WARNING AGAINST REJECTING GOD’S GRACE
HEBREWS 12
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.

• This verse is not about identity but about behavior.
• This is how we respond out of knowing our own identity.
• We already have peace (Gal 2:20). We just need to choose it in our relationships.
• If you try to make peace and holiness with everyone without knowing who you are… you will labor and fail.
• Otherwise, it comes very naturally, and it will be obvious to others that you are a believer.
• God’s grace does not fail, but we can fail to take advantage of His grace.[1]

15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.

• We are not talking about salvation grace… but daily grace… what we live by each day.
• If you live in the room of good intentions rather than the room of grace… you will fall into bitterness.
• I’d rather be freer with God’s grace than freer with God’s wrath.
• If you reject grace (that comes every moment) you will eventually blame God for your circumstances.
• When you accept grace… your view of circumstances and God changes.
• I might get labeled as “soft on sin” but the door to sharing with more people about their sin issue is much larger!
• Grace allows me to see God’s discipline in my life as a good thing… rather than a bad and causing bitterness to grow.

16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.

• The author is reminding the Hebrew Christians that their choice of returning to Judaism could cost them much… their lives!
• Esau sold his birthright thinking he could eventually get it back.
• He was sorry for his physical loss rather than the spiritual loss of the blessing therefore wasn’t repentant.
• Esau didn’t lose his salvation, just the physical and spiritual blessings that were rightfully his.
• Esau became bitter because he realized all that he lost.
• Author is warning the Hebrew Christians of this same loss and bitterness.
• Wes Cate: I was always curious why Esau was so despised, and Jacob was loved by God. Jacob is the conniving one, and Esau was just hungry. But looking at the inheritance of the Patriarch's: that inheritance wasn't the wealth of life; it was the Lord who blesses. I think Esau and Jacob both knew that; so, Esau was willing to give up the Lord for a meal and Jacob was willing to lie, cheat and steal to get to God. That would be an interesting lesson on faith vs law in itself!
  
  

It's my opinion that Jacob had watched his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac walk before God, he knew their relationship and wanted it bad. That's why at the end of his life he could pray a beautiful prayer to a life-long friend; to someone he had grown up in--a matured, well-aged relationship: "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil . . . bless the lads."
18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

• In reference to Mt. Sinai that they could physically touch.
• They so feared God they asked Him to stop talking.
• Referring to returning to the Law.
• If they return to what was, the Law, they will experience terror and fear and miss out on the spiritual blessings.
• We sometimes feel comfortable in returning to what we already know.
• Stepping out in faith, allows you to experience additional blessings.

22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

• Mount Zion (New Jerusalem) – walk by grace.
• Mount Sinai – life of bondage and Law.
• Author refers to OT believers who were perfected at the cross.
• At this new Mount… they are made righteous rather credited with righteousness at the old Mount.
• The blood of Abel only covered sin (atonement).
• Jesus’ blood was poured out on earth and offered in heaven.
• Abel’s blood only offered on earth.

25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.

• It is Jesus’ sacrifice of blood that speaks to the Hebrew Christians.
• Moses warned them at Mount Sinai not to turn from God.
• A whole generation died in the wilderness because they refused to listen.
• Jesus is warning them now (from heaven) not to turn from His message.
• If they don’t return to the message, they will die in the destruction of 70 AD.

26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.

• Haggai 2:6

27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain.

• Tribulation & Second Coming of Christ.
• Believers will remain.
• Those who trust in daily grace… rather than the Law.

 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.[2]

• Our reverence and awe play out how?
• Attitude of devotion
• Worship
• Praise
• Ever been around a bitter Christian?
• Don’t miss out on what Jesus has already provided.
• It is a great life full of Spiritual blessings!

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 12:14). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 12:1–29). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• We come now to an important dividing point in this letter. The first three chapters contain doctrine, the last three, exhortation.
• In brief, God says in chapters 1–3, “I have made you a saint.”
• In chapters 4–6, He says, “Now, live a saintly life.”

