Simple Words

I have been in Hospital and at home over October and these are a few of the thoughts which have come from these days.

June 2009

• Revelation 17:17 For God gave into their hearts to do His mind, and to act with one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God will be fulfilled.

July 2009

• Matthew 5:1-12

Mt 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain. And when He had sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2 And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn! For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God.
10 Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
11 Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed:
• Poor in Spirit
• Thoes who mourn
• Are the meek
• Thoes who hunger and thirst after righteousness
• The Mercifull
• The Pure in Heart
• The Peace makers
• The persecuted for righteousness sake

Psalm 37

Verse 3

Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; you shall dwell in the land, and you shall be fed on truth.

• Trust in the Lord and do good
• Dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness

Verse 4

Ps 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

• Delight yourself in the Lord
• And He shall give you the desires of your heart

Verse 5

Ps 37:5 Roll your way on the LORD; trust also in Him, and He will work.

• Roll your way on the Lord
• Trust also in Him
• He will work

Verse7

Ps 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of him who practices wickedness.

• Rest in the Lord
• Wait patiently for Him
• Do not fret yourself
• Because of him who prospers in his way
• Because of him who practices wickedness

Verse 8

Ps 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret yourself to do evil.

• Cease from anger
• Forsake wrath
• Do not fret yourself to do evil

Verse 16

Ps 37:16 A little to the righteous is better than the riches of many wicked.

• A little to the righteous is better than the riches of many wicked.

Verse 17

Ps 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholds the righteous.

• For the arms of the wicked shall be broken
• But the Lord Upholds the righteous

Verse 18

Ps 37:18 The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever.

• The Lord knows the days of the upright
• Their inheritance shall be forever

Verse 19

Ps 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

• They shall not be ashamed in the evil time
• In the days of famine they shall be satisfied

Verse 21

Ps 37:21 The wicked borrows, and never pays again; but the righteous shows mercy, and gives.

• The wicked borrows and never pays again
• But the righteous shows mercy

Verse 22

Ps 37:22 For His blessed ones shall inherit the earth; and those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

• For His blessed ones shall inherit the earth
• Those cursed by Him shall be cut off

Verse 23

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and He delights in his way.

• The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord
• He delights in his way

Verse 24

Ps 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be cast down; for the LORD upholds his hand.

• Though he fall
• He shall not be cast down
• For the Lord upholds his hand

Verse25

Ps 37:25 I have been young, and am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread.

• I have been young
• I am old
• Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
• Or his seed begging bread

Verse 26

Ps 37:26 All the day long he deals graciously, and lends; and his seed is blessed.

• All the day long he deals graciously
• And lends
• And his seed is blessed

Verse 27

Ps 37:27 Depart from evil and do good; and live forevermore.

• Depart from evil
• Do good
• And live forevermore

Verse 28

Ps 37:28 For the LORD loves judgment and does not forsake His saints; they are kept forever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

• For the Lord loves judgment and does not forsake His saints
• They are kept forever
• The seed of the wicked shall be cut off

Verse 29

Ps 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.

• The righteous shall inherit the land
• And dwell in it forever

Verse 30

Ps 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment.

• The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom
• His tongue talks of judgment

Verse 31

Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

• The law of his god is in his heart
• None of his steps shall slide

Verse 34

Ps 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall lift you up to inherit the earth; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

• Wait on the Lord
• Keep His ways
• He shall lift you up to inherit the earth
• When the wicked are cut off
• You shall see it

Verse 37

Ps 37:37 Watch the perfect and behold the upright one; for the end of that man is peace.

• Watch the perfect
• And behold the upright one
• For the end of that man is peace

Verse 39

Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.

• The salvation of the righteous is form the Lord
• He is their strength
• In the time of trouble

Verse 40

Ps 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

• The Lord shall help them
• And deliver them
• He shall deliver them from the wicked
• And save them
• Because the trust in Him

Because they trust in Him

Trusting in Jesus


October 2009

• Duty and Stewardship are long term
• There has been a drift of Ethics

Acts 2:18

‘And on My servants and on mine handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophecy’.

[Prophecy builds the church 1 Corinthians 14: Paul/God/ Jesus all point out the gift of Prophecy from the other gifts as The gift which edifies/comforts/exhorts men, and builds up the church.]

Acts 2:17 ‘…your sons and daughters shall prophecy’.

Follow me, feed My lambs, feed My Sheep.

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship on
Sunday 20th September 2009

Let’s look at John 21: 15-25

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more that these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My Lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My seep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “ Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
18 “Most assuredly, I say to you when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 The Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Look at the second part of verse 19

19 “…And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

• When Jesus had spoken this
• He said to Peter
• Follow me

Life is all about following Jesus. When John was preaching last week he spoke about the individual nature of God’s Call. You don’t follow me, you don’t walk my call, you follow Jesus, and you walk your own call.

Your call is to follow Jesus.

Look at verse 20

20 The Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

• Peter turns away from Jesus
• Looks to his fellow disciple
• A disciple that Peter knows Jesus loves
• The same disciple who leaned on Jesus breast at supper
• Do you remember that occasion?

Peter sees this other disciple following Jesus, Peter knows that this disciple is loved by Jesus.

He sees this other disciple and remembers that this disciple is the one who could ask Jesus Important questions. He just seems to be so close!

Peter realises that this is the very disciple who had asked Jesus the Question that Peter felt he could not ask Jesus directly.

Peter is hesitating to follow Jesus.

In his hesitation he gets distracted.

How easy it is to get distracted!

Look at verse 21

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

• But Lord, what about this man?

You can be so concerned about another disciple
That they become a distraction to you following Jesus

There’s a thought!

You want to follow Jesus; there is no doubt about that.

But like Peter you look at another disciple, that you are convinced Is loved by Jesus, a disciple who is in love with Jesus, a disciple you would go to and say:

You ask him for me, you have more clout! Go on; just put a good word in for me.

Jesus has just had breakfast with Peter

They have talked about love and Peter’s relationship with Him.

