Marriage Vows

Genesis 2:22-24
Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord .

Matthew 19:4-6
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ ? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

I Corinthians 7:2-5, 10-11, 33-34, 39
Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.
But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

I Corinthians 11:3, 8-9, 11-12
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:14, 18-19
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

I Peter 3:1, 5, 7-9
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

I Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Corruptible Man: Who knowing the Judgement of God

Romans 2:24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." 

 Nathan's parable and David's confession & The death of David's Son: 

II Samuel 12:14 "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

 David pleaded with God for the child. the child died, the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. David saw his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." David went into the house of the LORD and worshipped. While the child was alive, David fasted and wept; for he said, 'Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' "But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (16,18-23)

Solomon is born: 

II Samuel 12:24 

Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him.

Proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.

Immortality Must Be Judged:

1 Corinthians 5:11 

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person.

Pornos/Fornication 

from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger.

BLB Lexicon

Results for G4205 - pornos

πόρνος

Transliteration: pornos

Pronunciation: po'r-nos 

Part of Speech: masculine noun

Root Word (Etymology): from pernemi (to sell, akin to the base of G4097)

Outline of Biblical Usage:

a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire

a male prostitute

a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. 

Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!

 no not to eat/not to sit at the same table with such; whether at the love-feasts (agapae) or in private intercourse, much more at the Lord's table: at the last, too often now the guests "are not as children in one family, but like a heterogeneous crowd of strangers in an inn." 

 

2 John 1:10, 11

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Walking in the Spirit:

Galatians 5:19-21 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Works:

Galatians 6:8 

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

The Law-

Romans 7:5,18,25 

5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 

Law cannot Save from Sin-

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 Peter 4:2 

That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Plea For Purity-

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 

For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Love for the Church-

2 Corinthians 12:20,21 

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Adultery:

Defilement Comes from Within-

Matthew 15:18,19 

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Mark 7:21-23 

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

God's Wrath on Unrighteousness-

Romans 1:21-32 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1 Corinthians 6:9,10 

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Love for the Church-

2 Corinthians 12:20,21 

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

The New Man-

Ephesians 4:17-19 

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Walk in Love-

Ephesians 5:3-6 

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Not Carnality but Christ-

Colossians 3:5-8 

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

No other Doctrine-

1 Timothy 1:9,10 

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

Plea For Purity:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Abstain-

middle voice (reflexively) of 'apecho' (STRONG_G568); to hold oneself off, i.e. refrain:--abstain.

BLB Lexicon

Results for G567 - apechomai

ἀπέχομαι

Transliteration: apechomai

Pronunciation: äp-e'-kho-mī 

Part of Speech: verb

Root Word (Etymology): middle voice (reflexively) of G568

Outline of Biblical Usage:

to hold one's self off, refrain, abstain

Should Know (eido "know")-

BLB Lexicon

Results for G1492 - eidō

εἴδω

Transliteration: eidō

Pronunciation: ā'-dō 

Part of Speech: verb

Root Word (Etymology): a root word

Outline of Biblical Usage:

to see

to perceive with the eyes

to perceive by any of the senses

to perceive, notice, discern, discover

to see

i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything

to pay attention, observe

to see about something

i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it

to inspect, examine

to look at, behold

to experience any state or condition

to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit

to know

to know of anything

to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive

of any fact

the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning

to know how, to be skilled in

to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th. 5:12)

5825

Despiseth-

John 12:48 

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Despiseth Not-

Luke 10:16 

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Acts 13:41 

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.

Who-

Acts 5:3,4 

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

1 John 3:24 

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

2 Corinthians 12:20, 21

For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Already/Have sinned already-

from 'pro' (STRONG_G4253) and 'hamartano' (STRONG_G264); to sin previously (to conversion):--sin already, heretofore sin.

BLB Lexicon

Results for G4258 - proamartanō

προαμαρτάνω

Transliteration: proamartanō

Pronunciation: pro-ä-mär-tä'-nō 

Part of Speech: verb

Root Word (Etymology): from G4253 and G264

Outline of Biblical Usage:

to sin before

of those who before receiving baptism had been guilty of the vices especially common among the Gentiles

How grievous it is that such evils should be found among professors of the gospel! 

sinned already-before my last coming [Bengel], that is, before the second visit which he paid, and in which he had much at Corinth to rebuke.

 have not repented-shall not have repented [Alford].

 uncleanness-for example, of married persons (1Th 4:7).

 fornication-among the unmarried.

