August 4, 2021
 |
| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
In our previous message, we shared with you some gleanings from John, Chapter 7. In this message, it seemed good to continue with John, Chapter 8. We might recall that John, Chapter 7, occurred during Passover and now John, Chapter 8, occurs during the Feast of Tabernacles, which was six months later.
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.2 And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them.3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,4 They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?6 This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.7 So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.10 When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
I mentioned in our previous message that many of the modern-day translations omit those first eleven verses. The stated rational for the omission of those 11 verses is that they do not appear in the "older" transcripts. We must always remember that there are two sets of so-called original manuscripts. The "older" manuscripts were inspired by the enemy; the "newer" transcripts were inspired by the Holy Ghost. Satan probably knows more about scripture than most of us.
Therefore, Satan tries to "copy" that which the Lord is doing or wants to do. There is a Scriptural truth that, with respect to God's dealings with the first Adam (which includes all natural men thereafter), the false almost always emerges before the true ... Cain before Abel, Ishmael before Isaac, Esau before Jacob, the first Adam before the last Adam, Saul before David, the false church before the true church, etc. Why does God allow this? Because He wants us to depend upon Him, trust in Him, and see if we believe Him or our natural senses. But He created us with a will, which means that we have to choose. Man does not like to choose.
Around 1973 the Lord told us to start a "neighborhood meeting" in our home. We invited our neighbors next door, across the street, and a few who lived several blocks from us. We called it a Bible study. Only about five or six folks accepted our invitation. We had no idea if any of them were Christians and we never asked. We met once a week in our living room. We started our sessions with the topic of "Who is Jesus Christ?" Then we started through the Gospel according to John. One evening the Lord lengthened some arms and legs of most of us, making them of equal length. I never talked about the baptism in the Holy Ghost, but several of those who joined us were baptized in the Holy Ghost in their own homes, all by themselves. Nobody laid hands on them. It was like we just sat back and watched God move on those folks. One night one of the women said that before we started our session, she needed to share something with us. Immediately, the Lord quickened to me John, Chapter 8, which speaks of the woman who was caught in adultery. Sure enough, the woman told all of us that she had been unfaithful to her husband ... she had committed adultery with the man next door. Then she said, "Even though I have committed the unpardonable sin and will never go to heaven, I am still going to serve Him while I am on earth." That is what I call true commitment! Amazing! Of course, I quickly told her, using the example from John, Chapter 8, that she had not committed the unpardonable sin. She still serves the Lord today.
Back to Verse 12 of John, Chapter 8.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.13 The Pharisees therefore said unto Him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
Note that Jesus said, "it is written in YOUR law." In other words, the scribes and Pharisees had read and heard the law as given through Moses with their natural senses, but had interpreted the law and actually added to the law their own interpretation. That is called human nature. Professing Christians still do that today.
18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.19 Then said they unto Him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come.
Most of the activities recorded in the New Testament took place in the Treasury, also known as the Court of the Women. That is as far as women were allowed to enter the Temple courts. When we read that Jesus taught in the Temple in several different verses in the Bible, of which Verse 20 is one, it was in the Court of the Women. Jesus did not enter the sanctuary itself because, as a non-Levite, he would not have been allowed inside that beautiful building which was reserved for priests only. The Treasury was a court that was located to the east of the Temple itself. That was where Jesus saw the poor widow woman cast in her two mites.
In both Verse 20, as well as Verse 59 in Chapter 8, scripture is clear that the hour of Jesus, which was His death on the cross, followed by His burial and resurrection, was not yet come. That same truth applies to every professing Christian who follows Jesus. I have believed for many long years that the Lord will not take any of His chosen people home until they have fulfilled the purpose for which they were created, PROVIDED that we sincerely desire to complete that purpose. We were all created for a specific reason. That is even true for non-Christians.
Romans 9:17, "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."
Esther 4:14, "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Jesus knew when his hour on earth would be up; so did Peter and Paul. That means that it is possible not only to know the specific purpose for which we were created, but also to know when we have completed that purpose.
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Where was Jesus going? First to the cross and then to His heavenly Father. The scribes and Pharisees could not go where Jesus was going because they were going to die in their sins.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.23 And He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.25 Then said they unto Him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.29 And He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.30 As He spake these words, many believed on Him.31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Note the IF in Verse 31. That verse implies that some professing Christians are not His disciples. Almost every Christian minister I have heard has quoted Verse 32 incorrectly. They all have said, "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." But we were set free by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, because of what Jesus did for the world at Calvary when He died on the cross. We are made free only by continuing in the living Word of God ... by abiding in Christ.
