Sacrifice

CHRIST IS RISEN

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CHRIST IS RISEN

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE

Gospel of John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross of Calvary and took our sins and nailed them to the cross. The Gospel means that Jesus was crucified and died, was buried, and rose again from the dead on the third day. He now sits at the right hand of Father awaiting to return and redeem his believers and establish His Kingdom. It is a free gift for everyone who believes in Him. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.

God gives us the freedom of choice between accepting His invitation of eternal life or death. Jesus said in the Gospel of John 14:6 (KJV) I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

God also gave us a book of instructions. It is called the Bible. The Bible contains thousands of promises for any aspect of your life. I pray you will accept His invitation and become part of His family

May God bless you and your loved ones. Love to all.

I can be reached at the following: deanstuyvesant@gmail.com  or at            deanstuyvesant.com

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THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

Who is Jesus Christ? The name Jesus or Jesus Christ has name recognition. In the world scene many hear His name most often being used in profanity. Most of those hearing the name Jesus or Jesus Christ have no real understanding who He is. Many today will say as the religious leaders in the Old Testament said that he was a great prophet, a great teacher, or healer.

Do you know that many “Christians” do not know or believe that Jesus Christ is God? All you have to do is ask: do you believe Jesus is God? Many people believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Correctly speaking they should be addressed as: God the Father, Jesus is God the Son, and Holy Spirit is God the Spirit. They are the three in one. Jesus is God the Son.

I realize that the mystery of the triune of God is difficult to understand yet it is one of the doctrines revealed in Scripture. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Genesis 1:1 says that “God created the heavens and the earth.” Then, Colossians 1:16 gives the added detail that God created “all things” through Jesus Christ. The plain teaching of Scripture, therefore, is that Jesus is the Creator of the universe. Continue on by reading John 1:1 in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word when capitalized refers to Jesus. There are three important things in this passage about Jesus and the Father: 1) Jesus was “in the beginning”—He was present at creation. Jesus had existed eternally with God. 2) Jesus is distinct from the Father—He was “with” God. 3) Jesus is the same as God in nature—He “was God.” One additional point is that the Holy Spirit was present at the creation.

My second question is: what is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Many have heard that “Christ died for their sins” but they have no idea what it really means. The Apostle Paul writes in: 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 (KJV)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This is the basic of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

It is important to know that it is through the Gospel that God works to take people from death to life. A person who does not believe he is a sinner will see no need for a Savior. Romans 3:23 says that there is none righteous, no not one. Romans 3:23 says we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone has transgressed the laws of God in thought, words, and deeds more times than you can ever imagine. Where most people fall short is when they put other gods before God as stated in the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3. This can include family, job, possessions, fun, and the list goes on. The Gospel is the truth that we are all sinners before God and under the sentence of eternal death or separation from God and all the good things He offers.

Another part of the Gospel is God’s love. Again, most people cannot comprehend God’s love for us. One reason is they don’t understand that there are four types of love found in the Bible; Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape. The one attached to God is Agape love. Agape love is a sacrificial love. Most of us live with the other three because it is difficult for us to be sacrificial. It goes against our selfish nature.

My third question is: what is the Atonement of Jesus Christ? The Atonement is the heart of the Gospel. This is where you can see and understand the great love that God has for us. God the Son became a man, lived a perfect life, allowed himself to be arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified. Crucifixion was one of the cruelest form of punishment ever performed on a person. I would recommend that everyone read how much suffering takes place when a person is crucified. Maybe, just maybe it might tell you how much God loves you. Before Jesus was placed on the cross he was beaten beyond words and recognition.

The love of God continues as Jesus is hung on the cross. God the Father takes all the sins we have committed and will commit and put them on Jesus, Jesus became our substitute for our sins. Jesus bore the wrath of God for the sins we commit. Jesus suffered the punishment and death we deserve. On top of all this, God turns His back on Jesus as Jesus cried out: “My God, My God why has thou forsaken me” as seen in Matthew 17:46. Why? Because Jesus took our sins upon Him. God hates sin.

After hours of suffering, Jesus finally said “it is finished” and died on the cross. He died bearing our sins. He overcame the enemies of sin and death. Jesus was buried and on third day He came back from the dead, never to die again. Again, God shows us how much He loves us by giving us eternal life after our physical death.

Atonement refers to the forgiving or pardoning of sin in general and original sin in particular through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, enabling the reconciliation between God and his creation.

Finally I ask, is the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary important in the atonement? After God delivered Israel out of Egypt the whole sacrificial ceremony was established by God. According to Leviticus 17:11 God says of the blood: ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’ Let’s look at additional Scripture.

Matthew 26:28 (KJV) for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:12 (KJV) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) and almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (KJV and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

When was the last time you heard a sermon on the blood, the atonement or the gospel. The whole idea of the blood sacrifice of Jesus, His atonement, and the Gospel has been disappearing in last couple of generations among the Christian churches. About the only time you hear of the blood is when we partake of communion. It appears that the modern church attempts to deal with the guilt of sin through counseling or some other type of program. For the most part if we are honest, the sting of sin remains in our conscience. The Bible still makes it clear that only blood can take away the guilt of sin.

That old hymn of Robert Lowry sums it up so well: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

The sacrifice Jesus Christ made in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross of Calvary to help us overcome sin and death is the Atonement. He paid the price for our sins. This is the most important event in the history of mankind.

If you would like to draw closer to God, you must deny self-according to Jesus in Matthew 16:24 (KJV) then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

I believe that this can be accomplished by following Romans 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.

Here are some suggestions that may help:

To renew your mind you need to ask God for help as this is a gift that He gives to those that ask.

Ask God for forgiveness of your sins and then forgive yourself.

You need to realize that there is no limit to forgiveness.

Change your lifestyle and the environment you live in.

Understand what Jesus did for you because of the sins you did and do.

Realize that you are the only one that can change yourself by putting on the armor of God as found in Ephesians 6:10-18

Have faith and believe that God loves you and he will help you. This can be a test as the devil will try to hinder you. Stay strong in Jesus.

What does Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the Atonement mean to you? Can you understand how much God loves you and so do I?

Growing in Christ

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 I am going to assume that the majority of people reading this post are adults or soon to be. Everyone started out in this physical realm as a new born child. As you continued to grow physically, you are now an adult. Depending on your age, it has taken time for you to become an adult. As a child you continued to grow as you were fed physical food. I only bring this up because it helps us to gain understanding of spiritual growth.

There are many similarities between physical growth and spiritual growth. In order for you to enter into a spiritual growth, you must be born again. John 3:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” It comes down to this, flesh gives birth to flesh and Spirit gives birth to spirit. Born again literally means born from above. Also, it can mean becoming children of God through your trust in Jesus Christ.

God created you in three parts, body, soul, and spirit. Our body is our outer part containing our five senses with which we contact all the things of the physical, material realm. Our soul is our inner part containing our mind, emotion and will with which we contact all the things of the psychological realm. Our spirit is our innermost part with which we contact God and substantiate all the things of the spiritual realm.

You may ask, why does a person have to be born again? The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1 (NKJ), and you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. In Romans 3:23, Paul said sinners are spiritually dead when they receive spiritual life through faith in Jesus Christ. This is related to a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and begin their relationship with God.

Let us look at additional verses from God’ Word that follow your rebirth in receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior.

2 PETER 3:18 (NKJ) 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen

MATTHEW 4:4 (NKJ) 4 but He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”

EPHESIANS 4:15 (NKJ) 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ –

1 PETER 2:2 (NKJ) 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

1 TIMOTHY 4:15 (NKJ) 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

James 1:22 (NKJ) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

The Holy Bible is your spiritual food. You must feed your spirit on the Word of God and act on what you learn just as you have done in your physical life. When you were a toddler, you learned to walk after falling down many times. Even as you got older you attempted many things and failed. You only mastered something after many attempts. You will fall many times or fail to understand what God has said to do or don’t do as a new born Christian. You don’t become an adult Christian overnight. When you fall, get up and try again.

There are several versions of the Bible that are easy to read. My suggestions are that you begin to read Books of the Bible that are easy to understand such as 1, 2, 3, John, the letters to the Galatians, Ephesians Philippians, and Colossians. Before you begin to read any Scripture, ask for the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He is the one that will guide you into all truths. Meditate on what you read and pray for God’s revelation on what you read.

Always remember that God is your Heavenly Father and He will watch over you and protect you as any good parent would do. Don’t ever be afraid of Him as He loves you very much and so do I. Love to all.

