Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” For many this is a difficult portion, but from divine viewpoint the death of Christ was essential in order for us to life, not just a natural life, but one that the spark of Christ operating by the work of the Holy Ghost within us as we go from faith to faith, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Listen to this powerful portion and discover where you are at in the things concerning God and the Savior. Have you been baptized unto his death? “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

       Now listen carefully. Many don’t understand this simple principle of life. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” How is this possible? “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with hi, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” WOW! Ever since the beginning man has been in bondage to sin, for by the sin of one all were deemed as unrighteous. But thanks be to God, He sent his own Son, to come and testify to the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance. Listen to these verses and live. “KNOWING this, that our old man, (the man of sin), is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Sin invaded our lives from the very beginning, and we know this because all sin. But God, for his great love for us, offered us a provision to not only life this life, but to live in faith of what God provides for us who believe. “For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Didn’t we just say from the scripture, that knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him?

       “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” What did Christ do after he was crucified? He rose from the dead, and ascended up into heaven. “Knowing (very important) that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more: death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God.” Hallelujah!

       This is important and will change your life if you accept it. “Likewise reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Invite Him into your heart today if you have not already done that. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof, neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are raised from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Everyone will stand before God at some point in eternity future. Some will hear well done thou faithful servant, while others hear, depart from me ye workers of iniquity. Think about that and ponder in your heart and make a decision.

       Why was the Law given. We speak of the Ten Commandments. That all men would be guilty before God, because there are none righteous in themselves, but righteousness comes by faith in the one who calls out unto you. Jesus came to seek and to save. Are listening? In Romans 6 in verse 16 we read: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” Looking forward I hope your open your mind and heart to God and ask Christ to be your Savior! Listen to this portion and I hope it helps you make a decision. “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants of unrighteousness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. Listen carefully, Your fruit then according to verse 21 was death. But verse 22 says, “But now being made free from sin, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Invite him into your heart today if you have not already done that, and if you have, walk in Him, revealing the life of Christ through you to others might come unto Him who calls them. God is for you, not against you. If he were against us he never would have come to save us.

 Just thinking of the work of the presence of God in our lives, and I am so blessed today, knowing that he has me in His hands, and no man can take me out of His hands. I think of all the promises given to man, and yet man in himself is not able to keep that which he promises at his best state. We are often infected with our own limitations, and insufficiency’s which may be many. But I love this promise and provision from our Savior. Ephesians 3:17-20 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Christ,(listen now), which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” This next verse is my focus. Many are babes in Christ, and many have been believers for many years, but have possibly not been taught the value of a single verse which is able to set one free. Listen to this verse and weep for joy. “Now unto him, (Jesus the Christ), that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” He is our provision! And he gave us the Holy Spirit!

            My heart and spirit is jumping up and down with joy, that the expression of God takes us into the fullness of God, giving us that which is His to give, life and it more abundantly, causing our hearts to rejoice and be glad. And recognize that by that power that works in us, is moving to equip us for all things, and gives or enables us to not only run the race set before us, but impart by the Holy Ghost these great promises, so are arsenal is filled with the provision of God, to put to flight our adversary, and by the Word of God we are equipped to rebuke the devil while giving glory to God. In Hebrews 10:19 as a starting point, we read: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by and new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) One of the things I have found over the years, is that people have a tendency to forget promises and admonitions from God. Paul wrote in 2^ndCorinthians 10:5, “Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into obedience of Christ.” In Proverbs 6:18-19 we read, and we must understand our adversary. “An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief. A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.” Many don’t recognize that second part! A seed is planted and when thought about can and at times does bring actions that are sensual, demon inspired, and we read in Psalm 38:12 that David understood that reality. “They also that seek after my life lay snares, and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.” But God is greater than our adversary, and by faithful continuance in the word we are not ignorant of His devices.

               I am a very strong believer in the fact that we are saved by grace, through faith, a gift of God, not of works, and yet at the same time I have learned over these many years, that flesh is flesh, and the spirit is spirit, and in Romans 1:16 &17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes: to the Jew first, and also to the Greeks. (Gentiles) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.” As we read further in Romans 1 we find verse 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Imagine with me and recognize that some in weakness get caught up in things that do not glorify God. But by the grace of God we continue in the things we have learned. The writer to the Hebrew believers said it well. “Hebrews 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

I sit here this morning in awe of the graciousness of God. God was in Christ, reconciling any who would come unto him, and we read in John 1:10, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But many has received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name.” What a glorious passage of Scripture this morning. When we read the scripture, the prophets came and prophesied concerning many things. But when Christ came, his purpose was the will of his Father, which had sent him into the world. Listen to these beautiful words this morning. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” In John 1:9 we read that Christ when he came, was powerful: “That when the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world knew him not.” (The one who was truth and light wasn’t recognized by many as to who He was.) Why speak thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. Therefore I speak to thee in parables: because they seeing see not, neither do the understand.” These portions I am sharing help us understand that all will not hear nor understand, but some will and those who do, come to Christ.

        If we read 1^st Corinthians 1:26-27 we might understand better. “For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to naught things that are.” Why is that? “For the natural man receives not the things of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” What is God’s goal for us, as believers? Hebrews 6:1 tells us. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” We have such a need to understand the words we are hearing here. It is far more important for us to receive the engrafted word, believing and by study in the same Word of God.  Basically, there are those in Verse 7 of Hebrews 6 who drink in the rain of God’s Word, being washed by the water by the Word, and receives blessing from God. But there are also those who bear thorns and briers and are rejected. Verse 8  But listen to these glorious words. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget you work and labor of love which ye have showed toward his name, in the ye have ministered the  same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Hallelujah!

