Words From The Word Of God
A topical, and expositional study from the Word of God, in order to Glorify and Exalt our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; that we may reach the world with the Gospel, and grow in the Grace and knowledge of Him.. Grace and Peace to all, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(Isaiah 52:7) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"(Isaiah 55 10-11) 10) "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"11) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(John 3:16)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”(John 14:1-7) 1)"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."2)"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."3)"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."4)And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."5)"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"6)"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."7)"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."(Romans 10 :9-10;13) 9)"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."10)"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."13)"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
All Done For The Glory Of God and To Exalt Jesus Christ The Lord!!!
Words From The Word Of God
Are We Really Persevering? Exploring Faith Amidst Persecution
The narrative found in Matthew chapter 2 is more than a story of the nativity; it encapsulates the profound struggle between good and evil throughout history. We witness how the wise men embark on a journey of faith, demonstrating an earnest desire to worship the true King. In stark contrast, King Herod reacts with fear and defensiveness, revealing the paranoia of a ruler threatened by the birth of a child who embodies hope and the promise of salvation.
Throughout this episode, we delve deep into the significance of God's divine intervention, spotlighting the angelic warnings to both the wise men and Joseph as protective measures against Herod’s malicious intentions. We consider how such actions reflect God’s understanding of human hearts and the spiritual warfare at play.
Additionally, we explore the theme of persecution, providing historical context to the experiences of believers throughout the ages who faced trials for their faith. From Moses to the apostles, the apostolic line demonstrates resilience amid adversity, reminding us that God’s purpose is never thwarted, regardless of the opposition. Even today, the dialogue surrounding Christian persecution invites us to recognize the responsibility of standing firm and continuing the mission of hope and love in the face of darkness.
As we conclude the episode, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own journeys of faith and to realize that they are not alone. With an eternal perspective, believers can remain anchored in the assurance that victory is possible through Christ—an unwavering truth amidst life’s challenges.
Join us as we acknowledge the relentless power of faith and the importance of embracing God’s promises. We invite you to subscribe, share, and become part of our growing community, united in exploring the richness of God’s word while persevering through life’s storms.
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
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Hello, welcome to this another edition of Words from the Word of God. Thank you all so much for joining us this evening as we join again together to look into the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2. So far we have looked at the wise men and their worship of the true, eternal King, jesus Christ. Not for anything that he could do for them, not for anything that he could give them. In fact, they presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, high, costly gifts, as a token of their worship, their adoration to the true king. But they came to worship him for who he was, is and will always be in and of himself the true king, eternal king from heaven. Then we looked at the faith of Joseph, his immediacy and obedience to God's providential direction, god's providential care and God's all-knowingness of every situation and circumstance and directing Joseph in those circumstances, and Joseph's response, his faithful and obedient response, an immediate response to the Lord, showing us and demonstrating us how we can trust the Lord in every way. Tonight we want to look at the third person or persons revealed here in this text, and that's King Herod. Herod the Great, if you will read with me in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, we pick back up here in verse 1. We want to read down through verse 19. The Word of god says here now when jesus was born in bethlehem of judea, in the days of herod the king, excuse me, in day in the days of herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to jerusalem saying where is he that is born king of the jews? For we have seen his star in the east. To jerusalem saying where is he that is born king of the jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him. When harry the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all jerusalem with him. We will find out. Harry was a very evil man and if he was troubled, you know, if he was having a very bad hair day, somebody was liable to have a bad head day because they'd probably lose their head. But herod, we see is is greatly troubled here in all jerusalem with him, at this announcement.
Speaker 1:And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born, and they sent unto him in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet. And thou, bethlehem and the land of Judah are not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people, israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently. What time the star appeared, he sent them to Bethlehem and said Go and search diligently for a young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again that I may come and worship him. Also, we will find out.
