Chron7pt11

If self (self-effort, self-reliance, self-motivation, self-will, self exaltation, self-esteem, self-centeredness, self-pride, self-conceit, selfish desires, self-interest, selfishness, even self-pity,) is not destroyed now and repented of, then expect that such a person will be cast into the lake of fire. The old worldly nature of self with its flesh, needs to be destroyed, so the new nature can come in and grow. New wine must be put into new bottles so both are preserved-ref Mt 9:17. The destruction of self begins at repentance. It is a continuing work of God in ones life, to those that do not resist and rebel.
Should self not be destroyed expect the bottles to be marred, and broken, and the wine will run out.
The self centered people will be in the lake of fire and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. What pride, conceit, self reliance, self effort, self motivation, or self esteem can there be as one is tormented day and night for ever and ever?. Are you ready for that judgment?

GROWTH: WHY DON’T MOST CHRISTIANS GROW?

Among the main obstacles hindering the growth of Christians is this—the word-self. Intelligence, and education have nothing to do with the destruction of self. Two people come to Christ. All things are equal. Yet one year later the one has grown in faith, in the fear of God, in the wisdom of God, and is learning to obey God. The other is still as they were the year previously. Why is this? Some people come to God with a humbled and willing heart and a ready mind-ref 1 Pe 5:2; 2 Cor 8:18; Ex 35:5 ready for the master to remold them as their clay is soft. Other people come to God but their heart is not humbled and willing as it ought to be, and their mind is not ready. Their clay is not soft enough to be remolded. These are in great danger of falling and the wine running out.

John the Baptist said it clearly in Jn 3:30-HE (Jesus) MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE. If a person is to follow Jesus, they MUST decrease. Few people will make this sacrifice. Few will enter heaven. Most will be burnt up as the chaff. It has been said that our actions are important, but our reactions are even more important. How do you react to adversity? Do you react as Christ would have you do in each situation that arises?

TESTED
PROVED

Ex 16:4-THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO MOSES, BEHOLD, I WILL RAIN BREAD FROM HEAVEN FOR YOU; AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER A CERTAIN RATE EVERY DAY, THAT I MAY PROVE THEM, WHETHER THEY WILL WALK IN MY LAW, OR NO.
Ex 20:20-AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, FEAR NOT: FOR GOD IS COME TO PROVE YOU, AND THAT HIS FEAR MAY BE BEFORE YOUR FACES, THAT YE SIN NOT.
Deut 8:2-AND THOU SHALT REMEMBER ALL THE WAY WHICH THE LORD THY GOD LED THEE THESE FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, TO HUMBLE THEE, AND TO PROVE THEE, TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN THINE HEART, WHETHER THOU WOULDEST KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, OR NO.
Deut 8:16-WHO FED THEE IN THE WILDERNESS WITH MANNA, WHICH THY FATHERS KNEW NOT, THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE THEE, AND THAT HE MIGHT PROVE THEE, TO DO THEE GOOD AT THY LATTER END;
Judges 2:22-THAT THROUGH THEM I MAY PROVE ISRAEL, WHETHER THEY WILL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD TO WALK THEREIN, AS THEIR FATHERS DID KEEP IT, OR NOT.
Judges 3:1-NOW THESE ARE THE NATIONS WHICH THE LORD LEFT, TO PROVE ISRAEL BY THEM, EVEN AS MANY OF ISRAEL AS HAD NOT KNOWN ALL THE WARS OF CANAAN;
Judges 3:4-AND THEY WERE TO PROVE ISRAEL BY THEM, TO KNOW WHETHER THEY WOULD HEARKEN UNTO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, WHICH HE COMMANDED THEIR FATHERS BY THE HAND OF MOSES.
Jn 6:6-AND THIS HE SAID TO PROVE HIM: FOR HE HIMSELF KNEW WHAT HE WOULD DO.Ro 12:2-AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD.
2 Cor 8:8-I SPEAK NOT BY COMMANDMENT, BUT BY OCCASION OF THE FORWARDNESS OF OTHERS, AND TO PROVE THE SINCERITY OF YOUR LOVE.
Some reasons for your existence is to be tested (or proved) to see if you will obey God’s Word, to see if you will fear Him, and sin not, to know what is in your heart, to know if you will obey, and hearken to His commandments, to see how you will react to many situations-including difficult and stressful ones, to see if you will keep the way of the Lord and walk therein, and to test the sincerity of your love, and to humble you.

THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE AND THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
When Jesus returns-these prophecies of John the Baptist shall be fulfilled
(These relate to Mt 2:12 and Mt 3:10)

And THEY SHALL LICK THE DUST LIKE A SERPENT, THEY SHALL MOVE OUT OF THEIR HOLES LIKE WORMS OF THE EARTH: THEY SHALL BE AFRAID OF THE LORD OUR GOD, AND SHALL FEAR BECAUSE OF THEE-Mic 7:17. This is regarding those that survive Armageddon.
For THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A NET, THAT WAS CAST INTO THE SEA, AND GATHERED OF EVERY KIND: WHICH, WHEN IT WAS FULL, THEY DREW TO SHORE, AND SAT DOWN-Mt 13:47,48. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
And this know, THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE WORLD; AND THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS-Mt 13:39. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
For THE SON OF MAN SHALL SEND FORTH HIS ANGELS, AND THEY SHALL GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, AND THEM WHICH DO INIQUITY-Mt 13:41. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
AND HE SHALL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER-Mt 24:31; FROM THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF HEAVEN-Mk 13:27. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
I WILL SEND FOR MANY FISHERS, SAITH THE LORD, AND THEY SHALL FISH THEM; AND AFTER WILL I SEND FOR MANY HUNTERS, AND THEY SHALL HUNT THEM FROM EVERY MOUNTAIN, AND FROM EVERY HILL, AND OUT OF THE HOLES OF THE ROCKS-Jere 16:16. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
HE SHALL CALL TO THE HEAVENS FROM ABOVE, AND TO THE EARTH, THAT HE MAY JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. GATHER MY SAINTS TOGETHER UNTO ME; THOSE THAT HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH ME BY SACRIFICE. AND THE HEAVENS SHALL DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR GOD IS JUDGE HIMSELF-Ps 50:4-6. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.

