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Hebrews 9:15-17 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16) For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (KJV)
All this week we have seen the pattern of how Christ died so that we could live. We also found out that in order for us to live with Him we would have to die as well so that we could resurrect and walk in the newness of the Spirit by leaving our old ways and desires behind, nailed to our own personal cross. Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV) So are you still seeking the knowledge from above, something that Paul found out was a lot more excellent than the old letter of the law that he held to in the past? Well this will only be found when you are willing to count everything else in the loss column Church; and yes it does truly involve some suffering as well. If you notice also that there is power involved when a resurrection takes place, and then the fellowship is restored as well. But the catch again is that you can’t have a resurrection without a death taking place first. John 11:24-27 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (27) She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (KJV) When you came into agreement with God’s plan of salvation you then passed from death to life by believing that Christ is the Son of God and is living within you as well. As long as you continue to believe in the inward more than the outward you will no longer have to die, which is referring to being separated from God and dying spiritually. 2 Corinthians 4:14-16 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (KJV) Is everyday now a new day, with old things passing away and all things are becoming new? Are you truly experiencing a resurrection everyday, where a new man comes to life because you have kept the old man dead and buried? Is the outward man or the way that you used to view things having less of an influence on you daily so that you can give an effective and more powerful testimony to the things of God? Are you letting the inward man dictate the outcome, instead of letting outward things dictate your inward response? John 12:24-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (25) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (KJV) Are you seeking the honor from man or God today? Do you desire to be used of our Lord, and give an effective testimony with some power and authority to back you up as well? Well it all starts with a death, which will then bring life and bear the eternal fruit of righteousness to those that are willing to lose their lives and hate the things of this world. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 9:15-17 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16) For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (KJV)
Who better to be the one mediator between God and man than Jesus Christ Himself. Not only did this man die on the cross outwardly, but He also took up a spiritual cross as well and died to anything or anyone that would be a hindrance to His walk. Because of His willingness to die to self, He was able to give an effective testimony to the things of God in a way mankind had not seen demonstrated before. Mark 1:26-28 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. (27) And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. (28) And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. (KJV) Strongs definition for ‘authority’: 1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: KJV-- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. You know, this power, liberty, and authority is available to you as well so that you too can give an accurate and yes forceful account of what our Lord has done on our behalf. Do you go through your day knowing that you have the victory already, or do you act like it is a toss of the dice and maybe you will get a good bounce? Titus 2:13-15 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (KJV) You know Church, this is why God sent His Son, so that we could walk and talk with the same authority that He did, as well as get the same results. God doesn’t desire to see His people living in fear; rather we should be walking in power, love, as well as in a sound mind to carry out what He is asking of His people. Oh and by letting no man despise you; that would include yourself who at times can be your own worst enemy if not dealt with and put in subjection to the Spirit. Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (29) For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (KJV) So how would you really describe the testimony you are giving today? Is it something you are reading from someone else’s scripted version or manmade doctrine, or is it something coming from the heart, something that you know is truth, and died to get hold of personally? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (KJV)
God sent mankind a perfect testator so that once He died on our behalf, then a new testament could be in force for mankind. What we are seeing throughout the Word is that, in order to be considered a force ourselves, one that is steadfast and continuing in the faith, our strength will come when we are dead as well. Luke 9:20-23 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. (21) And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; (22) Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. (23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (KJV) It is interesting to note that once one is enlightened to the things above by the revelation of Christ it opens a whole new avenue of what He has made available to His church. You also see illustrated that, to whom much is given much is required in return, and that would be our own lives as well. Do take note of verse 23, because it does show us how often our Lord asks us to take up our own spiritual cross. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (KJV) Paul makes an interesting statement concerning his own walk with the Lord. Given the fact that this man was used to write a good portion of the epistles to the Church it would do us good to take note of his writings. Basically Paul was saying that with this new found life in Christ he did not desire to waste another day living unto his own desires; rather he didn’t want to miss another day in hearing our Lord, and give an accurate and forceful account of salvation in Spirit and in truth. Hebrews 3:12-14 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (KJV) Now that you have accepted the Lord into your life it is expected that you continue in the faith and follow the path of life to the end. Just like with the children of Israel in the beginning, many left Egypt, however only a handful made it to the promised land. By taking up your own cross daily and dying to any negative influence of the flesh you will be able to give testimony to what is needed to anyone that would ask of you this day concerning the hope of salvation. So are you building others up or pulling them down again because you are still hanging onto some dead things of the flesh? Luke 11:2-3 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (3) Give us day by day our daily bread. (KJV) So how are you going to know what our Lord has for you today unless you make His kingdom your first priority? Our Lord is teaching and instructing His church on a daily basis, now the question is are you dying to hear it? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 9:14-17 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (15) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (16) For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (KJV)
Now that Jesus Christ has come to this planet and paid the price for our sin, He expects us to be Christ like as well, thus the reason why His people are referred to as Christians. However, in order to find this new life and stay firmly planted in His kingdom we too are going to have to take up our own cross in order to get there. Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV) Sometimes people are not much of a force, rather more of a farce because they are not willing to let go of the old in order to be a partaker of the new. Many draw the line at this point and go looking for that fun and games religion where all they do is get blessed without any personal responsibility on their part. In other words, if you desire to follow our Lord and find out what is going on in His kingdom, well then you will need to cross over from the realm of the flesh and into the Spirit to get there Church. Matthew 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (KJV) So really, what are you still hanging onto that is more important than your eternal reward? What is it really going to profit you, to gain the attention and approval of a fallen mankind, only to be turned away from the gate when seeking your eternal reward? Luke 14:26-27 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (KJV) Our Lord had His own cross to bear, and I am sure He wasn’t pleased with being nailed to it in the end. As seen illustrated above, we too have our own cross to bear, and as verse 26 illustrates, some of the things or people we need to die to hit close to home. However, in order to be giving an effective testimony to the things above you will need to die to those below here first. Colossians 2:13-15 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV) Hey, I got a simple question for the Church today. If God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for all as being paid in full, why hasn’t mankind, or better yet His Church? In fact, the Lord put the enemy on open display that he is defeated now, because the Lord accomplished everything needed on our behalf. In other words, why is the so called church still caught up in a bunch of useless works of the old law thinking something still needs to be done? Would that not be calling our Lord a liar? Not much of a force to be reckoned with there is it? Something to ponder. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (17) For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (KJV)
Strongs definition for ‘force’: 949 bebaios (beb'-ah-yos); from the base of 939 (through the idea of basality); stable (literally or figuratively): KJV-- firm, of force, stedfast, sure. Are you firm in your conviction concerning the Lord and what you give testimony to? No, I am not talking about personal testimonies because those are a dime a dozen and get old fast. I am talking about those that give testimony to the things of God and what they know, not what they think or hope is true. You will notice above that a testament is of force after men are dead. You will find out in your own walk that in order to be a force to be reckoned with yourself, someone else will have to die for that to take place. Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (KJV) Remember how our Lord died and what method was used? Well quite frankly if you desire to be used by God to give testimony to His plan of salvation you are going to have to take up your own cross as well. Oh how so many desire to go to heaven some day, however only a scant few are really dying to get there. The real baptism that is going to be of any force in your life is Spiritual in nature, and so are those that are truly partaking of it. Romans 6:5-7 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV) Do you really want to go to a heavenly place and take a seat with our Lord today? Well in order to get there someone needs to die, and that someone would be our old man. If you truly desire to be set free from sin, then a death needs to take place before one can give an effective witness and testimony to the things above. Romans 6:8-10 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (KJV) Sin in its simplest form is unbelief, a realm our Lord came to deliver us from. As we see illustrated above, those that die to sin are able to get to know Christ personally, and then live in the realm of the Spirit. Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) Do you truly desire to be a force to be reckoned with? Well I reckon you become dead to the things of this life so that you can give an effective witness and testimony to the new life in Christ. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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