Journey to see God: see the Father in heaven as spoken by Jesus

Study on our heavenly 'Father' in the words spoken by Jesus, the Son of God

1. Matthew 5:16
   In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
   Matthew 5:15-17 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Matthew 5:45
   so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
   Matthew 5:44-46 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Matthew 5:48
   You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
   Matthew 5:47-48 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Matthew 6:4
   so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:3-5 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Matthew 6:6
   But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:5-7 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Matthew 6:8
   Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
   Matthew 6:7-9 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Matthew 6:9
   Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
   Matthew 6:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Matthew 6:14
   For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
   Matthew 6:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Matthew 6:18
   that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:17-19 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Matthew 6:26
    Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
    Matthew 6:25-27 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Matthew 6:32
    For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
    Matthew 6:31-33 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Matthew 7:11
    If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
    Matthew 7:10-12 (in Context) Matthew 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. Matthew 10:20
    For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
    Matthew 10:19-21 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Matthew 10:29
    Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
    Matthew 10:28-30 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. Matthew 23:9
    And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
    Matthew 23:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. Matthew 26:42
    Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
    Matthew 26:41-43 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. Luke 6:36
    Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
    Luke 6:35-37 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. Luke 10:21
    [ Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will ] In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will.
    Luke 10:20-22 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. Luke 11:2
    And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
    Luke 11:1-3 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. Luke 11:13
    If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
    Luke 11:12-14 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Luke 23:46
    Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
    Luke 23:45-47 (in Context) Luke 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. John 5:45
    Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
    John 5:44-46 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
23. John 8:19
    They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know My Father also.”
    John 8:18-20 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
24. John 8:38
    I speak of what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    John 8:37-39 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
25. John 8:42
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
    John 8:41-43 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
26. John 12:28
    Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
    John 12:27-29 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
27. John 14:26
    But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
    John 14:25-27 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
28. John 15:16
    You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
    John 15:15-17 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
29. John 16:26
    In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
    John 16:25-27 (in Context) John 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
30. John 17:11
    And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
    John 17:10-12 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
    
     

Journey to see God: See what God looks to see

Today we learn to see what God looks to see in us. One theme stands out: be obedient to His word.
_________________Bible verses: (English Standard Version)
Humble and contrite; tremble at God’s word
But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2b
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: your brothers who hate you and cast you out for My name’s sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified that we may see Your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame. 66:5
Delight in the Lord’s word
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night…for the Lord knows the way of the righteous.. Psalm 1:1-2, 8a
Fear the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7a
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom, and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek like silver and search for it like hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5
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. And his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, Isaiah 11:2-3
But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house. I will bow down toward Your holy temple, in the fear of You. Psalm 5:7
Worship God: bow down, give thanks and praises, know His name and trust Him alone
I will give thanks to the Lord with My whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most high. For those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:1-2, 10
Have faith in God: seek Him
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, Hebrews 11:4
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death…now before he was taken he was commended for having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Hold fast to God in love
Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. Psalm 91:14
Made God your dwelling place
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place-the Most High, who is My refuge- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10
Bible Example 1: Belief in the word of God, fear God, and took action evident of repentance.
The case of the Nineveh city.

Jonah 3:5 “And the people of Nineveh believed God.”
Jonah 3:10 “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it.”
Bible Example 2: How a self-seeking king lost his kingship because of his fear of men rather than fear of God; disobedience to God because he took God’s word lightly.
The case of king Saul, in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”
Bible Example 3: Have faith in God and His word! The case of the centurion.

Matthew 8:8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under My roof, but only say the word, and My servant will be healed,”

8:10 when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, “truly I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

Bible Example 4: Jesus.

Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
John 7:16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent Me.”
6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 8:28-29 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

Journey to see God: see the divine Father and Son relationship

The relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son of God, has been repeatedly declared by Jesus while on earth, as the Son Of Man. Jesus was Spirit-filled and walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. Let us read His words on His divine relationship with God and learn from Him the right way of knowing God. What did Jesus say about God? How we may relate to God? John 1:18 “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

Jesus declared His status (and relationship with God) clearly in the temple, 7:28-29 “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of myself, but He who sent Me is true, Whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

John the baptist testified for Jesus, “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” 1:34 He testified Jesus’ relationship with God. “ He who comes from above is above all…and what He has seen and heard, that He testifies…For He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;” 3:31, 32, 34-36

Jesus spoke of God as His Father, and He declared the true purpose of the temple of God. “Take these things away! Do not make My Father‘s house a house of merchandise!” 2:16

He told off His earthly parents, “Why do you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father‘s business?” Luke 2:49

At Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple and drove out those who bought and sold in the temple…and would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. hen He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves’?” Mark 11:15-17

He testified that His mission on earth was the mission of God for mankind. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only 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.” John 3:16-17

Jesus spoke of Himself as the gift of God and that He gives living water; a ‘fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (the Holy Spirit who gives the rebirth). 3:10, 14

He spoke of how a believer relates to Godby his action. “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.’ 3:21

Jesus declared that God is Spirit and looks for those who worship in spirit and in truth. 4:23-24

Jesus declared how God works pertaining to human. “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” 5:17 God works. God is always working.