Speaker 1:That is a lie, an evil lie. He had evilness in his heart. We will see that God knew his heart, just like he knows the hearts of all men, and he tries the range here. But listen. When they had heard the king, they departed and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were coming to the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, and being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeareth unto Josephoseph in a dream saying arise, take the young child and his mother and flee into egypt and be thou be there until I I bring the word. Excuse me now, let me correct myself here. Let's start over. When they were departed, behold an angel of the lord appeareth to joseph in Arise, take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and be thou there until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. This shows us that the Lord is all-knowing. He knew, he already knew the heart of Herod. He knew his motives, the evilness behind his lie, he knew that he was lying. So he's already warned the wise men. Now that he sent the angel unto Joseph to warn him. And we've already talked about Joseph's faith and obedience. But we must take note of the wise men's faith and trust and obedience in not going back to Herod and going another way to their home.
Speaker 1:But when he verse 14, pick up with me. When he, joseph, arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt and was there until the death of Herod. That it might be fulfilled, which is spoken of by the Lord of the prophet saying Out of Egypt have I called my son? That's the fulfillment of Hosea, chapter 11, verse 1, if you need to know. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth. He was greatly angry and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and all the coast thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken of by Jeremy the prophet saying and this is Jeremiah, that is the Greek translation of his Hebrew name is Jeremy the prophet saying in Ramah was there a voice heard lamentations and weeping and great mourning, rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt saying Arise and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead. Which sought the young child's life? Of course he arose and went on in and we're just going to stop right there, according to the way the Lord's leading. But may he bless the reading of his word to our hearts tonight.
Speaker 1:You know, herod is widely known by historians as a ruler that was notorious for his paranoia and ruthless measures to keep and secure his throne. You know, historical accounts, such as those of the Jewish historian Josephus, describe Herod's relentless efforts to eliminate any perceived threat, including the execution of his own family members, and that is what we see here on the pages of scripture tonight is he is threatened by the news of this king, the true king. And I find it ironic that they would come to the king's house to go search for the king, the true king. They come to the earthly king to search for the eternal king. And of course he didn't know he had to gather the people of Jerusalem together. But anyway, he has sent that wise man to Bethlehem with a lie, and the whole precept behind that lie was that he was going to kill the child. He was going to kill the Christ child, the other perceived king. In his heart he had perceived this and of course God, knowing all things, knowing the hearts of all men and trying the reins, already knew his intent of his heart and the precept behind this lie and, of course, warn the wise men not to go tell him where the child was. Not only that sending the angel to warn Joseph to flee into Egypt.
Speaker 1:And we want to look at this tonight because not only does it reveal Herod's intent of his heart to destroy the young child, it reveals to us and brings to light something so much deeper and that is the unyielding, the unyielding perseverance of the messianic line in the church of Christ in the face of the unrelenting persecution of the enemy, and the enemy is none other than Satan. Because, just as all governments now are trying to stomp out Christianity and we'll look at some of the most recent events that's happened in the persecution and martyrdom of the church recently, and we'll look at church history and the history of mankind as a whole but we must understand something there has been a spiritual warfare going on since the fall of mankind and that's recorded in Genesis 3, chapter 3, but especially there in verse 15, which we will look at. But this highlights that the messianic line has been threatened throughout the history of mankind, throughout the history of Scripture. You can read it, throughout the history of Scripture, starting there with Moses, with Pharaoh, moses with Pharaoh to decree to destroy all the male children there in Egypt and cast them into the river. You know Moses was even threatened and he had to be hidden for three months by his mother and then placed in a basket where Pharaoh's daughter own daughter found him and she was brought in to nurse him and raise him. And he was raised in the house of pharaoh and became great in egypt. But we know later on he came and and delivered the people of israel out of out of egypt. But you find that that pharaoh's threat to the Masiatic line, you know dealing there with Moses in Exodus, chapter 1, verse 15 through 22,. Exodus, chapter 2, verse 1 through 10. You know God's protection is evident as Moses is saved and discovered by Pharaoh's daughter.
Speaker 1:Then you go to and consider Joash Alphea, and this is located in 2 Kings 11, 1-3, and again in 2 Chronicles 22, 10-12. We don't have time to look at those scriptures but to give you the context. You know she had sought to destroy after her son was killed. She sought to destroy all the royal heirs of Judah and Joash, which was one of the surviving sons, had to be hidden from her in the bedchamber or in the temple and was protected until he could be revealed as the king. And this is ensuring the Davidic line, the kingship line, through David, through the tribe of Judah, because he was of the tribe of Judah and that is, we know, the promise where the tribe that the Messiah was promised to come through.
