De-Mystifying the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
When we experience the new birth, God graciously places His Spirit within us. He unites Himself to us, just as in a sacred marriage. From then on the Spirit of God dwells within us, empowering us to be faithful witnesses for His Kingdom. In today's discussion, we will explore the profound concept of God's indwelling Spirit and reflect on the pivotal role of grace in our daily journey of faith.
““I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.””
The Witness Within #3
There's a practical aspect to the "Baptism of the Spirit" and being "filled with the Holy Spirit" that you may have missed. First let me clarify what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is misunderstood among most Christians. Put simply, the baptism of the Spirit is the fulfillment of God's promise to put His Spirit in you, which happens when you first believe and are born again. When you place your faith in Christ, God puts His Spirit in you as the fulfillment of one of His most significant promises regarding the New Covenant.
Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. ESV
From then on, you can "be filled" with the Spirit, like Peter in Acts 4. Acts 4 is most likely days or weeks after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out. God poured out the Spirit once with no need to repeatedly pour Him out into the earth.
Peter had received the Spirit when Jesus breathed on Him, but Peter was endued with power in the upper room when the Spirit was first poured out. From then on, Peter and every other believer experienced the ongoing filling of the Spirit.
Notice in this passage what Peter does while being filled with the Spirit. Again, this is days or weeks after Pentecost.
Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, 10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
Peter was "filled" with the Spirit and preached the Gospel. Did he receive the Spirit again? No. Was he baptized in the Spirit again? No. Did the Spirit leave him and have to come again? No. Had Peter not been baptized with the Spirit on Pentecost? Yes, he was. So what's going on? It's simple, to be filled with the Spirit is to be under the influence. To be filled with the Spirit is to allow the indwelling Spirit to come upon for whatever is needed in the moment.
In Acts 4, the Holy Spirit came upon Peter, which is another way to say he was filled with the Spirit, and he preached a message. He didn't pray in tongues, he didn't do a miracle, he didn't prophesy…he preached the Gospel, under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
There's a traditional belief in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches that says you can be born again but still need to receive the Spirit with the evidence of tongues. Praying in tongues becomes the sole goal to prove that one is baptized in the Spirit. This error has left many Christians waiting for something they already have.
But like Peter, we need to be filled with the Spirit.
The Greek word for "filled" is pimplēmi which means fulfilled, accomplished, furnished, and filled. It does not denote to receive something you didn't have but to be under the influence or complete in whatever the influencing agent is in the moment.
You can be filled with anger, but that doesn't mean you received anger, you just tapped into your inherent capacity to be angry.
In traditional circles, the question is asked, "Have you received the Baptism of the Spirit with the evidence of praying in tongues." And then they pray for you to receive the Spirit and start praying in tongues. If the person doesn't pray in tongues, that person walks away wondering if they have the Spirit or not.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus to be saved, God's Spirit abides in you, and He will never leave or forsake you.
There is further confusion from passages like this. Try this as you read this passage; instead of baptism, use the word immerse.
Acts 19:1And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
The language seems to indicate they were born again but had not received the Spirit, but these concepts were all new at the time. To Paul, asking if they had received the Spirit was the same as asking if they were born again. He was asking if they had believed and been made new.
If they had only been water baptized in John's message of repentance, they had not yet heard the good news that they could be born again. Again, this was a brand new concept, and this was the message that was beginning to spread; you can be born again, and God's Spirit will do a work in you and make you new.
So rest assured, if you are born again, God's Spirit is in you. You can't be born again without God putting His Spirit in you as the agent that does the cleansing work to remove your root of sin, give you a new heart and prepare you to be inhabited by God.
So to be baptized in or with the Spirit means God has put His Spirit in you, which makes you born again. From then on, you can choose to be filled with the Spirit for all sorts of capacities.
Traditional folks say tongues are the evidence, but it's much better than that. I speak in tongues, and I think every believer should utilize that gift, but it's not the only evidence you have God's Spirit.
If you are afraid and turn to the Lord, and then boldness rises in you, you are being filled with the Spirit. If you are confused and pray, and wisdom rises up in your mind, you're being filled with the Spirit. If you are angry and allow God's peace to relax you and change your perspective, you are filled with the Spirit.
