New Wine / Old Wine

Fasting for Maturity

Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

No Jew would have witnessed to this man.  He was one of the disreputable ones, a tax collector.  They collected taxes on behalf of the despised Romans.  We can’t know what ran through his mind prior to Christ’s simply worded statement, “Follow me,” but he may have been one of the most ready converts in history.  He was so ready for a life change that he left all his considerable earnings and his job and followed Jesus.  Our first book of the New covenant was written by this very man.

There are many in Christ today that say the leading of the ‘Spirit’ should be severely curtailed so we don’t fly off into a world of faith supported by feelings alone.  That is partially true and partially false.  Our knowledge of scripture should be extensive and the foundation of all we do.  There is nothing more dangerous than a prophet with limited Word knowledge and a fanciful imagination.  Instead of being half of the foundation of God, he or she becomes a joke of cosmic proportions flying off wherever their imagination takes them.  It is only through the Word of God and the foundation of scripture that we can be accurate and dependable prophets.

In this case we will also discover that Jesus completely ignored tradition and cultural opinions and moved directly into what God was about.  People who led the religious life of the Jews had great disdain for anyone who was ‘uneducated’ or ‘working for the enemy.’  This particularly included fishermen, tax collectors and shepherds…all persons Christ either called or had his angels appear to when announcing his coming. 

The religious establishment failed to keep their responsibility of watching for the signs that heralded the Messiah but the poor and uneducated were wildly enthusiastic about His coming.  They not only were quick to accept Him, and but for the one Zealot, Judas, those He called held onto their faith unto death by Rome or the Jews.  The only truly educated one allowed by God was Saul / Paul.  The reason for this was simple.  He may have been attacking the church of Christ but He was sincere in his faith.  When he discovered that Jesus was indeed the Messiah he left all to follow Him.  Three quarters of the New Testament was written by him and so the link to our Old Testament scriptures was preserved.

Luke 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. ³⁰ But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Notice the scribes and Pharisees didn’t ask why Jesus was with the sinners out of simple curiosity but due to jealousy and irritation.  They murmured against his disciples and Him.  The Jews even murmured against Moses when he led Israel.  At one point they accused him of destroying the men who God Himself had swallowed up in an earthquake for their sins (Numbers 16:41).  God nearly destroyed the nation at that moment.  This time it would cost them a minimum of 2000 years in the penalty box.

The truth is that we draw those in our circle of influence along with us when we come to Christ.  Some may not remain but some will.  God often is able to save many more than just the one soul you witness to.  It also shows Christ’s opinion of business owners who won’t serve those whose lifestyle they don’t agree with.  A well established Christian business can have tremendous effect upon someone who is sitting on the fence about their eternity.  As I have stated in other places, there is a huge difference between being gracious to all men and winning a few and being a partaker or supporter of their lifestyle. 

Life in Christ requires great wisdom.  Traditions that exclude everyone who is not like us make it almost impossible to draw in new souls to the kingdom of God.  There can be a fine line between supporting a sin, such as preparing an advertisement advocating a sinful lifestyle and simply cutting those people off as being beyond the pale.  If God loves them, so must we.  If God is trying to save them, so must we.  Any other course makes us look like judgmental angry barbarians.  We ought to love unconditionally, minister carefully and let our own lives be the epistle that wins souls to God’s kingdom.  We can’t defend God’s Word.  He must. 

We can only share His love.

Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. ³² I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

He was moving to the gentiles.  The entire goal of the church was to reach sinners.  All gentiles were sinners.

Many churches in this country are missing God either by placing homosexuals beyond God’s love which they are not, or by accepting them as if they have every right to be fully represented in the church.  Both attitudes are wrong.  The true sin of Homosexuality is PRIDE and a refusal to put God’s purpose FIRST.  I don’t doubt that they have certain feelings or that those feelings come to many of them early in life.  I do know that those feelings are a sin and to act on them goes against God’s Word.  He will judge them.  We need not support or agree with their sin but we must love them with God’s love.

My flesh can want what it wants all day long but it is up to my spirit and my redeemed and retaught mind to keep it under control.  Paul made it quite clear that we are all drawn to sin of one sort or another (Romans 7:24-25).  Scripture says that a righteous man falls seven times (Proverbs 24:16), but he gets up again.  Is that seven times in a lifetime?  I don’t think so.  It could be seven times in an hour or seven times in a day or seven times in a week.  That it is seven times is a perfect number without end.  Jesus said we should forgive seventy times seven.  Consider this when you judge someone else whose sin just happens to be different from your own. 

Thank God for repentance!

Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? ³⁴ And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

John was in prison and soon to be beheaded.  His disciples fasted and prayed for his release.  It is unlikely that they knew his time was over and that he had finished the course.  As for the Pharisees, they had several required fasts during the year and many fasted regularly on their own as well (Luke 18:12).  They fasted to serve God and to see Israel shake off the Roman yoke.  

Some were simply fasting for the consolation of Israel to arrive.  They fasted to bring the Holy one.  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 God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

I love how it says that Anna came in that very instant to give thanks to God and declare the Messiah.  She was an early precursor of the New Testament scripture which calls us to be instant, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2-3).  This steadfastness came from her much fasting and prayers.  Her announcement was not going to be well received coming from a woman and bumping against the established way of doing things.

This scripture also raises a curious question regarding married couples.  1 Corinthians 7 says:

4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

There is such a thing as being so spiritually minded that you can cause your mate to stumble if you are not wise.  If you know you are not tempted but that your mate is you must protect your mate by continuing your marital relations.  In Israel newlyweds were given a year long release from military or government service so they might enjoy each other and make sure the marriage bond was strong (Deuteronomy 24:5).  What does this say of us in this country when we send our newlyweds out to war a day after they are married?  How about having women warriors who leave their children behind and go to battle? 

Who amongst them will remain to train up the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

We are the Bride of Christ.  We fast for the return of our bridegroom.  Women in Israel used to fast for the safe return of their husbands from war.  We fast because we want Go to offer us the same protection and provision that our bridegroom provided.  We know Christ will return but even He knew there was a need for the spiritual equivalent of a palace guard to protect us when out of His presence.  The Holy Spirit fills that role.  In John 16:13 it defines who and what He is.  In this case He is the one who fulfills Christ’s role in our lives and lends us strength and direction.  He does not speak for Himself but for our head, Jesus.

In spite of the marvelous presence of the Holy Spirit we are still to fast from time to time to preserve our vow and consecration to Christ.

Luke 5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

Old material has already stabilized.  After a lifetime our older and more mature flesh should have stabilized. Our minds ought to be renewed by the Word of God and no longer raging out against everything.  We should be people full of faith, grace, love and mercy and should typify the fruit of the Spirit in all we do.  A church should never be filled with cranky church mothers and shifty church preachers.  While no person lives without some flaws in their life and conduct, we should at the very least be a model of integrity, propriety and grace.

New material has not stabilized and will continue to change through many cleansings.  If the two are yoked together, sewn together or bound together they will damage one another.  Fasting provides this maturing process an opportunity to proceed more rapidly.  Flesh always tries to pull away, but spirit remains firm.  Well does 1 Timothy 5:22 say, “Lay hands suddenly on no man.”  We should never be quick to ordain or license or promote anyone.  God promotes in His time and we must be well aware of those times. If someone wishes to advance those times then they must advance study, fasting and prayer. 

Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. ³⁸ But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

The old wine is preferred.  If you try to put the new wine in an old, established bottle it might burst from the energy and all the flavor and mellowness of the old wine will be lost.  New wine is placed into a new bottle and it is seasoned inside and out.  As it matures its value is multiplied many times. 

A young man might become a pastor right out of seminary but he is not ready for all that will come at him right away.  If he has been in church his whole life and has prepared himself for that position he may be somewhat ready but the more mature wine will always have better answers, more honest empathy and deeper wisdom.  In the process of living our rough edges are rubbed off and our wineskin is not quite as passionate and driven to foolishness.

Wisdom is better than youth in a leader.  Faith is better than passion.  Knowledge is better than strength.  To obtain these things we need to grow and mature.  Fasting matures the wine AND the skin.  It speeds the process.  The old man and old woman don’t take as many chances with their bodies.  They don’t jump at this and attack that.  They are more circumspect and show more thought.  The young man and young woman are often impatient and ready to race toward the finish line.  It takes a wise pastor to lead these strong stallions and young lions to maturity.  It takes one wiser yet to train them up in the gifts and responsibilities of ministry while they are young enough to learn and feel full of promise.

