tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61057563499643374782024-02-07T18:37:33.094-07:00Berean BlogFor the Promotion of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth! - 2 Timothy 2:15Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-19033602879027948752018-12-02T13:46:00.000-07:002018-12-02T13:46:03.304-07:00A Christmas Poem<span style="font-size: large;">by Pastor J. C. O'Hair</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Christmas season is again at hand,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With thoughts of Christ in every land;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Christmas message again we'll hear,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The songs of Christ Who brought good cheer;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Lord of glory, God's gift of love,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Who left His home in heaven above.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We'll sing and tell the Saviour's birth,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How He dwelt with men on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Redemption's story, God's own plan,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Lord Himself in form of man;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, lower than the angels made,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Bethlehem's manger Christ was laid;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The virgin's Son, the King Divine,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In David's house the royal line;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Conceived as was no other child;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Seed of woman, undefiled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">God's ancient prophets, holy men,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Foretold Christ's work by mouth and pen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ came these Scriptures to fulfill,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He came to do His Father's will.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He left His heavenly home on high;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He came on earth to serve and die.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">His mission was to seek and save:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He suffered much; Himself He gave.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Calvary's cross the Saviour died,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By wicked men was crucified,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But God foreknew this awful crime:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was His own appointed time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The death of Christ was by God's grace</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That He might save the human race;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Save lost sinners, every one</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Who will believe on Christ the Son.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then God raised Him from the dead</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To make His Son the living Head;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The living Christ on heaven's throne</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is interceding for His own.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Christ lives and intercedes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God supplies the Christian's needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Christ's there within the vail,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Christian's anchor cannot fail.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When you know what God has done</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why do you reject His Son,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Despise His grace and spurn His love,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And miss a home in heaven above?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Believe God's Word, accept God's way;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">'Tis worse than folly to delay.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ will save you from your sin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And give you joy and peace within.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And then from condemnation free</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A Merry Christmas yours will be.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you yourself have thus been freed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You will believe man's greatest need,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In this world so filled with strife,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is God's free gift-eternal life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And all who take what God will give</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shall with Christ forever live.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">O'Hair, J. C. "Grace Poems." Berean Bible Society, https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GRACE-POEMS.pdf.</span>Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-20247074500393590962018-11-21T23:19:00.001-07:002018-11-21T23:19:40.285-07:00The God of all Grace<span style="font-size: large;">by Pastor J. C. O'Hair</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The God of all grace" is a wonderful name:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What a privilege it is, His grace to proclaim;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To tell forth the gospel at home and abroad,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To teach guilty sinners the great love of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How He planned it in heaven, to send from above</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">His bosom Companion, the Son of His love,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To live among sinners, to die on the tree,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To receive Divine judgment for you and for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What love and what mercy! What infinite grace!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ Jesus was willing to die in our place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then God sent the Spirit to convict us of sin,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To make us new creatures and abide then within.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Grace excludes boasting, religion or deeds;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Provides for the sinner all that he needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Christ we're accepted, complete in God's Son;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Saved without doing, by the work He has done.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not by man's wisdom, endeavor or plan;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How utterly futile the best work of man!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Christ was sinless God can be just</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And justify freely all who will trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And all who trust Jesus of glory are sure,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Preserved by God's power, forever secure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For Christ, in God's presence, appears for His own</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And makes intercession as He sits on God's throne.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And sealed by the Spirit who abides all the way,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The believer is waiting for that glorious day;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When the blessed Lord Jesus shall in glory appear;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The day of redemption! We wonder how near!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then all that is mortal no longer shall be,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In glorified bodies our Lord we shall see.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And if we are faithful, with Him we shall reign,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For our labours in Jesus shall not be in vain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With such grace abounding, such power Divine!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why do we falter, doubt or repine?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And why do lost sinners remain in their state</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Condemned now already and hereafter such fate?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">O'Hair, J. C. "Grace Poems." Berean Bible Society, https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GRACE-POEMS.pdf.</span>Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-83619216840883021382018-10-31T16:37:00.000-06:002018-10-31T16:37:29.020-06:00The Gospel (The "DBR")<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 Corinthians 15:1-4 </span>Moreover, brethren, I
declare unto you <span style="font-weight: bold;">the gospel</span> which I
preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye
have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, <span style="font-weight: bold;">how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the
third day according to the scriptures: </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 48.0pt; font-weight: bold;">D</span><span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">eath</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What's good about
death? Nothing, that is if we are talking about physical death for you, for me,
for our family and friends. Death often brings sadness. Nobody likes to lose
someone that they dearly loved and cared for. We learn from Romans 6:23a that the
wages (consequences) of sin is death. "For the wages of sin is
death." Death entered the picture after Adam first sinned in the Garden
(Gen. 3; Rom. 5:18a). Humanly speaking, death is no good. But, we're not just
talking about any man's death. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ's
death. What did Christ's death accomplish for you and for me? Well, 2nd
Corinthians 5:19 puts it this way. <span style="font-weight: bold;">2 Corinthians
5:19 </span>To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. God was in Christ not imputing or not counting the world's sins
against them. He has reconciled the world unto Himself in the person of Christ
(who is God as well, John 1:1,14). We just read in Romans 6:23 that the
"wages of sin is death." So, in order to pay for sin a sacrifice is
required. That's why Israel was required to offer animal sacrifices. Their sin
was imputed on the sacrifice. But, instead of offering animal sacrifices today,
Christ Himself is that once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Our sins were
imputed to Christ on the cross. His death paid for all of our sins. Therefore,
He is no longer counting our sin against us today, because it was already
counted or imputed on Him when He hung from the cross of Calvary. That work is
finished. As Christ called out on the cross, "It is finished (John
19:30)."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 48.0pt; font-weight: bold;">B</span><span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">urial</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once again we ask
what's good about the burial? Or what is good about burying people? Humanly
speaking, it is no good. It follows naturally right after death, when people
gather to bury their loved ones. But, once again we are not talking about any
man's death and burial. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is
Christ's burial important? The first time burial is mentioned in Scripture it
is when Abraham buries his wife Sarah in Genesis 23:19. To bury someone or
something is to put it out of sight. Christ died for our sins by becoming that
once for all sufficient sacrifice and was buried, therefore, our sin too was
buried. In other words, Christ put our sins away forever. He left them buried.
He put it out of His sight. To sum up so far, Christ has died for all of our
sins and has buried them, putting them out of His sight forever. What great
news this is!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 48.0pt; font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">esurrection</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But, we are not done
yet. As proof that Christ did what He said He did, he arose from the grave. He
rose again so that you and I might have eternal life in Him in Heavenly places.
The last part of Romans 6:23 says "but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." As well as Romans 5:18b, "through one
Man's (Jesus Christ) righteous act <span style="font-style: italic;">the free gift came </span>to all men, resulting in
justification of life." This free gift is offered to all men (all
mankind). In order to receive eternal life in Christ, all you have to do is
believe. Believe what? Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your
sins on your behalf, was buried, and rose again the third day! Simply believe
what Christ said He has already done. Then you will be justified or made
righteous. You will be made "the righteousness of God in Him" (2nd
Corinthians 5:21). Believe today!</span></div>
<br />
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-90114422184041344132018-10-08T13:54:00.002-06:002018-10-08T13:54:34.849-06:00Rejoicing in Hope<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 5:2 </span>By whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Believers have been
justified by faith and therefore, we now have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). We then also now have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand. We have a perfect position in Christ. We are complete in Him
(Col. 2:10).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that we have
been justified, or made righteous, and
have a perfect standing before God in our Savior Jesus Christ, we can now
rejoice in hope or eager anticipation of the glory of God that we are waiting
for, known as our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). On one hand, because of our
perfect standing in Christ, we too are already seated in the Heavenlies in
Christ at the right hand of the Father. But, we also are looking forward to the
coming of our Lord when He shall catch us away from this world and we shall
meet Him there in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18). And from that point on we shall
be with the Lord for all eternity. We shall share in His glory. We shall be in
His presence forever more. In verse twelve of chapter twelve, it again says
that we are to be rejoicing in hope. The tense of the verse suggests that that
we are to rejoice continuously. We are to keep on rejoicing in that hope we now
have as believers in Christ Jesus as we walk in the Lord on this earth while we
wait for the Lord to catch the Church (Body of Christ) away.</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-72488536390972375522018-10-06T15:05:00.000-06:002018-10-06T15:05:03.343-06:00Romans 4:18<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 4:18 </span><i>Who against hope believed in hope,
that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was
spoken, So shall thy seed be. </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in chapter
four of Romans Abraham is used to explain how someone is justified today in the
Dispensation of Grace. In verse five, a man is justified by faith apart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from works or without works. Abraham's faith
was accounted to him for righteousness. Righteousness was counted to his
account, because he believed. And in verses 9-12, it explains that Abraham's
faith was accounted for righteousness while he was still uncircumcised.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The word
"against" in verse 18 means "beyond." Humanly speaking,
both Abraham and Sarah had no hope of ever reproducing because they were old.
It was beyond hope. But God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things
that don't exist as though they did exist (verse 17) gave them that hope. And
hope, according to the Bible, means an earnest expectation (Phil. 1:20).
Abraham could expect what God told him would happen. Where there seemed to be
no hope from man's perspective, from God's perspective there was hope. And
Abraham simply believed/trusted God. And because of that faith, righteousness
was accounted to him. It wasn't by works or by circumcision. It was by faith
alone. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We too are justified
by faith today! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 5:1 </span><i>Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God has already
reconciled the world unto Himself by not imputing our trespasses unto
ourselves, but instead He imputed (counted) our sin on the Lord Jesus Christ
Himself. Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). God is no
longer counting your sin against you. All of your sin is paid for! All you have
to do to receive eternal life, or in other words, be made the righteousness of
God in Christ is believe! Take God at His Word. He said he has already paid for
your sins. He said that he is no longer charging you with your sin. All you
have to do is believe! Believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and
rose again the third day! (1 Cor. 15:1-4) By believing what Christ has already
done on your behalf you are then made the righteousness of God in Him.</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-84705337585794164872018-05-02T11:15:00.000-06:002018-05-02T11:15:07.470-06:00Our Calling<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Timothy 1:9 </b>Who hath saved us, and called <i>us</i>
with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jesus Christ has saved us (those who have trusted in Him and
His finished work) by His own shed blood on the cross. He went to Calvary to
die for the sins of the world. He knew no sin, but instead was made sin for us
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). He died
for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4). All we
have to do is believe!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">He has also called us with a holy calling. The word
“calling” means an invitation. The word “called” means to call aloud. God has
called aloud to us with a holy calling or invitation to do His will and to walk
in Him.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 1:18-20 </b>The eyes of your understanding
being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what
the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what <i>is</i>
the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the
working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead, and set <i>him</i> at his own right hand in the heavenly <i>places</i>,</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Paul prays that we believers should know three things. These
three things will help us with our walk in the Lord. </span></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are to know what the hope of His calling is. God has
called us wit a holy calling. He has called aloud to us to walk worthy (Eph.
4:1) of that calling with which we were called into. There is a hope that goes
along with that calling too. That hope is called a blessed hope in Titus 2:13.
In 1 Thessalonians, the saints (dead and alive) will be caught up to meet the
Lord in the air. This meeting is called the Rapture. It will take place before
the tribulation. We have a heavenly hope to reign with Christ in Heaven, while
Israel had and earthly hope where they will in the future reign with Christ on
the earth.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are to know what the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in saints is. God has an inheritance in us just as much as we have
an inheritance in Him. Eph. 1:11 says that “in Him we have obtained an
inheritance.” And in verse 13 and 14, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our
inheritance and we are sealed for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). In verse
14, it says we are His purchased possession. We belong to Christ now. We have
been redeemed.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">W</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">e are to know what the exceeding greatness of His power
toward us who believe is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and
the same power that saved us and called us with a holy calling is the same
power that now works in us (Eph. 3:20).</span></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God now gives us the power to walk in Him. To know these
things is to appreciate what we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ even
more. To know what our hope is, that God has an inheritance in us, and that He
gives us the power to walk worthy of that calling that He has called us into is
to give us the strength to be able to walk in Him. We can now do good works,
which God had prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10),
because of what Christ has done for us. The law of Moses couldn’t do this for
us. All it did was condemn us (Rom. 3:19-20). But now, because of the law of
the Spirit the righteous requirement of the law is now fulfilled in us; because,
we walk according to the Spirit not after the flesh (Rom. 8:2-4).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Also, read Colossians 1:9-11 and Philippians 1:9-11.</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-33675376380022502412018-04-13T14:50:00.000-06:002018-04-13T14:50:19.833-06:00Priests or Ambassadors<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>1 Peter 2:9 </b>But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth
the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are many that teach that believers today are also
priests. Their belief is based on the verse above. For it does say that ye are
a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood.” However, to whom is Peter writing
to? In verse 1:1, he is writing to the “strangers scattered throughout.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The “strangers scattered throughout” would
also be those who were scattered after the persecution broke out after the
stoning of Stephen (Acts 11:19). This is also said in Acts 8:1. So, Peter is
talking to Jews. The believing remnant of Israel, or scattered Jews, were those
to whom Peter was addressing in his epistle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Also, back under the law, Israel was called to be a holy
nation and a kingdom of priests.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Exodus 19:6 </b>And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of
priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak
unto the children of Israel.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One of the roles of a priest was to mediate. For example,
only the high priest could enter the Holy of holies and present the sacrifice
unto God. They were acting on behalf of the rest of the nation. They were there
to mediate between God and man.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">However, today there is only one mediator. That one mediator
is the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>1 Timothy 2:5 </b>For there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jesus Christ, today, is that one mediator between God and
man. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses against them (2 Cor. 5:19). He did that while “in Christ.” We have
“peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Our job now is to be
Christ’s ambassadors to take the word of reconciliation to the world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Christ has already done the work of
salvation. He has provided salvation to everyone who believes the “gospel of
Christ which is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Our job is to
proclaim the gospel to lost sinners, but it is Christ through the power of the
Holy Spirit who will save them if they believe on Him (Acts 16:31). The only
mediating that we may do is between man and another man. The role of the priest
or Christ’s role as the one mediator is to mediate between God and man. So, the
role of mediator is given to Jesus Christ. Israel’s role is to be a kingdom of
priests. Our role, on the other hand, is to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-24868457047629529422018-03-27T10:12:00.003-06:002018-03-27T10:12:48.952-06:00Our Grace Commission
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>1 Corinthians 1:17-18 </b>For Christ sent me not to
baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul was not sent to baptize, but to preach the
gospel. The Twelve apostles on the other hand were sent to baptize (Matt.
28:19,20). We are to imitate Paul, as Paul imitated Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul
received a different message than the twelve received (Gal. 1:11,12). Water
baptism in this verse would be the same as what is called the wisdom of words.
Paul tells us to just preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words. The
preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that
believes (Rom. 1:16,17). There is no need to add anything to the gospel. Just
preach it!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Ephesians 2:8-9 </b>For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are saved by grace through faith. We are not
saved by doing good works or getting water baptized. Instead, it is a free gift
from God. All we have to do is believe the gospel. That is, believe that Christ
died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 1:16-17 </b>For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of
God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The twelve apostles were given the power to
forgive the sins of a person. However, we today under the Dispensation of Grace
are not given that power. Forgiveness of sins is by the power of God. We have
forgiveness of sins through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:6,7). God
was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their sins upon
them (2 Cor. 5:16-21). Our sins have been paid for, all we have to do is
believe it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. All you
have to do is accept the free gift.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>1 Timothy 2:4 </b>Who will have all men to be saved, and
to come unto the knowledge of the truth.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God desires all men (all persons) to be saved.
This is the first part of our commission. It is to preach the gospel. Preach
that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day! He
paid for all of our sins on the cross. The second part of our commission is to see
that all men come unto the knowledge of the truth.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Ephesians 3:9 </b>And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the second part of our commission from
the verse above. To have all men come to a knowledge of the truth is to make
(cause) them to see what is the fellowship of the mystery. The mystery was
hidden in God before the foundation of the world. It was only revealed to the
Apostle Paul in due time.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is the mystery? At least one part of it is
the truth about the one new man (the new creation). God has reconciled both Jew
and Gentile in one body (the Body of Christ). There is now no difference
between the two. That middle wall has been broken down (Eph. 2). We are now all
one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>2 Corinthians 5:19-20 </b>To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you
in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We aren’t told in Paul’s Epistles that we have
to start in Jerusalem or anywhere else for that matter. We can start preaching the gospel wherever we happen to be. The Jews, the disciples, on the
other hand, were told to start in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). God was in Christ
reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
He, therefore, has committed to us the word of reconciliation to take to the
world. God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile in one Body. There is no
difference between Jew and Gentile today. We can and should preach to both
Jew and Gentile about the gospel, as well as the mystery that was given to
Paul.</span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-91133450284312279362018-03-16T10:51:00.000-06:002018-03-16T10:51:02.990-06:00The So-called "Great" Commission
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The so-called “Great” Commission is also called the Kingdom
Commission. God promised Israel that they would inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5),
they would receive a King, and that King would deliver her from her enemies. In
Matthew through Acts, there are six key passages that explain the Kingdom of
Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven (which means kingdom out from Heaven) will be
that earthly reign of Christ when He sets up His Kingdom on the earth. The
gospel of the Kingdom says you must believe in the name of Christ (John 1:12)
to be saved. That means to believe that Christ is the prophesied Messiah (King)
of Israel. To believe that He is the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living
God (Matt. 16:16).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Matthew 10:5-7 </b>These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at
hand.</i></span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the first part of the Kingdom
Commission. The twelve apostles were originally told and sent to go only to the
Jews. Why? It was because Israel, according to prophecy, had to be saved first.
The children must be filled first (Mark 7:27).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Matthew 28:19-20 </b>Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then the twelve apostles, after Christ’s
resurrection, were sent out to and supposed to take the Kingdom gospel to the
nations. They were told two things. 1) Baptize them (the nations) in the name (or
authority) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2) Teach them to observe all
things whatsoever Christ had commanded them to do. That would mean they were instructed
to follow all the law and so were the Gentiles. They were still under law.
However, they never fulfilled this part of the Commission. Why? Because, they
were still to carry out the first part which is in Matthew 10:5-7. Israel still
had to be saved first. Israel was to be that light unto the world to bring
blessing and salvation to the Gentile nations. Gentiles would be saved through
the rise of Israel. However, we read in Acts 8:1 that all the Jews at Jerusalem
scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">except the apostles</b>. They have not yet gone out to all the nations
with the Kingdom gospel. They will in the future, but this part of their
commission hasn’t been fulfilled yet.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mark 16:15-18 </b>And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these
signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they
drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover.</i></span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, they were instructed to go into all the
world and preach the gospel of the Kingdom. There are two conditions to being
saved under this gospel and commission and both must be met. 1) He that
believeth. Faith is required in every dispensation. 2) And is baptized. Water
baptism is a requirement under this commission. Salvation under the Law and the
Kingdom gospel is faith plus works. Works were required to show your faith to
be saved. But, faith is still important. If you didn’t have faith to begin
with, then there is no point in doing good works or being water baptized. You’re
damned from the very beginning. After you believe and are baptized, then signs
will follow those that believe. We don’t see this today.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Luke 24:47-49 </b>And that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And
ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from
on high.</i></span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repentance and remission of sins were also to be
preached in Christ’s name among all the Gentile nations. <b>Acts 2:38 </b>Then
Peter said unto them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Repent, and be
baptized</b> every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for the remission of sins</b>, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. But, where were they to start? They were to start in Jerusalem.
Why? Because, Israel had to be saved first. Also, they were told to tarry in
Jerusalem, until they received the Holy Spirit (endued with power from on
high). In Acts 2:4, the twelve apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">John</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>John 20:23 </b>Whose soever sins ye remit, they are
remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are
retained.</i></span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The twelve were also given the power to forgive
sins or not to forgive them. This is because they were to reign with Christ on
twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). We certainly
don’t have this power today. And why would we need it since we are told that
Christ himself has forgiven us of all our sin in this current Dispensation of
Grace. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them. We are instructed to forgive others, because Christ has
forgiven us. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Acts</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Acts 1:8 </b>But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.</i></span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, the twelve apostles are told to be witnesses
of Christ both in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and then the uttermost part
of the earth. They were to begin in Jerusalem, and then work their way out to
the rest of the world. But, they never left Jerusalem, because the nation’s
leaders and the nation as a whole never repented and didn’t believe Christ was
their Messiah.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Grace Commission</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ, then set aside Israel as a nation temporarily and
raised up a new apostle (Paul). Paul was given the gospel of the grace of God
(Acts 20:24) and the revelation of the mystery (Rom. 16:25). He is called the
apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). He was given a commission to take this
new message, the word of reconciliation, to the world (both Jews and Gentiles).
Now, there is a new creation (the Body of Christ) where there is neither Jew
nor Greek, male or female, bond or free (Gal. 3:28). Instead, we are all one in
Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The gospel
today is to just believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose
again on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).</b></span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-74371739751692456482018-03-12T20:57:00.000-06:002018-03-12T20:57:08.835-06:00Jesus Christ is God!
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Here are some verses
that show that Jesus Christ is God, manifest in the flesh.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 1:1 </b>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 1:14 </b>And the Word was made 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.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 3:31 </b>He that cometh from above is above all: he
that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from
heaven is above all.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 5:22-23 </b>For the Father judgeth no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son: That all <i>men</i> should honour the Son,
even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the
Father which hath sent him.</span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 8:56-58 </b>Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my
day: and he saw <i>it</i>, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art
not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.</span></span><b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 10:30 </b>I and <i>my</i> Father are one.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 12:44-45 </b>Jesus cried and said, He that believeth
on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth
him that sent me.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 14:7 </b>If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 17:22 </b>And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:<br />
<br />
<b>John 20:28 </b>And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.<br />
<br />
<b>Isaiah 7:14 </b>Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a
virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Matthew 1:23 </b>Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.<br />
<br />
<b>Isaiah 9:6 </b>For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Romans 1:3-4 </b>Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of
the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared <i>to be</i> the Son of
God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from
the dead:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Romans 9:5 </b>Whose <i>are</i> the fathers, and of whom as concerning the
flesh Christ <i>came</i>, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 1:22-23 </b>And hath put all <i>things</i>
under his feet, and gave him <i>to be</i> the head over all <i>things</i> to
the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colossians 1:18-19 </b>And he is the head of the body,
the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all <i>things</i>
he might have the preeminence. For it pleased <i>the Father</i> that in him
should all fulness dwell;<br />
<br />
<b>1 Timothy 3:16 </b>And without controversy great is the mystery of
godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of
angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory.<br />
<br />
<b>Titus 2:13 </b>Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;<br />
<br />
<b>Hebrews 1:8 </b>But unto the Son <i>he saith</i>, Thy throne, O God, <i>is</i>
for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness <i>is</i> the sceptre of thy
kingdom.<br />
<br />
<b>Hebrews 1:13 </b>But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?<br />
<br />
<b>2 Peter 1:1 </b>Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to
them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness
of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:<br />
<br />
<b>1 John 5:7 </b>For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.<br />
<br />
<b>1 John 5:20 </b>And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us
an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true,
<i>even</i> in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.</span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-9975870560174150282018-03-07T16:51:00.000-07:002018-03-07T16:51:33.919-07:00Salvation comes to Gentiles thru Israel's Fall<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Luke 13:6-9 </b>He spake also this parable; A certain man
had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon,
and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these
three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down;
why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone
this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear
fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Lord forgave Israel on the cross and they were given one
more year to repent and be baptized and come back to that covenant relationship
that they had with God. They still needed to accept Christ as her Messiah.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The three years refer to Christ’s earthly ministry. Christ
entered the priesthood at age 30, as it was required under the law (Num.
4:3,23). He ministered for three years, until He was crucified.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">He was hungry for fruit. He wanted to see His chosen nation
produce the fruit that she was supposed to, since she was supposed to be a
kingdom of priests that was to be a light unto the world. But he found no
fruit. (Matt. 21:18-22; Mk 11:12-14)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The one more year ends with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7),
which is where they rejected the Holy Spirit and committed the unpardonable sin
(Matt. 12:31,32). Whoever speaks against the Son of man, it would be forgiven
them. And it was forgiven them when Christ called out to the Father, “Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).” But, when they
resisted the Spirit, they weren’t forgiven for that. God set them aside, as a
nation, in His eyes at that point. We know that the book of Acts is a transitional
book and it took a while for Israel to be cast away (it was a gradual process).
But, in God’s eyes He set her aside at the stoning of Stephen. That was the one
more year that was given to Israel, before they were cut down.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Israel didn’t bear any fruit, so she was cut down. She
didn’t repent.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Therefore, God raised up another Apostle, the Apostle Paul
(Acts 9), after He set Israel aside temporarily. He commissioned Paul with the
gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), not the gospel of the Kingdom (Matt.
24:14). God revealed to Paul the “revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began” (Rom. 16:25). Paul received the revelation from
the Lord Jesus Christ directly. He didn’t receive it from man, nor was he
taught it by man either (Gal. 1:11,12).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 11:11 </b>I say then, Have they stumbled that they
should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is
come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Since Israel fell,
salvation has now come to the Gentiles. Romans 11:32 says that God has
concluded us all (Jew and Gentile) in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon
us all (Jew and Gentile).</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God is now dealing
with everyone on an individual basis, whereas before He was dealing with
nations, particularly the nation of Israel. Salvation is now offered to
everyone (Rom. 1:16; 3:22) by the grace of God. You don’t have to become a Jew
to be saved. Once you believe in Christ Jesus as your personal Savior, you are
immediately baptized (identified) into Christ’s body. You are placed into the
Body of Christ, the church (Eph. 1:22,23). The Body of Christ is a new creation
(2 Cor. 5:17). Every believer in the Dispensation of Grace (whether Jew or
Gentile, male or female, bond or free) is now one new man (Eph. 2:14-18). Believers
today are not Israel or spiritual Israel, they are a new creation. They are
each a new creation individually. And they are all one new creation
collectively. The new man or new creation is the Body of Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Once the fullness of
the Gentiles come in (Rom. 11:25), the Body of Christ will be caught up to meet
the Lord in the air and be with Him forever at that point and God will resume
the prophetic program with the nation of Israel. As the next verse says (Rom.
11:26), “and so all Israel will be saved.” God will resume His plans for her as
a nation of priests. They will inherit the earth as it was promised to Abraham.
They will receive the promised Messiah that was promised to come from David’s
royal line. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But, for the time
being, we are still living in the Dispensation of Grace today. The message for
today is to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins,
was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4). If you believe in Him
as your personal Savior and His finished work on the cross, then you will be
saved. You will have eternal life in Christ Jesus! Please, believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ today (2 Cor. 5:20,21)!</span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-12585656340793562662018-03-01T14:08:00.001-07:002018-03-01T14:08:26.865-07:00A Ransom for Many vs. A Ransom for All<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mark 10:45 </b>For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>ransom for many</u></b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Timothy 2:6 </b>Who gave himself <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>a ransom for all</u></b>, to be testified in due time.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Mark, Jesus Christ is talking to the twelve disciples and
is telling them that He came to minister or to serve and to give His own life a
ransom for many. In Matthew 21:43, Christ tells the leaders of Israel at that
time that He will take the kingdom of God away from them and will give it to a
nation bearing the fruits of it. He said He will give it to a nation, not
nations. The nation is still the nation of Israel, but He will give it those in
Israel who believe in His name, who believe that He is the Messiah. That will
be the twelve disciples/apostles. Matthew 19:28 says that the twelve apostles
will reign with Christ over the twelve tribes of Israel.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Paul says in Galatians 4:4 that Christ, in his earthly ministry,
came to redeem those who were under the law. The law was given to Israel. They
(Israel) were under the law. Paul also says about Israel in Romans 9:6 that “they
are not all Israel who are of Israel.” So, Israel (the believing remnant of Israel)
is the “many” that Christ is talking about in Mark 10:45. Christ, according to
prophecy, came to redeem Israel, who was His chosen nation.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Christ later, according to His heavenly ministry, revealed
to Paul that He (Christ) gave Himself a ransom for all. That was testified in
due time. When? To the Apostle Paul. Now, while Gentiles could be saved under
the law, at the same time they had to become a Jew in order to be saved.
However, now it is revealed to Paul that because of Israel’s fall, not their
rise, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:11).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since salvation has now come to Gentiles, because of Israel’s
fall, there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile (Gal. 3:28). God has
concluded us all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon us all (Rom.
11:32). God has broken down that middle wall of partition or separation that
was between us (Eph. 2:14). God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile in one body
through the cross (Eph. 2:16). So, you don’t have to become a Jew anymore to be
saved. God is not dealing with man on a national basis. He is dealing with us
on an individual basis. If anyone believes that Christ died for their sins
personally, was buried, and rose again the third day, then they will be saved
(1 Cor. 15:1-4; Acts 16:31). It doesn’t matter whether your Jew or Gentile,
bond or free, male or female. All that matters is do you believe in Christ as
your personal Savior? Do you believe that He died for you on your behalf? Christ
died for all our sins! He died for everyone. He gave His life a ransom for all,
in this Dispensation of Grace in which we live today.</span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is one example that shows the importance of rightly
dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).</span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-35373790881431709032018-02-17T13:55:00.000-07:002018-02-17T13:55:14.226-07:00The Beatitudes vs. The Dispensation of Grace<span style="font-size: large;">The beatitudes are written to the Jewish nation, Israel. It is not directly written to the church, the Body of Christ, for today. All of the beatitudes are conditional in nature. It tells the Jews that if they are this or if they do this, then they will receive blessing. If they don't do what is commanded, then they won't receive the blessing. The Mosaic Law itself was a conditional covenant or contract telling the Jews do certain things. And if they didn't, then they would be cursed, not blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, however, during the Dispensation of Grace God is showing His love toward us even if we don't follow His perfect law. For the Scriptures tells us that we are all sinners and can't follow God's law perfectly (Rom. 3:19-23). But, God has shown His mercy because He loves us and by grace, He has provided salvation as well as all spiritual blessings as a free gift. The only requirement is if we believe in Him as our Lord and Savior. If we believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, then we will be saved. Our salvation is not based on any work that we do (Eph. 2:8,9), but what God has done through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYMaay1f5vfuXI61156QzmUWR__pj3okRQTR5PELc8XXU0j4Y6-Tedd1zUdqs72s-Sb06Sc6J636zq_zkP3TsioNXwicQ7T8VJdVgXFDXJkfYDQ6VtjMdUCct2d-cpkkWF6jwwUXKkyhp/s1600/The+Beatitudes+vs.+The+Dispensation+of+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYMaay1f5vfuXI61156QzmUWR__pj3okRQTR5PELc8XXU0j4Y6-Tedd1zUdqs72s-Sb06Sc6J636zq_zkP3TsioNXwicQ7T8VJdVgXFDXJkfYDQ6VtjMdUCct2d-cpkkWF6jwwUXKkyhp/s640/The+Beatitudes+vs.+The+Dispensation+of+Grace.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CSumJwmSkdi4o7v7fa5uhPAFiuNNloMF/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Beatitudes vs. Dispensation of Grace</a></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-12537849155636422018-02-05T23:11:00.000-07:002018-02-05T23:11:25.851-07:00Justification by Faith<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All of mankind are sinners by nature. We all have a sin
nature. The moment we each were born into this world, we were placed into Adam.
There are two kinds of people in this world. You are either a dead sinner or a
living saint. Every sinner is “in Adam.” Every believer is “in Christ.” In
order to go from death unto life, from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ,” it
is necessary to be justified. To be justified means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to made righteous</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We learn in the early chapters of Romans that there is none
righteous among us.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 3:10-11 </b>As it is written, There is none
righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that
seeketh after God.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 3:19-20 </b>Now we know that what things soever
the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be
stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds
of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is
the knowledge of sin.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The law makes everyone in the world guilty before God. We
have sinned against God and continued to do so that there is no righteous
person who could keep God’s perfect law. We can’t be justified by the deeds of
the law (by following the law). The law itself reveals to us that we are
sinners. We have all come short of the glory of God. So, how can one be saved
and justified? Read Romans 3:21,22.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 3:21-22 </b>But now the righteousness of God
without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all
and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The righteousness of God without the law is manifested or
revealed. The righteousness of God is by the faith (or faithfulness) of Jesus
Christ. Jesus Christ who is the Son of God, God Himself in the flesh, died on
the cross of Calvary for all the sins of the world. He has offered salvation as
a free gift to all, and upon all them that believe. He was obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8). It is offered to all, but it is only
conferred upon those who believe (those who have faith that He died for them personally
by dying for their sins).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>2 Corinthians 5:21 </b>For he hath made him to be
sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is because of Christ’s finished work on the cross that we
can be justified or made righteous. We are made the righteousness of God in Him
or “in Christ.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Romans 3:24 </b>Being justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are justified freely (without a cause) by his grace. It
is through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Salvation is made possible
because of Christ’s work on the cross. We cannot save ourselves. So, we
conclude as the Apostle Paul does in Romans 3:28 that “a man is justified by
faith without [apart from] the deeds of the law.” To receive salvation and be
justified (made righteous), all you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ
died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1
Cor. 15:3,4).</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-81493548712239927962017-12-24T11:18:00.000-07:002017-12-24T11:18:52.475-07:00One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 4:5 </b>One Lord, one faith, one baptism.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul
beseeches (or begs) all believers to walk worthy of the vocation (or calling)
that in which they were called. And to endeavor to “keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, writes down seven unities. They are the one body, one Spirit, one hope,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. Today, we’ll
just look at the three in verse number five.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One Lord</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The one Lord is of course referring to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Jesus Christ is the one true God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is God manifest in the flesh (John 1:1-3,14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is the creator of all things (Col. 1:16)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is the mediator between God and men (1 Tim.
2:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is the King of kings, Lord of lords (1 Tim.
6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is our Savior (Titus 2:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) when He
comes back to the earth to setup His kingdom</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is the Head of the Church, which is His body
(the Body of Christ) (Eph. 1:22,23). Believers today, under the Dispensation of
Grace, are members of His body (1 Cor. 12:12,13).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One faith</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The one faith is what we believe today (the one faith that
saved us). It is the preaching (or the message) of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18). It
was a free gift given by God to us by His grace. We don’t deserve eternal life,
instead we deserve death. But, God has provided eternal life as a free gift
through the work that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did on the cross. He
died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4). He
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification
(Rom. 4:25).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Romans 6:23 </b>For the wages of sin <i>is</i>
death; but the gift of God <i>is</i> eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Ephesians 2:4-5 </b>But God, who is rich in
mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One baptism</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The one baptism is a spirit baptism. There are many baptisms
mentioned in the Bible (both wet and dry baptisms). The word baptism simply
means identification. There is only one baptism for the Dispensation of the
Grace of God (Eph. 3:2; 4:5). This baptism is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12
and verse 13. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>1 Corinthians 12:13 </b>For by one Spirit are
we all baptized into one body, whether <i>we be</i> Jews or Gentiles, whether <i>we
be</i> bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We, members of Christ’s body, were all baptized by one
Spirit (the Holy Spirit) into one body. In the above verse we have three of the
seven unities of the Spirit. There is the one Spirit (who does the work of
baptizing). There is the one body (where every believer is placed into). The
one baptism is the actual work itself that the Spirit does to identify each
believer into the one body. The Spirit identifies us with Christ’s death,
burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-4). Since Christ died, was buried, and rose
again, then so did we. We too died with Christ, were buried with Him, and then
we rose from the dead with Christ.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Galatians 2:20-21 </b>I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if
righteousness <i>come</i> by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are crucified with Christ, and we also now have new life
because of Christ rising from the dead. His resurrection is the proof that His
death did satisfy as the payment for our sins.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Romans 3:25 </b>Whom God hath set forth <i>to
be</i> a propitiation [satisfaction] through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance
of God;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In conclusion, we are saved by the one Lord that came to die
for all, who gave His life a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:4-6), by believing or
putting our trust in the one faith that Christ died for our sins, was buried,
and rose again the third day and then being baptized that very same moment that
we believed by the one baptism that the Spirit identifies each believer into
the Body of Christ. Now, let’s go back the other way. We are baptized with the
one baptism by the one Spirit into the one Body because we believed the one
faith that saves us, which was provided as a free gift by the one Lord that
came into this world to save sinners.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Praise and glory to God!</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-90470644164974025652017-11-22T15:57:00.000-07:002017-11-22T15:57:53.186-07:00What Believers can be Thankful for in the Dispensation of Grace!<span style="font-size: large;">Things to be Thankful for from Romans thru Philemon:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8,9)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have peace with God (Rom. 5:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have access by faith unto the Father through
our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are made the righteousness of God in Him (in
Christ) (2 Cor. 5:21)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are justified by His blood (Rom. 5:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ died for us and as us (Rom. 5:8; 6:3,4)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was delivered for our offences, and raised
again for our justification (Rom. 4:25)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are not under the law, we are under grace
(Rom. 6:14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are made free from sin (Rom. 6:17,18)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is now no condemnation to those in Christ
(Rom. 8:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is nothing that can separate us from the
love of Christ or the love of God (Rom. 8:35, 39)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salvation has come to the Gentiles because of
Israel’s fall (Rom. 11:11)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All believers are members of one Body, the Body
of Christ (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12,13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have the ability to study the Scriptures,
rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16,17)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have the revelation of the mystery (Rom.
16:25; Eph. 3:1-9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We do not have to be baptized with water. For we
are already baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body. All we have to do is
believe the gospel and our commission today is to just preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words (1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Cor. 12:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ Jesus is our wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption! (1 Cor. 1:30)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel of the grace of God speaks of the
wisdom and power of God. God kept it hidden in Himself from the princes of this
world until He revealed it to the Apostle Paul. (1 Cor. 2:7,8; 1 Cor. 18-24;
Rom. 1:16,17)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has called us to be stewards of the
mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ has risen from the grave! (1 Cor. 15)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel of the grace of God is laid out for
us in plain English. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried,
and rose again the third day! (1 Cor. 15:1-4) Believe this and you will be
saved! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! (Acts 16:31)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will be raptured (caught up) to be with the
Lord in Heaven when He returns for His church, which is His body (1 Cor.
15:51-58)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has established every believer together in
Christ and has sealed us, and has given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
(2 Cor. 1:21,22)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God always causes us to triumph in Christ! (2
Cor. 2:14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are made all-sufficient in Christ (2 Cor.
3:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has made a new creature, which is the Body
of Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All believers in Christ are new creations individually
as well as collectively (2 Cor. 5:17)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (2 Cor. 5:19)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Believers are now Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor.
5:20)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ (who knew no sin) was made sin for us,
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are the temple of the living God (2 Cor.
6:16)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is able to make all grace abound towards us
(2 Cor. 9:8)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul’s gospel was received by revelation from
the Lord, and not from man. (Gal. 1:11,12)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel of the uncircumcision was committed
unto Paul (Gal. 2:7)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are not justified by the works of the law,
but by the faith [faithfulness] of Christ. (Gal. 2:16)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am crucified with Christ! (Gal. 2:20)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is Christ that lives in me! (Gal. 2:20)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are saved by faith. (Eph. 2:8,9) We are also sanctified
by faith. (Gal. 3:2,3)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law
(Gal. 3:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are all one in Christ Jesus! For there is no
difference between Jew and Gentile (Gal. 3:27,28)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are children of the freewoman (Gal. 4:31)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have liberty in Christ (Gal. 5:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The preaching of the cross is the main thing. We
should keep the main thing the main thing! (Gal. 6:14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are a new creature! (Gal. 6:15)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places (Eph. 1:3)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are chosen in Him before the foundation of
the world (Eph. 1:4)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are sealed with the Holy Spirit! (Eph. 1:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ is the Head of the Body (Eph. 1:22,23)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ has made us alive in Himself (Eph. 2:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are raised up together and made to sit
together in Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are God’s workmanship! (Eph. 2:10)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He broke down that middle wall of partition
between the Jew and the Gentile, so now there is no difference between them
(Eph. 2:14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He abolished the law of commandments, and nailed
them to the cross (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through Christ we have access by one Spirit unto
the Father (Eph. 2:18)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dispensation of the Grace of God has been
revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:1-9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is one Body, one Spirit, one hope, one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. (Eph. 4:4-6)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are children of light (Eph. 5:8)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have a Master in Heaven (Eph. 6:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The armor of God gives us all the protection we
need to fight against Satan (Eph. 6:10-20)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are thankful for the fellowship with other
believers in the gospel (Phil. 1:5,6)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have an earnest expectation and hope as
believers (Phil. 1:20; Titus 2:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To live is Christ, to die is gain! (Phil. 1:21)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross! (Phil. 2:8)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our conversation or citizenship is in Heaven
(Phil. 3:20)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our hope is laid up for us in Heaven (Col. 1:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are strengthened with all might according to
His glorious power (Col. 1:11)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everything was created by Christ and for him
(Col. 1:16)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mystery which was hid from ages and
generations is now made manifest to his saints (Col. 1:26)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fulness of the Godhead is manifested in
Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are circumcised with the circumcision made
without [human] hands, buried with Him in baptism, and risen with him all
through the faith of the operation of God (Col. 2:11,12)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are risen with Christ! (Col. 3:1)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The peace of God will rule in your heart, if you
let it (Col. 3:15; Phil. 4:6,7)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our gospel came not in word only, but also in
power and in the Holy Ghost (1 Thess. 1:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will be raptured (caught up) to be with the
Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are delivered from the wrath to come (1
Thess. 5:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God hath from the beginning chosen us to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2
Thess. 2:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lord is faithful! (2 Thess. 3:3)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel for today was committed to Paul’s
trust (1 Tim. 1:11)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ came into the world to save sinners (1
Tim. 1:15)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ is the mediator between God and man (1
Tim. 2:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has given us the spirit of power, of love,
and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has called us with a holy calling (2 Tim.
1:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That we can study the word of God, rightly
divided (2 Tim. 2:15)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16,17)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rapture is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are thankful for the love and faith that we
all have towards the Lord Jesus and towards each other (Phm. 1:5)</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I pray that we keep all these blessed truths in mind and
continue to be thankful for them that we might also be able to fight the good
fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12) just like Paul was able to with, of course, the
help and power from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be thankful for
everything that Christ has done for you. Most importantly that He died for you
and your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day! (1 Cor. 15:1-4)</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-78569890051236402772017-11-15T09:34:00.000-07:002017-11-15T09:34:33.607-07:00Liberty in Christ<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Galatians 2:16 </b><i>Knowing that a man is not justified by
the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed
in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There were those who wanted to bring the Galatians back
under the law of Moses (Gal. 2:4). Paul had previously shared the gospel that
was preached of him (Gal. 1:11,12) to the people of Galatia, and yet it wasn’t
far after that when the religious leaders of Israel and other false brethren came to
spy out the liberty that they had in Christ and to bring them into bondage.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even today there are so many people that try to follow the
law, because they think it can save them. They think they can get into Heaven
by doing their own good works. While under the Dispensation of the Law, faith
and works were required, which included ordinances like water baptism and
circumcision. But now, under the Dispensation of Grace, only faith is required
to be saved. Faith in what? Faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. The
only thing to do is to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins by shedding
His own blood on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
Galatians 2:16 explains that we are “not justified (made righteous) by the
works of the law.” Instead, it says we are justified “by the faith [or
faithfulness] of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What was the purpose of the Law? Well, Romans chapter three
explains that the law was given to tell us that we have all “sinned, and come
short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23),” and “by the law is the knowledge of sin
(Rom. 3:20).” In Galatians chapter three, we also learn that the “law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal. 3:24).”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Galatians 3:23-25 </b><i>But before faith came, we were kept
under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we
might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The “faith” in these verses are talking about the faith that
was revealed unto the Apostle Paul. That same “mutual faith (Rom. 1:12)” that
he shared with the Romans was what he revealed/taught the Galatians too. Before
that faith came, we were all under the law and therefore, “all under sin (Gal.
3:22).” It was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and afterwards that faith
came, because of what Christ did for us on the cross. We are now no longer
“under the law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14).”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are now justified (made righteous) by faith, and faith
alone! Not by the works of the law. For it says in Colossians 2:14 that the law
and all the ordinances were nailed to the cross. You don’t need to be
physically circumcised or baptized with water. For you are automatically
baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5), when you
put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You are also
spiritually circumcised (Col. 2:11).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Therefore, you should stand fast in the liberty that you now
have in Christ. Don’t let anyone rob you of the position that you have in
Christ Jesus. Many local churches will try to tell you that you have to be
water baptized to show your faith. Don’t listen to them. If you have been
baptized into Christ (which is the operation of the Holy Spirit, not a pastor),
then you have also put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). For you are justified by faith,
and not by the works of the law! Water baptism and circumcision were ordinances
under the law (they were works of the law). But now, the whole law has been
nailed to cross.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Galatians 5:1 </b><i>Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage.</i></span></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-62561994182403389462017-10-29T13:29:00.000-06:002017-10-29T13:29:17.499-06:00The Preaching of the Cross<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Corinthians 1:18 </b><i>For the preaching of the cross is
to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of
God.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">To start off with, we have a contrast of those who do not
believe in Christ as their personal Savior and those that do believe. Those
that don’t believe are the ones that are perishing. The ones that do are saved.
We also have two worldviews. The “world” or the unsaved look at the preaching
of the cross as foolishness, and the saved (those who are not of this world)
look at it as the power of God. “For it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth… (Rom. 1:16).”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Corinthians 1:20 </b><i>Where is the wise? where is
the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made
foolish the wisdom of this world?</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">God has indeed made foolish the wisdom of this world. Even
with all of the advancements that mankind has made concerning technology, medicine,
science, etc., it still doesn’t come close to the wisdom of God. God’s wisdom
far exceeds the wisdom of man. It even says in the book of Ephesians that
Christ was seated at the Father’s own right hand, “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 (Eph. 1:21),” when He rose from
the dead.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What does the preaching of the cross include? Let’s just
look at a sample of many blessed truths contained in the preaching of the
cross.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor.
1:18-24). Now we have already addressed this one above at the very beginning of
the lesson. The preaching of the cross is the power of God unto all those who
believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again the
third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4). It is also the wisdom of God. It is a wisdom “which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not
have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:7,8).”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As believers, the cross is the only thing we
should boast in <span style="margin: 0px;">(Gal. 6:14).</span> Why
should we only boast in the cross? Because, we are giving all of the glory and
praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He did the work. It is a finished
completed work. None of our works could have saved us, for if they could then
we would have reason to boast in ourselves (Rom. 4:2) and also Christ would
have died in vain (Gal. 2:21). What Christ did for us on the cross is a
completed and finished work and He deserves all of the glory.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ died for the ungodly sinners and enemies
of Christ. Since the fall of Adam (in general, the fall of man), every person
on this world (except Christ) was born with a sin nature. We were born in sin
and shapen in iniquity. We have all “come short of the glory of God (Rom.
3:23).” Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6). He died for us while we were
still sinners (Rom. 5:8). And He reconciled us by the death of His Son, while
we were still considered enemies of God and Christ (Rom. 5:10).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are saved, redeemed, and justified by His
blood. Christ’s death on the cross satisfies (Rom. 3:25) the penalty or wages
of sin, which is death (Rom. 6:23). In Christ, we have “redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Eph.
1:7).” Romans 5:9 also says that we have been justified by His blood.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also have peace through His blood (Col.
1:20). Also, Romans 5:1 says that we now “have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ.” We are now no longer enemies with God. Instead, we now have
peace with Him.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In conclusion, the preaching of the cross is the power and
wisdom of God and it is the only thing that believers should boast in. It is
the very gospel that every sinner must believe, before they are saved. Now, all
of this truths about the preaching of the cross are all wrapped up into one
single statement, which can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, which is the
gospel. What is the gospel? That Christ died on the cross for our sins, was
buried, and rose again the third day. All we have to do is simply believe this!
If you just simply believe that Christ died for you and your sins, and rose again, then you will be
saved!</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-44123018809739075552017-10-20T11:34:00.001-06:002017-10-20T11:34:46.711-06:00The Gospel of Salvation<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The only way to be delivered from the “wrath to come (1
Thes. 1:9,10),” from the “power of darkness (Col. 1:12,13),” from this “present
evil world (Gal. 1:4),” and from the “fear of death (Heb. 2:14,15)” is to
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 Corinthians 15:3-4 </b><i>For I delivered unto you first
of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according
to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures:</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All you have to do is believe the Gospel. What is the
Gospel? The Gospel is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins, was
buried, and rose again. If you just believe (put your trust/faith in Christ)
that He died for your own sins, was buried, and rose again, then you will be
saved and have eternal life.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 6:23 </b><i>For the wages of sin is death; but
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you do not believe, then the “wages of sin is death.” However,
if you just accept God’s free gift of salvation by just believing, you will
have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 4:25 </b><i>Who was delivered for our offences, and
was raised again for our justification.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The “Who” in this verse is the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was
delivered for our offences (sins) to pay the penalty of sin, which is death. He
was also raised again from the grave for our justification. Jesus Christ went
to Calvary to die our death and pay for our sins. Also, He was raised again so
that we might be justified (made righteous). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:19-21 </b><i>To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you
in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be
sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are made the righteousness of God in him (in Christ),
when we reconcile ourselves to God. God already reconciled the world unto
himself in the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. But, it’s still up to each
individual person to reconcile themselves to God. In other words, when we simply
just believe what Christ did for us on the cross. “Christ was made sin for us,
who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor.
5:21).”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In conclusion, all that you have to do is believe that the
Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again
the third day. And you will receive eternal life, and be justified! Salvation
does not come by “works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
His mercy he saved us (Titus 3:5).”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 2:8-9 </b><i>For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i><span style="font-size: large;">Listen to: <u><a href="https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/psalm-327/" target="_blank">Ps 32:7 by Pastor J. C. O'Hair</a></u></span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-32465663277051590112017-10-19T11:12:00.001-06:002017-10-19T11:12:38.724-06:00Born Anew Part 2
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The word “birth” speaks of a beginning. When we were all
physically born into this world through our mother’s womb, that marked the
beginning of our existence in this life. The phrase “born again” also simply
refers to a (or rather another) beginning. It does not mean that our old
lives/flesh will be born again and come out of our mother’s womb a second time.
Christ addresses that in John 3:4-6, when He addresses Nicodemus. Nor does it
mean that we are trying to improve upon the old man to make it better. There is
nothing we can do to make the old flesh better. The old is dead in sins. It is
corrupted by sin and the “wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).” So, what does the
phrase “born again” mean? It too speaks of a beginning. What beginning? The
beginning of spiritual life for the believer.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Every man, woman, and child is born into this world as a
sinner with a sin nature (except for Christ, of course). But, not every person
is “born again.” In other words, not every person becomes a believer and
receives spiritual life. Those who do believe, on the other hand, do receive
spiritual life (a new life). While it is true that believers still live in
their earthly bodies temporarily, however, they also have a new life in Christ
Jesus in heavenly places. For believers their existence in this world began
when they were physically born, and their new spiritual life began when they
first trusted in Christ as their Savior.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 6:11 </b>Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be
dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now, before believers were believers they were once like the
rest of the world in the way they lived their lives. They were sinners too.
They themselves were dead <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in </b>their
sins (Eph. 2:1). But, when they became a believer (when they believed that
Jesus Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor. 15:3,4))
they became “dead indeed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">unto</b> sins,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11).” Their old flesh
(Adamic nature) remains dead and buried to this day. But, they themselves are
not dead. Their souls are not dead. Their spirits are not dead. Instead, they
have been made alive (Eph. 2:1).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then, when Paul talks about this using the metaphor of
Resurrection, he says that each believer has been identified in Christ’s
resurrection. That the life that we (believers) now live in the flesh, is
really Christ living in us (Gal. 2:20). And that, we “should walk in newness of
life (Rom. 6:4).” The new spiritual life that has been imparted or imputed to
the believer is Christ’s resurrected life. That marks a new beginning, a new
life, for the believer. Believers are dead to that former life, but alive in a
new life which is spiritual in nature. While it is true that we still live this
old body physically and that former life continues to tempt us to do things
that we shouldn’t, and yet at the same time every believer can have the full
assurance that they are alive unto God. And we should walk in light of the fact
that we do have a new spiritual life that began when we first believed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:17 </b>Therefore if any man <i>be</i> in
Christ, <i>he is</i> a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The new creation explains to us that every believer in this
current dispensation is a member of one Body (Eph. 4:5; 1 Cor. 12:12). That one
Body is the Body of Christ, which is Christ’s church (Eph. 1:22,23). Each
believer is made a new creation individually, but collectively we are all
members of one Body (2 Cor. 5:17). “Old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.” We are no longer “in Adam” or in that old flesh/nature
spiritually speaking. Instead, we are “in Christ.” We are “born again” and
resurrected as one new man (Eph. 2:16), or one Body.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So, in conclusion, believers today in this Dispensation of
Grace are “born again,” when they received spiritual life. That marked the
beginning of their new life in Christ. That is, their new resurrected life as a
new creation in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is in heavenly places. That old
nature remains dead, but we ourselves are spiritually raised up and seated in
heavenly places in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:6), and some day in the future we will
be their physically too.</span></div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-2406344887276675502017-10-14T23:27:00.001-06:002017-10-19T11:03:04.895-06:00Born Anew Part 1<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Bible uses three different metaphors to describe the
impartation of spiritual life to the believer. The three metaphors are new
birth, resurrection, and new creation. The new birth is found in John chapter
three. The resurrection in Romans chapter six. The new creation in 2
Corinthians chapter five.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1<sup>st</sup>
metaphor: The New Birth</span></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">All men everywhere are born of the flesh from their mother’s
womb when they first enter this world as a baby, but not all men are born of
the Spirit. We are all “in Adam” to begin with, but only those who have trusted
in Christ Jesus as their personal Savior are now “in Christ.” Those who have trusted/believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day are saved (1 Cor. 15:3,4). Being “in Christ”
means that those believers (saints) have a new nature, which is begotten of the
Spirit of God.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>John 3:6 </b>That which is born of the flesh
is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.</span></span><span style="color: #ba0000; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">And concerning the resurrection of believer’s bodies, we
learn that it is “sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is
a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first
Adam [which is Adam himself] was made a living soul; the last Adam [which is
Christ] was made a quickening spirit (1 Cor. 15:44,45).” So, being “in Christ”
means that we are born of the Spirit. And that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 1 Cor. 15:45 told us that the last Adam or Christ was made a quickening
spirit. Therefore, all believers are also made a quickening spirit, because
they’re “in Christ.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So, when we back up to verse three of John 3 we read that
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That is
certainly true. However, John is speaking in general terms here, not specific. He is not
necessarily talking about the kingdom of Heaven when Israel will reign with
Christ on the earth, but instead he is talking about the kingdom of God. The
kingdom of God can refer to the kingdom of Heaven, but sometimes it can refer
to God’s general rule and dominion that He has over all of His creation.
Imagine a house with two different rooms or living quarters. One is for the
nation Israel, and the other is for the Body of Christ. They are two different
rooms, two different programs, but they are both under one roof, which is the
kingdom of God. And John is simply writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit
that a man simply needs to be born again to see the kingdom of God. Even the
Apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13), speaks again of the
concept of being “born again” or “born anew,” even if he doesn’t use the exact
phrase.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Romans 8:16-17 </b>The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children [born ones] of God: And if
children [born ones], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if
so be that we suffer with <i>him</i>, that we may be also glorified together.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The word children in both verses is the greek word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teknon</i>, which means “born one.” Paul is
saying that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit and recognizes that we are
the born ones of God. We are born of the Spirit of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">2<sup>nd</sup>
metaphor: Resurrection</span></span></u><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Romans 6:4 </b>Therefore we are buried with
him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now, Paul takes it a step further and explains what it means
to be “born again [anew]” in this Dispensation of Grace with the illustration
of resurrection. Romans chapter six explains that as believers, who are “in
Christ,” we are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Verse 3 starts out by saying that just as we were baptized (identified) into
Jesus Christ, we were also baptized into His death. We were then buried with
Him, and also raised with Him! As we already read in 1 Cor. 15:44,45, we are
“raised a spiritual body,” and made “a quickening spirit,” because we are “in
Christ.” Positionally, we are already seated in the heavenly places “in Christ.”
God has already raised us up and seated us together in the heavenlies “in
Christ.” Now, while we are still waiting to be physically caught up to be with
our Lord, we are there spiritually (positionally).</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Ephesians 2:6 </b>And hath raised <i>us</i>
up together, and made <i>us</i> sit together in heavenly <i>places</i> in
Christ Jesus:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While the new birth spoke only of a new beginning, the
resurrection goes further to speak about the new life that we have “in Christ.”
In time past, we once “walked according to the course of this world (Eph.
2:2),” but now we have been quickened (made alive) with Christ (Eph. 2:5). The
end of verse four of romans chapter six says “even so we also should walk in
newness of life.” While we do have new life positionally already, we are still
instructed to walk accordingly in this life by appropriating what we do have in
Heaven by faith and applying it to our lives today.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Galatians 2:20 </b>I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave himself for me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<u><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">3<sup>rd</sup>
metaphor: New Creation</span></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now, after explaining that we have been resurrected with
Christ and have been given new life, because of the “faith [faithfulness] of
the Son of God (Gal. 2:20),” Paul now goes even a step further than
resurrection and uses another metaphor which is that of a new creation.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>2 Corinthians 5:17 </b>Therefore if any man <i>be</i>
in Christ, <i>he is</i> a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Any man that is “in Christ” is a new creation or a new
creature. Our old nature is passed away, is crucified, is put to death spiritually speaking. That was our old sinful flesh. Now, we are made “anew” as one new man, which is
the Church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22,23). Each individual believer is made
a new creature (this is true), but more importantly each believer is a member
of one body (Eph. 4:4). The one body or the one new man (Eph. 2:15) is the Body
of Christ, which we are all members of and Christ is the Head of that body.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Ephesians 2:15 </b>Having abolished in his
flesh the enmity, <i>even</i> the law of commandments <i>contained</i> in
ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, <i>so</i> making
peace;</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we look at these three metaphors, we see that both the
believing Jew (under the Dispensation of the Law) and the believing Gentile
(under the Dispensation of Grace) are both “born again” or “born anew.” However, the
difference lies in how each one is born again. Israel will be born again as a
kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6) when Christ comes back to the earth to setup His kingdom.
Believers today, under Grace, are born again as a new creation, which is the
Body of Christ. Israel is given the particular information about the kingdom
and being a kingdom of priests and then gets the more general information of
being “born again,” whereas believers today on the other hand starts with the
general and moves towards the particular for the Dispensation in which we currently
live under, which would be information about being a new creation or one body,
and not a kingdom of priests (see graph below). So, to be "born again" in this Dispensation of Grace you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) that He died for all of your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. If you have never trusted in Christ Jesus as your Savior, then do so now! "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation! (2 Cor. 6:2)."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KWXBncX88xmvH8hQNcFYe-1cD-VypMrkqwhEfCF1aG1XBL-GYZPxbj2xqNzQCOzzVZDtreAQUROftfOmNmmyaSCKCN3Q3CnCgqUby0VO3o1HmXfX7xco3VstF90SBvzbKAvKj_2WxNDd/s1600/Born+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1064" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KWXBncX88xmvH8hQNcFYe-1cD-VypMrkqwhEfCF1aG1XBL-GYZPxbj2xqNzQCOzzVZDtreAQUROftfOmNmmyaSCKCN3Q3CnCgqUby0VO3o1HmXfX7xco3VstF90SBvzbKAvKj_2WxNDd/s400/Born+again.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-47265513401365039592017-09-10T14:24:00.000-06:002017-09-10T14:35:02.101-06:00The Peace of God<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Philippians 4:6-7</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.</i></span></span><br />
<ul><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<li><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">When talking about the peace with God and the peace of God,
the Apostle Paul is addressing the saints (believers). While all believers
obtain peace with God the very moment that we are saved, the peace of God is
something that comes later in each of our lives as we each mature in our daily
walk with the Lord.</span></li>
</div>
</ul>
<ul><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">The words “Be careful” come from the Greek word, <span style="margin: 0px;">merimnáō. It means to “to
be anxious about” or “take thought”. But then, Paul adds the words “for nothing”
to the end of that word. So he’s saying take thought for nothing or be anxious
about nothing. But then he says, “but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Sometimes as
humans we tend to over think some things and maybe even get worked up/worried
over things that were probably small matters to begin with, but we made it into
a bigger problem. And Paul is simply saying take thought for nothing, but by
praying we should just let our requests be made known unto Him.</span></span></span></li>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Why
is that? Why should we “take thought for nothing; but in everything by
prayer…let your requests be made known unto God?” Well, read verse 7. It says
the peace of God shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We are
told in Colossians 3:15 to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and be
thankful.</span></span></div>
</li>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span></ul>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Colossians 3:15</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in
one body; and be ye thankful.</i></span></span></div>
<ul><div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<li><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">What does the peace of God do for us? It simply allows us to
feel and know that God is in control. For we know that “all things work
together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28).</span></li>
</div>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Romans 8:28</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to <span style="margin: 0px;">his</span>
purpose.</i></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">God has a plan and purpose for each one of us in how we each
fit into His eternal purpose. We should simply just trust Him with our lives,
just like when we first trusted in Him for our salvation. Remember that God is
in control! The peace of God will rule in our hearts when we simply trust that
He is in control and know for a fact that everything works together for good to
them that love God. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!
What’s the main thing? GOD IS IN CONTROL!</span></li>
</ul>
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: black;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: white;"></span>Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-86059718975877179202017-09-06T11:27:00.000-06:002017-09-06T11:27:15.641-06:00Peace with God<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 5:1-2 </b><i>Therefore being justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access
by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But, before I get into these two verses I want
to back up to chapter four of Romans to get the context. In chapter four, the
Apostle Paul is explaining to us how Abraham was justified (made righteous).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 4:2-5 </b><i>For if Abraham were justified by works,
he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the
scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But
to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his
faith is counted for righteousness.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We learn here that Abraham was justified by his
faith, and not by his own works. He simply believed God, and his faith was
counted unto him for righteousness.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 4:24-25 </b><i>But for us also, to whom it shall be
imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, the Apostle Paul is summing up his point by
saying that righteousness shall be imputed (put on our account) to us, if we
simply believe the gospel (good news). That is, if we believe that Jesus Christ
died on the cross for our offences (sins), was buried, and rose again on the
third day. At the end of verse 25, it says that Christ was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are made the righteousness of God in Him (in
Christ) (2 Cor. 5:21) the moment we believe the gospel.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This now leads us into verse one of chapter
five.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 5:1 </b><i>Therefore being justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul starts out now with the word “therefore.”
In other words, now that we are saved and justified (how?) by faith, Paul then
further explains the position that we now hold in Christ.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because, we are justified by faith, we also have
peace with God (how?) through our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We once were enemies of God (Rom. 5:10), but now
we have peace with God. We are no longer at war with God. Instead, we have a
perfect standing before God in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And if that wasn’t
enough, Paul continues writing.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 5:2 </b><i>By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Christ, we also have been given access to God
the Father (how?) by faith.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wherein we stand” – This phrase again explains
to us the perfect standing that all believers have before God through His Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what’s left for us to do? To rejoice. To
give praise and glory to God. The work is done. Christ did it all for us. He
died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).
All we have to is believe! Our faith is counted for righteousness! We are made
the righteousness of God in Him (in Christ)! And now, we have peace with God!
Praise the Lord!</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-17069976633421077552017-01-13T18:53:00.000-07:002017-01-14T13:21:16.420-07:00The Free Gift<b>Romans 6:23</b> For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Salvation is a free gift from God. To be saved is to have eternal life. We receive eternal life through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Romans 3:24</b> Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The word "freely" comes from the Greek word "dorean." This same word is also used as "without a cause."</li>
<ul>
<li><b>John 15:25</b> But <i>this cometh to pass, </i>that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.</li>
<li>While they hated Christ without a cause (for no reason), Christ, on the other hand, freely gives us, today under the dispensation of grace, justification (to be made righteous) by his grace.</li>
<li>And by His grace it certainly is!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Ephesians 2:8-9 </b>For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>We are saved by grace through faith, apart from works. It is a (free, i.e. freely given) gift from God. God did not have to do this for us, but he chose to do so anyway, because he loves us.</li>
<li>All we have to do is believe that he died on the cross for all of our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4)!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Ephesians 1:13</b> In whom ye also <i>trusted</i>, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>We hear the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 10:17)</li>
<li>We believe it</li>
<li>Then, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Salvation is a gift from God Himself that He freely gave us. It is by His grace that we are given this opportunity to receive eternal life. All we have to do is choose to accept this wonderful gift. That is done by just believing that the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for all of your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. If you, the reader, have not believed yet, then please do so now. "Now is the accepted time...now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). For the Lord Jesus Christ can come back for His Body at any moment. Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today. Once you do, you will have eternal life in Him and you will have been justified. Once you have believed and placed into Christ, you are eternally secure in Him.</div>
Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105756349964337478.post-54506540294282209382016-10-30T16:37:00.000-06:002016-10-30T16:37:33.417-06:00By One Man<b>Romans 5:18-19</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to</b><br />
<b> condemnation; even </b><b>so </b><b>by the righteousness of one the free gift came</b><br />
<b> upon all men unto justification of life. </b><b>For as by one man's</b><br />
<b> disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one </b><b>shall</b><br />
<b> many be made righteous.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Have you ever wondered what your life might be like today, if somebody you knew that passed away was still alive? Maybe its somebody who was a close friend, a family member, a teacher, a co-worker, a boss, etc. Or maybe it's someone you never really knew personally, because they died before you were born. If they were alive today, what impact, if any, would they have on your life today?<br />
<br />
I bring this up, because I started to think about my own grandfather (His name was Leland). He had died when I was only just a baby. So, I never really got to know him myself. However, after listening to my parents and my grandmother tell me stories and facts about him and his life I can start to get a sense of who he was as a person and what it would be like if he was still around. I also found out what we both had in common.<br />
<br />
Leland liked to listen to big band music. His favorite bandleader was Glenn Miller. Guess what! Glenn Miller is my favorite, too. Apparently, when Leland was working hard, he would stick his tongue slightly out. The same is true with me. If he was still alive today, soon enough you'd probably find us working hard on a project together with our tongues sticking out with Glenn Miller playing in the background!<br />
<br />
So, what is the point of this? Well, I wanted to show the effect that just one person (dead or alive) can have on another person. This verse above says that by "one man's disobedience many were made sinners." This one man is, of course, referring to Adam. As Adam sinned in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sinned passed over the whole earth and every man, woman, and child since the fall of man are called sinners. We all have a sin nature. "For all have sinned, and have come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23)." And because of the sins we've committed, as Romans 5:18 says, "the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation." Because we are sinners and have sinned against the Almighty God, we deserve condemnation. We deserve death (Rom. 6:23a).<br />
<br />
But, thank God that is not how the verse ends! "By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life," and "by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." This person is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one that died on the cross for our sins. He is the one that has given us the free gift of eternal life. That gift is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has already done all the work for us. Our sins are paid for. We were declared guilty and dead in our sin, but now once we accept Christ as our personal Savior we are delivered from the guilt of sin and even death itself. Now, as believers in Christ, we are "dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11)."<br />
<br />
There are many people, including myself, in this world that have already come to know Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. Christ has already made a big impact on the lives of these people, especially my own life. They once were dead, but now they are made alive because of Him. However, there are still many people in the world that are still lost (dead their in sin). As Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20-21), it is our job to share Christ with those who still have not heard the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24). If by one man, sin did enter this world, making everyone a sinner, and if by one man righteousness can come to all, then imagine how many people can hear the preaching of the cross (the gospel; 1 Cor. 1:18; 15:3,4) from just one person (then imagine the impact if every believer shared Christ). One person can have a great impact on many lives. He/she can bring many to the One who died for their sins. So that ultimately, many more could come to know Christ as their Savior and put their faith (trust) in Him.Garrett Crandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10813104021970488638noreply@blogger.com0