Les 9 mensonges de la religionPosté le 1 avril 2015 par Paul Ellis // 184 commentaires

” Je suis venu dans le monde pour rendre témoignage à la vérité “, a dit Jésus. ” Tous ceux qui sont du côté de la vérité m’écoutent ” (Jean 18:37).

Des mots forts, Jésus. Mettez-les sur votre page Facebook et vous vous ferez incendier.

“Jésus, comment oses-tu prétendre détenir le secret de la vérité ? Pourquoi devons-nous prendre parti ? Quelle ingratitude. Quelle discorde. Qu’est-ce qui te donne le droit ? Pour qui te prends-tu ?”Jésus a témoigné de la vérité parce que seule la vérité peut vous libérer.La religion, par contre, vous garde lié par des demi-vérités, des contre-vérités et des mensonges damnables. Par religion, j’entends la quête universelle d’amélioration de soi. Je parle de la religion du serpent qui dit : “Faites ceci et vous serez comme Dieu. “Vérité contre mensonge Les mensonges de la religion sont méprisables car ils jettent de l’ombre sur la bonne nouvelle et asservissent ceux que Jésus aime. Voici neuf des mensonges les plus diaboliques jamais prêchés :

1. Dieu compte les points “Il fait une liste et la vérifie deux fois. Il va trouver qui est vilain et qui est gentil “.L’image de Dieu comme un comptable est en contradiction avec celle que Jésus donne de Dieu comme le père qui pardonne. La religion dit : “Dieu enregistre vos péchés sur une cassette vidéo.” Mais la bonne nouvelle déclare : “L’amour ne garde pas trace des fautes” (1 Co 13, 5). Dieu n’enregistre pas vos péchés (2 Cor 5:19) et il ne nous traite pas comme nos péchés le méritent (Psaume 103:10).”Mais Jésus n’a-t-il pas dit qu’il pourrait effacer nos noms de son livre ?”Non, Jésus a dit qu’il n’effacerait pas nos noms. La seule chose que Dieu promet d’effacer, ce sont vos péchés (Is 43:25), et il l’a déjà fait. Pourquoi ? Parce qu’il nous aime et veut que nous rentrions à la maison.

2. Dieu est en colère contre toi “Bien sûr, Dieu t’aime, mais il est aussi en colère contre toi. Tu dois trouver un équilibre entre sa bonté et sa sévérité. “Vous connaissez cette phrase ? Elle semble biblique, mais elle ne l’est pas. La Bible proclame : “Dieu est amour” (1 Jean 4:16). Tout ce qu’il fait est l’expression de son amour pour vous. Si la colère de Dieu vous effraie, alors vous vous faites une fausse idée de la colère, car il n’y a pas de crainte dans l’amour (1 Jean 4:18).La vérité évangélique est que Dieu était en colère contre vos péchés, mais qu’il a déversé toute sa colère sur la croix (Rom 8:3), et qu’il n’est plus en colère. Comme le dit l’hymne, grâce à Jésus, la colère de Dieu a été satisfaite.

3. Dieu vous punit “Dieu flagelle ses enfants et brûle le reste”. Uh-huh. Alors combien de personnes Jésus a-t-il flagellé ? Combien de personnes Jésus a-t-il punies ? Si ce n’est pas vrai pour le Fils, ce n’est pas vrai pour le Père (He 1:3). La vérité est que Dieu ne châtie pas ses enfants, mais il les forme et les instruit comme un père forme le fils qu’il aime. La religion brandit le grand bâton de la punition pour obliger à un comportement correct, mais en Christ vous êtes éternellement impunissable ! “Le châtiment qui nous apporte la paix était sur lui…” (Es 53,5). Comme l’a dit Spurgeon : ” Comment le Seigneur punirait-il deux fois pour une seule offense ? Si Christ a pris mes péchés et s’est tenu pour mon substitut, alors il n’y a pas de colère de Dieu pour moi. “

4. Dieu vous rend malade pour vous enseigner des choses “Dieu t’a donné un cancer pour t’enseigner le caractère. “Non, il ne l’a pas fait. Dieu est certainement capable de racheter nos souffrances, mais il ne nous donne pas la maladie en premier lieu. Sous l’ancienne alliance, les gens tombaient malades comme conséquence de la violation de la loi (Deu 28:15-28). Mais Jésus nous a rachetés de la malédiction de la loi pour que nous puissions vivre une vie saine et abondante. La religion dit que Dieu nous enseigne par la maladie, mais Jésus dit qu’il nous enseigne par la Parole et le Saint-Esprit. La vérité est que Jésus a ôté la maladie aux gens, il ne la leur a pas donnée.

5. Dieu donne et reprend “Votre bébé est mort parce que Dieu avait besoin d’un autre ange au ciel. Dieu a pris votre travail parce que vous l’appréciiez trop. Votre voiture a été volée parce que c’était une idole”. Ecoutez ces maudits mensonges et vous ne résisterez pas au voleur quand il viendra vous piller. La religion aime citer Job parce que l’homme était vertueux (Job 32:1-2), mais il était aussi amer (Job 27:2), et suicidaire (Job 7:15) et disait beaucoup de bêtises (Job 42:3). “Job est un ignorant. Il dit n’importe quoi” (Job 34:35, MSG). Pourquoi écouter Job alors que vous pouvez écouter Jésus ? La vérité est que Jésus est venu pour que vous ayez la vie en abondance. Dieu donne de bons cadeaux et il ne les reprend jamais (Rm 11,29).

6. Dieu pourrait vous rejeter “Les branches infructueuses sont arrachées et jetées au feu. Considérez les branches juives qui ont été cassées et ayez peur !”Pourtant, Jésus n’a jamais dit que Dieu cassait les branches infructueuses et Paul non plus. La religion dit : “Il faut s’enflammer pour Dieu, sinon Jésus vous vomira.” Ce n’est pas vrai. Vous êtes le corps du Christ et Jésus ne vomit pas les parties du corps. La religion dit qu’il faut travailler dur et que Dieu vous acceptera peut-être, mais la vérité est qu’en Christ vous êtes acceptable à 100%. Rien ne peut vous rendre plus ou moins agréable à Dieu que vous ne l’êtes déjà.

7. Dieu peut être acheté “La grâce est gratuite mais vous devez prouver que vous en valez la peine. Dieu veut votre service, votre sacrifice, et votre argent. “Les appels incessants à la sueur et à l’argent sont une marque de fabrique de la religion bricolée. “Jésus est mort pour vous. Que ferez-vous pour lui ?” C’est un message anti-Christ qui prostitue l’amour de Dieu en mettant des étiquettes de prix sur ce qui n’a pas de prix. Un Dieu saint ne peut être soudoyé et l’amour de votre Père ne peut être acheté. Vous ne pouvez pas payer pour le salut, la sanctification ou toute autre bénédiction de Dieu. La vérité, c’est que toutes les bénédictions de Dieu sont à nous en Christ (Ep 1,3). Nous ne sommes pas bénis parce que nous donnons, mais parce qu’il donne.

8. On ne peut pas faire confiance à Dieu “Vous devez maintenir votre place dans le royaume en portant du fruit, en poursuivant la sainteté et en étant un chrétien productif. “Rien ne tuera plus vite votre foi que le mensonge qui dit : “Tout dépend de vous.” C’est la théologie du serpent : “Si vous jeûnez, priez, donnez et faites une centaine d’autres choses, vous allez vous frayer un chemin dans la salle du trône. Tu seras un dieu créé par toi-même. “La vérité est que vous êtes sauvé par la grâce et gardé par la grâce. Vous pouvez faire confiance à Jésus pour que la bonne œuvre qu’il a commencée en vous se poursuive jusqu’à son achèvement (Php 1:6). Vous ne vous tenez pas sur vos promesses à Dieu, mais sur ses promesses impressionnantes à votre égard.

9. Dieu ne vous aime pas vraiment Un Dieu en colère qui compte les points, vous punit par des épreuves, vous rend malade et menace de vous rejeter, n’est pas un Dieu d’amour. C’est une idole faite à notre image déchue, une perversion qui révèle notre peur et notre insécurité. Enlevez le masque religieux et vous découvrirez que c’est Satan qui vous accuse constamment et vous trouve des défauts. Le Dieu que Jésus a révélé n’a rien à voir avec cela ! “Dieu est votre Père céleste qui vous aime et ne vous en veut pas ! Dieu ne veut pas t’écraser, il veut te serrer dans ses bras et te tenir et se réjouir de toi en chantant, car tu es la prunelle de ses yeux !La vérité de l’Évangile, c’est que Dieu t’aime sans condition, sans attaches. Il ne t’aime pas parce que tu es bon ou que tu as respecté les règles. Il t’aime parce qu’il est ton Père. Point final. Amen. La fin. Et si j’ai cru à ces mensonges ?Écoutez les mensonges maudits de la religion et vous porterez le mauvais fruit de la peur et du doute. Vous perdrez votre paix, votre joie et votre liberté et vous finirez par être anxieux, peu sûr de vous et déchu de la grâce. Quel est le remède ?Jésus a dit que ceux qui aiment la vérité reconnaissent sa voix. Alors, fixez vos yeux sur Jésus, installez-vous dans son amour, et ne laissez rien vous faire bouger. Restez dans l’étreinte de votre Père et vous ne serez jamais séduit par les mensonges d’une religion morte.

The 9 Lies of Religion

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Paul Ellis // 184 Comments

“I came into the world to testify to the truth,” said Jesus. “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37).Strong words, Jesus. Put them on your Facebook page and you’ll get flamed.“Jesus, how dare you claim to have the inside track on truth? Why must we take sides? How ungracious. How divisive. What gives you the right? Who do you think you are?”Jesus testified to the truth because only the truth can set you free.Religion, on the other hand, keeps you bound with half-truths, bent-truths, and damnable lies.By religion I mean the universal quest for self-improvement. I am talking about the religion of the snake who said, “Do this and you will be like God.”Truth v lieThe lies of religion are contemptible because they throw shade on the good news and enslave those whom Jesus loves. Here are nine of the most diabolical lies ever preached:

1. GOD IS KEEPING SCORE

“He’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”The picture of God as a bookkeeper is at odds with the one Jesus gives of God as the forgiving father.Religion says, “God is recording your sins on video-tape.” But the good news declares, “Love keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor 13:5). God is not recording your sins (2 Cor 5:19) and he does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10).“But didn’t Jesus say he might blot our names from his book?”No, Jesus said he wouldn’t blot our names. The only thing God promises to blot out are your sins (Is 43:25), and he did that already. Why? Because he loves us and wants us to come home.

2. GOD IS MAD AT YOU

“Sure, God loves you but he’s also mad at you. You have to balance his kindness with his sternness.”Heard that one? It sounds Biblical, but it isn’t.The Bible proclaims, “God is love” (1 John 4:16). Everything he does is an expression of his love for you. If the wrath of God scares you, then you have the wrong picture of wrath because there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18).The gospel truth is that God was angry with your sins but he poured out all his wrath on the cross (Rom 8:3), and he is angry no more. As the hymn says, because of Jesus the wrath of God has been satisfied.

3. GOD IS PUNISHING YOU

“God scourges his children and burns the rest.”Uh-huh. So how many people did Jesus scourge? How many people did Jesus punish? If it’s not true of the Son, it’s not true of the Father (Heb 1:3).The truth is that God doesn’t scourge his children, but he trains and instructs them as a father trains the son in whom he delights.Religion wields the big stick of punishment to compel proper behavior, but in Christ you are eternally unpunishable! “The punishment that brought us peace was on him…” (Isa 53:5). As Spurgeon said: “How shall the Lord punish twice for one offense? If Christ took my sins and stood as my substitute, then there is no wrath of God for me.”

4. GOD MAKES YOU SICK TO TEACH YOU THINGS

“God gave you cancer to teach you character.”No he didn’t. God is certainly able to redeem our suffering, but he doesn’t give us sickness in the first place.Under the old covenant, people got sick as a consequence of breaking the law (Deu 28:15–28). But Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law that we might live healthy and abundant lives.Religion says God teaches us with sickness, but Jesus says he teaches us through the Word and the Holy Spirit. The truth is that Jesus took sickness off people; he didn’t give it to them.

5. GOD GIVES AND TAKES AWAY

“Your baby died because God needed another angel in heaven. God took your job because you were enjoying it too much. Your car was stolen because it was an idol.”Heed these damnable lies and you won’t resist the thief when he comes to plunder you.Religion loves to quote Job because the man was self-righteous (Job 32:1-2), but he was also bitter (Job 27:2), and suicidal (Job 7:15) and spoke a lot of rubbish (Job 42:3). “Job is an ignoramus. He talks utter nonsense” (Job 34:35, MSG). Why listen to Job when you can listen to Jesus?The truth is that Jesus came so that you may have life to the full. God gives good gifts and he never takes them back (Rom 11:29).

6. GOD MIGHT REJECT YOU

“Unfruitful branches are broken off and cast into the fire. Consider the Jewish branches that were broken off on and be afraid!”Yet Jesus never said God breaks off unfruitful branches and nor did Paul.Religion says, “You have to get on fire for God, or Jesus will vomit you out.” Not true. You are the body of Christ and Jesus doesn’t vomit out body parts.Religion says work hard and God may accept you, but the truth is that in Christ you are 100% acceptable. Nothing can make you more or less pleasing to God than you already are.

7. GOD CAN BE BOUGHT

“Grace is free but you have to prove you were worth it. God wants your service, your sacrifice, and your money.”The endless appeals for sweat and coin are a hallmark of DIY religion. “Jesus died for you. What will you do for him?” It’s an anti-Christ message that prostitutes the love of God by putting price-tags on the priceless.A holy God cannot be bribed and your Father’s love cannot be bought. You cannot pay for salvation, sanctification, or any of the blessings of God. The truth is that all the blessings of God are ours in Christ (Eph 1:3). We are not blessed because we give but because he gives.

8. GOD CAN’T BE TRUSTED

“You have to maintain your place in the kingdom by bearing fruit, pursuing holiness, and being a productive Christian.”Nothing will kill your faith faster than the lie that says, “It all depends on you.” This is serpent theology: “If you fast, pray, give, and do a hundred other things, you’ll claw your way into the throne room. You’ll be a self-made god.”The truth is that you are saved by grace and kept by grace. You can trust Jesus that the good work he began in you he will carry on unto completion (Php 1:6). You don’t stand on your promises to God, but on his awesome promises to you.

9. GOD DOESN’T REALLY LOVE YOU

An angry God that keeps score, punishes you with hardships, makes you sick, and threatens to cast you aside, is not a God of love. He’s an idol made in our own fallen image, a perversion that reveals our fear and insecurity. Remove the religious mask and you will find it is Satan who is constantly accusing you and finding fault with you.The God that Jesus revealed is nothing like this! “God is your Father in heaven who loves you and holds nothing against you! God doesn’t want to crush you, he wants to hug you and hold you and rejoice over you with singing, for you are the apple of his eye!The gospel truth is that God loves you unconditionally, no strings attached. He doesn’t love you because you are good or kept the rules. He loves you because he is your Father. Period. Amen. The end.

WHAT IF I HAVE BOUGHT INTO THESE LIES?

Listen to the damnable lies of religion and you will bear the bad fruit of fear and doubt. You will lose your peace, joy, and freedom and end up anxious, insecure, and fallen from grace.What’s the remedy?Jesus said those who love truth recognize his voice. So fix your eyes on Jesus, get settled in his love, and let nothing move you.Remain in your Father’s embrace and you will never be seduced by the lies of dead religion.

La première raison pour laquelle nous avons une église faible est que nous prêchons un évangile faible. Nous n’aurons jamais une église forte si nous ne prêchons pas un évangile puissant. Connaissez-vous la différence ?

– L’évangile faible dit que vous avez intérêt à aimer Dieu ; l’évangile puissant déclare qu’il vous aime sûrement !

– L’évangile faible prêche que Dieu peut vous pardonner ; l’évangile puissant déclare qu’il l’a déjà fait.

– Le faible évangile dit que vous devez devenir saint ; le puissant évangile déclare qu’en Christ vous l’êtes déjà.

– L’évangile faible dit que vous êtes le serviteur du Seigneur ; l’évangile puissant déclare que vous êtes son fils bien-aimé

.- Le faible évangile met en évidence votre méchanceté ; le puissant évangile révèle son abondante bonté.

– L’évangile faible prêche de se détourner du péché ; l’évangile puissant dit de se tourner vers Jésus et d’être libéré du péché

.- L’évangile faible dit que Dieu vous bénira si vous faites votre part ; l’évangile puissant déclare que Dieu vous a béni de toute bénédiction dans le Christ Jésus.

– L’évangile faible vous pousse avec la loi ; l’évangile puissant vous attire avec l’amour.

– L’évangile faible dit que Dieu donne et reprend ; l’évangile puissant déclare que Dieu donne et que ses dons sont irrévocables.

– L’évangile faible dit que la repentance est ce que nous faisons en réponse au péché ; l’évangile puissant dit que la repentance est une réponse à l’amour.

– L’évangile faible dit que Dieu peut ; l’évangile puissant dit que Dieu veut et a déjà fait.

– L’évangile faible dit que Dieu donne la maladie pour vous aider à grandir ; l’évangile puissant dit qu’il guérit toutes nos maladies.

– L’évangile faible dit que Dieu compte vos péchés ; l’évangile puissant dit qu’il les a enlevés aussi loin que l’est de l’ouest.

– Le faible évangile dit de faire quelque chose pour Dieu ; le puissant évangile dit de regarder ce qu’il a fait pour vous.

– L’évangile faible dit de s’efforcer de lui plaire ; l’évangile puissant dit de s’efforcer d’entrer dans son repos. Un croyant faible lit cette liste avec un esprit d’équilibre. “Dieu a fait sa part, maintenant je dois faire la mienne”. Mais un croyant puissant insiste sur le Christ seul. “Jésus a tout fait, et mon rôle est de me reposer dans son œuvre achevée. “Un croyant faible croit un évangile faible centré sur moi. “Je dois produire ou périr. “Mais un croyant puissant croit en un évangile puissant centré sur le Christ. “Jésus me sauve et me garde, et celui qui a commencé une bonne œuvre en moi la poursuivra jusqu’au jour de son achèvement. “Un croyant faible avale les mensonges de la religion morte sans poser de questions. “J’ai besoin d’une petite assurance sur les œuvres. “Mais un croyant puissant n’a aucune tolérance pour le mélange. “La grâce plus la loi égale la loi. Je ne veux pas être à nouveau asservi. “Un croyant faible est faible parce qu’il compte sur la faiblesse de sa chair pour faire ce qui est impossible. Mais un croyant puissant est puissant parce qu’il s’appuie sur un Dieu puissant. Un croyant faible échoue parce qu’il marche dans la chair, mais un croyant puissant ne peut pas perdre parce qu’il est assis dans le Christ qui est sa victoire éternelle. La grâce du Seigneur Jésus-Christ soit avec vous.

The number one reason we have a feeble church is we preach a feeble gospel. We will never have a strong church unless we preach a mighty gospel.Do you know the difference?

• The feeble gospel says you better love God; the mighty gospel declares he surely loves you!

• The feeble gospel preaches God can forgive you; the mighty gospel declares he already has.

• The feeble gospel says you need to get holy; the mighty gospel declares that in Christ you already are.

• The feeble gospel says you are the Lord’s servant; the mighty gospel declares you are his beloved son.

• The feeble gospel points to your badness; the mighty gospel reveals his abounding goodness.

• The feeble gospel preaches turn from sin; the mighty gospel says turn to Jesus and be free from sin.

• The feeble gospel says God will bless you as you do your part; the mighty gospel declares God has blessed you with every blessing in Christ Jesus.

• The feeble gospel drives you with law; the mighty gospel draws you with love.

• The feeble gospel says God gives and takes away; the mighty gospel declares God gives and his gifts are without revocation.

• The feeble gospel says repentance is what we do in response to sin; the mighty gospel says repentance is a response to love.

• The feeble gospel says God can; the mighty gospel says God will and has.• The feeble gospel says God gives sickness to help you grow; the mighty gospel says he heals all our diseases.

• The feeble gospel says God is counting your sins; the mighty gospel says he has removed them as far as the east from the west.

• The feeble gospel says do something for God; the mighty gospel says look what he’s done for you.

• The feeble gospel says strive to please him; the mighty gospel says strive to enter his rest.

A feeble believer reads this list with a mindset of balance. “God has done his part, now I must do mine.” But a mighty believer insists on Christ alone. “Jesus has done it all, and my part is to rest in his finished work.” A feeble believer believes a feeble me-centered gospel. “I must produce or perish.” But a mighty believer believes a mighty Christ-centered gospel. “Jesus saves me and keeps me, and he who began a good work in me will carry it on until the day of completion.” A feeble believer swallows the lies of dead religion without question. “I need a little works insurance.”But a mighty believer has no tolerance for mixture. “Grace plus law equals law. I will not be enslaved again.” A feeble believer is feeble because they rely on the weakness of their flesh to do that which is impossible. But a mighty believer is mighty because they are relying on a mighty God.A feeble believer fails because they are walking in the flesh, but a mighty believer cannot lose because they are seated in Christ who is their eternal victory. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Philippians 4:19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.19 Et mon Dieu pourvoira à tous vos besoins selon sa richesse, avec gloire, en Jésus-Christ.All your needs. God is our great Provider and Helper who helps us in our time of need (Ps. 46:1). He provides us with food and drink (Matt. 6:25). He clothes us (Matt. 6:28). He shelters us (Ps. 61:4, 91:1) and protects us (Ps. 115:9-11). He meets our need for love and friendship (Matt. 11:19, Rom. 5:5, Eph. 2:4). He heals us (1 Pet. 2:24). He saves us, delivers us, and blesses us with every blessing there is (Eph. 1:3). Whatever your need, see God as your rich supply.

Tous vos besoins. Dieu est notre grand pourvoyeur et notre aide qui nous assiste dans nos besoins

(Ps. 46:1). Il nous donne à manger et à boire (Matt. 6:25). Il nous habille (Matt. 6:28). Il nous abrite (Ps. 61:4, 91:1) et nous protège (Ps. 115:9-11). Il répond à notre besoin d’amour et d’amitié (Matt. 11:19, Rom. 5:5, Eph. 2:4). Il nous guérit (1 Pierre 2:24). Il nous sauve, nous délivre, et nous bénit de toutes les bénédictions qui existent (Eph. 1:3). Quel que soit votre besoin, voyez Dieu comme votre riche pourvoyeur.

Ps 46 :1 « 1 Au chef des chantres. Des fils de Koré. Sur alamoth. Cantique. Dieu est pour nous un refuge et un appui, Un secours qui ne manque jamais dans la détresse. »

Matt6:25 C’est pourquoi je vous dis: Ne vous inquiétez pas pour votre vie de ce que vous mangerez, ni pour votre corps, de quoi vous serez vêtus. La vie n’est-elle pas plus que la nourriture, et le corps plus que le vêtement?

Matt 6 :28 «28 Et pourquoi vous inquiéter au sujet du vêtement? Considérez comment croissent les lis des champs: ils ne travaillent ni ne filent; »

Ps 61 :4 « 4 Je voudrais séjourner éternellement dans ta tente, Me réfugier à l’abri de tes ailes. -Pause. »

Ps 91 :1 « 1 Celui qui demeure sous l’abri du Très-Haut Repose à l’ombre du Tout Puissant. »

Ps 115 :9-11 « 9 Israël, confie-toi en l’Eternel! Il est leur secours et leur bouclier. 10 Maison d’Aaron, confie-toi en l’Eternel! Il est leur secours et leur bouclier. 11 Vous qui craignez l’Eternel, confiez-vous en l’Eternel! Il est leur secours et leur bouclier. »

Mt 11 :19 « 19 Le Fils de l’homme est venu, mangeant et buvant, et ils disent: C’est un mangeur et un buveur, un ami des publicains et des gens de mauvaise vie. Mais la sagesse a été justifiée par ses oeuvres. »

Rom 5 :5 « 5 Or, l’espérance ne trompe point, parce que l’amour de Dieu est répandu dans nos coeurs par le Saint-Esprit qui nous a été donné »Eph 2 :4 « 4\ Mais Dieu, qui est riche en miséricorde, à cause du grand amour dont il nous a aimés, »

1 Peirre 2 :4 « 24 lui qui a porté lui-même nos péchés en son corps sur le bois, afin que morts aux péchés nous vivions pour la justice; lui par les meurtrissures duquel vous avez été guéris. »

Eph 1 « 3 Béni soit Dieu, le Père de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, qui nous a bénis de toutes sortes de bénédictions spirituelles dans les lieux célestes en Christ! »

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The Beginning of the   « Called out »

Jan 22

How the first followers of Christ assembled.

Act 2:37

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Step one : They heard the message of the Gospel

Step two : They repented. They began to change their minds. They were pricked in their hearts. They felt anguish over their sin. And they asked what to do.

they were humble and received the message. They did not say we don’t need that Jesus. Not that one that died horribly and cursedly on a Roman torture devise. No they saw that HE overcame death and rose from the grave and now was speaking to them by HIs Spirit in Peter. They repented meaning they did not beat themselves up, but they picked themselves up and turned around to take the gift. They changed their minds form centuries of wrong religion taught by their dear Rabbin and they listened to THE Rabbi JEsus.

Many Rabbis continue to teach that this prophecy will be fulfilled someday in the future when all the mixed up races of the man made Isreal repents. But that is a recent idea, a leaven of the Pharisees teaching that was injected into our doctrines.

Zec 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

This was Pentecost the day that God had been patiently waiting for since Adam gave the Creation to the enemy. This was they day that God could send His spirit of Grace. After all the work was accomplished including Jesus paying the price being nailed to the cross. This was the day that the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem received this Spirit, after they mourned for their errors. I beleive this was fulfilled then.

Jesus was pierces in his hands and feet. Thus this was fulfilled and the Jews knew Davids words

Psa 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

And they pierced his side

 Jhn 19:34

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Jhn 19:35

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

Jhn 19:36

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

Amazing that they tortured Him and flayed Him for hours and then hung Him on the tree, but they could not break one single bone that the word of God was not broken.

Jhn 19:37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced

Act 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repent! This does not mean be sorry for yourself. But sorry enough about what you did to try a new way. The Way is Jesus and always is. The word « repent » metanoeo  in Greek means simply to change your thinking.  You can be sorry and miserable or even flagellate yourself to death. But until you change and turn to the Light you cannot be healed or saved.

Step three : They were Baptized in the Spirit

Being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is not just a ritual where you wash your sins away in water and pronounce the magic words of « Jesus Christ » over the person. No it means to be immersed in all that Jesus as a man accomplished up to the cross, and all the Christ accomplished being raised and ascended to the right hand of the Father. It means to be immersed in the blood that can wash away all sin, not water. It means accepting the cleansing produced by Him coming to live inside you! This is speaking of a greater baptism than water. This is the greater baptism John the water baptiser prophecied of. The baptism in the holy spirit and fire that purifies your soul. Of course the ritual of water baptism will not add or subtract from this spirit of Grace.

And with this gift of purification they received into full view the power of the Holy spirit on that day!

Step four : They were called

Act 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call

They were called as well as all of us from every corner of the earth to be part of the body of the called ones, The Ekklesia, which is poorly translated as the Kirk or Church.

Act 2:40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

« The unbelieving Jews were an untoward generation, perverse and obstinate; they walked contrary to God and man (1 Th. 2:15), » Mathew Henry

Peter was speaking directly to their generation that day.  A generation of corrupt ritual and tradition of the Rabbis that contradicted the grace of God. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians »

1Th 2:14-16

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

And many Jews that day did decide to save them selves from the consequence of being on the wrong side and came to be saved.

Act 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls

Not all that day received or welcomed the word of Peter. Many Jews were hardened even more and continued to fight the move of the Gospel. But that day about three thousand persons of the Jewish faith turned to Jesus and were totally immersed in the holy spirit baptism.

Step five : They Continued together

Act 2:42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

They continued together in 1) The apostle’s doctrine or teaching 2) the full sharing 3) eating together and 4) praying.

These are foundational keys to the building of the early Christian Community all through the actions recorded by Luke in Acts. And we shall see how as this book is the guide to how the Christian community can grow.

Act 2:46

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Here we see that they continued « with one accord » not just in the temple but in meals together house to house.. But what does « with one accord » mean?  It must be a key also in building the Body of Christ since it is used mostly in the book about building the Kingdom which is this book of Acts.  It is used 11 times in Acts meaning with one mind and one mind.
   «A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” and “in unison”. The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church. »

It was used while they were waiting for the gift in Acts 1 :14

It was used on the day of Pentecost as they waited in harmony and in one place Acts 2 :1

In Acts 4 :26 when they were tested by the first persecutions they prayed in harmony for more boldness

Act 2:43

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Fear in the sense of respect because as they fellowshipped together they were seeing the power of the Holy spirit operate many wonders and signs.

Act 2:44

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Act 2:45

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Act 2:46

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Act 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

« See how these Christians love one another. They were concerned for one another, sympathized with one another, and heartily espoused one another’s interests. They had fellowship with one another in religious worship. They met in the temple: there was their rendezvous; for joint-fellowship with God is the best fellowship we can have with one another, » Matthew Henry

« (1.) They were daily in the temple, not only on the days of the sabbaths and solemn feasts, but on other days, every day. Worshipping God is to be our daily work, and, where there is opportunity, the oftener it is done publicly the better. God loves the gates of Zion, and so must we.

(2.) They were with one accord; not only no discord nor strife, but a great deal of holy love among them; and they heartily joined in their public services. Though they met with the Jews in the courts of the temple, yet the Christians kept together by themselves, and were unanimous in their separate devotions. »

What happened since then? Where it this love and fellowship?  We only meet once a week and on certain days and give only a percent at our convenience, because we are told to. Is that all there is? We have fallen from grace into works and try to impress God with our pitiful works instead of being impressed every day by His works.

I think that when the kings of the kingdoms of this world took control of the « Church » that the true beleivers were margiinalized and even persecuted. Those who took the easy way and not the trials of persecution were bought by the love of this world.
Centuries of injustice and crusades followed because the grace and love of the holy spirit were replaced again by man’s tradition.

In the last two centuries we have seen the rise of two economic systems.. Capitalism and COmmunism.  We can say that the Christians followed one theory or the other. But none came from God. Only love and here is the crux.

You cannot force people to compete in Capitolism without having the Love of God and men as the motive.  It is natural to the heart of flesh to be self serving and self worshipping. And make money at the cost of defrauding our brother

The Communist movement saw  this and correcte it by forcing the rich to share.  But it was not motivated by love and rather by gulags and guns. Either way is wrong and either self serving or community serving with out God and there fore without Love. God is Love remember that!

So we may say we are believers and rip off the poor. Like we do in Capitalism. But where is the love of God for the poor? We may order people to work for the community and deny God exists. But were is the love of God for the individual? Either way will not grow the Kingdom of God. They only foundation to build the Kingdom of God is to seek it first and allow the kingdoms and economies of men to follow. The Kingdom of God operates on love and the kingdoms of this world without God operate on serving man and greed.

Jan 17 2022

JOY

Joy in the valleys

Psalm 23

I found it interesting that in the Psalm 23 there is mention of the word for « intoxicated » in the Septuagint translation here :

Psa 23:5 NIV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psa 23:5 LXX « You annointed my head with oil and Your cup is intoxicating me as the most powerful wine. »

Here is the whole Psalm 23 NIV style

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[fn] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

OR

Septuagint style

A Psalm of David

The Lord tends to me like a shepherd and not one thing do I lack. He encamps me in the place of tender shoots, at the waters of rest He nourished me.  He returned my life. He guided me upon the worn paths of righteousness because of His name. For even is I should go in the midst of the shadow of death, I shall not be afraid of evils, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. (His protection against sin and his pulling by HIs love)  You prepared before me a table in the face of those who afflict me. You annointed my head with oil and Your cup is intoxicating me as the most powerful wine.  And your mercy chases after me a;; the days of my life and my dwelling is in the household of God for the full length of time.

I find it interesting that the Scripture at least in the Greek translations use “methuo” so often. It means to intoxicate and to make drunk!  We are always looking for ways in our scientific and medically arrogant world to raise dopamine, serotonin or endorphins to get happy. But we use drugs or alcohol, sex or other temporary fixes only to be let down when they are not around.

But God promised to do the same with out anything But Himself who is God. He God is SPIRIT and HE is HOLY. But He also gave us the gift of the Holy spirit to dwell in us every second and forever! And this cannot be taken away at anytime. In good times and in trials!

So How do we experience this fruit of the spirit “Joy”?

I want to know. But to learn I need to put more of my dependence on the Good Shepherd and less on my things that make me happy.  Can the Creator of all dopamine  and serotonin not provide a boost? Even when there is no reason to be happy. Even when there is no more drugs or even food. There are fasts from these things. Either by choice of by necessity.

But God is the source and the fountain of all life

IN the presence of God is Joy.

When David wrote this Psalm he said “Your cup is intoxicating me” God can give us the boost we need without drugs that lead us away from God.

Pr 23 :31-33

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

There are ways that seem good but are counterfeits, slick and convincing counterfeits.

Pro 14:12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

So the Psalm said there are ways the Shepherd will lead his sheep that are the right habits

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” and the word used for paths is the “worn pathways” like the habits must be walked upon to become worn. We must walk in the right ways until they are habitual pathways in our neurons. There are no quick fixes without discipline and self control. That quality as well as Joy comes from GOD and is a fruit of the Holy spirit He gave to us. But we must let our habits be changed to walk in the spirit and not try to medicated ourselves with the flesh.

No matter what trials we face He is never going to leave His sheep, His own children. But He will correct and direct us with his rod and staff.

He has prepared good works for us to walk in. Since Our Father created the whole universe and even time, He can do that. He knows all before we walk into it. So he supplies our food, the words of God and he food to sustain the body that reads it. He supplies what we need and it is a feast even during the trials we face. Even in the face of our enemies, such as persecutiion, prison, depression, discouragement and fear. He pours out to us by His spirit Love, Joy and Peace in the midst of all trials.  This is supernatural and above all the happy things. It is a miracle and it is maintained by prayer, praying in the spirit.

Jde 1:20-21

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

We are warned that there is two WAYS to get happy but only one works.

Eph 5:17

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Eph 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Debauchery or “excess” in the KJV is the word in Greek that means “without hope of being safe” It means when you look to parties, rock and roll and drugs you are going to feel good but you are now in the devils control and you are not going to be in a good place to be protected and healthy.  You pay and pay dearly. But if you  Joy comes by the spirit You are protected always and you can be “happy”. So how to be filled with the spirit? How to let God fill your cup to overflowing and refresh you?

“. You annointed my head with oil and Your cup is intoxicating me as the most powerful wine.  “

So does God get us drunk? No but what we are look for is Joy not a hangover!

So it must be available to be satisified with Gods kind of Joy, when He anoints us and fills our cup with Spirit.

Eph 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Psa 36:5-9 NET

O LORD, your loyal love reaches to the sky; your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your justice is like the highest mountains, your fairness like the deepest sea; you preserve mankind and the animal kingdom.

How precious is your loyal love, O God! The human race finds shelter under your wings.

They are filled with food from your house, and you allow them to drink from the river of your delicacies.