³⁹ No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Youth is exciting, passionate and fiery but it is maturity that is truly desired.  Wisdom, knowledge and faith are greatest in the old wine skins.  I’ve never seen a young couple who ran off for a passionate life of sex, drugs and excitement where someone didn’t wake up one day as a more mature adult and ask, “What have I done.”  New wine might make you happy for a season but it lacks flavor, nuance and the taste of a well aged treasure. 

Finally, it is obvious that both are needed.  Truth may be an absolute, but life and maturity are a process.  Youth and age are needed, the one to add a bit of passion and a challenge and the other to provide direction, wisdom and knowledge.  Making great wine is a process as well.

Bishop J

A Thought About Bishops

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

A bishop is all about the work of the ministry, not the honor of the title.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

A bishop ought to be blameless in life and actions.  A bishop cannot multiply wives but learn to obey the Christian standard of one bride (in Christ) and one husband (a type of Christ).  A bishop is a visionary, vigilant and observant.  He is serious about his responsibilities and walks maturely.  He is willing to disperse his wealth or gifts to others.  A bishop is gracious and caring and loves to give God’s words to others.

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

A bishop will never be a drunkard or violent or greedy of ill-gotten gain.  He is patient (even in the midst of foolishness and mistakes), not a fighter or covetous of another’s wealth.

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

A bishop will have serious children who understand how important this work of God is.  They will have been taught and have learned to obey the Word of God.  A bishop will never choose to surrender his faith or beliefs to gain the acceptance of a wayward child. 

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

It is proper for a bishop to receive the respect of others but of utmost importance to deserve that respect.  He cannot be led apart by popular opinion or rise up and stroke his own ego for the sake of honor and pride.  Pride will cause a bishop to fall as surely as if struck by a great blow.  A bishop ought to be meek.  A prideful bishop is to be feared.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

A bishop should be honored by truthful sinners and those not part of the church.  His examples and actions should lend great honor to the body of Christ.  A bishop who does not have the honor of those apart from the church because of his failings is snared by Satan.  A bishop who is persuaded against God’s Word is snared as well.

The final point I want to make is this one.  A bishop should be willing to give all to the gospel of Jesus and even to surrender life to protect the rest of the body.  In Islam, we have seen highly educated teachers send suicide bombers out to die for their faith.  With few exceptions those who die are some of the least educated and more easily persuaded.  The Muslim bishops stay at home.

In Christ, our savior gave all for the love of God toward us.  As bishops and leaders, we too are supposed to be ready to surrender all to protect the church.  A minister here brought a message that made me appreciate the power and grace of a true bishop.  He reminded us that during the early church growth, the Roman government would strike down any group that seemed to fight against Rome.  This included the church.  When someone accused the church of crimes against the state, they would arrest all the senior leaders for punishment.  This usually included time in the arena or in prison or just death.  This was a well known tactic.  A man in the office of a bishop knew he might be called to sacrifice his life for the sake of an entire house church at any time. 

They still answered the call.

Do you still want the office of a bishop?

Bloom or Boom

“We’re not in competition with anyone else.  Each of us has our own walk and our own gifts and our own trials.”  Pastor Clyde Campbell

 

Bloom or Boom

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Greetings beloved.  I know some of you have been wondering when I would get another lesson out.  I heard a message similar to this one at work a couple weeks ago and it made me think.  The quote above comes from Pastor Clyde Campbell of Word Alive church in Chesapeake.  It was a powerful message and I really enjoyed it.  I felt it meshed well with Bloom or Boom so I think this is a good time for this lesson.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.  Scripture says the sound of that Word has gone out to all the earth and it’s message to the ends of the world.  There are people all over this world who have never held a Bible in their hands and have never heard the tenets of the Christian faith.  I had to ask myself and then God how someone who had never heard the Judeo Christian scriptures could have heard the Word of God.  That bothered me because I know the Bible is not in error and His Word is ALWAYS true.  During my studies I came across Psalm 19:1.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

The planets, stars and celestial bodies declare the glory of God.  Notice that Psalm 19:1-3 says that God’s Word is written and speaks to us from the very heavens above.  Chuck Missler has some terrific scriptures that show how the very stars tell the story of the coming of Christ and His redemption.  It’s funny how smart and educated people can totally ignore the great truths found in the Judeo Christian scriptures and in their blindness miss all the scientific truths found there.  If science were the study of truth the whole world would be Christian.  Science today tries to prove God does not exist and in so doing cause science to travel down many unfulfilling paths.  Even the Bedouin in the desert can look up and see the message of God.

Luke 8

5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

In verse 11 above we discover that the seed is the Word of God.  God is perfect. He never makes mistakes or misses the mark.  God is Holy.  He is without sin.  If He has sowed His seed everywhere, even on the wayside, it is because that was His purpose.  Scripture says that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  If that is true then he never intended the fowls of the air to eat the seed.  It ought to have been protected as Abraham protected his sacrifice to God in Genesis 15:9-11.  We in the body of Christ are responsible for the salvation and protection of all mankind (2 Chronicles 7:14), not merely those who know the Lord. Satan is known as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).  We are to fight the principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12) so they do not devour this precious seed which has landed upon a lost and dying landscape (Psalm 126:6).

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.—

These need deep prayer, welcoming encouragement and prayerful protection to become strong.  Their hearts must be protected.  They are unchurched, unapproached, threatened and wounded.  They feel no interest or need to believe and yet His love and desire for them is plainly presented to them.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

Then there are those who hear the word with excitement and wonder.  They tell their friends and families about the wonder and joy of Christ and for a short season fall into the orbit of faith and Christian love.  Men and women in this state appear to be vibrant and powerful saints of God but have no real foundation to hold them when times get hard; and times ALWAYS get hard if you are in Christ.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) saints.  They need help building roots.  You must surround them and build a scaffold of love, interesting things to do and excitement of the work of God for them to endure.  You have to dig a space for their roots to grow as they won’t succeed otherwise.  It’s not a short term responsibility.  From this group comes the great falling away.  The more diligent of these souls become pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets and even Apostles.  They pray and build and preach until that one vicious attack of the enemy comes that tears away the great edifice they have built in their zeal.  Without root, without that standard to combat the great flood of the enemy (Isaiah 59:19) they will eventually fall and crumble, their faith shipwreck.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

This group is particularly sad.  They love God and grow, often powerfully, but are never able to let go of the desires and wants of the world.  For them fasting is too difficult and prayer too limiting.  Eventually they look at their lives and wonder why the sinners around them seem to have the better life.  They were never able to separate themselves (2 Corinthians 6:17) and begin to drift back to the life they once knew.  Sadly, they are often too old and established in Christ to fully go back.  They become double minded (James 1:8).  Their only hope is to fully renounce the world and its tempting lure.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

This kind takes deep deep prayer.  You have to pray for them faster and harder than Satan is working against them.  They are like the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-23.  Jesus said it’s hard but not impossible for a wealthy man to be saved.  The latter part of this verse tells it all.  They bring forth no fruit to perfection.  There is no maturity or power here and certainly no eternal account to follow them into eternity (Matthew 6:19-20). 

8a And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.

Occasionally there are men and women who respond to God’s call with total submission and surrender.  Their lives are marked by greater and greater accomplishments of faith and dedication and they have no greater joy than to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”  These are they who walk in God’s full anointing and grace.  They are strong and joyful in trials and equally joyful in times of success.  These are they of whom Paul said, “I have learned how to abound and how to be abased (Philippians 4:12).

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The perfect saint.  They might have come from those seeds above, carried to that place of safety and preparation by a strong saint or might just have always loved the Lord.  These saints endure hardships with grace and respond to attacks with love.  They are the ones in Matthew 5:48, Romans 12:2, Philippians 3:15, and most importantly…James 1:4 – “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.”

8b And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!

We are the church, every one of us regardless of the ground upon which we fell.  We are all different in temperament, skill, knowledge and gifts.  Each of us must depend upon the other and should pray for their growth.  Each of us must complement and connect with the other and should strive to be worthy of THEIR trust.

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Occasionally we pray and experience no direction or leading.  We want to do God’s will but find it difficult to discern just what His will for our life might be. We might try to take what is working for someone else because it is working; but if it’s not what God has for you, your success will be limited with little joy.  You have to find your path.  AND YOU HAVE TO WANT TO FIND IT. 

