Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

Have you ever really counted the cost?

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Follow MeHave you ever counted the cost? Did you find your “faith” in one of the following ways?

  1. I grew up in the Church so I have known God and loved Jesus since I was a child.
  2. I gave my life to Christ in Junior High at a camp. It was very emotional and a wonderful “mountain top” experience.
  3. I prayed the “sinner’s prayer” with someone to have Jesus come into my heart.
  4. I was baptized as a child so I’m covered.
  5. I raised my hand at the end of a sermon when the pastor did a call to salvation.
  6. I walked the isle at a church when I was in college and gave my life to Christ.
  7. I had hands laid on me and was prayed over to receive salvation.

These are just a few ways people in the 21st century tend to “find” Jesus. Your salvation may, in fact, be true and you have lived a change life ever since. However if you fall into the category of “I gave my life to Christ but never really saw a change because I’ve always been a good person” you may want to do some digging or even just a simple look into how you live your life. Here is a list of what the cost is to follow Jesus as it states in the Bible. The gift of salvation is free, we do not have to pay a penalty or work to get salvation, however there is a worldly cost, or rather loss to us if we are true followers of Jesus.

  1. You must deny yourself. (Mark 8:34)
  2. You must be emphatically, overwhelmingly, and fully in love with Yahweh (God). (Matthew 22:37-38)
  3. You must love Jesus more than you do your kids. (Matthew 10:37)
  4. You must love Jesus more than you do yourself. (Luke 14:26-27)
  5. You must consider what you spend your money on. (Luke 9:56–62)
  6. You must consider your comfort compared to the comfort of others. (Luke 9:56–62)
  7. Do you look like everyone else on the planet? Could anyone look at your life who is not a Christian and say, “Now there is a follower of Jesus!”? (Romans 12:2) (James 4:4)
  8. Does anyone literally hate you because you are outspoken for Jesus? (John 15:18-21) (2 Timothy 3:12)
  9. When we sin as a child of Yahweh (God) we will get disciplined. (Revelation 3:19) (Hebrews 10:31)
  10. Do you suffer more now that you are a Christian than when you were not? THIS IS BIG FOR TODAY’S “CHRISTIANS” AND IS OFTEN WHY THE COST IS TOO HIGH. (1 Peter 1:6-9) (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) (James 1:2-4) (Romans 5:3-5)

Below are some great articles for further reading:

The Cost of Being a Disciple

The Cost of Following Jesus

Are you a “Politically Correct Christian”?

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Yeshuah Jesus Yahweh is SalvationHow do you feel about Jesus? While this may seem obvious, let’s unpack the idea a bit more. OK, so you are a Christian. What does that mean, exactly?

  1. You love Jesus.
  2. You believe in Jesus.
  3. You have put your faith and trust in him.
  4. You have turned from your sinful ways and toward righteousness.
  5. You go to church.
  6. You volunteer.
  7. You pray.
  8. You read your Bible.

That is great! Welcome to eternal salvation. Well… hold on. We have been going over in our Friday discussions, week after week specific things that may or may not validate your salvation even if you do all the above mentioned “Christian” activities. So, this one is simple. How do you feel about Jesus? Your first thought might be, “I love Him.” Now put yourself against these scenarios:

  1. You are at work, you are on your break at your desk reading your Bible. How do you react when you hear someone coming?
  2. You are at a restaurant with friends. Do you pray before a meal or do you pass it up for lighter conversation?
  3. Do you ever pray for an extended period of time with another friend out in public?
  4. You are at work in the lunchroom. Do you pray before your meal in front of everyone or do you quietly pray in your mind without anyone being the wiser?
  5. You are at a social event and someone you have never met asks you what you do. Do you bring up your reason for living by bringing up Jesus or do you talk endlessly about what you do for a monetary living?
  6. You are at the park with a friend who is definitely not a believer (make it more real and imagine your Muslim, gay, lesbian, or outspoken atheist friend), and you casually tuck your cross necklace into your shirt before you see them.
  7. You are at your kids school picking them up and you get into a conversation with another mom. Does the name of Jesus ever come into your conversations day after day?
  8. Generally speaking how often does the name Jesus enter into your daily conversation with everyone around you? Never I bet if you are honest. A very few of you will answer “All the time.” Praise YHWH for you and your boldness!

We sing songs about “Jesus, only Jesus” but then are afraid to mention His name in mixed company for fear we will lose our jobs or lose that friend or lose respect. We think in our hearts I cannot wait to see the face of Jesus shining like the sun, but then can’t seem to say his name to others during our day.  Is this how someone treats someone they love? When you are in love you want to shout it from the mountain tops. When you find your spouse you cannot wait to introduce them to everyone and anyone. When you have your first, second, third, twelfth grandchild how quick are you to whip out those photos of them even to perfect strangers? But Jesus? No, that is not politically correct. It’s sad. More importantly it may mean eaternal damnation.

Ask yourself: “How do I really feel about Jesus?” The world sends thousands of signals to us like little darts all intended for us to dislike or even hate Jesus. We are in a literal battlefield. If only we could see what the angels can see. Take a look at what the Bible says about it.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, ESV)

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33, ESV)

Based on personal experience, I thought I was a Christian but realized I was actually ashamed of Jesus. I was the politically correct “Christian.” I praise YHWH for showing me my folly. Pray about this one, my friend. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus! If this convicted you even a small bit, please read through the other Fruit Audit topics to the right.

Maranatha!

Thursday Theology ~ The Holy Spirit, a systematic study of Pneumatology by Dr. Mike Fabarez

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The Holy SpiritPastor Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible Church is doing a phenomenal series on the Holy Spirit. If you live close by (Orange County, California Area) I highly recommend you come join us. If not, watch it live each Thursday night on Live Stream.

Compass Night 2013

Our Creator has revealed himself to us in the Bible as a triune being—one Essence eternally existing in three Persons. While it is perhaps easier for us to grasp the inherent distinctions between the roles of the Father and Son, we often fail to comprehend and appreciate the unique role and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In this important twelve-part lecture series Pastor Mike will help us broaden our understanding and deepen our gratitude for the daily operations of the Holy Spirit. Join us this fall on Thursday nights for Compass Night as we engage in a systematic study of Pneumatology.

– September 12 – The Personhood & Deity of the Holy Spirit (See below for notes)
– September 19 – The Titles & Emblems of the Holy Spirit
– September 26 – The Holy Spirit in Creation, Revelation & Inspiration
– October 3 – The Old Testament Ministry of the Holy Spirit
– October 10 – The Holy Spirit & Christ’s Ministry – Dinner: Beach Pit BBQ
– October 17 – Common Grace and the Holy Spirit
– October 24 – Special Guest: Pastor Mike Elliott
– October 31 – OFF for Fall Fest!
– November 7 – Special Guest: Pastor Pete
– November 14 – The Regenerative Work & Baptism of the Holy Spirit
– November 21 – The Indwelling & Sealing of the Holy Spirit
– November 28 – OFF for Thanksgiving
– December 5 – The Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts
– December 12 – The Filling of the Holy Spirit

Compass Night starts with a family-style dinner at 6:00p. AWANA and Thursday night KIDS Club are available for those attending Compass Night or Thrive. Parents or guardians MUST remain on campus when children are in KIDS Club.

Click here for details and registration for AWANA & KIDS Club.

NOTES FOR THE FIRST STUDY

THE HOLY SPIRIT #1
a systematic study of pneumatology

1. THE WORD “PNEUMATOLOGY”

Components:                      Pneumato                         /        logy

Hebrew & Greek:               Ruach or Pneuma             /     logos

Occurrences:  OT 375 times. NT 379 times  /. 339 times

Definitions & Imagery:  Wind, breath, spirit.  / word, speech, study

2. Or study of Pneumatology

A. What we will cover

1. Who the Holy Spirit is
2. What the Holy Spirit does
3. How we interface with the Holy Spirit

B. Why this is so important today

1. Lots of unbiblical teaching regarding the Holy Spirit
2. Lots of dangerous practices regarding the Holy Spirit
3. Lots of misunderstanding regarding the Holy Spirit’s role

C. The importance of “Roles” in the Trinity

1.  School Yard Illustration
Small town. Only 3 adults in the school. You have been taught to respect them each as the authority. They all and different roles. You need to function under their authority.

~ The Father is the Principal
Admin, planning, oversight

~  The Son is the Teacher
Instructs, leads, directs students

~  The Holy Spirit is the Custodian
Facilitate, repair, protects, sets up

 

4. The Holy Spirit is a Person

A. Personhood

Personhood                               The Holy Spirit
Intellect, reason, logic.             Isaiah 11:2

Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Emotion, feelings, passion.    Ephesians 4:30

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Will, volition, purpose.            1 Corinthians 12:11

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

B. He takes personal action.

HE GUIDES
John 16:13

HE HEARS
John 16:13

HE SPEAKS
John 16:13

HE DECLARES
John 16:13

HE CONVICTS
John 16:8

HE CARRIES
Acts 8:39-40

HE HELPS
Romans 8:26

HE INTERCEDES
Romans 8:26

HE DECIDES
Acts 15:28

HE TEACHES
1 Corinthians 2:13

C. He is described as a person

~. HE IS OUTRAGED
Hebrew 10:29

~. HE IS LIED TO
Acts 5:3

~. HE IS BLASPHEMED
Matthew 12:31

~. HE IS OBEYED
Acts 10:19-21

~. HE IS A HE
John 16:13-14

 

5. The Holy Spirit is God

A. The Holy Spirit is ascribed divine attributes

~ HE IS OMNISCIENT
Isaiah 40:13

~ HE IS OMNIPRESENT
Psalm 139:7

~ HE IS ETERNAL
Hebrews 9:14

~ HE IS CREATOR
Genesis 1:2 and Job 33:4

B. The Holy Spirit is engaging in divine actions

~ WORKED MIRACLES
Hebrews 2:4

~ AGENT OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Luke 1:35

~ DIVINE CAUSE OF SCRIPTURE
2 Peter 1:21 and Revelation 2 & 3 “hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”

C. The Holy Spirit is described as “Another”
John 14:16
He is not a modalists. Meaning he does not wear various hats.

D. Associated with the Father and Son

~ WITH THE FATHER
1 Corinthians 6:11

~ WITH THE SON
Acts16:7

~ WITH BOTH
Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14

E. Bears Divine Titles

1. GOD
Acts 5:3-4

2. LORD
1 Corinthians 12:4-6