Unrighteousness-

Romans 1:29 

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

A Pattern of Self-Denial:

2 Corinthians 9:3,4 

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

Apostates, Old & New-

Jude 1:7,23 

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Our Citizenship-

Philippians 3:18,19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

 

There is No One like Our God: Part 4- Enriched Roots

Part 4: Enriched Roots

The Reign of Jesse's Offspring:

Isaiah 11:10 

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Romans 15:12 

And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

The Bread from Heaven:

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

•Adam & Eve ate of a tree that brought forth death 

"So when the woman saw that the 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 gave to her husband with her, and he ate."

 (Genesis 3:6 NKJV)

•We eat of a tree (The Root of Jesse) that brings forth life (John 15 The True Vine)

Sons & Heirs:

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

(Galatians 3:26, 29 NKJV)

"Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." 

(Galatians 4:3-7 NKJV)

Institution of The Lord's Supper:

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes."

(I Corinthians 11:23-26 NKJV)

The True Vine:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

Abide in Me, and I in you. 

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

 “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. 

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

 (John 15:1-8 NKJV)

"And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 

So when the woman saw that the 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 gave to her husband with her, and he ate."

(Genesis 3:2, 3, 6 NKJV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

 (Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV)

Disney's illustration of Snow White is a familiar story we all know and love. I'll use it as an example.

Snow White was in the kitchen when she heard the sound at the door: KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Who's there?" she called suspiciously, remembering the dwarfs (God) advice. 

"I'm an old peasant woman (The Serpent) selling apples," came the reply.

"I don't need any apples, thank you," she replied.

"But they are beautiful apples and ever so juicy!" said the velvety voice from outside the door.

"I'm not supposed to open the door to anyone," said the little girl, who was reluctant to disobey her friends (Her God).

"And quite right too! Good girl! If you promised not to open up to strangers, then of course you can't buy. You are a good girl indeed!" Then the old woman went on.

"And as a reward for being good, I'm going to make you a gift of one of my apples!" Without a further thought, Snow White opened the door just a tiny crack, to take the apple.

"There! Now isn't that a nice apple?" Snow White bit into the fruit (Forbidden), and as she did, fell to the ground in a faint: the effect of the terrible poison (Sin) left her lifeless instantaneously.

Now chuckling evilly, the wicked stepmother hurried off. 

Meanwhile, the dwarfs came out of the mine to find the sky had grown dark and stormy. Loud thunder echoed through the valleys and streaks of lightning ripped the sky. Worried about Snow White they ran as quickly as they could down the mountain to the cottage.

There they found Snow White, lying still and lifeless, the poisoned apple by her side. They did their best to bring her around, but it was no use.

They wept and wept for a long time. Then they laid her on a bed of rose petals, carried her into the forest and put her in a crystal coffin.

Each day they laid a flower there.

Then one evening, they discovered a strange young man admiring Snow White's lovely face through the glass. After listening to the story, the Prince (for he was a prince!) made a suggestion.

"If you allow me to take her to the Castle, I'll call in famous doctors (The Great Physician) to waken her from this peculiar sleep. She's so lovely . . . I'd love to kiss her. . . !" He did, and as though by magic, the Prince's kiss (Jesus' Death & Resurrection), broke the spell  everyone's astonishment, Snow White opened her eyes. She had amazingly come back to life! Now in love, the Prince asked Snow White to marry him, and the dwarfs reluctantly had to say good bye to Snow White.

From that day on, Snow White lived happily in a great castle. But from time to time, she was drawn back to visit the little cottage down in the forest.

•It's obviously a Fairy Tale. But I love the Truth found in its subtle way of introducing enticement & the repercussions of it's deceitful impression. 

"For such are *false apostles, *deceitful workers, *transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 

And no wonder! 

[For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.]

 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."

(II Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV)

When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 

(Matthew 9:12, 13 NKJV)

•We learn of Eve & Adam's fall, even Snow White and her unfortunate mishap. We are aware of "The Forbidden Fruit" & the curse of its taste. 

"Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You."

 (Psalms 51:13 NKJV)

The Bread of Life:

The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 

And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’ ?” 

Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” 

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” 

Then Jesus said to them, “Most 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. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” 

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 

When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 

John 6:41-58, 60, 61 

There is No One like Our God: Part 3- The Garden of Eden

Part 3: The Garden of Eden

And 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. (Genesis 2:9 NKJV)

Life in God's Garden:

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 

Genesis 2:16, 17 

Loving God Under Trials:

Blessed is the man who endures *temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of *life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 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. 

•But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own *desires and enticed. 

(Psalm 37:4)

•Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 

Psalms 51:5 

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalms 58:3 

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Psalms 58:4 

Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear;

Psalms 58:5 

Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

Psalms 58:6 

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

I Peter 5:8, 9 

The Temptation & Fall of Man:

Now 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’?” 

And the woman said to the serpent,

 “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 

Then the serpent said to the woman,

 “You will not surely die. 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.” 

[The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:20]

So when the woman saw that the 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 gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 

[Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 

I John 3:4]

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him,

 “Where are you?” 

So he said, 

“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 

And He said, 

“Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” 

Then the man said, 

“The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 

[So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12]

And the Lord God said to the woman,

 “What is this you have done?” 

The woman said, 

“The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 

[So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12]

In the sweat of your face you shall eat *bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” 

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. 

Isaiah 7:15 

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”

— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to *the tree of life. (Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 22:2)

Genesis 3:1-13, 19, 22-24 

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

The Whole Armor of God:

Put on the whole armor of God, that [you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that [you may be able to withstand in the evil day,] and having done all, to stand. 

Ephesians 6:11-13 

There is No One like Our God: Part 2- Name Above All Names

Part 2: Name Above All Names

Jesus- "King of Kings"

Isaiah 9:6 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 11:10 

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Acts 2:30 

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

John 12:15 

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

John 18:37 

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

1 Timothy 6:15 

Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Revelation 17:14 

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 19:16 

And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

There are 99

Kings in the Bible (alphabetical)

Adam- 1st King (100)

1. Abijam

2. Abimelech

3. Achbor

4. Achish

5. Adoni-zedec

6. Adonizedek

7. Agag

8. Agrippa I

9. Ahab

10. Ahasuerus

11. Ahaz

12. Ahaziah

13. Alexander the Great

14. Amaziah

15. Amon

16. Amraphel

17. Aretas

18. Arioch

19. Artaxerxes

20. Asa

21. Asnapper

22. Baal-hanan

23. Baalis

24. Baasha

25. Bela

26. Belshazzar

27. Ben-hadad

28. Berodach-baladan

29. Birsha

30. Chedorlaomer

31. Chushan-rishathaim

32. Cyrus

Darius (Dan 5:31)

33. Debir

34. Eglon

35. Elah

36. Eliakim

37. Eth-baal

38. Evil-merodach

39. David

40. Hadad

41. Hadadezer

42. Hanun

43. Herod Agrippa I

44. Herod the Great

45. Hezekiah

46. Hiram

47. Hoham

48. Hoshea

49. Hur

50. Jabin

51. Japhia

52. Jechoniah (Jechonias)

53. Jehoash

54. Jehoiachin

55. Jehoiakim

56. Jehoram

57. Jehoshaphat

58. Jehu

59. Jeroboam

60. Joash

61. Jobab

62. Josiah

63. Lemuel

64. Melchizedek

65. Menahem

66. Mesha

67. Nadab

68. Nahash

69. Nebuchadnezzar

70. Necho II

71. Nimrod

72. Og

73. Omri

74. Oshea

75. Osnapper

76. Piram

77. Pul

78. Rehoboam

79. Rezin

80. Rezon

81. Sargon

82. Saul

83. Sennacherib

84. Shallum

85. Shalman

86. Shemeber

87. Shinab

88. Shishak I

89. So

90. Solomon

91. Talmai

Tidal (Gen 14:1)

92. Tiglath-Pileser III

93. Tirhakah

94. Toi

95. Uzziah

96. Xerxes

97. Zachariah

98. Zedekiah

99. Zerah

Jesus- King of Kings (101)

99 < (Kings listed in the Bible) 

Adam (1st King) 100 <

Jesus (King of Kings) 101 >

He must increase, but I must decrease. 

John 3:30 

1 + 99 = 100 + 1 = 101

1 -the first King (Adam)

99 -rulers of nations (Kings)

1 -the beginning and the end

(Jesus)

 Starts with the #1 and ends with #1 (101)

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: 

(Luke 3:23-38)

the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. 

Luke 3:38 

•The Ancestry of Jesus Christ is traced up to Adam, "Adam, the son of God." 

