HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED

April 24, 2011 takes me back to another date, April 24, 1971. My wife and I said our wedding vows. Today we are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Anyone who has been married forty years knows it takes work, effort and most of all love. I am very thankful to God for his blessing on our marriage. I’m sure many mistakes have been made in forty years. But, the one firm foundation we have shared for many of these years is our love for each other and our love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus our marriage was on rocky ground due to many things that are no one’s business but our own. Then Jesus came along and showed his perfect love for us. We received his wisdom and instruction through the churches we attended, the pastors we listened to and the instruction book of life, which is of course, the Bible. Now, forty years from that evening in 1971, when we said our vows, we are still together and still in love with each other. Five grown children, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren are evidence of God’s blessing on our marriage.

Everyday I thank God for my wife. Incidentally, she is my typist and proofreader and biggest critic on how the online church service is presented to you. You know, the Word of God is very clear in Genesis 2:24 when it states:

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: And they shall be one flesh.”

Good advice that I have taken and am blessed for it. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Everyone is welcome in this place. I am sure many of you are very busy celebrating Easter on this Sunday. Certainly, it is always good to remember the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, he did all of that just for you. My request of you as you gather with your families, is to really take a look around you. What do the children think Easter means? Do they even know what Jesus did for them, or are they more excited about the Easter bunny and hunting for eggs?

You know folks, I am pretty sure God is not very pleased with the mixing of his son’s sacrifice for us and the practice of lifting up Easter myths. One of these days I will present a message to you that exposes the facts about Easter bunnies and how eggs are based on pagan Spring rituals that have nothing to do with God. I’ve asked this question before, but I fear it bears repeating. Does it not make sense if we tell our young children there is an Easter bunny and then they find out there isn’t such a thing, that they in their own little minds become aware that we have lied or at the very least mislead them. You link all of this, Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny. All made up fiction which at its base is a lie. What should our children think when we tell them there is a God that loves them and is always with them, yet they cannot see him? Do you understand what I am saying here?

Look, I know these are all traditions that seem to be fun and a right thing to do for our kids. After all, our parents did them for us and we did have fun hunting those eggs, didn’t we? And, after all it’s just tradition, right? Well, let’s look at Proverbs 14:12 and read it together:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Let’s put it this way, my friends. There are traditions of men that seem good, but actually lead you away from God. The celebration of what God did for us on that cross is a good thing to do. But, perhaps the way we do it is not good. Here’s what I don’t understand, church – Why do we as believers feel every celebration or holiday honoring God or his Son, Jesus, must run parallel with a worldly way of celebration? God wants a pure celebration of his goodness, not one polluted with the world’s fables and mistruths.

So, Bro. Bob, are you telling us not to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus? The answer, my friends, is a thousand times no. I am not saying that. I am just asking you to seek God and let him show you what is pleasing to him and what is not. Remove anything from your celebration that you feel would not bless our Father and his son Jesus.

I remember as a young child on Good Friday my mother would have me and my brother and sister stay in the house between twelve and three p.m., just to meditate on Jesus and the cross. There was no cable TV, but usually one of the regular TV channels would show a movie about Jesus, his death, burial and resurrection. We could watch that, but nothing else. No cartoons or shows, just stories about Jesus and the cross. I believe those three hours of meditation each year focused on Jesus and what he did for us was so special. I only wish you would share this same experience with your families. It is something they will never forget. I also wish my sister Rosie had been born at that time to experience it with us.

Remember this, church, everyday is the Lord’s day – rejoice and be glad in it. I will leave you this week with something we used to say in our church in Michigan on Easter Sunday. Pastor Bulloch would say “He is Risen!” and we would say in return “He is Risen indeed!” And you know what, church? He really has.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Prayer Request: Please pray for Michelle in Virginia. X-Rays have shown a spot on her bladder. Complete test results have not come back yet. We are believing for a good report. We call Michelle healed in the name of Jesus. Thank you for your agreement.

HOW’S THAT FOR A PLAN?

One of my favorite scriptures of all time is in the book of Mark. Jesus was preparing to leave this earth. The words of instruction he spoke to his disciples and all believers, including ourselves, are recorded in Mark, Chapter 16:15-20. We’re going to look at these all so important instructions together.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Please tell everyone you know they are welcome in this place. As a young Christian many years ago, I always wondered what does Jesus really want us to do for him. Now I know people would tell me to be good, use good language (meaning no cuss words, of course), treat people right and go to church. All good advice, but surely there is more to it than that.

