THE TREE OF LIFE AND THE TREE OF THE KNOWELGE OF GOOD AND EVIL

žTHE TREE OF LIFE AND THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.

žGenesis 2:9

žAnd out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

žGod gave man the free choice.

GENESIS 2:16 – 17

Vs 16 And the Lord God commanded the man saying , “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

Isn’t God very good every tree you may freely eat .

This means Adam was given every tree for him to freely eat.

Vs17 “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat you shall surely die.”

žWHY DID GOD ALLOW MAN A FREE CHOICE?

1.MAN HAD FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

2.WHY DID GOD DO THIS? GOD IS GREAT. HE IS NOT SMALL.

3.EVEN IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY WE ARE GIVEN A CHOICE EITHER TO BELIEVE HIM OR NOT.

4.WE DO NOT FORCE OR COMPILE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT JESUS.-----THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO BRING PEOPLE TO CHRIST.

5.IF YOU ARE A GREAT MAN YOU WILL NEVER FORCE TO ACCEPT YOU.

6.NO MAN WHO IS GREAT AND HONOURABLE WILL COERCE PEOPLE.

7.LIKEWISE, GOD IS GREAT, HE IS SO ATTRACTIVE AS THE GOD OF GLORY.

8.GOD DID NOT PLACE MAN IN FRONT OF HIM EXCLUSIVELY THUS COMPELLING MAN TO CHOOSE HIM.

9.GOD DID NOT PLANT THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL AS A SOURCE OF TEMPT.

žRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADAM AND EVE.GEN 2:23

žAND ADAM SAID:

žTHIS IS NOW BONE OF MY BONES

žAND FLESH OF MY FLESH

žSHE SHALL BE CALLED WOMAN

žBECAUSE SHE WAS TAKEN OUT OF MAN.

žTHIS IS THE ONLY CONVERSATION RECORDED IN THE BIBLE.

žWHAT DOES IT TELL US?

žMAN MUST CONTINUALLY SPEAK TO YOUR WIVES.

žIF NOT SOMEBODY WILL COME AND SPEAK AND DISTORT THE TRUTH.

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žGENESIS 3: 1-6

žNOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CUNNING THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE.AND HE SAID TO THE WOMAN, “HAS GOD INDEED SAID YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?”

žVS 2 AND THE WOMAN SAID TO THE SERPENT “WE MAY EAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN:

žVS 3 “BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HAS SAID, ‘YOU SHALL NOT EAT IT NO SHALL YOU TOUCH IT,LEST YOU DIE.’”

ž

žVS 4 THEN THE SERPENT SAID TO THE WOMAN,

ž“YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE.”

žVS 5 FOR GOD KNOWS THAT IN THE DAY YOU EAT OF IT YOUR EYES WILL BE OPENED AND YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.

žVS6 SO WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD, THAT IT WAS PLEASANT TO THE EYES AND A TREE DESIRABLE TO MAKE ONE WISE SHE TOOK OF ITS FRUIT AND ATE. SHE ALSO TO HER HUSBAND WITH HER AND HE ATE.

žHOW WAS SATAN ABLE TO MAKE EVE BELIEVE TO HIS DEVICE?

1.SATAN MADE EVE TALK TO HIM.

2.WHEN EVE TALKED SHE TALKED WRONGLY AND ADDED FEW WORDS WHICH GOD DID NOT SAY.

3.AND ADAM WAS NOT IN THE PICTURE.(HE COULD HAVE STOPPED THE COVERSATION)

4.SATAN MADE GOD LIKE VERY SELFISH.

5.SATAN POINTED TO THINGS GOD DID NOT ALLOW TO EAT NOT POINTED TO THINGS GOD ALLOWED TO EAT.

6.THIS IS THE SAME TACTICS HE USES TODAY.

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žSIMILAR INCIDENT IN THE CASE OF JOB. Job 1: 6-11

žNow there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came among them.

žVs7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth and from walking back and forth on it.

žVs 8 Then the Lord said to Satan “Have you considered My servant Job that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man one who fears God and shuns evil?”

žVs9 So Satan answered the Lord and said “Does Job fear God for nothing?”

žVs10 “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the works of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

žVs 11 “ But now stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has and he will surely curse You to your face!”

žSatan uses the same tactics even with god.

žHe pointed out why Job was faithful.

žHe told all the good things that God had bestowed on Job that is the reason Job is faithful.

žToday Satan has no more power to appear in the heaven to talk God.

žThe key of the Gates of Heaven was taken by Jesus after Adam lost it.

žHe can only come to you and tell you the lacking that you have and make God small and cannot help you.

žHe wants you think that God cannot help you.

žHe creates doubts in your mind.

ž

žGod wants us to eat from the tree of life. The tree of life was a symbol signifying god as the proper source.

žIf we read Genesis 2 only we will be unable to understand the meaning of the tree of life.

žHowever the Gospel of John reveals the life denoted by the tree of life in a concrete way.

žJOHN 1:4

žIN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN.

žJOHN 15:5 “I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES HE WHO ABIDES IN ME AND I IN HIM BEARS MUCH FRUIT FOR WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.

žTHE TREE OF LIFE IS JESUS HIMSELF.

žJOHN 6:53

žTHEN JESUS SAID TO THEM,

žMOST ASSUREDLY I SAY TO YOU UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.

žCHURCH YOU ALL HAVE LIFE YOU ARE EATING EVERY TIME FROM THE TREE OF LIFE.

žYOU HAVE THE LIFE OF JESUS IN YOU.

ž

žJOHN 6:54

žWHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAYS.

žSATAN COMES TO DESTROY BUT JESUS GIVES LIFE.

žJOHN 10:10

žTHE THIEF(SATAN) DOES NOT COME EXCEPT TO STEAL, AND TO KILL AND TO DESTROY, I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.

žI WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO DO THESE THINGS IN YOUR HOME.

1.HOLY COMMUNION EVERY DAY.

WHY EVERY DAY?

DO YOU WANT LIFE ABUNDANTLY?

DO YOU WANT JOY?

DO YOU WANT ALL THE FAVOURS AND BLESSINGS OF GOD?

THAN EAT THE BODY OF CHRIST AND DRINK HIS BLOOD.

2 HEAR FROM GOD ON A REGULAR BASIS. LIFE WILL CHANGED. AMEN

3. HAVE A FAMILY GATHERING AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

žTHEN WHY DID GOD PUT BOTH TREES ?

žWAS GOD TRYING TO TEMPT MAN?

žSURELY NOT

žTHE ANSWER IS IN JAMES 1:13-15

žVS 13 LET NO ONE SAY WHEN HE IS TEMPTED, “ I AM TEMPTED BY GOD,” FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED BY EVIL NOR DOES HE HIMSELF TEMPT ANYONE.

žVS 14 BUT EACH ONE IS TEMPTED WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY BY HIS OWN DESIRES AND ENTICED.

žVS 15 THEN WHEN DESIRES HAS CONCEIVED IT GIVES BIRTH TO SIN WHEN IT IS FULL GROWN BRINGS FORTH DEATH.

žTHE FIRST ADAM FAILED BUT THE SECOND ADAM DID NOT FAIL.

žCLOSE:

ž1 COR 15 VS20-22

žBUT NOW CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND HAS BECOME THE FIRST FRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.

žVS21 FOR SINCE BY man CAME DEATH, by MAN ALSO CAME THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

žVS 22 FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE,EVEN SO IN CHRIST ALL SHALL BE MADE ALIVE.

ž

ž

žSAY AFTER ME.

žI HAVE JESUS.

žI HAVE LIFE

žI HAVE BEEN HEALED.

žI HAVE PROSPERITY.

žI HAVE LONGEVITY.

žI HAVE PEACE

ž I HAVE JOY.

žI HAVE EVERY THING.

Jesus loves you. Amen

ž

ž

Dear Readers of my Blog,
I am very sorry for not blogging for quite sometime. This is because I was very busy in ministering to new converts. I would blog on a regular basis so that more people will be blessed. If you go to googles or yahoo and just type my name out you can go to my blog. Joel Christie Isaiah.
If you are blessed please encourage others to go to my blog.All Glory and Honour should be given to Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Amen

DO YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO GOD SPEAKING TO YOU?