Speaker 1:So we see the Mashiach line persevering through the persecution of the enemy trying to destroy not only the Mashiach line but to stop completely God's redemptive plan for all of mankind through Jesus Christ. Then you see King David there in 1 Samuel, chapters 18 through 26. 1 Samuel 18-26, king Saul's relentless pursuit to kill David, the anointed future king of Israel, was another attempt to disrupt the messianic line. Despite Saul's efforts, david was preserved and eventually took the throne, continuing the lineage, continuing the eternal promise, continuing that promise that was made in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15, which we'll look at in a moment but continuing to protect the messianic line, continuing for that messianic line to persevere in the face of the continual persecution of the enemy. Then we move on and we look at this. You know these events, you know, highlight a recurring theme. You know, we see, as Harry here, highlights that perseverance of the messianic line.
Speaker 1:But all these events together highlight the recurring theme of persecution and the relentless attempts of Satan to stop the woman's seed from crushing his head, giving him that eternal, fatal, crushing blow, that death wound on the cross of Calvary which was promised in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15. Let's look at that verse right quick. We've mentioned that quite a few times. He says god, and this is god speaking unto satan as he has cursed the serpent. In verse 14, the lord god says jehovah elohim. He says and I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. That speaks of the crushing blow that he shall bruise thy head. That speaks of a crushing death blow. And we know that that was delivered on Calvary's cross.
Speaker 1:But over through the time of history, you know Satan has had his day of persecution of the church. You know he's had his first day of persecution of the messianic line. You know there was a line drawn in the sand right there in Genesis 3.15 and a spiritual war for the souls of men began. And the church and the people of God, the chosen one of God, have suffered all along, not only the Masiatic line, which we know he did not stop, and we know that that death blow has been delivered, which we will get into in a moment. But we must look through time and through the portals of time in human history to look at a few of other events that happened.
Speaker 1:History. To look at a few of other events that happened. You know, elijah the prophet faced severe persecution from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and they threatened to kill him and Elijah had to flee for his life. That's in 1 Kings, chapter 19, verse 1 through 3. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, endured significant persecution. He was beaten, put in stocks, thrown into the cistern and in prison. That's Jeremiah 20, 38, and 37.
Speaker 1:You can find that Isaiah according to Jewish tradition. Now, this is not found in scripture, but according to Jewish tradition, not in the Bible. I will say that again and point that out, very important to hear me here. Not in Scripture, but according to Jewish tradition. The prophet Isaiah was sewn in half during the reign of King Manasseh.
Speaker 1:In the New Testament, jesus himself speaks about the persecution of the prophets as he laments over Jerusalem in Matthew, chapter 23, verse 37 through 39, and Luke, chapter 13, 34, verse 34 to 35. Then you have Stephen's speech there in Acts, chapter 7, where Stephen, before being stoned, recounts how the ancestors of the Jewish leaders persecuted and killed the prophets. Hebrews, chapter 11, often referred to as the Hall of Fame of Faith. This chapter highlights the suffering and persecution faced by many prophets and faithful servants of God. You know the scriptures, you know, provide clear evidence that there is a consistent theme of persecution faced by God's prophets throughout biblical history.
Speaker 1:If you're prepared, if you are looking at these things, you look at the, you know, and now again, this is not all in scripture, but we look at the historical evidence of the martyrdom of the apostles. And the apostle Paul, peter, crucified upside down in Rome under the emperor Nero, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. You have Andrew, who was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece. James the greater was beheaded by Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem, and that is according to Acts, chapter 12, verse 2. He is the one found in the martyr found in scripture. That's Acts, chapter 12, verse 2. Then John is the only the apostle. John is the only apostle to have believed, to be believed, to have died of natural death in his old age. He was exiled to the Isle of Patmos where he was given the revelation of and wrote the book of Revelation.
Speaker 1:Philip, crucified in Heropolis. Bartholomew or Nathaniel was flayed alive and then beheaded in Armenia. Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia, though the exact manner of his death is uncertain. Thomas speared to death in India. James the last was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and beaten to death with a club. Thaddeus or Jude was martyred in Persia, possibly by being clubbed to death. Simon the Zealot, martyred in Persia, possibly by being sewn in half as the prophet Isaiah. Matthias stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem.
