faith – Living Words of Encouragement

Who Is In Charge?

Over the past year, maybe longer, the issue of “Who Is In Charge?” has been the central thought in many posts.

This question is also paramount in our everyday lives in our nation; in fact, it is an issue in many nations throughout the world.

It is easy to be ‘politically active’ in our outlook, mindset, and rhetoric at this time.

One result of the past mid-term election on November 5, 2025 was this personal resolve.

It is time for me to set aside the ‘rhetoric of politics’, not ignore what is going on, but step back from the ‘sensational headlines’ that want to grab my attention, and involve me in their directed ‘thinking’.

This is something that I have encouraged people to do in past posts; and it is something that I too have been doing; but there seems to be a new ‘restraint‘ in my spirit not to be involved.

Many may see this as cowardness.

Actually, it is not cowardness, it is wisdom.

The question before each one of us is who or what is governing our lives?

It is not what?

It is who?

The ‘who’ is the Holy Spirit.

Q: What was forfeited in the Garden of Eden?

A: Being lovingly governed by God, the Father.

Adam’s choice to disobey God’s command resulted in him being cut off from God’s personal, loving, governing presence and becoming an entity unto himself.

Adam was now self-governing.

Adam has forfeited his position and place to grow into becoming what God, the Father had originally purposed for him.

Adam is living in the kingdom of darkness, governed by Satan.

His father is Satan.

Strong words, but true, according to the Word of God.

We, too, outside of Christ, are children of the devil because of our Adamic lineage through natural birth. (I John 3:4-10)

The message of the Gospel is that Christ came to redeem us from sin;to break the power of sin; and completely defeat Satan.

This is what took place at the Cross.

Therefore, we can become heirs and joint heirs (Romans 8:17) with Christ; because He who knew no sin became sin for us that we become the righteousness of God. (I Corinthians 1:13,14; I Peter 2:9)

This is the grace, mercy, and love of God that He showed to the world by sending His own Son to redeem from us our sinful state and provide for us the gift of salvation through Christ’s death on the cross. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-10)

The grace of God is that, ‘in Christ’, we are no longer governed by sin; we are no longer in the kingdom of darkness; we have been transferred into the kingdom of light of His dear Son. (Ephesians 5:8-11; Romans 6:1,1; Romans 6:12,13; I Peter 2:9,10)

So, Who Is In Charge?

The Lord Jesus Christ.

The message of Pentecost is the formal statement that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The coming of the Holy Spirit confirmed and authenticated that fact.

How?

At the risk of sounding heretical, the coming of the Holy Spirit is important; but it is not as important as the realization that Jesus Christ is Lord; and that He is seated at the right hand of His Father.

The coming of the Holy Spirit birthed the Ekklesia, the Church, the Body of Christ.

Jesus Christ the Lord is the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ. (Colossians 1:17-18a; Ephesians 5:22-25)

Q: Who governs the Church, the Body of Christ?

A. The Holy Spirit governs the Church, the Body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit governs because the Church, the Body of Christ, is the Temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the C.E.O. of the Church, the Body of Christ; meaning that since the Holy Spirit is the Chief Executive Officer of the Church,the Body of Christ; then the function of the Holy Spirit is to govern the Church, the Body of Christ.

Q: Is it possible that the Church, the Body of Christ, that is made up of born again believers ‘in Christ’, lives not governed by the Holy Spirit?

A: Yes

Read I, II Corinthians written by Paul to the believers in Corinth.

The believers in Corinth were self-governing themselves relying upon the wisdom of the world.

The result was chaos and confusion.

Consider this: The Church in Corinth relied upon AI, Artificial Intelligence-the wisdom of the world. They set aside the real AI, Adonai’s Intelligence-the wisdom of God.

Paul, writing to the Church in Corinth, sought to correct them, in two ways.

The first was expressing his Father’s concern for them; secondly, he confronted them as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9; I Peter 1:11), who governs the Church, the Body of Christ, in ‘orderliness’ and ‘obedience’, according to the Word of God.

The believers in Corinth ignored the Holy Spirit; embraced the wisdom of the world; left the teaching of being ‘in Christ’; and were self-governing.

The Holy Spirit is the living presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Church, the Body of Christ. (Romans 8:9; John 14:23; John 16:14)

At this time I want to ask you to read John 14:1-31.

In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that He is leaving them and going back to the Father.(John 14:28)

The disciples are confused.

Thomas voices his unsettledness.

Thomas says to Him, (John 14:5, NKJV)) “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

At this point, Thomas’ words are true.

Jesus’ answer doesn’t directly tell Thomas where He was going; but His answer is an emphatic statement regarding who He is-the only One through whom one may come into the presence of the Father. (Acts 4:8-12)

Jesus’ answer to Thomas (and us) is very important.

Jesus answered (John 14:6 NKJV) Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

A second disciple, Philip, hearing Jesus’ response to Thomas, ask Jesus for clarification of what He just said regarding His Father.

“Philip said to Him, , “Lord show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”(John 14:8, NKJV)

This is very important.

Why?

Because Jesus’ response is what the Church, the Body of Christ must understand regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9 NKJV)

Now, a third disciple speaks up.

“Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, How is that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22 NKJV)

Jesus answers(see John 14:23-24) his question; but His answer would more appropriate for another post.

After answering Judas’ (not Iscariot) question, Jesus tells them why He is speaking this way.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,[Note: did you ‘see’ the fullness of the God-head mentioned-Father, Son, Holy Spirit] He (Holy Spirit) will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world give do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you love Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father’, for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” (John 14:25-28 NKJV) (inserts mine) [Note, boldness mine]

{Jesus has now directly answered Thomas’ original question-John 14:5a(NKJV): “Lord we do not know where You are going?”}

Jesus had said to Philip, in John 14:9, NKJV, “He who has Me has seen the Father.” (see also Hebrews 1:1-4)

Jesus is the manifested Presence of God the Father incarnated in a human body. (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8, Galatians 4:4)

Knowing that statement is infallibly true, then does it not logically follow that we can conclude that the Church, the Body of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, is to reveal the manifested presence of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost world.

Consider this: if a person approached a pastor, a member of a congregation, an elder, a deacon, a deaconess, or any believer and asked to show them the Lord Jesus Christ (as Philip had asked Jesus to show them the Father), how do you think would they respond?

More appropriately, how would you respond?

Do you remember Paul’s declaration regarding himself?

I Corinthians 11:1 NKJV, Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ.”

Q: Do individual believers (in their earthly body) reflect the presence of the Lord in their life? Does the corporate life of the Church locally or universally reflect the living presence of the Lord Jesus Christ as His earthly body?

Since September, 2025, I have been reading about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Body of Christ.

I recommend two books by A.J. Gordon, How Christ Came to Church: The Pastor’s Dream-A Spiritual Autobiography; and The Ministry of the Spirit.

I have also been reading works by T. Austin Sparks emphasizing the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Recently, the Holy Spirit, its purpose and importance, has also been shared by Dutch Sheets, in his Give Him 15 posts.

The overriding emphasis has been who or what governs the Church, the Body of Christ?

The obvious scriptural answer is that the Lord Jesus Christ governs His Church, the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God.

This is a good place to STOP and reflect upon what has been shared.

Q: Am I living my life, in my earthly body, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Q: Are you living your life, in your earthly body, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Q: Is the Body of Christ, a true reflection of the earthly body of the Lord Jesus Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God?

Penetrating questions; not meant to bring guilt or shame, but to see if we are truly walking in faith.

Paul said, Galatians 2:17-21 NKJV, “But, if, while we seek to be justified Christ, we ourselves also are found to be sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me [in my human body]; and the life which I know live in the flesh[in my human body], I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and give Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” [inserts mine]

In Hebrews 4:1-13, the writer exhorts us to enter into the rest of God. Hebrews 4:10 gives us this principle to live by. “For he who has entered His (God’s) rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (NKJV). When I consider these words, I envision not being self-governed, but abiding ‘in Christ’. (inserts mine)

This brings closure to the first portion of the post.

My dilemma is whether to just end the post here; or to continue with the second part of the post.

I am going to continue.

Thank you for journeying with me.

____________________________________

The emphasis of this second part of the post is to consider this question.

Q: Can Jesus say, If you have seen My Church, then you have seen Me?

To begin, I want to share with you what I observe is a logical spiritual progression of revelation in the Word of God.

The substance of this spiritual progression has been the subject of my previous posts, since June, 2025.

Q: What is the implication of being governed by the Holy Spirit?

A: The answer is found in the teaching of the New Testament.

It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit descended upon those who were “with one accord” in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Compare that with Acts 2:46-47(NKJV), where it says that the Church continued “daily ‘with one accord’ in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.”

Q: Are the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ “with one accord” in our local communities, and throughout the world?

Is it too tough a question to ask, if not, why not?

What might need to take place to bring the universal Body of Christ to be “with one accord”?

I Peter 4:17-19 NKJV says, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God? “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

God will start with His people.

Hebrews 12:25-29 NKJV, says, “See to it you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, must more shall we not escape if turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised saying,“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

I believe that there is going to be a Seismic Spirit Shaking move of God that is going to shake the earth in 2026.

There are Holy Spirit’ tremors’ already shaking throughout the earth.

The Lord is moving by His Spirit.

The Word of God is being preached.

Lives are being changed.

People are seeking the Lord.

People are being healed and delivered.

The Holy Spirit is being poured out on members of the Body of Christ.

But…

Some of you may be asking yourself, I am not seeing this; nor am I aware of it?

That does not mean it is not taking place.

I assure it is happening.

It is being reported; but you have to search it out.

A good place to begin is CBN.

As we look forward to 2026, how can I summarize 2025.

Let me assume you have read my previous post, End of the Year Summary Reflection.

Consider the following:

A. God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document., is the written Word of God. (Genesis – Revelation)

B. The written Word of God is a Prophetic. Historical. Document., of the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God, who is the Word of God. (John 1:1-5)

C. Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man, who came and lived in human flesh fulfilled completely God’s P.H.D. (Matthew 5:17-20)

D. Jesus’ ministry was governed by the Holy Spirit, and He did everything ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’ to please His Father. (See Matthew 4:1, 14; Luke 4:14-20; John 12:49; John 5:19-20)

E. Jesus’ ministry manifested His own P.H.D.

Jesus Preached. Healed. Delivered.

He lived in a human body; He was governed by the Holy Spirit; He preached the Kingdom of God ,calling the lost to repentance; He healed the sick and diseased; He delivered those in bondage to demons. [His ministry was confirmed by signs and wonders flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit.]

F. Jesus sent out His 12 disciples/apostles with authority to do the same ministry.

They preached repentance; they healed the sick and diseased; and they delivered those captive to demons. (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1-3)

G. Jesus sent out 70(72[Matthew 10:2-4]) disciples to go to the lost.

They preached the word of repentance; they healed the sick; and they delivered the demon afflicted. (Luke 10:1,9,17)

[Note: One thing we must understand. We must be careful not to think of ourselves more highly than you ought to think. See Jesus’ response to the 70 when they returned rejoicing in demons that were “subject to us in Your name”. (See Luke 10:17-20)]

H. The glorified Lord Jesus Christ, now seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven, has sent the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon all flesh. This began in an upper room in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:16-21)

I. The Church, the Body of Christ, was ‘born’ that day. The Holy Spirit governs the Church. (Acts 2:42-47)

J. The Church, the Body of Christ, ministry is to preach repentance; heal the sick and diseased; and to deliver those oppressed by demons (Mark 16:19,20; Hebrews 2:3,4). The Book of Acts also records this ministry. (Acts 3:6-10, 4:4; Acts 5:12-16; Acts 8:5-7,9,13)

K. The Acts of the Apostles, bears witness that the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D.Preach. Heal. Deliver., was conferred upon His Church, the Body of Christ; and is to be exercised by His authority, governed by the Holy Spirit (just like the 12 and the 70).

Q: Has this ministry been removed from the Church, the Body of Christ?

A. That depends on your theological interpretation of the Word of God.

I am not here to criticize another’s doctrinal understanding.