Do you want to listen to god speaking to you?
Introduction:
During His earthly ministry Jesus often concluded a lesson by crying out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matt 11:15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matt 13:9 The parable of the sower. Jesus said He who has ears to hear let him hear.
There are so many verses that says the same thing. Rev: 2:7
WHAT IS THE POINT OF THESE SAYINGS?
It is akin to saying “ What is being said is very important so you had better pay attention and listen.
Mark 4 23-25
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Vs24 And He said to them , “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
Vs 25 “ For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

It illustrates that Jesus had a problem that often exists today.
Many people don’t listen.
Many don’t read the bible on a regular basis.
Many don’t come for Bible study. Thinking it is not important.
Many don’t wait upon God.
They just want things like “maggie mee.” Cepat di Masak sedap di makan.
God is speaking every day to us He wants us to listen.


The Bible describes 3 Types of Listeners.1. DULLNESS OF HEARING.
The “DULL OF HEARING”….Hebrew 5:11
Of whom we have much to say, and hard to
Explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Paul said the Hebrew Christians were dull of
Hearing. Some of them keep behaving the
Same way they were before.
When you are dull of hearing there will be no change in your Christian life.
Hebrew 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Hebrew 5:13- contd. Dullness of Hearing.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a babe.
God wants His children to grow in His word. He don’t want us to be baby Christian for ever.
If you are a baby Christian for ever there will be wolves outside there to sight track you from the word of God.
That is the reason we see so called Christians constantly sinning and doing all kind of nonsense and claiming to be Christian.
Mt 13:13-15
Isaiah wrote of such people and Jesus applied it to many in His day.
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Vs 14 “And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;
Vs 15 For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing. And their eyes have been closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with the ears, Lest they should understand with their heart and turn,
So that I should heal them.

DULLNES OF HEARING- CONTD.
People are in such a condition because they are dull of heart.
This prevents them from:
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S TRUTH.
TURNING FROM SIN TO GOD
AND BEING HEALED(SAVED) BY GOD.
WHO WOULD WANT TO BE THIS TYPE OF LISTENER?

2. THOSE WITH “ITCHING EARS” 2 TIM 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
Vs 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENING IN MANY CHURCHES.
THEY JUST WANT TO LISTEN WHAT THEY LIKE TO LISTEN.
WHEN GRACE IS PREACHED THEY CONDEMN THESE PREACHERS.
THEY WANT TO LISTEN TO LAW AND GRACE SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE IN SIN.


3. THOSE WHO HEAR WITH “A NOBLE AND GOOD HEART”.LUKE 8:15
But the one that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Jesus was speaking about seeds that falls on good ground and bear much fruit.
All of us like to be in this category. If we have a noble heart and start hearing God’s word everyday in our lives we will have a Noble and good heart.
Your Daily quiet time with the Lord.
GET AWAY FROM THE NOISE AROUND.
TAKE YOUR BIBLE READ THE BOOK OF JOHN(BEGGINERS)
TAKE ONLY ONE CHAPTER- READ SLOWLY AND ASK GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU.
IF YOU HAVE DIARY WRITE IT DOWN. START TALKING TO GOD AS YOU TALK TO YOUR BEST FRIEND.
YOU WILL BE SURPRISED. HE IS TALKING.
IF YOU HAVE THIS FELLOWSHIP IN A REGULAR BASIS. YOUR LINE IS CONNECTED WITH GOD.
IN THE CHURCH.
IF THE PREACHER IS SPEAKING DO NOT TALK AMONG YOURSELVES.
HOW MUCH YOU LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD BEING READ OR PREACHED IS AS MUCH INDICATION OF YOUR DEVOTION TO GOD HOW YOU PRAY OR SING.
THINK OF HOW YOU WOULD LISTEN IF SOME GREAT PERSON WERE SPEAKING OR JESUS HIMSELF IS SPEAKING WOULD YOU PAY FULL ATTENTION?
OR WOULD YOU BE PAYING ATTENTION TO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE ELSE?
DOES NOT THE PROCLAIMATION OF GOD’S WORD DESERVE AS MUCH ATTENTION?
WHEN THE PREACHER IS SPEAKING LOOK AT THE PREACHER.
THIS GREATLY AIDS YOUR CONCENTRATION.
LOOKING ELSE WHERE MAKES IT EASY FOR YOUR MIND TO WANDER.
CLOSING YOUR EYES MAKES IT EASY FOR YOU TO NOD OFF.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LISTENING.
I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO PASTOR PRINCE TEACHING AROUND 8-9 YEARS. EVERYDAY ONE SERMON. AFTER LISTENING TO HIS SERMONS MY LIFE CHANGED.MANY WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPENED.
MATT 13:16-17
BUT BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES FOR THEY SEE, AND YOUR EARS FOR THEY HEAR.
FOR ASSUREDLY IS SAY TO YOU THAT MANY PROPHETS AND RIGHTEOUS MEN DESIRED TO HEAR WHAT YOU HEAR AND DID NOT HEAR IT.
ESSENTIAL TO SAVING FAITH.
GOD HAS ORDAINED THAT WE BE SAVED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. (ROM 1:16-17)
SUCH FAITH COMES THROUGH PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL, OFTEN INVOLVING LISTENING TO A PREACHER.(ROMAN 10:14,17)
ONE REASON FAITH IS OFTEN LACKING IS BECAUSE PEOPLE SIMPLY ARE NOT GOOD LISTENERS.
THEY MISS OUT ON THE EVIDENCE IN GOD’S WORD WHICH PRODUCES FAITH.
JOHN 20:30-31