Speaker 1:And then you have the apostle Paul, beheaded in Rome under the rule of the evil emperor Nero, as he was a Roman citizen, thus spared from crucifixion because a Roman citizen could not be crucified. So he was beheaded for his faith and for his preaching of the gospel. All of these men, all of these great men of God, all of these called for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Mosaic line persevered and even though they were martyred, they persevered because, as the apostle paul said, to live is christ, but to die is gain. And he would also tell us, to be absent from this body is to be present with the lord. So we know the life that these men live, we can read about it in the word of god and we see how that the, the church, the unyielding perseverance of the church. It carries on.
Speaker 1:Today there is a recent, most recent, I just found out today, an article that came out February 25th of this year the Christians in the DRC I can't remember the Dominican Republic of Carpa or something like that Well, it's the Dominican Republic. I'm sorry, I'm only human. Y'all bear with me, okay, but this just came out and I just read about it. They have again been left reeling after a heinous act of violence that left 70 believers, 70 Christians, dead. As I understand it by reading the notes in this oracle, they were all gathered together and taken to a church where they were kidnapped and beheaded in that church, tragically killed for the cause of Christ and for their belief.
Speaker 1:The persecution of God's chosen individual and his redemptive plan is part of a broader spiritual warfare, as I've mentioned several times. That began in the Garden of Eden, where God said I will put enmity between thee and the woman, in between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, or he shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. This verse, known as the Protoevangelium, is the first prophecy in the word of God where God foretells of his redemptive plan in and through the woman's seed, which would be none other than Jesus Christ, our Lord, refers to the lineage through which the Messiah, jesus Christ, would come. We saw that in chapter 1 of Matthew.
Speaker 1:Mary's was included in that genealogy, even though it was Joseph's genealogy, and you can find Mary's genealogy in Luke, the Gospel of Luke. But we looked at this genealogy in chapter 1, and she was included in that genealogy because she was the mother you remember. He was conceived and born of, come from Mary, only nothing of Joseph. The last begot was joseph's dad to him. And then it says mary, of whom was born christ jesus, who is called the christ. That means he was born of her and her alone, the woman's seed highlighting his birth. This is what this verse says right here in Genesis 3.15, talking about the woman's seed. That refers to the virgin birth.
Speaker 1:The phrase he shall bruise thy head signifies the ultimate defeat of Satan through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection. The word of God tells us that he has had the ultimate victory over the enemy, over sin and death. Because Colossians, chapter 2, verse 15, says and having speaking of Christ and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly triumphing over them. In it. Then he goes. You move on to hebrews chapter 2. Verses 14 through 18 further emphasizes christ's victory and his role, as our compassionate high priest says right there, if you'll excuse me for a second Hebrews chapter 2. You don't have to turn there. You can turn there later and come back and listen to the broadcast.
Speaker 1:I know I'm kind of rushing here, but this is like a lengthy message and I want to get it all in because this is very significant for us to see the perseverance. Though we're persecuted, we persevere because we know that Jesus Christ has won the victory. We know that Jesus Christ has won the victory. We know that we have the victory in him and in him alone, through his death, his peril and his resurrection, his ascension back to heaven. He's been given a name that's above every name. He is seated in the place of royalty and majesty. He has been glorified and one day soon, when he comes back, to rapture us out of here, if we don't die before that time. Remember what I said.
Speaker 1:The apostle Paul said to live is Christ, to die is gain, because that puts us in his presence the moment we die. But if he raptures the church out one day soon, we're going to be in his presence because he has won the victory. So it doesn't matter if we're kidnapped, if we're sewn in two, it doesn't matter if they put us in prison because of our faith. It doesn't matter if they cut our heads off because we say Jesus is Lord, it doesn't matter if they beat us to death, it doesn't matter what they do to us, because they cannot win over us, because Jesus Christ has the victory. Hebrews, chapter 2, verses 14 through 18.