Sacrific of Praise

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SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

What does this mean?

Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks …

When we hear the word ‘sacrifice’ we usually think of something that is going to cost us. On the other hand, when we hear the word ‘praise’ we think of something good. These two words seem to be opposite. It appears that we are to offer the sacrifice of praise continually and it is to be by Him. In God’s spiritual realm these two words are woven together. When we offer praise to God or someone else, it does not cost us anything. Most often, I believe that most people are generous with praise to God or to someone when something good takes place.

Now, I ask the question, how about when things don’t go as we want? Are we inclined to praise God or do we begin to moan and groan. When God has blessed us, answered prayers, or put His protection around us, we find it easy to praise Him. This type of praise is not a sacrifice because we can see it and we receive the benefits. I want say that it is good and worthwhile, but it is not a sacrifice. Our praise must not be based on only when good things happen.

Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV) 13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.

As you will note in the above verse our praise is not based on what we think. It is based on what is on our hearts. We are not to treat praise to God as some type of reward we give Him for blessing us. What I believe we need to understand is that God through the Holy Spirit can only make changes in us when we are born again. We are transformed into His likeness when we surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ. Otherwise we cannot understand the truth and the truth sets us free.

Real praise comes from a surrendered heart to Jesus and continues regardless of whether the circumstances are good or bad. Sacrificial praise comes when God doesn’t seem to be present, when things seem to crashing in on us. Everyone knows of such circumstances as we all ask God, why?

Despite the pain life is dishing out, we need to understand what God requires from us in order to receive from Him what our hearts desire. We need to honor God in spite of what we think. The following verse sums it up best:

Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Jesus loves you and whether you believe it or not, He only wants the very best for you and there are thousands of promises for those who put their trust in Him.

Love to all

ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS OR FOR YOURSELF?

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ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS OR FOR YOURSELF?
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) “5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,”
If you are truthful, how do you act around unbelievers and sinners? I’m sure there are many reasons that people give one way or the other. Some will say that Christians should not cast their pearls before swine. As for me, I look at what the Scriptures say regarding how Jesus acted toward sinners including me. Everyone has their own beliefs and that will be their witness regardless of what the Bible says. The truth will come out on judgment day. I can only repeat what the Bible says: “study to show thyself approved.” I don’t believe that any excuse will stand the fire of God.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as those who are without.
Grace is the salt that seasons our discourse, makes it savory, and keeps it from corrupting. We need a great deal of wisdom and grace in order to give proper answers to anyone regarding their situation(s). Are you prepared to give answers to questions regarding your faith, objections to your beliefs, why does God let bad things happen to good people, etc.? Maybe people don’t see a Godly image in your life, then that is your witness!
I believe that there is a great temptation to witness to unbelievers by what a person has been taught to believe in their church or denomination instead of what the truth really is. Like I said in one of my posts: ‘Do not let the word (Bible) prevent you from knowing the Word (Jesus).’
Not everyone is on the same level of understanding the truth, so do we convince an unbeliever of the real truth by arguing and trying to convince them that our way is the only way? I observe many posts by individuals that believe their salvation plan is the only way. Usually that comes from their church or denomination. Don’t people know that there are no denominations in Heaven and there is only going to be one way and that one way is the ‘Way of Jesus Christ?’ John 17:11 [Jesus prayed] Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they be one as We are. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The Bible makes it very clear that false teachers will cause many people into believing false doctrines. In order for you to know that you are right with God is to come to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ and to trust Him rather than men. Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
1 John 4 (KJV) 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
Are you going to rely on what men teach about your salvation or are you going to seek and find the truth.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.
Matthew 7:7 (NASB) ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.
John 8:31-32 (NASB) Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When you hear or read verses like these, do you really understand what God is saying to you? There is only one teacher that we can know for sure that speaks the
Truth when He speaks and that is the Holy Spirit. This privilege is not given to everyone. It is given only to those that are born again. Those who surrender their life to Jesus and He becomes Lord of your life. The phrase “born again” literally means “born from above.” John 3:3-7 Jesus speaks of this.
In conclusion, I have to ask, are you serious about your salvation in Jesus Christ or is it something that takes second place? I believe that God takes the salvation plan very seriously because of the suffering and sacrifice that His Son went through so that you could be part of His Kingdom. Jesus died and shed His blood for you because He loves you. Do you love Him? Love to all.