Sin of Approach

Sin of Approach

This was not a sin of Morality

  • Morality is important
  • But its not in this context

1 John 3:10-12
New King James Version (NKJV)

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Genesis 3:17
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.

Genesis 4:3-8
New King James Version (NKJV)

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell (Self Righteousness fell).

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

  • Jesus worn the crown of thorns to redeem us from the curse
  • First murder is over approach to God
  • Innocent Lamp for the guilty = Jesus for you and me

Sacrifice

  • You laid hand on the Lamp
  • You are the Lamp
  • Lamp is you

The Lamb of God

John 1:29
New King James Version (NKJV)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Don’t need to go for course which says steps to hear God

Genesis 4:5-6
New King James Version (NKJV)

but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

What is doing well? 

  • If you offer well, will you  not be accepted?

Genesis 4:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

  • Cain didn’t do well. Cain didn’t believe on the righteousness by Faith
  • Righteousness by faith.
    • Doing well : you are practicing Righteousness.

Sin lies at the door

  • Personification of an animal lying at the door of the tabernacle where God’s presence is
    • I believe there was a tabernacle.
  • At the gate of Eden presence of God was there.
  • They brought the offering to the gate.

Hebrew 

  • Crouching : Male form
  • Animal : Female form
  • can also mean sin and also sin offering

What God did for Cain? 

  • God brought a lamp all the way to the door of Cain
  • “sin offering lying at the door”
  • “sin offering desire is for you”
  • “it’s wants to be sacrificed”
  • “you will rule over it, it won’t run away”

Genesis 4:7
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

Is there not, if thou dost well, acceptance? and if thou dost not well, at the opening a sin-offering is crouching, and unto thee its desire, and thou rulest over it.’

“God make things really hard” – Is it true?

  • Is it hard to be saved?

Romans 10:8-9
New King James Version (NKJV)

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

End result of Self Righteousness

  • Bitter
  • Angry
  • Jealous

“Love of the Father” was in John

  • John was the only one who stood near the foot of the cross.
  • Told himself “Disciple whom Jesus loved” – Practiced God’s love for Him
    • 5 Time “Disciple whom Jesus loved” being used.
    • You find John loving Jesus
    • That is the time he was loving Jesus most.
    • But John wan’t conscious of Him loving Jesus the most.
  • John is full of “Beloved”
    • Reference : http://biblehub.com/greek/27.htm
    • Beloved in Greek : agapétos
    • agapétos means “you loved ones”, “as beloved by God, Christ, and one another”
    • Remind one another they they are loved.
      • Family
      • Friends

Be Patient

Love’s first Characteristic

  • Love suffers long

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
New King James Version (NKJV)

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Ephesians 5:25
New King James Version (NKJV)

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Old and New Covenant Forgiveness

Old and New Covenant Forgiveness

Old Covenant

  • Forgive In-order to be forgiven

Matthew 6:15
New King James Version (NKJV)

15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

New Covenant

  • Forgive others because you are forgiven

Colossians 3:13
New King James Version (NKJV)

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

 

Go into all the world vs lost sheet of Israel

Go into all the world vs lost sheet of Israel

Old Covenant

Matthew 15:24
New King James Version (NKJV)

24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

New Covenant 

Mark 16:15
New King James Version (NKJV)

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Don’t remove the Mercy Seat

Don’t remove the Mercy Seat

1 Samuel 6:19
New King James Version (NKJV)

19 Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. He struck fifty thousand and seventy men of the people, and the people lamented because the Lord had struck the people with a great slaughter.

  • To Look into the ark, you need to move the mercy seat.
  • Ark has ten commandments inside

When we bring back the law, removing the mercy seat ( Grace/Undeserved Favor/Gift ), people die.

James 2:13
New King James Version (NKJV)

13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Freed from the Law, Bound to Christ

Freed from the Law, Bound to Christ

Romans 7
New King James Version (NKJV)

Freed from the Law

7 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”[a] 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Law Cannot Save from Sin

13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Righteousness of God our priority

Receiving

Romans 5:17-21
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 8:11
New King James Version (NKJV)

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

1 Corinthians 15:34
New King James Version (NKJV)

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

  • Awake to righteousness first, leads to no sinning
  • “Neither do i condemn you, go and sin no more”

Prison of sin and Prison of Righteousness

Romans 6:18-20
New King James Version (NKJV)

18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Romans 6:22-23
New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Weapons of our warfare are not carnal

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
New King James Version (NKJV)

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Place of our warfare

  • Bringing every thought into captivity
  • thought –> Implies , warfare is happening in our mind.

Love of God

Isaiah 53:4
New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:10
New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

Hebrews 12:2
New King James Version (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Righteousness in not dead and acts in New Testament
  • Righteousness is a gift
  • When Gods Love fills our hearts, Love fulfils the law, even without thinking
  • Righteous people don’t sin because the Love of the Father is in them
  • Righteous people don’t lie because they are not afraid of anyone, except God in the sense of worshipping Him
  • Righteous people don’t steal because they know God will provide for their need
  • More information about New Testament
  • Places where Holy Spirit bears witness

Isaiah 53:5
New King James Version (NKJV)

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Romans 11:29
New King James Version (NKJV)

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Matthew 5:10
New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Hebrews 5:12-14
New King James Version (NKJV)

Spiritual Immaturity

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Romans 10:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation ( sozo in greek ).

Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

New International Version (NIV)

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Saved in Greek

  • sozo
  • sozo means all rounded deliverance and salvation
  • http://biblehub.com/greek/4982.htm
  • sozo includes healing, prosperity…

With our mouth we confess unto healing but with our heart we must believe that we are the Righteousness of God in Christ

When faith becomes effortless?

  • When you believe that we are the Righteousness of God in Christ , faith is effortless
  • Establishing heart in righteousness first then comes healing
  • Apostle Paul burden in the New Testament is trying to get people to believe that they are righteous by faith, then healing will not be a problem, prosperity will not be a problem

Matthew 6:33
New King James Version (NKJV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Kingdom of God

Romans 14:17
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Kingdom of God is not what goes inside you, it is what comes out of you

  • First His Righteousness , then follows peace, then follows joy
  • Our Righteousness : what we do
  • His Righteousness : Gift

Our Righteousness

Matthew 5:20
New King James Version (NKJV)

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Fact is that we can’t be righteous as God by ourselves.

Righteousness of God

  • Don’t try to be Righteous by our efforts/works, but Righteousness by Faith
  • Bible says “you will be made righteousness of God”, which exceed every other righteousness
  • It’s not the righteousness of Elijah
  • It’s not the righteousness of Elisha
  • It’s not the righteousness of David
  • It’s not the righteousness of Paul
  • It’s the righteousness of God
  • Righteousness of God exceeds scribes and Pharisees
  • Use our faith not for things, use our faith to believe that we are Righteous by faith, then all these things shall be added unto us ( New Testament )
  • When things come to us, they don’t really mean much to us any more. Because Jesus means everything.
  • But we learn to use things to bless others, because we know that we are the Righteousness of God in Christ. We are secure. There is nothing to prove , no one to impress any more.

2 Corinthians 5:21
New King James Version (NKJV)

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Corinthians 1:30
New King James Version (NKJV)

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Romans 3:22
New King James Version (NKJV)

22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Paul’s own Righteousness as rubbish

Philippians 3:4-11
New King James Version (NKJV)

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

1 Peter 2:24
New King James Version (NKJV)

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

  • You can be more Holy but you can’t be more Righteousness. Because Righteousness is a gift.
  • The more you are established in Righteousness you get holier.
  • Righteousness is not deeds or acts
  • You are dead to sins
  • Comes after the word Righteousness “by whose stripes you were healed”
  • The more you live in the revelation of Righteousness, “by whose stripes you were healed” is no more a problem for you to appropriate

People used to use money which they don’t have , to buy things which they don’t need, to impress people who don’t care

The Righteousness shall live by faith

  • Live : day to day necessary things

Romans 1:17
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11
New King James Version (NKJV)

11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38
New King James Version (NKJV)

38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Isaiah 33:14
New King James Version (NKJV)

14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

  • The Righteousness shall live by faith
  • Similar to, sinner shall live by fear
  • Gods pattern: Righteousness by Faith.
    • many people are trying to have faith without knowing that they are Righteous
    • you cannot know you are Righteous in Gods eyes and not have faith
  • New Testament talks more about Righteousness than any other blessing
  • God wants us to focus on Righteousness, because that’s where the battle is

Righteousness by faith

Romans 9:30-33
New King James Version (NKJV)

Present Condition of Israel

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.33 As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

  • stumbling stone : Jesus as our Righteousness  ( Christ is the end of law for righteousness to everyone who believes )
  • believes on Him, as their Righteousness ( in its context )

Stumbling Stone

Isaiah 8:14
New King James Version (NKJV)

14 He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Believes on Him

Isaiah 28:16
New King James Version (NKJV)

A Cornerstone in Zion

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Example of Blessing

  • God blesses a music instrumentalists not because they play music, but because of what Jesus did at the cross
  • God gives the grace to play music instrument
  • If we utilises the grace to play music instrument, and if the grace is not in vein, God rewards us for the grace He gave us in the first place
  • Always remember the grace came from Him

God will find every excuse to bless you

 That’s the kind of God we have

  • We don’t earn our salvation, we receive it
  • We don’t ear our blessings from God, we receive it
  • We don’t earn our healing, we receive it
  • All healing come by grace through faith

Righteousness of God in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21
New King James Version (NKJV)

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

  • Righteousness is like a jacket which has many pockets containing blessings. So wear the jacket of righteousness. Priority is His Righteousness.

Zeal for God without Knowledge

Romans 10:1-13
New King James Version (NKJV)

Israel Needs the Gospel

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel[a] is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”[b] 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’”[d] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”[e] (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”[f] 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”[g]

Footnotes:

Romans 10:1 NU-Text reads them.
Romans 10:5 Leviticus 18:5
Romans 10:6 Deuteronomy 30:12
Romans 10:7 Deuteronomy 30:13
Romans 10:8 Deuteronomy 30:14
Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16
Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32

ignorant of God’s righteousness : seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Proverbs 19:2

New International Version
Desire without knowledge is not good– how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins.

Hosea 4:6
New King James Version (NKJV)

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

1 Corinthians 15:34
New King James Version (NKJV)

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ

  • Bible says that, today we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
  • That’s why Jesus was not satisfied when the women with the issue of blood touched His back, hem of His garment. He stopped and turned around
  • He wants her to look in to His eyes to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
  • Because if she goes with the healing, in the matter of months she might fall sick again, Because the very root of the problem is not resolved
  • She must know Gods love for her
  • She must know Gods acceptance for her
  • She must know Gods declaration of Her saying “Daughter, be of good comfort. Your faith has made you well”
  • Then she can go away knowing she has not only received healing, but she has met Jesus and know something about His love for her and that will cure you permanently

2 Corinthians 4:6
New King James Version (NKJV)

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • Old Testament Even to Moses God showed his back.
  • But in the New Testament glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ

Free from sin

Romans 6:18
New King James Version (NKJV)

18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

  • Already free from sin, so why worry about sin?
  • On most of the places, sin is a noun, in Romans. On those places, sin is not an act/deed
serendipity
noun
  1. the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

No weapon formed against you will prosper

  • Not because we are guilt free
  • Not because we are sin free
  • But because our Righteousness is from the Lord and we are clothed in that righteousness
  • There is no one today who is perfect yet, we all have failures, but God sees us clothed in Righteousness. That’s why we need to confess

Isaiah 54:17
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Hearing of faith

Galatians 3:1-10
New King James Version (NKJV)

Justification by Faith

3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The Law Brings a Curse

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

  • Whole passage is all about Justification by faith, in the context ( God would justify the Gentiles by faith )
  • Miracles happen when you have the hearing of faith
  • People have received some blessings by keeping the law. But the greatest blessing Holy Spirit received by hearing of faith.
  • Present continuous tense in Greek : supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you
  • Revival stops because laws were introduced, not because of sin (verb)
  • hearing the faith of righteousness
  • Primary blessing of Abraham is Righteousness. Healing, wealth.. are bi-products of righteousness
  • “who are of faith are blessed”. “as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse”
  • It doesn’t say “as many as who breaks the law are under the curse”

James 5:14-16
New King James Version (NKJV)

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

  • Same healing power, forgives
  • Old Testament : first confess sins ,then healing
  • New Testament : save the sick , then –> if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven

Why no restoration in the body of Christ?

Galatians 6:1
New King James Version (NKJV)

Bear and Share the Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

  • Spiritual people –> Restore
  • we are saved by grace through faith – spirit, soul, body
  • rapture and the new body goes together
  • It not because of our deeds we get the new body, its because of Jesus blood on the cross we get the new body
  • Coming to Church doesn’t makes you Christian, its receiving Jesus as your saviour and Lord.

The more someone believes that they are Justified by faith, the more things they do for God – Charles Spurgeon

  • Good works are the fruit, bi product of the faith
  • Self control is the fruit of the teaching of grace
    • If you need to bring self control to someone, preach the Gospel of Grace to produce the fruit of self control, according to bible ( don’t preach how to be in self control, they comes under works of the law category)

The True Gospel

Became His Righteous

  • Jesus did no sin but He became sin for us in the cross
  • We doing no righteousness became His Righteous

Jude’s Earnest letter

Jude 1:3-4
New King James Version (NKJV)

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

turn = Replacement : metatithemi in Greek ( http://biblehub.com/greek/3346.htm ) 5 more occurrences

licentiousness = lewdness

  • the faith = Justification by Faith
  • Gospel = Justification by Faith
  • It’s not mainly about Holiness, its about Justification
  • Jude is very diligent, felt necessary and content earnestly because (for), certain men have crept in unnoticed

Power of God

Romans 1:16-17
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Just Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

  • Salvation : every blessing

Seek “His” Righteousness

Matthew 6:33
King James Version (KJV)

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

During the time of Jesus

Mark 2:16-17
New King James Version (NKJV)

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

  • Accusing Jesus that He is promoting sinners. Others said “He is compromising”, “He is eating with sinner”, “How can He allow the women to touch him”
  • They pretend as if they are holy
  • Same accusation we have currently, that people say that the Gospel gives rights for people to sin

The Spirit and The Word

  • New Born Christians : Tend to say “Jesus told me this, Jesus told me that”
  • Word only Christians : They know only word, their heart is not for God
  • We should know the Author and the Word
  • All Spirit no Word : problem
  • All Word no Spirit : problem
  • All Word all Spirit you grow up

Israelites in the wilderness

  • Before Law, they complained, they didn’t drop dead ( they were under Grace )
    • Jesus showed his goodness to bring them in to repentance
    • It dependant on His goodness and His Faithfulness
  • After Law, they complained they were dead

Galatians

  • Law Grace , first four chapters
  • Fruit of the Spirit in fifth chapter
    • 5 means Grace in Hebrew
  • Under Law, Golden caff
    • Works of the flesh
    • Work is what we do/perform
  • Under Grace
    • Fruit of the Spirit
    • Fruit is the side effect

The whole Counsel of God

Paul before he die, to the leaders ( Leadership Sermon )

Acts 20:24
New King James Version (NKJV)

24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,[a] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:25-32
New King James Version (NKJV)

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

  • the whole counsel of God sandwiched between grace

The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-17
New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Paul’s Ministry in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra

Paul Travelled from Antioch to Iconium and to Lystra

At Iconium

Acts 14:1-7
New King James Version (NKJV)

14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

At Lystra

Acts 14:8-10
New King James Version (NKJV)

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

At Antioch

Acts 13:38-45
New King James Version (NKJV)

38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work* which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”

Blessing and Conflict at Antioch

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

  • * work = Marvellous work in Issaiah
  • these words = same words

At Jerusalem

Acts 15:1-11
New King James Version (NKJV)