What work God works and Jesus also does? Jesus explained further on this subject in 5:19-21 “…the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son , and shows Him all things that He himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” 37 “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me.” 43 “I have come in My Father‘s name,”

God works through Jesus. “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him Whom He sent.” 6:29

6:27 God the Father has set his seal on Him. Therefore Jesus can give us the food which endures to everlasting life.

6:32 “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” 37 “All that My Father give Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

Jesus clearly declared what the will of Godregarding salvation through Jesusis. 6:39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” 40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

God draws us to Jesus. God teaches us to go to Jesus. “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” 6:45

There is a connection of life between Jesus and the Father. It is in the Holy Spirit(the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ) and the words of God. 6:57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so He who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.”

“unless one is born of water and the Spirit, He cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 3:5-6 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 7:

Concerning the words Jesus spoke: 7:16-17 “My doctrine is not mine, but his who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” 8:26 “but I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” 8:28-29 “that I do nothing of myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father does not leave Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

31-32 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

38 “I speak what I have seen with My Father,” 47 “He who is of God hears God’s words;” 51 “If anyone keeps My word He shall never see death.” 55 “I do know Him and keep His word.”

Jesus spoke of the love relationship between Him and the Father in chapter 10:

10:15 “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

17-18 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again…and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 25 “The works that I do in My Father’s name.”

29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My father’s hand.’

30 “I and My Father are one.” 32 “Many good works I have shown you from My Father.” 36 “I am the Son of God.” 31 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.” 38 “that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

(This study is based mainly on the gospel according to John, chapters 1-10, unless otherwise specified. Some of the verses are quoted in excerpts. Readers are urged to refer to the Bible yourself so that you would not miss out the original full texts.)

love of God in Christ Jesus

End times church count down: Repent for unbelief

When Jesus came down from the mountain (after He allowed the three disciples to have a glimpse of His true divine status as the Son of God in the heavenly realm), He was confronted by a huge wave of unbelief, even among His disciples.
Unbelief is the only hindrance to human living the abundant life given by God, through Jesus, the Son of God. The human father of the epileptic boy cried out and said with tears to Jesus in desperation, ” Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24
How did Jesus describe the unbelieving world? “O faithless generation” Mark 9:19; “O faithless and perverse generation” Matthew 17:17.
Who were addressed in this ‘harsh’ comment? The disciples who could not cast out the evil spirit which tormented the boy.
The same description was used in Philippians 2:15 “a crooked and perverse generation”. 
Today many ‘disciples’ of Jesus do not believe in divine healing, divine health, and God’s will to heal all. Yet Jesus did heal all who came to Him. He saved all and healed all who believed.
Those who choose not to believe in the power of God working in them have opted out of the kingdom of God living. Why? If Jesus is your King, you live by His rule. He has given authority to the disciples and they did perform according to His command and authority then. They failed in the above incident when they did not believe.
After Jesus was resurrected He spent forty days teaching them about the kingdom of God living before He ascended into heaven. The disciples obeyed His command and waited for ten more days. On Pentecost Day the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as Jesus had promised. They were filled with power and went out and preach the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus Christ, healed the sick, cast out demons and made disciples just as Jesus had commanded.
It is easy to accept half the Salvation message, to take the ‘forgiveness of sins’ (and go to heaven one day in future) and ignore the part that clearly declared, “By His stripes/wounds you are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24). Why? Because salvation of the soul/spirit is unseen. No one needs to take responsibility for such a teaching.
On the other hand, if you are not spiritually discerning, when you pray for someone and the person is not healed, you may incur losses: shame, loss of respect, guilt, self doubt, loss of self-esteem, credibility, blame, litigation, and perhaps an exodus of your church membership. Jesus knew this would happen to many.
Even His disciples failed. For example, Peter. He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 9:33
Only those who are spiritually discerning know the things of God (Who is Spirit). No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Those who believe have received the Spirit who is from God and have the mind of Christ. (Read 1 Corinthians 2)
As Jesus Himself had commented, which is easier to do? forgiving sins or healing the sick? In the physical realm, it is obviously easier to say, “your sins are forgiven.” In the spiritual realm, both are parts of the same power, the power of God.
Being saved and born again is a spiritual matter. it takes the power of God to give birth to you and transfer you from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. The Holy Spirit is involved.
In the healing of the sick (physical and mental) the same power of the Holy Spirit works.
Jesus never gave a command that could not be carried out. In fact He gave the salvation (the power for forgiveness of sins and supernatural healing) command to all who believe. Mark 16:15-20
What you choose to believe is your own responsibility. Jesus said, you cannot choose God and choose the world (represented by the word ‘Mammon’).
How can one believe as supernatural healing deals with the unseen realm?
Today’s message mainly from Philippians chapter 2 deals with this unbelief:

1. the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 1:19
2. let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by the adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 1:27-28
3. fellowship in the Spirit. 2:1
4. being like-minded, of one accord, one mind. 2:2
5. in lowliness of mind. 2:3
6. look out for the interests of others. 2:4
7. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” 2:5
8. seek the things that are of Christ Jesus. 2:21
9. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:12
10. “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” 2:13
11. “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” 2:15
12. holding fast the word of life. 2:16

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve all things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” 1:9-11

5 am lesson: How to live God’s will?

The supernatural God has placed eternity in the heart of man ever since creation. Man was not created for death. Adam’s fall was not meant to be. Death entered because of his fall. However, since then man has continued a lifelong quest to seek the everlasting design to be restored. The utmost wish is how to live a long and healthy life. Sicknesses is the number one enemy to mankind.
Why do most people prefer to linger as long as possible on earth? one main reason is fear. The fear of eternity. An average man does not know or concern with spiritual matters because spiritual matters cannot be seen and it is hard to ascertain. Oftentimes faith is required. Living in the eternal realm means living in the spiritual realm.
Faith is a key word in accessing the unseen and yet real realm of existence.
Can faith be acquired? How? Faith is a title deed given to those who want to believe in the unseen God. It is given freely to those who seek. God awards those who come to Him by faith. Eternity is not frightening. It merely means knowing God and the One Whom He sent (Jesus). It means even while on earth the believer can live and walk in eternity. There is a change of citizenship to that of a heavenly kingdom. He lives under God’s rulership and abides by God’s laws. He enjoys the rights and privileges of a citizen in this special kingdom (royal priesthood, holy nation and special people of God).
How does one enter this kingdom? By faith believing in God, and the ‘Entrance’ He has provided. The ‘Entrance’ is Jesus. Believe in Jesus having died and redeemed you on the cross, paid for your sins and suffered all the penalty for you. Believe that He is the Son of God, Who came to the world to save sinners and heal the sick. His death on the cross had paid for all sins, and the stripes He bore on His back prior being nailed on the cross had absorbed all diseases and pain. The hanging on the cross had broken all the curses on mankind.
Believe that Jesus not only died He was buried and on the third day He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Believe that there is a heaven and a hell. No one can avoid going to either one after death.
How does one enter the kingdom of God? Believe in the salvation of Jesus. By faith just believe in God’s word telling you this Good News.
What happens at the moment you believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior and Lord? Something happens supernaturally and spiritually in heaven.

1. The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Jesus Christ) gives birth to you.
2. The word of God becomes the incorruptible seed planted in you.
3. Your name is recorded in the Book of life in heaven.
4. You are given the citizenship in the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Light).
5. You are given the Holy Spirit as a deposit/guarantee for your final salvation when Jesus comes again to give you the new heavenly body.
6. You are given the privilege of the citizen in the kingdom of God: the status of the son of God, the authority of the name of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of the truth and the life).
7. You can receive and enjoy all the blessings given to Abraham the father of faith.
8. You can enjoy all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and bear fruits of the Holy Spirit, living the divine nature of God.
9. You can put on the whole armor of God, overcome the devil and You can live under the supernatural divine protection of God. All the promises of divine protection in the Bible are yours to claim and receive.
10. You can live the super-abundant life that Jesus has promised to all who believe.

Eternity is wonderful. It is the answer to your prayer, as taught by the Lord Jesus to all His disciples of which you become one, “God’s Name be hallowed; God’s Kingdom comes; God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven”! Jesus advises all: “Seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you!” (‘All these things’ means everything you need to live the super-abundant life that Jesus has promised evey believer of His.)

5 am lesson: How to carry out your divine appointment?

Every follower of Jesus has been given a divine appointment. Jesus demonstrated how this can be carried out when He was walking on earth. Just as He had promised, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It is an easy job as far as Jesus is concerned. The disciples too carried out the same just as Jesus had commanded.

The appointment: And Jesus came to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the edge.” (Matt.28:18-20)

Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” 20 “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”

How were the ordinary disciples sent out? Jesus showed how this was done.

Luke 10:1 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”

2 Then He said to them, “...pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out...”

4 “”Carry neither money bag...and greet no one along the road.”

5 “But whatever house you enter...”

6 “And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it...”

7 “And remain in the same house eating and drinking such things as they give...”

8 “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.”

9 “And heal the sick there and say to them, 'the kingdom of God has come near to you.'”

It is clear that the only mission Jesus gave the disciples was in verse 9: heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God Good News in the city that received them who went in Jesus' name.

What was the purpose of Jesus asking the disciples to do these two things?

Jesus gave the answer: Luke 10:17-20, 22

17 The disciples returned and reported that demons were subject to them in Jesus' name.

18 Satan's authority and power had been superseded when the disciples took up the authority of Jesus and moved in the power of the Holy Spirit.

19 It proved that the authority Jesus gave to the disciples was indeed superior: they can trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt them.

20 But the more significant issue is: the disciples have proved their worth by demonstrating their citizenship in the Kingdom of God, their sons of God status, both in authority and power over Satan's subjects.

22 The display of the superior authority and power of Jesus confirmed to the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God as He had claimed to be. His supremacy in the spiritual realm is evident to those whom He chose to reveal Himself.

And this is the message of the gospel: the Kingdom of God is what Jesus has brought to the world. All who believe Him and follow Him as the disciples did could enter through His gate. He is the Gate. Citizenship in the Kingdom of God is far more superior than that of all the other kingdoms on earth.

The disciples tasted this Kingdom and continued even after Jesus ascended to heaven. They moved in the supreme authority and power of Jesus, the Son of God. They lived out their divine appointment.

The Kingdom of God has continued to advance since then. Are you part of this Kingdom? Have you received your divine appointment?

Journey to see God: His mercy, kindness and undeserved favor

Today we see why we have become olives. All about God and His mercy, kindness and grace. Let us be humble. Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

Romans 11 New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s Mercy on Israel

11 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

⁴ And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”

⁵ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. ⁶ And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

⁷ So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. ⁸ As the Scriptures say,

“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

⁹ Likewise, David said,

“Let their bountiful table become a snare,
    a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
    and let them get what they deserve.
¹⁰ Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
    and let their backs be bent forever.”

¹¹ Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. ¹² Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

¹³ I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,¹⁴ for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.¹⁵ For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! ¹⁶ And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

¹⁷ But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. ¹⁸ But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

¹⁹ “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” ²⁰ Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. ²¹ For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

²² Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. ²³ And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. ²⁴ You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

God’s Mercy Is for Everyone

²⁵ I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
²⁷ And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

²⁸ Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ²⁹ For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. ³⁰ Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. ³¹ Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. ³² For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

³³ Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

³⁴ For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to give him advice?
³⁵ And who has given him so much
    that he needs to pay it back?

³⁶ For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. 

Walk with Jesus : last ten days on earth prior the cross

There are ten days to the cross. This year’s Easter falls on 29th-31st March. The watchman is led to read Matthew from chapters 19-28 daily one chapter with Jesus.

He invites everyone who wants to walk this journey with the Lord to join in. Today the reading is for spiritual background covering chapters 16-18. 

The goal of the entire reading is to walk with Jesus on His last journey to Jerusalem, to Calvary, to the cross, and finally to the resurrection. Know Him as the Son of God. 
What are His last concern while on earth? His last concern is all about His disciples. His own. Will they learn to be led by the Lord, the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ) after He left this earth (as a human, Son of Man)? will they see and understand spiritual matters and set their mind on the Spirit (the unseen and can only be discerned in the spirit) and not on the flesh (what they can see in the physical)? Will they mind the things of God and not the things of men? 

This is a unique spiritual journey. Only the Lord Holy Spirit can bring us along and guide us all the way. Angels too will line up and minister to every disciple / follower of Jesus. (Hebrews 1:14)

BACKGROUND: WHO MAY WALK WITH JESUS? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK WITH JESUS?

Chapter 16 JESUS WANTS HIS DISCIPLES TO REALLY KNOW HIM BEFORE THEY COULD WALK WITH HIM TO THE CROSS

verses 15-17 MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHO JESUS IS

Jesus made sure His disciples knew Who He really was. He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter answered correctly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

Then He knew they could hear God after all and He was ready to go. He described this ability to hear God ‘blessed’. Then He explained, “My Father in heaven revealed this to you. You did not know this from any human being.”

Ability to respond according to God’s view point is called, “blessed”. (Today, believers and followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit Who tells us
God’s viewpoint. No excuse not to know or understand what the Bible is saying to each of us!)

v 21-28 EITHER BE BLESSED OR BE CURSED

v21-23 BE CAREFUL TO SEE JESUS IN GOD’S VIEWPOINT  (Peter’s example)

Only then He began to tell them His readiness to go to Jerusalem where He would suffer, be killed and on the third day be raised from the dead.

When Peter responded from his flesh (human view point), he was classified as ‘Satan’ and dangerous trap for Jesus. Here Jesus clearly stated that human viewpoint is equivalent to Satan’s viewpoint!

V24-28 TWO VIEWPOINTS, TWO RESULTS

Human viewpoint: always look out for self. The key words are: keep ‘my ways’, save ‘my life’, gain ‘my whole world’.

God’s viewpoint on your viewpoint: ‘your selfish ways’, ‘you cannot save your life’, ‘your gain means loss’. The loss will be terrible because Jesus said you need to exchange your world with your soul (life)!

Outcome: Only God’s way can save your life (soul), but you need to first give up your self, your ways and your life. Jesus’ demand is meant for all His followers, i.e. disciples.

Chapter 17 Jesus further made sure His disciples knew Who He really was and told them again what His mission on earth was

V1-13 TRANSFIGURATION: He showed three of the disciples Who He really was. God also testified from heaven just to make sure the three got the message. “This is My dearly loved Son Who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.” (Up to that late time, they had not been listening to Jesus!)

v 22-23 Later Jesus and all His disciples gathered and He told them again that He would be betrayed, killed and on the third day He would be raised. (v23 “the disciples were filled with grief.” They were still not listening to Jesus.)

WALK BY FAITH VS WALK BY SIGHT

V14-20 BY FAITH: Jesus said, even mustard seed size faith can move mountain. Unbelief hindered faith in operation. Unbelief of disciples is due to walking by sight (seeing the evil manifestation in the boy under torment, the boy’s father’s exasperation, the bystander crowd).

V24-27 BY SIGHT: (regarding temple tax) Peter viewed Jesus as an ordinary man like any Jew who must obey the temple law to pay temple tax. Jesus brought up two spiritual points. In the spiritual realm Jesus was far above the man-made temple and even Moses law. Jesus is the Son of God. The second point is that only those who had been conquered need to pay tax to the conqueror. Jesus is the Conqueror and not the conquered!

(This is very relevant today: why are the citizens paying taxes? Because the citizens are actually the ‘conquered’ by the political and related ‘conquerors’ who receive the taxes /benefits from the taxes!)

Chapter 18 Jesus’ answer to “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

V1 The disciples asked the ultimate question of a human mind, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” In the human political system, physical (material) power and status are fought over naturally. Even the devil runs his subordinates with hierarchical levels of authorities ( Ephesians 6:12).

V2-14 Jesus answered in great details to make sure His  disciples knew how the Kingdom of Heaven operates.

HE WARNED THEM OF THEIR PRESUMPTIONS (V2-10)

1. Make sure you get into heaven first before you ask for heavenly positions. The requirements are: repent for your sins and humble yourselves.

2. Make sure you do not sin further. Just as heaven is real, hell and eternal fire are real. Jesus warned specifically of causing others to sin as well as sinning yourselves.

3. Angels (messengers of God) are always watching and making reports of what you do.

4. Don’t ever look down on the humble. In God’s view, they rank high!

JESUS TOLD THEM OF HEAVEN ACCOUNTING PRIORITY (BASED ON GOD’S WILL) (V12-14)

The number ‘one of them‘ is of great priority in Kingdom of Heaven’s accounting.  God’s will is ‘Not one lost’, ‘Not one perished’. Jesus made sure the disciples got their priority aligned with the will of God first! (distributing political / governmental post is of the least priority as Jesus clearly showed here).

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN’S POWER COMES IN TWO FORMS: EXECUTIVE AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE (V15-20)

EXECUTIVE POWER: (v15-17) Jesus taught them how to operate this power which was an administrative authority. The goal was to gain back the erring or sinning brethren so his soul would not be lost.

SPIRITUAL POWER: (V18-20) Jesus also taught them how to use spiritual power in the heavenly realm. This power is used to release the captives and set the oppressed free from from spiritual imprisonment. Indeed Jesus had given His disciples this power and they had used it effectively. (Luke 4:18)

HOWEVER, JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS DISCIPLES NEEDED MOST AND HE WARNED THEM FURTHER! (V21-35)

UNFORGIVENESS IS A BIG ISSUE AND UNLESS THEY RESOLVED THIS MATTER THEIR ENTRY INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN REMAINED QUESTIONABLE.