In every situation, you can turn to God's Spirit within and clothe yourself with that Spirit for wisdom, kindness, and self-control, operate in healing or prophecy for others, or even make a wise financial decision. You can clothe yourself with God's Spirit for every aspect of life, whether you pray in tongues or not.
The practical aspect of being filled with the Spirit is to trust God in every situation for the grace and strength to obey Him and follow His leading. You can try it in your strength, but being empowered by His Spirit in every situation is much more fruitful and effective.
Give it a try. As you face each life situation, become aware of God's presence in you, allow Him to remind you that you are His child, be willing to do it His way, and then step into the opportunity or decision trusting in the power of His Spirit in you and upon you.
God Has Made His Home With You So He Can Be Good To You
50 days after Jesus' resurrection, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all flesh by God. This divine act marked a significant turning point, as the Spirit now dwelled within the followers of Christ, establishing the church as God's living temple. Consequently, whenever someone believes in Christ, they are saved and filled with the Spirit of God. There is no need to wait for the Spirit's arrival or for any additional requirements; one simply needs to allow the Spirit to come upon them daily.
“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
The Witness Within #2
50 days after Jesus' resurrection, God poured the Holy Spirit out upon all flesh. This divine act marked a significant turning point, as the Spirit now dwelled within the followers of Christ, establishing the church as God's living temple. Consequently, whenever someone believes in Christ, they are saved and filled with the Spirit of God. There is no need to wait for the Spirit's arrival or for any additional requirements; one simply needs to allow the Spirit to come upon them daily.
This extraordinary event brought about a profound change. God's presence would no longer be confined to a physical temple built by human hands. Instead, He chose to dwell in unity with His family. Through His indwelling Spirit, God speaks to us, guides us, empowers us, heals us, and enables us to minister to others. The incredible news is that if you have accepted Jesus, the fullness of God's Spirit resides within you. Now, each day, you have the choice to invite His Spirit to come upon you.
Within this message, I explore various passages that depict God's longing to dwell among His people. We witness God's consistent desire to be with His people, beginning with the Garden of Eden and progressing to the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple. Finally, He finds His ultimate dwelling place within His family.
Check out this amazing prophecy from God about the time we live in. Notice God's relational language and see if you can feel His heart for you.
Jeremiah 32:38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 and I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts, so that they will not turn away from Me. 41 I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and all My soul. NASB
Watch the whole sermon for lots more on this subject.
Clint and Sara Byars
Forward Ministries
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The Witness Within: God Confirms Your Sonship to Guide Your Steps
You don’t do what you do because it’s right or wrong; you do what you do because you believe that’s who you are. We make decisions that mirror our self-image. That self-portrait we have of ourselves guides our behavior and decisions at a deeper than conscious level. We don’t even think about it; we just act and decide, based on that self-portrait, whether healthy or destructive. Whether it leads to life or death, we nearly automatically live out our lives based on who we think we are.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”
The Witness Within #1
You don’t do what you do because it’s right or wrong; you do what you do because you believe that’s who you are. We make decisions that mirror our self-image. That self-portrait we have of ourselves guides our behavior and decisions at a deeper than conscious level. We don’t even think about it; we just act and decide, based on that self-portrait, whether healthy or destructive. Whether it leads to life or death, we nearly automatically live out our lives based on who we think we are.
There’s good and bad news with that truth. The bad news is self-evident. The Good news is God has taken up residence within us and has recreated us so that our actual image is just like Jesus. Our pursuit is then to agree in our heart, mind, and emotions with the new image, or being, that God has made us to be in Christ.
You have already become that new person spiritually; it’s complete. But you are becoming that new person in the rest of your being. As you live out your new identity, you will inherit and manifest everything God has placed in you by His spirit. It’s as automatic as a seed growing into whatever kind of tree or plant.
But if we are not in agreement in our minds, heart, and emotions, we will not outwardly reflect our true inner spiritual image, which has already been conformed to the image of Christ.
God has bonded Himself to us at the core of our being, and from that place, continually speaks to us, reminding us that we are His child. If you’re subconscious self-portrait is painted by the brush of God’s voice affirming your identity in Him, you will make decisions out of that image rather than the broken image that the pain, trauma, and failure of life has painted.
So the “work of Christianity” is not obedience to a set of rules; it’s to renew your kind, putting on the new man, and in doing so, naturally follow and obey God from the heart, perfectly in sync with Him because it IS who you are. We naturally live out of who we think we are, so let’s put the work in to allow God’s spiritual, eternal image of us to overtake every aspect of our thinking, feeling, and doing.
Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. NLT
In this message, I walk you through a few passages to keep in mind when seeking to live from your spiritual image. Our great promise is that God will not walk away from us if we stumble; he’ll be right there with us, reminding us we are His child and continuing to give us the power to follow Him and reflect His image.
Hey Mom, The World Needs Who You Were Meant To Be - Callie Coryell & Clint Byars
It's easy to take our mothers for granted. Many of us have or had wonderful moms, while others did not. This can be a restful, joyous day for some; for others, it can be a day of bitterness and remorse. Whatever your experience, there is biblical instruction regarding both sides of motherhood that is valuable and applicable. Happy Mother's Day!!!
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
In the first part of this sermon, Callie Coryell shares an encouraging word from a Mom’s perspective on how to renew the calling to be a mother. I pray it’s an encouragement to all moms.
In my section of the sermon, I gave a word that I felt the Lord put on my heart for those of you struggling in your relationship with your mom. It wasn’t an easy word to deliver, but I could tell it hit home with several people.
The Spiritual Big Picture of God's Kingdom
In the beginning, before time and space existed, there was God, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Everything that exists was created by Him, for Him, and through Him (Colossians 1:16). The universe, with its trillions of galaxies and stars, is just a small part of God's infinite existence. His rule and reign transcend infinitely beyond the created realm.
God decided to create a planet in the center of a solar system in the middle of this universe and fill it with all kinds of living creatures. But He had a special plan for this planet. He created a species of being that was like Him and gave them rule and reign over the planet and realm. As Jesus said, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods"'?" (John 10:34).
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
In the beginning, before time and space existed, there was God, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Everything that exists was created by Him, for Him, and through Him (Colossians 1:16). The universe, with its trillions of galaxies and stars, is just a small part of God's infinite existence. His rule and reign transcend infinitely beyond the created realm.
God decided to create a planet in the center of a solar system in the middle of this universe and fill it with all kinds of living creatures. But He had a special plan for this planet. He created a species of being that was like Him and gave them rule and reign over the planet and realm. As Jesus said, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods"'?" (John 10:34).
This planet and everything on it were created for Jesus (Romans 11:36). God predestined that He would populate the planet with a group of people who were like Him in the beginning, autonomous with free will to choose good from evil. Through one facet of Himself manifesting in the earth, He would bring restoration to what those image-bearers broke. His plan included that they could be transformed into that same facet of the Son and inherit the right to become His children.
Jesus came to carry out that plan. He showed us how those image-bearers should be operating on the planet. The planet is an extension of God's kingdom, but He put His image bearers in charge of it. He wanted to rule this realm through His image bearers, but we introduced sin and death.
But God's plan included the destruction of sin and death by reconnecting His rule and reign to this realm through Christ. God united Himself to us so we can co-rule with Him and yield to His authority and leadership. So we are joint heirs with Jesus. We are now God's co-rulers on this planet. Mankind still has dominion, but God has made where his infinite realm can impact and restore this realm through his image bearers. We are to announce the GOOD NEWS that God's Kingdom is now here. It was planted here in Christ and will continue to grow to the increase of His government/kingdom, there shall be no end.
There are currently wheat and weeds in the earth, but one day that will change. Until then, we are sent into the world as Jesus was sent, to rule and reign as He modeled when He was here. This is what Peter was excited about in Acts 2 when he talked about the restoration of all things.
God's rule and reign have been established and will continue to increase. Let's have a restorative view of the future, not a fatalist view. Until the end, there will be weeds in this realm, but His rule and reign will continue to grow. Announce the GOOD NEWS that God's Kingdom is here, and we display it by bearing fruit, walking in love, and ministering in power. Let's be about His kingdom and not be overwhelmed by the weeds.
