Message/ We must Have Faith in Faith

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Message: We pray in the name of Jesus for all people to renew their relationship with The Lord. These are the days days that test the soul. Our economic systems as we know them have failed us world wide.

Jesus is so aware of our condition. We must continue to Praise God and Thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are people who are losing everything while others get rich and fat for being greedy.

There are children starving and sick without food nor health care. Businesses are beginning to fell the pain of the people and the environment.

People are losing the faith that they had. Hope seems to be gone or missing from the average vocabulary. Yet, what are the people of faith to do?

We need to increase our hope and faith in the Lord more-so today than yesterday. Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for times like these when all appears to be lost. Jesus is coming back. Therefore, we must wait on His return to set all things right. Praise God for The Joy of Jesus and His return. God Bless you as we battle the storms of a lost world. Give to the Joy of Jesus Today.

Prayer: God, bless all the people who receive this message in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people to increase their faith. Glory to God in the highest. Goodwill and Peace on Earth in Jesus name we pray.

Pray for The Jobless

Convocation: It is our concern that people are still losing their jobs at alarming rates. This is a sign that the economy may take another dip for the worst. Our governments seem to be unprepared for the real challenges of families today. The only answer to these problems is faith in The Joy of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear God in Heaven, Father of The Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for all of the workers of the world. Our hearts cry out for the JOBLESS. We need more jobs in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people and our environment. The world is in need of The Power of Jesus to help us in these times of tremendous need. In Jesus name we pray. A-men.

Do give to The Joy of Jesus by visiting our sponsors.

You can Trust The Joy of Jesus

We need a safe place to put our trust in today. The Holy Spirit has blessed us with this song that has deep intrinsic meaning to ones soul God Bless You. Do give our support The Joy of Jesus with love by visiting any of our sponsor. PEACE in the name of Jesus we pray....

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Text: Elisha A. Hoffman
Music: Anthony J. Showalter
Tune: SHOWALTER, Meter: 10 9.10 9 with Refrain

1. What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

2. O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
(Refrain)

3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
(Refrain

Praise God for whom all blessings flow to the joy and name of Jesus. A-men...

Sermon- We Need Jesus Today

The Joy of Jesus Praise God in Christ Jesus, and The Holy Spirit for all people. We need God more-so today than yesterday. People are suffering for types of reasons. We humble ourselves in on our knees to pray for the perfect will of God. Jesus is Christ is the only answer. We praise God so much today!

Love is all we need. The peace of God passes all understanding in Christ Jesus. The Lord knows all of the trails we are experiencing.

We are to wait on the Lord and be of good cheer. Jesus is the answer. We pray that your faith will increase and see you through all of these challenges we face. Glory to Glory to God in Jesus name we pray.A-men.

