated the enemy and stripped him of the authority to rule over believers.

    (Colossians 2:15 TPT) Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were his!

    • Authority is delegated power.

    Policemen can direct traffic during the rush hour traffic and hold up their hands and stop cars. Even though they do not have the physical ability to stop cars and trucks, they have the delegated power given to them by the government that they serve. People recognize that authority and stop their cars.

    That means that you as a recipient of the delegated authority of Heaven, that is back by God Himself can step out and stop the operations of the devil in your life and he must obey because he recognizes that Power that is backing you.

    • The strength of our authority rests on the power behind that authority.

    Ephesians 1 and 2 declare that we were raised up at the same time Jesus was raised up. If we were raised up at the same time the Head was raised up, and all authority was conferred upon the Head, then it was also conferred upon His body which was raised up together with Him.

    (Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJV) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; (3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

    • The right hand of God, where Jesus is seated, is the center of power of the whole universe!

    God Himself is the power behind that authority. The devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority.

    (James 4:7 TPT) So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you.

    He will not argue with you about the Name of Jesus and the authority in that name.

    (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV) (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Mr. E. W. Kenyon wrote in his book, “The Wonderful Name of Jesus” about ministering one night on the Name of Jesus, and in the middle of his message an attorney interrupted him and asked the question, “Do you mean that Jesus has given us the power of attorney?”

    Mr. Kenyon responded to him that he was the lawyer and expert and did Jesus give us the power of attorney?

    The man responded and said if language means anything, Jesus gave to the Church the power of attorney.

    Mr. Kenyon asked him, “What is the value of the power of attorney?”

    The lawyer responded, “It all depends on how much there is in back of it. How much authority and power that this Name represents.”

    All the power and authority that Jesus has and had is invested in His Name.

    Do we have power of attorney to use His Name? Jesus said we could use His Name in prayer, in dealing with demons, and in laying hands on the sick.

    Sometimes we focus too much on our part in ministering to someone, but we must realize that it is the power in His Name that does the work.

    Kenyon states, “The measure of His ability is the measure of the value of that Name, and all that is invested in that Name belongs to us for Jesus gave us the unqualified use of that Name.”

    (John 14:13-14 NKJV) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

    • Jesus says that whatever we ask, require, demand, in His Name, He will do it (back it up)!

  • Redeemed – Part 3

    (Colossians 1:12-14 NKJV) (12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    Three doctrinal terms we need to know and understand:
    • Incarnation – God became man in and through the Lord Jesus.

    (John 1:1,14 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

    (Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

    Being equal with God on one hand and united with man on the other, Jesus could bring the two together and bridge the gap between God and man.

    Also, being Deity and humanity united, as a man He could assume the obligation of the human treason and pay the penalty, satisfying the claims of justice so that the human race could be freed from the authority of Satan, and given the right to receive the nature of God.

    • Substitution – Jesus, through His death did for us that which we could never do for ourselves. He took our place!

    (Romans 8:32 TPT) For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.

    (Romans 5:6 TPT) For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves.

        • Jesus became our substitute to pay the price of our sin thus taking upon Himself all we had to offer.
        • But in our substitution in the Resurrection, we can receive on us all He has to offer.
    • Identification – the believer is identified with Christ in His death and resurrection.

    Identification is two-fold. It includes man’s identification with Adam and his identification with Christ.

    (Romans 5:12 TPT) When Adam sinned, the entire world was affected. Sin entered human experience, and death was the result. And so death followed this sin, casting its shadow over all humanity, because all have sinned.

    We need to not only identify with Jesus’ death on the Cross for us but also what was accomplished for us in His glorious Resurrection.

    There are six steps to our identification with Jesus:
    1. I was crucified with Christ.

    (Galatians 2:20 NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

    (Romans 6:6 TPT) Could it be any clearer that our former identity is now and forever deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would not continue to live one moment longer submitted to sin’s power.

    1. I died with Christ.

    (Romans 6:5a AMPC) For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His…

    (Romans 6:8 NKJV) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

    1. I was buried with Christ.

    (Romans 6:4a TPT) Sharing in his death by our baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed with him…

    (This does not take place in baptism; baptism takes place because one believes this.)

    1. I was made alive with Christ.

    (Colossians 2:13 NKJV) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

    (Romans 6:11 NKJV) Likewise you also, reckon (view yourself) yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    1. I was raised with Christ.

    (Ephesians 2:6a TPT) He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm…

    (Colossians 2:13 TPT) (13) This “realm of death” describes our former state, for we were held in sin’s grasp. But now, we’ve been resurrected out of that “realm of death” never to return, for we are forever alive and forgiven of all our sins!

    1. I was seated with Christ.

    (Ephesians 2:6-7 TPT) He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ! (7) Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.

    (Ephesians 1:19-23 TPT) I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power (20) that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! (21) And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming! (22) And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others. (23) And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it!

    Jesus is waiting for us in His Name to vitally take what legally is ours and in His Name put every enemy of ours under our feet that we might reign with Him!

  • Redeemed – Part 2

    (Colossians 1:12-14 NKJV) (12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    (In his book, Dressed to Kill: A Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare and Armor, Pastor Rick Renner gives some insight into the words used and translated “Redemption” in the New Testament.)

    There are four Greek words that are used to denote “redemption” in the New Testament:

    1. “Agoridzo” – A technical term that describes the slave marketplace.

    Pastor Renner – “The slave market was a dreadful and deplorable place. Such places should have never been permitted. Human beings were paraded in front of potential buyers and were then placed on the trading block where they were auctioned off like animals, old furniture, or unwanted junk.

    So, before the nauseating process of buying, selling, and trading human debris began, potential buyers were allowed to check out the “merchandise.” The slaves’ heads were shoved up and backward; their mouths were forcibly jerked open; and their teeth were inspected to see if they were rotten or in fairly good shape.

    As if this wasn’t inhumane and degrading enough, slave-buying customers were also encouraged to kick and hit the “merchandise” in order to determine the slave’s level of physical fitness. To discover the slave’s temperament, buyers slapped them, cursed at them, and spat in their faces. If a slave could swallow his pride, grit his teeth, and hold his temper during such humiliating abuse, the buyer assumed he could be used to the point of abuse without giving his owner any kind of trouble.

    In short, slaves had no personal worth. They were viewed to be no better than animals. According to the thinking of the day, they were just another kind of workhorse and had no real human value. Their only purpose in the world was to serve the demands that their current owners exacted of them.

    With all this in mind, we can see that the Holy Spirit has told us something extremely important by using the word “agoridzo” to describe “redemption.”

    Because of sin, the world had sunk to a place where the world was a global slave market, where Satan had gripped the hearts of men and filled their natures with violence and destruction.

    The world Jesus was born into was a world of complete captivity.

    The beautiful paradise that God had originally created in Eden was gone; not even a hint of it remained. With each successive generation after Adam, spiritual death drove people of all nations, tribes, and ethnic groups deeper and deeper into slavery and total depravity.”

    (Romans 5:12 NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

      • Because of Adam’s sin, we were sold into slavery!

    (Romans 7:14 TPT) For we know that the law is divinely inspired and comes from the spiritual realm, but I am a human being made of flesh and trafficked as a slave under sin’s authority.

    We were the “merchandise” of the slave market, Satan would slap, kick, beat, spit upon us, and abuse us in every way that he could. Once that treatment was over, he would place us back on the auction block and sell us again to some other form of bondage.

      • God sent His Son into the enemy’s “slave market” with one purpose in mind: so that Jesus could secure man’s deliverance from Satan’s bondage once and for all.

    (1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV) (20) For you were bought at a price (agoridzo); therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

    (1 Corinthians 7:23 NKJV) (23) You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

    (Revelation 5:9 NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

    1. “Exagoridzo” – the purchase a slave to remove them OUT OF the slave market.

    This word signifies the purchase of a slave to permanently set that slave FREE from that heinous place, NEVER to be put on the trading block of slavery again.

    (Galatians 3:13 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),

    Paul is saying to us that Jesus’ sacrificial death not only paid the penalty for our sin, but His death also removed us from living under the curse forever.

    (Galatians 4:3-5 NLT) And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. (4) But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. (5) God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.

    Slaves did not come cheaply. If the auctioneer knew that a buyer really wanted a particular slave, he could demand unbelievably high prices. We must therefore ask, “What price did Jesus pay for our freedom from Satan’s power?”

    1. “Lutroo” – set a captive free by the payment of a ransom.

    By using this word, Paul is telling us that our salvation is not free. On the contrary, our freedom from Satan’s power was extremely expensive.

      • The ransom that Jesus paid to procure our freedom from Satan’s bondage and ownership was His own blood!

    The price Jesus paid for us was the highest price ever paid for a slave in the history of mankind.

    (Ephesians 1:7 NKJV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood…”

    (Colossians 1:14 NKJV) “in whom we have redemption through His blood…”

    (Colossians 1:20 NKJV) “…having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

    (Hebrews 9:12 NKJV) “…with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

    (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV) “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ…”

    (Titus 2:14 NKJV) “…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us…”

    1. “Apolutrosis” – to ransom or redeem and return us to the condition we were in before our captivity began.
      • Jesus paid the price to permanently free and restore us to the full status of sons!

    (Ephesians 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

    In using the word here for “redemption” Paul declares that we were forever delivered from Satan’s power – we were forever removed from that dreadful place of slavery – and now we have been fully restored by the blood of Jesus Christ and placed back into a right-standing with God.

    We are fully restored and fully set free from Satan’s former grip over us!

    (Galatians 4:7 TPT) Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has—for we are heirs of God through Jesus, the Messiah!

    (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

    • Through the Blood of Jesus, we have been utterly and completely set free from Satan’s control!

    Because of Jesus’ redemptive work, we are seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly places and have been elevated “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21).

    Therefore, Satan has no legal right to control us, our bodies, our families, our businesses, or our money. Although we once genuinely and legally belonged to him, we are no longer his to manipulate or dominate.

  • Redeemed – 1

    (Colossians 1:9-14 TPT) Since we first heard about you, we’ve kept you always in our prayers that you would receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasure over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. (10) We pray that you would walk in the ways of true righteousness, pleasing God in every good thing you do. Then you’ll become fruit-bearing branches, yielding to his life, and maturing in the rich experience of knowing God in his fullness! (11) And we pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope. (12) Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light. (13) He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son. (14) For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood.

    To fully understand redemption, we must go back to the beginning.

    (Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (3) Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (4) And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. (5) God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

    • The reason for the Heavens is the earth.

    Six times God observed His creation and saw that it was good.

    Good (HEBREW) – appealing and pleasant to the senses.

    (Genesis 1:31 NKJV) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

    On the seventh time, God made note that His creation was very good!

    Very Good (HEBREW) – vehemently appealing and pleasant to the senses.

    • The reason for the earth is man.

    The earth has no reason for existing outside of man. Unconscious nature cannot enjoy its beauty, contemplate, or use what it has produced.

    EWK – “Ages on ages He wrought in storing up treasures of all kinds of wealth for his man. He filled earth’s bosom with deposits of iron, copper, silver, and gold and with uncounted varieties of metals, chemicals, and forces.

    He covered the face of earth with mountains, valleys, ravines, plateaus and prairies, lovely creeks, rivers and streams, and with many beautifully colored flowers that thrilled with joy the heart of God’s man. Fruits and vegetables supplied food for man. The Great Architect of human need and joy knew man’s needs while yet unborn, and in creation’s wondrous plan, these needs were met.

    God gave man the capacity to enjoy the beauty of His workmanship and to utilize its resources.”

    • The reason for man is the Fatherly heart of God.

    (Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT) Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. (5) God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.

    Knowing that fellowship is the reason for man, we can easily understand that man could not meet the reason for his very existence unless he were created in God’s image.

    To partake of God’s life, he must be in God’s class and in God’s realm. He must be made in the image and likeness of His creator.

    He must be created as near like Deity as possible, to be God’s child and heir.

    God created man to be able to function in three realms: spiritual, mental, and physical.

    For man to say that there is nothing outside of the physical realm is like a fish to say that there is nothing outside of the realm of water.

    • Man’s spirit was eternal and designed to rule his soul and his body.

    God could not fellowship with a robot, so He gave man the right of choice and the ability to choose.

    There can be no fellowship with a puppet.

    Man was designed to make life’s decisions out of his spirit.

    • Man’s mind was created intellectually perfect and sound.

    (Genesis 2:19-20 ERV) The LORD God used dust from the ground and made every animal in the fields and every bird in the air. He brought all these animals to the man, and the man gave them all a name. (20) The man gave names to all the tame animals, to all the birds in the air, and to all the wild animals…

    The man named and remembered the names of over 500,000 different species of animals, bugs, etc.

    Scientists believe we use only 10% of our mental capacity.

    • Man’s body was created to live forever.

    It took man’s body 930 years to die after man sinned and died spiritually.

    • God gave man complete authority over the earth and everything in it.

    (Genesis 1:26-28 ERV) Then God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.” (27) So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female. (28) God blessed them and said to them, “Have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

    (Psalms 8:4-6 ERV) And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you? Why do you even think about them? Why do you care so much about humans? Why do you even notice them?” (5) But you made them almost like gods and crowned them with glory and honor. (6) You put them in charge of everything you made. You put everything under their control.

    Adam possessed such complete authority over creation that he has in his hands the legal right to confer that dominion to another being; which he did in the fall of mankind.

    • God could have spoken the entire human family into existence at once, but He chose not to.

    He wanted Adam and Eve to be fellow workers with Him in bringing the human family into the world.

    Why go into such detail in describing God’s creation of Adam?
    • A low understanding of the creation of Adam has given us a low understanding of the new creation in Christ.

    Why was man’s sin so devastating? Why did it require Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross?

    The sin of the first man, Adam, was so devastating in every realm. It brought death into God’s creation for the first time.

    (Romans 5:12 NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

    But God in His eternal, infinite wisdom had a plan to pay the price to deliver His man from death once and for all. Part of this plan is to restore man back to the state he was before the Fall.

    (1 Corinthians 15:45 AMPC) Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. [Gen 2:7]

    (Ephesians 2:1-5 TPT) And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and offenses. (2) It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values of this world, obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. (3) The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self – life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else. (4) But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. (5) Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace!

    (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 TPT) The first man was from the dust of the earth; the second Man is the Lord Jehovah, from the realm of heaven. (48) The first one, made from dust, has a race of people just like him, who are also made from dust. The One sent from heaven has a race of heavenly people who are just like him. (49) Once we carried the likeness of the man of dust, but now let us carry the likeness of the Man of heaven.

  • Heroes – Part 6

    (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

    These are ordinary people who trusted God to do extraordinary things.

    What if you could spend time with one of these Heroes of the faith, what would they say to us? How would they encourage us?

    (Genesis 15:1-6 NIV) After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (2) But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” (3) And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” (4) Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” (5) He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (6) Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

    For when you can’t understand God and impatience threatens to overwhelm you…

    “Don’t complicate God’s promise with your solution.”

    A moment of patience will save you a lifetime of regret.

    Trust God

    ✓ Even if it takes a long time.

    Because it just might take a long time. God often works that way because He is trying to accomplish something in us that may be just as important as the promise.

    (Genesis 16:1-2 NIV) Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; (2) so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

    When you are being impatient, you often will mess up your theology, and make bad decisions.

    ✓ Even if it seems ridiculous.

    Your relationship with God is very often not going to seem “normal”.  Truth is, God is normal, our lives are not.

    (Genesis 18:10-14 NIV) Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. (11) Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. (12) So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (13) Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ (14) Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

    ✓ Even if those around you don’t.

    The enemy is going to work to put naysayers in your life. They are there to make you doubt truth.

    (Genesis 21:5-7 NIV) Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (6) Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (7) And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

    Sarah spends a great deal of time in her life doubting God, yet she ended up in the hall of fame of faith.

    (Hebrews 11:11 NIV) And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

    Sarah’s Words of Encouragement
    1. “Don’t try to get ahead of God when He isn’t moving fast enough for you.

    (2 Peter 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient…

    The secret of patience is doing something else in the meantime.

    (Psalms 37:7 NLT) Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

    Worship and shut out the voices.

    1. “When you have to wait, focus on what’s happening in you, not what’s happening to you.”

    (Romans 8:24-25 MSG) That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. (25) But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

    Patience is not the ability to wait – it is how you act while you are waiting!

    (James 1:2-4 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    1. “Even our very best cannot possibly compare to anything God has in mind for you..”

    (Isaiah 64:4 MSG) Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him.

    God has a much better plan for your life than you have for yourself.

  • Heroes – Part 5

    Hebrews 12:1 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

    These verses follow the Hall of Fame of Faith and the people mentioned there are the witnesses being referred to here. These are ordinary people who trusted God to do extraordinary things.

    What if you could spend time with one of these Heroes of the faith, what would they say to us? How would they encourage us?

    God already has a life story written for you.

    (Psalms 139:16 NLT) You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

    But we add chapters to our story that were not part of what God wanted for us.

    For when you’re feeling disappointed with your life…

    “Let God write your story.”

    (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

    Get the pen out of your hands and into God’s hands…

    God’s Story

    ✓ God searches for you to be in His story.

    God searches for you all throughout your life in your dark moments, so that He can write the story for your life.

    (Joshua 2:1 NIV) Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

    (Revelation 3:20 TLB) “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.

    (John 15:16 NLT) You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…

    ✓ God always makes a way for us to be in His story.

    (Joshua 2:17-21 NIV) Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down… But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

    The scarlet cord is symbolic of the blood of Jesus and what He did at the Cross.

