RENEWING THE MIND – IX (The Gospel - 7)

WBS.146

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – IX

THE GOSPEL - 7

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Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

We have discussed this before, but it bears repeating, especially regarding this series that we are bringing to a close, today.  Words that we use exclusively within a religious context are virtually always corrupted as to their true meaning.  “Righteousness,” “sanctification,” “redemption,” ”grace,” “faith,” “saved,” “salvation,” etc.  All of these words are misunderstood by most because they are only understood within the context of religion. 

One more word to add to this list is “gospel.”  We have already thoroughly explained that to “preach the gospel” actually means “to herald the good news.”  Still, the word is so ingrained within our thinking that just having read that particular post where this was discussed was likely insufficient to replace your traditional thinking.  It is like the man who looks in the mirror, then upon turning from the mirror, forgets what manner of man he is. It is in your best interest never to use the word “gospel” again, within any context; because of the religious corruption of the term.  It means, “the good news that the long-anticipated Messiah has finally come.”  THIS is what the Jews heard whenever they heard someone say:  “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  It was THIS that was such amazingly good news…the Messiah has come!

Mark 1:14 …Yahushua came into Galilee, preaching the gospel (heralding the good news) of the kingdom of IAUE,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of IAUE is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

What I want to address in this post is why repentance is the proper response to this good news; and what “the kingdom of heaven” (or “the kingdom of IAUE”) is at hand means.  We will take this in reverse order.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN/IAUE IS AT HAND:

Simply put, the Kingdom of IAUE, to the Jew, meant the kingdom IAUE would restore to the house of David with the Messiah as its king. For the kingdom to be “at hand” means that its manifestation is near…it is upon us…it is imminent, like a conquering army just on the other side of the horizon battling its way to where you live.  Those that align themselves with the King as he moves across the land become partakers of the power and wonder of his kingdom, NOW.  Those that do not align themselves with the King find his disciples shaking the dust off their feet as a testimony against them.

You will remember that when Jeroboam led ten tribes to the north of Jerusalem (the northern kingdom of Israel), he did so upon the call, “What portion have we in David? (1 Kings 12:16)” The rejected the promise of Messiah, forsook the bloodline of David and set up their own domain serving idols until the day their kingdom was destroyed by Assyria. 

The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained faithful to the promise of the coming Messiah. They suffered through good kings, bad kings, captivity to Babylon, and oversight by gentile nations for hundreds of years; always anticipating the word, the herald who would proclaim that the promised Messiah has appeared.

The actual word/term “Messiah” is only found twice in the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures, and that is in Daniel 9:25-26.  The Hebrews, however, connected Daniel’s prophecy with many other Scriptures that foretold of the one who would come from the House of David to assume the throne and rule all the nations forever.  A definite legend of the coming Messiah was created, and the lore was passed down from generation to generation.

You can look at the record of the gospel of John and see what they expected.

John 1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Messiah, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh…when he is come, he will tell us all things.

John 4:42 …we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.

John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.

John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Master: I believe that thou art the Messiah, the Son of Elohim, which should come into the world.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Yahushua is the Messiah, the Son of Elohim; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Messiah cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? (Luke 17:19-22)

John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Messiah cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Messiah abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

The Hebrew people believed that Messiah would come of the seed of David, out of the town of Bethlehem.  They believed he would work signs and wonders, healing the sick and setting the captives free of demonic oppression.  They believed he would baptize his followers and teach them all things they could not understand from the Scriptures by their own study.  They believed he would rule forever (which is why belief in the resurrection of Yahushua is a requirement).  They believed his kingdom would be one of deliverance to the entire world.  They believed he would be the son of IAUE.  As such, his kingdom would exercise total dominion over all the kingdoms of this world.  Messiah would be their King; and they would be his blessed subjects, as all the nations of this world would be put under their feet, never again to rise up against them and subject them to bondage.

Matthew 2:1 Now when Yahushua was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The Hebrews did not have an understanding that Messiah would die to pay the penalty due their sins, to bring forgiveness to them.  They did not understand the new birth, the gift of the Holy Spirit, possessing the mind of Messiah.  All such things were mysteries to them.  What was NOT a mystery was that the Messiah was to be worshipped.  This word “worship” (proskuneo) means to bow upon the knees and kiss the hand of one who is deemed both of a higher status than you, and one who deserves and requires obedience to his will.  True worship requires a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of attitude, a change of behavior. 