"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that is proceeding from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
33 They answered Him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to Him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me.43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that He is your God:55 Yet ye have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
I have had on my computer for more than two years a ready-to-print book titled, "The Great I Am." I just have never received a word from the Lord to have it printed. The Bible records the true story of two I AMs and the struggle between the two until time is no more.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:45-46
I said there are two I AMs. There are actually three I AMs, although the third one is the devil, the great pretender. It should be abundantly clear that one of the two "I AMs" is our flesh, human nature, the first Adam, our ego, SELF, the counterfeit, etc. Self is also a great pretender. And self has a great kingdom where he is king. This great I AM starts at birth.
The first thing a new-born baby does when he comes into the world is to try to establish his kingdom, for he believes that he is the king ... he is Number One ... he is the great I AM. He believes that he is always right. And because his loving parents, particularly his mother, are quick to respond to all of his desires, he very quickly has his place as king confirmed and written indelibly on his heart. Very soon after birth the baby is hungry because his source of food has been cut off, he is exhausted from a humiliating eviction from his previous warm and cozy quarters, and he has just received a slap on his behind. This little majesty has not yet learned how to talk in his parents' language, so he does all he can do to demand service ... that is, to cry. He learns quickly that all he needs to do to get what he wants is to cry.
Every parent has experienced the unbelievable persistence of a young child's will. If the will of the child dominates, the result is a spoiled child. When our children were in their early pre-teen years, we had a large weeping willow tree on the corner of our lot. My wife found out quickly that a small, weeping willow branch, when stripped of its leaves, makes a wonderful switch. That switch, when applied to the legs, causes a sharp, biting effect (but never to the point of bringing blood, which would have been an excess). Whenever one of our young children had overstepped their boundaries and tried to usurp the authority of us, their parents, my wife would go out to the willow tree, bring it in the house and switch his/her legs a few times; whereupon the child would cry. After a season of this discipline, when King Self of one of our kids emerged again, she would tell the errant child to go out to the willow tree and bring me your own switch. On one occasion, one of our daughters began to cry before she even went to get a switch. My wife, moved perhaps too much by compassion, relented and did not switch the legs of that daughter. Some 25 years later, that daughter told us that she had faked it ... that she had simply faked her crying in order to avoid getting a switching. Young children are sometimes more savvy of the ways of the world than we give them credit for.
As a child grows older, his coping methods and rationalizations change to fit the new needs. But King SELF, the great I AM, the great pretender, the counterfeit, is still on the throne of his kingdom. The root cause has never disappeared. I am still right no matter how many people disagree with me. The stubbornness and rigidity that accompanies our belief of infallibility often takes a more subtle expression in the form of indecision. Our fear of failure leads to many moments of indecision. In addition, our inability to attain to the expectation of the world can lead to feelings of failure.
Everything we do in the kingdom of self is partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everything we do that is motivated by self is sin, which is acting independently of God, not just committing obvious evil deeds like murder, adultery, and stealing. The passions and desires of the flesh are not just those actions that man calls "evil." Almost everyone knows the difference between "right" and "wrong" ... between what man calls "good" and what man calls "evil." The flesh also desires nice food, a nice house, a nice car, nice clothes, nice friends, a nice spouse, nice kids, a nice job, a nice retirement policy, nice leisure time, and yes ... a nice church with nice soothing messages, nice music, and promises of peace, prosperity, blessings galore, plus a nice heaven when we leave this earth. Marriages collapse because of the conflict of two self-lives of the flesh. The primary activity of the self-life is selfishness. Everything in the world tells us we must have self-confidence, self-motivation, self-independence, self-fulfillment, pride in self, self-affirmation, self-satisfaction, self-gratification, self-preservation, become a self-made man, success, etc. Billions of dollars are spent each year on cosmetics, clothes, plastic surgery, entertainment, new cars, education of the natural man, and yes, even "Christian" music, books, videos, DVDs, and "conferences."
In short, we are obsessed with self in all of its obvious and subtle forms. Another indication of the focus on self in the church can be seen in any modern-day Christian bookstore, which is filled with articles and books devoted to self. Typical titles are how to be saved, how to find inner healing, how to achieve peace of mind, how to find fulfillment, success, peace, and prosperity, how to overcome self-doubt, and on and on. About all such books do is to soothe your ego and make lots of money for the authors. Books which offer such an ego-centric emphasis far outnumber books which focus on the Person of the Lord. King Self is a little god that dominates in modern-day Christianity. That is called idolatry. Much of the church today at all levels, especially the evangelical, is in captivity to this idolatry of self. The contrast between today's weak, lukewarm, anemic Christianity and that of the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts could not be more obvious. The early disciples turned the world upside down; today's church is being turned upside down by the world! The frightening aspect is that so many believers either do not know this or do not care.