Three times Jesus tried to get through to Peter.

Follow me Peter and feed my lambs, feed my sheep!

V15

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more that these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My Lambs.”

• Do you love me more than these disciples?

V 16

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My seep.”

• Simon son of Jonah!
• Do you love Me?

V17

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “ Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

• Simon son of Jonah!
• Do you love Me?

Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him a third time

Do you love me Peter?

Lord, you know all things!

You know that I love you!

Jesus says

Well, Peter if you do love Me feed My sheep

Yes, Peter, we know that Jesus knows all things!

But Peter do you not get the point of this after Breakfast talk!

Peter the point is that you need to know that Jesus Loves You!

Jesus knows that you Love Him!

He has all knowledge!

But Peter you have to have your own revelation that JESUS LOVES YOU!

You need to know that Jesus loves you!

And you need to know this regardless of all the other disciples around you.

Peter, you need to so know his love that you will come to Him yourself.

Look at verse 19

19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

• FOLLOW ME!

Follow me Peter, regardless!

There are groups of people who still to this day base their lives on Peter, and the way he did things.

They go to someone else to get to Jesus!

Holy Disciples, who are perceived to be closer to Jesus than You, God bless them and open their eyes to see what the New Covenant says.

Listen carefully!

Jesus says to Peter and to you and I this morning

You, Follow me, Peter.

Look at verse 20

20 The Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

• Peter turns around, away from Jesus and gets distracted by another disciple!

Peter stop turning about to other disciples, will you leave them to me?

Verse 21

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

• Lord, what about this man?

Peter, it’s none of your business.

Peter follow me

Demonstrate your love to me to Me by being a shepherd who feeds the lambs, and the sheep!

Peter, James and John were close to one another!

One of them, John, was closer than all the rest.

Peter had got himself into a position of asking Jesus questions through John,

That’s no problem!

For a season that’s ok, But Peter Jesus wants you to grow up move on and start feeding My Lambs and Sheep.

This after breakfast talk with Peter is about preparing him for what is to come.

It is sure, that Jesus knows everything about everything there is to know!

The hard lesson which Peter is learning is preparation for his future.

Peter you have to start following me for yourself. Not through another HOLY DISCIPLE!

Its called in the New Testament GROWING UP!

Every child has to grow up.

Every child has to stand, apart from his parents who love him, knowing that he in his own right is loved.

Every student once taught must take their place in mature practice of their profession.

Each one has to grow up into independence!

Jesus know that you love him

But he wants you to know that love for yourself.

Not through another!

He wants you to know that you can come into his presecnce and ask him anything, any time.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 21:15

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more that these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My Lambs.”

Jesus eats breakfast and speaks to Peter.

It’s ok to have breakfast!

You can end up being too spiritual and neglect the ordinary things of life.

What happens if Jesus is going to speak to you at Breakfast, and you’re not there?

Husbands/ wives/ visitors/ strangers!

And you are too busy!

Jesus wanted to speak to Peter after breakfast!

I’ll just catch a bite on the move!

Be assured there is a place and a time where Jesus wants to speak to you personally.

Jesus wants a meeting with you.

He wants’ to catch up with you, and have a chat.

I had a heart full of joy to share with you at breakfast, and you were missing from the table!

I so wanted to tell you what would soon be happening in my great Kingdom this week.

I was looking forward to telling you how much I love you.

I just wanted to have some quality time with you over the porridge!!

You were not there Peter!

Feed my lambs; feed my sheep, wont you?

Ok! Lord, Jesus, we will catch up some time?

Will you Peter?

But what about King David?

He was not at the meal when Samuel arrived to anoint him?

What was David doing?

He was shepherding his father’s sheep!

Peter will you feed my lambs my sheep?

Peter will you follow me?

Can you see that Jesus is a shepherd who is feeding his father’s lambs and sheep?

Jesus is following his father to the letter!

If you love me Peter feed my lambs my sheep

Lets look at 1 Samuel 16:11

11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. Fro we will not sit down till he comes here.”

Amazing everything is held up because David is not at the feast!!
Can you see this?

If you take up the challenge to mature in your relationship with Jesus, you will start feeding His lambs and sheep.

You will be called to the table, and at the right time you will start to function like the King that you really are.

Take David as an example of an obedient son who goes and looks after his father’s lambs and sheep.

Don’t you worry that you are not on the front line with your brothers, remember they were following Saul, and you know the out come of all that.

The house of Saul was growing steadily weaker while the house of David was growing steadily stronger.

Your kingship, Peter has to mature in your hands, and what brings it about it that you know that Jesus love you.

Follow me, feed my lambs, My sheep and you will be following in the footsteps of Jesus himself, the one who is the chief shepherd.

Jesus has called you.

Yes, he knows all things!

And, he wants you to know how much he loves you

Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits!

Peter you can come into my presence and go out to feed my lambs and sheep with what I show you over breakfast.

Ok! That’s enough!

Its breakfast time in the kingdom of god this morning, Jesus is here, I want you to respond to Jesus.

Jesus is saying feed my lambs, feed my sheep

Jesus is saying follow me!
You are here at the table, are you going to be distracted by your fellow disciples or are you going to respond to the call?

Let me clarify the call?

Jesus wants you to feed his lambs, his sheep.

Jesus wants you to follow him.

Your response is simply to stand where you are.

This clip makes you proud to be Scottish

Therefore if anyone purges himself from these

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship on
Sunday 16th August 2009

Let’s Look at 2 Timothy 2:24-26

2Ti 2:24 But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but to be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient,
25 in meekness instructing those who oppose, if perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,
26 and that they awake out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him, so as to do the will of that one.

Look at verse 24

But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but to be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient,

• Are you a servant of the Lord?
• Then you must not strive
• You must be gentle to all
• You must have an aptitude for teaching
• And you must have Patience

Look at verse 25

25 in meekness instructing those who oppose, if perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,

• In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves
• If perhaps God will give them repentance
• To the acknowledging of the truth

Let me exhort you this morning

• To go about upholding the faithful Word
• To do it by sound doctrine
• To exhort and convince everyone you meet
• Be gentle to everyone who engages you with their hearts.
• Teach them what you know. Show them and help them to purge their vessel.