Special Sermon: THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
NO. 4
A SERMON DELIVERED ON SABBATH MORNING, JANUARY 21, 1855,
BY THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON,
AT NEW PARK STREET CHAPEL, SOUTHWARK.
“And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you
forever: even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not,
neither knows Him: but you know Him for He dwells with you and shall be in you.”
John 14:16, 17.
You will be surprised to hear me announce that I do not intend this morning to say anything about the Holy Spirit
as the Comforter. I propose to reserve that for a special Sermon this evening. In this discourse I shall endeavor to explain
and enforce certain other doctrines which I believe are plainly taught in this text and which I hope God the Holy Spirit
may make profitable to our souls.
Old John Newton once said that there were some books which he could not read, they were good and sound enough,
but, he said, “they are books of halfpence—you have to take so much in quantity before you have any value. There are
other books of silver and others of gold, but I have one book that is a book of bank notes. And every leaf is a bank note of
immense value.”
So I found with this text—that I had a bank note of so large a sum, that I could not preach on it all this morning. I
should have to keep you several hours before I could unfold to you the whole value of this precious promise—one of the
last which Christ gave to His people.
I invite your attention to this passage, because we shall find in it some instruction on four points, first, concerning
the true and proper personality of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, concerning the united agency of the glorious Three Persons in
the work of our salvation. Thirdly, we shall find something to establish the doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in
the souls of all Believers. And fourthly, we shall find out the reason why the carnal mind rejects the Holy Spirit.
I. First of all, we shall have some little instruction concerning the proper PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
We are so much accustomed to talk about the influence of the Holy Spirit and His sacred operations and graces that we
are apt to forget that the Holy Spirit is truly and actually a Person—that He is a subsistence—an existence. Or as we
Trinitarians usually say, one Person in the essence of the Godhead. I am afraid that though we do not know it, we have
acquired the habit of regarding the Holy Spirit as an emanation flowing from the Father and the Son, but not as being
actually a Person Himself. I know it is not easy to carry about in our mind the idea of the Holy Spirit as a Person.
I can think of the Father as a Person, because His acts are such as I can understand. I see Him hang the world in
ether. I behold Him swaddling a newborn sea in bands of darkness. I know it is He who formed the drops of hail, who
leads forth the stars by their hosts and calls them by their name, I can conceive of Him as a Person because I behold His
operations. I can realize Jesus, the Son of Man, as a real Person because He is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It
takes no great stretch of my imagination to picture the Babe in Bethlehem, or to behold the, “Man of Sorrows and acquainted
with grief.” I can easily realize the King of martyrs, as He was persecuted in Pilate’s hall, or nailed to the accursed
tree for our sins.
Nor do I find it difficult at times to realize the Person of my Jesus sitting on His Throne in Heaven. Or girt with
clouds and wearing the diadem of all creation, calling the earth to judgment and summoning us to hear our final sentence.
But when I come to deal with the Holy Spirit—His operations are so mysterious, His doings are so secret, His acts
are so removed from everything that is of sense and of the body—that I cannot so easily get the idea of His being a Person.
But a Person He is. God the Holy Spirit is not an influence, an emanation, a stream of something flowing from the
Father. He is as much an actual Person as either God the Son, or God the Father. I shall attempt this morning a little to
establish the doctrine and to show you the truth of it—that God the Holy Spirit is actually a Person.
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The first proof we shall gather from the pool of holy Baptism. Let me take you down, as I have taken others, into the
pool. It is now concealed, but I wish it were always open to your view. Let me take you to the baptismal font, where Believers
put on the name of the Lord Jesus and you shall hear me pronounce the solemn words, “I baptize you in the
name,”—mark—“in the name,” not names—“of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Everyone who is
baptized according to the true form laid down in Scripture must be a Trinitarian—otherwise his Baptism is a farce and a
lie and he himself is found a deceiver and a hypocrite before God.
As the Father is mentioned and as the Son is mentioned, so is the Holy Spirit and the whole is summed up as being a
Trinity in unity, by its being said, not the names, but the “name”—the glorious name—the Jehovah name, “of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Let me remind you that the same thing occurs each time you are dismissed
from this house of prayer. In pronouncing the solemn closing benediction, we invoke on your behalf the love of Jesus
Christ, the grace of the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. And thus, according to the Apostolic manner, we
make a manifest distinction between the Persons showing that we believe the Father to be a Person, the Son to be a Person
and the Holy Spirit to be a Person. Were there no other proofs in Scripture, I think these would be sufficient for
every sensible man. He would see that if the Holy Spirit were a mere influence, He would not be mentioned in conjunction
with two whom we all confess to be actual and proper Persons.
A second argument arises from the fact that the Holy Spirit has actually made different appearances on earth. The
Great Spirit has manifested Himself to man. He has put on a form so that while He has not been beheld by mortal men,
He has been so veiled in appearance that He was seen, so far as that appearance was concerned, by the eyes of all beholders.
Do you see Jesus Christ our Savior? There is the river Jordan, with its shelving banks and its willows weeping at its
side. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, descends into the stream and the holy Baptist, John, plunges Him into the waves.
The doors of Heaven are opened. A miraculous appearance presents itself—a bright light shinning from the sky,
brighter than the sun in all its grandeur—and down in a flood of glory descends something which you recognize to be a
dove. It rests on Jesus—it sits upon His sacred head and as the old painters put a halo round the brow of Jesus, so did the
Holy Spirit shed a resplendence around the face of Him who came to fulfill all Righteousness and therefore commenced
with the ordinances of Baptism. The Holy Spirit was seen as a dove—to mark His purity and His gentleness—and He
came down like a dove from Heaven to show that it is from Heaven alone that He descends.
Nor is this the only time when the Holy Spirit has been manifest in a visible shape. You notice that company of disciples
gathered together in an upper room—they are waiting for some promised blessing—by-and-by it shall come. Hark,
there is a sound as of a rushing mighty wind! It fills all the house where they are sitting. Astonished, they look around
them, wondering what will come next. Soon a bright light appears, shining upon the heads of each—cloven tongues of
fire sat upon them. What were these marvelous appearances of wind and flame but a display of the Holy Spirit in His
proper Person? I say the fact of an appearance manifests that He must be a Person. An influence could not appear—an
attribute could not appear—we cannot see attributes—we cannot behold influences. The Holy Spirit must, then, be a
Person—since He was beheld by mortal eyes and came under the cognizance of mortal sense.
Another proof is from the fact that personal qualities are, in Scripture, ascribed to the Holy Spirit. First, let me read
to you a text in which the Holy Spirit is spoken of as having understanding. In the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter
2, you will read, “But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the
things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit—for the Spirit
searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is
in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.”
Here you see an understanding—a power of knowledge is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. Now, if there are any persons
here whose minds are of so preposterous a complexion that they would ascribe one attribute to another and would speak
of a mere influence having understanding—then I give up! But I believe every rational man will admit that when anything
is spoken of as having an understanding it must be an existence—it must, in fact, be a Person. In the 12th Chapter,
11th verse of the same Epistle, you will find a will ascribed to the Holy Spirit. “But all these work that one and the self
same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.”
So it is plain the Spirit has a will. He does not come from God simply at God’s will, but He has a will of His own,
which is always in keeping with the will of the infinite Jehovah, but is, nevertheless, distinct and separate. Therefore I say
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He is a Person. In another text power is ascribed to the Holy Spirit and power is a thing which can only be ascribed to an
existence. In Romans 15:13, it is written, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may
abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I need not insist upon it, because it is self-evident, that wherever
you find understanding, will and power—you must also find an existence. It cannot be a mere attribute. It cannot be a
metaphor. It cannot be a personified influence. It must be a Person.
But I have a proof which, perhaps, will be more telling upon you than any other. Acts and deeds are ascribed to the
Holy Spirit—therefore He must be a Person. you read in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, that the Spirit brooded
over the surface of the earth, when it was as yet all disorder and confusion. This world was once a mass of chaotic matter.
There was no order. It was like the valley of darkness and of the shadow of death. God the Holy Spirit spread His wings
over it. He sowed the seeds of life in it—the germs from which all beings sprang were implanted by Him. He impregnated
the earth so that it became capable of life.
Now it must have been a Person who brought order out of confusion. It must have been an existence who hovered
over this world and made it what it now is. But do we not read in Scripture something more of the Holy Spirit? Yes, we
are told that “holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” When Moses penned the Pentateuch, the
Holy Spirit moved his hand. When David wrote the Psalms and discoursed sweet music on his harp, it was the Holy
Spirit that gave his fingers their Seraphic motion. When Solomon dropped from his lips the words of the Proverbs of
wisdom, or when he hymned the Canticles of love it was the HOLY SPIRIT who gave him words of knowledge and
hymns of rapture.
Ah, and what fire was that which touched the lips of the eloquent Isaiah? What hand was that which came upon