Mt 25:31-46-WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE HOLY ANGELS WITH HIM, THEN SHALL HE SIT UPON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY: AND BEFORE HIM SHALL BE GATHERED ALL NATIONS: AND HE SHALL SEPARATE THEM ONE FROM ANOTHER, AS A SHEPHERD DIVIDETH HIS SHEEP FROM THE GOATS: AND HE SHALL SET THE SHEEP ON HIS RIGHT HAND, BUT THE GOATS ON THE LEFT.
THEN SHALL THE KING SAY UNTO THEM ON HIS RIGHT HAND, COME, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: FOR I WAS AN HUNGRED, AND YE GAVE ME MEAT: I WAS THIRSTY, AND YE GAVE ME DRINK: I WAS A STRANGER, AND YE TOOK ME IN: NAKED, AND YE CLOTHED ME: I WAS SICK, AND YE VISITED ME: I WAS IN PRISON, AND YE CAME UNTO ME. THEN SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS ANSWER HIM, SAYING, LORD, WHEN SAW WE THEE AN HUNGRED, AND FED THEE? OR THIRSTY, AND GAVE THEE DRINK? WHEN SAW WE THEE A STRANGER, AND TOOK THEE IN? OR NAKED, AND CLOTHED THEE? OR WHEN SAW WE THEE SICK, OR IN PRISON, AND CAME UNTO THEE? AND THE KING SHALL ANSWER AND SAY UNTO THEM, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, INASMUCH AS YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME.
THEN SHALL HE SAY ALSO UNTO THEM ON THE LEFT HAND, DEPART FROM ME, YE CURSED, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS: FOR I WAS AN HUNGRED, AND YE GAVE ME NO MEAT: I WAS THIRSTY, AND YE GAVE ME NO DRINK: I WAS A STRANGER, AND YE TOOK ME NOT IN: NAKED, AND YE CLOTHED ME NOT: SICK, AND IN PRISON, AND YE VISITED ME NOT. THEN SHALL THEY ALSO ANSWER HIM, SAYING, LORD, WHEN SAW WE THEE AN HUNGRED, OR ATHIRST, OR A STRANGER, OR NAKED, OR SICK, OR IN PRISON, AND DID NOT MINISTER UNTO THEE? THEN SHALL HE ANSWER THEM, SAYING, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, INASMUCH AS YE DID IT NOT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, YE DID IT NOT TO ME.
AND THESE SHALL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT: BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO LIFE ETERNAL.
For I WILL SAY TO THE REAPERS, GATHER YE TOGETHER FIRST THE TARES, AND BIND THEM IN BUNDLES TO BURN THEM: BUT GATHER THE WHEAT INTO MY BARN-Mt 13:30.
AND HE (Jesus) WILL THOROUGHLY PURGE HIS FLOOR, AND GATHER HIS WHEAT INTO THE GARNER-Mt 3:12.
And they GATHERED THE GOOD INTO VESSELS-Mt 13:48. This is the gathering of the people for Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
It is written, WHEN THE WICKED ARE CUT OFF, THOU SHALT SEE IT-Ps 37:34. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns. Indeed, THE WICKED SHALL NOT INHABIT THE EARTH-Pv 10:30. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
For the bad shall be cast away-ref Mt 13:48. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
AS THEREFORE THE TARES ARE GATHERED AND BURNED IN THE FIRE; SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THIS WORLD-Mt 13:40. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
THE WICKED SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM THE EARTH, AND THE TRANSGRESSORS SHALL BE ROOTED OUT OF IT-Pv 2:22. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
AND (they) SHALL CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE: THERE SHALL BE WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH-Mt 13:42,50. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.
For HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE-Mt 3:12. This is the Judgment at the judgment seat of Christ after Jesus returns.

Lk 3:18. AND (with) MANY OTHER THINGS (or words, or warnings besides these)
IN HIS EXHORTATION. As shown, John preached, taught, warned, and exhorted people. The verse continues—
PREACHED HE (the Gospel or Good News)
(TO) THE PEOPLE. John preached and taught many more things than are listed in the Scriptures. John’s preaching was stern and straight forward. He did not teach to please men but to please God. It may be said that he demanded repentance that would lead to a person becoming a new creation and having evidence to prove it. It was not the kind of preaching that is done in most churches professing Christ today. It was not politically correct as a degenerate generation might say. How wonderful it would be if pastors would preach as John the Baptist did, as Christ did, and as the apostles did. How wonderful it would be if pastors would preach to please God rather than to please people and to fill their churches with the unconverted and lukewarm Christians.

JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED (SUMMARY)

He preached repentance.
He taught that the kingdom of God was near.
He taught about baptism and he baptized people.
He announced the coming of one mightier that He (the Christ)
After Jesus Christ came, he announced that this is He-ref Jn 1:30.
He prophesied.
People confessed their sins openly (something few do these days)
People were baptized.
He called that generation-snakes.
He warned people to flee from the wrath to come.
He warned them about (saying to themselves certain things) or making excuses and trying to justify themselves.
He showed what fruits of repentance were.
He warned them and discredited their wrong thoughts and excuses.
He warned them about not producing good fruit.
He told the people what things to do—which some of them undoubtedly did not like.
He greatly humbled himself and indicated he was nothing when compared to the one that was to come.
He warned people about judgment.
He sought no personal glory or worldly comforts. He did not wear soft clothing. He did not eat the finer foods.
How many of these things does your preacher teach? John did not shrink back from preaching repentance. Did he preach to please God or the people? His teaching ultimately cost him his head. His preaching offended people, especially the unrepentant. John’s preaching likely would not fill many churches today. It would drive many people away. Neither John or Jesus preached using foolishness and jokes to attract people, to lessen the impact of what they were saying, or to illustrate something. Neither would one find people laughing hysterically as John the Baptist taught. The preaching of John, of Christ, and the apostles usually accomplished one of two things. It convicted many of sin, caused some to come to true Biblical repentance, and angered others.

PREACHING: HOW TO DO IT
PREACH GOD’S WORD
REPENTANCE

For more on “repentance” see Mt 3:6; 3:8; 3:11 (pt 2); Lk 3:3 (pt 2); Jn 3:18.
(Pg. 122; 124; 125; 126; 135; 148; 267; 280)