Splagchnizomai - Jesus Was Moved with Compassion for People
In Acts 2 and Hebrews 1, we discover that many of David's Psalms have prophetic significance. David's prophetic Messianic Psalms uniquely connect with the heart of Jesus and express what he would experience during his trial, beating, crucifixion, time in Hades, and his resurrection.
For instance, Psalm 18 provides a powerful firsthand account of the resurrection of Christ, while Psalm 22 expresses the experience of Christ on the cross. Similarly, Psalm 110 reveals Christ's heart while in the heart of the earth after his death.
While Matthew records the words of Christ on the cross, we can gain even more insights into his experience by looking at the Psalms that Jesus identifies with. Studying these Psalms can help us personalize and appreciate the suffering Christ endured for our sake.
“Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.””
The word compassion is derived from the Greek word 'splagchnizomai,' which means to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion. This word emphasizes the deep emotional response that one experiences towards another person's suffering. It is not just a feeling or obligation, but a deep sense of empathy that demands action.
Jesus demonstrated this type of compassion in his ministry. He was moved with compassion for the sick, the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. He didn't just sympathize with their plight, but he took action to heal, feed, and liberate them. His compassion was not just a passive feeling; it was an active force that drove him to serve others selflessly. Jesus saw the people's pain and suffering and couldn't help but act. This deep sense of compassion was what fueled his ministry, and it's what we should emulate as his followers.
In the book of Hebrews, we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is not just the leader of our faith, but He is also the reason for our faith. He is the One who endured the cross and overcame the power of sin and death, so that we could have new life in Him.
One of the key aspects of Jesus' ministry on earth was His compassion for people. When people asked Him if He was willing to heal them, He always responded with a resounding "I am willing." This willingness was not just a simple desire to help people, but it was born out of a deep love and compassion for those who were suffering.
Jesus' love and compassion for people moved Him to action. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and reached out to those who were marginalized by society. He did not just do these things because it was the right thing to do, but because He genuinely cared about the people He was ministering to.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to love others in the same way that He loved us. Jesus' love was not just a sentimental feeling, but it was a deep and sacrificial love that was willing to lay down His life for others. This kind of love is not just a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it is a powerful force that can change lives and transform communities.
When we love others with the same kind of love that Jesus had for us, we create an atmosphere for the power of God to move in our midst. Love is not just a nice sentiment, but it is a powerful force that can overcome hate, division, and fear. When we love one another, we demonstrate to the world that we are followers of Jesus and that we belong to Him.
Jesus' love for people was not just a personal mission, but it was also a strategy to advance the Kingdom of God. He called His disciples to love one another as He loved them, and He prayed for unity among His followers so that the world would know that God had sent Him. Unity is the strategy, and love is the power that drives us forward in our mission to reach the world with the message of the Gospel.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and let us love one another as He loved us. Let us be moved with compassion for those who are hurting and marginalized, and let us demonstrate the power of God through our love for one another. May we be united in our mission to reach the world with the message of the Gospel, and may we be empowered by the love of Christ to make a difference in our communities and in our world.
We Can Know What Jesus Was Thinking On The Cross
In Acts 2 and Hebrews 1, we discover that many of David's Psalms have prophetic significance. David's prophetic Messianic Psalms uniquely connect with the heart of Jesus and express what he would experience during his trial, beating, crucifixion, time in Hades, and his resurrection.
For instance, Psalm 18 provides a powerful firsthand account of the resurrection of Christ, while Psalm 22 expresses the experience of Christ on the cross. Similarly, Psalm 110 reveals Christ's heart while in the heart of the earth after his death.
While Matthew records the words of Christ on the cross, we can gain even more insights into his experience by looking at the Psalms that Jesus identifies with. Studying these Psalms can help us personalize and appreciate the suffering Christ endured for our sake.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?”
In Acts 2 and Hebrews 1, we discover that many of David's Psalms have prophetic significance. David's prophetic Messianic Psalms uniquely connect with the heart of Jesus and express what he would experience during his trial, beating, crucifixion, time in Hades, and his resurrection.
For instance, Psalm 18 provides a powerful firsthand account of the resurrection of Christ, while Psalm 22 expresses the experience of Christ on the cross. Similarly, Psalm 110 reveals Christ's heart while in the heart of the earth after his death.