LISTENING TO GOD MAKES US BEAR MUCH FRUIT.
IN THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER THE ONLY KIND OF SOIL(HEART) CAPABLE OF BEARING FRUIT WAS THE ONE WHICH LISTENED PROPERLY. LK 8:15
TODAY THE SAME QUESTIONED IS ASKED ARE YOU LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD AND BEING SERIOUS TO LISTEN TO HIM TALKING TO YOU?
IF YES THAN YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT.
BEARING FRUIT COMES FROM “UNDERSTANDING” THE GRACE OF GOD.
COL 1:6
WHICH HAS COME TO YOU, AS IT HAS ALSO IN ALL THE WORLD AND IS BRINGING FORTH FRUIT AS IST IS ALSO AMONG YOU SINCE THE DAY YOU HEARD AND KN EW THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH.
THE MORE WE KNOW THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES WE CHANGE.
WE DON’T DO THE THINGS WE DO BEFORE.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE LISTENING TO GOD.
WE WANT TO DO THINGS FOR GOD WITHOUT TELLING.
WE WANT TO BLESS PEOPLE AROUND US.
WE WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO BE EVANGELISED.
AMEN.

To be blessed in what we do.
That is my goal and the church goal in presenting these thoughts on listening.
For it all begins with listening in the proper way.
2. How important then is listening?
When it comes to listening to God very important! (all the other appointments cancel) (Isaiah 59 1-2)
It is essential for the good of our soul!

3. Is there ever a time when God does not listen?
Yes, when our sins are between us and God.(Isa 59:1-2)
But we can take care of that problem by receiving God’s Mercy.(Isa 55:6-7)
TODAY THAT MERCY IS OFFERED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST,GOD’S SON. AND GOD SAID: “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. HEAR HIM!” LUKE 9:35
CONCLUSION:
HAVE YOU HEEDED HIM BY OBEYING HIS WORD? OR DOES THE FOLLOWING CRY OF JESUS APPLY TO YOU…?

BUT WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD,LORD,” AND DO NOT DO THE THINGS I SAY?”
LUKE 6:46
COME FOR BIBLE STUDY.
COME FOR PRAYER MEETINGS
COME FOR SUNDAY SERVICE.

PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE NATION OF ISRAEL

PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE NATION OF ISRAEL
LUKE 21:20-28

LUKE 21:20-28
VS 20
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
Vs 21 “Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
Vs 22 “For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Vs 23 “ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
Vs 24 “ And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
All these Prophecies has been fulfilled in AD 70
Let His blood be on us and our children. Matthew 27:25



Disobedience would lead to the nation of Israel being scattered amongst all nations.
Duet 28:64. Then the Lord will scatter among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other.
Lev 26:33, Jer 9:16 Ezek 12:15. In all 6 different books of the Bible predicts the scattering of Israel amongst all the nations of the earth. History records this being fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman empire and the remaining Jews were scattered amongst the nations.
No rest for their souls while in exile amongst the nations





Duet 28: 65-66 Amongst those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.
For nearly 2000 years following the destruction in 70AD, the wandering Jew has lived without a homeland, subject to the strongest racial prejudice and torment suffered by any people group. From the day they were scattered to the day Hitler devised his final solution to the Jewish problem, this prophecy spoken by Moses has sadly been fulfilled.