The ONLY true "I AM" is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is the GREAT I AM.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? what shall I say unto them?14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:13-14
Did anyone ask, "I AM ... who or what?" Just fill in the blank with a multitude of words that attempt to describe the Lord. He is the King of glory; He is our Wisdom; He is our Righteousness; He is our Peace; He is the Prince of Peace; He is our Counsellor; He is our Sure Foundation; He is the Chief Cornerstone; He is our Sabbath Rest; He is the Word of God; He is our Savior; He is the Mighty God; He is love; He is a consuming fire; His Name is Wonderful; His Name is above every name; His Name is Marvelous; He is the Everlasting Father; He is our Glory and the Lifter of our head; He is our Messiah; He is our Emmanuel; He is our Advocate; He is our Apostle and High Priest; He is that Great Prophet; He is the Author and Finisher of our faith; He is our Good Shepherd; He is our Chief Shepherd; He is our Great Shepherd; He is our Master; He is our Redeemer; He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah; He is the Captain of our Salvation; He is our Strength; He is our Refuge; He is our Healer; He is our Deliverer; He is the Great Physician; He is the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world; He is the Bright and Morning Star; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; He is the Light of the world; He is the Door; He is our Rock; He is our High Tower; He is our Shield; He is our Dayspring; He is the Bright and Morning Star; He is the Sun of Righteousness; He is our Mediator; He is our Faithful Witness; He is the only Begotten; He is the Firstborn; He is our Resurrection; He is the True Vine; He is the Balm of Gilead; He is the rose of Sharon; He is the lily of the valley; He is all we need; He is our All in All; and the government shall be upon His shoulders. There is none like Him. When David was assembling everything in preparation for building the temple,
10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou, LORD God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever.11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.12 Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.13 Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.15 For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and is all Thine own.
1 Chronicles 29:10-16
No wonder that David was a man after God's own heart!
Therefore it is not a matter of knowing what the Bible says about the Lord; rather, it is about knowing Him! We can learn who Jesus Christ is by coming up against situations in which He is the only One who can help us. In 1968, when I was not quite one year in Christ, I read a book written by De Vern Fromke titled, "The Ultimate Intention." Although it is a very good book and very worthwhile reading, I only remember one thing in that book. The author went through a series of diagrams. The first diagram showed man (natural man) at the center of a circle, with the Lord on the outside of the circle. The next diagram showed the Lord inside the circle, sharing the center with man. The last diagram depicted Christ as the center of the circle. Here again, I assume almost every believer would say, "Of course! Every believer knows that!" But when I saw those three diagrams, the Holy Spirit did a new work in my heart. That word was made flesh within me. In eternity past the Father ordained that all things would be centered in His Son. The Lord Jesus Christ is the center of all things. Every believer agrees doctrinally but what about the reality ... the working out of that truth? Paul told the saints at Philippi (and us) to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12b).
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1-5
This passage in the New Testament parallels the one in Genesis,
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Note that the Bible does NOT say "the earth and the heavens." God is very orderly in all that He says and does. The heavens come first. The heavens govern the earth and the earthly. The earth takes its significance and importance from being related to something greater than itself ... to heaven. But heaven, or the heavens, is not a physical location (Luke 17:20-21). It is the place where God rules ... the kingdom of heaven.
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Daniel 4:26
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2
The Divine intention in creation was that a harmony should exist between heaven and earth ... between God and all of His creation, where "harmony" means that everything and everyone is in tune with the Conductor. Before a symphony orchestra starts to play, each member of the ensemble gets in tune with the oboe. The note that the oboist plays is "A" because every stringed instrument has an "A" string. It is up to each individual member of the orchestra to tune his instrument to the same pitch as the oboe. Once all members are in tune to the "A" pitch of the oboe, the Conductor is then in charge. For us, the oboe is the Holy Spirit and our Conductor is the Lord Himself.
God made everything for His pleasure, for Himself, for His rest and enjoyment. This world is not our home ... it is not our resting place ... it is not our center of gravity. The heavenly realm is unknown to us by nature. We can read about that heavenly realm in the Bible and we can hear about it through anointed preachers and teachers (if we are so blessed), but we can never know that heavenly realm until we experience it. There is nothing second-hand about the spiritual life in Christ. In the Book of Exodus, each man was to gather the manna daily (except for the Sabbath day) for himself and for his family. That is why Jesus told Andrew and Peter, "Come and see."
59 Then took they up stones to cast at Him: but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs. She suffered total blindness at the age of six weeks because of an incorrect medical procedure, but that only sharpened her spiritual eyes. In 1868 she wrote a wonderful hymn whose words are:
Pass me not O gentle Savior.
Hear my humble cry.
While on others Thou art smiling,
do not pass me by.
Jesus passed by the scribes and Pharisees. This may be a hard word for us all, but the Lord Jesus is not obligated to do our will or to please us. On the contrary, we were created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). Lord, we thank you for who you are, for you are the Great I AM. Lord, we thank you for your great grace and mercy toward us. Lord, may our only desire be to do your will ... Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment