When the Fulness of the Time Was Come – 333’s 200th

Saturday, December 17, 2011

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

In the beginning God set the first man, Adam, on earth to “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Alas, Adam sided with Satan, joining the rebellion against God. The human race, now marred by sin, was unable to fellowship with its holy Creator God.

Fortunately, God promised mankind’s Redeemer in Genesis 3:15: a Man who would do what Adam failed to do—rule earth for God’s glory. Adam was “the figure [preview/type] of him that was to come” (Romans 5:14c). About 4000 years after Adam, the “him that was to come” finally came—Jesus Christ. How human history was forever impacted when that Redeemer came!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Recall that, unlike us, before His physical birth, Jesus Christ lived as a Spirit in heaven’s glory with His Father (John 1:1,2; cf. Micah 5:2).

When the appointed time came, at His Father’s behest, Jesus’ Spirit came to earth to indwell the body in the virgin Mary’s womb. For nine months, God Himself actually lived inside Mary’s womb! Being delivered, He lived a sinless life of 33 years, despised by His family (Israel) and the world. As one dear Christian brother explained, “That was the greatest life ever lived in a human body!”

No event in human history compares to the coming of Jesus Christ. As today’s Scripture teaches, the Lord Jesus became a small Baby… to become a grown man… to become Israel’s rejected Messiah… to ultimately die for us, the wretched Gentiles! God became a man, to “give Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).

We are ever grateful that “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son….”

Saints, we have reached a milestone – #200. WOW!

Two Trees With Two Different Roots

Friday, December 16, 2011

“For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not” (Jeremiah 10:3,4 KJV).

Currently, Christmas trees decked with “silver and gold” tinsel and ornaments are commonplace. Interestingly, today’s Scripture describes such an object… a Gentile idol.

The prophet Jeremiah declared (circa 600 B.C.): “Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them” (verses 1,2). Jeremiah then proceeds to tell Israel of the heathen’s ways (today’s Scripture). The heathens (Gentiles) chop down trees, set them elsewhere, and fashion idols by decking them with “silver and gold.” (This is why some Christians prefer not to display a Christmas tree in their homes.)

Jeremiah continues (verses 5-7): “They [the pagan idols] are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.”

Pagan Gentiles bowed and prayed to these wooden, worthless, mindless idols which did nothing for them… except distract them from worshipping the only true God. Sadly, Israel was just as guilty of this pagan worship, having “idols under every green tree” (Deuteronomy 12:1-4; 1 Kings 14:22,23; 2 Kings 17:7-23; et al.).

Like the pagan idols of old, the Christmas tree keeps people preoccupied with the wrong tree! The Christmas tree decorated with hanging ornaments and tinsel is nothing compared to Calvary’s tree decorated with the hanging body of Jesus Christ. Rather than silver and gold, it was decked with crimson red, the precious blood of God’s Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Unlike the Christmas tree, Calvary’s tree has no pagan roots.

The Expensive Getaway

Thursday, December 15, 2011

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).

We often hear of exotic getaways like Fiji, the Caribbean Islands, and Hawaii. While these vacations are pricey, they are ridiculously cheap when compared to heaven, “the expensive getaway.”

“[God] will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:6,7). God will give eternal life to any individual who has perfect righteousness. He demands 100 percent perfection—even 99.999 percent righteousness is far too less for God to accept.

The price to enter heaven’s glory is far too expensive for us. We all have a few “good” works here and there… mere pocket change! By nature, we are spiritually poor, bankrupt of righteousness. We have all offended God: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our lives are filled with many sinful acts, including hatred, lying, gossiping, cursing, and coveting. These sins offend God’s righteousness, so what will you do with them?

Today’s Scripture gives us the Good News. At Calvary’s cross, God fully and completely dealt with our unrighteousness. Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, died for your sins, to give His life so you could have an opportunity to be made righteous in Him! King David wrote: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

When we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, God “imputes” (applies) His righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). As today’s Scripture says, in Christ, we are rich indeed: we are spiritually rich because Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation. In Christ Jesus, we are justified, made perfect in God the Father’s sight, thus able to enter heaven (Romans 3:21-31).

One day, at the rapture, we Christians will take our expensive getaway. Are you ready for the vacation of a lifetime? Saints, our flight is coming! Stay tuned…. 🙂

Three Keys to a Solid Local Church

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13 KJV).

Look at the Church the Body of Christ. What shame and heartache. The average church member knows as much Bible as someone who has never gone to church! Courtesy of most churches, hundreds of thousands die and go to hell every day, led astray by works-religion. Millions of precious souls are daily denied the truths of God’s Word because church leaders fear losing their “faithful monetary support.”

In today’s Scripture, what did the Apostle Paul urge Timothy to do to combat the false teaching that had engulfed Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3-11)? Develop a new church program? Schedule a revival? Pray? Organize a vigorous x-step process of re-dedication? Do nothing? (These are Christendom’s common “solutions” for carnality and disarray—especially the latter of “do nothing!”)

To correct false teaching, Paul gave Timothy a charge: “Give attendance [pay attention] to…:”

  1. “READING.” What were they to read? Denominational creeds? “Christian” bestsellers about the Bible? Advice columns written by lost people? Obviously, they were to read the Bible like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily, to see whether those things [they heard] were so” (Acts 17:10,11). The Colossians were urged to read the epistle Paul wrote to Laodicea, and the Laodiceans were instructed to read the epistle written to Colosse (Colossians 4:16). Ephesians 3:4 and 1 Thessalonians 5:27 also instruct believers to read the Bible. The Bible says to “study” it (2 Timothy 2:15).
  2. “EXHORTATION.” Christians should exhort (encourage) one another to continue in sound dispensational Bible study so the Bible can transform them for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1-15).
  3. “DOCTRINE.” Doctrine is important, for it separates us from the world’s religious system. Our doctrine for this dispensation is only found in Paul’s epistles: what God has to say to us today is in Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon (Romans 11:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37).

If Christians gave attendance to these things—especially #3—we would not be in this spiritual mess.

The Outpouring of the Holy Ghost

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

“(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)” (John 7:39 KJV).

Why was the Holy Ghost poured out in Acts chapter 2? From the Scriptures, we can list at least three reasons:

  1. TO FULFILL PROPHECY: Circa 800 B.C., JEHOVAH God told Israel:  “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:28,29). According to the Apostle Peter, this was fulfilled in Acts 2:16-18.
  2. TO EMPOWER THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND DISCIPLES: Jews from every nation under heaven had gathered in Acts chapter 2 to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. In order to evangelize these lost Jews, the apostles had to speak human languages they had never formally learned. This problem was solved by the gift of tongues brought on by the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-11). The Holy Ghost would also bring Jesus’ teachings to the apostles’ memories. Jesus had told them: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26; cf. John 14:16-18, John 15:26,27, and John 16:7). Furthermore, the Holy Ghost  empowered the apostles to perform miracles, signs, and wonders (Luke 24:49; Mark 16:17-20).
  3. TO SIGNIFY JESUS’ EXALTATION/GLORIFICATION AT HIS FATHER’S RIGHT HAND: After Jesus died on Calvary’s cross, and was buried and resurrected, He would be glorified by sitting at His Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1). Father God would then send His Holy Spirit to indicate Jesus was exalted/ascended: “[Jesus] therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-36; cf. today’s Scripture).

Have Ye Not Read?

Monday, December 12, 2011

“Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4 KJV).

The Bible records, some 10 times, Jesus asking His audience, “Have ye not read?” (Matthew 12:3-5; Matthew 19:4; Matthew 21:16,42; Matthew 22:31; Mark 2:25; Mark 12:10,26; Luke 6:3). His audience had had the Old Testament Scriptures for some 1,500 years, and yet they could not remember simple phrases. Actually, if you examine the contexts of these verses, it is quite obvious His audience (Israel’s religious leaders) was deliberately ignorant. They refused to remember because that would mean agreeing with Him!

Sadly, denominational churchgoers, like Israel’s leadership of old, turn a blind eye to these simple truths of the Scriptures, lest they are forced to agree with us that God’s Word is right and their religious system is wrong.

  • Have ye not read, “Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God?” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
  • Have ye not read, “Paul is our apostle, the apostle of the Gentiles?” (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11).
  • Have ye not read, “Ye are not under the law, but under grace?” (Romans 6:14).
  • Have ye not read, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and that the Word was made flesh?” (John 1:1,14).
  • Have ye not read, “Jesus Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He was raised again for your justification?” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25).
  • Have ye not read, “For by grace and ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast?” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
  • Have ye not read, “For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while were yet sinners Christ died for us?” (Romans 5:8).
  • Have ye not read, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth?” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Ye have read now!!!!

The Wisdom of Solomon

Sunday, December 11, 2011

“And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee;…” (2 Chronicles 1:11,12 KJV).

If there was one notable attribute of King Solomon, it was his wisdom. How did Solomon ever acquire this wisdom? Today’s Scripture says that God gave it to him! But why?

In verse 6, God was pleased with Solomon’s faith that motivated him to offer “a thousand burnt offerings” to God. So, the LORD asks Solomon what he desires (verse 7). Solomon asks not for wealth, riches, honor, his enemies’ lives, or for a long life. Instead, he asks for wisdom and knowledge so that he can guide God’s people, Israel (verses 8-10). What wise choices!

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and large of heart… And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men…” (1 Kings 4:29a,30,31a).

Solomon’s great, divinely-given wisdom is demonstrated in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Two harlots (prostitutes) are arguing over which of them is the mother of a baby. They come before wise King Solomon for a solution. Solomon tells the women he will divide the baby in half, and give each woman a piece. He thereby exposed the mother because she showed great emotion for the child (she would rather have the other woman keep her own child than have him killed).