While Matthew records the words of Christ on the cross, we can gain even more insights into his experience by looking at the Psalms that Jesus identifies with. Studying these Psalms can help us personalize and appreciate the suffering Christ endured for our sake.
Matthew 27:45-46 describes how, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the land, and Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
By walking through Psalm 22, we can gain a deeper understanding of what Christ experienced on the cross. We can pause and imagine standing at the foot of Christ's cross and envision him undergoing all of this, as he bears the punishment for our sins.
Psalm 22
1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.
11 Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
20 Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog.
21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me.
22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.
25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!
27 All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth Shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust Shall bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep himself alive.
30 A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, That He has done this.
The Heart of Jesus: Enduring for the Joy Set Before Him
Jesus knew that God had sent him into the world to die on the cross and save sinners. The last week of his earthly life was heart-wrenching and painful, but he endured it for us. Jesus asked God if there was a different plan, not wanting to be forsaken by his Father, but he still endured. He endured the shame of the cross for the joy set before him, which is us. Thank you for joining us today. We pray that today's journey through Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane encourages you and gives you hope to remain faithful.
“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...”
One of the most meaningful aspects of Christ’s incarnation is that he emptied himself (Philippians 2:7) and laid down a facet of his eternal glory (John 17:5) to become like you and me. Jesus was a human being tempted and wrestled with life situations like you and me. Why? Because God gave humankind dominion over creation, humanity was responsible for the infractions and injustices, so only a human could atone and reconcile.
No one could accomplish this impossible task, so miraculously, God became human to bear the burden of the penalty for the injustice against God’s righteousness and the effects of sin, which is death.
The touching part to me is that Jesus did this willingly. Knowing the horror of being tried, judged, and punished for all humanity, Jesus still said yes and stayed the course.
Jesus intimately knew the prophecies of the suffering Messiah. He knew David was prophesying his experience in the grave in many Psalms. He knew he would be forsaken by God and descend into the center of the earth (Matthew 12:39).
He knew he would be unjustly accused, judged, and punished by man. He knew he would be nailed to a cross. He knew God would change him into sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He knew God was going pour out all of his wrath toward sin, and he would experience all the effects and wages of sin. Finally, he knew he would pass into Hades / Sheol and had to use his faith to believe that God’s promises to him would still come to pass.
Knowing all that, he still endured the death of the cross for the joy it brought him to think of you receiving eternal life through what he was doing. The thought of you in his eternal kingdom, free from sin and death, brought Jesus such great joy that he stayed the course and died in your place.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Consider Jesus’ mindset in these passages.
Matthew 26:1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days are the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Even though his disciples didn’t fully understand what was coming, Jesus did. We see his humanity the night he is arrested.
Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, [h]if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour [i]is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
It amazes me that Jesus asked God to change his plan. I describe this aspect of Christ’s suffering in the video, and I pray you take the time to watch it. It will bless you. Grown men were crying when I preached this sermon because they were personally identifying with Christ’s work on their behalf. I pray it’s meaningful for you as well.
As a result of Christ’s complete work, we have unhindered access to God when we need help. Jesus knows how to help us because he’s been like us. He’s been through what you’re going through. He knows what it’s like to face the challenges of life that you’re facing. He wants to help you from a place of empathy, not judgment.
Hebrews 4:14 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.
Even in the midst of your darkness, especially in the midst of your darkness, you can go to God for mercy, comfort, and strength. He loves you and will never leave you.
The video above is a Palm Sunday sermon, I pray it is a blessing to you.
Jesus Gave Us A Strategy to Win the World Through Love
The world should know us by our love for one another, and our unity in Christ as believers should compel the world to believe. It’s a big circle that brings us back to God’s first action, to love us and send Jesus for us. It’s amazing that our love for one another and our unity in Christ should be a call to the world to believe that God loves them and sent Jesus for them too.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Jesus gave us a strategy to cause the world to believe. This strategy is revealed in his commands and his prayers.
Here’s how the first part works:
God loved us so he gave his only son to save us from sin and death
God commands us to love him, but he loved us first so he’s basically commanding us, to allow him to love us.
