Internet Church Service – August 31, 2014

Sermon title:
The Helmet of Salvation and Deliverance
for the Christian soldier. Part 1.

Today’s Sermon Message:
The Helmet of Salvation and Deliverance
for the Christian soldier. Part 1.
Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

Spirit Touch Your Church – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Hymn #2

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

The Helmet of Salvation and Deliverance
for the Christian soldier. Part 1.

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

Standing On The Promises – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – August 25, 2014

The Doctrine of The Open Door.

PLEASE READ FIRST

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: If available on the website you're viewing this on, a few links (i.e., those without an already written scripture quote or brief explanation) are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), they work best using the Firefox browser – pop-ups in Internet Explorer, Chrome & other browsers only appear for a few seconds at best. If you don’t have Firefox (or hover pop-ups aren’t available on the website you’re viewing this on), that’s OK, move your cursor off and on the link until it is read; or left click the link which will open the verse at the online bible; or you can always use your Bible to look up the verses.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life:

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings

STUDY TITLE:

The Doctrine of The Open Door.



OPTION: If you would prefer to go directly to the Grace Bible Church website to read this study message, all verse reference links are active there (but not hover active) and Enlarged Text is also an available option – right click the above link then left click “Open Link in New Window” or “New Tab”

Terms & Abbreviations used:

PPOG = Predesigned Plan of God
Human Good = Evil + Good Deeds while not in fellowship with God
OSN = Old Sin Nature
TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ
SSE = Spiritual Self Esteem
PVTD = Positive Volition Towards Doctrine
+H - The Happiness of God
NVTD = Negative Volition Towards Doctrine
Doctrine = Bible Truth

To look up other “terms”, go to:

Alphabetical Listing

BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes and references
are from the NASB – New American Standard Bible

The Doctrine of The Open Door.

The kinds of people and methods God can use and why we should always be ready and available to the Doctrine of the Open Door. This means that we must all have an understanding of the Sovereign will of God and the free will of man as it relates to the open door of opportunity. These doors can refer to those doors that the Lord opens, and at times, those doors He closes.

The Doctrine of the Open Door and how it relates to the glorification of God as He uses all kinds of people, whether believers or unbelievers. For example, under these principles of the open door, the Lord can and will use individuals like Cain, the first murderer, who murdered his brother Abel, and this opened up the door for God to introduce capital punishment and the laws of establishment into the human race, namely freedom to live and let live.

The first law found in the divine establishment is the principle of freedom manifested by respect for the sacredness of life. For we read in 1JO 3:11, For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have really loved. Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile.

For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous. (1JO 3:11-12)

God used the jealousy of Cain to reveal what hatred and anger produces in an individual. To protect the real principle of freedom as found in Divine Establishment #1. So through one act of murder, God opened the door for freedom to exist.

Next we see God using the evil sinful decisions of Abraham to establish the sacredness of marriage and the respectfulness that should exist between the husband and the wife. For example, in GEN 12:11, And it came about when he [Abraham] came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman;”

As they drew near to Egypt, which represents the cosmic system, Abraham said to his wife, Sarai, "Look. We both know that you're a beautiful woman.” Be careful ladies when the overflowing compliments of flattery or the boxes of lady Godiva chocolates or the red roses for a blue lady start to come your way.

His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. (PSA 55:21)

This is why we read in EPH 5:25-27, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

The Church, in all of her glory, is the future bride of Christ, and as such, has the ultimate divine orgasm through union with her bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is known as the doctrine of common and efficacious grace. The open door of salvation was provided for her by means of the proposal from the Lord Jesus Christ, which proposal is for all, or whosoever. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” (JOH 10:7)

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (JOH 10:9)

There is the divine proposal. The divine proposal is to everyone and anyone. For JOH 3:16b invites whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. The doctrine of the open door says in MAT 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”

Now, that is the divine proposal in the spiritual real, and so, just like the thief on the Cross, what kind of people can God use and why should we always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens? Because for many 2CO 6:2b, Behold, Now is “the acceptable time,” Behold, Now is “the day of salvation.”

Back again to GEN 12:11, And it came about when he [Abraham] came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and it will come about when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Pease say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.”

Notice the word me.

And it came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. (GEN 12:14)

In fact, the Hebrew words mean she was stunningly beautiful.

And Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. (GEN 12:15-17)

Everybody in the palace began to get seriously sick. Cosmic believers not only make God want to vomit but become detestable to others, especially when they use the name of God in vain.

Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” (GEN 12:18-19)

Now, remember Sarah also lied. Now, this in no way tells us that there is no forgiveness with God, in fact quite the contrary. Don't ever buy the lie that Sarah was justified or vindicated because she was simply obeying her husband. A number of passages tell us that God would have honored Sarah in such a way that while disobeying her husband, she obeyed God.

We must obey God rather than men. (ACT 5:29)

Sarah didn't have to do anything, PSA 46:10 tells us, Be still, and know that the Lord is God.

Or as David said 1SA 17:47, for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands.

Sarah could have said what Moses said in EXO 14:13, But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the deliverance of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today;”

The point is neither one of them had to lie.

So, what kind of people can God use and why should we always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens? The Lord can use liars, deceivers and wimps, like Abraham and Sarah acted like. And not only that but the Lord opened the door of forgiveness, power, and strength, so much so that both Abraham and Sarah finally ended up walking through the open doors and eventually made God's hall of fame in Heb 11. For we read in the book of Hebrews that By means of doctrine resident in his soul, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. (HEB 11:8)

By means of doctrine resident in her soul even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; (HEB 11:11)

They both made God's Hall of Fame instead of the cosmic wall of shame.

So, in GEN 12:20, And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him [that is Abraham]; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

Let’s note some principles:

1. This was an evil act on the part of Abraham, revealing the love, longsuffering, and patience of God concerning the kind of people God can and will use, just like he used Pharaoh.

2. This place was an open door for Abraham and Sarah to go through and reveal to Pharaoh and the Egyptians the courage a man and a woman of God have who follow TLJC, Jehovah Elohim, the Lord God.

3. Abraham had just learned the principle of GEN 18:14, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord,” and therefore should have been able to go through this open door of overcoming the odds.

Later on Moses, who went through the open door of being the underdog himself would make statements like those found in the book of Leviticus.

“But you will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword.” (LEV 26:7-8)

These passages and many more reveal the kind of people God opens up the door for. So, why should we always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens? Because you never know who is really saved or has become saved through you living in your ambassadorship. The point is that God can use the evil of lying and turn it into divine good through “opening up” an open door for those who desire to go through it. Not only that but Abraham repeated this same sin or form of evil again in GEN 20:2-3, And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.”

God opened up the door to have victory over his previous evil but instead, Abraham repeated the same act all over again. This reveals the kind of people God uses and why we should always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens? He went through the wrong door of selfishness and fear but later on became an example of the patience and longsuffering of God. So much so that Abraham is called the father of our faith.

So Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn’t so much as touched her.

“Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” (GEN 20:5)

Notice that Abraham even caused Sarah to lie.

Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. (Gen 20:6)

Then the Lord said in GEN 20:7, “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened. Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”

Notice God still protected his man Abraham, the prophet, which falls under the principle of Do not touch God's anointed. The Lord said to Abimelech If you don’t give her back, know that it’s certain death both for you and everyone in your family. Abimelech called in Abraham and said, What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done. Here is an unbeliever who operated with more integrity than two believers, both Abraham and Sarah. God opened up the door of integrity, but Abraham refused to go through it.

What kind of people can God use and why should we always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens? People who understand the importance of forgiveness. These are the kind of people God can use and why we should always be available to the doctrine of the open door. For you never know when that door will open.

And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?” And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife.” (GEN 20:10-11)

Abraham chose the door of fear, presumption, and self-justification rather than the open door of fearlessness and believing the best about others.

“Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife;” (GEN 20:12)

This is the self-justification of Abraham once again.

Here Abraham is revealing the kind of people God can use and why we should always be ready to speak up to everyone who asks us to give an account for the confidence that is in us. We should do it with gentleness and reverence, always with the utmost courtesy. We should always be available to the doctrine of the open door or the doors that the Lord opens up for us?

As a perfect gentleman, the Lord opens up the doors for His future bride. Right now, we are in the engagement stage, His bride to be. But, in the future, we will be the bride of Christ forever and ever. This is why the apostle John wrote in REV 19:7, Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.

Now, it’s taken almost 2,000 years for this bride to dress up and make herself ready. What is she dressed up with? Well, in REV 19:7-8, we are told, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Notice, she dresses up herself with her righteous acts, not the imputed righteousness which all believers possess, but experiential righteousness which is a reflection of the works of EPH 2:10.

EPH 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (EPH 2:10)

And so, he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” (REV 19:9)

So, back in GEN 20:12 again, Abraham tries to justify himself when he says “Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife;”

This is the self-justification of Abraham once again. Again Abimelech went on to Abraham, “Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?”

And it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, “This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, ‘He is my brother.’” Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him. And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please.” And to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared.” And Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. (GEN 20:13-17)

So, what kind of people can God use?

Well even Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who forced her Egyptian maid Hagar to have a male child through Abraham because of her lack of faith. Remember when we studied Sarah it says;

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; (HEB 11:11)

That is quite a statement.... even Sarah.

Even a woman can become spiritually mature and glorify God if she is willing to follow TLJC and go through the open door or the doors that the Lord opens. The Holy Spirit did through the writer of the book Of Hebrews. You look in this chapter and you will not find the phrase “even Abel, or even Enoch, or even Noah, or even David” but here it says even Sarah, insinuating even someone like Sarah can reach spiritual maturity and glorify God.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – August 24, 2014

This week’s sermon title:
The Shield of faith. Part 7

Today’s Sermon Message:
The Shield of faith. Part 7
Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

One Pair of Hands – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Hymn #2

Peace in the Valley – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

The Shield of faith. Part 7

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

Psalms 5 – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – August 18, 2014

The opposite of the invisible heroes - invisible betrayers.

PLEASE READ FIRST

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: If available on the website you're viewing this on, a few links (i.e., those without an already written scripture quote or brief explanation) are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), they work best using the Firefox browser – pop-ups in Internet Explorer, Chrome & other browsers only appear for a few seconds at best. If you don’t have Firefox (or hover pop-ups aren’t available on the website you’re viewing this on), that’s OK, move your cursor off and on the link until it is read; or left click the link which will open the verse at the online bible; or you can always use your Bible to look up the verses.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life:

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings

STUDY TITLE:

The opposite of the invisible heroes - invisible betrayers.



OPTION: If you would prefer to go directly to the Grace Bible Church website to read this study message, all verse reference links are active there (but not hover active) and Enlarged Text is also an available option – right click the above link then left click “Open Link in New Window” or “New Tab”

Terms & Abbreviations used:

PPOG = Predesigned Plan of God
Human Good = Evil + Good Deeds while not in fellowship with God
OSN = Old Sin Nature
TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ
SSE = Spiritual Self Esteem
PVTD = Positive Volition Towards Doctrine
+H - The Happiness of God
NVTD = Negative Volition Towards Doctrine
Doctrine = Bible Truth

To look up other “terms”, go to:

Alphabetical Listing

BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes and references
are from the NASB – New American Standard Bible

The opposite of the invisible heroes - invisible betrayers.

The opposite of the invisible heroes deals with the invisible betrayers. I say invisible because most traitors use deception as their power to mislead those who are naive or stupid. PRO 19:5 tells us what inevitably happens to the betrayer when it says, A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.

It’s interesting that the betrayal of Judas was a shocker to the other eleven apostles, after all he was the Church treasurer.

In fact, look at JOH 13:27, And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Jesus therefore said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one of those reclining {at the table} knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast” or else, that he should give something to the poor. (JOH 13:27-29)

Twenty centuries later the Bible’s account of Judas’ treachery still raises all sorts of questions, several of which we don’t know the definitive answers to. But as we consider this passage, let’s not to spend as much time speculating about what we don't know, as trying to understand what we do know about Judas. Today, his name is used in a negative connotation. To be called a Judas is a derogatory belittling name.

It’s also interesting and a part of the betrayers agenda that they have knowledge of where the one that they are betraying are. For example, TLJC would spend His Nights on the Mount of Olives (LUK 21:37-38).

Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. And all the people would get up early in the morning {to come} to Him in the temple to listen to Him. (LUK 21:37-38)

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. These verses describe Jesus’ pattern the last week of his life. In fact, our Lord knew that He was being betrayed not just by Judas but by His own people. For in JOH 1:11, He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. Betrayers always have others who accompany them in their betrayal. The Betrayer always tries to destroy others.

And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging upon His words. (LUK 19:48-49)

And it came about on one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted {Him,}That is simply not the thing to do to our Lord, or for that matter to anyone who has more doctrine and truth than you do. (LUK 20:1)

This is why betrayers won’t confront the ones that they are betraying so they get out ASAP. They know they don't have a doctrinal leg to stand on. In fact, usually the ones that they are betraying are the very ones that taught them the doctrine they are using against them.

and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” And He answered and said to them, “I shall also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” And they answered that they did not know where {it came} from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (LUK 20:2-8)

Jesus would start teaching in the temple rather early in the morning, and would teach there throughout the day, but in the evenings he would spend on the Mount of Olives, a hill just east of Jerusalem.

Interesting Judas Iscariot was probably the sharpest of the twelve and that’s why he held the purse or he was the treasurer. However, don’t be impressed by the sharpest of the group. Don’t always think that the brightest is the best of the bunch. What you want to pay attention to is character, attitude not intellectual ability only.

Our Lord does not grade according to SAT's, He looks at the heart. And that’s why Jesus prayed, He wanted to know who had the goods, who has the stuff.

Let’s begin our study with what the Lord called Judas in Joh 17. Judas was called the son of perdition in

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. By the way notice what He says, not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” (JOH 17:12)

That’s important because if Judas was a believer, which he was not as we will see this morning, but if he was a believer and he perished than our Lord did not fulfill the Father's will. For example, look at JOH 6:38-39, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”

Back in JOH 17:12, “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

To be the son of perdi¬tion denotes that Judas is a man identified with eternal destruction and whose destiny is the Lake of Fire. This word perdition is also used for the anti-Christ in 2TH 2:3, Let no one in any way deceive you, for {it will not come} unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [perdition] . Betrayers are usually anti-Christ which means against Christ.

“The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go to destruction.” (REV 17:8)

“And the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is {one} of the seven, and he goes to destruction.” (REV 17:11)
So the phrase son of perdition is a predictive designation. Furthermore, Acts 1:25 says something very interesting about Judas which is that he went to his own place the place of his own choosing.

And they prayed, and said, “Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (ACT 1:24-25)

It was not that Judas was foreordained from eternity past to go to hell without an opportunity to be saved. Instead, he chose to reject Jesus Christ and will suffer the consequences of any person who rejects the Savior.

It’s interesting that Judas held the position of treasurer.

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining {at the table} with Him. Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor {people}?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer [steal a little bit at a time] what was put into it. (JOH 12:1-6)

We might have supposed that Matthew would handle the money needed to sustain the Lord’s ministry because he had been a tax-collector and well acquainted with money matters. Judas, however, was the treasurer of the Lord's group of apostles indicating that he was no imbecile. He knew the ins-and-outs of collect¬ing, managing, and spending money better than the others, including Matthew. Notice a few things about his character.

Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. (JOH 12:6)

Character trait #1: He did not care about the poor. He was a hard-hearted man, too concerned with feather¬ing his own nest while others, less fortunate, suf¬fered around him.

Character trait #2: He was a thief, pilfering funds from the Lord’s money box, which exposes that Judas was full of avarice or greed. Judas was not in tune with Jesus, rejecting the Lord’s message.

To the poor, Jesus preached the gospel, LUK 7:22. The Pharisees didn’t do that. This is because as LUK 16:14 says, The Pharisees were lovers of money. For the needy, Jesus taught that we should go out of our way to help them, so far as we are able; (parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:29-37). Judas did not welcome that message, nor did he want to help the needy. So, the comment from John that Judas was a thief is intended to stress the avarice of Judas, who saw in the price of the ointment nothing of the beautiful deed which Jesus praised the woman for, but only a means by which his funds would be increased, and he would be able to line his own pocket. Even this motive was cloaked under a specious and deceptive plea that the money could be given away to relieve the poor. Thus to covetousness there is added the trait of deceit.

Now, was Judas saved? Well, let’s look at the scriptures.

As a result of this [in context, hard sayings from Jesus] many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and {yet} one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas {the son} of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. (JOH 6:66-71)

When Jesus says, “one of you is a devil,” it reveals His omniscience. And by the way, look at JOH 6:64, “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. He knew Judas would not believe and He knew that he would betray Him. Just like He revealed His omniscience with Nathanael in JOH 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” (JOH 1:48)

Sure enough, on Tuesday night following a dinner party at Mary, Martha and Lazarus' home in Bethany, where Jesus rebuked His disciples and particular¬ly Judas, the traitor rejected the Lord one time too many. The devil then possessed him the first of two times during the final week of Jesus’ life.

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. (LUK 22:1-3)

The phrase Satan entered into Judas is the preposition eis plus the aor-act-ind of the verb eiserchomai which is Eiselthen with a capital Epsilon that literally means to enter into someone. This same verb with the same preposition and construction is used in LUK 8:30, And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”, for many demons had entered him.

We have the prepositional phrase eis plus the aor-act-ind of the verb eiserchomai which is eiselthen again.

In Luk 22 the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.

And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. (LUK 22:2-4)

The gospels do not state why Judas betrayed Jesus, however we may infer at least two reasons. Judas did it after becoming convinced that Jesus was going to die and not reign as King (MAR 14:3-11). In that passage Jesus was rebuking some of His disciples because a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard broke the vial and poured it over His head. Some of them were irate and they began to say to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?”

“For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and {the money} given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.” And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests, in order to betray Him to them. (MAR 14:5-10)

So perhaps the first reason is that Judas did it after becoming convinced that Jesus was going to die and not reign as King. Thus, Judas’ hopes for political power and influence were dashed.

Secondly, Judas also did it for money (MAT 26:14-16). So, his expectation of financial wealth no longer existed, therefore, he bargained for what he could receive from the religious leaders (30 pieces of silver). Judas thought, What’s the use of continuing to follow Jesus when the whole world is turning against Him and the governmental authorities may swallow me up with Him?

The night of Christ's betrayal began with the Passover feast and Judas was apparently still smitten ¬from Jesus' rebuke. Jesus reclined at the table getting ready to explain what was about to happen and at the same time, the religious leaders were meeting to discuss how they could arrest Jesus and put Him to death. However, the multitudes intimidated them. Therefore, they needed and discussed a private way to apprehend the Lord.

Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth, and kill {Him;} for they were saying, “Not during the festival, lest there be a riot of the people.” (MAR 14:1-2)

Satan’s demons attended that meeting also. Once they knew of the religious leaders desire, they beat a path to Satan with the news. The devil had stepped out of Judas for a short time and then Satan then hatched a plan and imparted it to Judas' soul while he sat at the Passover table with Jesus.

We read in JOH 13:2, And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, {the son} of Simon, to betray Him,

This Satan apparently did without possessing Judas because it is not until after Jesus gives bread to him that Satan re-enters Judas.

{Jesus,} knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” (JOH 13:3-9)

Here is something very simplistic which describes the fact that Judas was not saved. It was the subject of washing the feet (rebound) and being completely clean (salvation).

Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all {of you.}” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” (JOH 13:10-11)

Now, as the Last Supper continues, Jesus proceeds to train His apostles, giving them a huge lesson in humility, servant-hood, and forgiveness, which He illustrates by washing their feet.

In John 13:21-25, the Lord’s announcement of betrayal, during, the solemn Passover occasion, bewilders the apostles.

When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” (JOH 13:21)

Thus, Peter gets John to ask Jesus who the traitor is. As the Last Supper continues, Jesus proceeds to train His apostles, giving them a huge lesson in humility, servant-hood, and forgiveness, which He illustrates by washing their feet.

The disciples {began} looking at one another, at a loss {to know} of which one He was speaking. The disciples {began} looking at one another, at a loss {to know} of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus' breast one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell {us} who it is of whom He is speaking.” He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ breast, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus therefore answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, {the son} of Simon Iscariot. And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Jesus therefore said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (JOH 13:27)

As we compare the other Gospel accounts, we see the devil next motivate Judas to tell the religious leaders that he will find a way to betray Jesus. His plan would avoid confrontation with the crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover (LUK 22:6). Then the religious leaders promptly paid Judas for his treacherous scheme (MAR 14:10-11). Judas figured that the Garden of Gethsemane would be an ideal place to arrest Jesus because it was outside the city’s eastern wall and away from the crowds.

Satan, who anticipated the Lord's movements, had put this plan into Judas' head.

The traitor notified the religious leaders that he would identify Jesus with a kiss.

Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” (MAT 26:48)

Why a kiss? Because it would be nighttime and not immediately apparent to the soldiers who Christ was among His disciples! Once the religious leaders called together the Roman soldiers (a military unit, or cohort, of 600), they tagged along themselves, and Judas led them to the place in the Garden where Jesus prayed. In fact, this treacherous act by Judas became embedded in the minds of the apostles, so much so that Paul, when explaining the communion service says: For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; (1CO 11:23)

Now, do you still think Judas may have been saved? Well, if you still do even after all this, look at what Jesus had said at the Last Supper.

Now when evening had come, He was reclining {at the table} with the twelve disciples. And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” And being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man {is to} go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Mat 26: 20-24)

Why would it be good for that man if he had not been born? If he was going to go heaven after his betrayal isn't that better than non-existence? Of course it is! Being in a place where there shall no longer be any death; no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; a place of perfect happiness! How much clearer can you get than that?

In John 6:64 Jesus says that some of His disciples never believed from the beginning and He mentions Judas as one of them. Now, someone says well Judas did miracles, healed the sick and cast out devils in the name of the Lord; you mean to tell me he was never saved? That's exactly what I mean to tell you! In MAT 7:21-23 Jesus speaks of that class. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

They had done mighty works in His name; but He says, “I NEVER KNEW YOU, depart from me ye that work iniquity.” They were NEVER His. He had no personal knowledge of them. They were NEVER born again.

Yet they did these mighty works, so did Judas.

Peter denied the Lord three times, Luke 22:31-34, but he had faith and was graciously restored; but Judas was a betrayer who never had faith to begin with so he died and went to his own place (ACT 1:25). Those who are not real eventually die and go to their place in eternal damnation.

“For the Son of Man {is to} go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! {It would have been} good for that man if he had not been born.” (MAR 14:21)

So the character of Judas being such as we have described, reveals the possibility of his turning a traitor and becomes very comprehensible.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – August 17, 2014

This week’s sermon title:
The Shield of faith. Part 6

Today’s Sermon Message:
The Shield of faith. Part 6
Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

No More Night – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Hymn #2

Nothing But the Blood – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

The Shield of faith. Part 6

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

Old Rugged Cross – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – August 10, 2014

This week’s sermon title:
The Shield of faith. Part 5

Today’s Sermon Message:
The Shield of faith. Part 5
Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

My Redeemer Lives – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Hymn #2

Oh Sacred Head, Now Wounded – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

The Shield of faith. Part 5

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

My Savior, My God – Lyrics in Video
(You can skip the commercial if there is one)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.