REPENT:

Is there little wonder why the wonderful news that Messiah has come is accompanied with the command to repent?  The history of the Hebrew people is replete with their repeated refusal to obey the voice of IAUE, which precipitated His judgment.  Once they were properly aligned to hear and obey His voice, all went well with them; but that never lasted for long.  They knew that when Messiah came, they would HAVE to be of a mind and heart to do his will as humble and obedient servants.  That meant that life as they knew it was over.  If they were going to enjoy the benefits of the Kingdom of IAUE under the reign of the Messiah, they would have to reckon themselves dead to their former life and alive to the authority of Messiah.

One of the most telling parables that Yahushua ever related regarding the nature of the Kingdom of IAUE is recorded in Luke 19:11-27.  It ended with this somber declaration.

Luke 19:27  But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Who are the enemies of Messiah?  All who do not want to be obedient to his authority over them…all who want to retain the right to determine the course of their own lives.

If the proclamation that Messiah has come fills your heart with the anticipation of his majestic and glorious kingdom and you are ready to serve him forever, then the proclamation is good news to you.  If, however, it spells the end of your self-rule and you will not tolerate such interference in your self-government, it is not good news.  You, however, will be gathered at the end of the age and slain before him.  The Kingdom of IAUE will not be permitted to be occupied by rebels.

A day has been set by IAUE; a day when He will send his son back to Jerusalem in the power of His kingdom to sit upon the throne of David.  Between now and that day, it is for us to choose if we will repent, lay down our life, embrace the King, hear his voice, do his will, and enjoy the abundant life he gives NOW.

The King is coming.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND – VIII (The Gospel - 6)

WBS.145

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – VIII

THE GOSPEL - 6

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Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

Today, we begin our 6^th lesson regarding “the gospel.”  Remember that the larger picture is that we are studying “renewing the mind.”  We must learn to think with the thoughts of IAUE in order to understand and know His will for our lives; because as living sacrifices THAT is what we are dedicated to perform.  We must eradicate wrong thinking and “programs” that have been written into our minds and heart in order to be delivered from a carnal mind unto a spiritual mind wherein is life and peace (Rom 8:6). The gospel is the beginning point because the message to which we responded when we “came to Messiah” is responsible for our foundational thought processes.  Most of us came to Messiah through a false message; therefore the core of almost everything we have come to believe is corrupt.  This readily explains why so many believers live joyless and powerless lives, constantly succumbing to temptation and selfish ways.  That kind of life is not the heritage of the saints of IAUE.  It is the consequence of a carnal mind.

Over the past five lessons we have discovered that the “gospel” was in essence the joyous announcement (the “good news”) that Messiah has finally appeared in fulfilment of thousands of years of prophetic promises.  We saw in last week’s lesson that it was necessary also to declare that the Scriptures confirm that Messiah had to die to pay the penalty required for the sins of the world and to rise again the third day.  Thus, the resurrection of Messiah is an indispensable part of the good news. 

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Messiah be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

We have also seen that the Scriptures make it clear that when the good news is announced the authority of the message should be confirmed by signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out demons. The Scriptures stated that by these miracles you would be able to identify the Messiah; and they are what Yahushua empowered his disciples to do whenever they went out to proclaim the good news.  Where these evidences accompany the good news, people repent and bow the knee to Yahushua Messiah as their Master.  When the good news is proclaimed and there are no signs and wonders accompanying the message, people are not as quick to repent and embrace Yahushua as Messiah. (A study of the book of Acts is very revealing in this point.  Where the apostles/disciples “reasoned” with their audiences, their message was generally rejected and the preachers of the gospel were mocked.  Where a miracle was performed, multitudes responded to the good news.)  Paul explained the difference in this experience to the Corinthian disciples.

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of IAUE.

His commitment to this format of preaching the gospel marked his ministry.

Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of IAUE; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Messiah.

What I want to address now is the difference between “the gospel” and “the children’s bread.” 