    Salvation is the way God gets into His story. God gave her the only way out. There is only one way out for us too!

    But notice that salvation is not the end of the story!

    ✓ God’s story always has a redemptive ending.

    Redemptive – God wants to make your life better than you could ever imagine.

    Rahab ended up being the 28th Great Grandmother of Jesus.

    42 Generations leading up to Jesus. Matthew wanted us to know that even though your story may not have started well but it can end up better.

    (Matthew 1:3, 5-6 NIV) Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar… Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth…David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.

    Tamar – God will forgive the darkest sin!

    Rahab – God will use you regardless of your past!

    Ruth – God will not leave anyone out!

    Bathsheba – God can heal any situation!

    Rahab’s Words of Encouragement
    1. “God invites you to be a part of His story—say yes.”

    Stop resisting God! Jesus wants to bring light to your story.

    (John 8:12 NIV) Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

    Stop writing your own story!

    (Luke 9:23-24 NIV) Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

    Give your life to God. He can do way more with it than you can.

    1. “God wants to surprise you with His love—accept Him.”

    God uses some people with really messed up stories to let us know that there is no place we can go that the love of God cannot reach.

    (Hebrews 4:15-16 MSG) We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

    1. “God wants to use you to love others with your actions—serve Him.”

    God is not waiting for us to get our acts together before He wants to use us!

    (1 John 3:16-18 NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

    On 4 February 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave what was to be his last sermon, ‘‘The Drum Major Instinct,’’ from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church. This is an excerpt from the sermon set to music. “If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That’s a new definition of greatness.”

    (1 Timothy 1:15-17 NLT) This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

    1. “God signs His Name to your story— thank Him.”

  • What Happened From the Cross to the Throne – Part 3

    1 Peter 3:18-19 NKJV For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (19) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

    There were physical giants in the earth at one time. Now, since the Resurrection of our Lord, there are spiritual giants in the earth.

    Those that killed Him, thought they had gotten rid of Him but what they did not realize is that at His Resurrection a new race of Jesus men were released into the earth. The empty tomb gave birth to millions of Jesus men.

    A new life, a new love and new life-changing power had now been released into the earth.

    • Satan had been conquered.
    • The claims of justice had been met.
    • Humanity had been redeemed.
    • God, can now, on legal grounds, give eternal life to man.
    • Jesus had become the Savior, had dealt with man’s sin, had settled it and saved man.
    • Man at last was ransomed and his debt had been paid.
    Jesus had an assignment He had to fulfill.

    Jesus has an encounter with Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus:

    John 20:11-18 NKJV But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. (12) And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” (14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). (17) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” (18) Mary came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

    John 20:24-29 NKJV Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (26) And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” (27) Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (29) Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

    Adam’s sin reached all the way into Heaven.

    Exodus 25:40 NKJV And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

    Heaven was affected by Adam’s sin.

    Hebrews 9:11-28 NLT So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. (12) With His own blood–not the blood of goats and calves–He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. (13) Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. (14) Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (15) That is why He is the One who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. (16) Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. (17) The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect. (18) That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. (19) For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. (20) Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” (21) And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. (22) In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. (23) That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. (24) For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. (25) And He did not enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. (26) If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by His own death as a sacrifice. (27) And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, (28) so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.

    Now as man’s Mediator, He stands between lost men and God. But as an Intercessor, He ever lives to make intercession for saved men.

    • He prays for them.
    • He cares for them.
    • He is not only their High Priest, their Mediator, Savior, and Intercessor, He is also their Heavenly Attorney, Our Advocate.

    1 John 2:1 NKJV My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

    What Has Jesus Been Up To Since the Resurrection?

    When Jesus was resurrected from the dead, it was not the end of His ministry. It actually was a beginning of a new phase of ministry for Him.

    Some think that once Jesus ascended into Heaven, that He simply sat down and is waiting for the Father to lean over and say that it is time for the end of all things. That simply is not the case.

    You may remember when you graduated from high school or college, there was a commencement. We all thought that meant the end but we all found out that it was only the beginning. We may have had a break for a couple of months, but most of us began a new phase of our lives in college or on a job.

    In this part of our study, we are going to look at the different ministries that Jesus has been doing:

    1. Jesus, Our Mediator
    2. Jesus, Our Advocate
    3. Jesus, Our Heavenly Intercessor
    4. Jesus, Our Great High Priest

    Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

    When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, He went and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.

    I believe that there are literally three thrones in Heaven. In the center is God’s throne. On the right hand of God’s throne is another throne where Jesus was seated and on the left is another throne; the throne of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s throne is empty because He is not in Heaven but here in the earth.

    Jesus is in Heaven right now.

    Understand this: Easter was a commencement; Easter was a beginning for Jesus.

    Jesus came to earth to represent God to us. He came to earth to tell us all about God.

    Now He has gone to Heaven to represent us before God.

    1 Timothy 2:5 GNB For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus,

    John 14:8-11 NKJV Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” (9) Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (10) Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (11) Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

    Jesus is God made flesh. Everything that Jesus had and did was the Father’s.

    Why did God have to come Himself? Because you could not save yourself. You and I could not even help God do it.

    Jesus had to do that Himself.

    Hebrews 1:3 NKJV who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

    It also says that Jesus is the express image of His person.

    The Greek word translated “express image” is “khar•ak•tar” χαρακτήρ

    charaktḗr; gen. charaktḗros, masc. noun from charássō (n.f., see cháragma [G5480]), to carve. Occurs only in Heb_1:3 where it is translated “express image,” referring to Jesus Christ. Here He is described as the charaktḗr tḗs hupostáseōs autoú (tē̄́s [G3588], the [gen. fem.]; hupostáseōs [G5287], essence [gen.]; autoú [G846], he [gen. masc.]), “the exact image of His [God’s] essence” (a.t.). Whatever the divine essence is, Jesus is said to be its perfect expression. The writer of Hebrews thus sets forth a high Christology affirming the deity of Jesus Christ.

    This represents the image of God that was Christ Himself. When Jesus was conceived and born, God Himself took His image and pressed it into the earth and when He pulled it back a baby was born who was His exact representation.

    In His deity, He is the glory of God. In His humanity, He is the express image of God Himself.

    He has to be unique and be God-man because He has to stand between God and man and pull two impossible entities together. It is impossible for man to come to God and it is impossible for God to come to man and so someone had to stand in between the two and pull them together. The only one that can do is Jesus Christ the God-man.

    Job 9:1-3 NKJV Then Job answered and said: (2) “Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God? (3) If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.

    Job 9:32-33 NKJV “For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together. (33) Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.

    Job 9:33 AMP There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both, [would that there were!] [I Tim. 2:5.]

    Jesus Christ is the Mediator for all mankind. He is the only one that could and does bridge the gap between God and man.

    Galatians 3:20 NKJV Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

    Galatians 3:20 NLT Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when He gave His promise to Abraham.

    Hebrews 8:6 NKJV But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator (Agent) of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

    Hebrews 12:24 NKJV to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

  • What Happened From the Cross to the Throne – Part 2

    Let’s start with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane:

    Matthew 26:36-46 NKJV Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” (37) And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. (38) Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (39) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (40) Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? (41) Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (42) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (43) And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. (44) So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (45) Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. (46) Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

    What was really going on here? What troubled Jesus to this degree? Was it simply giving up His physical life?

    • The body Jesus possessed was a perfect human body just as Adam’s was in the Garden of Eden.
    • There was no death present in His body although He was 100% human.
    • Jesus’ body did not become mortal until He hung on the Cross.

    Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

    Jesus knew that He was getting ready to have to bow His knee to death itself and allow death to become His master.

    Hebrews 2:14 NKJV Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

    John 10:15-18 NKJV As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

    Power to take it up (authority) again.

    EWK:

    • Jesus agonized because He must partake of the dreaded nature of the Adversary
    • His body would become mortal
    • Satan would become His master
    • He was to be reckoned among the transgressors
    • He was to bear the sins and diseases of the human race
    • He was to be forsaken by His Father

    Luke 22:43 NKJV Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

    Angels did not minister to Him on the Cross. What did the angel do? Perhaps encouraged Him with the entire plan. Why? Because He came out of that situation emboldened to finish the task at hand.

    He boldly and courageously faced His captors.

    John 18:1-6 NKJV When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. (2) And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. (3) Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. (4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” (5) They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them,  “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. (6) Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

    We see that the same thing happened at the tomb.