Daniel? What might was that which made Jeremiah so plaintive in his grief? Or what was that which winged Ezekiel and
made him, like an eagle, soar into mysteries aloft and see the mighty unknown beyond our reach? Who was it that made
Amos, the herdsman, a Prophet? Who taught the rough Haggai to pronounce his thundering sentences? Who showed
Habakkuk the horses of Jehovah marching through the waters? Or who kindled the burning eloquence of Nahum? Who
caused Malachi to close up the book with the muttering of the word “curse”? Who was in each of these, save the Holy
Spirit? And must it not have been a Person who spoke in and through these ancient witnesses? We must believe it. We
cannot avoid believing it, when we recall that, “holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
And when has the Holy Spirit ceased to have an influence upon men? We find that still He deals with His ministers
and with all His saints. Turn to the Acts and you will find that the Holy Spirit said, “Separate me Paul and Barnabas for
the work.” I never heard of an attribute saying such a thing! The Holy Spirit said to Peter, “Go to the centurion and
what I have cleansed, that call not you common.” The Holy Spirit caught away Philip after he had baptized yon eunuch
and carried him to another place. And the Holy Spirit said to Paul, “you shall not go into that city, but shall turn into
another.” And we know that the Holy Spirit was lied unto by Ananias and Sapphira, when it was said, “you have not
lied unto man, but unto God.”
Again, that power which we feel every day who are called to preach—that wondrous spell which makes our lips so
potent—that power which gives us thoughts which are like birds from a far-off region, not the natives of our soul. That
influence which I sometimes strangely feel, which, if it does not give me poetry and eloquence, gives me a might I never
felt before and lifts me above my fellow man. That majesty with which He clothes His ministers, till in the midst of the
battle they cry, aha! like the war-horse of Job and move themselves like leviathans in the water. That power which gives
us might over men and causes them to sit and listen as if their ears were chained, as if they were entranced by the power of
some magician’s wand—that power must come from a Person—it must come from the Holy Spirit.
But is it not said in Scripture and do we not feel it, dear Brethren, that it is the Holy Spirit who regenerates the soul?
It is the Holy Spirit who quickens us. “You has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” It is the Holy Spirit
who imparts the first germ of life, convicting us of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come. And is it not the Holy
Spirit who after that flame is kindled, still fans it with the breath of His mouth and keeps it alive? Its Author is its Preserver.
Oh, can it be said that it is the Holy Spirit who strives in men’s souls, that it is the Holy Spirit who brings them to
the foot of Sinai and then guides them into the sweet place that is called Calvary—can it be said that He does all these
things and yet is not a Person? It may be said, but it must be said by fools. For he never can be a wise man who can consider
that these things can be done by any other than a glorious Person—a Divine Person.
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Allow me to give you one more proof and I shall have done. Certain feelings are ascribed to the Holy Spirit, which
can only be understood upon the supposition that He is actually a Person. In the 4th Chapter of Ephesians, verse 30, it is
said that the Holy Spirit can be grieved—“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of
redemption.” In Isaiah 63:10 it is said that the Holy Spirit can be vexed—“But they rebelled and vexed His Holy Spirit,
therefore He was turned to be their enemy and He fought against them.” In Acts 7:51 you read that the Holy Spirit can
be resisted—“you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers
did, so do you.”
And in the 5th Chapter, 9th verse of the same book, you will find that the Holy Spirit may be tempted. We are there informed
that Peter said to Ananias and Sapphira, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the
Lord?” Now, these things could not be emotions which might be ascribed to a quality or an emanation—they must be
understood to relate to a Person. An influence could not be grieved. It must be a Person who can be grieved, vexed, or
resisted. And now, dear Brethren, I think I have fully established the point of the personality of the Holy Spirit.
Allow me now, most earnestly, to impress upon you the absolute necessity of being sound unto the doctrine of the
Trinity. I knew a man, a good minister of Jesus Christ he was—I believe he was before he turned aside unto heresy—he
began to doubt the glorious divinity of our blessed Lord and for years did he preach the heterodox doctrine. Then one
day he happened to hear a very eccentric old minister preaching from the text, “But there the glorious Lord shall be unto
us a place of broad rivers and streams, wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. Your
tackle is loosed—they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail.”
“Now,” said the old minister, “you give up the Trinity and your tackle is loosed, you cannot strengthen your masts.
Once give up the doctrine of three Persons and your tackle is all gone. Your mast, which ought to be a support to your
vessel, is a rickety one and shakes.” A Gospel without a Trinity? It is a pyramid built upon its apex! A Gospel without the
Trinity? It is a rope of sand that cannot hold together! A Gospel without the Trinity? Then, indeed, Satan can overturn
it. But, give me a Gospel with the Trinity and the might of Hell cannot prevail against it. No man can any more overthrow
it than a bubble could split a rock, or a feather break in halves a mountain.
“Get the thought of the three Persons and you have the marrow of all divinity. Only know the Father and know the
Son and know the Holy Spirit to be One and all things will appear clear. This is the golden key to the secrets of nature.
This is the silken clue of the labyrinths of mystery and he who understands this, will soon understand as much as mortals
ever can know.”
II. Now for the second point—the UNITED AGENCY of the Three Persons in the work of our salvation. Look at
the text and you will find all the three Persons mentioned. “I,”—that is the Son—“will pray the Father and He shall
give you another Comforter.” There are the three Persons mentioned—all of them doing something for our salvation. “I
will pray,” says the Son. “I will send,” says the Father. “I will comfort,” says the Holy Spirit. Now, let us for a few moments
discourse upon this wondrous theme—the unity of the Three Persons with regard to the great purpose of the salvation
of the elect.
When God first made man, He said, “Let Us make man,” not let Me, but “Let Us make man in Our own image.” The
covenant Elohim said to each other, “Let Us unitedly become the Creator of man.” So, when in ages far gone by in eternity,
they said, “Let Us save man,” it was not the Father who said, “Let Me save man,” but the Three Persons conjointly
said with One consent, “Let Us save man.” It is to me a source of sweet comfort to think that it is not one Person of the
Trinity that is engaged for my salvation. It is not simply one Person of the Godhead who vows that He will redeem me,
but it is a glorious Trio of Godlike ones and the Three declare, unitedly, “We will save man.”
Now, observe here that each Person is spoken of as performing a separate office. “I will pray,” says the Son—that is
intercession. “I will send,” says the Father—that is donation. “I will comfort,” says the Holy Spirit—that is supernatural
influence. Oh, if it were possible for us to see the three Persons of the Godhead, we should behold one of them standing
before the Throne with outstretched hands crying day and night, “O Lord, how long?” We should see one girt with
Urim and Thummim, precious stones, on which are written the twelve names of the tribes of Israel. We should behold
Him crying unto His Father, “Forget not Your promises, forget not Your covenant.” We should hear Him make mention
of our sorrows and tell forth our griefs on our behalf, for He is our intercessor.
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And could we behold the Father, we should not see Him a listless and idle spectator of the intercession of the Son.
We should see Him with attentive ears listening to every word of Jesus and granting every petition. Where is the Holy
Spirit all the while? Is He lying idle? Oh no, He is floating over the earth and when He sees a weary soul, He says, “Come
to Jesus, He will give you rest.” When He beholds an eye filled with tears, He wipes away the tears and bids the mourner
look for comfort on the Cross. When He sees the tempest-tossed Believer, He takes the helm of his soul and speaks the
word of consolation. He helps the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.
And ever on His mission of mercy, He flies around the world, being everywhere present. Behold how the Three Persons
work together. Do not then say, “I am grateful to the Son”—you ought to be, but God the Son no more saves you
than God the Father. Do not imagine that God the Father is a great tyrant and that God the Son had to die to make
Him merciful. It was not to make the Father’s love flow towards His people. Oh, no. One loves as much as the other. The
Three are conjoined in the great purpose of rescuing the elect from damnation.
But you must notice another thing in my text which will show the blessed unity of the Three—the one Person promises
to the Other. The Son says, “I will pray the Father.” “Very well,” the disciples may have said, “We can trust You for
that.” “And He will send you.” You see here is the Son signing a bond on behalf of the Father. “He will send you another
Comforter.” There is a bond on behalf of the Holy Spirit, too. “And He will abide with you forever.” One person speaks
for the other and how could they if there were any disagreement between them? If one wished to save and the other not,
they could not promise on one another’s behalf. But whatever the Son says, the Father listens to. Whatever the Father
promises, the Holy Spirit works. And whatever the Holy Spirit injects into the soul—God the Father fulfills.
So the Three together mutually promise on one another’s behalf. There is a bond with three names appended—
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By three immutable things, as well as by two, the Christian is secured beyond the reach of
death and Hell. A Trinity of Securities, because there is a Trinity of God.
III. Our third point is the INDWELLING of the Holy Spirit in Believers. Now Beloved, these first two things have
been matters of pure doctrine—this is the subject of experience. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a subject so profound
and so having to do with the inner man, that no soul will be able truly and really to comprehend what I say, unless
it has been taught of God. I have heard of an old minister, who told a Fellow of one of the Cambridge Colleges that he
understood a language that he never learnt in all his life. “I have not,” he said, “even a smattering of Greek and I know
no Latin, but thank God I can talk the language of Canaan and that is more than you can.”
So, Beloved, I shall now have to talk a little of the language of Canaan. If you cannot comprehend me, I am much
afraid it is because you are not of Israelite extraction—you are not a child of God nor an inheritor of the kingdom of