I have always known instinctively that God has a plan for us. I just didn’t ever quite know how to find out how to acquire it. Then, guess what? I read Mark 16:15-20. Suddenly the light went on. Of course, the plan for our lives would be found by listening to the urgings of the Holy Spirit and by reading and understanding the instruction Book of Life, which is the Bible.

In the two part series we just finished last week, we explored the last public prayer Jesus prayed before going to the garden where he would be arrested and led away due to the betrayal of one of his apostles, Judas Iscariot. This week we will explore the last words and instructions Jesus spoke before actually leaving the earth to return to his heavenly home to be with his father. Fasten your seat belts, church, we have quite a ride ahead of us. Please turn with me to Mark 16:15-16 and let’s read it together. This is regarding the words of Jesus:

“And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: But, he that believeth not shall be damned.”

So, what is Jesus really saying to us here? Jesus is clearly telling us that the gospel of Jesus is not just for the people of the United States, but for everyone, everywhere. We are not to concede the countries that are led by false religions and gods to those who would attempt to keep Jesus from the hearts and spirits of their citizens. Every Muslim, Hindu, atheist or any other believer of false gods is entitled by God to hear his Word and to be saved from their sin by receiving Jesus Christ into their hearts.

Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said preach the gospel to every creature. Listen to me. Believers, before you were saved, did you deserve the grace and mercy God extended you to be saved? Of course you didn’t. Then, why would you deny anyone else, and I do mean anybody else, that same opportunity? Jesus continues and says – anyone that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Jesus is being very clear here. Anyone who believes in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross and is baptized into him is saved. Incidentally, Jesus is not talking about water baptism here. Romans 6:3-4 confirms that to be true, so let’s read it together:

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are, buried with him by baptism into death: That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Eternal life with God and his son Jesus Christ, just by believing and by being baptized into Jesus. No wonder it is so important that the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached to every creature. Now the warning. Jesus also says here, you hear this word and do not believe, you shall be damned. In other words, eternal life is offered to you, but if you choose not to believe in Jesus, eternal life is gone, only to be replaced by eternal death and separation from God. That sounds pretty serious to me. How about you? Let’s continue on to verses Mark 16:17-18. Jesus is still speaking here.

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

These sound like pretty clear instructions to me, what do you think? We covered this pretty thoroughly in our previous series on spiritual warfare. I would suggest you go back and read or listen to that series again. Basically, Jesus is telling us as believers we have power and authority over the devil, but only in and by the name of Jesus. This is also where Jesus confirms the doctrine of speaking in other tongues. We will do a complete series on this doctrine in the near future. You won’t want to miss it. I promise it will help and empower you to serve God and to defeat the attacks of Satan against you.

Verse 18 tells us we have power over serpents and if we drink of any deadly thing it shall not hurt us (talking about believers). I know many preachers believe Jesus is talking about reptiles in this verse, but in truth, I believe he is talking about Satan. Remember in Genesis that Satan came to Eve in the form of a serpent. Oftentimes throughout the Bible Satan is referred to as a serpent. Therefore, we can conclude the handling of snakes is a misguided and foolish interpretation of this scripture.

In this verse 18, Jesus also affirms healing as a proper doctrine for today. He clearly states a believer shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. I know this is a lot to digest in one message. But, that is what this ministry is all about. Giving forth God’s Word to you. Your job is to read it for yourself. Ask God to show you how this all pertains to you. I believe you will be amazed at what is going to be revealed to you. Mark 16:19-20 states:

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

As I stated earlier, these were the last words spoken by Jesus on the earth as recorded by Mark. Now, we have heard the instructions, haven’t we? Get going church. Preach the gospel everywhere and to every creature. God will work with you confirming his Word with signs following. How’s that for a plan?

God Bless you,
Bro. Bob

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Part 2 Conclusion)

This series on the Lord’s Prayer is designed to show you how much Jesus cares for you. It is clear by reading the book of John, Chapter 17, that we were the number one priority on the mind of Jesus before he came to the earth. We were foremost on his mind while here on the earth and we are still his highest priority now that he is back in heaven with his Father. This prayer in John 17 is for you and me!! Jesus loves us that much. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Always remember everyone is welcome in this place.