 
UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:1-10
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

• Unity is not uniformity.
• Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace.
• “Therefore” reaches back to all the blessings and exalted positions in salvation which the saints enjoy (ch. 1–3), and reaches ahead to the byproduct with such privileges put upon the saints.
• The word “worthy” (axiōs) means “equal weight”; one’s calling and conduct should be in balance.
• The word “calling” in English sometimes means “occupation” as, “His calling was that of a shoemaker.”
• But it is not so used here.
• Paul’s thought is that sinners were called into salvation and made saints.
• They are to be obedient to that heavenly calling or summons to be saints, and live saintly lives. (Wuest)
• Matt Chandler – Suspended – inappropriate behavior
• As an overseer, be above reproach
• Reproach - a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace.

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

• 1) Humility - lowliness
• 2) Gentleness - Meekness is not weakness - It is power under control
• 3) Patience - long-suffering - long-tempered - ability to endure discomfort without fighting back
• 4) Forbearance - accepting one another - a grace that cannot be experienced apart from love
• 5) Love - Fruit of the Spirit
• We are to bear with one another “in love.”
• It is in the sphere of the love that God the Holy Spirit produces in the heart of the yielded believer (Gal. 5:22), that we are to be patient with each other as misunderstandings arise, as cutting words are said, as unkind actions are done.
• The love shown at Calvary was a forgiving love.
• Ours should be the same.

3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

• 6) Endeavor - diligently keeping unity of the Spirit - maintain or guard
• 7) Peace - When the peace of God rules in our hearts, then we build upon unity.
• Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?
• They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.
• So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in better tune to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
• Social faith is perfected when private faith is purified.
• The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier.
• The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life. (Tozer)
• Blessed is the congregation that has found the spiritual maturity and understanding to honestly confess, “Our congregation is so keenly aware of the presence of Jesus in our midst that our entire fellowship is an unceasing communion!”
• What a joyful experience it is for us in this church age to be part of a congregation drawn together by the desire to know God’s presence, to sense His nearness.
• Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved; it is something to be recognized.
• Peace is the binding factor which will preserve the unity which the Spirit has produced.
• Peace means… sometimes it is better to just shut your mouth.

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope, at your calling--

• Unity built on anything other than Bible truth is standing on a very shaky foundation.
• Paul names here the seven basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians.
• 1) One Body - The body is the invisible Church, the Mystical Body of Christ composed of believers saved between Pentecost when the Church was formed and when Jesus returns.
• 2) One Spirit - The Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.
• 3) One hope of your calling - Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.[1]

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

• 4) One Lord - Jesus Christ - It is difficult to believe that two believers can claim to obey the same Lord, and yet not be able to walk together in unity.
• 5) One Faith - “Faith” is not the Christian Faith as a system of doctrine and its respective responsibilities.
• It refers to the principle of faith by means of which all the saints enter into salvation.
• 6) One Baptism - There was and is one common placing into the Body of Christ. (Jews & Gentiles)
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.[2]

6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

• 7) One God and Father - We are children in the same family, loving and serving the same Father, so we ought to be able to walk together in unity.
• For Paul the unity of the church reflects the unity of the Godhead: One God, One Lord and One Spirit.

7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

• A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified.
• One having it in larger measure and another in smaller, but each getting it from the same Hand and with the same purpose.”
• We must be careful to note that this grace has to do with the exercise of special gifts for service, not the grace for daily living.
• The former is limited, and is adjusted to the kind of gift and the extent to which the Holy Spirit desires to use that gift in the believer’s service.
• The latter is unlimited and subject only to the limitations which the believer puts upon it by a lack of yieldedness to the Spirit.
• The context here, (4:11-12), is one of service, not of general Christian experience.
• Every believer (each one) has been given a spiritual gift to use for the purpose of the body of Christ.
• This is where the Church gets you to take a spiritual gifts analysis and then assigns you an assortment of tasks and committees to serve as part of the church programming.
• What is your spiritual gift? Most of you, I could tell you what it is because I can see it.
• Be involved in the fellowship and figure out what your gift is… something that edifies Christ through the people or body of Christ.

8 For it says:
When he ascended on high,
he took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people. (Psalm 68:18)

• or "He lead the captives"
• The word here is not charisma (χαρισμα), referring to special gifts such as the gifts noted in I Cor. 12:4–11, but doma (δομα), a general term for that which is given.
• These gifts are the gifted men mentioned in 4:11.
• Christ gave these gifts to the Church when He ascended to Heaven.

9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.[3]

• During the OT time, the souls of the dead went to a place in the lower parts of the earth referred to as Sheoul (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek).
• Sheoul/Hades had two sides (Luke 16:19-31 - Rich Man & Abraham). The saved side is known as Abaraham's Bosom or Paradise (Luke 23:43). The lost side, hell, was a place of torment for the unrighteous dead.
• When Jesus physically died his body was placed in a tomb.
• His soul & Spirit went to the saved side of Sheoul/Hades known as Paradise.
• Jesus made a proclamation to the spirits on the hell side (1 Peter 3:19).
• God would not allow for Jesus to remain in Sheoul (Psalm 16:10) so he was joined with his resurrected body and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:1-11).
• That is one interpretation.
• What if it is in reference to Jesus descending to earth as a human being?
• What if it is in reference to the Spirit being sent to live in each believer? (Acts 2:4)
• Paul taught that Christ is the Giver of these gifts, through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:8–10).
• He ascended to heaven as Victor forevermore.
• The picture here is of a military conqueror leading his captives and sharing the spoil with his followers.
• Only in this case, the “captives” are not His enemies, but His own.
• Sinners who once were held captives by sin and Satan have now been taken captive by Christ.
• Even death itself is a defeated foe![4]
• No matter what, you have a Spirit living in you.

You have been gifted by this Spirit to love one another, therefore edifying God the Father, Jesus the Son through the work of the indwelling Spirit.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:13–14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (1 Co 12:13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 4:1–10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 37). Victor Books.

I got my message from Mary Towe at 5:30 AM this morning and I said, “This almost feels normal!”
 
I just want to dump several thoughts on you this morning that comes from months of sitting and listening.
Let me start off with “Freedom” since it is the 4th of July.
 
Do we really understand “Freedom”?

• How many times did Jesus die?
• He forgave sins past, present and future.
• We live in a forgiven state of mind.
• This gives us the freedom to do whatever we want.
• This isn’t my Truth, this is from the Bible.
• Paul expressed it so much that he had to answer the question that came up then… and even today.
• Romans 6:1 - 1 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?
• The idea that we would sin so God could disperse even more grace is still “me-centered”.
• “Well how can I create more opportunity for God to make Himself even greater?”
• I only wish that is what we were thinking when we choose to sin. “I’m going to sin so I can make God look good!”
• The real issue is that we still have a me-centered flesh (not a sinful nature) that says I have an unlimited amount of grace in my account.
• Yes… you sure do! You can do that.
• You can make it all about you…
• You can make the Bible say whatever you want it to say for your own agenda.
• You are free indeed.
• Your idea of freedom is your own.
• No… I get that you are free… free to do whatever you want…
• But your thinking about freedom is incorrect.
• Look what Paul says…
• 2 Absolutely not![1]
• Not freedom to feed my fleshly (selfish) desires, but freedom to let God’s desires to be my desires.
• Man… if you can get there… where all you can think about is what God desires for me and of me…
• It is a whole new place of living.

 

• Not freedom to be passive, but freedom to see His power working through me.
• The responsibility is His, not mine.

 

• If you're defining it as “perfect performance with perfect results,” the answer is no.
• If you're defining it as “perfect method, trusting Christ as my life,” the answer is yes.

 

• Oh, dear friend, God's grace is sufficient for your situation.
• He wants to carry the burden of living for you.
• We work at resting while we rest at working.
• I am resting in Him in His victory. The Bible states these truths in:

 
Romans 6:2-14 - How can we who died to sin still live in it?

• Just as it is important for every Christian to know who he is in Christ; it is also important for him to know who he was prior to salvation if he is to understand ‘walking according to the flesh.’

3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

• Something in you (us) died.
• Your sinful nature.
• You only have one nature.
• You still have a flesh… but you have a new heart and the mind of Christ.
• That means your old selfish behavior patterns will battle against your new mind of Christ which is others focused.
• It moves your thinking from being about yourself to Christ (who came to serve and love others).
• Think about our world right now… what mind set do they have? It is all about ME! My agenda. What can I get?

 
4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self, was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin.

• Things have changed!
• He changed you… your whole nature!

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, 9 because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. 10 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

• We spend our whole lives in the flesh learning how to overcome the flesh and live out of new heart and new nature.
• That is the beauty of this community. We are learning how to do this together.
• Even though we were made perfect in our identity… doesn’t mean live our life perfectly… we still make bad choices (selfish).
• So Paul reminds us of our true identity…

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.[2]

• Paul is literally saying walk in who you have been made to be… alive in Christ.
• People ask, “What does it mean to be alive in Christ?”
• 1) You have to know Him
• 2) Then you will hear Him… he might even call your name.
• 3) Then you begin to trust Him
• The flesh demands a sign, hard evidence, instead of believing God.
• It wants to use the sign as the object of its faith rather than the Word that God has spoken.
• The difference between walking by sight rather than faith.
• 4) Then you need to hang on!
• You will find “abundant life” through allowing Him to express Himself through your talents, your abilities, your gifts, and your personality to do His will.

 
Freedom… oh you are free indeed.
You just have to choose your freedom in yourself or your freedom in Christ.
 
Let me talk to you a little more about feelings/emotions.

• God is never going to bring your feeler totally into subjection so long as you remain in your earthsuit.
• God's plan is for us to believe Him and choose to submit ourselves to His loving care and authority regardless of how we “feel”.
• He has deliberately designed it to vacillate so as to crowd you toward walking by faith, not by feel, if you would experience the “peace that passes [human] understanding.”

 
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.[3]
 
John 14:27 - “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.[4]
 
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.[5]
 
Peace is not a feeling, but a knowing—knowing that the Father has everything under control.

• That you are in Christ, seated in heaven, resting; and that He is in you now, living.

 
Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever., Amen.[6]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 6:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 6:2–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Php 4:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Jn 14:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (1 Th 5:23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Heb 13:20–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

JESUS’S GIFT OF PEACE
John 14
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

• Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense.
• The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships.
• How do you get that peace?
• Yielding to His life
• It’s not by knowing the Word
• You cannot generate the peace Jesus is talking about.
• The Scripture is not our life… It is Jesus who is revealed through the Word.
• The Spirit uses the Word to give us His peace (John 14:27), His love (John 15:9–10), and His joy (John 15:11). If that does not calm a troubled heart, nothing will![1]
• We have to live by His life.
• You have to know this… but it is not by knowing that you have peace… it is by living your life by another source.
• Christ in you.
• Police Chief Thompson

I do not give to you as the world gives.

• There will always be only two responses:
• 1) From the world (based on circumstance) – Condemnation
• 2) From Jesus – Grace, comfort and peace.

Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard (not understood) me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father,
 - If they only knew what was to come!
 - He returned to the Father different than when He came from the Father.
 - Came as a prophet but left as a high priest.
 - He had to have blood to offer.
 - He will return as King!
because the Father is greater than I.
 - Not in deity but in the limitations of human flesh.

• Hebrews 10:20 - He has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)[2]
• Philippians 2:5-8 - 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. [3]

29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.
 - “Oh, wow!!!!”
30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.

• Two things: The evil one is the ruler of the world.
• The evil one has no power over Jesus Christ.
• The safest place to be is “in Christ”.
• The evil knows no Truth – He told the 1st lie.
• No Truth = No wisdom
• No wisdom = No discernment
• Truth possesses wisdom
• With wisdom there is discernment
• Jesus and the evil one can’t even be compared.
• No authority over Jesus.

31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.
Get up; let’s leave this place.” [4]
 
Matthew 26:30  - After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.[5]
 
    14. Hallel: The singing of the Psalms 113-118Current practice:

• These Psalms sung over the 4th cup (cup of praise)

    15. Nirtzah: Current practice: Nirtzah means “accepted”

• Modern day addition
• Someone states that God is pleased with how the Seder was performed

Since 600 AD, scholarly Jews have debated whether there were 4 or 5 cups.

• A 5th cup was poured but never consumed
• They agreed to leave it that way until Elijah comes and settles the dispute.
• It is now named the Elijah cup.
• The door is opened to accommodate his return.

 
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

• Who is responsible for producing fruit?
• The gardener.

2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes (lifts up – Olive Trees), and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain (abide) in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain (abide) in me.

• Abiding is learning to live your life by another.
• Read your Bible? Go on a mission trip? Praying?
• NO!
• Living your life in Christ. Letting Him doing those things for you.
• You have heard us say you either do things by the Spirit or do things by the flesh.
• You realize you can do “religious things” in your own flesh and it is sin.
• Figure out how to “rest”… a Sabbath Rest is to come.
• Relax, breathe, enjoy Jesus. Abide!
• Take a break from Christianity!
• Just be…

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.

• The branch cannot produce its own life; it must draw that life from the vine.
• It is our communion with Christ through the Spirit that makes possible the bearing of the fruit.[6]

6 If anyone does not remain (abide) in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. [7]

• 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.[8]
• Judgment Seat of Christ – Is for believers and is a judgment of their works based upon done by self or “in Christ”.
• It’s the fruit that burns… not the believer.

Video from Becky Novakoski

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 10:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 2:5–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:6–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 26:30). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 15:1–6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 3:12–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

ANOTHER COUNSELOR PROMISED
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
 - Last week…
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with (abide) you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains (abides) with you and will be in you.

• Old Testament – The Spirit follows and rests upon them.
• After Acts 2 – The Spirit comes and dwells in the believers.

 
THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too.

• How did Jesus live? Father through the Son.
• John 10:10 – “I came that you might have life… abundant life.”

20 On that day (Pentecost) you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.

• Envelopes

21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

• Believe & love – Spirit through the Son through the Father.
• I John 3:22-24 - and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. [1]
• “As you go…”
• I said if you want to know how to make your marriage better… believe/know Him
• If you want to grow churches… believe/know Him
• If you want to change a particular behavior… believe/know Him
• If you want to impact the world – believe/know Him
• Knowing Christ is our only goal.

And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

• What does it mean to live by His life? - John 14:10 - The Father who lives in me does his works.[2]
• Romans 6:6 - For we know that our old self was crucified with him[3]
• Romans 6:11 - So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.[4]
• Romans 6:13 - But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God,[5]
• The goal is to believe and love… when we do this, God reveals himself to us.

 
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

• Judas is still thinking from a physical perspective.

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

• This sounds like LAW.
• How do you keep the Word?
• Just as Jesus did… You live your life by the source of another. Jesus did by the Father… we do by Jesus.
• Romans 8:4 - in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.[6]
• We are no longer under the Law but under the Spirit.
• All 3 of the Trinity come and make a home in us.

24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

• It was an act of mercy that He did not manifest Himself to the world, because that would have meant judgment.[7]
• We get emotionally charged when we see people sin.
• As we grow in Spiritual maturity we get less emotional about others sin.
• We understand it is natural for a sinner to sin.
• We understand that believers are making a choice to walk in their flesh (even if they think they are free).
• Does this mean we are light on sin?
• Absolutely not… It’s not my issue… unless the Spirit makes it my issue.

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

• The Spirit will never tell us to do anything that contradicts God’s Law.
• The Spirit’s revelation will always align with the Word of God.
• Who wrote this book of “John”?
• Acts 4:13 - When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.[8]
• Yet they were the one who wrote the New Testament books.
• They would have to know the Old Testament word for word for their writings to align with the law, history and prophecy.
• Luke 2 – Jesus is referenced as “The Glory” – The Glory of the Lord shown around about them.
• Ezekiel 11 – Not
• Exodus 3 – Glory was in the bush
• Exodus 19 & 20 - on Mt. Sinai
• Exodus 40 – The Glory was in the Tabernacle
• 2 Chronicles 5 – King Solomon’s Temple
• Ezekiel 11 – Gone back to heaven
• Then Jesus has to be crucified at a specific day and time.
• Jesus has to be raised in 3 days
• “they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
• Being with Jesus makes all the difference.

 
JESUS’S GIFT OF PEACE
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

• Jesus’ peace before He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Worst thing He could ever face in His life and yet He still had peace.
• This family that drowned in Branson. How does this lady survive?
• My friend, Becky Novakoski, is laying in a hospital in Knoxville, TN clinging to her life but I know that Jesus has given her His COMPLETE peace.
• My friend, Todd, is in the back of the room… and Jesus gives you HIS peace.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.[9]

• You have to know that peace.
• It has been made available to you.
• It is accessible.
• It is a fruit of the Spirit.
• You’re probably not going to experience unless you can figure out what Sabbath Rest is.
• We learn about peace through pain.
• We even learn through other’s pain.
• I’m taking notes on Becky & Todd

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:22–24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 8:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 353). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 4:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:15–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Isaiah 9:6
Luke 2:8-15

peace – noun
1. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
2. freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.

Bible Dictionary – peace - The state of harmony that is available to believers through having a right relationship with God and others and is especially associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit.[1]

Matthew 3:16-17
     - The Spirit is likened to a dove, the symbol of peace.
     - God said His Son brings peace.

What do you do when you come home?
     - You look to see who is home with you.
     - Can I tell you one of the crazy things about men?
     - They like to be “shouldered”.
     - They like having someone near them.

John 14:27
     - Jesus distinguished His peace from peace as the world understands it: the absence of war on earth.
     - Matthew 10:34
     - What He brought instead was reconciliation between God and man.
     - Matthew 10:32-33
     - Paul concludes in Romans 5:1

Fear settles in when there is a sense that God is distant.
     - Jesus knew He was leaving his disciples.
     - He knew that fear was about to set in their thoughts.

John 20:19-23

Peace is the abolishment of fear.

Galatians 5:22-26

“How do I get this peace?”
“What does it mean to walk with God?”
Genesis 5:18-24

RA Torrey answers the question “What does it mean to walk with God?” - To walk with God means to live one’s life in the consciousness of God’s presence and in conscious communion with Him, to have the thought constantly before us, “God is beside me,” and to be every now and then speaking to Him, and still more listening for Him to speak to us.

In a word, to walk with God is to live in the real, constant, conscious companionship of God. We read that Enoch walked with God, not on a few rare occasions of spiritual exaltation, such perhaps as most of us have known, but for three hundred consecutive years after the birth of Methuselah (Gen. 6:22).

It is possible for us to have this consciousness of the nearness and fellowship of God in our daily life, to talk with Him as we talk to an earthly friend; yes, as we talk to no earthly friend, and to have Him talk to us, and to commune with Him in a silence that is far more meaningful than any words could be.[2]

Isaiah 26:3
John 16:33
      - You will suffer… but there is still peace.
      - Stick with Me.

Philippians 4:4-9
Romans 15:13

[1] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.
[2] Torrey, R. A. (1917). The Voice of God in the Present Hour (pp. 245–246). New York; Chicago; Toronto; London; Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company.