    Matthew 28:1-4 NKJV Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. (2) And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (4) And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

    John 18:7-11 NKJV (7) Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” (8) Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” (9) that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” (10) Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (11) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

    Luke 22:51 NKJV But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. (iomai – restored, made whole)

    So they take Jesus to trial:

    • They did not know Him.
    • They witnessed His miracles.
    • His compassion and love for them was recognized by all.
    • He turned water into wine, causes a tree to die by a single sentence, dominated the law of nature, healed the sick, raised the dead with words. His people witnessed all of this. He walked the waves and calmed the storms. Surely they must have know that He was the Son of God.
    • What were they going to do with Him?
    • He had been circumcised in the Covenant.
    • He was part of the Blood Covenant. He came to His own, yet they that were His own would have nothing to do with Him.
    • He came to redeem them and they cast Him out.
    • He was the Jehovah of the Red Sea, and of Jericho.
    • He cause the sun and the moon to stand still in the days of Joshua.
    • He was their Jehovah. They were His Blood Covenant people.
    • He loved them. They despised Him and demanded His arrest and crucifixion.
    • The person they had on trial was the One that had cut the covenant with Abraham.
    • Then they crucified Him.

    Where did Jesus go when He died?

    Luke 16:19-31 NKJV “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. (20) But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (21) desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ (25) But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (26) And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ (27) “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, (28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ (29) Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ (30) And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ (31) But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ “

    Prior to Jesus resurrection, Old Testament believers that died did not go to heaven, then went to a place called “Paradise.”

    Jesus did not stop there when He died, He went to the place of torment.

    Acts 2:22-24 NKJV “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know– (23) Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; (24) whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

    Acts 2:24 NIV But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

    Remember the conversation Jesus had with one of the thieves on the Cross:

    Luke 23:42-43 NIV Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (43) Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

    There were two areas that the dead went to prior to the Resurrection:

    • Hades can have a different meaning depending on the context:

    (Paradise)  – holding place for the OT saints

    (Hell) – place of torment (Matthew 16:18 – “Gates of Hell”)

    OT – Sheol

    • Gehenna or Tartarus – place of torment and punishment

    Jesus passed through Hades on His way to the place of torment.

    Acts 2:27 NKJV FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HADES, NOR WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.

    We know that Jesus passed back through there upon His Resurrection:

    Ephesians 4:7-10 NKJV But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (8) Therefore He says: “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” (9) (Now this, “HE ASCENDED”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

    We know He preached the Gospel to those in Hades and got them Born Again and then transferred from there to Paradise in Heaven.

    Matthew 27:50-54 NKJV And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. (51) Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, (52) and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; (53) and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (54) So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

    Jesus had an assignment He had to fulfill.

    John 20:11-18 NKJV But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. (12) And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” (14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). (17) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

    John 20:24-29 NKJV Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (26) And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” (27) Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (29) Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

    Adam’s sin reached all the way into Heaven.

    Exodus 25:40 NKJV And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

    Heaven was affected by Adam’s sin.

    Hebrews 9:19-26 NKJV For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, (20) saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU.” (21) Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. (22) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (23) Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24) For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (25) not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another– (26) He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

  • What Happened From the Cross to the Throne – Part 1

    Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV (6) As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (7) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

    John 20:11-18 NKJV But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. (12) And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” (14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). (17) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

    John 20:19-20 NKJV Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (20) When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

    John 20:26-29 NKJV And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” (27) Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (29) Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

    What happened from the Cross to the seating of the Master on the right hand of the Majesty on High?

    This is the essence of the Pauline Revelation.

    We talked about the Incarnation. Surely Mary told the Apostles of what she had encountered regarding the birth of Jesus.

    All of it is based on righteousness. The whole plan of Redemption was for the purpose of making man righteous.

    Righteousness – the ability to stand in the Presence of God without a sense of guilt, condemnation or inferiority. To stand in God’s presence as though sin never existed.

    Isaiah 54:14 NKJV In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

    2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV (21) For He made (poieio – made from something that does exist in the natural) Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become (ginomai – made from something that did not exist in the natural) the righteousness of God in Him.

    Let’s start with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene:

    Matthew 26:36-46 NKJV Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” (37) And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. (38) Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (39) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (40) Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? (41) Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (42) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (43) And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. (44) So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (45) Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. (46) Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

    What was really going on here? What troubled Jesus to this degree? Was it simply giving up His physical life?

    • The body Jesus possessed was a perfect human body just as Adam’s was in the Garden of Eden.
    • There was no death present in His body although He was 100% human.
    • Jesus’ body did not become mortal until He hung on the Cross.

    John 10:15-18 NKJV As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

    Power to take it up (authority) again.

    EW Kenyon:

    • Jesus agonized because He must partake of the dreaded nature of the Adversary
    • His body would become mortal
    • Satan would become His master
    • He was to be reckoned among the transgressors
    • He was to bear the sins and diseases of the human race
    • He was to be forsaken by His Father

    Luke 22:43 NKJV Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

    Angels did not minister to Him on the Cross.

    What did the angel do? Perhaps encouraged Him with the entire plan. Why? Because He came out of that situation emboldened to finish the task at hand.

