IT IS WRITTEN in GOD's HOLY Word

IT IS WRITTEN in John 10:14-16 -- The LORD JESUS Himself said: 'I AM The GOOD SHEPHERD. I KNOW My OWN Sheep, and they KNOW Me AS The FATHER KNOWs Me, and I KNOW The FATHER. I lay down My LIFE for the sheep. BUT I have OTHER sheep that are NOT of THIS Fold; I MUST bring them ALSO; and they WILL LISTEN to MY Voice. THEN there will be ONE Flock, ONE SHEPHERD.' 

("ALL One IN JESUS" by Alistair Begg--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZQYKZQptHU)

IT IS WRITTEN in Ephesians 2:14-18 -- 'For CHRIST JESUS is our PEACE, Who made BOTH groups ONE and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In HIS flesh, HE made of NO EFFECT the Law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, SO THAT He might create IN Himself ONE NEW man from the two, resulting in PEACE. HE did this SO THAT He might RECONCILE BOTH to GOD in ONE BODY through the CROSS and put the hostility to death by it. When The MESSIAH came, HE proclaimed the GOOD News of PEACE to you who were FAR away and peace to those who were NEAR. For THROUGH HIM, we BOTH have access by ONE SPIRIT to The FATHER.'

("Are There TWO Distinct Peoples of GOD?" by Hank Hanegraaff--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buu5DtRlaMc)

IT IS WRITTEN in Galatians 3:28-29 -- 'There is NO Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. And IF you belong to CHRIST -- THEN you are Abraham’s Seed, Heirs according to The PROMISE.' 

("Is 'Israel' Just a Name for GOD's CHOSEN People?" by Hank Hanegraff--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwgBf8PniFE)

IT IS WRITTEN in Colossians 3:11 -- 'IN CHRIST there is NOT Greek and Jew, circumcision and UNcircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but CHRIST is ALL and IN ALL.'

IT IS WRITTEN in Romans 10:12 -- 'For there is NO DISTINCTION between Jew and Greek, since the same LORD of ALL is rich to ALL who call on Him.'

IT IS WRITTEN in 1 Corinthians 12:13 -- 'For we were ALL baptized by ONE SPIRIT into ONE BODY — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and we were ALL made to drink of ONE SPIRIT.'

IT IS WRITTEN in Acts 10:34-35 -- 'Then Peter began to speak: “NOW I really understand that GOD doesn’t show favoritism, but in EVERY Nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.'

("The Great Multitude" by Voddie Baucham--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgNRiuymYjQ)

IT IS WRITTEN in Galatians 5:6 -- 'For IN CHRIST JESUS, NEITHER circumcision NOR UNcircumcision accomplishes ANYthing; what matters is FAITH working through LOVE.'

IT IS WRITTEN in Romans 3:22-24 -- 'The Righteousness of GOD is through Faith IN JESUS CHRIST to ALL who BELIEVE, since there is NO DISTINCTION. For ALL have sinned and fall short of the GLORY of GOD; they are JUSTIFIED freely by His GRACE through the REDEMPTION that is IN CHRIST JESUS.' 

("The CALLED of CHRIST" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones--https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-romans/the-called-of-jesus-christ/)

IT IS WRITTEN in Ephesians 4:1-6 -- 'WALK WORTHY of the Calling you have received, with all HUMILITY and GENTLENESS, with PATIENCE, BEARING with one another IN LOVE, making EVERY effort to KEEP the UNITY of The SPIRIT through the Bond of PEACE. There is ONE Body and ONE SPIRIT ​— ​just as you were called to ONE Hope at your Calling ​— ​ONE LORD, ONE Faith, ONE Baptism, ONE GOD and FATHER of ALL, Who IS above ALL and through ALL and IN ALL.'

("144,000" by Voddie Baucham--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVypbXIhz3U)

IT IS WRITTEN in 2 Corinthians 1:20 -- 'For ALL of GOD's Promises HAVE BEEN FULFILLED IN CHRIST with a resounding “YES!” And THROUGH CHRIST, our “AMEN” (which means “YES” -- "SO BE IT") ascends to GOD for HIS GLORY.' 

The Risen CHRIST JESUS -- Who IS Himself the REALity of the Types and Figures prophesied in the O.T., Who IS Himself THE Fulfillment of ALL of GOD's Promises and Covenants -- HE is THE Interpreter of 'the things concerning Himself in ALL the Scriptures, beginning from Moses and ALL the Prophets' (see Luke 24:25-27). \o/ ("How Should We Interpret Revelation?" North Avenue Church--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKTlXlIm5ws)

'BUT as for me, i will NEVER boast about ANYthing EXCEPT the CROSS of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. The world HAS BEEN crucified to me through the CROSS, and i to the world. For BOTH circumcision and UNcircumcision mean NOthing; WHAT MATTERS instead is a NEW CREATION' (Galatians 6:14-15).

("JESUS CHRIST, Our LORD" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones--https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-romans/jesus-christ-our-lord/)

'May PEACE come to ALL those who FOLLOW GOD's Standard and Mercy; to ALL of the TRUE "Israel" of GOD (the Blood-Bought, Born-AGAIN, Chosen/Elect REMNANT Saints of the O.T. and N.T.) -- BOTH Jews and Gentiles)!' (Galatians 6:16, personalized) ALL Praise and Honor and GLORY be to The ONE TRUE Living TRIune Sovereign Creator-GOD... forEVERmore! \o/

("The GLORY of GOD" by R.C. Sproul--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c3vUeDVOBg)

The SPIRITual Outlook

HOW may a person KNOW whether The Holy SPIRIT is leading the Born-Again CHRISTian? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones supplies RELEVANT Guidance on this VITAL question. He says The Holy SPIRIT Who INdwells the BLOOD-Bought Believer LEADS him or her to a total NEW Outlook on Life -- a SPIRITual Outlook. 

WHAT is this NEW SPIRITual Outlook? It is that SPIRITual people, the Twice-Born of GOD, enjoy SPIRITual things and Fellowship with other CHRISTians. These who are LED by The SPIRIT desire to live for GOD's GLORY -- for this is the CHIEF end of man.

IF you have a SPIRITual Outlook, you'll have a deepening DESIRE for greater KNOWledge of GOD and CHRIST. This is actualized by reading the HOLY Scriptures, Prayer and longing for Holiness. You'll have a deepening concern over your lack of LOVE for GOD. The Holy SPIRIT leads you to this concern. You'll have an INcreasing awareness of your SINs. The SPIRIT withIN illuminates SIN in your life. Then your REaction to SIN is one of GRIEF over offending GOD's LOVE -- not just breaking rules. You'll experience personal "godly sorrow."

Having a SPIRITual Outlook, we'll experience an INcreasing SENSITIVITY to SIN and TEMPTATION. We'll become MORE watchful. We'll desire and long for more actual RIGHTEOUSness and HOLINESS withIN. We'll hunger and thirst for them. We'll take action to MORTIFY the deeds of the body. We'll AVOID SINful influences and provision for SIN.

Dr Lloyd-Jones encourages Believers to honestly examine their FAITH: whether they are truly SPIRITually ALIVE, with the NEW Life IN CHRIST -- or whether STILL spiritually DEAD, with the OLD Life ruled by SIN, SELF, Satan and his World System. Do you, as a professing CHRISTian, desire first and foremost GOD’s GLORY? 

Do you LOVE the Redeemed of GOD? Do you HATE SIN? Do you actively mortify the deeds of your own Flesh? For the REgenerated Children of GOD -- the INdwelling Holy SPIRIT always LEADS to personal Holiness for the GLORY of The FATHER and The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

May GOD use this sermon on Romans 8:14 by Dr Lloyd-Jones, to provide you with the sweet EVERlasting JOY of ASSURANCE of your Salvation -- ETERNAL Life IS by the GRACE of GOD alone, through FAITH alone, IN CHRIST alone. May The SPIRIT withIN conform us INto more and More and MORE CHRISTlikeness as HE acts upon our Mind, Heart and Will. AMEN!

The SPIRIT and the Bride say -- MARANATHA... "COME, LORD JESUS!" (Revelation 22:17) HalleluYAH! \o/

(This blog was created from my notes from Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 8:14, description and breakdown)

To LIVE IS CHRIST!

"This Believer did NOT always LIVE to CHRIST. She began to do so when GOD The Holy SPIRIT convinced her of her SINs and, when by GRACE, she was brought to SEE the dying SAVIOR making PROPITIATION (Atonement) for her guilt. From the moment of her NEW and Celestial REbirth, she began to LIVE to CHRIST, as emPOWERed by the INdwelling SPIRIT. 

"JESUS IS to this Believer -- THE One PEARL of Great Price, for Whom she is made SPIRITually willing to part with ALL that she has. CHRIST JESUS has SO completely won her Heart, that it beats alone for HIM. To CHRIST's GLORY, she would LIVE -- and in defense of HIS Gospel, she would DIE. Her Beloved LORD JESUS IS The PATTERN of her NEW Life, and The MODEL after which she would sculpture her REgenerated character by the SUPERnatural Holy SPIRIT withIN. 

"The AIM and END of this Believer's Life IS CHRIST — nay, her very Life itself IS JESUS. In the words of an ancient saint -- she eats, drinks, and sleeps GOD's Eternal, Divine LIFE. Her Beloved JESUS IS her very Breath, The SOUL of her very Soul, The HEART of her very Heart, The LIFE of her very Life. 

"CAN this Believer say, AS a professing CHRISTian, that she LIVEs up to ALL this? CAN she honestly say -- 'For me to LIVE IS CHRIST'? Is she living out her daily Life-101 FOR CHRIST's GLORY? Is her NEW Life CHRIST-centered and NO longer SELF-focused? For this CHRISTian, it is her JOYful practice -- though STILL imperfectly. She professes to LIVE for CHRIST -- how can she LIVE for ANOTHER Object without committing spiritual ADULTERY?

"For this 2X-Born Believer, CHRIST JESUS alone IS her TRUE LIFE. The LORDGODSPIRIT IS her LIFE-Source, her LIFE-Sustenance, her LIFE-Design, her LIFE-End, ALL gathered up in ONE altogether Lovely WORD — CHRIST JESUS! HalleluYAH!

"FatherGOD -- Thank YOU for accepting me just as i am -- Through CHRIST JESUS, The Sacrificial LAMB. Thank YOU for making me Your beloved daughter -- IN CHRIST, The LION of Judah, THE Risen LORD. Thank YOU for making me a citizen of Your heavenly Kingdom of GL0RY -- through Your SON CHRIST JESUS, The KING of GLORY. 

"LORDGODSPIRIT -- i here present myself to YOU today (1/7/25), praying that by the emPOWERing, SUPERnatural Work of The Holy SPIRIT withIN -- LIVE ONLY IN YOU and TO YOU. LET me be as YOU Will -- to WORK for Your GLORY or to be SACRIFICED for Your GLORY. LET my Life-Motto be: READY FOR EITHER."

  

(CH Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 1/7/a.m. -- personalized)

The WHY of CHRISTmas

The HOLY Day celebrated at this time of year is CHRISTmas -- the First ADVENT of GOD The SON, The CHRIST -- MESSIAH JESUS. The FIRST Coming of The LORD JESUS is HIStory -- a FACTual Event in human history. The prophet Micah prophesied The MESSIAH's Birth in Bethlehem 700 years before its fulfillment. CHRIST's actual coming to earth was the CRUCIAL event that divided world history, from B.C. (Before CHRIST) to A.D. (Anno Domini -- the year of The LORD).

GOD's Holy Scriptures details the REALity of CHRIST's Birth: 'And Mary gave birth to her Firstborn SON; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger (feed trough), because there was no place for them in the inn' (Luke 2:7).

But WHY did 'GOD send forth His SON -- born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might REDEEM those who were under the Law' (Galatians 4:4) -- in the most particular way and very deliberate manner that He orchestrated the FACTs of CHRISTmas? 

WHY was the Eternal SON of GOD SUPERnaturally born of a virgin (Luke 1:26-35) -- rather than the natural way, with an earthly father and mother? WHY was JESUS born of the ordinary maiden Mary -- rather than born of a great queen? WHY was HE born in a stable, with sheltering animals, and laid in a feed trough with straw as His crib -- rather than a palatial, magnificent mansion, like Mar-a-Lago?

WHY was The LORD of GLORY born into a "blue-collar" family -- rather than into wealth and luxury, like a Barron Trump? WHY did GOD's SON when He lived in this world, live such a HUMBLE Life -- rather than the POWERFUL life of the likes of Elon Musk? WHY did He work as a carpenter, of the working class -- rather than as a great philosopher, like the much-lauded Jordan Peterson?

WHY the familiar FACTs of CHRISTmas, as detailed in the Gospels? WHY did GOD very deliberately orchestrate CHRIST JESUS' Birth in THIS manner? In Isaiah 55:9, IT IS WRITTEN -- 'For AS the Heavens are higher than the earth, SO are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.' CHRIST's FIRST Coming "stands in direct opposition to the PRIDE, POMP, and OUTward show of FALLEN Humanity" (Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones).

In this thought-provoking CHRISTmas message ("As Little Children"), Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that the First Coming of The SON of GOD in the manner that GOD ordained -- CONDEMNS the world. 

"JESUS' Birth CONDEMNS humanity's HOPELESS and HELPLESS state due to SIN. HIS Birth shows we NEED a SAVIOR. JESUS' HUMBLE Birth CONDEMNS our PRIDE in humanity and belief that WE can solve our own problems. JESUS' Birth CONDEMNS our belief in OUTWARD Appearances, Splendor and MATERIALISM. TRUE greatness is SPIRITual -- NOT material.

"JESUS' Birth CONDEMNS our belief in Wealth and Money AS Power. HE was born into poverty. JESUS' Birth CONDEMNS our belief in Strength, Might and Power. HE came as a HELPLESS Baby. JESUS' Birth CONDEMNS our belief in HUMAN Wisdom and Philosophy. HE was a carpenter -- NOT an academic.

"JESUS' Birth TEACHES us GOD's Ways are NOT our ways.  We must think SPIRITually -- NOT materially. JESUS' Birth TEACHES us OUTWARD appearances DON'T matter -- the heart and spirit DO. JESUS' Birth TEACHES us MATERIAL values DON'T matter -- SPIRITual values DO. JESUS' Birth TEACHES us Time DOESN'T matter -- Eternity DOES.

"JESUS' Birth TEACHES us our Weakness DOESN'T matter -- GOD's POWER DOES. SALVATION is THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST -- NOT our OWN efforts. JESUS' Birth TEACHES us our RELATIONSHIP with GOD is MOST important -- NOT our circumstances. We must seek FIRST GOD's Kingdom. To enter GOD's Kingdom, we MUST become AS children, be Born AGAIN, abandon PRIDE in SELF and TRUST IN GOD. We will then become GOD's Heirs."

(The personal notes and above material in quotes are from the SERMON BREAKDOWN of MLJ's CHRISTmas sermon -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/other-sermons/as-little-children/ at mljtrust.org)

LIGHT vs DARKness

GOD's Holy Word says that people OUTside of CHRIST have NO light, NO understanding, NO true KNOWledge of The ONE TRUE Living TRIune Sovereign GOD Who created ALL things from NOthing. GOD's Holy Scriptures state that people OUTside of CHRIST live their lives 'in the futility of their MINDs and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls, for their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded.' IT IS WRITTEN that people OUTside of CHRIST 'are alienated and self-banished from the Life of GOD, with NO share in it, because of the willful ignorance and spiritual BLINDness that is DEEP-seated withIN them, because of the HARDness and INsensitivity of their HEARTs' (Ephesians 4:17-18, AMP).

GOD's own special Possessions IN CHRIST are the 2Xborn IN The LIGHT. These Children of The LIGHT are those who -- by GOD's GRACE alone, through FAITH alone, INto CHRIST alone -- were transferred from the kingdom of Darkness into The Kingdom of GOD's marvelous LIGHT. (see 1 Peter 2:9)

IN CHRIST JESUS 'was Life and the POWER to bestow Life and the Life was The LIGHT of men. And The LIGHT shines on in the Darkness, and the Darkness did NOT understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it or overtake it and is UNreceptive to it' (John 1:4-5, AMP)

People withOUT CHRIST are STILL in Darkness -- STILL in their NATURAL state of being SIN-natured SIN-doers who are alienated, separated from the LIFE of GOD, and UNable to pursue what is good and right in GOD's HOLY Sight. But the chosen People of GOD have CHRIST withIN and have been GRACEd with SPIRITual sight to see -- to understand, to know The TRUTH, Who is Himself The LIGHT of the world. The elect People IN CHRIST see the Light of TRUTH and are partakers in The Divine LIFE. (read 2 Peter 1:4)

"The effects of the FALL of Adam and Eve extend to EVERY aspect of Humanity. It corrupts the Mind, hardens the Heart, distorts the Will... we NEED a NEW Heart and Mind that is freed from the mastery of SIN and its domination" (see sermon description of "Darkness and Light" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-ephesians/darkness-and-light/). 

The GOOD News is that Repentant SIN-natured SIN-doers may receive FREEDOM from the penalty and punishment of their SINs through the Gospel of GRACE and the SOVEREIGN working of The Holy SPIRIT. The SPIRIT of GOD quickens ALIVE those who are withOUT CHRIST, those who are spiritually DEAD -- and REgenerates them aNEW INto CHRIST, with a NEW Heart, a NEW Mind, a NEW Disposition towards loving, worshiping, serving GOD.

'IF anyone is IN CHRIST -- that is, grafted IN, joined to Him by FAITH IN Him as LORD and Savior -- he is a NEW creature (REborn and REnewed by The Holy SPIRIT); the OLD things (the previous moral and spiritual condition) have passed away. Behold -- NEW things have come (because of SPIRITual awakening brings a NEW Life)' (2 Corinthians 5:17, AMP).

'CHRIST, Who IS our LIFE' (Colossians 3:4)

The LORD of GLORY, CHRIST JESUS Himself -- GOD The SON -- IS "the Source... the Substance... the Sustenance... the Solace... the Object... the Exemplar... the Crown" of our very LIFE! \o/ (excerpt from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening)

The Born-AGAIN from Above are to ascribe ALL GLORY to GOD -- The ONE TRUE Living TRIune Sovereign GOD; and to personally, experientially enJOY intimate and infinite Fellowship with Him forEVERmore! \o/

The Risen LORD of GLORY -- CHRIST JESUS Himself -- proclaimed: 'ALL Authority (ALL Power of ABSULUTE Rule) in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. GO, therefore, and make disciples of ALL the nations (help the people LEARN of Me, BELIEVE IN Me, and OBEY My Words), baptizing them in the Name of The FATHER and of The SON and of The Holy SPIRIT -- teaching them to observe EVERYthing that I have commanded you. And lo, I AM with you ALWAYS (remaining with you perpetually -- regardless of circumstance, and on EVERY occasion), EVEN to the END of the Age' (Matthew 28:18-20, AMP).

CONTEXT Matters to GOD

The BEST-known Bible verse is probably John 3:16 -- 'For GOD SO LOVED the World that HE GAVE His ONLY Begotten SON that whoever BELIEVES INto HIM shall NOT PERISH, but have EVERlasting LIFE.' (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/the-love-of-god/)

You yourself probably KNOW it by heart--but do you REALLY understand, ACTUALLY comprehend its GREATness of meaning and WEALTH of doctrinal TRUTHs? John 3:16 is like a mountain peak with such GREAT elevation that the other great mountain peaks around it are over-shadowed and even remain UNclimbed. (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/god-so-loved-2/)

But the CONTEXT of John 3:16 is revealed by The Risen LORD JESUS Himself in verses 11-21 as He enLIGHTens the highly educated, but spiritually DEAD Nicodemus -- a Pharisee, a ruler of Israel, a teacher himself, YET ignorant of the REALity of The TRUTH, YESHUA Himself -- The CHRIST of GOD, The MESSIAH of Israel. (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/understanding-the-spiritual/)

CHRIST JESUS Himself said: 'TRULY, TRULY, I SAY to you, We SPEAK of what We KNOW and bear witness of what We have SEEN, and you do NOT accept Our witness. If I told you earthly things and you do NOT believe, HOW will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And NO ONE has ascended into Heaven, but HE Who descended from Heaven, The SON of Man. And AS Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, EVEN SO MUST The SON of Man be lifted up; SO THAT whoever BELIEVES will IN Him have ETERNAL Life. (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/the-nature-of-belief/)

'For GOD (The FATHER) SO (intensely and supremely, eternally and infinitely) LOVED the (perishing and ALREADY judged and condemned) World (of SIN-natured SIN-practicing Humanity), that He GAVE (delivered up to shameful degradation, excruciating crucifixion) His ONLY Begotten (NOT created) SON (Who IS CO-Equal, CO-Essence, CO-Eternal with The Holy TRInity), that whoever BELIEVES INto Him shall NOT PERISH (condemned INto EVERlasting HELL), BUT have ETERNAL Life (with GOD The FATHER and GOD The SON and GOD The Holy SPIRIT -- forEVERmore). For GOD did not send The SON INto the World to JUDGE (condemn) the (ALREADY condemned) World, but that the World (of hopeless, helpless, perishing Sinners) might be SAVED (from the Power of SIN, Satan, SELF -- from HELL EVERlasting) THROUGH Him (The Sacrificial LAMB of GOD, The PRINCE of Peace, The KING of kings and LORD of lords -- CHRIST JESUS Himself). (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/man-and-his-need-of-salvation/)

'He who BELIEVES IN Him is NOT JUDGED; he who does NOT BELIEVE has been JUDGED ALREADY, because he has NOT BELIEVED IN the Name of the ONLY Begotten SON of GOD. And THIS is the JUDGMENT, that The LIGHT has come INto the World, and men LOVED the Darkness RATHER than The LIGHT, for their deeds were EVIL. For EVERYone who does evil hates The LIGHT, and does not come to The LIGHT lest his deeds be exposed. BUT he who practices The TRUTH comes to The LIGHT, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by GOD.' (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/the-light-has-come/)

The LORD JESUS proclaimed: 'I AM The (ONLY) WAY, The (REAL) TRUTH, and The (EVERlasting) LIFE. NO ONE can come to The FATHER (IN the Heavenly GLORY) except THROUGH Me' (John 14:6). (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-john/the-only-way-to-god/)

Friend -- your personal response to GOD's ONLY Way of SALVATION determines your IMmortal soul's ETERNAL Destination. Your stubborn rejection OR grateful acceptance of GOD's Invitation to His Kingdom of GLORY through His ONLY Begotten SON, CHRIST JESUS, seals your EVERlasting Place. Your willful UNbelief OR heart-and-soul FAITH in The TRUTH, The Incarnate WORD Himself -- cements your Eternal NOW. May you respond GOD's Way. AMEN. \o/