Conflict over Circumcision

15 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

  • certain men came down from Judea : Men from James’s church ( James: Half Brother of Jesus ) ( James not as good in Gospel as Paul and Barnabas )
  • Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute : Means Big dispute (Same kind of disputes is seen even now a days)
  • received by the church and the apostles and the elders : Gospel is a sermon to everyone on everyone becoming apostles and leaders ( leadership meeting )
  • “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” : Trying to Mix Law and Grace
  • no distinction between us and them : No Distinction from Jews and Gentiles through Jesus Christ
  • purifying their hearts by faith
  • we shall be saved in the same manner as they :  Jews and Gentiles will get saved in the same manner.
  • Last time Peter’s name is mentioned in the book of Acts
    • after that Paul all the way
    • Early church Initially was only Jews, then Jews and Gentiles, then its for Gentiles ( Paul reached out to Gentiles )
  • why do you test God by putting a yoke
    • yoke represents the full laws ( it doesn’t make sense if it’s about circumcision because Jews get circumcised when they were 8 days old, and on 8th day there is nothing for them to be burden about. 8 days old kids barely remember anything : So this is about the Full law )
    • tempt same word for test in Greek

1 Corinthians 10:9
New King James Version (NKJV)

9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

Matthew 11:28-30
New King James Version (NKJV)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Acts 15:12-29
New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

  • kept silentWhen the real Gospel is preached, every one is silent
  • declaring how many miracles and wonders : Telling testimonies
  • James Quoting Amos 9:11
    • tabernacle of David in the tabernacle of David, all Gods children had access to the Holy of Holies.
  • God blesses all churches which prioritise praise and worship
  • good to the Holy Spiritand to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things : Holy Spirit was involved
  • List of laws before 10 commandments, which being followed even in Grace : Noachian Laws
    • abstain from things polluted by idols,
    • from sexual immorality,
    • from things strangled, and
    • from blood
  • troubled you with words : Those are which is not True Gospel
    • The True Gospel stabilises your soul
  • unsettling your souls

Acts 15:30-31
New King James Version (NKJV)

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

  • they rejoiced over its encouragement : The true Gospel brings encouragement and makes your rejoice.

Unsettling your soul means

  • Violent word
  • plunder his good is the same word as unsettling your soul

Mark 3:27
New King James Version (NKJV)

27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

  • Stephen and Paul preached the entire old Testament and then opened the Gospel
  • Paul says about the struggle being under Law in, Romans 7
  • All centurions are portrayed in a positive light in bible
    • Eg: “Certainly this is the Son of God” – by a Centurion

Vision about Gentiles to Peter

Acts 10:15
New King James Version (NKJV)

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

  • 3 Times it was Spoken to Peter “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
  • God is preparing Peter to reach out to Gentiles
  • 3 is the message that speaks to Peter
  • 3 men looking for you Peter ( 1 soldier and 2 friends/someone )
  • Cornelius a centurion , lieutenant/major over his company, man who loves God, who gives money to the power. He is a centurion of an Italian regimen. He wasn’t saved, but was praying earnestly. Angel appeared and says
    • “Your prayer and your giving to the poor going up to heaven as a memorial”. Because he was trying to reach to God even though he is not saved
    • “Go the place in Jopa and find Simon Peter”
    • “Through Him your family will be saved”
  • The Angel could have preached the gospel, but this is a privilege only for the people who were sinners before and was saved ( seeing their own testimony )
  • Peter sermon was 1 and half minutes

Acts 10:38
New King James Version (NKJV)

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:43-48
New King James Version (NKJV)

43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

  • As soon as Peter was preaching above verse, Holy Spirit fell.

Acts 11:1-18
New King James Version (NKJV)

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.

Peter says about Paul

  • Peter says it’s hard to understand
  • Peter said what Paul writes are The scriptures
  • Peter calls Paul, beloved

2 Peter 3:16
New King James Version (NKJV)

16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:15
New King James Version (NKJV)

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,