Preachers today tell stories about themselves, their families, things they own, and places they went. If a person went and asked members of most congregations what they knew about Jesus and what they knew about their preacher, most would know far more about their preacher and his family than about God—God forbid. Some of the best comedians in the world are not in Hollywood, but in the pulpits. There is more laughing in some churches than in fun centers.
Many preachers begin their sermons with one to three verses. Then they use worldly stories to illustrate points they want to make. Is this God’s way or man’s way? Could you imagine John the Baptist, the apostles, or Jesus teaching this way?
The FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING-ref 1 Cor 1:21, as John did is needed in today’s churches. This is what pleased God to save people-1 Cor 1:21. People do not come to know God through worldly wisdom-ref 1 Cor 1:21. Paul makes it very clear, 1 Cor 2:4-AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN'S WISDOM… 1 Cor 1:18-FOR THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS IS TO THEM THAT PERISH FOOLISHNESS; BUT UNTO US WHICH ARE SAVED IT IS THE POWER OF GOD.
What are we to preach. It is written, 2 Tim 4:2- PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. Preach the WORD, the WORD, the WORD. Preach the Bible. This is not talking about men’s word, but God’s Word—the Bible. Preach Jesus Christ-ref Ro 16:25. Preach the WORD OF THE LORD-Acts 15:35. Mt 28:19-20-GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU… Lk 24:47-AND THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG ALL NATIONS… Did you hear it? Correct and rebuke people. Preach repentance, obedience, and doctrine. When is the last time you heard a church doing that?
Acts 8:4-THEREFORE THEY THAT WERE SCATTERED ABROAD WENT EVERY WHERE PREACHING THE WORD. By preaching God word, as God told them to do, and not man’s enticing words and worldly wisdom, many were saved. It is not so today. Despite churches and ministries claiming huge numbers of people coming to Jesus, where is the evidence? Where are they? Where is their repentance? Where is their crucifixion of self?
This is the day (right now) that had to come when preaching such as John, the apostles, and Jesus did, would not be tolerated. It is written-2 Tim 2:3,4-FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN MEN WILL NOT PUT UP WITH SOUND DOCTRINE. (that is today) INSTEAD, TO SUIT THEIR OWN DESIRES, THEY WILL GATHER AROUND THEM A GREAT NUMBER OF TEACHERS TO SAY WHAT THEIR ITCHING EARS WANT TO HEAR (that is today). THEY WILL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH AND TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS (that is today)-NIV
(Milk is the basics of the Bible) Today’s preaching is at best, nothing more than watered down milk. It is no more than a few basic Scriptures with lots of other things intermixed. The milk of the pure word—can one find it anymore? What about the meat of the Word—perfection? Any mother should know that if she mixes one part of milk and 10 parts of water together and feeds her baby with this, it will surely die after a period of time, or at best be very sick. So it is in today’s churches and Christians, or make believe Christians. They are sick and blind and they KNOWEST NOT-ref Rev 3:17 They are NAKED—that is they are not clothed with Christ but they think they are. This is confirmed in today’s church-Rev 3:14-21. The whole Laodicean, lukewarm (nominal) church will be spit out by God unless it repents. Today’s church has Jesus standing outside the door, not inside-Rev 3:20. Today’s church is asleep-ref Mt 25:4. God’s kind of preaching will drive many people away, but it will drive others to their knees in repentance. Are you one of the many that likes most preaching today, or are you one of the very few that wants to wake up and be corrected, rebuked, and die to self?Mk 1:9 (pt 1).    AND IT (CAME ABOUT) (shortly thereafter) IN THOSE DAYS,

Mk 1:9 (pt 1).    AND IT (CAME ABOUT) (shortly thereafter) IN THOSE DAYS,

Mt 3:13 (pt 1).    THEN. The word “then” signifies one of the great moments in history. The ministry of Jesus is about to begin. The fulfillment of many prophecies from the Old Testament is about to unfold. The unsearchable riches of Christ is about to be made known-ref Eph 3:8. The mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ is about to be revealed-ref Eph 3:9. The fulness of the time had come-ref Gal 4:4. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God-ref Eph 3:10. Jesus would soon open His mouth in parables; and utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world-ref Mt 13:35. The revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began is about to unfold-ref Ro 16:25. The verse continues—THEN
(CAME) (or arrived) JESUS. The ministry of Jesus which was about to begin would last about 3 ½ years. It would end at Calvary. The verses continue—

Mk 1:9 (pt 2).   THAT JESUS CAME FROM NAZARETH. (Note-for additional information on Nazareth see Lk 1:26; 2:51, 4:16, and Mt 2:23). The verses continue—

Mk 1:9 (pt 3), ref Mt 3:13 (pt 2). OF GALILEE. This is confirmed in other Scriptures. The town of Nazareth of Galilee was the home of Mary and Joseph. They traveled to Bethlehem where Jesus was born to fulfill the Scriptures. They remained there for a short time, at which time the wise men came. Afterward they fled to Egypt to avoid the young child from being killed. A short time later they returned to Nazareth which is where Jesus grew up and became a carpenter. At approximately 30 years of age He traveled to the location of John the Baptist and was baptized. This is why He was often called Jesus of Nazareth. This is also why he was referred to as being of Galilee
It is written in Mk 6:3-IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTER. His custom was to read in the Synagogue. Lk 4:16-…NAZARETH, WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP: AND, AS HIS CUSTOM WAS, HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND STOOD UP FOR TO READ
.Jesus now comes—

Mt 3:13 (pt 3).    TO (the) JORDAN (COMING TO) JOHN. Jesus humbled himself. God, the Messiah which came in the flesh, came to John. Jesus Christ MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION (or made himself nothing), AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, AND BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH-Phili 2:7,8.
The northern Jordan river flows into the sea of Galilee. The southern Jordan river flows out of the southern part of the sea of Galilee and then flows south into the dead sea. Jesus may have walked east down the mountain to the southern part of the Jordan river and then went south along the Jordan river till he came to the place that John the Baptist was baptizing. John grew up near Jerusalem. Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The distance between the two would have been about 65 to 90 miles depending on which way a person would travel. Due to the difficulty of travel in those days, as well as the way the Scriptures read, it appears they seldom if ever seen each other. The verse continues—
TO BE BAPTIZED (or immersed) OF HIM. The word baptizo means to dip or immerse in the water. It does not mean sprinkle. People that want to follow Jesus should also do as Jesus did, that is come to be baptized by full immersion after repenting of their sins and after believing on Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation.
Jesus was made under the law-Gal 4:4, but was not born under the curse of sin from Adam. Jesus never sinned-ref Heb 4:15. He came to the baptism of John to fulfill all righteousness. The other people came to the baptism of John because of sin.
Jesus came at an exact time as appointed in the Scriptures, as it is written, Gal 4:4,5-BUT WHEN THE FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW, TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.

Mt 3:14.    BUT JOHN (TRIED TO STOP) (or prevent) HIM. John’s baptism was a baptism reflecting repentance. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God did not need repentance, thus it may be said that John tried to stop Him—
SAYING, I HAVE NEED
TO BE BAPTIZED (or immersed) OF (YOU). Note John’s words-I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED. The words of John the Baptist should be the words of all people that want to follow Jesus, that is to be baptized by full immersion after repenting of their sins and after believing on Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation. The verse continues—
AND (YOU COME) TO ME? John earlier had said, of the coming of the one after him, that he was not even worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. Now the Christ came to John to be baptized. How unworthy John must have felt. Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, came to John, a man, a sinner to be baptized.
Those closest to God realize how much more of God they need. Those further from God sometimes do not.
The closer a person is to the light, the more dirt he can see. The further a person is from the light, the less dirt he can see.
Those whose consciousness is seared as with a hot iron, may see no dirt at all. They may think of themselves as a good person, or even perfect. They may think they do nothing wrong.
Those that have the purest hearts can see how much more cleansing they need. The cleaner a person is, the more they can see the need for more cleansing.
John, the greatest born of women, considered himself as unworthy, and as nothing as He stood in the presence of Jesus.
This is not the attitude of most ministers and people in this generation.