Mark 9:25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.

27 But Yahushua said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Master: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter.

30 And when she was come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

If you have been reading this blog from the beginning, you will remember the distinction made between the “epistle-based” gospel, and the gospel as preached in the book of Acts.  Today, Christendom draws its “gospel message” from the epistles of Paul…largely from the books of Romans and Galatians.  This has resulted in preachers proclaiming to the lost the wonderful things that will be theirs if they should just receive the free gift that Yahushua is offering to them.  Their message, more often than not, is a loving invitation to “accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.”  They promise them that all their sins will be forgiven (past, present and future) and they will have a wonderful reservation in Heaven to live in peaceful bliss for all eternity.

The epistles were written to the churches and to specific individuals who had already responded positively to the good news.  The epistles were not letters for the lost to read.  All of the books of the New Testament that are placed after the book of Acts were written to believers. They are the “children’s bread.”  The content of those books are not intended for the eyes and ears of those who still reject Yahushua as the Messiah. 

Virtually nothing that comprises contemporary Christianity’s “gospel” message is found in the book of Acts.  Men do not receive forgiveness of their sins when they embrace Messiah.  Messiah’s death has already paid for their forgiveness.  IAUE is no longer imputing trespasses against mankind.  The sin-issue has been obliterated in Messiah whether a person wants it or not.  Where the penalty has been paid, the offense no longer is considered.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

The Holy Spirit is not calling men today to repent of their sins.  He is “reproving” them (elegcho: convicting to the point of shame) of one sin, only…that of not believing that Yahushua is the Messiah.  The Holy Spirit works with the preaching of the good news to convince men that Yahushua is the Messiah, and bringing shame upon them if they reject the good news. (I, for one, would not want to stand before the judgment of IAUE with only one thing on my resume…that I rejected His son.) 

Nowhere in the book of Acts is it even suggested that a person will go to heaven if they accept Messiah.

Nowhere in the book of Acts is the good news declared as an invitation that one may accept or reject. 

Nowhere in the book of Acts is an appeal made to those who are undecided about responding to the good news.  (Paul did meet in synagogues for repeat visits in order to work through the Scriptures to demonstrate to the Jews that Yahushua was the Messiah; but not as a repeated appeal for his fellow Hebrews to accept an invitation to accept a free gift.  He endeavored to shine light upon their understanding of the Scriptures regarding the need for Messiah to suffer and die and rise again.  Without that understanding, no Jew could embrace Yahushua as Messiah.  Paul later realized that a blindness had been placed upon the Hebrews until “the times of the Gentiles had been fulfilled.”)

Nowhere in the book of Acts is Yahushua ever presented to be deity. Today, preachers spin a fairy tale of how “God loved man so much that He came in the form of a man to die for them to forgive them of their sins.”  This message is nowhere to be found in the Scriptures; and especially not in the book of Acts. The most important sermon in the history of the world was the first sermon preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost, giving birth to the church of Yahushua Messiah; and this is how Peter identified Yahushua:

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Yahushua of Nazareth, a man approved of IAUE among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which IAUE did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know…

33 Therefore being by the right hand of IAUE exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that IAUE hath made the same Yahushua, whom ye have crucified, both Master and Messiah.

The epistles provide us glorious insight into the things Yahushua both has accomplished for us and has become to us.  They tell us of righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, redemption, and great and precious promises whereby we may partake of the divine nature.  They tell of the gifts of the Spirit, the hope of glory and the power of the ages to come; but NONE of that is discussed with the lost in the book of Acts.  The gateway to learn of these treasures is repentance and obedience to Yahushua as Messiah. 

If the content of the epistles is presented to the unbeliever the result will necessarily be a decision based on motivated self-interest (selfishness) rather than humble repentance and obedience to the Master. They will choose to receive the children’s bread before they have become the children. This is exactly why the contemporary Christian church is filled with self-serving, selfish people who have no clue what it means to do the will of IAUE. They have been lead to believe that by praying “the magic prayer” they get the golden ticket.  They have no interest in renewing their minds.  They have what they want already…at least they think they do; and because they responded to the epistles and not to the gospel, they have no awareness that they have still to repent and believe the good news.  In fact, they tend to have a hardness of heart towards repentance because it places a claim upon their lives that they have been lead to believe is not required in order to receive all of the precious promises they believe they have already received.