Ps 36:8-9 LXX “They shall be intoxicated from the fatness (richness) of your house and you will allow them to drink from the fresh steams of your pleasure. For from you is the spring of life. In your light we see Light”

In the Greek translation of this again the word “intoxicate” was used

“They will be intoxicated with the richness of your house ; You will give them to drink from your refreshing streams of pleasure.”

What are these streams of living water that can “intoxicate”  Jesus told us. He promised us

 Jhn 4:10

Jesus answered her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

This is a source that can intoxicate and satisfy without being lost

Jhn 4:13

Jesus replied, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again

Jhn 4:14

But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

What is this source, or spring or well? But the gift of the holy spirit that Jesus promised to give.

Jhn 7:38

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Jhn 7:39

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing[fn] in Him would receive; for the Holy[fn] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified

He was glorified after He completed His sacrifice and was risen from the dead to take His place at the Fathers hand. Then on the day of Pentecost these unlimited and eternal source of life were poured out on all you who believed on Him.

Act 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

With this flow of life comes an intoxication, better than drunkenness.  A satisfaction and fullness that cannot be taken away.  The Holy spirit was given on Pentecost and from then on we have the source of life in our own belly. We can walk by it have have the fruit

 Gal 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The difference between being made “joyful” with wine and the spirit is control.

When we seek happiness through one we are being controlled. But when we are filled with the Spirit of GOD we are always the ones that control it. We are not mad but saved.

1Co 14:32-33

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Eph 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

So the answer to the search for happiness or joy must be here in the fruit of the spirit, not in the fruit of grapes. Joy and happiness may come temporarily from “spirits” but eternal source of Joy comes from the gift of the holy spirit

Act 2:16

No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Act 2:17

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Act 2:18

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Act 2:19

I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

Act 2:20

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

This is the first sermon  inspired by the brand new Gift of the Holy spirit. Christ was speaking again to his people. God was speaking in Christ who was speaking through the gift of the holy spirit now living and speaking by the mouth of Simon Peter to Israel!

Now the prophecy that Joel spoke some five or six centuries before.  God, the Holy Spirit, know all. And now on this day of Pentecost it was fulfilled and  the Kingdom of God was birthed as the new Body of Christ. Being build one member at a time until He returns

Many have said this was “Like” what Joel said. But that is NOT what Peter said “this is what” and not like some future we still are looking for. No it came. And after seventy years there was “blood and fire” and the sun was darkened by the Temple and all Jerusalem burnt to the ground by the Roman Titus.  And when people run from God to their religion or Satan’s counterfeit, they may again and again experience “Blood and Fire”  It is just physics.  No light. No Jesus. Equals darkness over the land.

Many teach “What happened on the day of Pentecost was a near fulfillment of that promise, with the final fulfillment coming in the last days” But when Jesus sent the Gift of the Holy spirit it was not the “near” fulfillment but total fulfillment starting from that day until the end of this world. Jesus Christ fulfilled all his work for us and now we work for Him and by His spirit HE IS ALIVE! AND THE KINGDOM IS HERE!  We are just waiting for this world to get out of the Way.

Act 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 Act 2:22

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

• Here Peter was obeying Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8
• He stayed in Jerusalem until the promise came
• Now that he received it Peter became a witness to Jerusalem and Israel first

Act 2:23

“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken[fn] by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death

Act 2:24

“whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

• That was the gospel
• That Jesus was ALIVE! And present by the witness of the holy spirit!
• Then Peter reminded the Jews the well known  old scriptures of David that this too was already explained a thousand years before  Acts 2:25-30
• “For You will not leave my soul in the Grave” Acts 2:27
• “that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;” Acts 2:30
• Acts 2:32 “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
• The exalted Jesus Christ sent this promise of the Holy spirit from the Father Acts 2:33
• This was the simple Gospel: The death of Jesus, the Ressurection from the dead and the Living Christ coming in the Gift of the Holy spirit! 

Act 2:38

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:39

“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

• Repent. To repent means to change your mind. In context, it means changing your mind about Christ and the goodness of God (Rom. 2:4). Peter is echoing Jesus who said “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). “Change your unbelieving mind and believe the glad tidings of God’s grace and forgiveness.”
• We are not forgiven because we repent and are baptized; we are forgiven in accordance with the riches of his grace (see Eph. 1:7). Forgiveness is a gift to receive (Acts 26:18) rather than a wage to be earned.
• We are baptized and cleaned not by our sprinkling, dunking or even scub diving in water, but only by the Blood of Jesus.  The whole Gospel of what HE did not what we do.
• However, you will never experience his forgiveness unless you receive it by faith. Only in Christ do we have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14).
• And the goal is to have Christ living and working in you. The promise of the holy spirit is given as a gift. It is given but we must believe we are forgiven first. Then we can have the confidence to be Christ. Then we can join the Living Christ with His spirit living in us
• Peter offered this Good News here to the Jews and some three thousand accepted it that day!
• Paul continued and was called to bring the same Gospel to the Corinthians and the rest of the world.

1Co 15:1

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

1Co 15:2

by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

1Co 15:3

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

We need to make this our priority!  Bring the Good news so simple a child can get the power of God! This simple Good news that Jesus overcame the eternal sleep to Give us all Eternal life by leaving that tomb behind and pouring Himself into all of those who ask for it!  That should be first thing.