Mt 3:15.    AND JESUS ANSWERING SAID (TO) HIM,
(LET) (or permit) IT TO BE (THIS WAY) (AT THIS TIME). These are the second set of words that Jesus is recorded saying in the Bible. Here is God manifested in the flesh telling John to let it be so now. John could only obey. Jesus never said to John the Baptist that he should not be baptized. He simply indicated that AT THIS TIME it was time for Him to be baptized. If John was ever baptized later on is not known. John was filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb-ref Lk 1:15. The verse continues—
FOR (IN THIS WAY) (WE SHOULD) (DO EVERYTHING) RIGHTEOUSNESS (requires). Christ completely humbles himself. He was sent and made in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin-ref Ro 8:3 but He never sinned. The act of water baptism by immersion for Jesus at this time was, as Jesus said, FOR THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. Christ would later bare the sins of many-ref Heb 9:28. He was identifying himself with sinners, even those he came to redeem. He came to bear the sin of others, to be a substitute, to take the sinners place in death so that others might have life. It is written-2 Cor 5:21-FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.
As Ro 6:3 to 5 indicates, it was also showing His death, burial, and resurrection which was yet to come. Those that repent and put their trust in Christ are also commanded to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. John was sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. John was the one that would have to baptize Jesus. The verse continues—
THEN HE (which is John the Baptist)
(PERMITTED) (or allowed) HIM. John obeyed. When Jesus was baptized, he made no confession of sin as the others did as He was sinless-ref Heb 5:21, 1 Jn 3:5.
Jesus observed the feast dates. He attended and spoke in the synagogue as was His custom. Indeed he kept the law, which no man could do-ref Jn 7:19. He also fulfilled the law-ref Mt 5:17.

BAPTISM
WATER BAPTISM

Jesus set the example regarding water baptism for all that should believe on Him to follow.
Jesus himself made it clear that water baptism was from ordained from heaven as he asked the chief priests, scribes, and elders, THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, WAS IT FROM HEAVEN, OR OF MEN?-Mk 11:27,30.
When the apostles sought for a replacement for Judas, only those that had continued with them beginning from the baptism of John were considered-ref Acts 1:21-22.
The message is clear. After a person truly believes in Jesus Christ with all their heart as their only hope of salvation, and has repented of their sins, then they are commanded to be baptized by full immersion IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST-ref Mt 28:19.
How is it then, that there are some that argue and speak against God’s Word?

Lk 3:21 (pt 1).    NOW WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE WERE (being) BAPTIZED,
IT CAME TO PASS, THAT JESUS ALSO (was) BEING BAPTIZED. It is noted that there were other people there being baptized at the time that Jesus came and was baptized. It is unclear, but He may have waited till all others were baptized first, and then He got baptized. The verse continues—

Mk 1:9 (pt 4).    AND WAS BAPTIZED (or immersed) (BY) JOHN IN (the) JORDAN. Jesus was baptized by immersion IN the JORDAN. Baptism by immersion is confirmed in Col 2:12 and Ro 6:4…BURIED…IN BAPTISM and BURIED…BY BAPTISM. He was buried or immersed in the water. The verse continues—

Mt 3:16 (pt 1).    AND JESUS, WHEN HE WAS BAPTIZED (or immersed),
(He) WENT UP STRAIGHTWAY (or immediately) OUT OF THE WATER. Jesus went into the water, to be baptized and then came up out of the water. This is God’s way. This is the way baptism has been done from the beginning. Men that have incorrect understanding of the Scriptures often find ways to change or nullify God’s word. They do this by creating their own traditions and ways, or following other peoples ways, or denominational traditions. Such are the cases of those that teach infant baptism, baptism by sprinkling, and any baptism that is done before a person repents and believes on Christ as their only hope of salvation. Jesus went into the water, symbolizing his coming death. He then came out symbolizing his coming resurrection and ultimate ascension. If a person has not been baptized God’s way, he has not been baptized at all. Many are those that follow false denominational traditions and teachings that lead to eternal damnation. Many ignore or do not understand the clear Word of God.
The meaning of Christian baptism is best covered in Ro 6:3-11.

Mk 1:10 (pt 1).    AND (IMMEDIATELY) (as Jesus was) COMING UP OUT OF THE WATER. As
mentioned previously, Jesus did not confess sins as others did as he was sinless. Also He was not born under the curse of sin from Adam. The verse continues—

Lk 3:21 (pt 2).    AND (while He was) PRAYING. Note that Jesus upon being baptized was also praying. Only Luke’s Gospel records this. Jesus is mentioned praying many times in the New Testament. Even though He is God, yet he prayed to His Father. He depended upon His Father for all things even as we are to do. He sought direction from His Father as we are to do. The verse continues—

Mt 3:16 (pt 2).    AND, LO,

Mk 1:10 (pt 2).    HE SAW

Mt 3:16 (pt 3), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 3), Lk 3:21 (pt 3). (at that moment) THE HEAVENS. Mt 3:16 and Mk 1:10 use the word heavens. Lk 3:21 uses the word heaven. THE HEAVENS—

Mt 3:16 (pt 4).      WERE

Mk 1:10 (pt 4).    (BEING)

Mt 3:16 (pt 5), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 5), Lk 3:21 (pt 5). OPENED. Ref Ezek 1:1; Jn 1:51; Acts 7:56, 10:11; Rev 15:5, 19:11

Mt 3:16 (pt 6).    UNTO HIM. Upon coming out of the water, the very next event were the heavens being opened to Him. The ministry of the Son of God was beginning. This would lead to miracles being performed, knowledge being given, His dying on the cross, resurrection, and ascension to His Father. The price that had to be paid for humanities’ redemption would soon come to pass. The long awaited promise given by God in Gen 3:15 was beginning to be fulfilled. Secondly—

Mt 3:16 (pt 7), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 6), Lk 3:22 (pt 1). AND

Mt 3:16 (pt 8).    HE (Jesus) SAW

Mt 3:16 (pt 9), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 7), Lk 3:22 (pt 2). THE SPIRIT

Mt 3:16 (pt 10).    OF GOD.