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 6:11-16

1Ti 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Look at verse 11

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

• You, O man of God,
• There are things you have to Flee from
• There are things you have to follow after and pursue
• Righteousness
• Godliness
• Faith
• Love
• Patience
• Gentleness

How wonderful that this body of God’s people would be following after these things.

This body of God’s people have loved me with an everlasting love

When I failed, they with great patience help on to me.

There gentleness towards me has brought me to greatness.

Look how much they love one another.

I have not seen such faith, in all of the land

They wear their righteousness as a garment gifted to them.

Look at verse 9 and 10

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

• Do you desire to be rich? Is that your hearts desire above all else?
• Be careful you could easily into temptation and a snare
• Ending up with many foolish and harmful lusts which
• drown men in destruction and perdition
• For the love of money
• Is a root
• Of all kinds of evil
• Some have strayed from the faith
• In their greediness
• And pierced themselves through
• With many sorrow


Proverbs 11:28 says; ‘he that trusteth in his riches shall fail: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch’.


Verse 11
But you, O man of God flee these things…

And pursue, follow after…

• Righteousness
• Godliness
• Faith
• Love
• Patience
• Gentleness

In fact it’s my old hobby horse!

It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God.

Love
Joy
Peace
Long suffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Meekness
Self control
Faith

2Ti 2:15

Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
16 But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat like gangrene; among whom are Hymeneus and Philetus,
18 who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and who overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: "The Lord knew those who are His." And, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!"
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Look at verse 19

Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: "The Lord knew those who are His." And, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!"

That last part - Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!

Look at verse 22

22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

• You are to flee youthful lusts
• You are to follow righteousness
• You are to follow Faith
• You are to follow Love
• You are to follow Peace
• You are to be among those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart

Wonderful!

There are things to flee as a Christian

There are those things which we are to follow after.

Look at verse 21

21 Therefore if anyone purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

• If anyone purges himself from these, from what?

Let me remind you.

Youthful, profane lusts

The desire to be rich

Greediness

Iniquity

Striving

Profane and vain Babblings

Proverbs 16:8 ‘better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right’.

• If you will purge yourself from these
• You shall be a vessel to honor
• A vessel that is sanctified
• You shall be a vessel that is useful to the Master
• A vessel that is prepared for every good work

These are the last words which Paul chose to leave with Timothy before he died!

Sobering words to any budding Christian!

Sobering words to us today

There is a fleeing from and a following after in the Christian life.

Romans 6:18 says: ‘now that you have been set free from sin, you have become a servant of righteousness’.

Most of you as vessels of the kingdom, only need a wipe with good soap and water on a daily basis.

You may be a vessel who needs more work; you need the brillo pad, and a good soak, and advice and help from a loving brother of sister!

Wonder of Wonders if the necessary purging is carried out the vessel

• You shall be a vessel to honor
• You shall be a vessel that is sanctified
• You shall be a vessel that is useful to the Master
• You shall be a vessel that is prepared for every good work

There is much good work laid out for those who are part of this body of God’s people.

Now is the time to do the purging.

Jesus left us a gift to enable us to do the work required, he has put us in a body with all the gifts any of us could ever need.

The Holy Spirit will guide you and lead you in to all the truth of it.
Follow him, be led by him, and become useful in his service.

Isaiah 3:10 ‘say to the Righteous that it shall be well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doings’.

I say to you righteous, ‘it shall be well with you – you shall eat of the fruit of your doings’.

2Ti 2:24 the servant of the Lord must not strive, but to be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient,
25 in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,
26 and that they awake out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him, so as to do the will of that one.

Philippians 4:8 ‘Finally brethren, whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things’.

God bless you.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship on
Sunday 19th July 2009

Let’s read Galatians 5:16-26

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Look at verse 16

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

• I Say, then
• Walk in the Spirit
• And you shall not
• Fulfil the lusts of the flesh

Wonderful!

We have a means by which we shall not bring to fulfilment the lusts of the Flesh.

Look at verse 17

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish

• The flesh lusts against the Spirit
• The Spirit lusts against the Flesh
• These, the flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another
• This is the reason that you do not do the things that you wish to do

I say to you choose to walk in the Spirit and you shall not bring to fulfilment the lusts of the flesh!

Wonderful!

Amazing!

So simple!

Let’s look a little closer.

The flesh and the Spirit are contrary/ obstinate / opposing/ to one another.

You do not do the things you wish to do because of this obstinate nature of the flesh and the Spirit.

The flesh and the Spirit are repugnant to one another!

Disgusting
Revolting
Nauseating
Repulsive
Hideous
Abominable
Distasteful

Look at verse 21 the last bit of the verse

Envy, murders drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Let there be no misunderstanding
• I tell you, as I have said to you before
• They who do such things
• Shall not inherit the kingdom of God

Are you expecting to enter into the inheritance which Jesus death paid for?

Let me tell you

You who do such things listed here in verses 19-21 will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

It does not matter who you are. It will not happen.

Look at verse 21 again.

Envy, murders drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

You think I am being too hard?

Let’s look at what Jesus has to say about one of these things.

Matthew 5: 27 and 28

You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus makes it very hard!

Galatians 5:18

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

• If you are led by the Spirit
• You are not under the law.

Verse 16

16 I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.

• I say, then,
• Walk in the Spirit
• And you shall not fulfil
• The lusts of the flesh

If I choose to walk in the Spirit what shall be the result?

Look at verse 22 and 23

The fruit of the Spirit is

Love

Joy

Peace

Longsuffering

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

I say, then, walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh!

Amazing!

How simple

Look at verse 23

Against such there is no law.

Walking in the Spirit keeps you free from being under the law.

Look at verse 24

Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
You among us who are Christ’s, you who belong to Jesus, who believe that Jesus is the Anointed one of God, the very Son of God; you have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Hallelujah!

Amazing!

Praise his holy name

For his goodness to us the sons of men!

The answer to the flesh, Crucifixion!

Verse 16

I say, then, walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

There is more

Let’s look at verse 25

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

• If we live in the Spirit
• Let us also walk in the Spirit

Turn to Romans 8:1-11

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Let’s turn to Romans 8:5

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

• Those of you who live according to the flesh set your minds on the things of the flesh
• Those of you who live according to the Spirit set your minds on the things of the Spirit.

Where is your mind setting itself?

Is your mind setting itself on the things of the flesh, or the things of the Spirit?

Let’s look at Romans 12:1 and 2

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

• I beseech you there for brethren, by the mercies of God, that you be transformed by the renewing of your mind

I say, then, walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Change your mind with regard to walking in the Spirit!

Go back to Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

• Are you in Christ, do you believe that Jesus is the anointed one
• The Son of God?
• Then there is no condemnation upon you.

Continue to walk in the Spirit

Look at verse 8

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

• You want to please God
• Stop walking in the flesh
• Change your mind
• Walk in the Spirit

Look at verse 9

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

If the Spirit of God dwells in you
Here is raised a doubt as to whether the Spirit of God dwells in these Romans!

And in the same verse he says how you can know?

If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

If you belong to Jesus Christ, you have the Spirit with in you.

And if you have the Spirit dwelling in you, you are not in the flesh

Look at verse 14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Sons of God need to change their mind, and be different from the world, by being:

Led by the Spirit

Live in the Spirit

Walk in the spirit

Let me read to you what God is about to do here in the Glen Aros Family.

Haggai 1:12-15

Hag 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared before the LORD.
13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the message of LORD to the people, saying, I am with you, says the LORD.
14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
15 in the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king

Look at verse 13
Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, ‘I am with you, says the Lord’.

And verse 14

So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the sprit of Joshua the son of Jehzadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of he people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.

In the New Testament the onus is upon you to stir up your spirit with in you, so that you may be led by him, live in him, and walk in him.

Its time to be stirred up in your Spirit for the building of the house of God, prepare your heart, and experience the fruit of walking in the Spirit

God bless you as you meditate upon these verses.

Slaves or Friends which is it?

Preached at the Abernethy Trust
Barcaple on
Wednesday 10th May 2009-06-10

Turn to John 15:15

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

• A relationship change is about to take place for some of you tonight
• You are going to move from slavery to friendship
• In that new friendship Jesus is going to reveal to you
• All the things which he has heard from His Father.

I would like three people to stand up where they are and pray for us.

Stand up, look around, and pray for us.

Who’s first?

You see we are servants in action and friends in relationship.

We serve one another as servants.

But in relationship we are friends.

Let’s read at 1 Kings 17

1Ki 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the sojourners of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
3 Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, you shall drink of the brook. And I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.
5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD. For he went and lived by the torrent Cherith, before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the torrent.
7 And it happened after a while, the torrent dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8 And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
9 Arise, go to Zarephath which belongs to Sidon, and live there. Behold, I have commanded a widow to keep you there.
10 And he arose and went to Zarephath, and came in to the entrance of the city, and, behold, the widow was gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, Please, bring me a little water in a vessel so that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, Please, bring me a piece of bread in your hand.
12 And she said, As the LORD your God lives, I do not have a cake, but only a handful of meal in a pitcher and a little oil in a jar. And behold, I am gathering two sticks, so that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, so that we may eat it and die.
13 And Elijah said to her, Do not fear, go. Do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it, and bring it to me. And then make for you and for your son.
14 For so says the LORD God of Israel, The pitcher of meal shall not be emptied, nor shall the jar of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah. And she and he and her house ate many days;
16 the pitcher of meal was not consumed, and the jar of oil did not fail, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.
17 And it happened after these things the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick. And his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.
18 And she said to Elijah, What do I have to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to call my sin to remembrance and to kill my son?
19 And he said to her, Give me your son. And he took him out of her bosom and carried him up into a loft, where he stayed, and laid him on his own bed.
20 And he cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, have You also brought evil on the widow with whom I am staying, by slaying her son?
21 And he stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, please let this child's soul come to him again.
22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he lived.
23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the room into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, See! Your son lives!
24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now I know this, that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.

Look at verse 1

1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the sojourners of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except according to my word.

• As The LORD God of Israel lives
• Before whom I stand
• There shall not be dew nor rain these years
• Except according to my word

What a great place to be standing before the LORD God of Israel, the one who is the living God.

There shall not be dew nor rain according to the word of Elijah.

Here is a marvellous thing!
When Elijah the Tishbite stands before the living God he proclaims that there will be neither dew nor rain according to Elijah!

He does not say that it is according to God’s word! But according to the word of Elijah!

Let’s look at James 5:

Jas 5:1 Come now, rich ones, weep and howl for your hardships coming on.
2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes have become moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their poison will be a witness against you, and will eat your flesh as fire. You heaped treasure in the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the laborers reaping your fields cry out, being kept back by you. And the cries of those who have reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth, and lived wantonly. You have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the just; he does not resist you.
7 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and the latter rain.
8 You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of your Lord draws near.
9 Do not grudge against one another, brothers, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge stands before the door.
10 My brothers, take the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering ill, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count blessed those who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is full of pity and of tender mercy.
12 But before all things, my brothers, do not swear; neither by the heaven nor by the earth, nor any other oath. But let your yes be yes, and your no, no, lest you fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? 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 cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
17 Elijah was a man of like passion as we are. And he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for the time of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth caused its fruit to sprout.
19 Brothers, if anyone among you err from the truth, and if anyone turns him back,
20 know that he who turns back the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Look at verse 16

16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
17 Elijah was a man of like passion as we are. And he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for the time of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth caused its fruit to sprout.

• The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
• Elijah was a man of like passion as we are.
• He prayed earnestly
• That it might not rain
• It did not rain on the earth for the time of three years and six months
• And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain.
• And the earth caused its fruit to sprout

Praying effectually, fervently, and earnestly!

Elijah was a man of like passion!

What does it mean to be effective, fervent, and earnest in your prayers?

Let’s read from Luke 11:1-13

Lu 11:1 And it happened as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples.
2 And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, as in Heaven, so also on the earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
5 And He said to them, which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves,
6 for a friend of mine has come from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he answering from inside may say, Do not trouble me. The door is now shut and my children are in bed with me. I cannot rise and give to you.
8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needs.
9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives. And he who seeks finds. And to him who knocks it shall be opened.
11 For what father of you, if the son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake for a fish?
12 Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

Look at verse 1

Lu 11:1 And it happened as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples.

• Jesus is praying in a certain place
• When he ceased praying
• One of his disciples said unto Him
• Lord, teach us to pray.
• As John also taught His disciples

An unknown disciple observes Jesus praying and asks to be taught to pray.

The meaning of the words ‘teach us to pray’, come across like this, ‘lord teach us to pray more earnestly’.

This disciple lived in a land where they learned to pray from birth, it was part of the culture of Israel.

But this unknown disciple sees in Jesus prayers intensity which he desires, and asks Jesus to teach him how to ‘pray more earnestly’.

Let’s read Luke 3:21

Luke is telling accurately, the events surrounding John the Baptist’s, baptising of the people in the Jordan River.

21 And it happened in the baptizing of all the people, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, and the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily shape, like a dove on Him. And a voice came from Heaven, which said, You are My Son, the Beloved; I am delighted in You

• Jesus is standing in the water being baptized
• Jesus is praying,
• The heavens open!
• The Holy Spirit comes down in a bodily shape
• Like a Dove upon Him
• A voice comes from Heaven
• You are My son
• You are my Beloved
• I am delighted in You

Here again the understanding of the phrase ‘Jesus is praying’, suggests ‘Jesus is praying earnestly’.

Look at the results of earnest prayer! Wow

Let’s go back to Luke 11

Look at verse five through eight.

5 And He said to them, which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves,
6 for a friend of mine has come from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 And he answering from inside may say, Do not trouble me. The door is now shut and my children are in bed with me. I cannot rise and give to you.
8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needs.

Look at verse eight

• I say unto you
• Though he will not rise and give to him
• Because he is his friend
• Yet because of his importunity
• He will arise and give him as many as he needs

The word importunity has to do with impudence!

You are so impudent!

You are so cheeky!

You are impertinent boy!

You are too mouthy, you!

In the context of the passage the friend is going against the position that his friend has taken up!

Look at verse nine

9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives. And he who seeks finds. And to him who knocks it shall be opened.
11 For what father of you, if the son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake for a fish?
12 Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

• Jesus, one who prays with importunity, himself
• Says, Ask and it shall be given
• Seek and you shall find
• Knock and it shall be opened to you.
• Those who ask
• Receive
• Those who seek
• Find
• Those who knock
• Find it open

Look at verse 13

13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

• Look at the willingness of your own father to give to you good gifts
• How much more willing is your Heavenly Father, to give his greatest gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit?

Let’s turn to Luke 18;1-8

Lu 18:1 And He also spoke a parable to them to teach it is always right to pray, and not to faint,
2 saying, A certain judge was in a certain city, not fearing God, nor respecting man.
3 And a widow was in that city. And she came to Him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.
4 And he would not do so for a time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5 yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, that she not wear me down in the end.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.
7 And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry day and night to Him, though He has been long-suffering over them?
8 I say to you that He will avenge them speedily. Yet when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?

Look at verse six

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.

• Though I do not fear God
• Though I do not regard man
• Yet because this widow troubles me,
• I will avenge her, that she not wear me down in the end

This is a great illustration of importunity, of what it means to be effective, fervent, and earnest in your prayers.

The woman with the issue of blood would be another example.
Mt 9:20 And behold, a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the hem of His garment.
21 For she said within herself, If only I shall touch His robe, I will be whole.
22 But turning and seeing her, Jesus said, Daughter, be comforted; your faith has saved you. And the woman was saved from that hour.

• Jesus said to her power has gone out from me
• Many others in the crowd were touching Jesus
• Only this woman touched the hem of his garment.
• The meaning of her touching is ‘she earnestly desired to touch the hem of his garment.

She is another example of what it means to be effective, fervent and earnest in your prayers.

When Jesus said Power has gone out of him.

You could put it this way

Dynamic power has gone out of me towards you

Dynamite has gone off in me towards you

A dynamo has started up and its power is working on your need right now.

Elijah is an example of all these things and worthy of reading, and more so, of practicing them!

1 John 5:13-16

1Jo 5:13 I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sin a sin not to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those that do not sin to death. There is a sin to death, I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Look at verse 14

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

If people are set free to pray is there not a danger that they will pray for all sorts of things?

Don’t we give people a licence to pray anything?

If God’s people are encouraged and released to pray with effective, fervent and earnest prayer, they might pray for the wrong thing!

Well, religious leaders will say that!

They said it in Jesus’ day.

Paul taught that where sin abounds grace does much more abound. The Pharisees and scribes said you can’t preach that Paul; that gives a licence to sin. Paul’s reply was will you stop the preaching of the fullness of God’s grace because, some hypothetically, will sin more in order that grace may abound? Of course not, God’s wisdom is to preach the fullness of Grace in order that the fullness of What Jesus can do may be manifest among us.

Here is a marvellous thing that when you pray effectively, fervently, and earnestly in your prayers you, like Elijah, standing before God, in the righteousness of Jesus, touch Him in such a way that the dynamic, dynamite of his power is released through you.

Released to pray you become a servant in the hands of a creative God, friends who love one another and effectively, fervently and earnestly desire the best for your community here at Barcaple. Your leaders become Godly, wise and faithful servants among you because you pray for them. Your families are transformed because Jesus has taught you to pray more earnestly, to knock, to ask, to seek, more effectively.

Right!
Now that you know how it’s done, I would like three of you to stand, with open eyes, look around and pray for us.

Jesus gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit the day you were saved, but you may need hands laid on you to release the power of the spirit You may need a friend to lay hands on you for that release.

There is a release of the Holy Spirit, which some of you may not have experienced, and if you need that release. There are those here who will lay hands on you and see you released, a friend, a brother, a sister, whatever.

God bless you

Oh that I were in....

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship on
Sunday 14th June 2009


Let’s go to the book of Job and look at a man who lived in the land of Uz on the borders of Idumaea.

Let’s look at chapter 29:1-25

1 And Job continued the lifting up of his speech, and said,
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me;
3 when His lamp shone on my head; I walked through darkness by His light;
4 as I was in the days of my harvest, when the secret of God was on my tent;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me;
6 when I washed my steps with curds, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for me;
7 when I went out to the gate by the city; when I prepared my seat in the street!
8 The young men saw me and hid themselves; and the aged arose and stood up.
9 The rulers held back from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
10 The noble's voice was subdued, and their tongue clung to the roof of their mouth.
11 For the ear heard and blessed me. And the eye saw me and witnessed to me.
12 For I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
13 The blessing of the perishing came on me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was like a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I did not know, I searched out.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the sand.
19 My root was open to the waters, and the dew lay all night on my branch.
20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
21 They listened to me, and waited, and kept silent at my counsel.
22 After my words they did not go on; and my speech dropped on them.
23 And they waited for me like the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 I smiled kindly on them when they did not believe; and they did not make the light of my face fall.
25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief; and I lived like a king in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.

Job is enlarging upon what He has lost.

By doing this it aggravates his present calamities!

Like Naomi, who said, ‘I went out full’, and ‘I am come home again empty’.

Most people who lose something will speak more of the comforts that they have lost, than what is still theirs. Their past prosperity often becomes one of the most pleasing subjects of their thoughts and talk.

Job is looking back to a time when God watched over him, or when God preserved his going in and his going out.

Why is The LORD not watching over him now?

Why was The LORD not preserving him now?

Look at verse 2

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me;

• Oh that I were as in the months past!
• Oh that I were in the days when God watched over me!

Hang on Job; has The LORD suddenly stopped watching over you? Just because some of the things of the past have been stripped away, does that now change the character of The LORD?

Oh that I were as in the months past!
Oh that I were in the days when God watched over me! When The LORD preserved me!

Things have changed Job, that’s for sure?

But the question is; does that change the nature of God, and his plans for his life?

Look at verse 3

3 when His lamp shone on my head; I walked through darkness by His light;

• Oh for the days when the lamp shone on my head
• Oh for the days when by His light I walked through darkness.

There was a day when the lamp of God was upon Job’s head, like the light upon Moses’ face, after being up the mountain. Through this light Job was able to walk straight through darkness.

Psalm 23:4

Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Let’s read the whole psalm

Ps 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Let’s go back to John 29

Look at verse 4

4 as I was in the days of my harvest, when the secret of God was on my tent;

• In the days of Job’s harvest!
• Is this the days of Job, youth when he had discovered the joys of children.
• The secret of God was on his tent.
• His family tent, his dwelling place?
• The tent of his body?
• In any case the secret of God is upon it.
•
Look at verse 5

5 When the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me;

• When the Almighty was yet with me
• Look at this Job currently has no inward or outward evidence that would lead him to think that the Almighty was with him.

Look at the second part of verse 5

• Oh for the time when my children were around me
• Oh when my family were around me.

Job lost all his children in one day!

How difficult it is to suffer loss and still believe that the Almighty is yet with you!

Look at verse 6

6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

• When I washed my steps with butter
• To be able to was his steps in butter he would have been very prosperous.

Look at the second part of verse 6
Oh for the days when the rock poured me out rivers of oil

• The rock poured out rivers of oil for Job


Look at verse 12

12 For I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.

• Job delivered the poor who cried for help
• Job delivered the fatherless who had not to help him

He did well to those around him

Look at verse 8

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves; and the aged arose and stood up.

• When young men saw Job, they hid themselves
• When the aged men saw Job they arose and stood up

He was respected and honoured by all around him.

Look at verse 25

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief; and I lived like a king in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.

• Job was one who sat as a chief, as a commander
• Job was one who lived like a king in the army
• Job was one who comforts the mourners

Job was a man who ruled not only in the city, but also in the nation.
This reminds me of the man in Matthew 8:9

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, Go! And he goes; and to another, Come! And he comes; and to my servant, Do this! And he does it.
10 When Jesus heard, He marvelled and said to those who followed, Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.

• I am a man under authority
• I am a man having soldiers under me
• I say to this one go and he goes
• I way to another come and he comes
• I say to my servant do this and he does it

When Jesus heard this

• He marvelled
• Saying to those who were following him
• Truly I say to you
• I have not found such a great faith
• No, not in Israel!

This is marvellous!

Here is Job, displaying all the characteristics which Jesus commands and more!

Let’s look at Job chapter one

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil.
2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3 And his possessions were seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in the house of each one on his day. And they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And when they had gone around the day of feasting, Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. So Job did always.
6 And a day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD. And Satan also came among them.
7 And the LORD said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the LORD said to Satan, Have you set your heart against My servant Job, because there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil?
9 And Satan answered the LORD and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land.
11 But put forth Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.
12 And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only do not lay your hand upon him. And Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13 And a day came when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
14 And there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them.
15 And the Sabeans fell on and took them away. Yea, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.
16 While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, The fire of God has fallen from the heavens and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and destroyed them. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.
17 While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands and swooped down upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and have killed the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.
18 While he was still speaking, there also came another and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.
19 And, behold, a great wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead. And I only have escaped alone to tell you.
20 And Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said, I came naked out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job did not sin, nor charge God foolishly.

Look at verse one

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil.

• Job was perfect
• Job was upright
• Job feared God
• Job turned aside from evil

What a marvellous man!

Look what happened to Job

12-19

Read it out.

How is Job going to respond to all this loss?

Look at verse 20-22

Job 1:20 And Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said, I came naked out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job did not sin, nor charge God foolishly.

• Job tore his robe, his outward garment!
• Job shaved his head,
• Job fell down upon the ground and worshiped
• Job said Naked I came out of my mothers womb
• Job said Naked shall I return there
• The LORD gave
• The LORD has taken away
• Blessed be the name of the LORD
• Job in all this did not sin!
• Job in all this did not charge God foolishly

What a Marvellous man!

Let’s look at James 5:7

Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Look at verse 11

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

• You have heard of the patience of Job
• You have seen the end of the LORD
• You have seen that the LORD is very pitiful
• You have seen that the LORD is of tender mercy

James has just condemned the rich lords in the first few verses and now exhorts the brethren.

Look at Verse 7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waited for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

• Be patient Brethren until the coming of the LORD

Verse 8

8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh

• Be you also patient
• Take time to establish your hearts
• Why?
• The coming of the LORD draws near
•
Verse 9

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

• Grudge not one against another
• Least you end up being condemned
• The judge stands ready before the door.

Verse 10

Jas 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

• Take as your example brethren
• The prophets who have spoken in the name of the LORD
• Take them as examples of
• Suffering affliction
• Take them as examples of Patience

Verse 11

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

• Behold
• We count them happy who endure
• Those who by the lamp of God upon their head walk on through the darkness
• You have head of the patience of Job
• You have seen the end of the LORD with regard Job
• How the LORD was very pitiful
• How the LORD was of tender mercy

What a marvellous man.

Like Naomi, who said, ‘I went out full’, and ‘I am come home again empty’.

She like Job encountered many changes in her life, with great loss, and yet through it all Naomi came to fear God in a deeper way.

It is through loss, sometimes great loss that we learn deeply

It is through change and great change in our lives that we learn deeply

Ahead of us all is great change, and it may involve loss.

A sheep needing sheared of its winter wool and goes through much change in the process of sheering, but after the experience the sheep is grateful for the shepherd’s tender care. When the summer heat arrives how freely it can move and skip and enjoy what the shepherd has expertly prepared for.

Let me finish with this passage from Mark 8

Jesus is opening up his message to his disciples and introducing them to things they have never even thought of up to this point in their relationship with him.

Mr 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And He spoke that saying openly. And Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him.
33 But when He had turned around and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Go behind Me, Satan! For you do not mind the things of God, but of the things of men.
34 And calling near the crowd with His disciples, He said to them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
35 For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, he shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 Therefore whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Look at verse 35

35 For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, he shall save it.

• If you try and save your life
• You will lose it
• But if you are willing to lose your life for Jesus sake
• And for the Gospel’s you will save it.

Be willing to suffer lose and you will get it back

Look at verse 34

34 And calling near the crowd with His disciples, He said to them, whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

• If you want to come after Jesus
• You will have to deny yourself
• You will have to take up your cross
• And follow Him.

Look at verse 33

33 But when He had turned around and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Go behind Me, Satan! For you do not mind the things of God, but of the things of men.

• Jesus says to Peter
• Go behind Me, Satan!
• What was Peter doing
• Something very simple you would think
• He did not mind the things of God
• Instead you mind the things of Man

Peter was simply finding more tasty, the things of Men!

Let the things of God become tastier to you.

Pray for repentance in our Nation.

this is a marvellous thing, that you do not know from where He is, and He has opened my eyes.

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship on
Sunday 10th May 2009


Let’s look at John chapter nine

John 9:1 and passing by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.
2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, has this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be revealed in him.
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me, while it is day. Night comes when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
6 And when He had spoken these things, He spat on the ground and made clay from the spittle. And He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
7 And He said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which translated is Sent). Therefore he went and washed and came seeing.
8 Then the neighbors and those who had seen him before, that he was blind, said, Is this not he who was sitting and begging?
9 Some said, This is he. Others said, He is like him. He said, I am he.
10 Then they said to him, How were your eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. And going and washing, I received sight.
12 Then they said to him, Where is he? He said, I do not know.
13 They brought him who once was blind to the Pharisees.
14 And it was a sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and I see.
16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath. Others said, How can a man, a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They said to the blind man again, What do you say about him, for he has opened your eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him having received sight.
19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?
20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.
21 But by what means he now sees, we do not know. Or who has opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age, ask him. He will speak for himself.
22 His parents spoke these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23 Therefore his parents said, He is of age, ask him.
24 Then a second time they called the man who was blind and said to him, Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that being blind, now I see.
26 Then they said to him again, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also desire to be His disciples?
28 Then they reviled him and said, You are his disciple, but we are Moses' disciples.
29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know from where this man is.
30 The man answered and said to them, Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know from where He is, and He has opened my eyes.
31 But we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.
32 From everlasting it was not heard that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.
33 If this One were not of God, He could do nothing.
34 They answered and said to him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us? And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, He said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?
36 And he answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?
37 And Jesus said to him, You have both seen Him, and it is He who is speaking with you.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.
39 And Jesus said, I have come into this world for judgment, that they who do not see might see, and that they who see might be made blind.
40 And those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, Are we also blind?
41 Jesus said to them, if you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, we see. Therefore your sin remains.
To quote the beggar who was blind from birth in Verse 30

30 The man answered and said to them, why, this is a marvellous thing, that you do not know from where He is, and He has opened my eyes.

• Why, this is a marvellous thing
• You do not know from where He is
• And He has opened my eyes


This is indeed a marvellous thing, and as we explore this passage together we will see how marvellous this thing is.

I have counted eight ‘Knows’ and four ‘believes’ in this passage.

Verse 12

Then they said to him, Where is he? He said, I do not know.

The blind beggar says he does not know where Jesus is.

Verse 20

His parents answered them and said, we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.

His parents said they know that this is our son

His parents know that he was born blind

Verse 21

But by what means he now sees, we do not know. Or who has opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age, ask him. He will speak for himself.

His parents do not know by what means he now sees!

Verse 24

24 Then a second time they called the man who was blind and said to him, Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.

The Pharisees know that Jesus is a sinner

Verse 25
25 He answered and said, Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that being blind, now I see

The man born blind replies that he does not know if Jesus is a sinner

The man does know one thing – I once was blind now I see.

Verse 29

29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know from where this man is.

The Pharisees know that God spoke to Moses

The Pharisees do not know from where Jesus comes from!

Verse 30

30 The man answered and said to them, Why, this is a marvellous thing, that you do not know from where He is, and He has opened my eyes.

The blind beggar says this is a marvellous thing

You do not know from where Jesus comes from

And yet Jesus has opened my eyes

Verse 31

31 But we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

The Pharisees know that God does not hear sinners

Then Jesus comes on the scene.

In Verse 35

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, He said to him, do you believe on the Son of God?

Jesus asks the beggar a question

Do you believe on the Son of God?

Here is the word ‘believe’.

Verse 36

And he answered and said, who is He, Lord that I might believe on Him?

The beggar too, uses the world Believe.

The Pharisees want to know things, but Jesus wants us to believe.

Let’s look at Verse 25

He answered and said, Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that being blind, now I see.

• one thing I do know
• that being blind
• now I see.

Verse 29

We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know from where this man is.
• We know that God spoke to Moses

Big deal, it did not help them.

In Luke 16:29

Abraham said to him, they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.
30 And he said, No, father Abraham, but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent.
31 And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead.

You have to mix faith with what you hear.

The Rich man thought if Lazarus went back from the dead to his five brothers they would repent.

No said Abraham, if they do not hear Moses and the Prophets they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead.

These Pharisees know that God spoke to Moses, but what good did it do them?

They needed to come to the place where they believed what they heard.

Verse 29

They do not know where Jesus is from!

Here is a marvellous thing

You do not know where Jesus is from

And yet Jesus has opened my eyes

Verse 31 tickles me

But we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

The blind beggar, hears Jesus, believes Jesus is the Son of God, and falls down and worships him.

The very thing the Pharisees are saying should happen, the blind beggar fulfils.

This is a marvellous thing!

Verse 35

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, He said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?

• Here is something marvellous”
• Jesus hears that the beggar is cast out
• And he seeks him out and finds him
• Saying so you believe on the Son of God?

I ask you the same question. Do you believe on the Son of God?

Not that you know about him like the Pharisees and Jews – they knew him, they had first hand contact with Jesus, he walked among them, they saw the fruit of His ministry.

A man born blind is given sight, this had never happened before since the foundation of the world. No wonder the beggar said ‘this is a marvellous thing’.

Down at their root they did not Know that he was from heaven. Peter had to have a revelation of the Father, to know that Jesus was the son of the living God. Do you have that revelation of the Father?

Who is Jesus to you?

A man called Jesus

A prophet

The Son of the living God

Flesh and blood did not tell you that, my Father in heaven revealed that to you.

Along with the beggar who was blind from birth we too can say this is a marvellous thing.

A man born blind, has his eyes opened and yet there is a point where he does not know that Jesus is the Son of God. The opening of the eyes did not give him the revelation. He stands before Jesus with his natural eyes open, and still he does not know that the one standing before him is the Son of God, the anointed one, the messiah!

Seeing him made no difference!

Hearing his words made no difference!

Jesus walked with the two on the road to Emmaus

Jesus had to open there eyes and hearts to understand the scriptures about him.

The beggar replied

Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him

Believe what?

The Words of Jesus!

The Pharisees and Jews had their own knowledge source from Moses the law.

It is the words that the Father speaks through Jesus which reveal his Sonship.

This is the work of God that you believe on him whom he has sent.

For a Jew to be cast out of the synagogue was an awful thing. He becomes an outsider, a heathen, cast out of his religious family, becomes an outcast.

Once Jesus hears that this seeing blind beggar has been cast out, he comes to him and leads him into a deeper revelation of him self.

Previously this beggar had known Jesus as a man, then he knew him as a prophet, and now Jesus reveals himself as the Son of God!

Jesus goes to one who is cast out and reveals himself, asking only that they believe.

John 6:29 says

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Verse 36

And he answered and said, who is He, Lord that I might believe on Him?

• The beggar asks
• Who is he Lord, that I might believe on Him

Verse 37

37 And Jesus said to him, you have both seen Him, and it is He who is speaking with you.

• You have both seen him
• It is he who is speaking with you.

The beggar mixes faith with what he is hearing and the result

38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.

This man was put out of his world

Jesus found him

He believes in his heart

Confesses with his mouth

Verse 22

His parents spoke these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

• The Jews had agreed that if any one confessed
• That Jesus was the anointed on, the messiah
• He should be put out of the synagogue

Verse 24

Then a second time they called the man who was blind and said to him, Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.

• Give God the glory
• We know that this man is a sinner

How do the Pharisees know that Jesus is a sinner?

Because he has broken their traditions, by healing and anointing eyes on the Sabbath day, which they say is breaking Gods law, when in fact thy are only the traditions of men.

Verse 15 and 16

The Pharisees declared that Jesus had broken the Sabbath, when in fact it was not a violation of the law but of their own tradition.

Verse 28

Then they reviled him and said, You are his disciple, but we are Moses' disciples.

• They declared the man to be a disciple of Jesus
• They declared themselves to be disciples of Moses

The Law comes through Moses

Grace and truth comes through Jesus!

Even our enemies declare that we are disciples of Jesus, and walk in grace and truth.

Being under the law the Pharisees could not see.

Remember Paul, who was a Pharisee,

The scales had to fall from his eyes in order for him to see.

Remember Nicodemus, a Pharisee

He had to be born again!