Messiah has come.  He has risen from the dead. Repent and believe the good news.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND – VII (The Gospel - 5)

WBS.144

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – VII

THE GOSPEL - 5

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Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

“Jesus is the Christ.”  This is a sentence that is proclaimed in churches ever Sunday, on TV every day, and by Christians in their day to day communications with people; but what does it mean?  “Jesus” is a name that is not anchored in any legitimate historical setting.  It isn’t a transliteration of a Hebrew name.  It isn’t a translation of a Hebrew name.  It is a name that is used to replace completely another name…the name given by IAUE to His son. “Christ” is not a word that is common to the English language.  It is a transliteration of the Greek word, “Christos.” It is a Greek word that has been inserted into use amongst English speaking peoples similarly to the way soufflé, tete-a-tete, Yeti, and smorgasbord have entered our vocabulary.  Its primary use by non-Christians, today, is as a curse word; but let’s examine how it is used by Christians.  What does it mean to a Christian in an English speaking world?  Essentially…it means absolutely nothing.  Why is this?  For one, it is a Greek word; and we do not speak Greek.  For another, translated it means “anointed one,” and that means next to nothing to an English speaking person, today.  Anointed by what?  Anointed by whom?  Anointed to do what?  We have no ready answers to these questions that hold any real meaning for us.

“Yahushua is the Messiah.”  What does THIS mean?  To the Hebrews…it absolutely turns their world upside down.  It means the hopes and dreams and expectations of centuries, of millennia, have come to fruition and fulfilment.  To a non-Hebrew world, it means that Yahushua is the fulfillment of a Jewish legend.  The word “Messiah” (Messhiach) is exclusively Hebraic, meaning the only context within which it has any meaning is an Hebrew one.  When that word is used in an English speaking world, today, it generally always means “the savior of the world.”  For example: “If you look at the career of Kevin Costner, you would think he has a Messianic complex.”  Why is this?  It is because so many of his roles as an actor have been people who are saviors.  English speaking people relate to the word, “Messiah” as a savior.  They relate to the word, “Christ” as a religious term…as a part of the name of someone called, Jesus.

Why is that?  It is because “Christ” means nothing to us; whereas “Messiah” carries a multi-millenia-old heritage and lore.  You cannot transfer the heritage of “Messiah” into a word that does not also share that heritage.  There are hundreds of prophecies about the coming Messiah; but there are NO prophecies about a coming “Christ.”

The good news that Messiah has come was not particularly good news to a Gentile.  A Gentile either could not relate to what that meant, or it meant that the Jews were getting ready to have a king and a kingdom that would subjugate their own kingdom; and that doesn’t necessarily sound good at all.

This is why the “gospel” was to be presented to the Jew first, and THEN to the Gentile.  It is why Yahushua went from city to city preaching in the synagogues.  It is why Yahushua sent his disciples out only to the Jews, restraining them from speaking to Gentiles.  It is why the apostle Peter was “called on the carpet” before James, the pastor of the church in Jerusalem (who was also Yahushua’s brother, a son of Mary and Joseph) to give an account for why he was in the house of the “uncircumcised.” For approximately 25 years from the day of Pentecost, the spread of the gospel was exclusively to the Jews and to the half-Jew Samaritans.  Peter’s actions were startling to the church; but they ultimately rejoiced to learn that IAUE had granted “repentance unto life” to the Gentiles” (Acts 11:18) It was not until several years after Paul had believed upon Yahushua as the Messiah that he was sent out from the church in Antioch as an apostle, and he began openly preaching to Gentiles; though even Paul first began preaching only to the Jews in the synagogues.  We have the benefit of a record in the Scriptures to see what he preached from synagogue to synagogue.

Acts 13:14 But when they (Paul and Barnabas) departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Paul was a rabbi, taught at the feet of Gamaliel.  As such, he was attired as a rabbi and his appearance would have distinguished him as such.  It was customary, in the synagogues, if a visiting rabbi were in attendance, to ask if he wanted to speak to the assembly.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear Elohim, give audience.