Mt 3:16 (pt 11), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 9), Lk 3:22 (pt 4). DESCENDING

Lk 3:22 (pt 4).    IN A BODILY SHAPE (or physical form). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. God is a Spirit-Jn 4:24. He (the Comforter) is called by many names including the Spirit of Truth-ref Jn 14:17. However the World does not know Him and cannot receive Him because it cannot see Him-ref Jn 14:17. The verse continues—

Mt 3:16 (pt 12), ref Mk 1:10 (pt 8), Lk 3:22 (pt 5). LIKE. The verse does not say that the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove, but in the form like a dove. The verses continue—
A DOVE.

DOVE

The dove can symbolize the Holy Spirit (ref Lk 3:22). It can be identified in peace with God from Judgment-ref Gen 8:8-12 and love in SOS 5:2. The dove can be associated with sweetness-SOS 2:14; with being undefiled and praised in SOS 6:9, and with crying in Isa 38:14. Christ wept in Lk 19:41 and Jn 11:35. It is identified with being harmless or innocent in Mt 10:16. It is written regarding the children of God-BEHOLD, I SEND YOU FORTH AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES: BE YE THEREFORE WISE AS SERPENTS, AND HARMLESS AS DOVES-Mt 10:16
The dove can represent the newness of life and the new nature, which feeds on righteousness and the Word of God. We may note, three times the dove was sent forth from the ark in the Old Testament. Consider the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is ONE GOD-ref 1 Tim 2:5, but manifested in three persons-ref Mt 28:18, 1 Jn 1:7 and many other Scriptures. The mentioning of the dove appears in all 4 Gospels. The verses continue—

Mt 3:16 (pt 13). AND LIGHTING (or coming)
Mt 3:16 (pt 14) ref Mk 1:10 (pt 10), Lk 3:22 (pt 6). UPON HIM: (or upon Jesus). The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at the time He came out of the water and was praying. It is written, Lk 4:18-THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL…ref Isa 61:1.
Also Isa 42:1-BEHOLD MY SERVANT,…I HAVE PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM:…ref Heb 1:5.
Also Isa 11:2-AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL REST UPON HIM, THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND MIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD.
Both Jesus Christ and John had seen the Spirit of God coming upon Jesus in a physical form as it is written-JOHN BARE RECORD, SAYING, I SAW THE SPIRIT DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN LIKE A DOVE, AND IT ABODE UPON HIM. AND I SAW, AND BARE RECORD THAT THIS IS THE SON OF GOD-Jn 1:32,34.
If other people saw it is not known. One might surmise that it is possible others saw this happen. The reason is that when John made the statement that he saw the Spirit of God descending, others standing by could have said they seen no such thing.
Jn 3:34 tells us, GOD GIVETH NOT THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE UNTO HIM. Jesus received the fullness of the Spirit. He also received all the gifts of the Spirit which He used during His ministry.
It is note worthy to consider that Acts 2:37 and 38 tells us-THEY SAID UNTO PETER AND TO THE REST OF THE APOSTLES,…WHAT SHALL WE DO? THEN PETER SAID UNTO THEM, (1) REPENT, (2) AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU…AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. It is not uncommon that people report that after they are baptized, sin becomes so much more real to them. Evil thoughts they once had may never have seemed all that bad, but now these same evil thoughts become very disturbing and sinful to them. It is written, Jn 16:7,8-THE COMFORTER…WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN, AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF JUDGMENT.
God (Jesus, the Christ, the Word was God, which was made flesh-ref Jn 1:1, 14) has come down to men from heaven The Spirit of God lights upon Him.

TRINITY
HOLY SPIRIT
FALLING AWAY

The three distinct persons of the Godhead are clearly depicted here as being actively involved right in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
#1-HE-Jesus, saw the
#2-SPIRIT of
#3 GOD.
#1-God the Father speaks. #2-Jesus the Christ is baptized and prays. #3-The Holy Spirit descends in a bodily shape.
As indicated previously, the world does not see or know the Holy Spirit. It cannot receive Him. It is written ref Jn 14:16-17-The COMFORTER,…THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT SEETH HIM NOT, NEITHER KNOWETH HIM: BUT YE KNOW HIM; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU. Many people and cults deny the Spirit of God, or the understanding they have of the Holy Spirit is far removed from what is taught in the Bible. That is how the Bible indicated it would be.
This verse along with Rev 5:7 and many others in both the Old and New Testaments clearly illustrate the false understanding that the United Pentecostals have of the Trinity as well as those that believe that the Godhead manifests himself in 3 modes, one at a time or do not even believe in the three persons of the Godhead.
Rev 5:7-AND HE #1 (Jesus) CAME AND TOOK THE BOOK OUT OF THE RIGHT HAND OF HIM THAT SAT UPON THE THRONE #2 (God the Father).
(Note Mt 28:19; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pe 1:2)—All three persons of the Godhead are mentioned but yet they are distinguished from each other.
Mt 28:19-GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE #1-FATHER, AND OF THE #2-SON, AND OF THE #3-HOLY GHOST. Note it did not say the Father, the Son, etc., it said AND OF, as 3 persons or individuals.
1 Cor 6:11-AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU: BUT YE ARE WASHED, BUT YE ARE SANCTIFIED, BUT YE ARE JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF #1-THE LORD JESUS, AND #2-BY THE SPIRIT OF #3-OUR GOD.
2 Cor 13:14-THE GRACE OF #1-THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE #2-LOVE OF GOD, AND THE #3-COMMUNION OF THE HOLY GHOST, BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
1 Pe 1:2-ELECT ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF #1-GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF #2-THE SPIRIT, UNTO OBEDIENCE AND SPRINKLING OF THE #3-BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST: GRACE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, BE MULTIPLIED.
In Lk 9:35 God the Father speaks regarding His beloved Son. Lk 9:35-AND THERE CAME A VOICE OUT OF THE CLOUD (which is #1-God the Father), SAYING, THIS IS #2-MY BELOVED SON: HEAR HIM.
Again the Father speaks after Jesus had spoken-ref Jn 12:28. #1-Jesus speaking said, FATHER, GLORIFY THY NAME. THEN CAME THERE A VOICE FROM HEAVEN (which is #2-God the Father) SAYING, I HAVE BOTH GLORIFIED IT, AND WILL GLORIFY IT AGAIN.
Jn 16:13-HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME. The Spirit of truth is referred to as HE, as a person. The Spirit is not a thing, or force. Note Jesus speaking, showing that the Spirit had not yet come which would in dwell people. Two separate persons.
Dan 7:13-I SAW IN THE NIGHT VISIONS, AND, BEHOLD, ONE LIKE #1. THE SON OF MAN (God the Son) CAME WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN, AND CAME #2. TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS (God the Father),…