        The writer to the Hebrew believers encourages the believers. “For when God, (in Verse 13 of Chapter 6) made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he ware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And after he patiently endured, he obtained the promise. “ When we believe in verse 17, “God is willing to show unto us more abundantly, because we are heirs of promise, the immutability of his counsel, and confirmed it by an oath.”  Two important things:

a. It is impossible for God to lie, having given us a place of refuge

b. We lay hold of hope which is a strong anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, giving us access within the veil, to our High Priest, who makes intercession on our behalf.

“Continue in the things which thou hast heard and been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” 2^ndTimothy 3:14 2^nd Timothy 1:13-14 says this: “Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.” Keep on keeping on. Be a disciple of Jesus Christ and hold fast to truth, for Christ is the way, the truth and the life, and none come to the Father but by Him.”

     In Proverbs 8:1-6 we, if we are listening hear these words. “Doth not wisdom cry and understanding put forth her voice. She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call and my voice is to the sons of man.” Wisdom speaks and we listen. “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart Hear; for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips, right things.” Listen carefully! “For my mouth shall speak truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; nothing froward, or perverse in them.” Jesus spoke a very interesting statement to Nicodemus. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak what we do know, and testify that we have seen and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things.”

     Passivity in Christianity is deadly. A little sleep, a little slumber can put anyone to sleep concerning the things of God and His Savior Jesus Christ. The program of Satan has always been to create idols that others will love more than God. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” There is not deception without a deceiver. A magician deceives by slight of hand. The devil deceives because it is the nature of who He is. 2^nd Timothy 3:1-5 “This know also, that in the last days men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Then he writes in the same Chapter in verse 14. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned. And that from a child thou hast know the scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” What a great admonition for all of us to follow. If faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God, would it not be wise to continue in those things that brought you salvation?

     I am without shame in admitting that for some time I could barely see what I have written. Even when I wrote what I wrote, I often could not see the errors I made but the new reading glasses should solve the problem. I am not ashamed of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and even in limitations I would continue to write. All have limitations, and so many are not transparent about who they are. I am what I am by the grace of God. I remember the days when one could not get their natural eye lenses changed out, but would eventually go blind or have extremely limited sight. But think with me this morning, everyone of us have limitations, and so many are fearful of venturing into the realm of faith, felling that they would look foolish. Don’t misunderstand me. I feel bad about errors I make in typing or correcting what I type, but as I told folks in the beginning, this is a great way to keep me diligent in study and teaching and yes even preaching the truth. God is the god of the impossible. He calls men, sinners saved by grace, imparts a gift or two, and they serve Him a multitude of years, going and growing in grace more each year, and none have any idea what they have experienced in their lives, unless they reveal it, those many years they have walked with God.

     The challenge today is to continue in faith, even when hindrances come. Having begun in the Spirit,, do we now walk by sight, or do we walk by faith? What is walking by faith? It is continuing in the Word as a disciple, taught by the Holy Spirit, those things that belong to God, and to whom he reveals them. What a glorious thing it is to consider that God would call a man, touch his life by the glorious gospel, and transform him day by day unto a vessel fit for His use in this world, having not imputed his sin unto Him, but took it upon Himself, dying in our place so that we could have the liberty to grow up in Him in all things. Consider this today. God calls sinners to salvation. If they respond to Him, he sends the Spirit into His heart, opening up his mind to the things that God hath prepared for him, and leads him all the days of his life, as he abides consistently receiving from him over 7000 exceeding and great precious promises of God. I tell you this in closing. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Gentiles) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” I invite you today to ask Christ into your heart. A simple prayer from your heart to God, asking Him to send Jesus into your heart so you might know the things of God and have the strength to get into the Word of God, as you ask Christ to open your eyes to truth. God bless you today as you go forward.

“Return O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me, for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grace who shall give thee thanks.” As with many of us, we weary in our weaknesses, desiring God’s grace to meet us and release us from self incrimination, and the desperateness of weaknesses consequences. We waiver between two opinions, one on the judgment of God and the other on the mercy of God. Spurgeon wrote these words which says it well. “He does not lay hold on God’s left hand of justice, but on his right hand of mercy. He knew his iniquity too well to think of merit, or appeal to anything other than the grace of God.” Where do you go? Do you retreat or do you run to God with a heart that is repentant, asking for forgiveness.? David chose a good way. Listen to his cry! “I am weary with my groaning ; all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief: it waxes old because of all mine enemies.” In sin there are consequences that are born of sorrow and grief. It fuels the fire of failure, and yet God meets him in his moments. He will meet you the same way. We should never plan to fail, but don’t fail if you have failed, by not coming to God’s throne of mercy to receive grace to help in your time of need.

David is about to rebound, and he cries out: “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity, for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.” A godly man or woman should be contrite and humble before God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart. O God, thou will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 He then cries out this statement which is powerful. Verse 8 of Psalm 6. “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the LORD will receive my prayer.” Then his confidence grows stronger and he declares, and I hope we understand this also; that as David was, so are we. Bringing to God what needs to be brought no matter how difficult it may be. God knows our frame, that we are but dust, and yet he hears our prayers and the prayer of a righteous man avails much. “Let all my enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.” The grace and mercy of God is greater and far superior than we can imagine. Rejoice this morning that you sins were laid upon Christ and He died in your place. If you don’t know Him today, invite Him into your heart. Ask Him to save you, and to keep you and lead you in your life. Be like David. Seek mercy, and cry out to God, for he can and will deliver you if you humble yourself, seeking redemption.