(Adam is named here in Luke)

Mt. 19:4-6; Mk. 10:6-8 referring to Genesis 1:27; 2:24

Death in Adam, Life in Christ:

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 

Romans 5:12-19 

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 

I Corinthians 15:45 

A Glorious Body:

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 

I Corinthians 15:46-49 

who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 

Philippians 3:21 

The Children of God:

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 

I John 3:2 

There is No One like Our God: Part 1

There is No One Like Our God: Part 1

(Selected Scriptures)

Psalms 86:8 

Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.

Supremacy-

•the state of being supreme

•supreme authority or power

Supreme-

highest in rank or authority; paramount; *sovereign; chief

of the highest quality, degree, character, importance, etc.: supreme courage

greatest, utmost, or extreme: supreme disgust

last or final; *ultimate

The God Above All Gods:

1) Psalms 89:5-8

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him.

O LORD God of hosts, who [is] a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

2) Praise for the Lord's Mercies-

 Psalms 103:19 

The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

3) God's Blessing on Israel-

Isaiah 44:6-8

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; *I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

*Isaiah 44:6c/Revelation 22:13 

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

4) Daniel 4:34-35

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

The Humbled and Exalted Christ-

Philippians 2:9 

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

The Throne Room of Heaven: 

Revelation 4:11 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism 

-Williamson

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Genesis 1:26-28

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

"And God said, Let [us] make man in [our image], after [our likeness]."

•us (trinity) resemble

•our (trinity) represents

•image (a representative)

BLB Lexicon

Results for H6754 - tselem

צֶלֶם

Transliteration: tselem

Pronunciation: tseh'·lem 

Part of Speech: masculine noun

Root Word (Etymology): from an unused root meaning to "shade"

Outline of Biblical Usage:

image

images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods)

•image, likeness (of resemblance)

mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.)

Root word meaning to "shade", I thought of a shadow.

Q) Explain How a Shadow Is Formed?

Answer: Shadow is an area of darkness formed when "the light" is stopped by an "object." Different "object" that stops "the light" include buildings and humans. The direction and length of the shadow changes with change in position and direction of source of light.

Shadow- Man

Object- Trinity

Light- image

Q) How Do Mirrors Work?

Answer: Mirrors are made up of layers of glass. Now usually when light travels it will travel in a straight unless it hits something, BUT when light hits a mirror it bounces or "reflects" back in the same direction. Which is why when looking in a mirror it "reflects" an exact "image" of whats looking into it except it looks backwards.

•likeness (resemblance)

BLB Lexicon

Results for H1819 - damah

דָּמָה

Transliteration: damah

Pronunciation: dä·mä' 

Part of Speech: verb

Root Word (Etymology): a primitive root

Outline of Biblical Usage:

to be like, "resemble"

(Qal) to be like, resemble

(Piel)

to liken, compare

to imagine, think

(Hithpael) to make oneself like

(Niphal)

"And God said, Let [us] (the trinity) make man resemble [our image], representing after [our likeness]."

"let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Dominion- "rule over"

Hebrew

radah (raw-daw')

a primitive root; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off:--(come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take.

•God is sovereign (The Ruler over All)

•Adam ruled over beast (under God's authority)

•beast (under authority by it's Creator, God- and it's Ruler, Adam)

Adam- 1st King 

Jesus- King of Kings

"The first king in the earth was Adam and it was said by God to Adam that he had dominion over the earth. 

He was the first monarch but he fell and since he fell the Old Testament had to end with a curse."

"And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6 NKJV)

"But in the New Testament there's a new king and that's why Matthew starts the New Testament because he is the one who presents the King. 

The King is immediately presented.

 The last Adam, the second Adam, the greater than Adam and He is a King who does not fall.

 The first king fell and left a curse, the second King reigns and leaves a blessing.

 One writer put it this way, the first Adam was tested in a beautiful garden and failed; the last Adam was tested in a dangerous desert and succeeded. Because the first Adam was a thief he was cast out of paradise but the last Adam turned to a thief on a cross and said, "Today, shalt thou be with Me in paradise".

The book of the generations of the first Adam ends with a curse, the book of the generations of Jesus Christ ends with a promise, "There shall be no more curse". 

That's how Revelations ends."

- John MacArthur (Grace to You)

http://www.gty.org/resources/pdf/sermons/2197