Through many Scriptures, the trinity is also depicted many more times in the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon special people and gave them understanding and ability to do special tasks-ref Ex 31:3-5, and Judges 3:10. The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus. He had all the gifts of the Spirit. He was empowered to accomplish the mission that lay before Him.
Even though the Bible shows us there are three persons of the Godhead, yet the Godhead is one. They are united together in unity, harmony, purpose, desire, and oneness, yet each has a specific mission. 1. Jesus Christ spoke the words that He heard from 2. His Father in heaven. Jesus Christ, the Son died on the Cross. 1. God the Father created all things 2. by Jesus Christ-ref Eph 3:9
As God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three persons, yet they are united together as one even as the many persons of the body of Christ are united together as one. The Holy Spirit actually indwells the believer yet the believer and the Holy Spirit are two separate persons.
It is written, John 17:11-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.
1 Jn 5:7-FOR THERE ARE THREE THAT BEAR RECORD IN HEAVEN, THE FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY GHOST: AND THESE THREE ARE ONE. Three separate persons acting as one, united as one.
John 10:30-I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE. Again, it does not mean one single person, as the Scriptures have shown clearly that they are three. The word one denotes unity, harmony, purpose, desire, and oneness

ONE: WHAT DOES IT MEAN
ONE GOD
TRINITY

Jn 17:21-23-THAT THEY (the saints) ALL MAY BE ONE (or in unity); AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US (or in unity in us): THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME. AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM; THAT THEY MAY BE ONE (the saints are separate persons, but are to be united as one, and are referred to as one body in Christ), EVEN AS (or in the same way that) WE (plural as in three) ARE ONE: (The one is further explained in this verse) I IN THEM, AND THOU IN ME, (Because Christ is in the believer, we are one with Him, yet we are separate persons), THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE; AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT THOU HAST SENT ME, AND HAST LOVED THEM, AS THOU HAST LOVED ME.
Ro 12:5-SO WE, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERY ONE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER. As God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are members one of another, so the saints are members of the body of Christ and as such are to be united as one.
1 Cor 10:17-FOR WE BEING MANY ARE ONE BREAD, AND ONE BODY: FOR WE ARE ALL PARTAKERS OF THAT ONE BREAD.
1 Cor 12:12-FOR AS THE BODY IS ONE, AND HATH MANY MEMBERS, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THAT ONE BODY, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY: SO ALSO IS CHRIST.
Perhaps many people cannot understand these Scriptures as they do not see the body united and knit together as one in perfect unity as it ought to be. God’s will is that the saints be KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE-Col 2:2; AND…ALL THE BODY…KNIT TOGETHER-Col 2:19.
Nevertheless, God in heaven is directing each person and each ministry as He sees fit to accomplish His purpose around the world. At the same time, He is dealing with each saint to help them to deny self and draw closer to Him. Regretfully many resist and become stubborn, rebel and fall away to their own eternal destruction. They become unfruitful and unprofitable servants as Satan tempts them. They become blind as they once were. They seldom know this because if they did they should certainly repent. They become hardened to correction so it is very difficult to reach them anymore with the truth of the Gospel. The darkness blinds their eyes. They go their own way and forget how they were before they fell-ref Ja 1:24.

Mt 3:17 (pt 1), ref Mk 1:11 (pt 1), Lk 3:22 (pt 6). AND

Mt 3:17 (pt 2).    (BEHOLD) (suddenly)

Mk 1:11 (pt 2).   THERE CAME

Mt 3:17 (pt 3), Mk 1:11 (pt 3), Lk 3:22 (pt 8). A VOICE (came) (OUT OF THE HEAVENS-NASB), SAYING. This is God the Father speaking out of the heavens regarding His Son. Again we see the trinity-The Spirit of God lighting upon The Son and the Father speaking. The verse continues—

Mk 1:11 (pt 4), Lk 3:22 (pt 9). THOU ART MY BELOVED SON (Whom I love), IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. It appears the Father spoke these words directly to Jesus and no one else heard it. Then it appears He spoke a second time to John the Baptist and perhaps the others standing by. He said—

Mt 3:17 (pt 4). THIS IS MY BELOVED SON (Whom I love), IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. Beloved Son or Son whom I love—this is another name of Jesus. Note the words in Ps 2:7-I WILL DECLARE THE DECREE: THE LORD HATH SAID UNTO ME, THOU ART MY SON…
These words were spoken by God the Father when Jesus came up out of the water and also on the mount of transfiguration-ref Mk 9:7 and 2 Pe 1:17.
Let all the world hear that has ears to hear. Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, the Christ. He is the Beloved Son of God the Father and the Father is well pleased with the Son. Hear and obey what He says. God warns THAT WHOSOEVER WILL NOT HEARKEN UNTO MY WORDS WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME, I WILL REQUIRE IT OF HIM-Deut 18:19.

First the heavens were opened to Him after he came up out of the water.
Second, the Holy Spirit lights upon Jesus and then
third, the pronouncement from the Father in heaven that THIS IS MY BELIEVED SON. It is a declaration of Sonship. Ps 1:7 reads-THOU ART MY SON. These same words are repeated in Acts 13:33 and Heb 1:5, 5:5. Could it be, in like manner, once a sinner repents, places their trust in Jesus Christ as their only hope (or as their substitute), then obeys God and goes into the water and comes out into the newness of life, the heavens are opened, and the Holy Spirit comes, and the sinner becomes one of the sons of God-ref Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 3:1. It is not baptism that causes one to receive the Holy Spirit, but rather faith-ref Gal 3:2. The verse continues—

Jesus now begins the journey that the Father had laid out before Him. He would demonstrate the great love that God has for the world, and what could be expected from all that choose to follow Him, yet he would be persecuted, ridiculed, insulted, accused, mocked, hated, and not believed. He had not a place to lay his head-ref Mt 8:20. People would publicly try to discredit Him and accuse him of having a demon-ref Mt 11:18; or of being the chief of the devils, Beelzebub-ref Mk 3:22, Lk 11:15. He would suffer, be beaten, his beard plucked out, marred worse than any man and finally be hung on a cross as a common criminal. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He is God that created all things, which came to this earth in human form and became the suffering servant. He healed the sick, raised the dead and died a horrible death so that those that would obey Him might have eternal life. Through all this He obeyed His Father, and did not murmur, complain, accuse any falsely, or make excuses. He showed the greatest love that is possible but was and is hated even today by many. His name is cursed and dammed by people throughout the entire world. Do you hear other religious leaders names dammed? No. The reason is that Jesus is alive. He is the true God and He showed people their true nature—all have sinned.
Then and today, those that follow Him as the Scriptures command, also find themselves going through some of the same things that Jesus Christ did. You that are reading this—are you truly a servant? Do you say you follow Jesus, yet murmur, complain, accuse, make excuses, and harden yourself to correction? Do you want everything to be just to your liking—that is do you want everything to be just the way you want them to be and if they are not you find fault, accuse, murmur, complain and make excuses? Are you really like Jesus? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Lk 4:1 (pt 1).    AND JESUS BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST
RETURNED FROM JORDAN. Jn 3:34 states-FOR HE WHOM GOD HATH SENT (which is Jesus)…GOD GIVETH NOT THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE UNTO HIM. Acts 10:38-GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER:…

