1 Corinthians 14:19;
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
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1st./ THE DEGREES & EXTREMES
Did you know that there are degrees and extremes / kinds of believing and faith ?
A./ This can be seen very clearly and easily / readily in Martha - John 11: 20 - 27;
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
1./ She could believe - " Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. " but,
2./ She could not confess to believing -
" 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? "
3./ She did know and believe -
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. "
however, such a belief ( while right, sound and good ) nowhere in God's Word is found to be saving faith i.e. prerequisite to, as a condition of being saved.
B./ These degrees and extremes / kinds can also be very easily and readily seen / observed in the Parable of the sower - Matthew 13: 18 - 23;
As also in the parable of - the faithful and wise steward - Luke 12: 35-48;
As also in the Rev. 12: depicting the three fold dychotomy of believers as [*the woman = the church] [**the manchild = the 100 fold] and [***the remnant of her seed = the 30 fold] much as does Matthew 13: 18 - 23;.
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2nd./ THE UNDERSTANDING OF - John 11: 20 - 27;
1./ John 11: 20 - 27; can be understood in / using the following illustration....
the two great extremes of our faith can be observed from our text as follows -
BASIC TWO EXTREMES -
A./ Getting from [1.] to [7.] requires substantial additions to your faith and growth ! that much is obvious and unequivocal .
2 Peter 1: 2 - 11;
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the [cf.] knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:3-5;
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
B./ According as his divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the [cf.] knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
1./ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
2./ ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
3./ having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Hebrews 12:12-13;
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews 7:25;
Wherefore he [ Jesus ] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,....
Romans 10:17;
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Cf. also -Search the scriptures
SECOND STEP THEN BEING - "add to your faith"
3rd./ THE DIVINE NATURE -
Ephesians 5:23;
.....he is the saviour of the body.
.....he is the saviour of the body.
1./ Romans 8:21;
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
A./ 1 Corinthians 15:42;
....It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:44;
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.....
Psalm 51:5;
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Romans 8:20;
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,...
Ephesians 4:22;
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38;
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Romans 7:18;
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
John 6:63;For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:...
Romans 8:19;
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
B./ becauseof which - we groan....
Romans 8:22-34;
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And
not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
2 Corinthians 5:1-5;
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
I./ we groan because.....
a./ 1 Corinthians 15:26;
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
b./ sin hath reigned unto death, Romans 5:21; Romans chapt. 5
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so [ in Christ ] shall all be made alive.
c./ 2 Corinthians 5:2-4;
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
d./ earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2./ our house which is from heaven:
A./ 1 Corinthians 15:44;
....There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
and,
B./ 1 Corinthians 15:49;
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
I./ The only complication is - when ?
THE TWO GREAT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
PRESENT DAY - PRESENT TENSE -VS- IN THE RESURRECTION
II./ 1 Corinthians 15:46;
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Exodus 20:20;
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
1 Corinthians 3:13;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
SUFFERING IS THE WAY -
Isaiah 48:10;
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
24 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
Jeremiah 2:19;
Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Job 32:7;
I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Jeremiah 19:9;
And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.
2 Corinthians 6:12;
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
know therefore and see
John 15:2;
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Hebrews 12:6;
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 2:10;
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
1 Peter 2:20-22;
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:...
2 Timothy 2:12;
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:...
Philippians 1:29;
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;...
Romans 8:16, 17;
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
THREE:/ IS A BETTER ROAD
WITH BENEFITS - as follows
Proverbs 16:7;When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 19:23; The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Proverbs 16:20; He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:25; The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
John 10:27-28;
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
2 Thessalonians 3:3; But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Psalm 91:7-16;
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
1 John 5:18; We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
CONCLUSION -
1 Peter 4:19;
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Acts 14:22;
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
a./ BECAUSE.....1 Peter 4:1;...he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;....
C./ 1 Corinthians 15:50; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
THUS, IT IS WRITTEN...... "ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
HOW ? ! you may exclaim; and, just how can this be / how does such a thing come about / come to pass ?
2 Peter 1:4;
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Galatians 6:7;
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
1 Peter 1:3-5;
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
3./ HOW ? you may exclaim; and, just how can such things be; or, how does a person accomplish such a feat ?
1 Peter 1:23;
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Proverbs 4: 20-22;
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
John 6:63;
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
AND, THIS IS " THE SEED "
Luke 8:11;
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
WHICH MUST BRING FORTH AFTER IT'S OWN KIND
Genesis 1:12;
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
A./ cleansing, faith, life, new birth, purification, Salvation, sanctification, spirit, and entrance all come from / of this Word of God !
CLEANSING
Psalm 119:9;
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
John 15:3;
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Ephesians 5:26;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,...
FAITH
Romans 10:17;
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
LIFE
John 6:63;
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
NEW BIRTH
Galatians 4:19;
My little children, of whom I travail [ in birth again ] until Christ be formed in you,....
a 3rd time
(1) natural birth of water - John 3:5;
and,
(2) of Spirit - John 3:5;
i.e. the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost - Titus 3:5; i.e. born of the Spirit is spirit - John 3:6;
and,
(3) 1 Peter 1:23;
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
PURIFICATION
Proverbs 30:5;
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
SALVATION
1 Timothy 4:16;
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
James 1:21;
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
SACTIFICATION
Ephesians 5:26;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,...
1 Timothy 4:4-6;
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
SPIRIT, and
John 6:63;
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
ENTRANCE
2 Peter 1: 2 - 11;
all come from / of this Word of God !
cf. ESCAPING CORRUPTION from here cf. [ this ]
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