Speaker 1:For as much then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he, speaking of Christ, he also himself likewise took part of the same. That through death he might destroy him. That had the power of death, that is the devil. Did you hear that? That he might destroy him? That had the power of death? That is the devil. And deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Speaker 1:Did you realize that, before we got saved, we were subject to the bondage of death? Because we feared death, we didn't know what our end would be, unless we heard the gospel and knew that if we died without Christ, we would live with eternity in hell, in the lake of fire, the second death, being eternally separated from God. But before we heard the gospel, we were always, and even after hearing the gospel, we were in fear of the bondage and that bondage of death. We were in fear of it and that was kept us locked up, but the chains had been, had been knocked off. The chains had been broken. They have. We have been released from all fear because we have victory in Christ.
Speaker 1:But it says right here for verily, he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham, wherefore, in all things, it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be the merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people wherein that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is also able to secure, to keep secure, to hold us, to guide us, to lead us through the victory. Them that are tempted and that's you and me, my brothers and sisters in Christ we persevere because Christ Jesus has won the victory. We persevere, we are unyielding perseverance because, through the persecutions, because of our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ, and he's also given us the benefit and the promise of the armor of God, because we're in him, we have the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit guides us into the armor of God. You know, the apostle Paul would tell us in Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 12, that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. Those people, the government, herod, all of them, the ones that martyred the prophets and martyred the Nero, and so on and so forth, and in Rome, that martyred the apostles, and the ones that persecute you and I today, the ones in the Dominican Republic that chopped off the heads of those 70 believers just on the 13th of this month. They are pushed and they are led by one, and that's the God of this world, satan. Evil is behind it. There is something evil behind that force and it is bringing about the persecution which, like it, tried to stomp out the messianic line and failed, and he was defeated at Calvary's cross. But he is now persecuting you and I. If you don't believe so, read the book of Job and read the first two chapters. You say well, why would God allow it? Why did God send the angel to tell Joseph to flee to Egypt instead of striking Herod down, knowing the intent of his heart? Why didn't he do it? I don't know. And if you say you do, you're better than me.
Speaker 1:But the apostle Paul tells us there's a spiritual battle waging. The Word of God tells us that behind this Herod, behind all of this, is a spiritual warfare. He says in Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 12, we, speaking of us born-again believers he concludes himself in that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in where High places. There is a spiritual battle going on and has been going on since the guard of Eden for the souls of mankind. You have the ultimate line drawn in the sand there and the battle between good the ultimate good drawn in the sand there, and the battle between good the ultimate good and the ultimate evil began. The bell rang and the battle's been going on. But the war has already been won. And his name is Jesus Christ and we have victory in him. And we know that we have victory in him. We know that we can rest in that hope, we know that we can rest in that victory, we know that we can rest in his strength. But we're told, because we fight this battle, you know he, paul, moves on in this chapter.
Speaker 1:Ephesians, chapter six, tells us about standing. He says, you know where he emphasizes that our true enemies are spiritual forces of evil and we are called to equip ourselves with what, the armor of God, to stand firm against these attacks. If you read verse 13 through 18, which we don't have time to look into today and read, but I ask you to read those for yourself. But I will look to the verses here and tell you what we are to put on Talking about the armor of God. In Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 14, we're told to put on the belt of truth, stand firm. Then the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Speaker 1:And then he tells us in verse 14, the second part put on the breastplate of righteousness. With that breastplate of righteousness in place, then he tells us to have the gospel of peace. In 6, 15 and with your feet fitted, with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Then we're told in verse 16, to put have the shield of faith in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, that which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil. One, verse 17,.
Speaker 1:The first part tells to put on the helmet of salvation. He says take the helmet of salvation, then the sword of the spirit. Which is what? The sword of the spirit? Which is what? The word of God, the word of God, his promises that we can stand on, his promises that we can count on, because when he tells us, we know he is faithful to perform it. And we know when he tells us he, christ, has had the victory and defeated Satan, hell, death, the grave sin, darkness. He brought light into the darkness of this dark world, in the darkness of men's heart. He's brought his light in. We know when the word of god tells us that we know it is the spirit of truth, it is the sword of the spirit that we can slay any evil that comes against us. By the word of god, by the truth of the word of God, that we stand on, folks, we have victory in Christ over sin and death. It's the ultimate triumph of spiritual warfare.