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Once you’ve asked God, sought God and pressed God He will begin to reveal your gifts, your calling and your purpose.  He will only BEGIN to reveal them to you.  It might take years to learn your path and purpose.

Nobody just has God’s giftings dumped on them.  As we can see above ALL God’s giftings and skills and talents come with trials, tribulations and tests.  

Many don’t even understand the expectation and don’t recognize the test.  Their cry is, “God isn’t helping me!”  God’s answer is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.  I will endure this with you.”

Notice that this was so important that God told it to all seven of the Revelation churches.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;”  Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, and 3:22. 

Are you listening?  Can you hear?  Do you receive it?  Will you obtain it? 

The ground the seed you heard fell upon is only a beginning.  It need not be the end.  Only God knows the end from the beginning.  If you strive to succeed and do not faint in your heart, you will say what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Will I see you there beloved?

Bishop J

Fruitless House of Ill Repute

1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him]. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

Jesus came toward Jerusalem as a seeker.  He walked as one who was trying to discern whether or not this city Jerusalem carried the answers that God had charged them with holding secure and if they provided those answers to all who might come looking.  This scripture says He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany.  Bethphage means the house of unripe or immature figs.  Bethany means the house of figs but also means the house of MISERY.  Here is Jesus approaching His own chosen people in Jerusalem and two towns on the outskirts of the city haven't even been touched by His Word.  One town is weak and immature and the other is filled with pain and woe.  It is a painful testimony against us if our neighbors don't know us as Saints of God or have some respect for our spiritual maturity.  Israel is known as the fig tree.  How much more damning is it that her suburbs are called immature and miserable figs. 

It would appear that there is only one possible move on His part.  He is the King, the Son of the Living God.  It is obviously time for Him to enter His city with all His dignity according to the Scripture laid down hundreds of years before, riding on the colt.  Jerusalem is His royal city.  He is the FINAL descendant of David the king.  His Father has sent Him to embrace His chosen people.  Angels, John the Baptist and God's Holy Spirit have prepared the way.  Everything is ready for His triumphal entry. 

 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

Jesus'  disciples didn't have to set up the situation or prepare the population of Jerusalem.  God had already touched the hearts of thousands of His faithful who gladly invited Him into His city and throne.  The problem didn't arise from the masses; it came from the caretakers, those charged to prepare His way.  His transportation had been prepared from His birth in human form to this ride upon a lowly ass. 

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed [them] in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

We might miss the importance of garments being placed upon the donkey or the ground before Him.  It has to do with God providing our covering in the very beginning by killing innocent animals to cover our sins.  Our clothing was useless for this purpose.  It barely covers our bodies much less covering our sins.  Jesus sat upon our garments and in so doing covered them and us.  Jesus rode upon our garments, grinding them under foot as He became the sole covering required for our lives.  He was coming on the prescribed day in the prescribed manner through the prescribed gate and He was NOT received by the caretakers He Himself had set in place.  His statement of who and what He was is echoed in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I AM!" Those were the very same words used in the burning bush.

The masses understood who He was in their hearts and cried, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord Yahweh.  They were thrilled to accept Him and offer Him their worship and praise.  It was the caretakers who were supposed to have kept His throne and honor safe that failed in their responsibility as we shall see in a few verses.

10 Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

Can you imagine a military base that has been following the orders of the departing General for many decades with no new orders.  The officers left behind have begun to enjoy their prestige and have not kept true to the final orders of their commander.  One day all the privates in the army begin to shout, "The General is coming!  The General has returned!!"  The officers look out the windows of their lavish penthouses and luxurious apartments and see someone who looks like them but dressed like one of the privates riding upon an old jeep.  He has all the proper security codes.  He can answer all authentication questions but it  can't be him...can it?  He's not supposed to appear like this.  The Empower has made him Lord of all.  Where are his armies?  Where is his flashy uniform? 

Even stranger than his appearance is the fact that he merely came in and looked at their apartments and penthouses.  He examined the various offices and records and then, as it began to be dark; he left the base without even speaking to THEM!  They were the ones in charge.  Who did he think he was?  He looked at them as if they were ...nothing. ...wayward children.  They began to grumble and argue amongst themselves.  Who did HE think he was???

