Why Jesus Came.

a} He came to Destroy all the works of the Devil.

1John 3:8 ”The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil {AMP}.” 

Again, in the book of Acts 10:38, the bible states that; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him {NKJV}. 

b} He came to pay the PRICE of all our Sins {the whole world}

Isaiah 53:4-5 says, Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Again, the bible says in the book of 1John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. {NKJV}

c} He came so that we may have life and enjoy life and life eternally.

John 10:10, ”The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Jesus continues saying in the same book, “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish but have eternal life. [John 3:16]

d} He came to bring reconciliation between God and man, He came to bring us into fellowship with Divinity.

The bible says, now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2corinthians 5:18-19.

The apostle Paul continues to say in the book of 1Corinthians 1:9 that, ‘God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord”. {NKJV}.

In this kind of fellowship, He knows us personally and shares His life and EVERYTHING He has and represents with us. Hallelujah! That’s why the bible calls us joint heirs with Him. {Romans 8:17} We are partakers – associates or comrades of the Godkind.

No wonder Paul said, ”…all things are yours” {2 Corinthians 3:21}, because we are one with the Monarch of the universe – the one who owns and reigns over all things.

 

A Better Covenant.

Building on a Better Covenant:

The bible says that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. John 14:6.

He is also our mediator of a better Covenant which is established on better promises. But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 AMP.

It is also stated in the book of Colossians by apostle Paul that, we were delivered from the kingdom of darkness and were translated into the kingdom of His dear son. For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Colossians 1:13.

Also it says in the gospel of John 5:24, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life. {AMP.}

So, when we are in Christ Jesus we are brought and built on a better Covenant where we have our sufficiency in all things.

On the other hand, people in this world try to build their lives on other different covenants which are dangerous with evil consequences, and they are as follows.

  1.  Ancestral Covenants.
  2. Sexual CovenantsDo you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the members of Christ and make them part of a prostitute? Certainly not! 16Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall be one flesh.” 
  3. Verbal Covenants – The story of David and Jonathan. Then Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, is my witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he has a good feeling toward you, shall I not then send word to you and make it known to you? 13But if it pleases my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan, and more if I do not let you know about it and send you away, so that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father….1 Samuel 20:12.
  4. Symbolic Covenants – These are token or symbols someone can give u which carry an evil power on it.
  5. Demonic Covenants.  

 

Mosaic Laws.

Why was the Law Given in the Old Testament?

We read in the book of Hebrews 7:18-19, So, a previous physical regulation and command is cancelled because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness– 19 For the Law never made anything perfect–but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God. From the scripture above, someone can ask himself/herself, why then was the law given? So, these are the following reasons why.

a} The first purpose of the law is to diagnose sin.

Romans 5:20, {Romans 7:8,11, But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness).

For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing] ……11, For sin, seizing the opportunity and getting a hold on me [by taking its incentive] from the commandment, beguiled and entrapped and cheated me, and using it [as a weapon], killed me.

b} The second purpose of the law is to reveal God’s moral, righteous and holy standards.

Through the law, God revealed his standard and man’s inability to meet up with His standard.

Romans 7:12-13, [12 The Law therefore is holy, and [each] commandment is holy and just and good.13 Did that which is good then prove fatal [bringing death] to me? Certainly not! It was sin, working death in me by using this good thing [as a weapon], in order that through the commandment sin might be shown up clearly to be sin, that the extreme malignity and immeasurable sinfulness of sin might plainly appear.

c} The third purpose of the law is to bring man to the knowledge of sin and recognize his need for a Saviour.

The law made the fallen state of man more obvious to him [man].

Romans 5:13, [13 [To be sure] sin was in the world before ever the Law was given, but sin is not charged to men’s account where there is no law [to transgress].

d} The fourth purpose of the law is to help men to see their inability to keep God’s standards.

The law is good, and it reveals God’s standards of Holiness and Righteousness, but the problem is man is sold under sin.

Romans 7:14-20, [14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].

16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.

18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] 19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I am doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].

e} The fifth purpose of the law is to point people to Christ.
 