Lk 3:23 (pt 1).    AND JESUS HIMSELF
(WAS) ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE (when He began His public ministry-JNT). Note: Jesus was “about” 30 when he began his public ministry. It did not say exactly. He could have been a bit older. Many believe his ministry lasted 3½ years. He died on Passover. Since Passover is usually around our April, Jesus could have been born between August and November. His age was important. To do service in the Tabernacle a person’s age was to be 30 to 50. It is written Num 4:3- FROM THIRTY YEARS OLD AND UPWARD EVEN UNTIL FIFTY YEARS OLD, ALL THAT ENTER INTO THE HOST, TO DO THE WORK IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION. Other verses include: Num 4:2.4; 23; 29,30; 34,35; 38,39; 42,43; and 46,47. JOSEPH WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE STOOD BEFORE PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT-Gen 41:46. DAVID WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE BEGAN TO REIGN-2 Sam 5:4.

BIRTH OF SETH

AND ADAM LIVED AN HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS, AND BEGAT A SON IN HIS OWN LIKENESS, AFTER HIS IMAGE; AND CALLED HIS NAME SETH-Gen 5:3. It is also written, AND ADAM KNEW HIS WIFE AGAIN; AND SHE BARE A SON, AND CALLED HIS NAME SETH: FOR GOD, SAID SHE, HATH APPOINTED ME ANOTHER SEED (or another child) INSTEAD OF ABEL, WHOM CAIN SLEW-Gen 4:25. Seth means “the appointed one.” It was from the lineage of Seth that eventually Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, and Joseph would come forth. And Joseph was THE HUSBAND OF MARY, OF WHOM WAS BORN JESUS, WHO IS CALLED CHRIST-Mt 1:16. And JESUS HIMSELF...BEING (AS WAS SUPPOSED) THE SON OF JOSEPH-Lk 3:23.

Mk 1:12 (pt 1), ref Lk 4:1 (pt 2). AND

Mt 4:1 (pt 1).    THEN

Mk 1:12 (pt 2).   IMMEDIATELY. The word “immediately” is used more in the Mark’s Gospel than any other
book of the KJV Bible—app. 17 times. Immediately following His baptism—

Mt 4:1 (pt 2), ref Lk 4:1 (pt 3). WAS

Mt 4:1 (pt 3).   JESUS

Mt 4:1 (pt 4), ref Lk 4:1 (pt 4). LED UP (BY) THE SPIRIT. The word UP would refer to elevation. As one goes from the Jordan river to the wilderness the elevation rises from below sea level. The verses continue—

Mk 1:12 (pt 3).    THE SPIRIT (DROVE) (or impelled, or sent) HIM. The words, led, drove, sent, or impelled, carry with it a strong sensation, something which would be hard to resist. The verse continues—

Mt 4:1 (pt 5), ref Mk 1:12 (pt 4), Lk 4:1 (pt 5). INTO THE WILDERNESS (or desert). Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. It is believed that it was near the area in which the Jordan River flows into the dead sea, perhaps not too far from Jericho. The area round about can be described as a wilderness or desert. The traditional place it is believed Jesus was driven is an area which is west or northwest of Jericho. Even today it is still a wilderness. The verses continue—

Mt 4:1 (pt 6).      TO BE TEMPTED. One might define the word tempted to mean: to educe, entice, pressure, or provoke a person to do wrong in the site of God. To make someone think of doing something wrong. As a person prepares to be Scripturally baptized, they also need to prepare themselves to be tempted by the Devil.
As a person also prepares to serve God, they need to prepare themselves to be tempted by the Devil. They need to prepare themselves for spiritual combat against the powers of darkness. The verse continues—
(BY) THE DEVIL (or Adversary). (The devil or adversary are two more names for Satan) The Holy Spirit did not tempt Jesus but led Him up to be TEMPTED (or tested) OF THE DEVIL Almost immediately after being baptized temptations were to begin. During a 40 day period, Jesus went through various temptations (or tests) by Satan.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE. TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

When a person seeks to be baptized and after scriptural baptism has taken place, be prepared to battle Satan. Things can break down, unexpected events can happen, people can come against you, and much wrong thinking can arise in a person’s mind. When a person prepares for baptism, also after baptism, and when a person prepares themselves to serve God, or when a person prepares to fast for several days, they also need to prepare to do battle with the devil. Many have found, that after they receive baptism, Satan comes and attacks them in unexpected ways. The war has begun. Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are and yet without sin-ref Heb 4:15. God does not tempt anyone-ref Ja 1:13. Satan is used to tempt or test us as with righteous Job in the Old Testament to prove our faith genuine. This is done to see what kind of a person we are under duress (or pressure)-ref 2 Cor 8:8; Jn 6:6; Deut 8:2; Ex 20:20; Judges 3:2 and 4.
God is not willing that any should perish-ref 2 Pe 3:9. Satan is not willing that any should be saved. The Bible tells us of this conflict in each person’s life. There are times when a person feels like they are being torn apart, as if one arm is being pulled in one direction and the other arm is being pulled in the opposite direction. It is a person’s heart that ultimately leads them to believe God’s Word as it is written or reject it-ref Ro 10:10. It is the wayside, stony, or thorny, heart that causes a person to reject and misunderstand the Scriptures and thus justify themselves through deceit. None are immune from this battle but most are deceived as they do not even realize that such a battle is taking place in their lives. Few people realize the incredible power Satan has to tempt them, to put wrong thoughts into their minds, to stir up their emotions, to cause them to sin, and to make them believe that wrong is right and right is wrong. Few understand that Satan has the authority to stir up people against the born-again Christian. Few seem to know that Satan can even cause things to break down, and accidents to happen. Satan can use a person’s emotions to be fabricators of reality rather than an indicator of reality.
The first Adam was tempted (or tested) in the garden and fell. The second Adam (Jesus) was tempted in the wilderness and did not fall but gave us an example of how to fight Satan. Jesus would be tested and tempted throughout His ministry.
We should never forget that Satan and his army are in constant opposition to God’s Word and purpose.
This was the beginning of another battle in the war between God and Satan to try and undue God’s plan. The target was Jesus of Nazareth. About 30 years earlier Satan had used Herod who killed multitudes of children in hopes he would kill the future king of Israel-ref Mt 2:16. About 4000 years earlier he had used Cain to kill Able trying to derail God’s plan-ref Gen 4:8. There are times when a person will feel like a human pressure cooker that is ready to explode. Woe to that person whose heart agrees with they lying thoughts Satan puts in their mind.