Consider the following:

A. Malachi 3:6 NKJV, “I am the Lord, I do not change.”

B. Hebrews 13:8 NKJV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

C. Psalms 119:89 NKJV, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”

D. 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness’, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

E. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NKJV, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy, never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

F. John 15:26 NKJV, “But when the Helper comes, whom I send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you will also bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”

G. 2 Peter 1:16-21 NKJV, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of men, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” [bold emphasis mine]

Therefore:

It seems apparent to me that all of these scriptures substantiate the conclusion that resident in the Church, the Body of Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit: the Church, is to preach the Word of God, emphasizing the need to repent, and to believe by faith the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Church is also to pray for and see the healing of the sick and the diseased; and the Church is to minister and see those afflicted by demons to be delivered and set free.

The Church is the Body of Christ composed of many members ( I Corinthians 12:12-27) that have been born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:9-11); each member is individually a temple of the living God. (I Corinthians 3:16); and ‘in Christ’ we are living stones (I Peter 2:4-8. 9,10); ‘living stones’ that manifests “the excellency of the power of God” (II Corinthians 4:7 NKJV) that is not of us, but of the power of God, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (boldness mine)

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon a gathering of (born again) believers that were the first ‘stone’ pile.

The coming of the Holy Spirit verified and authenticated that Jesus had fulfilled completely ( John 19:28) what the Word of God testified about Him.

The coming of the Holy Spirit was poured out from heaven upon the believers in an upper room declaring that Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man is the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified sitting at the right hand of God, His Father.

*Do not forget that each member of the Church the Body of Christ, born of the Spirit, living in a human body, is a temple of the living God.*

Each believer is a vessel that can be filled with the Holy Spirit in like manner as Jesus was filled, living in a human body, when the Holy Spirit came upon Him at the Jordan River.

The purpose of being Anointed with the Holy Spirit is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and minister as a member of the Body of Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God; doing the works of the Father. ( see Ephesians 2:4-10)

Returning to the Upper Room , the night of Jesus’ betrayal–

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity that Jesus told His disciples He would send. He told them that He would not leave them as orphans. He also told them that the Holy Spirit would be their Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Teacher (the Spirit of Truth).**

On November 23, 2025, Pastor Kent, at North Creek Church, in Walnut Creek, California, sharing from Isaiah 41, closed his teaching with this thought.

** “John 14:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit comes as our Helper. The coming of the Spirit to indwell, is the person of the Trinity who is called the Helper-you just don’t have God’s help, you have Him (Jesus); and He is your Helper. Jesus comes to you in the person of the Holy Spirit and He is your Helper-you have Him and He is your Helper, He is inside of you.”

Knowing that I am being redundant, let me say it again, (in a similar way that Pastor Kent explained), Jesus was no longer with His followers in a physical human body here on earth in their midst. He had ascended bodily into heaven. When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ returned to His (born again) followers not in a bodily physical form, but in Spirit. He was now an inward Spiritual reality because of the presence of the Person of the Holy Spirit in His disciples.

So, Who Is In Charge?

The Lord Jesus Christ Glorified.

How does He ‘govern’?

By His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God.

At this time, I want to make something clear.

It is possible that you have not ‘seen’ a manifestation of Christ’s P.H.D. as it has been outlined in this post?

However, that does NOT mean that the Holy Spirit is not in the midst of the community of believers, where you worship, work, and witness for the Lord.

Q:How do we know that the Holy Spirit is in our midst?

A. Ask yourself the following questions?

a. Is the Lord Jesus Christ glorified in your midst?

b. Is the Word of God faithfully preached exalting the centrality of the Lord Jesus Christ?

c. Is honoring the Lord Jesus Christ the focus of the ministry of the Body of Christ, where you fellowship? [I encourage you to read John 16:5-15.]

If this is taking place in the affirmative, then you can be assured that the Holy Spirit is in your midst.

Here is what the Church needs to understand.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. is there; it is present, but latent.

The Lord’s P.H.D. has been manifested and witnessed throughout Church history; yet they have not always been well received; many times they have been been greatly maligned and silenced ; and the objection to their manifestation has caused controversy and confusion over their presence in the Church because of theological differences of the interpretation of the Word of God..

I have no doubt that the same holds true today .

It is only logical that if a community of believers is not taught about the Lord’s P.H.D., then the fullness of the ministry, that includes the Preaching of the Word of God, Healing ,and Deliverance, will probably not be manifested.

Again, that does not negate its presence; it is there, but latent.

Nor does it preclude that the Lord cannot or will not intervene Sovereignly and/or Providentially minister according to His will and purpose in the life of an individual, or His Church.

I have witnessed the manifestation of the Lord’s P.H.D.

The truth is that the Lord’s P.H.D. are occurring in nations throughout the world today.

I am reminded of two choruses.

The first one is “God is moving by His Spirit, moving in all the earth, signs and wonders when God moveth, move oh, Lord in me.”

The second chorus is a balance to the first chorus.

“Show me Thy ways, oh Lord, reveal Thyself to me. I’ve seen Your signs and wonders, but Lord I would know Thee.

This was the ministry of the Apostle Paul. He had seen the Lord’s ‘signs and wonders’; but the deep cry of his heart was to ‘know’ Him. (Philippians 3)

Preaching, Healing, and Deliverance are used by the Lord to confirm His Word. He makes Himself known by signs and wonders that confirm the preaching of the Word of God, with signs and wonders. (Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3)

God’s gracious ‘signs and wonders’ are to make Himself known to the world; and to make Himself known to us.

Jesus said, John 17:3 NKJV, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

The Apostle John concluding his Gospel account of Jesus Christ said, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31, NKJV)

I am a Spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ.

He is my Savior and Lord.

Being Spirit filled does not put me on some higher spiritual plane than any other believer who is saved.

Our Father is the potter (Jeremiah 18:1-11) and we are the clay.

He is making us into vessels fit for His use in the Body of Christ.

We are being conformed to the image of Christ.

The process is called sanctification.

Sanctification requires submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Submission results in being governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God.

The potter cannot form a piece of clay that fights against the work of his hands exercising personal self-government, i.e.-you can’t form me that ‘way’, I want to be this ‘way’.

I have been exposed to and seen the Lord’s P.H.D.

To walk with the Lord, governed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, seeking to please my Father, I have had to embrace the reality that just like the first Adam, I have enjoyed, and sought to be self-governed.

Learning to be governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God is denying yourself to be self-governed.

Q: Have you submitted yourself to the authority of the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Q: What does that look like? (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26)

Jesus said that if we were going to follow Him, we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

I submit that this instruction ‘strikes’ the ‘heart’ of being self-governing.

What ‘strikes’ our heart is the Cross of Christ.

This is the substance of the teaching found in the New Testament epistles (letters).

Jesus did not come in human flesh to live, and live His life, relying on ‘self-governing‘ Himself.

Self-governing is the first Adam’s lifestyle because he sinned.

Jesus, the last Adam,(I Corinthians 15:45-47) came to live in human flesh, denying self (Philippians 2:5-11); living to please His Father; governed by the Holy Spirit.

Please re-read the last sentence and see that the Trinity is present to bring you to your Father’s destined endpoint. See Jude 24,25.

This is the lifestyle that we have been called to live “in Christ”.

The coming of the Holy Spirit has been given to enable us to live our life ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God, submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ, living a life of faith that pleases your Heavenly Father.

Let me close with the words of Peter, on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came and filled ‘all’ in the upper room in Jerusalem. Peter stood and preached Christ and Him crucified. Many of those, who were curious to know what had taken place in the upper room, and hearing Peter’s words were convicted in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, and cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off (that’s us), and as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39) [Acts 2:41 tells us that about 3000 souls accepted Jesus Christ.] [boldness mine]

I want to encourage you to seek the Lord, and ask Him (Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Mathew 3:11; Luke 3:16) to come and fill you with the Holy Spirit. (see John 3:11, 12; Luke 11:11-13; John 14:25-28; Acts 19:1-7)

As we seek the Lord, and learn to be governed by the Holy Spirit, each individual believer, and the collective Body of Christ, the Church, will be changed from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) .

Remember, God, the Father’s goal, is for us to walk with Him, and allow His loving Presence to ‘govern’ our lives.

The result of this sanctifying work is the answer to the question that began in the second half of the post.

A. The world will look at the Church, and see the Lord Jesus Christ.

The day is coming when the Church, like Enoch, who walked with God, will be taken to be in God’s Presence. (Hebrews 11:5,6)

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, encourage you, and grant unto you the desire of your heart to know Him deeply in spirit and in truth. (John 4:1-26)

a brother in Christ, deo

Thank you for journeying with me through 2025.

End of the Year Summary Reflection

As a former teacher, I want to prepare my readers for what is going to be published this week.

It is a very long post.

It dawned on me that if I was coming to the end of a semester class, this post would be the last lecture of a class that began in June, 2025.

Actually, from my point of view, it is the ending of a year long thought process involving our nation, and our personal walk with the Lord.

Therefore, if you are a regular reader of my posts, I trust that it will be a Summary Reflection for you and an encouragement for the upcoming year.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ, the Church, has said “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”(Matthew 16:18 NKJV).

The Lord Jesus Christ will also have a Church without ‘spot or wrinkle’. (Ephesians 5:27)

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a body of believers who worship the Lord, their God.

The Lord Jesus Christ will remove all worldliness, man-centered programs, and Satanic influence that are in His Church. (See Revelation 2:1-3:22)

Just as the Lord, lovingly came to the seven churches in The Revelation, He still comes today, commending what is right, correcting what is wrong, and calling His Church to repentance.

The Lord is saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” He is looking for those who will ‘overcome’.

Church,it is time to ‘overcome’.

There is coming an intense time of ‘taking out the trash’ so to speak; sweeping out the dark recesses of our lives; and cleansing from every sin that so easily weighs us down, so that we may walk in freedom and truth with the Lord and worship God, the Father, in spirit and in truth.

What a blessing; but digging deep is necessary, and digging ‘hurts’. Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 5:7-9 NKJV says, “though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience through the things that He suffered”.

Sanctification hurts.

This is the process that prepares us to meet the Father .

None of us, who know Christ, are exempt.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for y0u. ” (I Peter 5: 7 NKJV)

We love you, Father.

Thank you Father for Your everlasting love.

Thank you Father that Your mercies are renewed every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We bless Your Name, and exalt You.

You alone are God, the Holy One of Israel; Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

May the Lord rich bless you and your family as you celebrate the Incarnation and the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the Father’s, One and only Begotten Son.

blessings, deo

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2

The Son of God, who has come into the world incarnated in human flesh by the Holy Spirit was: born of the virgin Mary; circumscribed the eighth day;revealed to Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) as the Lord’s Christ; witnessed by Anna, a prophetess (Luke 2:36-38), upon entering the Temple, being recognized in the Spirit, who this Child was, and “she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Luke 2:39-40, NKJV, continues, “So when they (Joseph, Mary, Jesus) had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God (His Father) was upon Him.” (inserts mine)

This is the Child that has grown into Manhood and presented Himself to John the Baptist to be water baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). This is the Child that when He came up out of the water “the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him (Matthew 3:16). This is the Child to whom a “…voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)”

This is the Child, “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry about thirty years of age…(Luke 3:23)”.

This is now no longer a Child, but Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man, who “being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the (Holy) Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2, NKJV), “Then the devil left Him, and behold angels came and ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:11 NKJV) “Then Jesus returned in the power of the (Holy) Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.” (Luke 4:14-15 NKJV) (inserts mine) [emphasis mine]

What is the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D.?

What do the synoptic Gospel writers record?

Mark 1:14 (NKJV), Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Matthew 4:23-24, (NKJV), ” And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went through all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.”

Mark 1:39, (NKJV), “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”

Luke 4:31-37 (NKJV), “Then Jesus went down to Capernaum , a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? did You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and I’d not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.”[emphasis mine]

Luke 4:38-39 (NKJV), “Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.”

Luke 4:40-44 (NKJV), “When the sun was setting, all those who have any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.”

