Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
What it means to be initiated into the secret of the mystery. Part 89. This treasure in "earthen vessels" reveals the surpassing greatness of the power of God.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
REV 7:14 These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
He had a definite job to do and only three and one-half years in which to do it.
JOH 13:27 And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Jesus therefore said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
I wonder why many believers impose this enslavement and routine upon themselves.
TLJC, on the other hand, did not have to stay busy, because He knew that God’s sons do not have to prove anything.
TLJC knew, and He teaches us to know, that our self-identity does not arise from what we do but from what we are - fully accepted and beloved children of God.
LUK 10:19-20 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
MAR 1:11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.”
He was pleasing to the Father merely because He was God’s beloved Son who had stayed with His commitment following the Lord without doing any great works at all.
PSA 18:19 He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
COL 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Mclanchthon said, “Martin, this day we will discuss the governance of the universe.” To which Luther replied, “This day you and I will go fishing and leave governance of the universe to God.”
As old “Satchel” Paige used to say, when we work we can work hard, but when we sit, we can sit loose.
The good news is that God uplifts and accepts you and me.
HEB 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who communicate the Word from God to you; carefully consider the issue of their way of life; imitate their doctrine.
HEB 13:17 Keep obeying those [pastors] who themselves are ruling over you, and submit to their authority, for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will render an account. Keep obeying them, in order that they may do this [accounting] with happiness and not with groaning, for this is unprofitable for you.
ISA 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.
1PE 5:2 “Feed the flock of God among you, not from compulsion, but voluntarily according to the will of God.”
2TI 4:2 “Preach the Word. Be ready in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort [when warranted by context], and do this with all patience and teaching.”
1TI 4:10 “For because of this [communication of doctrine], we work hard to the point of exhaustion, and we hang in there tough because we have confidence in the living God who is the Savior of all men.”
1JO 1:9 “If we acknowledge [name and cite] our sins, He is faithful and righteous, with the result that He forgives us our sins [known sins] and purifies us from all unrighteousness [unknown sins].”
The Bible teaches over 125 times in the New Testament that it is - ACT 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved,”
JOH 3:18 “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.”
JOH 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
1. Self-judgment.
1CO 11:30-31 For this reason many among you are weak [warning discipline] and sick [intensive discipline], and a number sleep [dying discipline]. But if we judge ourselves correctly, we should not be judged.
2. Lay aside every weight [sin caused by stress].
HEB 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
3. Lift up the hands that hang down.
HEB 12:12 “Therefore, strengthen the hands that hang down and the knees that are feeble.”
The restoring of your strength is the filling of the Holy Spirit.
4. Be subject to the Father of your human spirits, ROM 8:16; 1CO 2:11-13 cf. HEB 12:9.
5. Make straight paths, MAT 3:3; HEB 12:13.
This relates rebound to using the other problem-solving devices.
6. Lay aside the old man, EPH 4:22.
7. “Arise from the dead,” EPH 5:14.
This is temporal death or control of the sin nature during your Christian life.
Some people labor all their lives, never knowing that they don’t have what it takes.