Speaker 1:You know, the apostle Paul reminds us and I love the scripture and I know many of you all love it as well as I do he tells us in Romans, chapter 8, verse 37 and 39,. He says Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors. Through him, who is him, christ, that loved us, for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels oh, let's read it, folks. Angels oh let's read it, folks. Nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor debt, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of god which is in who? Which is in who? Can you answer that? Christ, jesus, our lord, that's speaking of believer, born again, believer, sinner, friend, if you want this, this foundational hope, you want this foundational peace in your heart that you can have the victory over the sin and satan in your life, all you have to do is receive jesus christ and you can cry out and say these same things and claim these promises of the word of God, where it tells us that we are more than conquerors in him that loved us and that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in none other than Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Speaker 1:In our faith, in our journey of faith, it is essential to maintain an eternal perspective. When the trials, the tribulations of the world and the evil of this world come against us and the persecution comes, we know that we have an eternal perspective. We are not looking on this horizontal, we are looking at the vertical. We're looking on the things that's above. We're set our affections on the things above, not on the things of this earth, because our heart, our souls as the author of Hebrews says, our souls are anchored there with our forerunner, who has gone before us to make the way, the new and living way. Our souls are anchored there with our forerunner, who has gone before us to make the way, the new and living way. Our souls are anchored there with him. And no matter what happens to us here, we know we can persevere because he has won the victory.
Speaker 1:And we know that, no matter what happens, if we end up as these poor Christians in the Dominican Republic, I pray for their families and I ask all of our listeners to pray for them, because this could happen to you and I tomorrow. But if it does, we have the hope that Jesus has had the victory and that we will be with him to live as Christ and die as gang, be absent from this body, to be present with the Lord. If we close our eyes tonight and we don't wake up tomorrow, if you're born again into the family of God, you have truly repented. You have received Jesus Christ by faith. You will wake up in glory, face to face with your Savior. You will walk into his loving arms. You will be face to face with him. Praise God for that.
Speaker 1:We have the perseverance, the unyielding perseverance, because the messianic line was not stopped and God's redemptive plan was not stopped and the victory was won by Christ's death and resurrection and his ascension back to heaven, where he's seated, and he is seated high above all things, all principalities, all powers, and he's been given that name. That is above every name, that we may proclaim it and every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. One day, every knee is going to bow, but we know that we have an unyielding perseverance because that messianic line was not stopped. So now we, as the church of Christ, even in persecution, can carry on, because Jesus has won the victory.
Speaker 1:If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, I ask you to accept him, repent. All you have to do is repent, that's confess your sins to him with your mouth. Repent, say Lord. I've been a sinner. You know my sins, lord. There are many there ever before you. If you will, please forgive me of my sins, and I know you will, because you promised me you will. I believe in you as the risen son of God, the crucified and risen Son of God. I believe in your blood to wash my sins away. Will you come into my heart and my life and be Lord of my life today? That's all it takes, folks. That's all it takes Repent and believe, accept him as Lord and Savior, turning from the world, turning from the sin you're in and turning to God, by placing all your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, his death, his burial and his resurrection, and his blood to wash away all of your sins and you shall be saved.
Speaker 1:No one who calls upon the name of the Lord will not. No one will be cast out, but it says anyone that calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. No one will be rejected. It does not matter what you're doing, it does not matter where you've been, it does not matter you can be in a jail right now, but you can confess, you can repent and you can accept him right where you're at right now.
Speaker 1:Right now, in another country somebody may hear this message tonight, tomorrow, next week. I know we have a listener over in Germany and I praise the Lord for that. We have listeners all over the United States and souls are being saved. I have no doubt of that and I pray tonight that you would give your heart and life to the Lord, jesus Christ, before it's eternally too late. That way you can have the unyielding perseverance to carry on when everything gets tough. When things get rough, you have someone to stand up for you and guard you and protect you, and you have an eternal security. You go from the narrow worldly perspective to the gracious, unending, eternal perspective in Jesus Christ. Thank you all so much for joining me this evening. I'm sorry I went a little long, but I think this message was needful for hearts and I thank you again for joining us. I look so forward to the next time we can share a word from the Word of God. God bless you all.