I want to ask you to re-read these verses, and see the following: Jesus preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God; Jesus healed the sick; Jesus delivered those with demons.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. was Preaching, Healing, Deliverance.

Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man in human flesh, anointed by the Holy Spirit, was governed by His relationship to His Father, doing only what His Father showed Him to do (John 5:18-19); and saying only what My Father commands Me to speak. (John 12:29)

Jesus walked ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’; therefore, everywhere He went His Father’s Kingdom came, and His Father’s will was done “on earth as it is in heaven”(Matthew 6:10) because Jesus was ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 10:1 NKJV, (Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1) Jesus sends out his disciples to minister.

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out(deliverance), and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” [insert, emphasis mine]

Matthew 10:5-40, Jesus explains to them in detail what to expect and what they will encounter. Looking specifically at Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV, “And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out [deliverance]demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (See Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6) [insert, emphasis mine]

Q: What did Jesus confer upon His disciples? an honorary P.H.D.!

He told them to go and preach, heal the sick, and cast out [deliverance] demons.

In Luke 10:1-23, NKJV, Jesus sends out a group of 70 disciples, two by two.

Please read Luke 10:1-23.

Working through the text, note the following:

vs. 9 “heal the sick” [boldness mine]

vs. 17 the disciples had finished their assignment, and they tell Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (inference is deliverance, casting out of demons) [boldness mine] (insert mine)

vs.9-16, I suggest what Jesus says, imply that the disciples shared, taught, and preached the message of the gospel.

You may ask, how do you come to that conclusion?

vs. 13, Jesus pronounces “Woe” to two cities, Chorazin and Bethsaida. He says, “For if the mighty works which were done in you (healing and deliverances) had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:4; Mark 16:20; John 4:48) (insert mine)

In I Thessalonians 1:5 Paul writes, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

Studying the ministry of Paul, you will discover that he, too, had a P.H.D.

His ministry consisted of Preaching, Healing, and Deliverance.

What was Prophetic, Historical, and Documented in the Word of God about Jesus Christ was lived out in a ‘body’.

The ministry of Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God; He healed those who were sick and diseased; and He delivered those who were afflicted with demons.

He gave that authority and power to His disciples, and then to 70 others to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God; heal the sick and diseased; and deliver others from demonic power and influence.

Is it time to ask a question? I think it is.

Q: Has the Church, the Body of Christ, been given the authority and power to minister just as Jesus did?; as He instructed His 12 disciples to do?; and as He sent out the 70 to do?

He sent them out to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God; heal the sick and diseased; and deliver those afflicted with demons, just as He had been doing..

Continuing: The Lord Jesus Christ, now sits at the right hand of God, His Father.

His position in the heavenlies validates completely the life that He came to live flesh, in a human body, offering Himself as the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world and being crucified on a cross, dying a substitutionary* death for all mankind separated from God because of their sin nature.

The Word of God says, “For He {God}made Him{Jesus} who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him{Jesus} .” (2 Corinthians 5:21), [*See Got Questions: What is the substitutionary atonement?] {inserts mine}

The validation of the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice is contained in these words written in Hebrews 9:23-28 NKJV.

[There are things written in the Word of God that one can only read and accept by faith as the revelation of God made to mankind by the Holy Spirit, who inspired the inerrancy of the Bible.]

“Therefore it was (see Hebrews 9:16-22 for context) that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enter the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another–He then would have to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the end of the ages, He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

Jesus presented His blood. The Father’s wrath against sin has been fully satisfied. Our sins can now be forgiven, forgotten, and flung “into the depths of the sea”(Micah 7:19 NKJV), or “as far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”(Psalm 103:12 NKJV)

Since Jesus has completely fulfilled His Father’s will, and He is seated at the right hand of His Father, then the glory that He set aside (Philippians 2:5-8), His Father restored to Him. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Recount Jesus’s prayer to His Father prior to His arrest. John 17:1-5, NKJV.

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” [emphasis mine]

[Personal note: I would like to suggest that this was in part “…who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV)]

In consideration of ‘Putting It All Together‘, we have returned to an upper room in Jerusalem. (previous post)

In that upper room there are 120 followers of Christ, of whom 11 were originally chosen by Jesus, Himself.

They have obediently waited for 10 days that began when Jesus ascended back to heaven; and it is now 10 days later, 50 days since the Passover to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on the Jewish ‘religious calendar’.

The Biblical record written by Luke, called, THE ACTS, of the Apostles, tells the story.

The promise of the Father, the Third Person of the Trinity, was sent on the Day of Pentecost.

The believers in the upper room were endued with power just as Jesus has told them.

Luke 24:49 NKJV says, “Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [emphasis mine]

That is exactly what has taken place. (See Acts 1:1-2:4)

The Church, the Body of Christ, the Ekklesia, the Bride of Christ, was birthed into existence.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ, the Church. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22)

Let us rest and reflect upon what has been said up to this point.

Blessings, a fellow member of the Body of Christ, deo

Putting It All Together!

These words are very meaningful to me.

Why?

When I think back over the past 8 years, writing posts began with a ‘placard’ I saw on a news program held by a young woman that read ‘be ungoverned’.

Here, I am, here we are, in 2025, and the emphasis of the latest posts is that the Church needs to be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, individually and corporately.

All around us, the world is reeling struggling with asserting to ‘be ungoverned’.

There have been a lot of words, a lot of subject matter, written about ‘politics’ concerning the state of our nation and how it is governed and the well-being of our citizenry as a voting entity.

The onslaught of the divisive verbal rhetoric that we as a nation has been exposed too, especially in the past 10 years, has been divisive and has led to a nation clamoring over how to be governed.

Previous posts speak for themselves.

Not everyone will agree with what has been written, but that is ok.

Unfortunately, the divisive verbal rhetoric continues.

But, over the past year or more, there has been an uncovering of what was verbalized in ‘darkness’ is now being brought to the ‘light’.

Verbal rhetoric that has been hailed as ’empirical truth’ has been shown in many instances to be the fabrication of lies spoken to advance a political agenda.

If you are interested in reading more of what I am referring too, I encourage you to read previous posts.

Now, I will move forward, Putting It All Together.

The last post was entitled The Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified!

Let me set the context for The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D., Part 2

If we are going to understand The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2, we must look into eternity past before the creation of the Lord.

The mystery of God.

The only reason we have any knowledge of God is because God has revealed Himself.

That is not a new profound thought; but it is absolute truth.

God’s revelation of Himself is in His P.H.D.

The Old Testament is replete with beginnings.

Genesis is a book of beginnings.

The beginnings in Genesis put into motion what unfolds throughout the Old Testament and throughout the New Testament.

The God of both testaments is the same. (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

God’s Prophetic, Historical, Document is the Word of God.

The Word of God is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

The knowledge of God was originally passed down by sharing verbally.

This is called oral tradition.

At an appointed time in the history of mankind, that oral tradition began to be written down.

That writing recorded God’s beginnings with creation; His interaction with mankind; the choosing of one man to father a nation to be His people; the history of His people; His covenants made with His people; the rise of nations; the institution of kings; significant ups and downs within His own personal nation; His nation’s rise and fall; God’s love for His people; God’s use of prophets to be His spokesmen (mouth piece) to call His people back to Himself.

The substance of this history is found reading the Old Testament in the Word of God.

And throughout all this prophetic, historical, documentary, there is what theologians have called a ‘scarlet thread’-a promised person who would come and make right what went wrong in the beginning as recorded in Genesis. (See Genesis 3:15; Go to Got Questions: What is the significance of a scarlet thread?)

Throughout the Word of God, there is a continual, unveiling of God-a triune God-God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God represents the account of this triune God interacting with each other before the foundation for the world, purposing the creation, that included the creation of mankind, created in the image and likeness of God completely different from angelic beings, and the other animal life created during the days of creation.

Being repetitive, the Word of God provides the substance of God’s P.H.D. .

The Word of God is God’s written account of Himself for us to read, understand, and to personally experience the reality of God’s intent that was purposed in the Godhead before the creation of the world.

At this time, I encourage you to stop, and read Ephesians 1:3-14.

This passage of scripture encapsulates for us an incredible word picture of the intent of the Godhead that was residing in God, the Father’s heart; the purpose and plan of God; the Son’s coming out of eternity and into the existence of time that He, Himself, created; and the work of God the Holy Spirit in the creation process; and the plan of redemption.

Again at this time, I recommend that you consider reading or re-reading The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D., Part 1.

Quoting from The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1,

“God’s P.H.D. is the written Word of God that has revealed to us God’s purpose that was in His heart before the foundation of the world…The written Word of God is the Father’s Prophetic. Historical. Document, authenticating the Son of God, (who is) the Second Person of the Trinity…God’s P.H.D. chronicles the Life of Christ, Jesus-Son of God/Son of Man; incarnated in a human body by the Holy Spirit; born of a virgin; perfectly fulfilling His Father’s P.H.D.as recorded in the Word of God; and completely doing His Father’s will ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’ without sinning. (See Philippians 1:1-2:11 for context) [emphasis mine].”

We now turn to the New Testament account of the continued revelation purposed in eternity past before the foundation of the world.

Fast forward, from Incarnation to Manhood and then to ministry.

The life of Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man was ‘governed’ by the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit. (See Matthew 3:1-4:11)

Jesus comes to the Jordan river, where John the Baptist, is preaching repentance from a sinful lifestyle; and water baptizing those who respond to his preaching.

As John is fulfilling God’s appointed ministry, Jesus approaches and seeks to be water baptized. Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV says, “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for this it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

In the sequence of events, what has taken place, is the interaction of the foreordained ministry of John the Baptist (see Luke 1:39-45; Luke 1:57-80; Luke 3:1-7, 18,21-22), the arrival of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world(John 1:29); Jesus’ water baptism; the voice out of heaven of God, the Father’s affirmation of His Son; and the coming down out of heaven of the Holy Spirit that descended upon Him.

Coming up out of this muddy river, that has just witnessed the relational family of God, the Father; God the Son in human flesh; and God the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man (Matthew 4:1 NKJV) “was led up by the (Holy) Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (insert mine)

Why?

It is all part of the incredible plan of redemption. (See the Post-The Time to Continue)

All of the above is an introduction to reset the scene to continue The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

What has been written as God’s Prophetic, Historic, Document – the Word of God: Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man is now going to live out in human flesh.

This lifestyle is going to be transferred to the Body of Christ, the Church, that was began on the Day of Pentecost when “…suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they(the disciples) were sitting. Then there appeared to them(the disciples) divided tongues, as of a fire, and one sat upon each of them(the disciples). And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the (Holy) Spirit gave them utterance. [Acts 2:2-4, NKJV] (inserts mine).

Instead of making this post twice as long, I will stop here.

thank you for your patience,

your brother in Christ,

blessings, deo

tbc: The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

The Time to Continue…

What does that entail?

It has been a little more than a month since I posted The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1.

That post was a continuation of the the post talking about God’s P.H.D., that emphasized that God’s Word was His Prophetic Historical Document of Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, made flesh.

Presently I am not prepared to continue with The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 2.

Why?

Something else has been pressing on my heart.

That something is a topic that many believers in the Church understand; yet many other believers in the Church do not fully understand; and many believers do not want explained to them; or in some instances, I assume have discounted this teaching completely.

What has been on my heart?

Consider the following questions.

Q: What do you understand about spiritual warfare?

Q: What does your local church believe about spiritual warfare?

Q: What does your pastoral staff teach about spiritual warfare?

In short, is this important?

I affirm that it is absolutely important.

Therefore, I put forth this question.

Q: Why is there so much conflict in the world today in which we live?

I am not a scholar nor a theologian; but I would like to share some insights.

There is not a new spiritual conflict.

Let us go back to a beginning.

Can we even determine when the beginning was?

You can research many different theories regarding when this conflict began.

For me, I believe that it began in eternity before the foundation of the world; therefore before the creation of Adam and Eve.

The conflict is the result of one archangel*, Lucifer, a creation of God, who personally determined that his status and position as a created being by God was no longer something that he was satisfied with so he rebelled and made the decision to exalt himself to be higher than God. [*some scholars believe that he was an archangel; and many others do not. I will leave the resolve of that issue to your own study.] {emphasis mine}

Regardless, the fact remains that it was Lucifer (Satan), who made that decision.

It is recorded in Isaiah 14:12-14; and is paralleled in Ezekiel 28:1-19.

In both passages, there is a dual reference to the King of Tyre manifesting His pride and arrogance; and the pride and arrogance exhibited by Lucifer (Satan) (insert mine)

Lucifer decided that he would be exalted over God.

The consequences of that decision are stated in Isaiah 14:15, and Ezekiel 28:16-19.

In Isaiah 14:12-14, the five “I wills” of Lucifer are stated.

Lucifer said I will be exalted above God; the result of his five “I wills” is:

“Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:15, NKJV)

Lucifer who desired the highest point of exaltation received the absolute lowest place in God’s universe.

Lucifer(Satan) has not been assigned to Sheol yet. (insert mine)

Revelation 20: 10, NKJV, tells us where Lucifer is eternally assigned because of his rebellion against God. “The devil (Lucifer), who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (insert mine)

Note on Revelation 20:10, in the MacArthur Study Bible, page 2022, says, “Continuous, unrelieved torment will be the final state of Satan, fallen angels, and unredeemed men.” (emphasis mine)

Why does mankind need the Gospel?

So that mankind can be redeemed from Hell and not spend eternity in the same final state as Satan, and the fallen angels. (emphasis mine)

One of the great unknowns throughout the entirety of the Word of God is, why has God allowed Satan to be an influence in this world?

The answer to that quandary has been addressed by many authors and theologians.

My understanding is summarized in this conclusion.

God uses Satan for His own purposes.

Ask Job!

God allows Satan to have influence in the dealings of mankind.

As you read the Word of God, and you understand the Sovereignty of God, coupled with His eternal purpose formed before the foundation of the world, a believer in Christ, must come to understand that Satan does have an influence in this world, but that influence is governed by God; and that the Church has a responsibility in standing against that influence.

Therefore, the Church must be governed by God.

That is a truth that the Church must understand; as well as, every believer in Christ Jesus.

Paul writing to the Ephesian Church states in Ephesians 6: 10-18, reminds the Church that our adversary the devil is real, and that he (Satan) is the Church’s spiritual opposition.

We are to “…stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (insert mine)

Do you believe that?

Read Ephesians 6:10-18.

We must be willing to accept the truth of these words and rest by faith in His omniscience. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The following , too, is a foundational truth that the Church must understand; as well as, every believer in Christ Jesus.

Jesus didn’t just come to ‘save’ us.

The total work of the cross is much more inclusive than that.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came in human flesh, and became the Son of Man, totally and completely, satisfied the wrath of God against sin; provides for mankind’s salvation by grace through faith in Christ’s death; the shedding of His blood; and His broken body; resulting in Christ’s death, burial, and glorious resurrection where those who call upon the name of the Lord will receive eternal life where old things have passed away and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Christ’s death on the cross, not only made the way for mankind to be reconciled unto God, the Father; but completely broke the power of sin, caused death to die, and made an open spectacle of defeating the power of Satan. (See Colossians 2:11-15; Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 John 3:7-8)

Satan’s authority and influence has been completely defeated.

Yet the final and ultimate consequence of that defeat because of the work of the cross, because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection has been held in abeyance by the Sovereignty of God until what God has said will happen does in fact take place. (See I Corithians 15:20-28; Ephesians 1:15-23; Hebrews 2:5-18)

Therefore, Jesus, prior to His ascension back into the presence of His Father, makes this declaration to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18b, NKJV)

Paul writing to the Philippian Church about the coming, the person, and the ministry of Jesus Christ, clearly presents the humility of the Son of God, who took on human flesh to become the Son of Man. He also outlines the mind of Christ to fulfill this commission given to Him by His Father before the foundation of the world. (See Philippians 2:1-11).

Paul states unequivocally that what Christ accomplished through His death, “even death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8b NKJV), results in the following absolute truth.

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

This post, The Time to Continue, points back to these previous posts: Pentecost-50 Days After Passover Part 1, and Part 2; The Lord Jesus Christ; and The Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified.

I encourage you to revisit these posts. It will renew the foundational thoughts for us to continue forward.

A final thought.

The perceived conflict in the world is real; yet it is not in question because our God alone is God; Our God is Sovereign; He is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:6 NKJV)

See also, Psalms 103:19; Daniel 4:35; Lamentations 3:37-38; Psalms 46:8-10.

The origin of the conflict, the struggle, the wrestling we encounter is because Lucifer asserted his ‘I will be’ against the God who created him who is ‘ I am that I am’.

What Lucifer witnessed God receiving from His angelic beings, he desires for himself.

He did not want to be a ‘giver’ of worship unto God; he wanted to be a receiver of that worship. Therefore, he said within himself, I will be greater than God.

Consider this, the internal attitude that Lucifer asserted against his creator God is the exact same attitude that he (Satan) in the Garden of Eden presented to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. They were not God nor were they ever to be God.

What did Satan say to Eve?

Genesis 3:1-5, NKJV. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you ear of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Lucifer, Satan, the serpent (all names of one and the same) who had said within himself that he want to be higher than God; now comes to the pinnacle of God’s creation, mankind, who has been created in His image and likeness, and puts forth the thought that they can be (if I may say it this way) greater than God’s original purpose of their creation.

This is the exact same thing that Lucifer asserted within himself.

He was totally rejected.

Now he asserts his personal pride and arrogance at God’s creation, Adam and Eve, proposing to them to leave their designated purpose as God created them; and to command their own destiny to be ‘like God, knowing good and evil’.

In short, Satan, wants Adam and Eve to redirect their attention away from God and give it to him.

The result of Adam and Eve’s decision to step out from their Creator’s purpose for their existence with Him, resulted in exactly what God said would happen.

They died internally.

Their fellowship with God by the spirit was severed (died) because of their disobedience.

The result of their disobedience can be read in Genesis 3:6-24.

B.U.T.(Believer Understand This) God, because of His grace, mercy, and loving kindness dealt judiciously and mercifully with Adam and Eve.

That is the message of the Cross.

However, before He dealt with Adam and Eve. He dealt with the serpent. (See Genesis 3:14-16.)

God’s dialogue with the serpent, Adam, and Eve put into motion the plan of salvation that was purposed before the foundation of the world.

Can we fully grasp that Christ, the Eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 NKJV). See also Ephesians 1:3-14.

Have you ever wondered why the scripture so adamantly tells us that God “opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”? (I Peter 5:5 NKJV)

I believe it is because it is rooted in Lucifer’s original pride, arrogance, haughtiness, lying, evil behavior, etc.

Pride represents Lucifer’s assertion that he will be greater than God.

Remember, Lucifer wanted what God received; therefore he sought to displace Him.

Lucifer’s pride resides in humanity’s ‘unregenerated’ heart.

Do you now clearly see why Christ came?

Christ, the second Adam, perfectly obeyed His Father, in a body.

There was no sin of pride in Him.

See Philippians 2:5-11.

Satan tried to penetrate Christ’s humanity, and get Him to sin; but Jesus did not succumb to the lies, the deceit, and the temptations of Satan to do evil.

In the wilderness, where Satan tempted Jesus, his third temptation (Matthew 4:8,9) was his attempt for Jesus (who is the Son of God/Son of Man) to do the very thing that Satan had pridefully desired to experience in eternity past.

Satan wanted to be in the place, where God would bow down and worship him.

Here is the dialogue, (Matthew 4:8-11 Amplified Version) “Again, the devil took Him up on a very nigh mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the the world, and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and said to Him, “All these things I will give to You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan. For it is written and forever remains written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” [Deuteronomy 6:13] Then the devil left Him and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing food and serving Him].” (emphasis mine)

Did you see it? The very words spoken by Satan to Jesus “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” tells the complete story of Lucifer’s desire to displace God, and receive the worship and recognition of God for himself that he witnessed God receiving from His angelic beings, Lucifer included.

Satan’s tactic is the same today.

He still seeks worship and recognition.

As a believer in Christ, let us remember to humble ourselves in the presence of God, our Father. (See, James 4:10; I Peter 5:6; Matthew 18:4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 23:12; I Peter 5:5.)

James 4:7 instructs us to humble ourselves in the presence of God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. That is what Jesus did when confronted with Satan’s temptation to turn away from God, the Father.

Can you understand the intensity of the heart of God, the Father, for His creation, especially, His humanity?

For God-so loved-the world-that He gave-His only begotten Son-that whosoever believes in Him-should not perish-but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-19 NKJV (hyphens mine)

It is The Time to Continue, in humility before God our Father.

Q: Is the Church walking in humility before the Lord Jesus Christ?

Q: More importantly, am I walking in humility, content with the place that the Lord has ‘given by grace’ to me in the Body of Christ?

Am I abiding in Romans 12:3, Amplified Version, “For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and purpose designed for service].

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

An Op Ed-Charlie Kirk

To use a phrase from our nation’s history, yesterday marked “a shot heard around the world”.

This phrase refers to the military engagement that began the American Revolutionary War.

The day was April 19, 1775.

Today, September 11, 2025, is a personal day of remembering three events.

My mother was born September 11, 1920. She is with the Lord. That is a pleasant memory.

Today, is the tragic memory that took place in our nation on September 11, 2001.

And today, is the memory of the assassination of Charlie Kirk that occurred yesterday on September 10, 2025.

These three memories are the good (mom’s birthday on 9/11/1920); the bad ( the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack on the United States); and the ugly ( the (9/10/2025 killing of Charlie Kirk).

My Mother’s passing was expected.

The terrorist attacks on 9/11 were not expected.

{However, their investigation shows they may have been preventable. The pros and cons of that investigation are not for this post}

The assignation of Charlie Kirk was evil.

Was it expected or unexpected?

{That is already being analyzed.}

In short, yesterday, 9/10/2025, Charlie Kirk was killed.

The words ‘murdered’, ‘assassinated’, the target of a ‘political hate crime’, a ‘terrorist’ act are all being used by those reporting on his death.

These words express the truth when Charlie Kirk was ‘shot down’ in broad daylight; at a political free speech event; on a college campus, a typical venue that he used to converse with an audience about political and cultural issues that college students face in their daily lives.

It was on a college campus where Charlie Kirk was individually singled out and slain.

In 2001, a nation was taken by surprise by the horrific terrorist acts, came together in an expression of ‘unity’and moved forward as best as possible.

Since 2001, the pros and cons of the political maneuvering during the past 24 years has deteriorated into what I identify as, ‘a chasm of deep political divide’.

It should be noted that ‘finger pointing blame’ has been done on each side of the political isle.

Inserting the names of the Presidents for the past administrations does not improve or remedy the political divide; it only exasperates the division.

Unfortunately, what does stand out glaringly, regarding the killing of Charlie Kirk, is that he purposed to reach the youth of this nation with a conservative message, that expressed a wholesome approach, verbally articulating, refuting, and answering anyone’s questions without yelling, shouting, being irrational, or violent.

Charlie Kirk was not naive.

Charlie Kirk was courageous.

Charlie Kirk used truth to expose false thought, irrational logic, and foolish arguments.

Charlie Kirk was a formidable intellectual ‘opposition’ to those espousing the left ideology.

I conclude that he was a threat to many that did not adhere to his conservative political ideology and they were intimidated by the growing impact he was having on the youth of this nation.

Therefore, is it possible, even probable, that the motivation for his murder was to silence him?

I know that such a question can be inflammatory in people’s thinking; but is it the reality to where we have fallen in this nation because we are so politically divided?

It will be interesting to wait, observe, and listen to how the events surrounding his life, his mission for Turning Point, and an analysis of the words he has spoken and advocated are used to characterize him as he spoke and related to the nation.

Is it possible that Charlie Kirk’s death could be used to awaken and heal the political division in our nation? in our families? and in our one-to-one relationships?

I believe it can.

Selah.

How do we as believers in Jesus Christ move forward?