TEMPTATIONS: WHAT ARE THEY BRIEFLY? EMOTIONS

It is written, 1 Pe 4:12-14, 16, 19, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE CONCERNING THE FIERY TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU:…IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTETH UPON YOU: ON THEIR PART HE IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, BUT ON YOUR PART HE IS GLORIFIED. …YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN, LET HIM NOT BE ASHAMED; WHEREFORE LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD COMMIT THE KEEPING OF THEIR SOULS TO HIM IN WELL DOING, AS UNTO A FAITHFUL CREATOR.
1 Pe 1:6,7,9-WHEREIN YE GREATLY REJOICE, THOUGH NOW FOR A SEASON, IF NEED BE, YE ARE IN HEAVINESS THROUGH MANIFOLD TEMPTATIONS: THAT THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD THAT PERISHETH, THOUGH IT BE TRIED WITH FIRE, MIGHT BE FOUND UNTO PRAISE AND HONOUR AND GLORY AT THE APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST: RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH, EVEN THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.
2 Tim 3:12-YEA, AND ALL THAT WILL LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION.Ja 1:12-BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM. However,
Lk 8:13-THEY ON THE ROCK (or we may say-the Word of God which a person hears, but has a heart that is as a rock) ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HEAR, RECEIVE THE WORD WITH JOY; AND THESE HAVE NO ROOT, WHICH FOR A WHILE BELIEVE, AND IN TIME OF TEMPTATION FALL AWAY.

Satan is deceitful and cleaver almost beyond our understanding. He is the strong man that uses deceit, camouflage, blind attacks, surprise, stealth, and subtlety.
Temptations often result from some situation that exists, events that happen, or desires we have. We may begin to look at something in our past, something that is happening right now, or something that might happen in the future. Then we begin to have ungodly or unbiblical thoughts. We stop thinking as Christ would have us think. We do not cast down the ungodly imaginations we are having.
Temptations are various situations, difficult times, and pressures that we go through that makes us want to react. They can range from physical or mental hurts and disabilities to not even having enough money to buy food. They can be from physical pain to mental anguish. They can be from ungodly desires of the heart to selfishness, lusts, and sex. They can be from a desire to get married to the desire for pleasures, money, comfort, peace, and the better things of this world. Temptations can come from problems in a marriage to problems in serving God. They can be from about every situation one could imagine to parents, spouses, children, relatives, employers, or anyone. They can be from ones own self. They can come from fear, pride, humiliation, hurt, and anger. They can come from loving things and people more than we love God.
They are the thorns in the flesh, the fiery darts, the mental anguish, the struggles in our thoughts, the ungodly personal desires we have, the hardships, and the confusions in our minds. There can be no victory in a battle, without a battle.
This needs to be said over and over again. Sometimes we bring problems and temptations upon ourselves because we disobey God’s Word or have a wrong attitude. It is written, Eph 4:27-NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL. We can open the door for Satan to tempt us and cause us problems by disobeying God, and then we want God to rescue us quickly. Sometimes he does, but often times we have to learn a lesson so we can grow in Him. As it is written of Jesus, THOUGH HE WERE A SON, YET LEARNED HE OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS WHICH HE SUFFERED-Heb 5:8.
Ja 1:14-15-BUT EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED. THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.
Dealing with temptations can be very, very difficult. They sometimes bring us to the point that we want to give up. They sometimes cause us to be angry with God, doubt Him and become bitter toward Him. They can cause us to be dominate, overbearing, wanting our own way. They can create within us desires, hurts, impatience, and many other emotions. They can tempt us to sin. They spark a reaction in us. Our emotions can rise to the point we want to explode. Our emotions can become so out of control that they no longer reflect reality, but rather they fabricate a false reality which we choose to believe. Sometimes we just breakdown and cry. Sometimes we cry out to God and he answers. Sometimes we cry out to God and say, “Lord, it hurts real bad. I am desperate, what can I do” We want God to fix the situation as Paul did. However, sometimes God says, MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE: FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS-2 Cor 12:9. Satan tempts us trying to get us out of the will of God.
Let us not forget Job. He had lost almost everything. Then his body was so hurting that he wanted to die. His wife tempted him to curse God and die-ref Job 2:9. Yet despite the horrible situation he was in, he did not sin and speak against God.
Sometimes the temptations come slowly, in a very subtle and deceitful manner which are hard to recognize. Other times they come suddenly without warning. One minute things seem to be going great, but the next minute it seems like the world has caved in on us.
These temptations are allowed by God, but are never from God.
The believer is being tested to see if they will react in a godly way. Their faith, or lack of faith is being tested. Will they wait on God and trust Him no matter what, or will they react in another way, both in their words and actions? The attitude of every believer and commitment to Jesus will be tested over and over.
For some, being beaten and martyred for Christ can be ahead. This is especially the case for many during the tribulation.
As a result of temptations, those that build on the sand find themselves defeated. Those that through trust, build on the rock (which is Jesus) find themselves growing stronger.
2 Cor 12:9,10-Paul said, MOST GLADLY THEREFORE WILL I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME. THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE IN INFIRMITIES, IN REPROACHES, IN NECESSITIES, IN PERSECUTIONS, IN DISTRESSES FOR CHRIST'S SAKE: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG.
As the author wrote this, he was in some physical pain himself. He was also going through some mental anguish and frustrations.
When Satan attacks us in some way, one of the greatest dangers of all is that we don’t recognize it. If an army going to war is attacked and doesn’t recognize the attack, and fight back, they may surely be wiped out or be killed. Few people in this latter day generation recognize Satan’s attacks. Few people understand spiritual warfare. Few pastors, priests, and rabbi teach about it. We are told to cast down IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY (note bringing into captivity) EVERY THOUGHT (note every thought) TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST-2 Cor 10:5. How can a person cast them down when they do not even recognize the thoughts they have are against the knowledge of Christ. How can a person cast down their wrong thinking when they do not believe their thinking is wrong. How can a person fight against evil thoughts they have when they do recognize they are from Satan?
Through all this we have God’s promise. 1 Cor 10:13-THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT. We all have need of patience. We need to learn to wait on the Lord and trust Him.
We certainly need to pray, Mt 6:13-And LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Then we need to obey God so we don’t open the door for Satan to tempt us

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