Tag: Righteousness

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Bible Teaching

Faith’s Report

Text: Hebrews 10:35-11:2

“(35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  (36)  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  (37)  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  (38)  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  (39)  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report.” 

 There is a repayment of the faith invested in the things of God.

 Patience is faith waiting in the hallway of the hospital to hear the good report that the promised child has been born.

 A great amount of faith is tested in the waiting room of life. A promise is given and now we watch and pray, but that is sometimes a mistake.  

 You see, while we wait for the promise to come, we are also preparing our home and ourselves for the due date.

 This is why Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, and Amazon sell so much baby items. 

 People are not just waiting around twiddling their thumbs: 

• They are painting the nursery room either blue or pink – male or female

• They are shopping for rockers, baby beds, basinets, diaper bags, bottles, car seats, etc.

• They are deciding if they should breast feed the promise, or feed it a bottle

• They are worrying about cost and hoping two nickels can somehow make 50 cents.

• But, most importantly, they are preparing for the day when the promise arrives.

 It time to make a plan for arrival time. 

Faith’s Report is that everyone who lives by faith will receive a good report.

 Good Report = “to be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively): – charge, give [evidence], bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.”

 The just who live by faith overcome the accuser by: 

Revelation 12:10-11, “(10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  (11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

There is much power in faith. In fact, faith is involved in our justification:

Romans 5:1-2, “(1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Peace with God starts with faith in God.

Jeff Arnold said, “Faith is focus on God, fear is focus on your problems.”

Faith’s Report is the the obtaining of a good report through trust in God’s promise that propels an action on our part…an active faith. If observed from that point-of-view, trust can be seen as a step beyond faith.

 Hebrews 11:39-12:2, “(39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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Bible Teaching

The Purpose of Holiness

Text: Daniel 3:13-18

(13)  Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

(14)  Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

(15)  Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

(16)  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

(17)  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

(18)  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The example of these three Hebrew men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – tugs at our heart, penetrates our mind, and attaches to our soul because it calls to something greater and nobler within ourselves.

The notion, the belief, the conviction to stand in holiness for Jesus Christ no matter what threats, attacks, and fiery darts, seen or unseen, the adversary brings our way.

These three stood their ground BEFORE the pouring out of the promise of the Holy Spirit, and their example of holiness and faithfulness gives us great hope to stand in this evil day.

Today, we have the added benefit of Holy Ghost empowerment to face, as they did, persecution and martyrdom:

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses [Greek: martus[1]] unto me…” (Acts 1:8a)

“Those who after His example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death.”[2]

It was their total commitment to God that wouldn’t allow them to compromise their faith and holiness — They Would Not Bow.

Because they refused to set aside their principles of faith and holiness:

  • Nebuchadnezzar got mad – the adversary always gets angry when his plans are thwarted.
  • A fiery furnace was heated up seven times hotter than normal
  • The Three Hebrews were thrown bound into the fiery furnace by the king’s mighty men
  • Those same mighty men died from the heat of the furnace
  • But there still standing, are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unbound, unharmed, and not alone.
    • Don’t ever think that The Purpose of Holiness goes unseen and unaccounted for by God.
    • He sees, hears, understands and knows all things: “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalms 34:15).
    • “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death…” (Psalms 33:18-19a).
    • Psalms 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
    • Isaiah 40:28, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
    • Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
    • Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
  • Yes, the LORD saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand.
  • Yes, He heard their declaration of faith and their commitment to remain holy, even if they were not delivered.
  • Yes, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations” (2 Peter 2:9).

They were not alone, the Lord showed up, just in time (Dan. 3:24-28):

(24)  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

(25)  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

(26)  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

(27)  And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

  • When you understand The Purpose of Holiness you will know that you can walk in faith and holiness untouched, unharmed, unscathed by the adversary’s attack.
  • You will not be burnt, singed, or even carry the stench of hell on you.

(28)  Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

  • That is the The Purpose of Holiness: The willingness to die, to become a martyr if necessary, rather than serve or worship any god except the Lord Jesus Christ and to become His witness to this world.