This was not a customary introduction.  It signified that Paul was about to share information with them as a herald of news they needed to hear.

17 The Elohim of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and Elohim gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Up to this point, Paul merely recounted the history of the Hebrew people in order to set the stage for declaring his news.

23 Of this man's seed hath IAUE according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Yahushua:

“The seed of David” was a coined phrase that meant “the Messiah.”  “According to his promise” represented the fulfilment of prophecy.  “Raised unto Israel a Savior, Yahushua,” was the announcement that Messiah has come; the prophecy has been fulfilled.  However, even in this region far from Jerusalem, the news of Yahushua’s miraculous ministry, of multiplied thousands of followers tracking his every movement for three years, and his ultimate death at the hands of the Romans by being impaled outside the walls of Jerusalem would have been known by these Jews.  How could this word of prophecy being fulfilled possibly be good news if the one Paul called the Messiah was dead?

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth Elohim, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

The impaling of the Messiah was a mystery to the Jew; but Paul was about to unfold that mystery for them.

30 But IAUE raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 Elohim hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Yahushua again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of IAUE, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom IAUE raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Paul has testified to the Messianic prophecy being fulfilled, the death and resurrection of Messiah being foretold, the pronouncement that Yahushua is the son of David, the savior of the world, the Messiah.  Now he warns them of another prophecy.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

He warned them against unbelief.

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

This was a bold move by the Gentiles, but it set the stage for Paul realizing his true calling.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of IAUE.

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of IAUE.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of IAUE should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

The envy of the Jews in the city was greater than their willingness to include Gentiles into their acceptance of the Messiah.  You have to understand that the law of Moses prohibited intermingling with Gentiles.  There were thousands of years of tradition they would have to ignore to embrace the promise of the Messiah as it was being presented by Paul.  It was simply too much for them.

47 For so hath IAUE commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of IAUE: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of IAUE was published throughout all the region.

The Jews, however, could not abide Paul and Barnabas including the Gentiles into the promise of the Messiah.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

Notice that Paul and Barnabas followed Yahushua’s instructions as given to his disciples.  If a people reject the good news, shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them.  The good news is either good news to them or it isn’t.  If they do not recognize that the coming of Messiah is good, and they reject it…they do not believe it…there is no repeated effort made to persuade them.  The “gospel” is not something men are charged with trying to convince the listener to believe.  It is heralded.  People respond to it as good news…or they don’t.

We will continue on this topic, next week

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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RENEWING THE MIND – VI (The Gospel - 4)

WBS.143

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

RENEWING THE MIND – VI

THE GOSPEL - 4

…..

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of IAUE.

John could not get to his office fast enough.  He worked on the 4^th floor of a medical research facility as a part of a vast team of researchers in offices that spread across the USA and 20 other countries.  Reaching his floor in the secured building, he exited the elevator and ran to his office.  He burst through the doors, and without regard to who was there, and what they were all doing, at the top of his lungs he said, “HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?!!!”  Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the one they were now thinking to be something of a lunatic, waiting for John to answer his own question.  “WE HAVE FOUND A CURE FOR ALL FORMS OF CANCER!!!  AND IT IS SIMPLE; AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!! 

The floor erupted with rejoicing; and there was an immediate sense of urgency to spread the word to every one of their offices around the world.  But that wasn’t enough.  They all knew people who suffered from cancer, or knew people who knew people who had cancer.  This was the greatest news they had ever heard and they all knew they needed to tell everyone as quickly as possible.

Welcome to “the gospel of Yahushua Messiah.”  The gospel is the announcement that the Messiah has come, nothing more.  It is plain and simple.  “Messiah has come.”  It is news that demands to be heralded. Even as word of a simple cure for cancer would spread across the globe like wildfire; that Messiah has come would bear an even greater consequence to the world, and would be proclaimed with far greater importance and sense of urgency than would news of a cure for cancer.

