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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 known unconfessed 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]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND
If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, 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 simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.
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 3:14-15, 16, 17, 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 McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
STUDY TITLE:
There are three systems of Perception: Empiricism. Rationalization. Faith.
In John 15:1-13, we have a reference to the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ as undiminished deity and true humanity in one person forever “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch [born-again-believer] in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (Which refers to the Gospel for the unbeliever that leads to faith alone, in Christ alone). Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
In life, there are three basic systems of perception whereby mankind can use one or more of those systems of perception to learn things. For example, the three basic systems of perception that can give us insight, discernment, observation, with sensitivity.
Three Systems of Perception:
Empiricism.
Rationalization.
Faith
Now, watch this, because once again we see the genius of GOD in His plan for man behind these three systems of perception. Here is the wisdom of GOD once again revealing His perfection with His omniscience, His omnipresence and His omnipotence, which all reveal the glory of GOD and bless the faith of both angels and humans.
Why?
There’s that question again!
Why?
Here’s why: If man could get to know GOD through empiricism then getting to know GOD would be based upon the resources that man has from HIS experiences which are never equal.
Therefore, man cannot know GOD by his experiences because his experiences are based upon his privileges or lack of them. Therefore, one again there would inequality when it comes to the salvation that our LORD has invited us to.
Next, let’s pick on the ladies now, just a little bit. If women could get to know GOD through rationalism, then getting to know GOD would be based upon one’s intellect, or one’s I.Q., or one’s education, etc. Therefore, there is no equality in rationalism because we all have a different brain to rationalize with. Now, it is true that through rationalization we all have the ability to at least try and understand our reasons for living. However, in spite of all this, there is still no equality to those individuals who think they are a lot smarter than others and think that their ability and their knowledge and their experiences make them unique. So, we cannot get to know GOD by our experiences or by our own intellect, we can only get to know GOD and have a relationship with Him, when we operate in faith.
So, there are three systems of perception but only one system that man can get to know GOD, and that is the non-meritorious system of perception that we call faith.
Three Systems of Perception:
Empiricism.
Rationalization.
Faith.
Also don’t forget the four words are translated in
John 15:1 – Vinedresser.
John 15:2 – Divine Pruning.
John 15:4 –Abiding in the Vine.
John 15:9-10, Agape or impersonal love.
All of these words bring out some new fantastic doctrines to the apostles especially the mystery doctrine of the Church-age that reveal the tremendous wisdom of GOD as He motivates those disciples to be prepared for any spiritual warfare that comes our way.
And spiritual warfare will come our way (Eph 6:12). And that gives us another reason to be soldiers who have mastered their weapons as Christian soldiers should do. I am not going to read every word in this passage but if you like you can turn there and read along with me as we note the different instructions and commands that are given to us from headquarters in Heaven to follow.
For example, if the Christian soldier is prepared for battle as stated in Eph 6:10, where our LORD has given to us divine instructions concerning spiritual warfare, both in the angelic realm and in the human realm.
So, let’s note a few verses that are designed and created by GOD to give to us everything that we would ever need no matter what we face! Therefore, in Eph 6:10, the Christian soldier is commanded to be strong in the LORD, and in the strength of His might. And so, another reason for this knowledge is because of the fact that the Bible says in Prov 24:5, A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. In fact, there are a lot of the doctrinal principles in this chapter, which were given to us by GOD because in doing so it gives us power and ability to fulfill the Pre-designed plan of GOD (PPOG), and the problem solving devices (PSD).
So, just notice for a moment the encouragement that the Apostle Paul is laying out for the other apostles as well as us when it comes to handling spiritual warfare.
Eph 6:10, be strong in the LORD, and in the strength of His might.
That’s where our strength begins.
In Eph 6:11-12, Paul says, Put on the full armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Take up the full armor of GOD so that you may be able to resist in the days that evil follows you.
Eph 6:14, Stand firm with doctrine and learn how to use the breastplate of righteousness,
If you do these things beware and be prepared for a major attack upon the believer.
Eph 6:16-17, in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil {one.} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD.
Let’s take a quick look back at the wisdom of Isaiah in dealing with some of the problems that the Jews and others were having because of their very own NVTD [negative volition towards doctrine].
As Isaiah taught, not only his family, but also his people, he warned them to be careful how they are handling the people who were under the authority of GOD even though they may be backsliders.
In fact, Isaiah had that problem of NVTD [negative volition towards doctrine] throughout his ministry and unlike Solomon, the ministry that Isaiah had was one of preaching fire and brimstone. It has been reported that he preached naked for a few years to get the people’s attention.
As your pastor, I am warning you, be careful of the things or the people who prosper by cheating and lying, which is exactly what Isaiah had to deal with. Do not get deceived and buy their lies. As we noted in James 1:8, 4:8, we have an alert system ingrained in our spirit so that we can recognize who the double-minded individuals in our Life who are trying to destroy us; James 1:8; James 4:8; 1Co 2:14.
Our LORD even laughs at those who reap what they sow after they have spent a lifetime mocking, laughing, being sarcastic, disrespectful, as they spit on our LORD’s face.
Psa 2:4, “He who sits in the heavens laughs, The LORD scoffs at them.”
Psa 37:12-3, “The wicked plots against the righteous, And gnashes at him with his teeth. The LORD laughs at him; For He sees his day is coming.”
Prov 1:22, “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?”
Prov 1:23-33, “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel, And did not want my reproof; I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm, And your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, When distress {and} anguish come on you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely, And shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”
Now, back in the Gospels, this was just before the Cross where HE would be so abused and mocked, mistreated, punched in the face, HE did not even look like a member of the human race.
Isa 52:13-15, Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted. Just as many were astonished at you, {My people,} So His appearance was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men. Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.
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.
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