The Purpose of Holiness

David K. Bernard on Holiness:

  • “God is holy; holiness is an essential attribute of His nature. With respect to Him, it means absolute purity and moral perfection. With respect to man, holiness means conformity to the character of God. We must be holy because God is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). It means thinking as God thinks, loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and acting as Christ would act.”[3]
  • “The essence of true holiness is to be Christlike, to live as He lived and, in any given situation, to act as He would act.”[4]
  • “Inward holiness will produce outward holiness, but the outward appearance of holiness is worthless without inward holiness. For example, a modest spirit will produce modest dress, but modest dress is of little value if it conceals a lustful heart.”[5]

Righteousness and holiness are inseparable (Romans 6:16-23):

(16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

(17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

(18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

(19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

(20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

(21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

(22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

(23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Purpose of Holiness is realized when you allow the Holy Spirit of Christ to abide in you and submit to His influence in your life

Our Jesus lived a life of holiness with the purpose of saving you from being beat down by the self-destructive lifestyle of sin.

He purposed to redeem you from the enslavement of sin by breaking every chain and fetter to it when He condemned sin in His flesh.

The Son’s life of holiness delivers you from the wages of sin (Death) by granting you the gift of God (Eternal Life).

Jesus’ purposeful life of holiness has inexorably, inevitably, and most certainly empowered you to live a holy life, even to the point where the threat of death will lead you so say, as those three Hebrew men of Daniel’s day said to a heathen king:

“…we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then He will. But even if he doesn’t…we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).

2 Cor. 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Jesus was not just a substitutionary sin offering for you and I, and He certainly did not become a sinful person on the cross.

But, He became the Sin-Bearer for all of humanity: you, and I, and all that have lived, are living, and shall ever live.

“He has made Him to be sin for us!”

When we consider Jesus and The Purpose of Holiness:

  • It was “for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8b).
  • “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem [another word they could have used was purpose[6]] Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But
    • He was wounded for our transgressions,
    • He was bruised for our iniquities:
    • the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
    • and with His stripes we are healed.
  • All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Doesn’t Jesus deserve your praise right now?

This moment right here is the perfect time for you to lift, or clap, your hands in praise to the One who bore your sins and your iniquity.

Right now, raise your voice in a victorious shout to the One who has healed you, delivered you, and given you peace.

Right now, let the love for the One who is your Savior break forth in a symphony of praise and worship.

Right now, Let’s all praise our Jesus together!

[1] Thayer’s Greek Definitions. G3144.

[2] Ibid.

[3] David K. Bernard. Practical Holiness: A Second Look

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Strong’s. H2803

Categories
Bible Teaching

Delighting In the Glory of God

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 7/11/2023 | 10:00 AM

Opening Text: Exodus 33:18-19

(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.

Glory = “glory, honour, glorious, abundance, riches, spendour, dignity, reputation.”[1]  “Properly weight.”[2]

“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.

Delight in God’s Glory[3] = Glory in the Lord

Main Text: Jeremiah 9:23-24

(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.

  1. Lovingkindness: God is always ready to grant both mercy and grace.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.”
  4. “…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:

  1. Hatred for sin.
  2. Fear of displeasing God.
  3. Hope in the promises of God.
  4. Contentment in the fellowship of God.
  5. Desire for more revelation of Jesus Christ.
  6. Exultation (rejoicing, celebration, joy) in the redemption He gives.
  7. Grief and contrition (godly sorrow) for failures of love. <Sin is a failure to show love properly.>
  8. Gratitude for undeserved benefits.
  9. Zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for God’s purpose.
  10. 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.

Then we will delight in what He delights in:

  • Lovingkindness = mercy, “goodness, kindness, faithfulness.”[8]
  • Judgment = “justice, right, rectitude [integrity, goodness, morality].”[9]
  • Righteousness = “justice, truthfulness, rightness, moderately [judiciously].”[10]

[1] H3519. Kâbôd. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[2] H3519. Kâbôd. Strong’s.

[3] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker.

[4] Jeremiah 9:24. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.

[5] Mark 12:30

[6] Notes from the writings of Jonathan Edwards.

[7] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN: 978-0801017087.

[8] H2617. Chesed. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[9] H4941. Mishpâṭ. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[10] H666. Tsedâqâh. Brown-Driver-Briggs & Strong’s