I have been reminded of this: being ‘commissioned by Christ is costly’.

Do you believe that?

That is at the heart of the Gospel message.

I would like to share with you some personal thoughts regarding Charlie Kirk’s murder.

I found myself, asking the Lord, if what happened to Charlie was similar to what happened to Stephen in Acts 6,7?

Please do not over react to what I am saying.

Consider this: In Acts chapter 6, Stephen was one of seven men chosen with the following qualifications as outlined by the Apostles.

Acts 6:3 NKJV, “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” (emphasis mine)

Stephen was one of the seven chosen.

I submit that the Lord chose Charlie because he was a man with a ‘good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom’, that He could appoint over this business of reaching the youth of this nation that the Church was failing to do. (emphasis mine)

Acts 6:8, 10 NKJV, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people…And they (those who opposed him) were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” (emphasis mine) (insert mine)

I am not advocating that he performed ‘signs and wonders’ as described in the ministry of Jesus or in the book of Acts.

Stephen was articulate about speaking the truth. He was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Those who heard him recognized it and were troubled because it did not align with their belief.

Acts 6:11-14, tells us that those who disagreed with him sought out others to be false witnesses, and they also stirred up the people against him.

What I am reflecting upon is that his words greatly disturbed others to be against him.

In Acts 7, Stephen articulated the history of Israel from Abraham to Joseph to Moses to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and then confronted his audience with their rebellion against God in the wilderness.

Stephen did stop there; he tells them how they treated their prophets; and then transfers that conduct to how they treated the “….Just One, whom you now have become betrayers and murders, who have received the law by the direct of angels and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-53, NKJV context)

Acts 7:54, 57,58, NKJV Luke records, “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart (see Acts 2:37) and they gnashed at him with their teeth…Then they cried out with a loud voice , stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”

Stephen was called, chosen, and commissioned by Christ.

That is costly.

It cost Stephen his life.

My thoughts regarding Charlie Kirk are these.

Charlie Kirk was called, chosen, and commissioned by Christ to reach the youth of this nation; and I assume, to influence the youth throughout the nations of this world.

Charlie Kirk was a good man, well respected, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.

He knew his subject matter. He was articulate. He spoke with clarity, conviction and truth.

His message ‘cut to the heart’ of those who heard him speak.

He did not speak maliciously or vindictively.

He challenged those who would listen; he wanted them to ask questions; he wanted to dialogue with people; to hear them and for them to hear his responses; and to contemplate the validity of his words compared to the words of those who opposed him.

What is wrong with that?

Q: How many individuals throughout history have had their lives taken because what they say does not align with what others wanted to be the truth?

The history of mankind is full of such stories.

The thinking of this world, and its wisdom, will not bring together those who are at the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

I don’t believe that Charlie focused on polarization; he focused on what is the truth.

There is an antichrist spirit in our world.

We, the Body of Christ are wrestling against that spirit.

This is not an irrational statement. (See I John 4:1-6)

The spirit of antichrist is vocal, violent, shameless, and proud; it is brazen, audacious, flagrant, and unprincipled.

Over the past decade, this nation has witnessed, experienced, and tolerated ‘unprecedented unrest’ that has become more openly unprincipled.

The unprincipled spirit is lawlessness; and it is the spirit of antichrist.

An ‘unprincipled’ lawlessness is capable of murder.

See Matthew 24.

It happened yesterday (September 10, 2025)

We as a nation are becoming blatantly lawless; and many are not ashamed of it in many areas of their daily lives.

I am not saying this is true of all the people who live in this nation.

See 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

What I am saying is that this malignancy is growing and becoming a deadly cancer.

On September 11, 1920 my mother was born into this world. Her death was an expected pleasant event. She loved the Lord, and is now with Him in His presence.

On September 11, 2021, an unexpected event happened in this nation.

Many were shocked.

How so?

This is America.

This can’t happen here.

It did.

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk’s life was taken by an assassin.

Why?

That will be revealed over time.

Was it an unexpected or expected event?

I believe, Charlie Kirk’s life was taken for the same reason that Stephen’s was.

There were those who heard him speak and did not like what he said, and there were those who wanted to silence him.

Yesterday, September 10,2025 an individual silenced Charlie Kirk.

I am not sure where to put the following thoughts on this nation’s historical time line; therefore, I will present to you three pictures regarding what has taken place.

For me personally, as well as, for many others, Charlie Kirk’s death was not unexpected.

Why?

1. Our nation has been like a pot of water sitting over a flame that has been warming it up ; that has now reached its boiling point.

2. Our nation is like a pressure cooker, with its lid closed; when it reaches its boiling point, it lets out its steam.

3. Our nation is like a volcano, whose molten rock has been rising because of gas pressure; it exploded and erupted violently killing Charlie Kirk.

I have listened to many who have warned us that something like what happened yesterday would take place in our nation because of the great political division in our nation.

The source of this political division is because of the virulent rhetoric that has been spewing forth from both political parties.

Please understand that understanding was being voiced prior to the assassination attempts on President Trump.

What many thought could happen, has happened , in the United States of America.

And we know, only too well, that it has happened previously in our own nation; both attempted assassinations and fatal assassinations.

On September 10, 2025, the United States of America experienced what many other people throughout the world are exposed to everyday of their lives.

People speak up for what is true.

They are told to be silent.

They choose not to be silent.

Some end up in jail for a short time.

Some end up in prison for a long time.

Some are tortured.

Some are killed.

Some go missing and are never seen or heard of again.

I contend that Charlie Kirk’s death could be an article in the Voice of Martyr’s magazine; and that his picture could be on their cover.

What happened yesterday, September 10, 2025, is an ‘up close and personal’ example of what Jesus told His followers could happen following Him.

We, as a nation, witnessed that reality yesterday, September 10, 2025.

What many have wondered about regarding our safety in America based upon our personal beliefs has been graphically etched upon our minds, and seared into our hearts and souls, because Charlie Kirk was murdered.

Remember, commissioned by Christ is costly.

It could cost you your life.

That is Gospel truth.

Revelation 12:11 NKJV, “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24 )

Charlie Kirk followed Christ.

Yesterday, September 10,2025 was a sobering moment for the Body of Christ,

Standing in the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ,

a brother in Christ, Deo

The Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. Part 1-the Introduction.

In the previous post, God’s P.H.D. was defined as the Word of God.

How so?

The Word of God is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

The written Word of God reveals the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity.

Jesus is the Word of God.

The Apostle John introduces this truth as he begins the Gospel of John.

John 1:1-5, 14, NKJV, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend* it. *(comprehend = overcome) [marginal note]

Vs. 14, “And the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Just prior to the end of the John’s Gospel, he writes, (John 20:26-31, NKJV), about Christ appearing to His disciples, when Thomas is present (see John 20:19-25 for context.). It says, ...”And after eight days, His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand over here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, ” Thomas, because You have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but those are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Luke’s Gospel records an encounter between the risen Christ and two of His despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. (Context is Luke 24:13-22)

During their journey together, Jesus observing their countenance and hearing their words inquired of them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad? (Luke 24:17, NKJV)

Jesus says to them. (Luke 24:25-27 NKJV)

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus didn’t just show up; bring understanding to the Scriptures about Himself; and then cut out.

Jesus continued walking with them; it became late; it was time to eat; they asked Him to dine with them; and the scripture says, “And He went in to stay with them.” (Luke 24:28b, NKJV)

In this place of quiet hospitality, the following takes place.

Luke 24:30-32 NKJV.

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us.” “

In Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV, Jesus is teaching a large multitude. This discourse is commonly referred to as the ‘Sermon on the Mount’.

He is very transparent about His coming regarding the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore, breaks one of these least of these commandments, and teaches men to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (emphasis of the word ‘all‘ is mine)

What is the importance of understanding the scriptures being referenced?

God’s P.H.D. is the written Word of God that has revealed to us God’s purpose that was in His heart before the foundation of the world.

The written Word of God is the Father’s, Prophetic. Historical. Document. authenticating the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

God’s P.H.D. chronicles the Life of Christ, Jesus-Son of God/Son of Man, who was born of a virgin, incarnated in a human body, perfectly fulfilling His Father’s P.H.D. as recorded in the written Word of God about Him; and His completion of His Father’s will, ‘orderly and ‘obediently’, without sinning. (See Philippians 1:1-2:11 for context) [emphasis mine]

Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV, says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The conclusion of this passage of scripture, emphatically states, “…that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus hanging on the cross said ‘final words’.

In each of the four Gospels, the writers have different ‘final words’ recorded: Luke 23:46; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; John 19:30.

Each Gospel writer is emphasizing a specific redemptive aspect of Christ, dying on the cross.

There is a chronological order given to the ‘last seven utterances’ of Christ on the cross.

For the purposes of this post, I want to reflect upon the Apostle John’s entry in John 19:30 NKJV, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.”

The commentary in The MacArthur Study Bible, page 1625, about verse 30 says, ““It is finished!” The verb here carries the idea of fulfilling one’s task in religious contexts, has the idea of fulfilling one’s religious obligations (see 7:4). The entire work of redemption had been brought to a completion. The single Gr. word here (translated “it is finished”) has been found in the papyri being placed on receipts for taxes meaning “paid in full” (See Colossians 3:13-14).”

Reading this verse in context, John 19:28-30, NKJV, it says, “After this (see John 19:25-27), Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there, and they filled a sponge with sour sine, put it on hyssop;, and put it to His mouth. so when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Jesus knew that everything that was written about Himself in the Law and the Prophets up to this moment hanging on the cross was completely fulfilled, i.e.-(vs 28) that …”the Scripture might be fulfilled”.

Now what?

Hebrew 1:1-5, NKJV, “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

What is that excellent Name?

Jesus Christ is Lord.

[Do you remember the chorus? He is Lord, He is Lord…]

Acts 2:36 NKJV, Peter on the Day of Pentecost, stood and preached
Christ, and said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Repeating Philippians 2:11, NKJV, “Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.”

[Do you remember the song, Majesty, composed by Jack Hayford? His song encapsulates and clearly declares all that is being shared about the Lord Jesus Christ. (emphasis mine)]

[I would like to encourage you to read several of the previous posts regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. Please refer to livingwordsofencouragement.com. I recommend that you begin with Pentecost-50 Days After Passover Part 1, read that; and the next four posts up to this current post.]

The Church, the Body of Christ, and each individual believer needs to understand that the cross made a major change between God and humanity. The cross completely cancelled out the first covenant and established a new covenant through the body and blood of the Son of God.

God’s relationship to humanity has changed; but God, Himself, did not change.

God’s relationship with humanity through the first covenant is no longer existent. God’s relationship with humanity is now through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is the Gospel.

Malachi 3:6 NKJV, says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change”…

I am not minimizing the Gospel. (I Corinthians 15:1-58 context; see vs. 1-11 )

I am not forgetting that Jesus is the Son of God, the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. (Hebrews 10:11-14)

I am not forgetting John the Baptist’s crying, our “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

I am not forgetting that Jesus’ death on the cross completely satisfied the wrath of God against sin. God, Himself, was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. (Romans 5:9)

I am not forgetting that He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am not forgetting that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32)

I am not forgetting the words of John 3:16-18 NKJV, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

What is the Spirit of God saying to the Church today?

It is time to expand our understanding.

How so?

Remember the first covenant is no longer needed.

In the Upper Room, the night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, Jesus was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus instituted what the Church observes as Communion. (See Mark 26:26-28; Luke 22:11-20; Mark 14:22-25; John 13:21-30)

Jesus said that what He was doing was establishing a new covenant through His blood. (See Hebrews 8:1-10:18)

The Epistle to the Hebrews is an explanation of Father’s Prophetic. Historical. Document comparing the ministry of first covenant under Moses to the ministry of a better covenant governed by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ,the Church, and the King of the Kingdom of God. (emphasis mine)

The glory of the first covenant ‘pales’ in comparison to the GLORY of the second covenant established in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Understanding this truth is absolutely essential to move forward with God.

The understanding that lies before us is to ‘know and understand’ what this will look like?

Where is the Lord Jesus Christ now?

Mark 16:19 NKJV, says, “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

1 Peter 3-22, NKJV, says, “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is all the right hand of God…” (context 1 Peter 3:18-22)

Knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, we must focus our attention on where Christ is seated. (Colossians 3:1-4)

In full assurance of this fact, we can now seek to understand the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. which He fulfilled here on earth as the Son of God/Son of Man in human flesh.

Understanding the Lord Jesus Christ’s P.H.D. will awaken us and challenge us to move ahead with God, the Father, as He orchestrates the fulfillment of the desire of His heart that He purposed before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1)

Be blessed, a brother in Christ, Deo

TBC

God’s P.H.D. Parts 1-8+conclusion- taking a quiet look, slowly digesting God’s Word, and waiting upon God.

The Apostle Paul gives us a ‘look’ into eternity past in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians.

This section of scripture is a ‘mother lode’ of theology.

Ephesians 1:3-14, NKJV, reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence* (understanding), having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to the His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (*insert mine, marginal note) (emphasis mine)

What an incredible amount of understanding is found in the opening of this letter.

In this passage of scripture, the Five Solas of the Reformation can be found within the text: Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, God’s Glory Alone.

Also present in this passage is the eternal interaction of the Trinity: God the Father; God the Son, Jesus Christ; and God the Holy Spirit.

There are also many prominent theological words, i.e.: Blessed, ‘in Christ’, spiritual blessing, heavenly, chose, holy, without blame, love, predestined, accepted, redemption, blood, forgiveness, sins, grace, wisdom, prudence(understanding), mystery of His will, dispensation, inheritance, His will, word of truth, gospel, salvation, believed, Holy Spirit of promise, guarantee, purchased possession, praise of His glory. (insert mine)

What ‘nuggets’ of gold in this ‘mother lode’ of words ‘sparkled’ in your mind?

If I missed your ‘nugget’, I hope you understand my point.

I want to begin, focusing on this ‘nugget’, found in Ephesians 1:4, “before the foundation of the world”. (emphasis mine)

In the eternal past, before the creation of the world, there was something pulsating in the heart of the Father.

Is it too simple to say, that Father God desired a family.

I do not believe so.

END OF PART 1.

The Godhead, the eternal Trinity: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God the Holy Spirit is a ‘relational community’ of perfect agape love for one another.

Genesis 1,2 details for us what God created.

‘Creation’ is the interaction of all three Persons of the Godhead: God, the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit.

Creation is the beginning point of the revelation of the desire of the Father’s heart.

I submit that the Godhead’s desire to “let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV) was to be in fellowship with a created humanity that would be in their ‘relational community’, not as God, or even gods, but in a living relationship with them.

Therefore, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” was that moment in time when God’s heart began to become reality.

In Ephesians chapter 1, Paul, explains what God knew before the creation of the world; that the first two humans, male and female, created in the ‘image and likeness’ of God would disobey His word saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you ear it you shall surely die.” and fall willfully short of His heart’s desire. (Genesis 2:17 NKJV)

Adam and Eve did partake of the fruit of the ‘tree of good and evil’. (Genesis 3:6)

They disobeyed God’s Word.

Their disobedience is called sin.

The result of sin is death.

Death is two-fold.

Death is both spiritual and physical.

Adam and Eve each died in their spiritual relationship to God because of their disobedience.

They were no longer in a right relationship with God spiritually because God is Holy, in Whom there is no sin.

Their internal death broke communion with God spiritually; and it initiated the physical death of their bodies.

However, their sin did not eliminate His love for them.

END OF PART 2.

Reading Ephesians 1 shows us explicitly that God’s love for humanity is strong; so strong, that before the creation of the world, “God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…”. Ephesians 1:4 NKJV. (emphasis mine)

How does that happen?

Paul continues in this text recounting Christ’s sacrifice, the shedding of His blood, the forgiveness of sins, all according to the riches of His grace.

Stop. Please re-read Ephesians 1:3-14.

All of this was foreknown before the creation of the world.

What love!

What grace!

What mercy!

To repeat…all of this was put into motion, when “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

There are numerous scriptures that speak of the redemptive plan and purpose of God.

There is one verse, that many believe clearly explains the heart of God for fallen humanity.

John 3:16 NKJV (Let me emphasize this verse progressively)

“For God – so loved – the world – that He gave – His Only Begotten Son – that whoever believes in Him – should not perish – but have everlasting life.”

(Stop! I encourage you to re-read these words as they are divided; and think about each set of words between the hyphens.)

I want to encourage you as a believer that in order to more fully understand God’s P.H.D., we must have it settled in our hearts and minds what God, the Father purposed in His heart before creation.

God’s P.H.D. is His Prophetic. Historical. Document.

END OF PART 3.

God’s P.H.D. is the Word of God.

The Word of God is God’s redemptive thoughts, expressing the fullness of Father’s heart.

It is an unfolding of His interaction with the human race, from the first ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock to the final ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock.

Throughout the history of mankind, God has made Himself known to His creation.

Psalm 19:1-6 tells us that “The heavens declare the glory of God…”

Psalm 19:3,4 NKJV says, “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line (*tent) has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.” (*marginal note, insert mine)

Creation speaks to us.

Psalms 19:7-13 describes the unfathomable riches of the written Word of God.

Psalm 19:14, is David’s heart cry to be rightly related to God, his strength and his redeemer, based upon the written Word of God.

God’s Word speaks to us.

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, expresses God’s judgement that will come upon humanity who reject God and His Word.

Romans 1:18-21 NKJV, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

But God, Himself, came into this world and brought His Light to shine in the midst of this darkened world and upon the darkness of the human heart.

John 1:1-4, NKJV, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the life shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (*overcome) it.” (*marginal note, insert mine)

Jesus said of Himself, John 8:12, NKJV, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

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

The Word, the Son of God, became the Son of Man, who lived here in the midst of His creation and among His chosen people.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV, says of the Son of God/Son of Man:

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the Father by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (emphasis mine)

This passage tells us forthrightly that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the central message of God’s Prophetic.Historical.Document.

Three things have been emphasized: 1. Creation speaks to us. 2. The Word of God speaks to us. 3. The Son of God has spoken to us.

The writer of The Epistle to the Hebrews, gives us this warning:

Hebrews 2:1-4, NKJV “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

END OF PART 4.

Returning to The Epistle to the Ephesians, there is no question what is the central message of Paul’s letter?

The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us return to Ephesians 1:3-14.

I encourage you to go back to the beginning of this post and re-read these verses.

Notice in Ephesians 1:10, God has always purposed in Himself that at the right time, “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on the earth–in Him.” (NKJV) (emphasis mine)

These words parallel what is written about Christ in Hebrews 1:1-4.

Jesus Christ is the One in whom all things are to be gathered. (emphasis mine)

Ephesians 4:10-13, NKJV, “He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (emphasis mine)

The centrality of this passage is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that we are being matured (teleios-perfected) as sons and daughters of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ. (insert mine)

We are coming “to the unity of the faith” – a ‘oneness’ in the faith, as we grow in our ‘knowledge of the Son of God'( who is our standard of ‘perfection/maturity’) that Paul says, is “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (emphasis mine)

Paul is telling the Ekklesia to ‘grow up'( Ephesians 4:14-16 NKJV) “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (emphasis mine)

To ‘grow up’ is to become mature.

END OF PART 5.

Would you believe that the words the ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ are used 42 times in the Ephesian Epistle?

When I first read that; my thought was, it that true?

It is true.

Not only did I read that information once; but twice.

However, the title, Son of God is used only once, and we read that in Ephesians 4:13.

Why are the words, ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ used so often by Paul in this letter?

AI overview gives a very concise and accurate answer; and it expands its answer to give a more detailed explanation.

[I am sure you understand that this is a ‘machine’s’ answer.]

Therefore,

I would like to share a Pastor’s comment.

This comment is from his blog dated February 8, 2014.

It was shared with his parishioners telling them that “Tomorrow morning I am preaching on Ephesians 4:29-30”.

His sermon topic was about the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

He also shared this. “The Son of God is used only once in 4:13. However, the title, Lord Jesus Christ, is used 42 times (Eph 1:1 ff, 5, 9, 12, 17, 20; 2:5 ff, 10, 12f, 20; 3:1, 4, 6, 8, 11,17,19, 21; 4:12f, 15,20, 32; 5:2, 5, 14, 20f, 23ff, 29, 32; 6:5f, 23f. Paul used this title more often than the Son of God to show the divine power of the God man, Jesus Christ (the resurrected man Jesus is God) and to distinguish the Son from the Father. Again, I am not counting all the pronouns referring to the Son.”

(note: I have been unable to find the name of the Pastor. The church is the Redeemer Church in the Champaign-Urbana Illinois area.)

END OF PART 6.

Recently, I was reading a devotional, by T. A. Sparks, and was challenged with this thought: ‘the Christ who was resurrected from the tomb was greater than the Christ who was buried in the tomb.’

Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man was buried in a human body in a tomb. (emphasis mine)

Hebrews 10:5-7, NKJV(quote from Psalm 40:6-8), “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God. ‘ ” ” (emphasis mine)

Jesus lived in the same type of body as we live in; but without sin. (Philippians 2:5-11; II Corinthians 5:17) (emphasis mine)

Therefore, He is the perfect sacrifice for sin.

God’s Sacrificial Lamb.

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b, NKJV)

I Corinthians 15:42-49, Paul explains the reason why the resurrected Christ in His resurrected body is greater than the body of Jesus that was buried in the tomb. (emphasis mine)

The entirety of I Corinthians 15 addresses the message of the Gospel, the hope of the Gospel, the power of the resurrection, and what is the fullness of resurrection with respect to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. (boldness mine)

I recommend that you read I Corinthians 15.

I want to point out that Paul’s words explain God’s principle of resurrection.

verses 42-49, NKJV, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown in a natural body, it is raised in a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.“ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

The principle is that ‘what is resurrected’ is greater than ‘what is buried’.

Q: Do you believe that?

That is what took place with Jesus’ bodily resurrection.

That is what Paul is talking about in the above passage.

END OF PART 7.

Paul also describes this in Romans 8:18-25.

I encourage you to read this passage.

Continuing in Chapter 15:53-56, NKJV, ” For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Simply put, Jesus was sown in a natural body, and He was raised in a spiritual body.

In I Corinthians 15:20-28, NKJV, Paul addresses the issues surrounding the validity of the resurrection.

He explains, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). For since by man came death, by Man also came resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (insert mine)

Then the end of time will come; the last ‘tick’ of the redemptive clock will occur; and time will be no more; everything will have been carried out that was purposed in the heart of God, the Father, before the creation of the world. (emphasis mine)

The Word of God, God’s Prophetic.Historical.Document, in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 21, verses 1-8 NKJV, gives us this prophetic vision,

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John (Apostle John), saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, ” Behold I make all things new.” Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done!” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be my son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the Lake which burn with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”” (insert mine)

Paul said it this way, in II Corinthians 5:1-11 NKJV

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether, present or absent to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Remembering the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was shared earlier in this post:

John 3:16 says, “For God-so loved -the world-that He gave-His only Begotten Son-that whosoever believes in Him-should not perish-but have everlasting life.”

Paul reminds us, in II Corinthians 5:17, NKJV:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”

END OF PART 8.

Conclusion-W.R.A.P.-wrapping it up!

God’s P.H.D., the Word of God, tells us what was ‘purposed’ in Father’s heart before the creation of the world in eternity past. (emphasis mine)

Many believe that we are very close to the second coming of Christ of that we are certain.

Our task, now, is to be Watchful, be Ready, be Alert, and Praying-looking up for our redemption draws near (context Luke 21:20-28).

What God purposed in His heart before the foundation of the world will be fulfilled just as He desired it to be completed. (emphasis mine)

I trust that you have been encouraged with these passages.

Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28 NKJV, verse 28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up you heads, because your redemption draws near.”

What things?

Please read, reflect, and recall Matthew 24, 25.

Until the moment of Christ’s return, we are to: be Watching; be Ready; be Alert; and be in Prayer.

blessings, your brother in Christ, deo

Pentecost-50 days After Passover, Part 2

In Part 1 of this post, we were focused upon the Passover Meal celebrated by Christ and His disciples in an Upper Room during the Feast of Unleavened Bread in which the Jewish nation remembered their deliverance from the land of Egypt when the blood of a lamb was applied to the doorposts of their homes.

John 16:28-33 are the closing words of Jesus to His disciples. He says to them, “I have come from the Father and come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech! Now we know that You know all things, and have not need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] {Amplified Version}

Jesus closes the Upper Room discourse with a prayer (John 17) to His Father.

This prayer is referred to, as His ‘High Priestly Prayer’.

I recommend that you read John 17.

Having considered all of this, is there something that stands out as being more important than the coming of the Holy Spirit?

END OF PART 1.

_______________________________________________

50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, Jerusalem is celebrating Pentecost.

PART 2.

During the forty days between Christ’s resurrection and His ascension back to the presence of His Father, Christ revealed Himself to His followers.

On the morning of His resurrection, “…after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdelene and the other Mary, came to see the tomb. {Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-10; John 20:1-8} And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”…”the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold I have told you. So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:1-10 NKJV) {insert mine}

We are witnessing the fulfillment of the Upper Room discourse unfold and take place just as Jesus said.

The Apostle Paul recounts these events in I Corinthians 15:1-8, NKJV.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over 500 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” (insert mine)

Luke, writing his treatise about the life of Christ shares in Acts 1:1-3 NKJV,

“The former account account I made, O Theophilus, all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Luke has written about Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29); justified the wrath of God (Romans 5:6-11); conquered death, hell, and the grave (I Corinthians 15:55-57; Revelation 1:18); dethroned Satan of his authority (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15;) and has accomplished a total victory through His death on the Cross.

For forty days, Jesus has been interacting with His disciples; and now the day has come for His departure back to His Father.

Luke writes, Acts 1:4-11 NKJV,

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken away up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Jesus ascended into heaven.

Now what?

Do what He had commanded them to do?

Acts 1:4, Do not depart from Jerusalem; wait for the Promise of the Father; “which He said, “you have heard from Me.”

Acts 1:5, “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

I wonder if they pondered what that meant?

Is the coming of the Holy Spirit important?

Absolutely.

However, there is something else taking place that preempts its importance.

What can be more important than the coming of the Holy Spirit?

Let’s find out.

Jesus is ‘prepping’ them for the Day of Pentecost reminding them of what He had shared with them.

Acts 1:12,13a, 14- NKJV, “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey (less than one mile). And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying”…”These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (insert mine) (boldness mine)

Acts 1:15-26 records the events that took place from the day of Christ’s ascension to the Day of Pentecost.

Some noteworthy thoughts.

Vs 15-Peter (petros*) stood up in the midst of the assembled disciples that numbered around 120.

Vs 16-Peter (petros*) addressed them, regarding the fulfillment of the Scripture that was previously spoken by the Holy Spirit through David regarding Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus.

Vs 21-Peter (petros*) told those in the upper room that it is necessary to fulfill the Scripture found in Psalms [Psalms 69:25; 109:8] to choose another to fill Judas’ vacancy.

Vss 21,22-give to us the qualifications for the persons to be considered. The timeline begins with the baptism of John and concludes with the ascension of Christ.

Vss 23-26, two people are chosen; they pray to the Lord for guidance; and in vs 26, they cast lots. This way of making the selection is not wrong. It was a common method used in the Old Testament.

What is the significance of including this?

There is a new ‘governing’ coming.

The Old Covenant has come to an end; and there is a New Covenant.

Something new is about to happen.

In an upper room, things are in ‘order’; the disciples have been ‘obedient’; and the Day of Pentecost has arrived.

In an upper room, “…they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1)

They were where Jesus had commanded them to be; and there was ‘order’ and there was ‘obedience’.

These two words are critical for a healthy Church, the Body of Christ.

‘order’ and ‘obedience’ allows the God’s Kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

Jesus lived His earthly life in a human body governed by the Holy Spirit carrying out whatever His Father asked Him to do. That is ‘order’; and He did it with perfect ‘obedience’.

Wherever Jesus went His Father’s Kingdom came and His Father’s will was done on earth just as it is in heaven.

In God’s Presence, everything is about ‘order’ and ‘obedience’.

This is not legalism; this is the Essence of Who God is.

Reflect upon these words, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

His commandments are His ‘order’; keeping them is our ‘obedience’; our reason for doing so is because we love Him.

Q: Where did Jesus say these words?

A: In the Upper Room to His disciples at the Passover Meal.

Acts 2:2 NKJV, “And suddenly”, the words that Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room, when they were celebrating the Passover Meal, are fulfilled in an upper room on the Day of Pentecost.

{Note: All of this happened, most likely, in the same Upper Room where the disciples waited for the Promise of the Father, in the city of Jerusalem.}

Being redundant.

The words regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit are fulfilled.

The promise of the Father has come in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The words spoken by John the Baptist have been fulfilled.

John the Baptist said that Jesus is the baptizer in/with the Holy Spirit.

Again, I would like to encourage you to set aside your doctrinal teaching surrounding what took place on the Day of Pentecost, and continue with me as I proceed.

On the day of Pentecost, after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up with the other eleven and explained what was taking place to those assembled. (Acts 2:14-36)

Peter told them that what they had seen and heard had been prophesied by the prophet Joel.

Acts 2:17-21 NKJV,

Peter said, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven about and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.”

Q: In the above passage, what is ultimately most important?

A: “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”

The Holy Spirit has come.

Q: What do you associate with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost?

Q: What have you been taught?

Q: What has been the emphasis of the teaching that you have received?

Q: Are you comfortable with Pentecostalism? Charismatics? Spirit-filled believers?

Q: Are you doctrinally a ‘cessationist’ or a ‘continuationist’?

(Big words but important regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the Church.)

I want to make a bold statement.

There is a lot of teaching, division, and misunderstanding regarding the purpose and work of the Third Person of the Trinity in the church today.

Please understand my heart.

I want to challenge you with a thought that I am understanding to be more significant and more important than all of the teaching surrounding the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Do I believe in the importance of the Holy Spirit?

Absolutely.

I am not a cessationist; but a continuationist.

Setting aside my theology…

All theology, belief, and personal experience,regarding the Person of the Holy Spirit is extremely important.

However all of our objective and subjective understanding of the truth that is taught in the Word of God regarding the Holy Spirit, is secondary, I believe, to this truth.

What truth is that, you ask?

Let us read carefully Peter’s closing words on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:32-36 Amplified Version

“God raised this Jesus [bodily from the dead], and of that [fact] we are all witnesses. Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this [blessing] which you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, yet he himself says, “The Lord [the Father] said to my Lord [the Son], sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” [Psalms 110:1] Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Annointed)–that Jesus whom you crucified.

Peter said that God (the Father) has made Him (Jesus) both Lord and Christ–this very Jesus who you crucified. (inserts mine)

Peter declared that Jesus, who was crucified has been made by God, both Lord and Christ.

My question was, Is there something that stands out as being more important than the coming of the Holy Spirit?

The answer is yes, Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified, is both Lord and Christ.

The Head of the Body of Christ is the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Ephesians 1:18-23; Colossians 1:13-20; Ephesians 5:17-33; I Corinthians 12:12-14)

It is important to understand Christ as the Head of the Church.

Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, is the One who said, I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Ephesians 1:22, everything is put in ‘subjection’ to Christ’s Headship. (emphasis mine)

Colossians 1:17-18, Christ existed before all things, and in Him all things are held together; Christ is the Head, the [life-source and leader] of the body, the Church; and He is the beginning the firstborn from the dead... (emphasis mine)

Ephesians 5:21, be “subject to one another out of reverence for Christ”; verses 22-33 discuss the living out of being ‘subject’ to one another.

I Corinthians 12:12-14, we are all members of the Body of Christ.

Verse 12, says “For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many for [only] one body so it is with Christ.”

It is interesting to note, that when Paul talks about the Body of Christ, and each of us having our unique placement in the Body, there is no mention of any of us being the Head.

Why?

Christ is the Head.

In order for the Body of Christ, and each of us, as members in particular, to function properly we must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In order for the Church to be an authentic representation of Jesus Christ, the Body of Christ, here on earth, the members of the Body must be submitted to the Head of the Body, the Lordship of Jesus Christ; then the Body of Christ will be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh.

In order to be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you personally must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life.

Everything that surrounds the coming of the Holy Spirit; and everything that the Lord Jesus Christ wants to accomplish through the members of His Body will only take place orderly and obediently if the members of the Body, believers in Jesus Christ are submitted to Him and governed by the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost has come.

On the church calendar, Pentecost is remembered 50 days after celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

Q: Is the Body of Christ, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ submitted to Christ, as the Head of the Church, committed to living according to His Lordship ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’, manifesting His life, governed by the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit?

Or is the Church not fulfilling living the life of the Body of Christ that it should be because it is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; and therefore not governed by the Holy Spirit?

Strong questions, but they need to be asked.

The Church began proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ, submitted to Him, ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling what the Spirit of God, living in ‘order‘ and ‘obedience‘.

Acts 2:40-47 shows us the first fruits of that ‘order’ and ‘obedience’.

Is this lifestyle still happening today?

If the Church is not living in ‘order’ and ‘obedience’, then the Church is not being ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

If the Church is not being ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, then it is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, If the Church is not living in ‘order’ and ‘obedience’, then it is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Strong words, but, are they true? (Transitive Property of Congruence)

The Church only functions properly when it is ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

{Q: Why did Paul write letters to the churches that he had founded? They had departed from the Lordship of Jesus Christ; they were embracing another gospel; they were focused on the wisdom of the world; they had left their foundation of ‘Christ crucified’; in short, they were not following the Lord in ‘order’ and ‘obedience’; therefore, they were not ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit but governed according to the wisdom of the world; the words of false teachers; and the whims of their own souls. They were not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ-yet they were Christians; those who had called upon the name of the Lord and were saved. Paul wrote the letters to the Churches so that they would come into doctrinal alignment , and ‘for reproof’, ‘for correction’, and ‘for instruction in righteousness’. (2 Timothy 3:16)}

The Holy Spirit ‘governs‘ those that are ‘submitted‘ to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

I want to close returning to Matthew 16:13-18.

Jesus said that He would build His Church upon the confession of faith(petra-immovable rock) that was spoken by Peter(petros-small stone).

What was Peter’s(petros) confession of faith(petra)?

Matthew 16:16, Peter (petra) said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Those words are the ‘petra’(the solid rock) upon which Christ will build His Church.

Go back and reread Acts 2:32-36, what is the ‘petra’ of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost?

What did Peter communicate under the anointing of the Holy Spirit?

Peter’s ‘petra’ was ,“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (NKJV)

What is the Godhead doing on the Day of Pentecost?

The coming of the Holy Spirit got everyone’s attention.

B.U.T. (Believers Understand This) the centrality of the message is Jesus, and Him crucified, who God made both Lord and Christ.

In Matthew 16, Jesus responding to Peter’s confession of faith, told Him that flesh and blood had not revealed what he said to him, but that it was God the Father. I believe that revelation came by the Holy Spirit.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood, filled with the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father, and preached the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:37-39 records the response of those that heard the anointed words of Peter.

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (NKJV)

Acts 2:40-47 tells us what happened and how the Church was birthed into existence on the Day of Pentecost under the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ, ‘governed‘ by the Holy Spirit.

This is a time when believers in the Lord Jesus Christ need to examine themselves and see if they are in the faith.(2 Corinthians 13:5)

Strong words: I want to encourage you as a believer to examine yourself.

I am not questioning your salvation.

I am asking you to stop and ask yourself, does my life reflect the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Am I seeking to live in ‘order’ and ‘obedience’ to the Word of God?

Am I ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit?

Or am I doing my own thing, saved, waiting to go to heaven?

Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26, NKJV)

This challenge follows Christ’s interaction with His disciples asking them what men are saying about who He is?

Peter said that Jesus was the “Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jesus’ response to Peter’s words was that upon this confession He would build His Church.

In effect, Jesus’ words to deny oneself, take up your cross and follow Me , is His ‘order’ that requires your ‘obedience’ if you want to be His disciple.

The follower of Christ, who responds ‘obediently’ to His ‘order’ acknowledges the ‘Lordship‘ of Jesus Christ, and will be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

That disciple will learn to walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

That disciple will experience ‘God’s Kingdom come’, and ‘God’s will be done’ in their life on earth as it is in heaven.

Impossible?

No, that is what it means to be conformed to the image of Christ.

This is the life that the Apostle Paul, saw before him, cried out for, and pressed forward to obtain (Philippians 3), and wrote letters to the churches he had founded to focus their attention upon; specifically ‘Christ crucified’, the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit.

The hour in which we are living necessitates our diligence to focus on the Lord, to study His Word, and to walk in the Spirit.

This comes from submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, being ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, learning to walk after the Spirit ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’.

Be blessed in your walk with the Lord, a brother in Christ, deo

Pentecost-50 days After Passover, Part 1

June 8, 2025 on the Church calendar was Pentecost Sunday.

In the Old Testament, the Feast of Pentecost was the second of three feasts established by God that the nation of Israel would observe annually.

Exodus 23:14-17 (Amplified Version), “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast [dedicated] to Me. You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed [but you shall bring sacrificial offerings]. Also [you shall observe] the Feast of Harvest [Weeks, Pentecost, or First Fruits}, acknowledging the first fruits of your labor, or what you sow in the field. And [third] the Feast of Ingathering [Booths or Tabernacles] at the end of the year when you gather in [the fruit of] your labors from the field. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.”

The first feast is to remember the Lord’s Passover when “…I [the Lord] will pass through the land of Egypt {Exodus 12:12,13} on this night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal; against all the god’s of Egypt I will execute judgments [exhibiting their worthlessness]. I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on[the doorposts of] the houses where you live; when I see the blood I shall pass over you, and no affliction shall happen to you when I strike the land of Egypt. [I Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:8]” (Amplified Version) {insert mine}

The remembrance of Passover (the feast of Unleavend Bread) is a foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ; where the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (God’s Passover Lamb), shed His blood for the sin of the world. (John 1:29) (inserts mine)

Let us read the testimony of John the Baptist written by the Apostle John.

“The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [Exodus 12:3, Isaiah 53:7] “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I and priority over me, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be publicly revealed to Israel.” John gave [further ] evidence [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. [Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:22,23] I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He (God) who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have [actually] seen [that happen], and my testimony is that this is the Son of God!” ” {John 1:29-34 Amplified Version} (insert mine)

Prior to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Jesus met in an Upper Room to celebrate the Passover Feast with His disciples.

Can we even begin to understand the magnitude of the internal conflict in Jesus that is pulsating through every fiber of His being?

The outworking of that internal struggle affecting His body,soul, and spirit was manifested in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. (Matthew 26:36-46)

Recounting the events of Jesus’ life, we know that His internal unrest had been increasing in intensity since He set ‘His face’ toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) to participate in the Feast of Passover, and die on the cross.

Jesus knew why He had come incarnated to earth and took upon Himself a human body.

Jesus celebrates His last Passover meal with His disciples in an Upper Room of someone’s household.

In the Upper Room, Jesus tells His disciples that His time to ‘leave’ has come.

‘leave’, what is He talking about?

The disciples are unable to grasp what this means.

In His discourse with them, Jesus shares that even though He is personally leaving He will not leave them alone.

This, too, are difficult words for them to comprehend.

Things are becoming ‘muddled’.

The context of what Christ is sharing and what transpires in the Upper Room is recorded in John 13:1-16, followed by prayer to His Father in chapter 17.

The Upper Room account in the Gospel of John plus what is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke gives us an understanding of what took place between Christ and His disciples during their celebration of the Passover Meal.

In the Upper Room (Gospel of John), one of the many important moments between Jesus and His disciples centers on the following question.

Q: What is the importance of Jesus repeatedly assuring them about the coming of the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit?

Remembering what John the Baptist had said, “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33, NKJV)

Q:Who is John the Baptist referring to?

A: Jesus.

Jesus, the Lamb of God ,who takes away the sin of the world is recognized as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

At this time I am asking you to lay aside your doctrinal positions regarding Jesus and the baptism in/with the Holy Spirit.

I want us to focus on this?

What is Jesus’ purpose for telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit is coming?

or,

Why is it important for us to understand the importance of Jesus telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be coming ? (emphasis mine)

It unlocks the meaning of Jesus’ words to Peter after his confession of faith in Christ.

{This will be the emphasis of Part 2 of this post.}

The context of Peter’s confession of faith is found in Matthew 16:13-28.

Reading, Matthew 16:13-18…20-23 Amplified Version:

“Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “[Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20] And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are *Peter, and on this rock** I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. [Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18]…Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) {emphasis mine}

{*Gr petros, a small or detached stone. **Gr petra, bedrock or a huge rock. Jesus uses a simple play on the Greek words petros and petra in this verse.}

Please follow along with me.

Understanding the coming of the Holy Spirit is critical to the continuation of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ following His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to His Father.

At this moment in the Upper Room, Jesus’ words, regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, will assuage (ease) the disciples’ experience of being separated from Him.

What did Jesus tell His disciples regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit?

In the Gospel of John (Chapters 14,15,16) there are three main discourses spoken by Jesus. (insert mine)

{The following passages are from the Amplified Version, unless so noted.}

Please read the account in John 14.

Chapter 14 is divided into three sections: John 14:1-6 is entitled “Jesus Comforts His Disciples”; John 14:7-15 is entitled “Jesus’ Oneness with the Father”; John 14:16-28 is entitled “Role of the Spirit”.

The sequence is progressive.

First of all, Jesus, knowing their present and future emotional state; comforts them; telling them where He is going; and assuring them that one day, they, too, will be with Him in the Presence of the Father.

Second, He explains to them the Oneness between Himself and His Father. He forthrightly says, I am so ‘One’ with the Father that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.(Matthew 14:9) They didn’t know how to process that thought. (insert mine)

That Oneness is beyond us too! {See Hebrews 1:1-4}

Third, He focuses their attention on His care for them; telling them that He, Himself, will ask His Father, to send a Helper for them, since He is leaving them. He reiterates that the Helper is the Holy Spirit.

It is here that He explains the ‘Role of the Spirit’.

Jesus says in verse 16-19…26; “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate,Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever–the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him because He(the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans[comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come back to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also….But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in my place, to represent Me,and act on My behalf, He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. [Matthew 5:7, 13, 24,25; Luke 24:59; John 14:16; Acts 1:4] {emphasis mine}

{Did you see the interaction between the Trinity, the Godhead?}

Please read the second account in John 15

This sequence is progressive.

Chapter 15 is divided into three sections: John 15:1-11 is entitled, “Jesus is the Vine-Followers are Branches”; John 15:12-17 is entitled, “Disciples’ Relation to Each Other”; John 15:18-27 is entitled, “Disciples’ Relation to the World”.

First, the disciples are told about their relationship with Him as a vine and branch.

Jesus is the Vine; we are the branches.

Second, the disciples are told what Jesus expects from them as His disciples. Verse 17 says, “This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.”

Third, the disciples are told what to expect from the world as followers of Him.

In this section, Jesus assures them again about the Holy Spirit and His role in their lives.

John 15:23-27 says, “The one who hates Me also hates the Father {remember John 14:7-15, Jesus told His disciples about His Oneness with the Father}. If I had not done the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their sin]; but now [the fact is that ] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me and My Father as well. But [this is so] that the word which has been written in their Law would be fulfilled, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ [Psalms 35:19; 69:4] “But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby] comes whom I will send to you from the Father, He will testify of Me and bear witness about Me. But you will testify also and be My witnesses from the beginning.” {inserts mine} {emphasis mine}

Please read the account in John 16.

This sequence is progressive.

John 16 is divided up into four sections: John 16:1-4 is entitled, “Jesus’ Warning”; John 16:5-15 is entitled, “The Holy Spirit is Promised”; John 16:16-22 is entitled “Jesus’ Death and Resurrection”; John 16:23-33 is entitled, “Prayer Promises”.

First, Jesus warns His disciples of what will be the natural consequences of following Him as a disciple. He tells them what to expect “so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away.” (John 16:1 )

Jesus is warning them not to be offended by how they are treated for following Him. Don’t allow the words hurled at you on My account become an offense or (personal) stumbling block and fall away from the faith.

Second, Jesus reiterates (verse 7) the promise of the coming of the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.

Jesus has been preparing them for His literal, physical departure back to His Father.

He knows that this is going to devastate them.

He is assuring them, even though they do not understand it yet, that His physical departure will result in His Spiritual return to them.

How can this be?

Quoting the MacArthur Study Bible, pg 1614, regarding the Promise of the Holy Spirit’s coming, it reads (verses 14:18,19 NKJV) “I will come to you…you will see Me. First, He was referring to His resurrection, after which they would see Him (20:19-29). There is no record that any unbelievers saw Him after He rose (1 Corinthians 15:1-9). In another sense, this has reference to the mystery of the Trinity. Through the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus would be back with His children. (16:16; cf Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:9; I John 4:13)”

Jesus ascended back into heaven in ‘bodily’ form; and He will ‘spiritually’ descend into those who accept Him as their Savior.

Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit.

Please read John 16:14-18.

Third, to backup His previous comments about returning to His Father, Jesus elaborates on His death and resurrection.

Throughout this passage, Jesus, knowing their internal emotional state, continues to reassure them that He will come to them again after His death, burial, and resurrection.

In John 16:22, He pinpoints their ’emotions’ with these words, “So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy.”

(This is not referring to His second coming.)

In the fourth section, Jesus closes His final words sharing the privileges that await for them in prayer.

Consider the following assurances: verse 23, “in that day”, “I assure you”, “whatever you ask in My name”; verse 24, “Until now”, “ask…keep on asking”; verse 26, “In that day”, “I will ask”.

We must understand this, that these privileges of prayer are conditional upon our obedient relationship to Him.

Summarizing our thoughts.

What has been the purpose of Jesus gathering together with His disciples during these last few precious hours He had with them?

It was a time to celebrate the Passover Feast according to the Law.

The keeping of this Feast became a gathering place for Jesus’ final words to prepare His disciples for what is about to take place.

Our emphasis has been that He is leaving and the Holy Spirit is coming.

But we know that much more than this has been taking place.

What are the implications?

This is happening just hours before His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

This Passover has had many dramatic moments; it has a dramatic ending: but it also initiates an incredible new beginning.

There is much that is talked about, modeled, and set in motion in John 13:1-17, that is very significant, revolutionary, sobering, and crucial for the on going work of the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the building of His Church.

The Passover Meal has been an instructional time to lay the foundation for the ‘major change curve’ facing the lives of His disciples; the religion of the Jewish nation; the salvation of humanity; the victory over sin and death; and the dethroning of Satan’s authority.

All of this is made possible through Christ’s death on the C.R.O.S.S.

C.R.O.S.S. – Christ Reconciled Our Sinful State

And it has been accomplished by God”s G.R.A.C.E.

G.R.A.C.E – God’s Redemptive Activity Changed Everything

This post has been focusing on one significant aspect of Jesus’ final remarks to His disciples.

His remarks centered on the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus closes the Upper Room discourse with a prayer (John 17) to His Father.

This prayer is referred to, as His ‘High Priestly Prayer’.

I recommend that you read John 17.

John 18:1, Amplified Version, “HAVING SAID these things, Jesus left with His disciples and went across the ravine of the Kidron. There was a garden there, which He and disciples entered.”

Part 2 asks this question:

Is there something more important for us to understand and to embrace than the coming of the Holy Spirit that we need to give our attention to?

Yes.

END OF PART 1.

50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, Jerusalem is celebrating Pentecost.

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