Heaven.
We are told in the text, that Jesus would send the Comforter, who would abide in the saints forever—who would
dwell with them and be in them. Old Ignatius, the martyr, used to call himself Theophorus, or the God-bearer, “because,”
said he, “I bear about with me the Holy Spirit.” And truly every Christian is a God-bearer. Know you not that
you are temples of the Holy Spirit? For He dwells in you. That man is no Christian who is not the subject of the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit.
He may talk well, he may understand theology and be a sound Calvinist. He will be the child of nature finely dressed,
but not the living child. He may be a man of so profound an intellect, so gigantic a soul, so comprehensive a mind and so
lofty an imagination that he may dive into all the secrets of nature. He may know the path which the eagle’s eye has not
seen and go into depths where mortals reach not. But he shall not be a Christian with all his knowledge. He shall not be a
son of God with all his researches, unless he understands what it is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him and abiding in
him— yes and that forever.
Some people call this fanaticism and they say, “you are a Quaker, why not follow George Fox?” Well we would not
mind that much—we would follow anyone who followed the Holy Spirit. Even he, with all his eccentricities, I doubt
not, was, in many cases, actually inspired by the Holy Spirit. And whenever I find a man in whom there rests the Spirit of
God, the Spirit within me leaps to hear the Spirit within him and he feels that we are one. The Spirit of God in one Christian
soul recognizes the Spirit in another. I recollect talking with a good man, as I believe he was, who was insisting that
it was impossible for us to know whether we had the Holy Spirit within us or not.
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I should like him to be here this morning, because I would read this verse to him—“But you know Him, for He
dwells with you and shall be in you.” Ah, you think you cannot tell whether you have the Holy Spirit or not? Can I tell
whether I am alive or not? If I were touched by electricity, could I tell whether I was or not? I suppose I should. The shock
would be strong enough to make me know where I stood. So, if I have God within me—if I have Deity tabernacling in
my breast—if I have God the Holy Spirit resting in my heart and making a temple of my body—do you think I shall not
know it? Call it fanaticism if you will. But I trust that there are some of us who know what it is to be always, or generally,
under the influence of the Holy Spirit—always in one sense—generally in another.
When we have difficulties we ask the direction of the Holy Spirit. When we do not understand a portion of Holy
Scripture, we ask God the Holy Spirit to shine upon us. When we are depressed, the Holy Spirit comforts us. You cannot
tell what the wondrous power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is—how it pulls back the hand of the saint when he
would touch the forbidden thing. How it prompts him to make a covenant with his eyes. How it binds his feet, lest they
should fall in a slippery way, how it restrains his heart and keeps him from temptation.
O you who know nothing of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, despise it not. O despise not the Holy Spirit, for it is
the unpardonable sin. “He that speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, but he that speaks against
the Holy Spirit, it shall never be forgiven him, either in this life, or that which is to come.” So says the Word of God.
Therefore, tremble, lest in anything you despise the influences of the Holy Spirit.
But before closing this point, there is one little word which pleases me very much. That is, “forever.” You knew I
should not miss that. You were certain I could not let it go without observation. “Abide with you forever.” I wish I
could get an Arminian here to finish my sermon. I fancy I see him taking that word, “forever.” He would say, “for—
forever.” He would have to stammer and stutter. For he never could get it out all at once. He might stand and pull it
about and at last he would have to say, “the translation is wrong.” And then I suppose the poor man would have to
prove that the original was wrong, too. Ah, but blessed be God, we can read it—“He shall abide with you forever.” Once
give me the Holy Spirit and I shall never lose Him till “forever” has run out—till eternity has spun its everlasting
rounds!
IV. Now we have to close up with a brief remark on the reason why the world rejects the Holy Spirit. It is said,
“Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him.” You know what is sometimes meant by
“the world”—those whom God, in His wondrous sovereignty, passed over when He chose His people—the preterite
ones. Those passed over in God’s wondrous preterition—not the reprobates who were condemned to damnation by some
awful decree, but those passed over by God, when He chose out His elect. These cannot receive the Spirit. Again, it means
all in a carnal state are not able to procure themselves this Divine influence. And thus it is true, “Whom the world cannot
receive.”
The unregenerate world of sinners despises the Holy Spirit, “because it sees Him not.” Yes, I believe this is the great
secret why many laugh at the idea of the existence of the Holy Spirit—because they see Him not. You tell the worldling,
“I have the Holy Spirit within me.” He says, “I cannot see it.” He wants it to be something tangible—a thing he can recognize
with his senses. Have you ever heard the argument used by a good old Christian against an infidel doctor? The
doctor said there was no soul and he asked, “Did you ever see a soul?” “No,” said the Christian. “Did you ever hear a
soul?” “No.” “Did you ever smell a soul?” No.” “Did you ever taste a soul?” “No.” “Did you ever feel a soul?”
“Yes,” said the man—“I feel I have one within me.” “Well,” said the doctor, “there are four senses against one—
you have only one on your side.” “Very well,” said the Christian, “Did you ever see a pain?” “No.” “Did you ever hear a
pain?” “No.” “Did you ever smell a pain?” “No.” “Did you ever taste a pain?” “No.” “Did you ever feel a pain?” “Yes,”
“And that is quite enough, I suppose, to prove there is a pain?” “Yes.” So the worldling says there is no Holy Spirit, because
he cannot see it. Well, but we feel it. You say that is fanaticism and that we never felt it. Suppose you tell me that
honey is bitter, I reply “No, I am sure you cannot have tasted it. Taste it and try.”
So with the Holy Spirit. If you did but feel His influence, you would no longer say there is no Holy Spirit because
you cannot see it. Are there not many things, even in nature, which we cannot see? Did you ever see the wind? No. But
you know there is wind when you behold the hurricane tossing the waves about and rending down the habitations of
men. Or when in the soft evening zephyr it kisses the flowers and makes dewdrops hang in pearly coronets around the
rose. Did you ever see electricity? No, but you know there is such a thing, for it travels along the wires for thousands of
Sermon #4 The Personality of the Holy Spirit
Volume 1 www.spurgeongems.org
7
7
miles and carries our messages. Though you cannot see the thing itself, you know there is such a thing. So you must believe
there is a Holy Spirit working in us, both to will and to do, even though it is beyond our senses.
But the last reason why worldly men laugh at the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is because they do not know it. If they
knew it by heart-felt experience and if they recognized its agency in the soul—if they had ever been touched by it. If they
had been made to tremble under a sense of sin—if they had had their hearts melted—they would never have doubted the
existence of the Holy Spirit.
And now, Beloved, it says, “He dwells with you and shall be in you.” We will close up with that sweet recollection—
the Holy Spirit dwells in all Believers and shall be with them.
One word of comment and advice to the saints of God and to sinners and I have done. Saints of the Lord! You have
this morning heard that God the Holy Spirit is a Person. You have had it proved to your souls. What follows from this?
Why, it follows how earnest you should be—in prayer to the Holy Spirit, as well as for the Holy Spirit. Let me say that
this is an inference that you should lift up your prayers to the Holy Spirit, that you should cry earnestly unto Him, for
He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think.
See this mass of people? What is to convert it? See this crowd—who is to make my influence permeate through the
mass? You know this place has now a mighty influence—and God blessing us, it will continue to have an influence—not
only upon this city but upon England at large. We now enjoy the press as well as the pulpit and certainly, I should say
before the close of the year, more than two hundred thousand of my productions will be scattered through the land—
words uttered by my lips, or written by my pen. But how can this influence be rendered for good? How shall God’s glory
be promoted by it? Only by incessant prayer for the Holy Spirit—by constantly calling down the influence of the Holy
Spirit upon us.
We want Him to rest upon every page that is printed and upon every word that is uttered. Let us then be doubly earnest
in pleading with the Holy Spirit, that He would come and own our labors, that the
whole Church at large may be revived thereby and not ourselves only, but the whole world share in the benefit.
Then to the ungodly I have this one closing word to say. Ever be careful how you speak of the Holy Spirit. I do not
know what the unpardonable sin is and I do not think any man understands it. But it is something like this—“He that
speaks a word against the Holy Spirit, it shall never be forgiven him.” I do not know what that means—but tread carefully!
There is danger. There is a pit which our ignorance has covered by sand—tread carefully—you may be in it before
the next hour. If there is any strife in your heart today, perhaps you will go to the ale-house and forget it. Perhaps there
is some voice speaking in your soul and you will put it away.
I do not tell you you will be resisting the Holy Spirit and committing the unpardonable sin. But it is somewhere
there. Be very careful. Oh, there is no crime on earth so black as the crime against the Holy Spirit. You may blaspheme
the Father and you shall be damned for it unless you repent. You may blaspheme the Son—and Hell shall be your portion,
unless you are forgiven. But blaspheme the Holy Spirit and thus says the Lord, “There is no forgiveness, neither in
this world, nor in the world which is to come.” I cannot tell you what it is. I do not profess to understand it. But there it
is.
It is the danger signal. Stop, Man, stop! If you have despised the Holy Spirit, if you have laughed at His revelations
and scorned what Christians call His influence, I beseech you, stop! This morning seriously deliberate—perhaps some of
you have actually committed the unpardonable sin. Stop! Let fear stop you. Sit down. Do not drive on so rashly as you
have done. You who are such a profligate in sin, you who have uttered such hard words against the Trinity, stop!
Ah, it makes us all stop. It makes us all draw up and say, “Have I not perhaps so done?” Let us think of this and let
us not at any time trifle either with the words, or the acts of God the Holy Spirit.
Adapted from The C.H. Spurgeon Collection, Version 1.0, Ages Software, 1.800.297.4307