12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not [yet]. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].

For His part, Jesus accepted the adoration of His people and allowed the day of His visitation to unwind as it might.  He did not push anything or demand His due.  THIS was the EXACT day.   He came in the EXACT way.  His servants failed to be prepared.  There was no red carpet; no honor guard and no band to mark the day with music.  They were not ready.  He was tired, hungry and disgusted by their failure.  He had fulfilled every requirement and appeared on the day when they ought to have expected Him.  In sorrow he left the fig tree of God and walked quietly away.  It was not to be.

Leaving Jerusalem, the fig tree of Jehovah, he came across a literal fig tree.  It was full of leaves and great promise but when He and His disciples arrived hungry and ready to partake they discovered nothing.  The imagery of what He had just been through was too much.  He had been despised and rejected by His own and had endured enough.  He cursed the fig tree that ought to have brought the figs of life and truth to all people.  It would never feed His Gospel to the world again.  That blessing and commandment would be given to another who was worthy.  Like Nebuchadnezzar, Israel would be cut off, the individual leaves  scattered.  The root would remain in God but only a miracle could bring it back to life.  The commandment and charge to spread God's Word would go to the Gentiles.

15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry [any] vessel through the temple.

After this prophetic ruling of Israel's future, Jesus and His disciples returned to the temple where the Lord of the universe showed His displeasure of their greed and lack of spiritual perception.  The Chief Priests (an unlawful and made up term) had developed an entire economic foundation surrounding sacrifices and offerings to God.  No sacrifice was acceptable and offerings had to be made in shekels rather than Roman coins.  Changing one for the other involved transaction fees that multiplied the burdens upon the people many times.  Instead of serving God and His program they became the rulers of all things Jewish.  Every law was bent to bring more money into the treasury and their individual pockets.

17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard [it], and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Can you imagine Christ's frustration and anger over their poisonous actions?  Israel was supposed to be a house of prayer, not just for the Jews but for ALL NATIONS.  Even today God's plan for Israel is unchanged.  Consider that once we gentiles are removed the entire world will turn upon Israel to destroy it.  At that moment in time she will turn back to her God and the dead and dusty  stump of a nation will become a vibrant and powerful force of prayer and praise.  On that day God will come down with thousands of His angels and shut every mouth that spoke against His chosen people. 

Notice it says that the scribes and chief priests sought how they might destroy Him.  They were not called or ordained by God.  Have you noticed how some religious groups develop alternate names to describe themselves?  They have cardinals and archbishops; overseers, popes and other unscriptural titles. It is not enough to obey God's Word precisely and function within His hierarchy.  They develop unscriptural ranks to fulfill their own purposes and yet call themselves the house of God.  These are the ones who must be watched and guarded against.  They speak with smooth words and fragrant arguments while leading the unsuspecting to a devil's hell.  Jesus speaks of them in Matthew 25...

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows 'houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Beware those who tailor the Word of God to preach their private gospel.

19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Jesus said in John 6:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  After spending the day at the temple He returned to the place where Israel's failure was so striking, the villages of Bethphage and Bethany, immature figs and misery.  Consider this:  if you make no difference in your community then what good are you?  You are salt that has lost its savor and are good for nothing (Matthew 5:13).

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Notice that Jesus' response to his disciples is not some long rant about disobedience or sin.  He has an important point to make and refers to the olive tree to make it.  Remember that Israel is the olive tree.  The will never again be chosen as the primary vessel to spread the gospel to the world during this dispensation.  Despite what many denominational churches have to say about them however, they are still God's chosen people.  The Gospel was given first to them and we should remember that when we ignore the Old Testament as less important than the New.  It is full of the entire foundation of redemption that God has put into place and without that foundation the New Testament is a shallow thing indeed.  Indeed, it is the depth of continuity and prophetic promise carried in the Old Testament that makes the New Testament so extraordinary. 

Jesus may have turned from Israel at this point for her failure to win the world for almighty God, but as any parent who has a child well knows, that doesn't mean we stop loving or hoping for the best for that child.  Israel has been in her room for the past 2000 years while we have been given the right to shine.  Sadly, like any children we have chosen to stick our tongues out at her every time we walk past her while failing to consider what punishment awaits us if WE fail.  Remember, while God loves us we're still the adopted one, the wild olive branch. 