    He boldly and courageously faced His captors.

    John 18:1-11 NKJV When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. (2) And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. (3) Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. (4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” (5) They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them,  “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. (6) Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (7) Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” (8) Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” (9) that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” (10) Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (11) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

     

  • God’s Plan of Redemption – Part 3 – Man’s Authority

    Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV (6) As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (7) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

    God gave man complete authority over the earth and everything in it.

    (Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (27) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (28) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

    (Genesis 1:26 AMP) God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps. 104:30; Heb. 1:2; 11:3.]

    (Psalms 8:1-9 NKJV) To the Chief Musician. On the Instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! (2) Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. (3) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, (4) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (5) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. (6) You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (7) All sheep and oxen– Even the beasts of the field, (8) The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. (9) O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

    Adam possessed such complete authority over creation that he has in his hands the legal right to confer that dominion to another being.

    God could have spoken the entire human family into existence as once but He chose not to.

    He wanted Adam and Eve to be fellow-workers with Him in bringing the human family into the world.

    Why go into such detail in describing God’s creation of Adam? A low perception of the creation of Adam has given us a low perception of the new creation in Christ.

    (Genesis 3:1-24 NKJV) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (2) And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3) but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” (4) Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. (5) For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (7) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (8) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (9) Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (10) So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (11) And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (12) Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” (13) And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (14) So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. (15) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (16) To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” (17) Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. (18) Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. (19) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” (20) And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (21) Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (22) Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”– (23) therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (24) So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

    Why was man’s sin so devastating? Why did it require Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross?

    Adam turned the legal dominion over into the hands of God’s enemy Satan.

    (Luke 4:6-7 NKJV) And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

    If the devil lied to Jesus and Jesus did not know it, the He was not the incarnate Son of God. If the devil lied and Jesus did not know it, then this was not a genuine temptation.

    Adam’s transgression was done in the full light and knowledge of what was happening.

    (1 Timothy 2:13-14 NKJV) For Adam was formed first, then Eve. (14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

    (Romans 5:12 NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

    There are three deaths that are taught in the Scripture:

    1. Physical death – separation of man’s spirit and soul from his body.
    2. Spiritual death – separation of man’s spirit from God
    3. Second Death – eternal separation of man and God

    (Ephesians 2:1-5 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

    Adam dies spiritually instantaneously, but it took 930 years for his body to die.

    (Genesis 3:24 NKJV) So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

    God had to keep fallen man away from the tree of life because had Adam been able to partake, the nature of God (life) would have been eternally united with the nature of Satan (death).

    (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

    We need to learn what is really normal and what is not normal for the child of God.

    We have seen that in the beginning, man was created for joy and peace; and that sin, sickness, sorrow or death had no place in God’s original plan. These present conditions of society and the world are not normal (according to God’s plan).

    God has vindicated Himself and stands acquitted before the human race because He did not leave man in this condition, but provided a Redemption which man could enjoy through faith in Jesus Christ, that would answer man’s every need.

    Two theological terms we need to understand:

    • Incarnation – God becoming man through the Lord Jesus

    (John 1:1 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    (John 1:14 NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

    • Substitution – Jesus became our substitute to pay the price of our sin thus taking upon Himself all we had to offer. But in our substitution in the Resurrection, we can receive on us all He has to offer.

    (2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NKJV) (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

    One of the many things Christ paid for in His Substitutionary sacrifice is our authority.

    I once read about the story of a man that was travelling from England to the United States during the days of great ocean liners that were the main mode of transportation. The voyage usually took about a week and this man had saved most of his money to be able to buy a ticket so that he could take the trip. Throughout the trip, every evening he would watch as the other passengers would get dressed and go to the dining room and eat the wonderful food that had been prepared. While this was happening, this man would take some crackers and cheese that he had brought with him and rationed it out every day so that he would have something to eat. On the last day of the voyage, as the ship was nearing its destination, the Captain saw this man on the deck and asked him, “Sir, have we offended you in some way or not provided good service to you for your trip?” The man replied, “Oh no. I have been very happy with the accommodations.” “The reason I asked,” The Captain said, “Is that I have not seen you in the dining room one time throughout the whole trip.” The man replied, “Well that is because it was all I could do to save the money just to by the ticket to board the ship and make the trip, and therefore I could not afford all of those wonderful meals.” Shocked, the Captain replied, “Sir I am so sorry. All of those meals were included in the price of your ticket and you could have been eating with us all along.”

    This man did not know what had been bought and paid for and belonged to him all the time.