JR-Teachings – With A Purpose Ministries

We Have an Advocate With the Father

admin — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 19:39:25 +0000

An advocate is a person who comes to our aid or pleads our case (our defender) to a judge. Advocates offer support, strength, counsel and intercede for us when necessary.

The English word advocate has been translated from the Greek work parakleton, which means “comforter, adviser, intercessor or counselor.” Parakletos is “one called alongside or comforter.” In essense an advocate provides help when it is needed. For a Christian our advocate is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Before going to the cross, Jesus talked to his disciples about sending the “Comforter” to them when he went to be with the Father. John 14:16: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”

The Comforter, in verse 17, is also identified as the Spirit of Truth and in verse 18 Jesus said this: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” The word comfortless means “orphans.”

The words that Jesus spoke shows the love of both the Father and Jesus toward believers and that they will never be alone. That, in itself, should truly be comforting especially in these times.

1 John 2:1 – “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

1 John 2:2 – “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Propitiation was accomplished through the blood of Jesus.

1 John 4:10 – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Propitiation – Both verses are of Christ’s atoning blood which appeases, or satisfies, God’s wrath on all sin. By the sacrifice of himself, Jesus Christ provided the ultimate propitiation for man’s sin.

1 John 3:16 – “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Jesus satisfied the demands of God’s wrath against sin, so He advocates for us from a position of righteousness. He took our punishment on the cross and became the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Romans 3:24-25 – “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

Propitiation – Jesus was our appeasement (satisfying agent) which reconciled us to God. Jesus “covered” our sin with his blood.

Jesus experienced life in this world as a man just like you and me. He was tempted, rejected, misunderstood and physically abused yet He did so without succumbing to the evils that befall us. He refused to give in to temptation and became our High Priest because he perfectly fulfilled God’s law and purpose.

Hebrews 2:17 – “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor (assist or aid) them that are tempted.”

In the Old Testament, on the Day of Atonement each year, it was only the High Priest who could enter through the veil into the Holy of Holies (innermost sanctuary or room) of the Tabernacle. He would burn incense and then sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats to extinguish, or cover, the sins of the people. This was an annual occurrence until Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for sin.

For more detail regarding what Jesus accomplished read Hebrews 8, 9 and 10 and why he is identified as being our High Priest.

Romans 8:34 – “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

1 Peter 2:21-25 – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins in willingly giving up his sinless life to go to the cross. He became the perfect sacrifice for sin to reconcile us back to God. When Jesus died, was buried and raised the third day many scriptures were fulfilled.

John 10:17-18 – “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

If you have any doubts about how much God and Jesus love you please read this teaching again … and again if necessary. Read the Bible for yourself. Jesus paid the price so you will not ever be alone. Give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to minister God’s love to you.

Take comfort with this concluding scripture in Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I trust and pray that God’s love and blessings come upon you and overtake you!

How God Really Is (His True Nature)

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 01:51:06 +0000

One of the great misconceptions, or great deceptions, that people have about God is that if he knows everything why does he allow bad things to happen?

Depending upon who you listen to or what you have heard or been told about God … He may or may not answer prayers, he may or may not do something good for you or that certain things found in the Bible do not apply to our lives today. I hope what you are about to read will help you to better understand how God really is and that He is always ready to move in the live of a believer.

I would like to begin with 2 Peter :1-4 (KJV) … “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

These four verses tell a lot about what love God and the Lord Jesus Christ have for people: grace and peace which come by knowledge, all things that pertain to life and godliness, a calling to glory and virtue and exceeding great and precious promises. Why? To be partakers of the divine nature!

There is much that I could share about God’s nature but I will keep this fairly simple and according to scripture.

Point 1 … God proved his love for man through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and as a result became the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind. John 3:16-17 states: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” This is powerful in that it points out that it was God’s choice on how to save mankind. It was by his precious son Jesus Christ!