Notice what is says in Romans 11:17... And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:  21 For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.

God did not permanently cast off Israel.  They were broken off for a time due to unbelief.  Consider the church of this present age.  Have any of them failed due to unbelief even while still holding services?  Do any deny angels or the spirit or even the gifts of God's precious Holy Spirit?  Of course they do.  Many of them.  Do you think that God won't break off those who refuse to teach the Godship of Jesus and salvation by faith in His shed blood?!  Right now we are living under grace stretched tight enough to snap.  We ought to be MORE faithful to God's PRECISE scripture, not less. 

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to inspect His temple it was not the believing Jews who ran the temple.  Those were the Pharisees.  They were in error and still worthy of punishment, but it was the Sadducees who held the true political power.  They were the liberals who did not believe in the sanctity of the scripture.  They did not believe in angels or spirits.  How did Jesus respond to them?  He ignored them in large part.  He dealt with the Pharisees.  They were supposed to be in charge.  They knew AND believed the truth but had been suborned by the Sadducees.  Jesus cursed THEM for their lack of faith.

NOW it makes sense that Jesus should spring into a lesson on faith after cursing a olive tree.  What did He tell us in 2 Timothy 4:

"2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

It is quite certain that a great number of  Christian churches fall into this category.  How will God's response to their apostasy be any different than his response to Israel.  It's a blessing that God loves us, but we are still the adopted wild olives.  We are surely not MORE respected than Israel.  We MUST exercise our faith in the true word of God or we are simply a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.  I don't know about you but I don't want to hear, "You ran well for a while, but what stopped you (Galatians 5:7)?"

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Now that we've come to the understanding of how Israel stumbled, we must make sure it does not befall us.  Hebrews 11 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."  We must trust God even in the absence of physical evidence.  God is spirit.  His spirit creates and controls energy and matter.  Because of this we must have faith that He is God and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

Today I spoke to several people who are experiencing a crisis of faith.  Some of them have mind storms whirling about in their heads and can't even hold on to a scripture, much less trust it for their deliverance.  Some are facing their mortality and though they have served God for many years they have never developed life or health sustaining faith.  How can you expect to climb the Alps in Switzerland if  you can't even get off the sofa for a walk to the corner store.  We are so spiritually out of shape that every news report frightens or angers us and our hearts are failing for fear when we should be the lions of the tribe of Judah that make Satan tremble.

I don't know about you but I am tired of being a tottering testimonial who can't trust God for a meal much less a healing.  The Just shall live by faith.  It's not supposed to be a fall back position in case your job and the government can't keep food on the table.  Less developed countries around the world have much more developed faith than we do in America because they have to.  Doctors aren't available or there is no money to pay for them.  They can't always get to a grocery store and if God didn't help out a bit someone could starve. 

This promise on verse 24 is yours.  Are you living in it.  People mocked the name it and claim it, blab it and grab it saints of my generation and called them greedy or deluded fools.  Who's  the greater fool; someone who at least steps out on the water like Peter and sinks or the one who never gets out of the boat?  There's a lot of people today who will deny Christ one day because they NEVER learned to trust Him or try Him, much less walk hand in hand with Him.

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

And finally my brethren... 

I told several people this today, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.  Against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places."  Where in that verse does it give the right to say I hate aunt Maude or I can't stand my boss?  If they are that miserable of a personality then they must have a lot of pain and many problems.  Where is your compassion?  Does it only work for puppies, babies and little old ladies?  Don't you have some for the cranky old geezers and rude teenagers.  How many kingdom priests do you think should go around whining and crying because someone hurt their feelings?  What exactly is it that we are so fearful of that we need to snap, bite and devour one another. 

Whatever the flaws of those who grate on you and make you want to scream, remember this; they are only there to make you grow.  God doesn't want weak saints.  He wants you to have the endurance of Job, the humility of Moses, the faith of Peter and the wisdom of Solomon and Paul.  You can only develop those skills by going through what they went through.  You too must have a myriad of experiences that might just turn your hair white until you can trust the Lord your God. 

Let's be about our Father's business beloved.

Bishop J