IN 1917 Something wonderful happened.
General Edmund Allenby led his troops to surround the city of Jerusalem.
It is reported that the night before his impending invasion, Allenby prayed that he might take the city without destroying the holy places.
Allenby wired London for instructions and had received a simple reply- a scripture word in the bible Isaiah 31:5


Isaiah 31:5


Like Birds flying about
So will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem.
Defending He will also deliver it;
Passing over, He will preserve it.
The exciting prospects of such a thing led him to have the verse read aloud before all his troops positioned in the foothills of Jerusalem.
General Allenby commandeered every available aircraft for a fly-over



3. On the morning of December 10 what seemed like hundreds of planes skirted low from just over the Hill.
4. The Turks were astonished to see Big Birds flying over them. Furthermore the name of Allenby further frightened them the word in Arabic means ‘Allah’ means God ‘beh’ is Arabic son. The Turks were looking at a demand for surrender by Allah-beh, the son of God. In response they hoisted a white flag and surrendered the city without firing a single shot.
December 11,1917.


Allenby entered the city of Jerusalem officially.
Patriarch (Grand Mufti) of Jerusalem walked in a white flag of surrender and handed them the keys to Jerusalem.
General Allenby called all the Jews through out the world return back to your homeland but they refused.
They were rich in the countries they were living. They refused to come back.

How many Jews were killed in the Holocaust?
Since 1945-46, the most commonly quoted figure for the total number of Jews killed has been an estimate of approximately six million. This figure, first given at the Nuremberg Tribunal, has been confirmed again and again by later research.
God Himself would restore the Jews to the land of Israel from all the nations
Jer 16: 14-16 However, the days are coming, “declares the Lord, “When men will no longer say, As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say ‘AS surely as the Lord lives who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of the countries where he had banished them. For I will restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.
1948 another Great Incident.
The United Nations granted a homeland to the Jewish People and the nation of Israel was reborn.
Jer : 3:14,31:8-9,Isa 60 8-9 Duet 30:3, Amos 9:15
The desolate land of Israel would again blossom and be fruitful in the last days
Zech 7:14 I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land was left to desolate behind them that no one could come or go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.
History records that while the Jewish people were exiled amongst many nations the land of Israel was a barren desert.
Isaiah 27:6
IN the days to come, Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill the world with fruit.
This is exactly the case today! Not only has God brought the Jewish people back into their land like He said He would in the last days but He has also blessed the land so that they now export flowers and fruit around the world. Satellite photos show the green pastures of the nation of Israel in sharp contrast with the surrounding desert lands of the Arab nations. Isa 35:1, Ezek 36:35
God Himself will defend Israel and cause Israel to be mighty in battle.
Zechariah 12:8 On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem so that the feeblest among them will be like David and the house of David will be like God, like the Angels of the Lord going before them. Taking in context this verse speaks about God defending Israel in a battle to come in the last days. Have we not seen this miraculously occur several times Israel became a nation again in 1948.They have been greatly out numbered in key Arab-Israeli wars in 1948,1967,and 1973. Yet Israel exists! God has seen to that!Amen.
IN THE LAST DAYS JERUSALEM WOULD BE A BURDEN TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.
Zechariah 12:2-3 Behold I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about. And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all the burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces.
Turn on your local and International TV stations what you expect to hear and see?
Jerusalem is a burden that causes trembling for all the nations just as God foretold. What makes this prophecy even more remarkable is that when the prophet Zechariah spoke these words around 520BC. Jerusalem lay in ruins. But God said it would become the focus of the world’s attention.

Today Israel has 0.01% of the worlds population, yet 33% of the United Nations resolutions have been passed concerning her
In the End all nations shall come against Israel. Zech 14:2
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it, the city will be captured, the houses ransacked and the woman raped.
Apart from USA, Israel has few allies. In recent conference on racism in South Africa, the Israeli and United States delegates were forced to walk out as the other participating nations vented their anger towards Israel and tried to declare it a racist state. One day the Bible says she will have no allies, and all the nations shall be gathered against her. Our TV news will show us we are on the way to that.

Hagar and Sarah

HAGAR AND SARAH
TWO MOTHERS IN THIS STORY.

VS21 Tell me who you want to be under the law are you not aware what the law says?
Vs22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.
Vs 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.



Vs 24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar

Vs25 Now Hagar stands for Mounts Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Vs26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free and she is our mother.

Vs27 For it is written
“Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”


Vs28 Now, you brothers like Isaac are children of promise.

Vs29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

Vs 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.

Vs31 Therefore, brothers we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

Introduction:

LAW AND GRACE-THE THRESHOLD OF THE GOSPEL

Many times when we learn some new truth, there is threshold at the door of that truth that we have to learn in order to understand the rest of it.

Any man who does not understand the difference between Law and Grace will never understand the Gospel.

It is like trying to learn to drive without learning how to use a steering wheel and the brakes



You are the real children of Abraham.
The Apostle Paul uses an Old Testament story from the life of Abraham.

This is significant because the Legalists all claimed to be the sons of Abraham.

Even if you ask a Muslim or a Jew they claim to be the sons of Abraham.

Paul shows them the difference between Law an Grace and proves that the Legalists were under law and therefore not the spiritual children of Abraham.
The Facts( 4:21-23)

The Galatians were in danger of turning back.

They wanted to have both.

Paul was trying to stop them and focus them on life under grace.



Paul challenged them to be aware of what the Law really was.

Today many churches have gone back to the law. Not knowing that they come under curse.

Today the GAM church is enjoying all the blessing of God. Because we believe in 100% Grace. We come under the blessings.

The Interpretation( 4:24-27 )

In order to emphasize the contrast between Law and grace Paul treated those two mothers figuratively.

Two covenants 4:24
One was the Mosaic which had it origin at Mount Sinai.

Those under this legal covenant were slaves.

As Hagar brought forth a slave son, so does the Law.

The other covenant was Grace

5. As Sarah brought forth a free son, so does grace.

TWO JERUSALEMS 4:25-26
Hagar stood for the first-century city of Jerusalem- a city enslaved to Rome and in slavery to the Law.

Sarah, stood for the Jerusalem…..above the mother of all the Children of grace.

Mothers except blessings to come to you. Many blessings is going to come to you. Amen. Fathers say Amen.

This heavenly city, which one day will come to earth( according to Rev.21:2.is now the city of the living God. Heb 12:22
A Quote From Isaiah 54:1 Galatians 4:27
Paul applied this passage Sarah who though previously barren, was later blessed with a child.

She would ultimately have more children than Hagar.

Today You are all children of the free woman Sarah.

Hey Sarah Sarah.
The Application( 4:28-31)

COMPARING ISAAC TO CHRISTIANS 4:28

As “Isaac” experienced a supernatural birth and was a child by means of a promise, so believers experience a supernatural birth.(John 3: 3,5)

Vs 3 Jesus answered and said to him,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.




Vs5 Jesus answered , “Truly,truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

2. As children of promise Christians are in a distinct category and should not live as children of bondage.

COMPARING ISHMAEL TO FALSE TEACHERS 4:29
Paul compared Ishmael’s persecution of Isaac to false teachers’ opposition to believers.

Abraham celebrated the weaning of Isaac with a banquet.

At that time, Ishmael mocked Isaac, laughing at his younger step brother, since Ishmael was the elder son and assumed he would be heir to his father’s estate.( Gen 21:8-9)
Genesis 21:8-9
Vs 8 And the Child grew and was weaned and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

Vs9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian whom she had borne to Abraham mocking.
COMPARING ISHMAEL TO FALSE TEACHERS( CONTINUE)
4 That early squabble has perpetuated in the two groups even today.

5. The Jews and the Arabs still don’t get along.

6. Paul compared the legalistic to Ishmael as those who were born out of the legalistic self- efforts.

7. He charged them of persecuting the true believers who were born by the power of the Spirit.




8. With few exceptions Paul’s persecution came from the Jew, the people in bondage to the Law.

9. Today the same persecution comes to the churches that preach the Gospel of grace. Those who preach both that mean law and no persecution.

PAUL COMPARED ABRAHAM TO THE GALATIANS 4:30
When Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac, she made Abraham expel the slave woman and her son.

God granted Sarah request.( Gen 21,10,12)

Paul was telling the Galatians to excommunicate the Legalistic ( those preaching Law as the commandment of God)the same way Abraham excommunicated Hagar and Ishmael.





CLOSE:
Therefore brother we are not children of a bondwoman but of the free woman.

God is blessing each and everyone of you. You come under Grace.

You are not under the Law but under Grace.

WISHING ALL MOTHERS AND MOTHERS TO BE A HAPPY AND BLESSED MOTHERS DAY.

All because Jesus loved us.

All because Jesus loved us.

Isaiah 53: 3
He is despised and rejected by men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid as it were our faces from Him;
He was despised and we did not esteem Him.

Isaiah 53: vs 3 - 6

ISAIAH 53:4
Surely He has borne our grief
And carried our sorrows
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God and afflicted.
He bore your grief
He carried your sorrows
Smitten by God so that you will not be smitten.

Isaiah 53:5
He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised for our iniquities
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him.
And by His stripes we are healed.
The more I start reading this verse my hearts melts in the presence of God and know the true reason for His resurrection.

Isaiah 53:6
And we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned every one to his own way
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Once we were sinners who will be sent to hell. But because of His love he took every of our sins upon Him.

Matthew 27 45-46
Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Vs 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, “Eli,Eli lama sabachtani ?” that is My God My God why have you forsaken Me?

This is the first time Jesus addressed His Father as God. All the time Jesus called Him Father.

Habakuk 1:13
You are of a purer eyes than to behold evil.
And cannot look on wickedness
Why do You look on those who deal treacherously,
And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours.
One more righteous than he?


The Father turned His back on His son. Today He will never turn His back on you.
All our sins were on Him. All our sickness on Him.

Heb 13:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

The son was forsaken so that you will never be forsaken.

AS a judge God turned His back on His Son. He cried His heart was broken because Christ was never more pleasing to Him than when He was on the cross. Christ suffering was a sweet smelling aroma to the Father.

Ephesians 5: 2
And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.
He made one offering for the remissions of sins.
There shall be no more offering for the remissions of sins.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who being sanctified.

Do you Remember what Jesus said?
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (John 10:17)

If you are a parent you love each one of your children equally. But when one of them does something special for you out of love, it touches your heart and you just want to run to him and hug him. That was what happened at the cross, except that that the Father could not embrace His son. Instead He had to turn His back on His Son because our sins had to punished in His Son’s body.





Romans 4:25

The Reason for the Resurrection
Vs25 who(Jesus) was delivered up because of our offences and was raised because of our justification.
The bible tell us that Christ was delivered up for our sins and raised from the dead for our justification. You may already know why Jesus died for our sins but do you know the significance of God raising Him from the dead?

Let me give you an illustration to help you understand the significance of Jesus resurrection.
Let us say you are living in a foreign country. One day, you happen to break a major rule of the land. You appeal to the king for mercy. He says, “A rule is a rule. I cannot bend the rule for you. What will others say about my integrity?
How ever if you can find a substitute to take your punishment – three months in jail- I will allow it.

By God’s grace you find a willing substitute. He goes to prison on your behalf and you don’t see him for some time. The day week and months pass by.
When you know that your crime has been fully paid? When will you be able to rest easy regarding your crime? When you see your substitute walking in freedom again! When you see him out of the prison you will know the sentence has been full served. You will know that you are now justified and no one can bring a charge against you for your old crime. No longer will you be afraid of the king or his guards coming after you because you know that the one who was punished in your place is now walking free.


Close:

Beloved, Jesus your substitute paid the dept you could not pay. On the cross He bore the sins of your entire life. God put it all on Jesus and then He punished Jesus for every single one of those sins until He was fully satisfied. And because He was so pleased with what Jesus had done, He raised Him from the dead.
Today, Jesus tomb remains empty. He is not there for He has risen! His resurrection and empty tomb will be forever be our assurance that we have been fully justified!.

The Oil of Anointing Brings forth victory.

First time the bible recorded about anointing is anointing the priest. Exodus 29 vs 7 And you shall take the anointing oil pour it on his head and anoint him.

And the priest becomes the anointed one. He is Holy and God wants him to holy and perfect in the eyes of God. To perform his priestly duties.

Today we are also priest in the eyes of the Lord but in a better covenant that is through the blood of Jesus.

1Peter 2 6,7 8 & 9 confirms that we are priest and not the priest of the Old covenant but the New Covenant and made us Royal priesthood because of Jesus our master. But we need the Oil. With the oil of Anointing nothing works. Oh brother the oil is a significant of the Holy Spirit. I agree but they poured the oil on the priest and things happened in their life.

On Prophets. The Lord appeared to Elijah and told him to anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as King over Israel.. And Elisha the son of Shapat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.( 1 Kings 19 vs 16)

On Kings .1 Samuel 10 :1

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?

When God ahs anointed you no one can touch you. Because you are the anointed vessel of God. Even King David was unable to touch Saul when opportunity arise. Because it grieved David when he cut the garments of King Saul as a sign that God has given King Saul was under his mercy.

On Sacred Objects Exodus 30 26-28

Vs 26 With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the testimony .

Vs27 the table and all its utensils the lamp stand and its utensils and the altar of incense.

Vs28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the layer and its base.

A church in Jakarta which has 150,000 members. During the riot in Indonesia all the houses that belongs to the Chinese were burnt down. But, none of Paria Gi’s church members church were burnt. The did what the pastor taught them to do. They poured the oil form the front to the back believing that God will protect their House. And God did. Their neighbours house were burnt down but none of their houses were burnt down.

The power God has given us we fail to believe.

People with sickness when they pour the Olive oil believing God will work a miracle God did. Many sickness were healed.

Even tumors were healed.

A man poured the olive oil believing God will protect him. Yes God did. The rioters came and banged his wind screen with a hammer. Nothing happened they tried again, nothing happened, the whole gang fled.

Our God is a great God He gave us victory over our enemies.

Ordinary Purpose

1. Ruth 3:3,4&5

Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down the threshing floor; but do not make known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Vs4 Then it shall be when He lies down that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in and uncover his feet and lie down and he will tell you what you should do.”

Vs 5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”

This is something fantastic should be taught to the youths today. Just anoint yourself with the olive oil and pray God will give you the best husband who loves God.

Boaz is a millionaire. His name is translated as kinsman redeemer. And this Ruth became the Great grand mother of our Lord and also King David. She is a Moabite.

2. Hospitality Purpose. Luke 7 36-39

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat.

VS37 And behold a woman in the city who was a sinner when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house brought an alabaster of fragrant oil.

Vs 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping and she began to wash His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the Fragrant Oil.

Vs 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this he spoke to himself, saying ,

“This man, if He were a prophet would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

3. The Oil is Used in battle. Isaiah 21Vs5

Vs 5 Prepare the table,

Set a watchman in the tower,

Eat and drink

Arise you princes,

Anoint the shield.

Even in your work place there will be a kind of battle. You have done well. But your bosses or the one who is superior is not happy. Bible say anoint the shield with oil. Anoint your work place with oil.

The devil is so scared of the anointing oil. He will flee from you. What is due to you will come to you.

When you pour the anointing oil you are telling Lord I surrender to you. And God taken in charge.

4. Medical Purpose. Wound or for healing

Luke 10:34

And went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine and he set him on his own animal brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Jesus is the Good Samaritan today. Yet when we are sinners He died, he healed us, He took ours sins, pains sorrows, our poverty and gave us victory.

He heals us deep inside.

5. The oil actually speaks about our Lord Jesus.

Psalm 45:7

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

Therefore God, your God has anointed you,

With oil of gladness more than your companions.

Jesus is the greatest God. No one can compare with Him. And when we use this oil that speaks about Jesus. In Jesus name we have victory.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,

Because the Lord has anointed Me,

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent me to Heal the broken hearted

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

6. There shall be no judgement on you. Because you have the anointing oil of God with you. Duetronomy 28:40

One of the judgement is you shall olive trees but you shall not have olive oil over you.

But today thanks be to God through Jesus His son the oil is around us we just use it in Jesus name.

Conclusion:

Pslam 105 vs 15

Saying, “ Do not touch My anointed ones,

And do my prophets no harm

1 John 2:27

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all thing and is true and is not a lie and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him