1 Timothy 3:15, "...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
Apostolic Life Cathedral | July 9. 2023 | 10:00 AM
Matthew 5:13-16, “(13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“
I highly recommend this three-part series “Interrupted Ministry” regarding Moses and Elijah taught by Pastor Harold Hoffman of First Church (Stirling Heights, MI).
(18) And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
(19) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Ancillary Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
(27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
(28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
(29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.
(30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
(31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
(23) Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
(24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Lovingkindness: God is always ready to grant both mercy and grace.
Judgment: Because of His loving-kindness, God judged sin and placed on Christ the sin of all humanity at Calvary – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25).
Righteousness: Without a faith in the righteousness of God – believing that He is always dealing with you rightly and justly – you will never truly learn to love, trust and reverence Him – never knowing what it means to truly delight, glory, in the Lord. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
“…for in these things I delight, saith the Lord…” – John Gill wrote: “…in showing mercy, grace, and favour, to miserable and undeserving men…” Jesus became “an offering for sin…”[4]
The best way to enjoy God forever is by glorifying Him now.
We have begun to delight in God when we determine to use every part of us – “…heart, soul, mind and strength…”[5] – to serve and follow Him.
Jonathan Edwards[6] – To delight in God’s Glory is enjoy a relationship with Him that is so complete that we have a:
Hatred for sin.
Fear of displeasing God.
Hope in the promises of God.
Contentment in the fellowship of God.
Desire for more revelation of Jesus Christ.
Exultation (rejoicing, celebration, joy) in the redemption He gives.
Grief and contrition (godly sorrow) for failures of love. <Sin is a failure to show love properly.>
Gratitude for undeserved benefits.
Zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for God’s purpose.
Hunger for righteousness.
Faith arises from the Principle of Divine Love:
[Love]…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
The Principle of Divine Love contains the Power of Perseverance[7]
It bears through all things, believes through all things, hopes through all things, endures through all things.
Not just “IN” all things, but “THROUGH” all things.
When you truly delight in God your loving relationship with Him is so exact and trusting that you know without a shadow of a doubt will get through whatever life brings your way.
Your relationship with God demands a faith – a persevering faith
The initial act of believing faith was a seed.
The continual act of faith is perseverance – letting the seed grow and mature in and through all things.
“…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Our faith and delight in the glory of God is realized completely when we no longer glory in ourselves, but entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Earthly, Sensual, Devilish Wisdom / Spirit of Jealousy[1] (vs. 14-16):
Strife – The heated and often violent dissension between rivals. Caused by a lack of agreement and a desire for discord.
Criticism – disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings. Shun negative people.
Envy – To so begrudge another on account of their success, possessions, position, and so on, that you’d consider them an enemy and desire to ruin them at any cost.
Greediness / Covetous – To have such a vehement and selfish desire for something that one would gain it even by defrauding another.
Backbiters – To use false statements as a means to assassinate the character (reputation) of another.
Emulation – To have such a fervent apprehension of a perceived rival that it would affect one’s happiness and cause one to strive to equal that rival solely for the sake of malice. Jealous rivalry!
Selfish / Lovers of Their Own Selves – Caring supremely or unduly for one’s self; regarding one’s own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others.
Bitterness – To be full of such resentment that you find yourself in a state of enmity to God. Bitterness will eventually lead a person to apostasy. Bitterness is also characterized by these qualities: implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind.
The earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom, which is contrary to the Wisdom from Above, is like an octopus living beneath the surface.
It will tend to protect the pride and ego of an individual (their treasure), by wrapping its various tentacles around what it desires to have by earthly, unspiritual or demonic means.
This particular spirit needs to be CAST OUT of the individual and at times even the Church itself.
Mural: Jewel City Seafood (Huntington, WV)
Opposite of Jealousy is Edification (to build up, establish, or strengthen a person).
Wisdom from Above (vs. 17):
Pure – reverenced and considered sacred. Clean and pure from carnality, infidelity, immodesty.
Peaceable – to bring peace with or to love peace. Freedom from dispute, strife, violence, or disorder.
Gentle – patient, moderate, equitable, fair, mild, considerate, or amiable.
Easy To Be Entreated – easy to work with or petition. Approachable!
Full of Mercy – kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
Full of Good Fruits – good and honorable results that follow from the rendering of mercy. The measure of a person is the fruit they leave behind. What follows you?
Without Partiality – not doubtful, ambiguous, uncertain, or vacillating, but clear headed, decisive, and sure.
Without Hypocrisy – unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.
It takes humility to be able to admit when one has wronged another through jealousy, but this wisdom from above will bring peace to the lives of such people.
It will also produce the fruit of righteousness because the wisdom from above key to living a righteous life.
James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Remember this American Proverb: “A full ear of corn bends its head; an empty ear will stand upright.”
(34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
(35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
(36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
(37) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
(38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
(39) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
(40) Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
(41) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
(42) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
(43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
(44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
(47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
(48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The Miraculous Word
Bishop Harper made a statement, while teaching the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class, that has remained on my mind and that I am going to teach on tonight. He said,
The secret of the followers of Jesus is that that they brought to Jesus the sick, the lame and the bound. Then those people were healed and delivered. This is also the secret of the church – bring them to Jesus.[1]
It is still true that word of mouth will either grow or destroy a business.
Not too long one of my favorite local restaurants failed their Cabell-Huntington Health Department restaurant inspections.
Their priority violations, reported in the Herald-Dispatch[2] and on social media, listed that they were “associated with foodborne illness.”[3]
Now, I’m not going to get into what all that means, but I definitely have not been back.
In fact, they corrected all the violations quickly, but still, I have not been back.
That negative report is stuck in my mind.
I’ve been needing a pair of shoes that give good foot and ankle support.
My wife heard about a particular brand of shoes that everyone is raving about, and she, being the wonderful wife she is took me out on Friday night and bought me a pair.
And, now, I’m telling you, those shoes are fantastic.
It’s the same thing in the Church, we tend to focus on the negative or positive reports that are broadcast about a local house of worship.
I’d like to say that every congregation, every pastor, every saint receives rave reviews.
I’d like to believe that I personally have never acted in some way that would result in a failed spiritual inspection.
We all, I’m sure, want to be the first place people in the tristate think about when they need a safe place to heal, hear the Word, be loved, trust and to find victory.
How did the fame of Jesus spread? There was no television, internet, radio. It was word-of-mouth:
Matthew 4:24, “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”
It is noteworthy that the people who heard about Jesus brought the needy to Him to receive their deliverance:
Mark 1:32-34, “And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.”
Acts 10:34-48, “….(38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him….”
Yes, but how does this message to Cornelius begin?
Acts 10:34-35, “ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said [here comes the miraculous word], Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
He is telling the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who are hungry and in need.
The result is a miraculous display of God’s salvation.
Maybe you went to school when they still required you to memorize that great poem The New Colossus, written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 and placed at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty:[4]
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!“
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”[5]
We, the Church, are to go and share The Miraculous Word of the Gospel, and when we do…when we bring them to Jesus…they are healed, delivered, saved, reborn and renewed.
You see The Miraculous Word is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Church needs to be out in the open broadcasting The Miraculous Word:
In his book, The Every Day Church, Missionary Allan Calhoun writes, “We Belong in the Open.”[6]
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV), “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
The focus of our understanding of these scriptures is based on two parts: “these signs” and “believe”. Because “I believe,” “these signs” should be demonstrated in the Church. I believe, so where are the miracles?
Two other phrases in this passage are often entirely missed: “go ye” and “follow them.” It is a physical impossibility to “follow” something that is stationary.
Considering myself a believer is not enough to release the ministry of the miraculous; the catalyst that releases the potential is “go ye.”
The Miraculous Word was shared by the early Church and the same miracles – even greater works – of Jesus continued through apostles. The Acts of the Holy Ghost working through the Apostles, Acts 5:12-16:
(12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
(13) And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
(14) And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
(15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
(16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
If you want to see that response in our day, then you who believe need to go and share The Miraculous Word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and you’ll witness what they witnessed.
Apostolic Life Cathedral | April 4, 2023 | 7:00 PM
It is a breath of fresh air then you read a positive news report.
In ancient times, the city gate was the busiest place in the city:[1]
A place where the social, business, and legal interaction of the city took place
Where the Torah was read and proclamations were declared
Where justice was served
News exchanged and discussed
Local gossip spread
2 Samuel 15:1-6 (KJV)
(1) And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. (2) And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. (3) And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. (4) Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! (5) And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. (6) And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:1-6 (NET)
(1) Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard. (2) Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.” (3) Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.” (4) Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.” (5) When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. (6) Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.
Markets and trading centers flourished in certain gates in the city:
Nehemiah 3:1, “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.”
Nehemiah 3:3, “But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.”
It was at the gates where prophets and priests delivered God’s admonitions and Divine pronouncements
Sovereign attention was attracted at the gate, because “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”[2]
The most vulnerable place in the walls surrounding a city were the gates, which were well-guarded and designed to deter enemy soldiers.
Such a place of distinction would also be a place where any “new arrivals” would be seen, noticed and counted.
It was an honor for an elder to be chosen to sit at the gate of the city and viewed as a place of authority.
Lot, somehow, was an elder at the gate of Sodom where he was vexed with the wickedness of that city and his own compromises made there:
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;”[3]
Though vexed and compromised, Lot still had enough in him to recognize the angels of the Lord.
Those same angels were the means of Lot’s salvation from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorroh:
Peter tells us how that God “delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:”[4]
But the damage was done: his wife was dead and his two daughters, overcome by their situation reverted to what Sodom had taught them.
To “possess the gates” meant one possessed the city
Jesus spoke of the “gates of Hell” (Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”)
While we may not be privy to the dark counsels of Hell was have no worries when we have the Rock – Jesus Christ.
We are on a missional journey and Hell Cannot Stop the Church.
“To be within the gates” meant to be under the authority of the elders of the city presiding in the gates
Deuteronomy 15:7, “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:”
The gates are a place where plans are made, tactics designed, strategies implemented, and counsel sought.
Absalom understood the importance of the gate and exploited that knowledge to turn the heart of the people from King David with an Evil Report.
It is the Evil Report, spread at your gate and attended to by you that defiles you.
Defile = to make profane, call common, defile, pollute, dirty, or unclean.
Jacob spoke of the “gate of Heaven” (Genesis 28:17, “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”)
He called that place Bethel – the house of God.
You are Bethel today – You are the House of God and you have gates of access that to need to be well guarded.
Isaiah 33:15-17
(15) He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
If you Shun the Evil Report
(16) He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
(17) Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
Your ears, eyes and mouth are gates to either shun or share evil reports.
Your ear is a gate and listening to an evil report can defile you.
Evil Report: Distortion of Facts – Incomplete Facts – False Information
The wrongful motivation of an evil report causes the hearer to be defiled by drawing wrong conclusions based on that report.
Mat 15:17-20, “(17) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? (18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”
Dr. Joe Nelson of Parkersburg Bible College listed various ways an evil reporter operates:
A Whisperer – one who secretly passes an evil report:
Psalms 41:7, “All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.”
A Gossip (rumor) – magnifies and sensationalizes rumors of partial information:
Ezekiel 7:26, “Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
A Slanderer – One who speaks to destroy credibility by using evil facts:
Numbers 14:36-37, “(36) And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, (37) Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
A Busybody – one who digs up evil reports and information with the express purpose of spreading them by any of the three methods above:
1 Peter 4:15, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”
Nelson taught that an evil report is motivated by:
Bitterness – reacting because of personal hurts
Rebellion – justifying an independent spirit
Deception – believing that the evil report is one’s “right” to give
Pride – wanting to exalt self
Guilt – justifying past actions or attitudes
Envy – desiring what others have (jealousy)
Evil Reporters often think that they are getting by: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
5 QUESTIONS THAT WILL UNCOVER AN EVIL REPORT (DR. JOE NELSON):
WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR TELLING ME THIS?
WHERE DID YOU GET THE INFORMATION?
HAVE YOU GONE DIRECTLY TO THOSE INVOLVED?
HAVE YOU PERSONALLY CHECKED OUT ALL THE FACTS?
CAN I QUOTE YOU IF I CHECK THIS OUT?
Defilement takes place when you receive an evil report and believe it to be true.
Our True Spiritual Battle is not with people, but with spirits that motivate people.
Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Spirits of lust, deceit, envy, rebellion, perversion, jealousy, pride…
God has elected not to tell us about the plans of these evil rulers & authorities of the unseen world.
He has not given us a seat at their gate listening to their strategies and wicked plans.
But we see the result of these evil authorities.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
How?
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
You get to choose what you allow into your gate, what you heed, hearken, obey.
[1] **See Notes from Dr. Nelson’s Class & Lesson “Defilement: Absalom’s Curse on 7-13-2010**
(13) And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
(14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
(15) And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Matthew 1:18-25
(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
(22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
(23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
(25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
“To know” and “to understand” are different from one another.
Many know the name of Jesus,
But they don’t understand the greatness of the Name.
Name refers to the fame, authority, report, honor, character and record of God.
In the Hebrew the Name was known as far back as Moses.
It was not the articulation of the Name,
But what He who had the Name would do.
In this passage, the LORD established His eternal name as a record and a memorial with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Therefore, He was also their God as the children of those patriarchs.
The “I AM THAT I AM” is the progressive revelation of the name.
It simply means that Jehovah,
the Self-Existent One who exists all by Himself,
has no beginning or ending,
and needs no other to validate His existence.
He is to you what you let Him be to you.
So, when you understand that Name you find that the Lord is everything we need:
He is our Salvation
Genesis 49:18, “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”
Psalm 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
Isaiah 12:2-4, “(2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (3) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (4) And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”
He is our Redeemer
Isaiah 49:16, “…and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”
Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
He is our Saviour
Isaiah 43:11, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
Isaiah 63:8, “For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.”
Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
This all deals with the work of God to deliver people from sin and harm by paying the price necessary for their deliverance.
This great salvation we have was bought with a price: 1 Peter 1:18-21
(18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
(19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
(20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
(21) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
“…and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins.”
“This is my name forever” refers to God’s record and fame, his authority and character,
But when Gabriel spoke to Mary the name he told her to name the child was a proper name.
That name, the name of Jesus, held within it all the fullness of the record, fame, authority, character and honor of the I AM.
Colossians 2:9-10, “(9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
You need to get a personal and continuing revelation of Jesus Christ.
His first responsibility was to “save His people from their sins.”
How? Immanuel = God with us.
The only way He can reveal to you the superiority of His name is through you daily experiences.
You will never understand how God works until you get to the place where you allow Him to work.
Then you will begin to understand His Name.
The name of Jesus is a continuous and increasing revelation of His greatness.
You may be struggling with you present circumstance and having a difficult time with the “why” of it.
It may be that this is what God wants for you right now so that He can reveal more of Himself to you.
God love you too much to allow you to stay static, stagnant, and motionless.
Now would be a good time to give Jesus the credit for all the good things in your life.
For example, “Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me free from sin all day long.”
The Lord has different ways that He reveals Himself to us continuously.
A prayer this morning: “Lord, I want a greater revelation about and of You.”
To say as Paul, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…” (Philippians 3:10).
Salvation has come to this house
Luke 19:1-10
(1) And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
(2) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
(3) And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
(4) And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
(5) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
(6) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
(7) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
(8) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
(9) And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
(10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Notice: Jesus is the salvation coming to Zacchaeus’ house
V. 5 – Jesus said, “To day I must abide at thy house.”
V. 9 – Jesus says, “This day is salvation come to this house…”
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Acts 4:12 – there is no other record, fame, authority whereby you must be saved.
You need a name change.
Your soul has not lived until you get a name change.
This can only take place when you are baptized in the only saving name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moses changed Oshea’s name to Jehoshua.
Joshua had a job to do and his name was changed to fit his job.
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 