Faith in The Joy of Jesus

Prayer: We pray in the name of Jesus that our faith id increased. We love You Lord. We thank God and praise God in the name of Jesus for an increase in our faith. A-men.

Commentary: The Joy of Jesus has faith that you will continue to support this ministry. You can get our toolbar, visit our sponsors or give. God Bless You.

Faith in The Joy of Jesus: What the Bible Says About Faith



Finding out what the Bible says about faith is very important. Why? A few reasons come to mind: First, faith is often defined in a number of different and conflicting ways by religious persons. If we want to know how God defines faith we will have to go to the Bible. God's definition of faith takes precedence over man's definition of faith. Second, there are all kinds of faith in the world -- even the demons have faith (James 2:19) -- but only one faith is true. If we want to have true faith (2 Timothy 1:5), we will have to let God tell us what true faith is. Third, faith is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6). If we want to please God we need to know about the faith that pleases God. Fourth, faith is necessary for salvation (Ephesians 2:8). If we want to be saved we need to know about the faith that saves. Fifth, there are many people who do not have faith (John 6:64) -- at one point even Jesus' own family did not believe in Him (John 7:5) -- and God destroys people who do not have faith (Jude 5). If we don't want God to destroy us, if we don't want to die in our sins (John 8:24), we must believe. Finally, there are those who have faith but they are letting their faith slip away (2 Timothy 2:18). If we don't want evil forces to overthrow our faith we need to know how to keep our faith strong.

This brief article is not intended to be an exhaustive study of each occurrence of the word faith in the Bible. Many verses in both the Old and New Testaments could be used to illustrate each point below but only a few have been chosen. This study is confined to the New Testament. The references listed below are examples of the verb form of faith (Greek pisteuo, usually translated, believe), and the noun form of faith (Greek pistis, usually translated, faith). I would suggest that you take time to look up each reference listed below that is not quoted for further study on each point. You may also want to use your Bible Concordance to find other examples of the word faith. No matter what verse you locate on the faith of man, you will find that it falls nicely into one of the categories below. Let us now examine what the Bible says about faith so that we can have the faith that God wants us to have.

OBJECT OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the object of faith (who or what is believed in) is God and His Son Jesus Christ. There are many persons, places and things that we could put our faith in during our lifetime, but we must prioritize our life, and put our faith in God and Jesus Christ above all else. Jesus said: "Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1). We are not to put our faith in that which is false (Matthew 24:23,26). Unless our faith is in God and His Son, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 11:22; Acts 14:23; 19:4; 20:21; Galatians 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 6:1; 11:6; 1 Peter 1:21; 1 John 3:23; 5:1,5,10.

SUBJECT OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the subject of faith (who or what has faith ) is man himself. Man is the only creature of all of God's creation who can believe. What flower ever believed? What rock ever believed? What animal ever believed? Take a look at the great men and women of faith in the Old and New Testaments and see what they accomplished "by faith." For Further Study: Hebrews 11:1-40.

SUBSTANCE OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the substance of faith (what faith is) is belief; a complete trust, assurance or confidence. There is no fear (Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50) or doubt (Mark 11:23-24) in faith. The writer of Hebrews wrote: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Unless our faith is complete trust, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 9:23-24; John 6:69; Acts 17:31; 27:25; 2 Timothy 1:12.

PROOF OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the proof of faith (what faith is based on) is evidence. Faith is based upon strong, clear, logical, true, historical evidence. Faith is not guesswork. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith is not grounded in subjective feelings. God provides the objective, rational evidence for belief; man provides the belief based on that evidence. The Bible does not teach that God gives man his faith. John wrote: "but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ..." (John 20:31). Paul wrote: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Unless our faith is based upon sound evidence from God's word, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 1:15; 16:15-16; Luke 8:12-13; 24:25; John 4:39-42; 5:46-47; 8:30,46; 9:35-38; 17:20; 19:35; 20:24-31; Acts 4:4; 8:12-13; 9:41-42; 11:19-21; 13:12; 14:1; 15:7; 17:11-12; 18:8; 24:14; 26:27; Romans 10:8-21; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 3:5; 15:1-2,11,14,17; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:13.

FRUIT OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the fruit of faith (what faith produces) is active obedience to God's word. The Bible does not teach that man is saved by faith only. Faith is not just a mental thought; it is a mental thought that leads a person to act, to work, to obey. The outward acts of faith can be seen (Matthew 9:2). Faith takes steps in obedience (Romans 4:12). Unless our faith produces active obedience to God's word, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 16:16; Acts 11:21; 19:18-19; Romans 16:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Titus 3:8; James 2:14-26; Revelation 2:19.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the consequences of faith (what faith leads to) are enormous. First, faith leads to unity. Luke records: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common" (Acts 2:44). Second, faith leads to proclaiming the gospel. Paul said: "But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13). Third, faith leads to persecution. Paul wrote: "because to you if hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for in his behalf" (Philippians 1:29). Unless our faith leads to unity, proclamation and persecution, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: John 12:42-43; 17:20-21; Acts 4:32; 22:19.

REWARD OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the reward of faith (what faith accomplishes) is eternal life. Our faith results in eternal life (salvation) given to us by God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Unless our faith accomplishes eternal life, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: John 3:14-16,36; 5:24; 6:40,47; Acts 10:43; 13:39,48; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:28,30; 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:16; Hebrews 6:11-12; 1 Peter 1:5-9.

"Do you now believe?" Jesus asks (John 16:31). Now that you know more of what the Bible says about faith what do you plan to do? Will you begin to put more faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ? Will you put away any fear or doubt that would keep you from serving God with a sincere faith? Will you spend more time with the Bible evidence that God has provided in order to build a stronger faith? Will you begin to produce more fruits of faith in your life by your obedience to God's word? Will you be ready to accept the enormous consequences of your faith, difficult as they may be? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the Lord has promised you a great reward for your faith, eternal life.

Posted by The Rev. Dr. James A. Lee

Bible Study Today with The Joy of Jesus

The Lord’s Church

There is one other thing that concerns our salvation I would like for us to look at in the Bible. In response to Peter’s confession to Jesus in Matthew 16:16 that, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus then says in Matthew 16:18, "On this rock I will build My church." To whom was this church to belong? "My" is possessive, which shows the church belongs to Jesus. How many churches did Jesus say He was going to build? He said He was going to build "My church", which is singular not plural. There is only one true church because the Lord only promised to build His one church. In the Bible the word "church" never refers to a material building, but to the people.

In Ephesians 4:4-6 there are seven ones listed: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Just as there is only one God and only one Lord we also see there is only one body. The Bible says there is only one body; so what is this one body? In Ephesians 1:21-22 we find out what this one body is, "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body." Here we see the Bible says the church is the body. So if there is only one body and the one body is the church, then there can only be one church that belongs to the Lord. There is only one church in God's plan for saving man. One might as well believe in more than one God as to believe the Lord has more than one church. The one body, the one church, is not composed of any of the many differing denominations of our day.

In Colossians 1:18 in speaking of Christ, we read, "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He may have the preeminence." Here again we see the body (singular) is the church (singular). Again the Bible tells us the Lord has only one church. We also see that in all things Christ is to have the preeminence. For Christ to have the preeminence in all things, we must follow Christ in all things and not follow man. If we follow men in some things then Christ does not have the preeminence in all things.

Since Christ only built His one church, we need to ask from where did all these other churches come? The only answer is they were built by men, so men could "attend the church of their choice", and not God’s choice. We read in Ephesians 5:23, "Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body." Christ is only the saviour of His one body, His one church. He is going to only save His one church, the only one for which He died. One cannot be saved outside of the Lord's one church. If one is not in the Lord's one true church, he is lost.

We have seen in the Bible that the one body is the one church, which the Lord built. We have also seen that Christ has only promised to save His one body, His one church. What then is going to happen to the hundreds of different kinds of denominational churches we see in existence today? Again let us let God answer this question. In Matthew 15:13 Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." What will happen to all those churches God did not plant? They will be rooted up. This is what God has said He will do. This is frightening. I want to make sure I am in the Lord’s church, the only one He is going to save.

In Psalms 127:1 we read, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." No one has the right to start a church or religious organization that is different from the one Jesus built. But we see hundreds of different kinds of churches men have built, each with a different creed. Man did not build the Lord's church. We must recognize the difference between the church the Lord built and the many counterfeit churches men have built. What will happen to the people who are in the many different denominational churches? They will all be lost. If you are a member of a denomination then you are not in the saving body of Christ, and you will be lost. Why not be a member of the church that Jesus built, the church of Christ so you can go to heaven? This is a sad but serious situation; one that concerns me greatly and causes me much grief and sorrow to see honest people, who are honestly mistaken, laboring in vain. This is a supreme tragedy.


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Questions Lesson 22

The Lord's Church
(Part A)
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Matthew 16:18) How many different churches did the Lord say he was going to build?
Many so we could attend the church of our choice.

More than 500.

My (possessive) Church (singular), in other words one.


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2) Christ built only His church.


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3) (Ephesians 4:4-6) There are how many bodies?

One.

One hundred.

One thousand


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4) The Lord has many bodies.


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5) (Ephesians 1:21-22) What is this one body?
There is not one body but many bodies.

All the different kinds of churches.

The (Lord's) Church.


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6) The Lord only has His one body, the church.


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7) (Colossians 1:18) Christ is the head of

The body, the church.

Many different kinds of churches.

No church.


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8) Christ is the head of all different kinds of churches.


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9) (Ephesians 5:23) Christ is going to save
His body which is His Church.

All the different religious bodies (churches).

No church.


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10) Christ is the Saviour of the church He established.


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11) (Matthew 15:13) Those plants (churches) which God has not planted

God will accept.

God will water and cultivate.

Shall be rooted up.


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12) Those who are in churches which God has not planted shall be lost.


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13) (Psalms 127:1) If the Lord has not built the house
They labor in vain who build it.

It doesn't matter if the Lord has not built it.

Those who labor in it are accepted.


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14) People labor in vain if they are in a house the Lord did not build.

Amazing Grace of The Joy of Jesus

Amazing Grace Lyrics

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.



T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.



Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.



The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.



Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.



When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.



"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.


Prayer: We pray in the name of Jesus for all people to apprehend the Power of God and The Holy Spirit in the full Joy of Jesus,Forever. A-men...

Happy Father's Day The Joy of Jesus

The True Father:

The Lord's Prayer Words
(traditional)



Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen

Christian Education from The Joy of Jesus

We at The Joy of Jesus wants to provide you with the best in Christian Education. Romans 8 is a jewel in The New Testament. Please continue to pray for the grace of God in Christ Jesus.



Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Romans 8

The freedom of believers from condemnation. (1-9) Their privileges as being the children of God. (10-17) Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18-25) Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer. (26,27) Their interest in the love of God. (28-31) Their final triumph, through Christ. (32-39)

Verses 1-9 Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for ( 1 Timothy 5:6 ) sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.

Verses 10-17 If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to corrupt listings, they will certainly perish in their sins, whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under, through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.

Verses 18-25 The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the glory prepared for them. There is an impurity, deformity, and infirmity, which has come upon the creature by the fall of man. There is an enmity of one creature to another. And they are used, or abused rather, by men as instruments of sin. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope. God will deliver it from thus being held in bondage to man's depravity. The miseries of the human race, through their own and each other's wickedness, declare that the world is not always to continue as it is. Our having received the first-fruits of the Spirit, quickens our desires, encourages our hopes, and raises our expectations. Sin has been, and is, the guilty cause of all the suffering that exists in the creation of God. It has brought on the woes of earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. As to man, not a tear has been shed, not a groan has been uttered, not a pang has been felt, in body or mind, that has not come from sin. This is not all; sin is to be looked at as it affects the glory of God. Of this how fearfully regardless are the bulk of mankind! Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come, though he seems to tarry.

Verses 26-27 Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. The Spirit who searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed mind, and advocates his cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not.

Verses 28-31 That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. All that God designed for glory and happiness as the end, he decreed to grace and holiness as the way. The whole human race deserved destruction; but for reasons not perfectly known to us, God determined to recover some by regeneration and the power of his grace. He predestined, or before decreed, that they should be conformed to the image of his Son. In this life they are in part renewed, and walk in his steps. 2. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. It is an effectual call, from self and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end; from sin and vanity to grace and holiness, as our way. This is the gospel call. The love of God, ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that they have been called according to his purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also justified. None are thus justified but those that are effectually called. Those who stand out against the gospel call, abide under guilt and wrath. 4. Whom he justified, them he also glorified. The power of corruption being broken in effectual calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can come between that soul and glory. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.

Verses 32-39 All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God's free love, as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. All things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the faithful Christian. He that has prepared a crown and a kingdom for us, will give us what we need in the way to it. Men may justify themselves, though the accusations are in full force against them; but if God justifies, that answers all. By Christ we are thus secured. By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea, rather that is risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine justice was satisfied. We have such a Friend at the right hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer! does your soul say within you, Oh that he were mine! and oh that I were his; that I could please him and live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubtings, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet Christ is dead and risen. Flee to Him as such. God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us, can we think that any thing should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, Who shall separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left, poor soul, who hast not Christ, but that which thou wouldest gladly part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins! But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer's soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him for ever.

The Joy of Jesus is The Lord of all Salvation

Scripture: Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations

Sermon: The Lord is our salvation.

The world is faced with some rather clear choices today. We can do as we wish, or follow Jesus. Whom will you chose? Jesus is the only choice we have today. Jesus lived the life of love. We too must walk in love as well.

Jesus washed the feet of Hid disciples. We must be of service to our neighbor. Our community needs all of our prayers and love.

Jesus gave His life on the cross for the sins of the world. In this we find the source of all salvation. God raised Jesus from the grave. Jesus will return with all power and glory to seek the justice that is very much in order. We praise God and Thank God for all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus in His mighty name. A-men!

The Joy of Jesus is The Answer for Today

Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. [a]
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah


Footnotes:
a.Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
b.Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
New International

Praise God with The Joy of Jesus Today

Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.
1 [a] I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works. [b]

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made. [c]

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.


Footnotes:
a.Psalm 145:1 Chapter 145 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which (including verse 13b) begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
b.Psalm 145:5 Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint Masoretic Text On the glorious splendor of your majesty / and on your wonderful works I will meditate
c.Psalm 145:13 One manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text do not have the last

Healing and Thanks-giving is The Joy of Jesus

Mark 1:40-45

Q. Visualize condition of the Leper.
■Rejected by family, friends, community
■Outcast from the community and city
■No one would have touched him for days. If anyone touches him, he will also become unclean.
■Leprosy is not something, you can romanticized. It is one of the most hated and rejected diseases. (Check out Jesus healing the Disabled Man at Bethesda)
■He would need physical, social, spiritual healing.
■His self-esteem would have been lost.
■According to Moses’ Law, the leper has to pass through at least 14 days of ‘cleansing’ process before he can enter the city and see Jesus.

Q. What does his request say about his state of mind?
■The leper was desperate and downcast. In Jesus, he saw his last rescue!
■His lack of confidence in himself – “If you are willing, you can make me clean!”
■This man would have tried everything, he could, to cure himself. But nothing could cure his decaying body. In Jesus, he saw hope, a healer, savior who can help him out of this condition. And so he came to him kneeling and beseeching.
■It is out of such state of mind of helplessness and self-pity, he cried out. “If you are willing, you can heal me.”
■I believe that in the Kingdom of God, this is your qualification, when you realize that you are nothing in yourself, but a helpless person, who desperately need a healer and Savior.
Q. What was Jesus’ response to the leper?
■He was moved by pity, filled with compassion.
■He stretched out his hands and touch him! people around him would have been shocked to see that!
■“How can he touch him? He would also be ‘unclean’.” Some might have whispered!
■There is a reverse phenomenon here, Jesus’ touch can cleanse the ‘unclean’.
■I believe that even Jesus’ touch would have healed his soul. For what seems like a simple gesture by Jesus, was a great expression of comfort and acknowledgment, as if Jesus is saying, “I love you and care for you despite of your wounds and disrupted body and soul.”
■Jesus healed his body and soul.
■I am not going to focus today on this man’s failure to follow Jesus’ warning. I guess his joy was too great to be contained to himself. That did caused hindrances for Jesus’ public ministry.
Bible Lessons & Prayer:
This passage is the reminder that your greatest qualification in the Kingdom of God, is when you realize your own unworthiness. How often we come to Jesus without putting aside ourselves, expecting him to do great things for us. (or expecting us to do great things for him!).

More I dig deeper into this story. I find my own story of encounter with Jesus – ‘A Leper’s Story‘!

Jesus, Even you touch is so relieving

Devotion

Devotional: John 17

What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted? Jesus has been granted authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those that believe in him. He is the basis by which every person’s eternity will be determined; he is the authority over how their life is to be judged. In the end, the only thing that matters for a person is the nature of their relationship with Jesus.

What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority? As a Christian, my basic confession and declaration is that Jesus is the Lord over my life and therefore has complete authority over my entire life. The rejection of Jesus’ authority is the essence of sin and the implication is declaring my own autonomy and severing my relationship with Jesus. I need to be reminded of this, that every time I sin – each time I choose to disobey, not do something that I know I ought to do, give into my anger or lust or defend my pride and ego rather than choosing to humble myself, hold back from serving or sacrificing in some way rather than denying myself and choosing to die – each time I am rejecting Jesus’ authority over my life and going back on my commitment to give him Lordship and command over my entire being. Each time I sin, I must therefore confess and repent and reassert Jesus’ authority over my life, relinquish my control and ask Jesus to reign in me again.

Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold? Jesus’ definition of eternal life is to know God and to know him – this knowledge is a personal knowledge, and that entails a personal relationship with Him of love that does not end and means dwelling with God for eternity. Eternal life is not a continuation of life on earth; it’s not immortality or going to a place where you all your earthly desires and wishes come true, but rather it’s life as God intended it to be from the very beginning, a restored and eternal and unhindered relationship with Him.

In what ways can I pursue eternal life today? I can pursue eternal life by striving to give authority to God over every area of my life and striving to know Him through His word. As eternal life is essentially a personal relationship with God, I can pursue eternal life by pursuing this relationship, through meditating on and obeying God’s Word. The one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. I need to sow to please the Spirit by struggling against my sin (giving God authority), remaining in Jesus through His word, and striving to obey.



Devotional Questions:

John 17:1-5

◦What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted?
◦What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority?
◦Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold?
◦In what ways can I pursue eternal life today?
John 17:11, 14-18

◦What distinguishes Jesus’ disciples according to vv. 14-16? Are these evident in my life?
◦What are the unique challenges that Christians face as those who are “still in this world” but “not of the world?” How is the word of God key to facing these challenges?
◦How have I experienced the sanctifying work of God’s word in my life?
John 17:19

◦How is Jesus’ love for his disciples manifested in this verse?
◦For whom I do need to sanctify myself in order that “they too may be truly sanctified?”
Additional Questions:


John 17:1, 4-5

◦What brings God glory?
◦What specific work do I need to carry out on earth to bring God glory?
John 17:6-19

◦What did Jesus pray for his disciples, and what can I learn from the fact that these are the issues he prayed about?
John 17:20-23

◦According to this passage, what is the basis and motivation for Christian unity?
◦What is the relationship between oneness with God and oneness with the people of God?
◦How does Christian unity show the world the reality of Christ’s incarnation (cf. Acts 2:44-47)?
◦Am I experiencing this kind of oneness with the people of God? If not, what may be the reason?
◦How does Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples show me what my priority should be?
John 17:24

◦What is revealed about Jesus’ heart in his prayer for the disciples to be with him in his glory?
◦What assurance does this give me? Is Jesus’ desire matched with mine?
John 17:25-26

◦How am I experiencing this process Jesus describes: “will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them?”
Commentary:

Introduction “Jesus prays that his followers will be kept safe ‘by that name.’ The idea of name is not a minor idea to Jesus. The ‘name’ of someone represents the totality, the inner character, of their entire person. Thus in Exodus 3:13 it is important to Moses that he know the name of God so that he can indicate to the Israelites who their Savior really is. It is no accident that throughout the Gospel Jesus not only refers to his work as empowered by God’s name (John 10:25) but also that people should believe in ‘his name’ (1:12; 2:23; 3:18). Jesus bears the name of God, which is unveiled in the Gospel in its many ‘I am’ sayings. Thus, in revealing himself, he has disclosed the personhood (the name) of God to the entire world.

“(1) Jesus’ first concern, his first petition for his followers, is that they remain united (17:11). Remarkably he desires that his disciples enjoy an intimacy and oneness that are analogous to the intimacy and oneness he shares with the Father.

“(2) Jesus’ next worry concerns his disciples’ sustenance and strength in the world. Their assignment is dangerous, and so he prays for their equipment and protection. Jesus has given them his word (17:14a), and the Spirit will recall it and keep it secure (14:26). This word, this divine revelation, will become essential equipment in their testimony and survival in the world.

“(3) Jesus’ third concern has to do with holiness (17:17 – 19). There is a spiritual dilemma that pertains to all disciples: They live in the world, and yet Jesus can say that they are not ‘of the world’ (17:14, 16). This points not to their location geographically, but to their position spiritually.”[1]

v. 17 “Jesus prays that his disciples might be ‘sanctified’ (Gk. hagiazo) in the truth (17:17). This Greek word refers to something made holy, but the means to achieving this holiness is through separation. God is God by virtue of his difference, his transcendence, his otherness with respect to all creation. Anything (a mountain, a temple shovel, a priestly garment, a people) that belongs to him or serves his purposes should consider itself ‘holy’ and set apart from common use. To be holy, then, is not in the first instance a description of perfection (though this is included). It refers to a life that is so aligned with God that it reflects God’s passions completely (for good, against evil). Such a person can be considered ‘sanctified,’ holy, attached to God’s purposes and presence. In this case Jesus understands that a complete attachment to the truth discovered in God’s Word will be the means of achieving this holiness (17:17b).”[2]

v. 19 “Perhaps 17:19 is one of the key verses in the prayer. When Jesus says that he sanctifies himself (Gk. hagiazo), to what does this refer? He may have in mind his self-dedication to his greater mission. Prophets and priests dedicated themselves thus. The Lord says to Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ (Jer. 1:5, italics added). Priests likewise set themselves apart (Ex. 40:13; Lev. 8:30; 2 Chron. 5:11). But here in John 17:19 we learn that as a result of Jesus’ consecration, his disciples will benefit. In the phrase ‘for them,’ ‘for’ (Gk. hyper, meaning ‘for the sake of’) implies sacrificial death throughout John (see 6:51; 10:11, 15; 11:50 – 52; 13:37; 15:13; 18:14).”[3]

vv. 20-26 “Jesus is aware that not only will he depart from the world, but likewise those who stand with him — his immediate circle of followers — will also depart to be with him in his glory (17:24). This will leave those whom they disciple, the church, to represent the kingdom in the world. Therefore Jesus now turns to pray for these followers whom he has not yet met, men and women who will follow the apostles, indeed the church today, which carries the mission set down by Jesus during his final week.

“This is the essence of Jesus’ vision for the church. It is not a community that heals people just so that they will be whole (though healing is important); it is not a community that teaches so that people will be gratified by knowledge (though wisdom is valuable); it is not a community that evangelizes so that it will grow its ranks (though its mission to the world is crucial). The church is a community that invites people to touch the glory of God, to be changed by it, and to bear it to the world. ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (15:8). Spiritual fruit is essentially that which glorifies God.

“Such a concept forces us to ask hard questions about every aspect of what we do. ‘Is God glorified here?’ is the refrain that should accompany every decision. And the answer will not always be obvious or easy. But it must be asked because in Jesus’ vision, this was the essential mission of his incarnate life and now is the essential mission of the church.

Bible Study with The Joy of Jesus

Eternity
There is only one of two places in eternity that we can go: Heaven or Hell. Each one of us will be placed in one of these two places on Judgment Day to be there forever and ever. Our Lord in speaking of eternity in Matthew 25:46 says, "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life". Notice that the duration of the lost in Hell is exactly the same as the duration of the saved in Heaven, "forever and ever". It is hard for us as mortals to grasp how long eternity will be, but after we have been there a billion years, eternity will have just begun.



According to the U. S. News & World Report, January 31, 2000, 36% of people do not believe in Hell. But Hell is a real place. To say there is no Hell is to make God a liar. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Satan does not want you to believe in Hell. Satan is accomplishing his purpose since there is very seldom any teaching on Hell today. It is not a “politically correct” subject. A person who does not believe Hell is real will most likely go there. Ignoring or scoffing at Hell will not do away with it.

We do not like to think about eternal punishment. But it evidently must be very important or God would not have told us about it. Let's first consider what the Lord says about eternal punishment of Hell and then we will turn our attention to a more pleasant thought, Heaven. Jesus spoke as much about the eternal punishment of Hell as He did any other subject. He took our punishment and gave His life to keep us out of Hell. In His attempt to persuade us not to go there, He has given us numerous warnings in His word.

Our Lord in describing how horrible that Hell will be for the many who will end up going there, says in Matthew 13:42, "And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth". This definitely will be a horrible and terrible place beyond description. Jesus says in Mark 9:43-48 concerning those who are lost, that they will be "cast into Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched".

Jesus tells us if there is anything in our life that is going to cause us to be lost, to correct it or to get rid of it now. Notice Jesus says a person is cast or thrown into Hell. The worm is a flesh-eating maggot that does not die, but will continuously feed forever and ever on the lost in Hell. In Hell, one is burning over every square inch of his body and even all on the inside but is never consumed. The continuous fire and the worms will never accomplish the annihilation of any of the lost. The lost in Hell will prefer to cease their existence, but they cannot. Their perpetual nightmare of torment will continue forever and ever. It will never cease. The lost “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:10-11). The occupants of Hell will never know relief or rest from their torment. Hell is such a horrible place. Hell is not a fictitious place, it is real.

There will be no reprieve or appeal to a higher court, because we will have been judged by the highest. The Lord is trying to get our attention and to give us fair warning. He is pleading with us not to go there because He has already paid our price and taken our punishment. But we make the choice. The choice is ours. We will bear the responsibility and the consequences.

One of the many warnings Jesus gives us is the true account of the rich man and Lazarus. “There was a certain rich man” and “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. [The rich man was lost],“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son remember…and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:19-20, 23-26). Notice it says there was a certain rich man and a certain beggar named Lazarus. This is not a fictitious fairy tale. In Hell people will be in continual unceasing torment and pain in which all will be constantly pleading for mercy. With their unquenchable thirst they will beg for even one drop of water, but they will not receive it. How much relief and how long would one drop of water last on the tongue of those who are being eternally tormented in the burning fires of Hell? It would not last even one second. We must wake up and heed our Lord’s warning. Their desperate and hopeless state is permanent where they will remain eternally. They are condemned there forever. In Hell people are conscious and will see, feel, wail, and remember as they endure the continual intense pain and suffering.

The many who end up in eternal punishment will not be there alone. They will have company. Revelation 20:10 says, "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Not very good company to be in. Notice that the torment goes on "day and night forever and ever".

There are many people who scoff at the idea of eternal punishment, but they are scoffing at what God says. The fire will burn forever and those who are lost will be there in the fire for eternity whether they want to believe it or not. In eternity their scoffing will quickly change to weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. We must take what our Lord says in the Bible seriously. Hell is real! There is no way for the horrors of Hell to be adequately described in human language. Many people do not realize the danger of eternally losing their souls. This is very serious!

Those lost in Hell will be those “whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (2 Peter 2:17). Those in Hell will attempt to find God, “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me” (Proverbs 1:28). They will not be able to forget their rejection of God. There will be no atheists in Hell, because all those in Hell will believe that there really is a God, but it will be too late then.

“The Lord knows how to…reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment” (2 Peter 2:9). Hell must be avoided at all costs. No one can begin to exaggerate how horrible Hell is going to be. Its misery and anguish is beyond description. It will never, never, never, ever end.

We are being warned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) and “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). We must make sure we don’t end up in Hell, and we must warn other people who will listen. We “must be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Jesus has promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Anyone who ends up in Hell will only have himself to blame.

In Hell there will be billions of people crying out in indescribable pain and agony for which there will be no relief or hope that things will ever get better. There will be haunting memories of all the opportunities of salvation that they passed up. Eternity is forever and has no end. There will be no opportunity for second chances. Hell is eternal, final, and irrevocable.

We read in Revelation 14:11, "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night." But reading further we see in Revelation 20:15, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire". It is imperative that our name be found in the Book of Life. Is your name in that book? Do you know for sure, or are you making a wishful assumption? It will be too late on the Day of Judgment to find out that your name is not there.

Heaven

Now let us turn our attention to something more pleasant, Heaven. Our Lord says in John 14:2-3, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also". Heaven will be a very wonderful place. For the few who go there it will be beyond their wildest dreams and they will be totally surprised and amazed. As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There is no way that the glories of Heaven can be adequately described to us mortal beings. The only way will be to see it.

Heaven will be the very opposite of eternal punishment. Revelation 21:4 says, "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". There will be no weeping, and no wailing, and no gnashing of teeth as will be happening in eternal torment. But there will forever and ever be nothing but joy, and peace, and happiness, beyond description. What a wonderful place Heaven will be. But again, the choice is ours. We cannot escape the consequences if we make the wrong choice. We will not accidentally end up in Heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Our Lord says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." Going to Heaven has got to be our number one goal in this life. We must want to go to Heaven more than anything else.


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Questions Lesson 3

Eternity
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)

1) (Matthew 25:46) Those who are lost will go into

Purgatory.

Annihilation.

Everlasting punishment.


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2) All people will be placed into one of two places in eternity.


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3) (Matthew 13:42) Eternal punishment is described as

A furnace of fire.

Not very hot.

There will be no eternal punishment.


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4) Eternal punishment will be horrible and beyond description.


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5) (Mark 9:45-46) The fire of hell
Will never be lit.

Will soon go out.

Will never be quenched.


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6) If we end up in eternal punishment we will be able to appeal our sentence.


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7) (Revelation 20:10) Eternal punishment will last

1000 years.

A short period of time.

Forever and ever.


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8) Satan will also be punished in the lake of fire and brimstone.


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9) (Revelation 20:15) If we are not found in the Book of Life

We will cease to exist.

We will be cast into the lake of fire.

We will have another chance.


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10) Even after death we can have our name added to the Book of Life.


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11) (John 14:2-3) Heaven is described as

Many mansions.

The earth made over.

A bad place.


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12) Christ will be in Heaven with the few who are saved.


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13) (Revelation 21:4) In Heaven there will be

Sorrow and crying.

No sorrow or crying.

Pain and suffering.


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14) People will die after they get to Heaven.