Because he loves us and we love him, we should love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in such a way that it’s a sign to the world that we’re Jesus’ followers.
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Then Jesus prays several things that reflect this process. In this prayer, he adds to the strategy and reveals the ultimate outcome of his command to love.
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Here’s what Jesus prays:
Jesus tells God he’s ready to take back the glory he laid down before he became human
He declares that he’s giving his believers that same glory
He declares that we are one with God as he is with God
He prays that we would be as one with each other as he is with each of us and as he is with the Father
He repeated himself by rephrasing his prayer a bit, declaring that he is in God, God is in him, he is in us, God is in us, and we are all one.
Finally, Jesus declares a fascinating fruit of this dynamic unity, he declares that the world will know and believe that God sent Jesus for them.
He concludes his prayer by revealing that this is all because God loves the world as much as he loves Jesus and as much as he loves us
It’s a big circle that brings us back to God’s first action, to love us and send Jesus for us. It’s amazing that our love for one another and our unity in Christ is a call to the world to believe that God loves them and sent Jesus for them too.
Ministry is a multi-faceted creative expression to reveal the love of God to people by loving one another and uniting for the purpose of showing the world that God loves them too. This is our strategy. This is our calling. To participate in the plan of God to love people into his family through Christ.
It’s not a big mystery. We don’t have to be super-spiritual to understand the will of God. God is love, and he wants everyone to know and be made whole in this love. And apparently, our love for one another is a key part of that plan.
I say we get busy loving. 1 Corinthians 13 is a good place to start. Allow God to reveal to you ways that living out these principles can be signs to the unbelieving world that God loves them to the point they believe. Dream with God a bit about what that looks like in your life. Give him the opportunity to live out his strategy through you.
I am patient
I am kind
I am not envious
I do not boast
I am not proud
I do not dishonor others
I am not self-seeking
I am not easily angered
I keep no record of wrongs
I do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth
I always protect
I always trust
I always hope
I always persevere
I never fail in God
Where you go from here is between you and the Holy Spirit, enjoy the journey!
God's Words are the Spiritual DNA of Life
Jesus said his words are spirit and life. His words are not just ideas, they are packages of spiritual life. His words created the universe. His words uphold all things. His words are not just ideas for us to ponder, they are packages of spiritual life for us to digest and assimilate into our entire being to experience transformation, enjoy health, and walk in power
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
Jesus said his words are spirit and life. His words are not just ideas, they are bundles of spiritual life. They are genetically encoded seeds to become specific blessings, gifts, and fruits.
His words are more than what's written in the Bible or even the words that he spoke when he walked the earth. We should remember that Jesus was/is the logos which was the agent of creation. This was his glory or his form before he came to earth as a man. So not only is he the agent or creation, but it was also all made for him.
Colossians 1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
The logos that spoke all into existence is still upholding all things.
Hebrews 1a The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word.
In his glory before emptying himself and becoming human, the son of God created all things and now upholds all things because all things, in fact, belong to him.
Then Jesus himself, as a human, tells us the words he spoke to his disciples and those who heard are spirit and life. That's not a metaphor. His words have the power to create in our lives in the same way his word made all that exists.
This is now a process we control, but it is a reality we can host within our hearts. We can hold his creative, sustaining word in our hearts and expect it to have an effect. His words are not just ideas for us to ponder, they are packages of spiritual life for us to digest and assimilate into our entire being to experience transformation, enjoy health, and walk in power.
How do we engage his words on that level, where they become something tangible for us?
Christ's words become spirit and life in our minds, hearts, bodies, and lives as we hold his logic in our hearts to the degree that it bears fruit and flows naturally from our hearts. Those spiritual life packages become wisdom, healing, provision, direction, gifts toward others, and more.
Messenger RNA Technology
This may not be the best example because of covid, but mRNA technology is an interesting parallel to how Jesus' words are effective in ours. mRNA technology refers to lives. The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules to stimulate an immune response against a specific pathogen, such as a virus or cancer cells. It carries instructions to the body's cells and teaches the cells how to produce immunity which fights off disease.
The word of God is much more powerful but works similarly. As it is held in our hearts, it carries messages to our entire being, supplying what is needed for healing, wisdom, direction, provision, power, and more.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. 23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.