Contrast this with Abraham and his son Isaac in Genesis 22. We find in verse 2 that Abraham was tested (tried) by God who told him to take his son Isaac (the child promised by faith) to an appointed mountain and “… offer him there for a burnt offering.” Bear in mind that Isaac was old enough to ask the question “where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” They arrived at the appointed place and Abraham built the altar, bound Isaac and laid him upon the altar upon the wood (vs. 10). Abraham was about to carry through and even raised his knife when the angel of the Lord said, in so many words, “stop, don’t do it!” The angel told Abraham in the last half of vs. 12 “… For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.”

What follows is very important to note. Because of Abraham’s obedience and faith toward God a ram was provided for the sacrifice, Isaac lived and God’s resulting blessing to Abraham was incredible. “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” (vs. 17-18).

This served as a forerunner (type or shadow) of what Jesus would do in that he became the perfect sacrifice for man’s sin.

Point 2 … God’s love and power changes our lives. Romans 2:4 says “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” We can see plainly that it is God’s goodness that leads us to repent (have a change of mind or thinking) and that we cannot do it on our own. The point here is that we are unable to deal with our sin nature which God obviously knows. He gives us numerous chances in our lifetimes but all too often we blow it off. There does come a point in time when people will have lost the opportunity to ask for, and receive, salvation.

An example to consider concerns Saul, later to be known as Paul the apostle. A quick summary of Saul is this: a religious man who set out to find and imprison Christians. It did not matter if some died because he consented to their deaths. In Acts 9 Saul was on the road to Damascus looking for more Christians. However, he had an encounter that changed his life forever. He became blinded by a great light, wound up on the ground and heard the Lord himself speak to him these words “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Saul replied, “Who art thou, Lord?” The reply must have been staggering to Saul … “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” The rest is history because Saul would go on to serve the Lord and write about two thirds of the New Testament.

Point 3 … God only has good for mankind. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (being, creation): old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” Please note an exchange between Jesus and two of his disciples, James and John, found in Luke 9. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven and consume those people who opposed Jesus. Verses 55 – 56: “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went to another village.

I encourage you to consider what you have read and ask God to give you understanding. It is very obvious that people have not been taught how God really is and that he has a very good plan for each person. Read the verses I have referenced but also the verses that appear before and following. It is very important that you read the Bible for yourself and not simply rely on what doctrine you were raised under or what people have told you. Finally, in John 8:31 -32 Jesus said “… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Blessings,

What Are You Expecting?

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 00:57:00 +0000

When we are faced with a situation, in general, there is usually a favorable or unfavorable outcome. Too many unfavorable outcomes can tilt our expectation to the negative rather than the positive. However, for Christians we should be in “expectation mode.” That is, with our faith in God, His word and His power we should expect a great outcome.

Why?

Because we are not relying on our own abilities or knowledge but in God and our Lord Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sin, including unbelief, and was raised from the dead. Jesus became the propitiation (appeasing agent) for our sins through his love and obedience to please the Father. 1 John 4:8-10 states “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

So how are we to walk in our relationship with God and Jesus as believers? By faith in what Jesus accomplished for us and all men. Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice what happens when there is no faith employed … nothing. People cannot please God without faith. Also note that he rewards people that diligently (make the effort) to seek him.

Look at Paul writing to the Romans in Chapter 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein (in the gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Let me give you something to read for yourself regarding people who went looking for Jesus and the results they received. Look at Matthew 9 and read how a man with palsy, a ruler’s daughter, a woman with an issue of blood, two blind men and a dumb man experienced the power of God that worked through Jesus. Each of them made the effort to get to Jesus and expected something from him … and they got what they needed!

Perhaps the most important thing you can personally do in your relationship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ is to read the Bible for yourself. Read the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to see how Jesus walked, lived and ministered to people. Then read Acts to find out that the disciples and other believers did the same things as Jesus did. That is what is awaiting you!

Ask God for understanding the word … make it personal! He has a plan for your life but you have to want to know it. He will not force himself upon you but He is always ready to work in your life but you just have to believe it. That is where faith comes into play. Faith mixed with the gospel will bring forth salvation for your life. Salvation is more than just the “born again” experience. It is what you need when you need it.

Let me close with John 10:10 that Jesus spoke to his followers and to the Pharisees for your consideration: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they have it more abundantly.”

Blessings!