This is a message that, at first, would have primary relevance to the Hebrew/Jew.  Why?  Because the Gentiles had no promise of Messiah.  The prophecies of Messiah were to the Hebrews.  He was going to be of the lineage of David (This is why Matthew 1 records the lineage of Joseph, from Abraham, through David, to Yahushua; and why Luke 3 records the lineage of Mary from Yahushua all the way back through David to Adam.  Even if he was not the son of IAUE, Yahushua was still the rightful heir of the throne of David.) He would take the throne of David and rule over the entire world. They even understood that somehow he would be the son of IAUE. The Hebrews were finally going to be free of all oppression, opposition, toil and strife, as Messiah would elevate their lives to be as kings reigning with him.  Messiah was going to be the ultimate “jubilee” (The year of release from all debts, bondage and work); and he was going to reign permanently. 

The promise of Messiah was the central glue of the kingdom of Judah.  Rejection of the promise of Messiah was what encouraged ten of the twelve tribes to leave Jerusalem and set up the northern kingdom of Israel, a kingdom that persistently had evil kings, and which worshipped pagan deities up until the time they were destroyed by the kingdom of Assyria (1 Kings 12:16).

The Jews had been waiting for the Messiah to appear ever since King David passed away.  When the armies of Babylon came in 486 BC and destroyed the temple and took Judah captive back to Babylon, they killed the sons of the last king of the house of David and then put out the king’s eyes.  Hope for the coming Messiah was all but lost; but when, by the hand of IAUE, the Jews were restored to their land and Jerusalem and the temple were rebuilt, the promise of Messiah was restored and hope was reignited among the people.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of IAUE came upon them, and the glory of IAUE shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Messiah the Master.

When Yahushua was born more than 500 years later, the angels announced that Messiah had come.  Theirs was the first declaration of the Messiah, the first herald of the gospel.   

Matthew 2:1 Now when Yahushua was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The wise men had received revelation that the Messiah, the King of the Jews had been born; and they came to align themselves with him whom they knew would also be their own king.

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen IAUE’s Messiah.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Yahushua, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed Elohim, and said,

29 IAUE, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served Elohim with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto IAUE, and spake of him (Yahushua) to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

At his circumcision, Simeon announced that the child was the Messiah, and Anna the prophetess confirmed that the child was the one sent to bring redemption to Jerusalem…the Messiah.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Yahushua coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of Elohim, which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of Elohim.

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Yahushua as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of Elohim!

John explained (John 1:31) that the reason he came to baptize was to create an environment in which he would be able to announce to all Israel that the Messiah has come…to herald the good news to all of Israel.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Yahushua also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22 And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

At his baptism, John declared that Yahushua was the son of Elohim and the lamb of Elohim.  Then, the heavens opened and the voice of IAUE himself declared that Yahushua was His son.  Is there any wonder at this point that Andrew would race to find his brother, Simon with the “good news?”

Luke 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah…”

The good news that Messiah had come spread like wildfire.  It took no time at all for thousands upon thousands of Jews to begin following Yahushua and listening to his every word?  What could possibly have been “better news” than the proclamation that the King of the Jews was in their midst?

Yahushua travelled from city to city, teaching in the synagogues that they were to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand.  That was a message that the Messiah was at hand.  If “the kingdom of heaven” was near, that meant that its king also was near. 

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Yahushua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

When he sent his apostles out to proclaim the good news, Yahushua restricted them from preaching to the Gentiles and also from preaching to the Samaritans (the half Jew, half Gentile).  Prior to his impaling, the proclamation of the Messiah was a message to the Hebrew only.  After the death and resurrection of Messiah, and the new covenant was initiated, the message was for everyone, both Jew and Gentile. 

Examine yourself to see if your relationship to Yahushua is to the Messiah, or simply to one who has forgiven you of your sins.  Does the term “Messiah” hold any meaning to you other than a religious one?  If you comprehend what it is for Yahushua to be IAUE’s Messiah, you will readily understand why the good news of his coming was accompanied by the command to “repent and believe the good news.”  If the king is coming, if the kingdom is at hand, then we must, like the wise men at his birth, align our hearts to be obedient to him as our Master and King…and we should do so, quickly.

Next week we will explain why the gospel was to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile.  We will also examine the difference between the gospel and “the children’s bread.”  Remember, we are studying this because it is the entry point of renewing our minds that we might know and do the will of IAUE.

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Kingdom heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the performance of the will of IAUE.

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