The law was to expose man’s helplessness, so it was made strict, such that man could not keep it by himself.

Galatians 3:22-24, [22 But the Scriptures [picture all mankind as sinners] shut up and imprisoned by sin, so that [the inheritance, blessing] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ (the Messiah) might be given (released, delivered, and committed) to [all] those who believe [who adhere to and trust in and rely on Him]. 

23 Now before the faith came, we were perpetually guarded under the Law, kept in custody in preparation for the faith that was destined to be revealed (unveiled, disclosed), 

24 So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.

So, I can conclude by saying that the law is not meant for believers but for non-believers.

Mathew 5:17. Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them. 

 1Timothy 1:8-11, [Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully and appropriately, 9 understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 

10 for sexually immoral persons, for homosexuals, for kidnappers and slave traders, for liars, for perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

 

Faithfulness.

What does it Mean to be Faithfull?

Faithfulness means to be Devoted, Honest, Trustworthy, Dependable and Loyal.

Key scriptures:

1Thessalonians 5:24, Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].  2Thessalonians 3:3, Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].

Meaning of these words which will help us understand more about Faithfulness. 

a] Devoted – Loving or Loyal, given over to the display, study and discussion.

b] Honest – Free of Deceit, Truthful and Sincere.

c] Trustworthy – Able to be relied on as honest or truthful.

d] Dependable – Trustworthy and Reliable

e] Loyal – Giving or Showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.

 

What is Faithfulness?

  • Faithfulness means to be a keeper.

1Samuel 16:11 Then [he] said to Jesse, Are all your sons here? [Jesse] said, there is yet the youngest; he is tending the sheep. Samuel said to Jesse, send for him; for we will not sit down to eat until he is here. This is talking about David in the sheep of his father.

John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [in the knowledge and worship of You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and protected, and not one of them has perished or is lost except the son of perdition [Judas Iscariot–the one who is now doomed to destruction, destined to be lost], that the Scripture might be fulfilled. [Ps. 41:9; John 6:70.]. This is talking about Jesus Christ who was also a faithful keeper.

2 Timothy 1:12 And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still, I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day. This is talking about apostle Paul.

  • Faithfulness means to look after things not for things.
  • Faithfulness means to be a trader. Luke 19:11-26

Three Areas where we are tested.

  • we are tested in the least someone has today.
  • we are tested in money.
  • we are tested in a way we handle another man’s riches.

let us look at these scriptures. Nehemiah 9:7-8, 1Timothy 3:8-10, Colossians 4:11 and Luke 16:10-13.

Rewards of Faithfulness.

Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and satraps sought to find occasion [to bring accusation] against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion or fault, for he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him.

  1. Protection
  2. Blessings

Characteristics of Biblical Faithfulness.

a] Faithful people can be trusted by those they serve.

Proverbs 11:13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden.

b] Faithful people are loyal, they don’t steal, abuse or cheat using their given position of influence. Proverbs A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing.

c] Faithful people are Truthful and Honest. Proverbs 14:5 ”A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods”.

d] Faithful people bring refreshments to their masters.

Proverbs 25:13 Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

e] Faithful people know how to answer.

Isaiah 50:4“The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

 

Examples of Faithful Men in the bible.

Nehemiah 7:12, 1Samuel 22:14, Hebrews 3:1-2, 1Timothy 3:8-10, Philippians 2:19-23, 1Corinthians 4:17.

How do we handle the little things He has given to us.

a} Recognize and appreciate the little things we have. 1 Samuel 17:17-20.

b} Keeping your eyes on the small things while moving to the big things.

How do we handle Someone’s Property.

a] Leave his/her place better.

b] Be a trusted burden bearer to those who depend on you for support.

c] You must know your Limitations and not abuse the opportunity given to you.

 

Boasters of Faithfulness.

  • Walk in the fear of the lord.
  • Be individualistic – be yourself. 1Thessalonians 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
  • Focus on your own assignment for a time.
  • Serve heartly – 1Chronicles 28:9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
  • Serve Joyfully. Psalms 100:1-2.

 

 

Leave a Reply