Now, before we continue our journey through John 17, I want us to take a closer look at last week’s scripture of the week. I trust you have read it at least once during the past week. You have, haven’t you? Hebrews 12:2 tells us what Jesus was talking about in John 17. So let’s read it together. Hebrews 12:2 states:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s ask the question – what possible joy could Jesus have possibly been looking at while enduring the pain and the shame of the cross? It is an important question that John 17 gives the answer to. As you read and understand the 17th chapter of John you will see the joy that was set before Jesus was salvation from sin and the gift of life eternal for you and me. Remember last week we referred you to John 17:3, where Jesus said in prayer to God:

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

The joy Jesus saw was that we would know God and him in a personal and family way. Not in an organized religious way, but once again, in a very personal and family way. Isn’t Jesus something special to behold?

Last week we brought out that Jesus was praying and telling his Father in heaven that his work here on earth was finished. He was talking about his perfect sacrifice of dying and shedding his blood on that cross for you and me. Let’s get something straight here. You know how when we welcome you to our online service we always say everyone is welcome or no one is excluded in this place? Well, that is exactly what I mean when I use the words you and me. I’m not just talking to believers here. I am talking to you no matter what your spiritual condition is. Jesus died and arose from the dead for us all. He made a way for each of us to know the Father and himself, in a saving way. I admit in John 17 Jesus talks with God about us who have received Jesus in their hearts. He asked God to hold onto us, to help us even though Jesus was to return to heaven to his former glory and to his seat at the right hand of God.

As I said earlier, we were on Jesus’ heart and mind before he came to this earth, while here and even today as we speak. Okay. Let’s pick up where we left off last week. John 17:11-13. Remember this is Jesus praying to his Father in heaven. He is now talking about those who have chosen to believe on him. In John 17:11-13 Jesus says:

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name; those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Jesus is basically pleading his case for us that choose to believe in him. He is saying “Father you have given them to me. I have kept them while being here in the world. But now, I’m leaving here.” Jesus said he wants us to share in the joy he has for us. What an example Jesus is for us. He is showing us here to be like him, to put others first. Show them the love and joy you have for Christ. Share it with them and invite them to follow Jesus and share the joy you have in him. Jesus continues praying in John 17:14-17. Really, look at this, my friends. Jesus states:

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.”

What an advocate we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. He clearly states he has given us the Word of God, in person while on the earth and through the Bible today. Jesus says he wants us to be fully alive on the earth. He does not want us to die an early death due to evil or sin. We are protected from both by our faith in Jesus and his Word, which is the Bible. Jesus proclaims that by our faith in him, we are now born into the kingdom of heaven as he is. The world does not understand where we come from. Most think we are peculiar. Truthfully, when we really live for God, many including friends and family will not want much to do with us.

Jesus is telling us here “Don’t be surprised that people hate you because of your love and living for Jesus.” Yet, Jesus teaches us to love those that hate us. As you read further in this Chapter 17, you will see Jesus repeat things said earlier. He says his desire is that we be one with him and his father as they are one with each other. That is how much God and his son Jesus loves us. Drop down to John 17:24-26. Jesus now tells the Father what he wills for us. My friends. If this doesn’t draw you closer to Jesus, I am without further words for you. Okay, John 17:24-26. Let’s read it together, Jesus is speaking:

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: For thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And, I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Oh church, can you now see why I consider this to be the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus ends his prayer by telling his Father that his heart’s desire is that God loves us as he loves Jesus and that Jesus loves us so much, he desires us to be with him and he desires to dwell within us. This, my friends, is what salvation is really all about. The heart’s desire of God is for us to love him as he loves us. He has given us a way to have eternal life with him and to be saved from the destruction and eternal death that sin offers us.

This is your invitation to receive Jesus into your heart. All that Jesus prayed in John Chapter 17 is just for you. Now I know beyond the shadow of any doubt, that this message has touched hearts. I am available to lead you to Jesus. E-mail me today at BrotherBob@TheSpiritofWisdom.org. I will get right back with you. Backslider, you once knew all this didn’t you? Well, it’s still there for you. I will expect to hear from you this week also.

So, what is the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus praying to the Father for us. What more could one ask for?

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Part 1)

We’re going to do something a little different this week. We are going to focus almost exclusively on the book of John, Chapter 17. We will not read every verse, but we will thoroughly explore the last public prayer of Jesus before he and his disciples went to the garden where Jesus would be arrested and led to his persecution and death on the cross.