Interestingly, the wisdom God gave to Solomon (a type/preview of Christ) is the same wisdom with which Christ Jesus will rule Israel forever once He establishes His earthly kingdom (at His Second Coming). When the Bible says in 1 Kings 3:28, “the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment,” it was not only speaking of King Solomon, but also of King Jesus Christ!

Stability for Your Christian Life

Saturday, December 10, 2011

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is my mom’s favorite verse (today is her birthday—she will be reading this!). Consider the doctrine contained therein:

  • “Therefore”—Because we have “victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 57)….
  • “My beloved brethren” — This is the love of Christ that all members of the Body of Christ have for one another (Romans 12:10; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:24; et al.).
  • “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable” — “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). “…Strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20b,21). “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you [behave] like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Read 2 Timothy 2:1: “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:23: “Continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16).
  • “Always abounding in the work of the Lord” — We are “[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). God is doing something awesome today. As “workmen,” we participate in His activities by placing our faith in His Word to us. He will then use that sound doctrine to work mightily in us (Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15).
  • “Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” — The key to being “stedfast,” “unmoveable,” and “always abounding in the work of the Lord” is found here, the latter part of the verse. “Forasmuch” means “since; because.” Because we know that our Christian service is not a waste of time, we (by having faith in that hope) are “stedfast,” “unmoveable,” and “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

-Dedicated to my mom, Paula Brasseaux-
Happy birthday Mom!

The Left Boot of Fellowship

Friday, December 9, 2011

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16 KJV).

We who “rightly divide the word of truth” have quickly learned to deal with being ostracized. When we share the rightly divided Word of God with denominational “Christians,” they hurriedly escort us out the front door (I speak from experience!). They encourage others to burn our “heretical” literature. They want nothing to do with us because we prefer God’s Word instead of their church tradition. Quite frankly, they give us the “left boot of fellowship,” kicking us away from their midst. (Compare this to the “right hand of fellowship” of Galatians 2:9). Beloved, take comfort; we do not belong in those religious systems anyway (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Just as the Galatians disliked the Apostle Paul for correcting their doctrinal error (see today’s Scripture), so today’s denominationalists and religionists consider us enemies (of their church tradition). Sadly, the doctrinal problems in Galatia still confuse Christendom today… and like the Galatians, denominational church members are angered when we teach them God’s truth!

Denominational Protestant and Roman Catholic churches are alike. Although their sincere members claim the name “Jesus Christ,” they are all guilty of blatantly rejecting the truth of God’s Word that they may keep their tradition. Jesus said it best in Mark 7:9, speaking to Israel’s religious leaders who gave Him the “left boot of fellowship:” “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

Denominationalists hate dispensational Bible study because it exposes their doctrinal error. Instead of believing the Bible dispensationally, they enjoy taking passages that God never gave them (that is, Israel’s doctrine). They give us “Paul-worshippers” the “left boot of fellowship” because they have already given God’s Word to them (Paul’s epistles) the “left boot of fellowship.”

Brethren, be not afraid of the denominationalists. Approach them in love, but do not compromise the rightly divided Bible. If they refuse (and they probably will), find someone who will listen to you.

“The LORD said… for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me…” (1 Samuel 8:7).

The Death of Evolutionary Theory

Thursday, December 8, 2011

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

Historical secular geology teaches that earth’s fossil record was assembled over a period of four billion years, the result of at least five mass extinctions that wiped out 90% of earth’s species.

Modern humans, scientists claim, have existed for just a small fraction of earth’s 4.6-billion-year history (at most two million years). In other words, historical geology claims that death was not caused by man’s sin (since the fossil record contains the remains of plants and animals that died before man “evolved”). This is obviously contradictory to the Bible, which plainly teaches sin and death came into the world after man/Adam disobeyed God (today’s Scripture). According to the Bible, there was no such thing as death until man’s existence.

If we believe that creatures died prior to man, then we are also forced to conclude Adam’s sin did not cause death, and thus, we undermine the Gospel of Grace. The Bible clearly declares that just as eternal death came by Adam’s disobedience, so eternal life comes by Jesus Christ’s obedience (Romans 5:15-19). If the Bible is wrong about death being associated with Adam’s sinfulness, then could it also be wrong about eternal life being associated with Christ’s sinlessness? See how evolutionary theory even attacks the Gospel of the Grace of God?

Either we believe God’s Word (the Bible) or we believe evolutionary theory. It is that simple, friends. We either believe God or we do not. Evolutionary theory does not fit the Biblical creation account.

The placement of death before man’s existence is just one of the many theological (and scientific) flaws of evolutionary theory. Not only does evolutionary theory diminish God’s purpose and plan for mankind, but it also blinds the minds of the lost. Evolutionary theory keeps the unsaved from seeing their sinful state and their need for the salvation that God has so graciously provided us in Christ Jesus and His finished crosswork on Calvary.

Evolutionary theory is extinct!