Most people believe the Our Father Which Art in Heaven prayer is the Lord’s prayer. The truth is, that prayer was a teaching prayer. Jesus was asked how to pray. He then recited the “Our Father” as an example how to pray. This prayer in John, chapter 17, is what I would truly say is the Lord’s prayer and man, oh man, does it ever effect us.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. No one is excluded from this place. Get ready folks, this may be quite a journey. Now listen to me. Believers, nonbelievers and Christian backsliders, this chapter speaks to each of you, so take heed. Jesus, the son of God, is praying for and about us all. John 17:1-2 states:

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy son, that thy son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

Please take in the environment of this moment. Jesus knows the end of his earthly walk is upon him. Yet, what does he do? He prays with his disciples for us. Jesus states clearly here that God gave him power over all flesh, knowing that by his death and resurrection we may be saved. He goes on in verse 3 to explain what life eternal really is. If you get this, you will always be able to share with others the true meaning of eternal life. This is what Jesus states in Verse 3:

“And this is life eternal, that they (you and me) might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

The death on that cross and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead has made it possible for us to know God and his son Jesus. I’m not talking here about just knowing ‘about’ God, but really knowing him. Listen to what Jesus said. Life eternal is that we might know God personally. Notice the word ‘might’ in this scripture. Jesus is saying the possibility of knowing God is here, but we must receive Jesus in our hearts. That is the only true way to know Jesus and his heavenly Father. That opportunity is here for us because of Jesus. Let’s go on and read further. John 17:4-5, Jesus praying to his Father in heaven:

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

In effect, Jesus was telling God that he glorified him by carrying out his will for mankind on this earth. Jesus was so committed to his sacrifice for us, his death on the cross and his shedding of blood, which would occur in just a few hours, that he spoke as if it was already done. Now, what Jesus is saying is the stain of man’s sin is gone. Restore me to my former unstained glory that I had in heaven. Do you understand this, church? Jesus in this prayer is laying out for us exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.

Imagine this, my friends. Jesus knows the fate awaiting him just a few hours away. But, is his concern for himself? The answer is no. His concern was about us. Now in Verse 8 Jesus begins to talk to God about those who believe on him. He becomes our advocate with the Father. And, guess what? He is still our advocate today. Let’s look at John 17:8-10, Jesus still praying to his Father for us:

“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.”

Church, if that doesn’t grab your heart, what can? Jesus over and over and over again, all during his days on the earth, proclaimed that he was led by his Father in heaven. As you read the New Testament, everything Jesus spoke of were the words his Father would have spoken. Listen to me. He is not only talking about those that followed him around, but he is talking about us today. He basically said that they believed he was sent to save them. Well church, who are they? The answer – we are – the believers of today. But, this is also for you, my unbelieving friends, as you choose today to believe Jesus and what he did for you.

Now, notice carefully in Verse 9, Jesus was stating that he is praying for us, the believers. He is not praying for those who chose not to believe in him. Tough love, my friends, but a just love. Jesus says because he we are his, we are of God. And because we are of God, we are of him. In other words, as believers we are one with God and his son Jesus. Nonbelievers and Christian backslider, you are not left out here. Jesus is calling you to him. What is your answer? In verse 10 Jesus said he is glorified in us. In other words, as the title of one of our former messages stated “God loves you the best.” I believe this scripture shows that clearly.

Let me clarify something. God cares for all that are in this world. When he said “I pray not for the world,” he was stating he could not pray to the Father to keep those that did not belong to him. But, he most certainly could and would pray for those who have chosen to believe in him.

I’m going to leave John 17, right here at verse 11. We will pick it up at this same place next week. I hope you are enjoying this two part series on the Lord’s prayer. I just felt it to be so important that you understand how much God loves you. How horrible it must have been for our heavenly Father to see his son spit upon, his back beaten to shreds, a crown of thorns pushed onto his skull, nails pounded through his hands and feet. But, how glorious it must have been when Jesus returned to heaven in all his glory and filled with joy for what had been accomplished. Jesus sprinkled his blood on the mercy seat and all of heaven praised the Lord for the work he had done. That is what Jesus was praying about, my friends. He left glory for a hell on earth so we may have glory in heaven with him. What an awesome God we serve.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob