Evangelist Frank Smith and Doris

Serving The Lord Together

One Lord, One Body

The following are pictures from street ministry in November 2009

Held at the ampatheater at Lake Silver in

Winter Haven Florida

Ron Bos Ministries

Mt Zion Church - Pastor Darby

New Hope Assembly

Jesus United Ministries - Rev Frank Smith and Doris Smith

Playing for Jesus

Feeding the Spiritual Needs



Great Fellowshp

Pastor Ron and Pastor Frank

Pastor Frank and Another Pastor ministering in prayer

Take My Picture

Pastor Ron Preaching the Word

Many Volunteers

Cooking for Jesus

Feeding the hungry in 2009
Winter Haven, Florida
Over 400 fed physically and spiritually

Reverend J.Frank Smith and his lovely wife Doris - November 2009

Together we serve !

Study of John volume 1 Issue 3

Christ, The Word Incarnate
John 1:14-18

Scripture: “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth”

Commentary: He who had no limits, limited himself. He who was invisible became visible. The one who was beyond the normal limits of earth became ready to dwell among men on their level. Because of Him we are able to see beyond the veil. If it were not for Him when we look beyond the veil we would be blinded. He is the filter through which we see God. Jesus became that which he had not been, a man. He did not cease to be God, but He became man. Our Divine Saviour took upon Himself human nature. He became a real man, yet a sinless, perfect Man. As a man He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. He came to rescue us, to knock Satan out of the way, to remove the barrier of sin, which separates us from God.

Here in Christ is the union of two natures that is one of the mysteries of our faith. Godliness is, without controversy, the greatest mystery. 1 Timothy 3:16 – God was manifest in the flesh! His divine title is “ The Word of God”. He became flesh, which is “Holy Humanity”, the God-man! Yet the Divine and human in him were never confused. His deity, although not visible, was not laid aside. His humanity, though sinless, was a real humanity. He became flesh and blood. Luke 2:52 says “He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man”. He truly was the “Son of God” and “The Son of Man”.

This union of the two natures in Christ was necessary for Him to hold the office of Mediator. God accomplished three great ends in this:
1. It was now possible for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. He had to become flesh in order to die.
2. He could now be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
3. He has left us an example that we should follow in His steps. He has made it possible for us to follow in His steps. By faith we are able to receive the power that flows from the Throne of God, through Christ, into the believer.

This duality in Jesus was plainly the one sent from God to bring us into oneness with the Father. He did this through His suffering. Isaiah 53:3 – He was a man of sorrows. He was to be the Branch of the Lord, beautiful and glorious – Isaiah 4:2. We are leading up to John Chapter 15 where Jesus describes the power we have as a part of the Kingdom of God. He said, I am the vine and ye are the branches!

God took upon himself human nature. He became a real man, yet a sinless, perfect man. Hebrews 7:26 says as a man He was “Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners”. Jesus Christ is the union of two natures. This is the great mystery of our faith. 1 Timothy 2:16 “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.
Word – Is His divine title
Flesh – Speaks of His divine humanity.
This Jesus is so extraordinary to the world there can be no mistake that He is the Son of God. He is unique in that God took on flesh through Him and we take on the righteousness of God through Him. In Jesus Christ we become one with God. We are reconciled.

God accomplished three things in Christ:
1. It was now possible for Him to die.
2. He can now be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.
3. He has left us an example, that we should follow His steps.

God did not create Satan; He created Lucifer, a bright star in God’s kingdom. Lucifer decided to be rebel against God. He decided he knew more than God and began to spread the thought around heaven that God wasn’t running things right. He convinced angels to join his crusade against God and war broke out in heaven. To made a long story short, Satan lost and was thrown out of heaven and confined to the earth. God knew this was going to happen and could have vaporized Satan and his whole crowd of angels, however, if he did this it would create doubts in others that he created. The impression would be that maybe Satan was right and therefore this rebellion and war would continue. How many of us have figured out that God does not fight wars like the world fights wars. He is a God of love and not of hate. God decided love would be his weapon. Instead of destroying Satan and his group he put love and hate on display for us to choose which we will follow. In this manner all doubt would be put away forever. God has allowed us the right to choose. You see, God does not have to destroy anyone, those with hate and worldly lusts will destroy themselves. God has allowed us the privilege to see for ourselves whether we want to follow a liar like Satan whose total agenda is to destroy all that is good or choose God who put himself on the alter in the greatest act of love ever seen. He took our punishment and died for our sins. God did this so that we may live forever with the one who loves us without ceasing. So the greatest ever poised becomes; “Who will you serve?”

Throughout scripture prophecy sometimes represents Christ as human and sometimes Divine.
Genesis 3:15 – He was to be the woman’s seed
Deut 18:18 - A prophet like unto Moses
2 Samuel 7:12 - A lineal descendant of David
Isaiah 42:11 Jehovah’s servant
Isaiah 53:3 A man of sorrows
Isaiah 4:2 The branch of the Lord, beautiful and glorious.
Isaiah 9:6 The wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the Father of the ages, the Prince of Peace.

Malachi 3:1 As Jehovah He was to come suddenly to His Temple.

Micah 5:2 The one who was to be born in Bethlehem and be ruler in Israel, was the one whose going forth had been from the days of eternity.

How are these two different sets of prophecy to be harmonized? John 1:14 is the answer. Jesus is the Divine and eternal word which does not mean that God dwells in man, but that God became a man. He became what He was not previously though He never ceased to be all that He was before.

God became man, which He never did before, however, He never ceased to be all that He was before, God. Jesus was “God with us”.

John’s gospel was specifically written to bring out in a special was that “God became flesh”. The miracles recorded there illustrate and demonstrate this. Take a look at the turning of water into wine at the wedding. He did nothing but “speak” the word and commanded the servants to “fill the pots” with water and the transformation was complete.
Look at the nobleman whose son was sick. The father came to the Lord and asked him to journey to his home and heal his son. We see the answer to his request in John 4:50. Jesus said “to thy way, thy son liveth” . The miracle was performed.
Again, consider the man who was lying on the porch of Bethesda and could never be first into the water to be healed because no one would help him be first into the water. Jesus passed by and said to him “rise”. The word and power went forth and the man was healed.
Finally, consider Lazarus. The only recording of this miracle appears in the book of John. Jesus said “Lazarus come forth” and he who was dead, lived.
In all these miracles we see the word at work. The “Word” came down from heaven and dwelt among us. Jesus pitched His tent here on earth for 33 years. The temple in the wilderness foreshadowed God the Son incarnate. Here are a few things that are plain about this matter:
1. The Tabernacle was a “temporary” appointment.
The tabernacle was merely a tent, something that could be moved from place to place during the journey of the Israelites. So it was with Jesus; His stay was brief and He did not live in one place but was constantly moving. He never became weary of spreading God’s love.
2. The Tabernacle was for use in the wilderness during the time of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the “Promised Land” and was God’s appointed provision for them. The wilderness was a striking comparison to the conditions under which were in Jesus day. The wilderness home of the tabernacle unmistakably foreshadowed the manger-cradle, the Nazerine’s carpenter’s bench, the “nowhere for the Son of Man to lay His head, and the borrowed tomb.
If you add it up from the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible which tells the story of the spiritual development of the Hebrew people) . Israel used the tabernacle less than 35 years which mirrors the life of Jesus.

3. The tabernacle in the wilderness on the outside was mean looking, humble, and unattractive in appearance. Likewise it is written that Jesus majesty was hidden behind a veil of flesh. To the gaze of those Israelites “ He had no form nor comeliness; and when they looked at Him with their unanointed eyes they saw no beauty in Him that they should desire Him.
4. The tabernacle was God’s dwelling place. It was there in the camp of the Israelites that He took up His dwelling place. There, between the Cheribum (winged, angelic beings who worship God.) God placed Cheribum at the East of the Garden of Eden with flaming swords that turned every way to guard the tree of life. It was there in the tabernacle, upon the mercy seat, God made His throne, in the Holy of Holies (the most sacred place or room in the tabernacle where only the High Priest could go. All the power and Holiness of God’s presence existed in this room). He manifested His presence by means of the Shekinah Glory. (a visible manifestation of the presence of God). During the 33 years Jesus tabernacled with men, lGod had His dwelling place in Palestine. Just as the Shekinah Glory of the God-Man Jesus flashed forth between two men – Moses and Elijah. “ We beheld His Glory “ is the language of the tabernacle.
5. The tabernacle was therefore the place where God met with me. (Exodus 25:21 7 22) “Jesus Christ is the meeting place between God and man.” (John 14:16) – “No man cometh to the Father except by me”
1 Timothy 2:5 –“There is no mediator between God and men, except Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who spans the gulf between God and men. He himself was both God and man.

6. The tabernacle was the center of Israel’s camp. The Levites, the priestly tribe, lived near the tabernacle. Numbers 1:50 “but thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all thing that belong to it; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Around the Levites were grouped the 12 tribes, three on either side. (See Numbers 2:17). And, once more – Numbers 11:24-25 “And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord, and gathered the 70 men of the elders of the people, and sat them round about the tabernacle. And the Lord came down in a cloud and spake to him”.

This is very important! The tabernacle was the great gathering center. Here is a beautiful forshadowing of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is our gathering center. Matthew 18:20 and his precious promise is, that “where two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
7. The tabernacle was the place where the Law was preserved.
Exodus 32:19 “The first two tablets of stone, on which Jehovah wrote the Ten Commandments were broken”.
Deuteronomy 10:2-5 - But the second set were deposited in the Ark in the tabernacle for safekeeping. It was only there, within the Holy of Holies, the tablets of the Law were preserved intact.
This again speaks of Christ: Psalms 40:7-8 “Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is written with my heart.
Throughout Jesus life he preserved in thought, word and deed, the wonderful Ten Commandments, honoring and magnifying God’ s law.
8. The tabernacle was the place where sacrifice was made. The brazen alter where animals were brought and killed was in its outer court. The blood was shed and atonement was made for sin.

So it was with Jesus. In His own person He fulfilled the significance of the brazen alter. The body in which He tabernacled (lived) on earth was nailed to a cruel tree. The cross was the alter upon which God’s Lamb was slain, where His precious blood was shed, and where complete atonement was made for the sin of everyone. But it must be accepted to be applied.
9. The tabernacle was the place where the priestly family was fed. Leviticus 6:16, 26 – This scripture described the approval of God for the priests and their family to eat the sacrifice “ in the Holy Place”

Christ is the food for priestly families today. All believers partake in this communion with Him. (see 1st Peter 2:5). He is the bread of life. He is the One upon whom our souls delight to feed.
10. The tabernacle was the place of worship. The Israelites reverently brought his offerings to the place of worship. He went there to worship Jehovah God. Often the voice of the Lord could be heard from the door. Within the courts of the tabernacle the priest ministered in their sacred service.

It is by Jesus we are to offer unto God a sacrifice of Praise. (see Hebrews 13:15) It is ‘in Christ” and by Him alone that we can worship the Father. It is through Christ we have access to the throne of grace.

Through this knowledge we loose al religion and become the sons and daughters of God.

In these comparisons of how the tabernacle foreshadowed Jesus Christ we see how full perfect God’s illustrations are for us. We see this even more when we consider a series of striking contrasts between the wilderness tabernacle “a tent” and Solomon’s Temple, an elaborate, permanent structure. It took 30,000 timber cutters, 80,000 stone cutters and 70,000 laborers and 7 years to build it.

There are seven comparisons that will bless you !

1. The tabernacle foreshadowed Christ’s first visit to the earth. The temple looks forward to His return.
2. The tabernacle was first. The temple was not built until long afterward. Jesus came in His temporary body but when He returns we shall see Him as He is, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
When He was here on earth the first time, His body-His form was not impressive. But we shall see Him differently when He comes again. (see Revelation 19)
3. The tabernacle was a temporary structure; the temple was a permanent structure.
4. The tabernacle was put up by Moses the prophet (which was what Christ was in His first visit). Jesus said, “destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days” . The temple was built by Solomon the King. (Which is what Christ shall be when He comes again).
5. The tabernacle was used in the wilderness, which spoke of Jesus humiliation. The temple was built in Jerusalem, the city of the great King, which speaks of Christ’s future glorification.
6. The number that figured most prominently in the tabernacle was five. Five represents grace. Grace was what characterized the earthy ministry of Christ. The leading number of the temple was 12, which represents government. Christ shall rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
7. The tabernacle, a tent, was not attractive. When Christ was here the first time He was a “root out of a dry ground”. The temple, which represents Christ at His second coming, was renowned for its outward magnificence. When Christ returns He will come in power and great glory.

Now, the second part of John 1:14 “and we beheld His glory”.

In the tabernacle and the temple God’s glory lived in the Holy of Holies and therefore was hidden from view. But this all changed when Jesus was crucified. The temple curtain was torn in two and all who are in Christ are able to see God’s glory. Eternity will be too short a time to explore the theme “we beheld His glory”. The glories of the Lord are infinite (without end). In Christ dwells all the fullness of the godhead Bodily. The “we beheld His glory” in this scripture signifies the supreme excellency which rests in Him. We can generally classify them in four categories. They are:

1. His essential glories – these are His divine perfections. His unlimited authority.
2. His moral glories – His human perfections. We particularly remember His meekness and His submission to God to do God’s perfect will.
3. His Official Glories - His position as mediator – His priesthood. Jesus is the Divinely appointed mediator between God and man.
4. His acquired glories – The reward for what he has done. The first three of these are spoken in our text.

a. “We beheld His glory” refers to this essential glory or divine perfections. The words which follow make this clear, they are “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. The deity of the Lord Jesus was plain from the beginning to the end of His earthly ministry. His supernatural birth, His personal excellencies, His matchless teaching, His wondrous miracles, His death and resurrection all proclaimed His as the Son of God.

“We beheld His glory” follow immediately after the words “tabernacled” among men. Here is another reference to the tabernacle. Jehovah God made His throne upon the mercy seat, and the evidence of His presence was the Shekinah Glory frequently termed “the cloud”

Look at Exodus 40:34 – When the tabernacle was complete Jehovah took possession of it. “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle”

1 Kings 8:10 –11 ; The same thing happened at the completion of Solomon’s temple. The shekinah glory was the standing sign of God’s presence in the midst of Israel.

We can also learn a great lesson from Ezekiel 11:23. When Israel began to do things that were offensive to God. He turned away from them and “the glory of the Lord went up (left) from the midst of the city. There was none other than “The Word”, the Son of God dwelling in the midst of Israel.

We don’t realize how profound this is. In the beginning of Jesus time and at the end of His time here on earth the Shekinah glory of God was evidenced.
Luke 2:8-9 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
Acts 1:9 (His departure) – “ And when he had spoken these thing, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Not clouds which would indicate normal atmospheric conditions, but “a cloud”)

b. There is also a reference to His “official glory” which was exhibited upon the Holy Mount. In 2nd Peter1:16 we read “For we have not followed devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty”

Matthew 17:5 “behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them”

c. In John 1:14 there is a clear reference to the moral glory or perfections of the God-man, for after saying “we beheld His glory” we find these words full of grace and truth.

Heaven’s throne descended to Bethlehem’s manger. Jesus appeared in weakness, voluntarily chose poverty, became a helpless babe. God truly did a wonderful thing when He sent Jesus.

When God stooped to the earth, we beheld His glory.

Greatness is never so glorious as when it takes the place of lowliness.

Power is never so attractive as when it is placed at the disposal of others.

Might is never so triumphant as when it sets aside it’s own prerogatives.

Sovereignty is never so winsome, as when it is seen in the place of service.

Jesus is the glory of matchless grace and fathomless love.

Isaiah 53:12 - Speaks of Jesus acquired glories “Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out His soul unto death”
These are the rewards bestowed (presented) to Jesus after He successfully completed the work the Father had given Him.

Philippians 2:9 confirms again these acquired glories. “wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”

We are blessed to know that His acquired glories are shared with those who love Him.
John 17:24 – “Father I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. “

One more thing about verse 14 before we move on. Verse 14 is an amplification and explanation of John 1:1. John 1:1 says “ In the beginning was the word” This is something that goes beyond our comprehension. But there is more “and the word was with God”. Again we are unable to understand. The word “tabernacled” among us allows us to draw near and observe all that He is. “and the word was God”. Again, we find ourselves in the realm of the infinite (the realm of no limit). And finally “full of grace and truth”. Here are two essential facts about God that we can understand about God. Let me expound:

“and the word became flesh” - tells of the beginning of His human life.
“and tabernacled among us” – shows Him with men
“Full of grace and truth – explains what God is.

In the beginning Jesus began His human life. And Jesus, being the word, was with God and came to live among men. “And the word was God” – He is “grace and truth”. Amen

In the next lesson we will move into John, chapter 1, verse 15.

God bless you!

Generational Sin - Article

Generational Sin

There are many differing opinions among theologians about generational sin and its affects today. They use many passages of scripture to support each of these views and most positions are supported by Bible truths. Many times they disagree with each other, however. Identical scriptures are used to support differing views and the result is much misunderstanding about generational sin. We do not want to fall short of the truth on this matter.

My ministry in spiritual warfare now spans more than 17 years and has helped hundreds of people. Often I have found that people cannot be set free from demonic strongholds until generational sin is dealt with by the acknowledgement of it in the family line and the person’s repentance of any part they had in continuing to allow Satan to continue to influence them to commit the same sin. I cannot say that one can always draw a parallel between the sins of previous generations and the sins of the person to whom we were ministering, however, the bondage from sins perpetrated by previous generations is present in almost 100% of the cases. We also have to acknowledge there is a problem with some ministers in spiritual warfare in that they develop patters in their methods and soon fall into the “one size fits all” methodology, therefore, I will hasten to say also that generational sin is not always present in those we have dealt with because they have either not fallen for Satan’s ploy to continue the sin in the family line or they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb of God. What we must tell you, based on scripture, the mandate is on the Pastor to always listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead. Spiritual warfare is a necessary part of ministry and therefore, Pastors must have faith. We cannot minister based of our education or wisdom, its not enough, we must be led by the Spirit of God. Too many pastors tell me that there are many spirits talking while they are in the Spiritual Warfare setting, therefore, they can be mislead. Pastors must be led by the true Spirit of God. If we cannot tell which spirit is talking to us, we need some time alone with God in preparation for Spiritual Warfare to get closer to him and learn to hear his voice and to recognize it. Jesus said “my sheep know my voice.” Having faith that the Holy Spirit is guiding because of your humble submission and the fact Jesus has sent you forth to be a vessel used by him and that his Holy Angels are assisting you is essential in Spiritual Warfare and setting the captives free. You should not be ministering to anyone until you have it!

Generally we advocate two methods of determining if generational sin is present:
1. Let the holy spirit reveal it to you.
2. Listen to what the person tells you. For instance if the person being prayed for brags to you his ancestors came from Sicily, Italy and that they were involved in the mafia there and takes pride in the fact some of his sins in previous years follow the pattern of his ancestors, it doesn’t take a lot of spiritual power to determine there is a generational sin problem. In such a situation there is a red flag about generational sin and the remaining demonic influence of pride and a possible lack of true salvation. True salvation comes as the result of a repentant heart and a strong desire for God’s grace in leaving the old life behind.

A weak doctrine of sin produces a weak doctrine of salvation. Those who have not seen their sin situation as desperate, helpless and hopeless haven’t been saved. Those who have not had the humbling experience of Romans 3:23 and have repented with tears and anguish and are serious about submitting to God for his power in correction do not yet have the kingdom of God.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

New creatures in Christ have no interest in bragging about their sin, neither the sins of their fathers. We must be careful in spiritual warfare not to fall into a pattern of the same diagnosis for each case. If we are following the lead of the Holy Spirit, this will not happen.

Many theologians do not believe generational sin is applicable today based on scriptures like Jeremiah 31:30
“But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eatheth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.”

While this scripture is absolutely true, that each man shall die for his own sin, it does not erase the affects of generational sin. Satan has certain rights and the minister of the gospel must recognize this. We will find as we examine this subject that revoking Satan’s rights is Spiritual Warfare and the only way to set the captives free.

Consider Lamentations 5:7
“Our Fathers have sinned and are not; and we have born their iniquities”
Satan has permission through the family line.
Some argue against this based on Galations 3:13
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth from a tree.”
This is absolutely true. But consider Romans 3:31
“Do we make void the law through faith? God forbid, yea, we establisheth the law.”
There is no doubt Jesus work on the cross of Calvary was a new covenant for mankind, one that God declared with an oath. (Heb 7:20)
This new covenant is good news to mankind because it sets free those who will believe in Jesus Christ as their redeemer. Jesus did set free true believers from the curse of sin and the sins of their fathers. However, this relief from the curse is contingent upon a couple of things. First, that we have truly found ourselves completely without excuse regarding our sins, realized our hopeless situation and that we are worthy of death and eternal punishment and that we accept the relief provided by God through Jesus Christ, who was God’s blood covenant and became our new permanent High Priest.

Second, we must realize we are immediately justified and continually sanctified.
Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
John Wesley in his sermon “The law established through faith” preached that one of the ways we establish the law is by endeavoring to preach it in its whole extent, to explain and enforce every part of it, in the same manner as our great teacher, Jesus, did while upon the earth.

1 Peter 4:11 “ If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all thins may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen”

Based on scripture it cannot be ignored that the sins of the fathers have a profound affect on the present generation. Every mouth whether Jew or Gentile must be stopped from excusing or justifying himself.
Romans 3:19 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
The workings of the law shall not justify any flesh in God’s sight. Christ was sent by God to be the propitiation for sin.
Galations 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Vs4 Christ is become of not effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

We know scripture tells us that faith without works is dead. The point the Spirit is making to us is that Faith has to be applied. Christ did not provide an automatic deliverance from the law as some would argue. The oracles of God cannot be blotted out so let us not be ignorant of the use of the law. Man has to be convinced of sin. John Wesley said “The operation of God is to convict sinners by the law and that only” (Page 449, The Works of John Wesley, Sermon title “The Law Established Through Faith”

The gospel is not the means God chose to wake up men. It is the law that is used to convict men of sin. Satan is an expert in the law of God and he uses it to operate. It behooves guilty sinners to be convicted by the law and flee to God for grace. We are missing the mark in churches today, preaching love to sinners without regard to the law. We think the love of God wakes men up which is not scriptural. The law convicts, the grace of God saves through grace. Jesus related to this fact when he said those who are well do not have need of a doctor, only those who are sick. Christ cannot be successfully offered to men who can see no need for him. Men find Christ when they have a broken heart. To preach otherwise is castings pearls before swine only to have them trodden under foot.
We must preach Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 1:23. Holiness is no less necessary now than it was before Christ came.
God has not changed. He is changeless. We must be cleansed from all unrighteousness and the cleansing must entail cutting ourselves off from the sins in our family line. It’s a cleansing, not a condemnation. Why would we not want to take away Satan’s right to harass us with the same temptations that caused our father’s to sin. Deliverance is revoking Satan’s right to harass us based on the sins of our Fathers by repenting of the fact the sin is present in our family line and for our own involvement in it.

2 Samuel 12:14 - David and Bathsheba’s son died because of their sin.
Nehemiah 1:4-9 – Jerusalem was small and struggling, and being harassed by local enemies, Nehemiah prayed, confessing the sins of the children of Israel, himself, and the sins of his father’s house.
Sin carries a penalty. Do you want to authorize Satan to harass your children with your sins? Of course not! Do you want Satan to be able to harass your children with the same sins perpetrated by your Father or Grandfather? Of course not! We must acknowledge the sins in our family line, repent of our own sins and cut off Satan’s rights to keep using it against our nation, our family and ourselves. No sin has a right to us if we apply the blood of Jesus, declare our intent to follow Christ, which is to repent.
Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
If Satan had no rights there would be no more temptation and sin. But He does have rights and he uses our family background, its weaknesses and he uses them effectively.
Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place for the devil.”
2 Chronicles 12:7 “And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be oured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.”
Psalm 32:7 “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.”
Today more than ever God needs deliverance workers. We cannot win men by preaching that the love of God will save them. We must preach the WORD and the WORD is that we are all sinners and our hearts must be broken over our sin against God. Unless we reach this state we cannot be saved and we cannot be delivered. God is faithful to save and deliver those who see their folly and fall at his feet with remorseful hearts. He loves us and wants to save us and deliver us but it requires a full confession as with the prophets of old. Daniel did it, Nemiah did it, Ezekiel did it, are we better than they? Has God changed his mind about confessing sin. No, if we are to find favor with God through continual sanctification, we must confess the sins of our Fathers, Our nation and our own. We must take away every legal right Satan has to overwhelm us with his temptation through our family weakness. God will cut it off from future generations if we will but repent.

Bible Study Notes - John - Issue 2

Jesus United Ministries
Evangelist J. Frank Smith

Bible Study
The Gospel According to St. John

John Chapter 1:6 through 1:14

Christ, The Eternal Word

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”

Here is a change of subject that happens abruptly. In the previous verses Jesus is described as the “word” of God, who was God. Now the subject has changed to the one who is a forerunner of Christ. He is referred to as a “man” to show us that the one he announces is more than Man. This announcer was “sent from God” and his name was John whose name signifies “the gift of God”.

Verse 7
Scripture: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all through him might believe.

This man named John was sent from God to bear witness of “the light”.
God would not allow His beloved Son to come here unrecognized and unheralded. When Jesus was born into the world, He sent the angels to the Bethlehem shepherds to proclaim Him, and just before Jesus public ministry began, John appeared bidding Isreal to receive Him.

Commentary: According to scripture natural man loves darkness rather than light. This means darkness is his preference. It means that in our natural state we are habitual sinners and we love it. It means we are not naturally presupposed to the ways of God. We are indeed a fallen race. The scripture in verses six and seven presents us with tragic, solemn and pathetic words. Weigh these words well. When the sun is shinning with all it’s beauty, who is it that are unconscious of the fact? The Blind. It is discomforting to think God had to send an announcer to let the world know that His son was now in the midst of men. This is a sharp testimony to the fallen state of mankind. The light shone in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not. Therefore, did God send John to bear witness of the Light. God would not allow His beloved Son to come here unrecognized. God also sent His angels to the Bethlehem shepherds to proclaim Him and just before His public ministry began, John appeared bidding Isreal to receive Him.
John came for a witness. The character of a preacher’s office is designated here. He is a “witness”, and a witness is one who knows what he says and says that which he knows. The character of a preacher is to get those who listen to him to look away from himself and show them Jesus. A preacher does not testify of himself, nor about himself, but he is to “preach” Christ and Him crucified. Many may preach and they may preach many things but this is the only message the “Spirit of God” will own. Jesus said of His Father “He shall glorify me.”
Today men are no different than in Jesus time. They still love darkness rather than light. The worldly ways are still strong, yea, even stronger than before as the end of this era approaches. People only become believers through receiving the testimony of God’s witnesses. This is the “through Him all might believe”. The all here is all who will. Let him who has an ear hear!

Vs 8

Scripture: “ He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.”

Commentary: No John was not “that light”. Light and life are only found in God. Jesus said “apart from me you can do nothing” . Apart from God there is only darkness without any hint of light for the natural man has no light in himself. Ephesians 5:8 says “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in “the Lord” .
Now there is a verse in John Chapter 5:35 which says John “was a burning and shining light” and it would seem to conflict with the above statements, however, when we look at the Greek word used here which was translated “light” was translated incorrectly. It is correctly translated “He was the lamp that burneth and shineth”. John was a lamp, which has no inherent light of it’s own, but burns on fuel that has to be supplied. A lamp burns only a few hours and then burns out unless it is re-supplied. It has no power nor light of it’s own. This matches perfectly with the 15th chapter of John. Jesus is talking with his disciples and impressing upon them that He is the vine and they are the branches. We will go into that in detail when we come to John Chapter 15, but it is the same principal, that we have no power of our own. We do not shine on our own. God is the supreme power and this fuel comes from the Father, through the Son (the vine) and into the branches (that’s us) so we may bear fruit.

Verse 9

Scripture: That was the true light, which lighteth every man which cometh into the world.

Commentary: The term “true light” here has at least four references:

1. Jesus is the undefiled, undeceiving Light. Satan, we find in scripture, is transformed into an “angel of light” but he appears as such only to deceive. Christ is the “true light” which has come into this world a contrast from all the false lights, which are in the world today.

2. Christ is not only the undefiled light, the true light, He is the Real light which is revealed throughout the Old Testament with all its rituals.
3. As the “true light” Jesus is the Underived Light. There are lesser lights which are borrowed and reflected just like the moon from the sun. Christ’s light is His own. It is not borrowed nor substituted. The Glory is His.

4. As the “true light” Jesus is the Supereminent Light. Think about light that is ordinary and common. During the night light comes from many sources, the stars, the moon and even the lights of the civilization of mankind. They all pale when compared to the light which comes from the Son of God. Look at Revelation 1:13 and following scriptures. In other scripture we find there is no sun needed in the “New Jerusalem” for Christ is the light. Daniel saw the coming King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus, in the same way. He is indeed, “the true light”.

The world system is so ingrained in us we naturally have a hard time seeing the light. Jesus is the light and he was rejected of men and the men of the world rejected him. They still do. Jesus represents a coming kingdom, God’s kingdom, but just as the local town’s people threw Paul and Silas in prison for casting the evil spirits out of the damsel who was making her masters a lot of money, the worlds system will not accept him until it is defeated and every knee bows and every tongue shall confess, that He is Lord. This is because the system is of men will selfish hearts and full of greed. Greed for power and wealth.

The two, the worlds system and God’s Kingdom are diabolically opposed to each other. One built on the need to control and gather to itself all that it can and the other to be unselfish and loving. The worlds system shall pass away, God’s Kingdom will not. Choose you this day whom ye will serve, as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.

Verse 10

Scripture: “He was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”

Commentary: “He was in the world” refers to His incarnation and the 33 years he tabernacled with men. Then scripture continues to tell us “the world was made by Him” which sets up a tragedy, “and the world knew Him not”. The Devine one of God is magnified and glorified here. He is the one who made the world and that which he made does not recognize Him as the creator. This is indeed a tragedy. One that is deeper than we can imagine. Mankind is the tragedy here. It may appear at first that God is the victim, but no, that is incorrect. It is true God is saddened by this turn of events God was not caught by surprise. He anticipated the fall of man with a plan for redemption.

God sent His son to seek and save that which is lost. He did not come to judge, but to save. There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. He did not come to show off a mighty and powerful God which haughtiness would violate the character of God. He came as a minister. Holy, yes! Harmless and undefiled, yes, but a minister. You would think there would have been a great celebration among men. Instead, they sought to kill him and the King of Glory was taken into Egypt so that the King of His country would not kill Him. We see God offering His son for the redemption of mankind, but mankind receiving Him with their own schemes and pursuits. They thought nothing of Him. But wait, something even more pathetic follows.

Verse 11

Scripture: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not”

Commentary: There is a distinction here. “He was in the world” and, therefore, within the reach of inquiry. He was close and visible. He came knocking on the door, trying to get in, but the seed of Abraham “received Him not”. In the previous verse the world is charged with ignorance, but here in verse 11 Israel is charged unbelief and with a deliberate refusal of Him. Instead of just not welcoming Him, Israel positively refused Him. Yes, they even purposely drove Him away and eventually banned Him from the earth. Here was a people whose ancestors had been eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Messiah for long ages past. Yet they rejected Him when he came. How can this be??

To answer this question we remember the words of the prophet, that He should possess neither form nor comeliness in their eyes, and when they should see Him there would be no beauty that they should desire Him. It’s no wonder they turned away from Him. He came without a worldly marketing plan. He was announced by one who roamed in the desert eating locus and wild honey. He did not have a marketing agent to build His image into an idol. Even if a marketing agent were available, who could market a man teaching things that oppose the world’s system? After all, His teachings went against the perversions of the law that man made out of the commandments of God. He did not come with the majesty of this world, but only with a blessed subjection to the Father’s will and a wondrous love for sinners.


Verse 12

Scripture: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”

Commentary: The purpose of God was not defeated as it would seem. Yes, the world knew him not and Israel received Him not, but God was not defeated for that could not be. Proverbs 19:21 “The counsel of the Lord shall stand” The marvelous coming of the Son could not be in vain. Verse 12 tells us of the human side of salvation. Salvation comes to the sinner through “receiving” Christ, that is, by “believing on his name”.
There is a small distinction between these two things, though in substance they are one.

Believing respects Christ as He is exhibited by the Gospel testimony. It is the personal acceptance as truth what God said about His Son.

Receiving views Christ as presented to us. A “Gift” from God that is presented to us for our acceptance. He is presented to all men whether they be Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, illiterate or learned. Those who will accept Him receive power to become the sons of God. This is a special flow of power which comes from God, through His Son, and into every branch in the vine (every believer). But, who will receive Him ??

Verse 13

Scripture: “Which were born , not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”

Commentary: Who will receive Him? Sadly, not everyone. Even more upsetting there will be only a few. The preceding, verse 12, gives us the human side, now in verse 13 we see the Devine side. Why will there be only a few who actually receive Him? The answer is: those who are born of God.

The Devine side is the new birth and this new birth is “not of blood”. It is not a matter of heredity. Regeneration does not run in the veins nor occupy the genes of men. It is “not of the will of the flesh”. The will of natural man is opposed to God, and the natural man has no will to serve God until he is spiritually born. That is “born again”.

“Nor of the will of man” : The new birth is not brought about by well meaning friends nor the preacher despite all their efforts. It is “of God”. The new birth is a Divine work! The new birth is only accomplished by the Holy Spirit applying the Word of God in living power to the heart. The reception the world gave to Christ in those days is the same reception given to Him today. The world still “knows Him not” and Israel still “receives Him not” yet there is a small company who do receive him and it is those of which scripture tells us “ as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48)

Christ, The Word Incarnate
John 1:14-18

Scripture: “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth”

Commentary: He who had no limits, limited himself. He who was invisible became visible. The one who was beyond the normal limits of earth became ready to dwell among men on their level. Because of Him we are able to see beyond the veil. If it were not for Him when we look beyond the veil we would be blinded. He is the filter through which we see God. Jesus became that which he had not been, a man. He did not cease to be God, but He became man. Our Divine Saviour took upon Himself human nature. He became a real man, yet a sinless, perfect Man. As a man He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. He came to rescue us, to knock Satan out of the way, to remove the barrier of sin which separates us from God.

Here in Christ is the union of two natures that is one of the mysteries of our faith. Godliness is, without controversy, the greatest mystery. 1 Timothy 3:16 – God was manifest in the flesh! His divine title is “ The Word of God”. He became flesh which is “Holy Humanity”, the God-man! Yet the Divine and human in him were never confused. His deity, although not visible, was not laid aside. His humanity, though sinless, was a real humanity. He became flesh and blood. Luke 2:52 says “He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man”. He truly was the “Son of God” and “The Son of Man”.

This union of the two natures in Christ was necessary for Him to hold the office of Mediator. God accomplished three great ends in this:
1. It was now possible for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. He had to become flesh in order to die.
2. He could now be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
3. He has left us an example, that we should follow in His steps. He has made it possible for us to follow in His steps. By faith we are able to receive the power which flows from the Throne of God, through Christ, into the believer.

This duality in Jesus was plainly the one sent from God to bring us into oneness with the Father. He did this through His suffering. Isaiah 53:3 – He was a man of sorrows. He was to be the Branch of the Lord, beautiful and glorious – Isaiah 4:2. We are leading up to John Chapter 15 where Jesus describes the power we have as a part of the Kingdom of God. He said, I am the vine and ye are the branches!

Bible Study Notes - John - Introduction

Jesus United Ministries
Evangelist J. Frank Smith

Bible Study
The Gospel According to St. John

Introduction

John is the fourth gospel of the new testament. Each of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John presents Jesus in different ways:

Matthew: Presents Jesus as the Son of David, the heir to Isreal’s throne, the King of the Jews. Everything in Matthew contributes to this central theme.

Mark: Jesus is seen as the servant of Jehova God, the perfect workman of God. Everything in Mark brings out the characteristics of Jesus service and the manner in which he served.

Luke: Luke shows the humanity of the Saviour and presents Him as the perfect man, contrasting him to the sinful sons of men.

John: Views Jesus as the heavenly one come down to earth, the eternal son of the heavenly Father made flesh and tabernacling among men. This is the one dominate truth which John holds to steadfastly from start to finish.

The gospel of John is more elevated than the other three. John brings into view spiritual relationships rather than human ties and therefore higher glories are revealed. John brings us into the presence of the Saviour to touch Him.

John’s purpose is to show that the one who was born in a manger and afterward died on the Cross has higher glory than a King; that He, who humbled himself to take the role of a servant was previously “equal with god”. The one who became the “son of man” was none other than, and ever remains, the only Begotten of the Father. Just as each member in the human body has it’s own particular function, each book of the bible has it’s own special purpose and mission.

John’s theme is the diety of Christ. No other place in scripture presents Jesus so fully as the Christ of the Godhead, and yet presents him so personally.

Consider these things:

He was heralded by the angels to the shepherds at Bethlehem.
He walked the earth for 33 years.
He was crucified by wicked men at calvary.
He rose from the dead in triumph over death, hell and the grave.
He remained in his resurrected state on the earth 40 days.
He departed the earth as his disciples looked on.
This is none other than the King of Glory !

The evidence of all this is overwhelming, the proofs from non-biblical history and the bible as well are almost without number.

God has taken great care to guard the perfections of our Lord’s humanity. No uncertainty of fact exists that Jesus is the divine Son of the Living God. The prophets of old were inspired to write about him:

Isiah: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Michah: But thou, Bethleham Ephratah, though thou be lifted among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Isreal whose goings forth have been from the days of eternity.

Zechariah: Awake O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: Smit the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered

The Psalmest: The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

We are seeing today a widespread departure from “ the faith”, therefore I say to all that it cannot be empahaised too strongly or too frequently that the Lord Jesus Christ is none other than the second person of the Trinity, co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

In this fourth gospel we have:

1. The full unveiling of Christ’s divine glories.
2. Jesus dwelling with God before time ever began and before the creatures were formed.
3. Jesus, the only begotten of God revealed, full of grace and truth.

John the Baptist bare record “that this is the Son of God”.

It is recorded in John the beginning of miracles that occurred in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory.

John records Jesus said “destroy this temple (His Body) and in three days I will raise it up. In John we read that the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand. John records Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I am”. Here he affirmed “ I and the Father are one”. He testifies “If you have seen me , you have seen the Father.”

The book of John anticipates His crucifixion, His rejection from the very beginning. “He came unto his own and they received him not.” “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

From these verses we notice:

1. The Jews as a nation rejected the one sent of the Father.
2. A company, or group did receive Him.
3. This company are here designated “ the Sons of God.”

There are no other verses in the entire bible that resembles this.

It is by new birth we enter into the family of God.

Then as the family reaches out beyond Jewish believers, it takes in all the
gentile believers also.

After the word of God became flesh (Jesus) and tabernacled among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Evangelist John goes on to say “and of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.

This verse alone establishes the point of who is being addressed here. It is not the Jewish nation; it is believers ! The Jewish nation never received his fullness. The “all” in verse 16 is the “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God” in verse 12.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ this describes you !
Jesus was addressing “all believers”

When we get to the tenth chapter of John we will find Jesus said “ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father (God) knoweth me, even so I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Immediately he goes on to say “ and other sheep have I, which are not of the fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Ciaphas, the high priest, said “ Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” And he spoke this not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nations, and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God, that were scattered abroad. Unwittingly and not on his own, Ciaphas made known the Divine purpose in the death of the Saviour and revealed what was to be the outcome of the great sacrifice. This comment looked beyond the bounds of Judaism, including within it’s range believing sinners from the Gentiles.

Jesus said in John 14:2, 3 we read that Christ said to His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Ad if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also”.

Here it is, the rapture of the saints to heaven, and the taking of them to be with Christ forever.

Only in the book of John do we read of being “born of the Spirit”. Only in the book of John is Jesus declared to be our comforter or advocate. Only in John do we read of “abiding forever” with believers.

John 17 records the High Priestly prayer of the Saviour that we shall study in depth. You will find more riches in this section than you can ever imagine.


John
Chapter 1: 1-13

Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. Vs 2 The same was in the beginning with God. Vs 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

Commentary: We have set forth here the relation of Jesus Christ to time. He is eternal and He was “with God”. This depicts the fact that Christ is one of the Holy Trinity. God is the Word; Christ is the revealer of the Word. All things were made by Him and He (Christ as he is related to the Trinity) is the Creator. The understanding we will develop during the study of the Gospel of John is of the oneness of the Godhead, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They are never in disagreement and they work in concert as one. We will begin to understand that Christians are grafted by invitation into this oneness.

Ø The opening verses of John are very different from the other Gospels.
Ø John opens by immediately presenting Christ not as the Son of David, nor as the Son of man, but as the Son of God.
Ø John takes us back to the beginning, and shows that the Saviour was Himself the Creator. Every clause in these verses calls for our most careful and prayerful attention.
“In the beginning” goes beyond our understanding. It is one of those matchless sweeps of inspiration that rises above the level of human thought, therefore, we cannot take it for granted. A “word” is an expression: by words we articulate our speech. The “Word” of God, then, is Deity expressing itself in audible terms.

“and the Word was with God” This sets Jesus apart in His separate personality, yet shows His relation to the other Persons of the blessed Trinity. This oneness is the most important yet the most misunderstood relationship even to Christians.

Prayer Meditation: Saints, approach the Throne of grace and there seek the mercy and grace we so sorely need to help us as we turn now to take a closer look at these verses.

Our God and Father, in the name of your dear Son Jesus, we pray to you that the Holy Spirit may now take of the things of Christ and show them unto us: to the praise of the glory of your grace… Amen

“And God was the Word” Not only was Christ the Revealer of God, but He always was, and ever remains, none other than God Himself. Not only was our Saviour the One through whom, and by whom, the Diety expressed itself in audible terms, but He was Himself co-equal with the Father and the Spirit.

In The Beginning

Let us look at the beginnings referred to in the New Testament:

Ø There is the beginning of the world ( Matthew 24:21)
Ø The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:1)
Ø The beginning of Sorrows (Mark 13:8)
Ø The beginning of Miracles or Signs (John 2:11)

The beginning mentioned in John 1:1 clearly presupposes all the other beginnings. The beginning here precedes the making of all things as mentioned in scripture. It is the beginning of creation, the beginning of time.

We do not know how old the earth has been around, possibly millions of years. But the Word was before all things. Jesus was not only from the beginning, but He was “in the beginning”. The significance of this scripture is to carry us to the most remote point that can be imagined. If then, He was before all creation, and He was, for all things were made by Him. If He was “in the beginning” then He was Himself without beginning, which is only the negative way of saying He was eternal. His prayer in John 17 is in perfect agreement with this. He said “ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Now that we know Jesus is inseparable from God, eternal, and as none but God Himself is eternal, the absolute Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is conclusively established.

In the original Greek there were two separate words which, in this passage, are both rendered “was”. One means “to exist”, the other “to come into being”. The second word (egento) is used in John 1:3 which, literally reads, “all things through him came into being; and without him came into being not even one thing which has come into being. This same word, egento, is in John 1:6 where we read “there was (become to be) a man sent from God whose name was John”. And again in John 1:14, “ And the word was made (became flesh)”. But here in 1:1 and 1:2 it is “the word (Greek word ito) with God”. As the Word He did not come into being, or begin to be, but He was “with God” from all eternity. It is noteworthy that the Holy Spirit uses this word “ito” which signifies that the Son personally subsisted, no less that four times in the first two verses of John 1. Unlike John the Baptist who “became (Greek word egento) a man. The Word was (ito) that is, existed with God before time began.

Jesus said in Revelation 1:8 “ I am the Alpha and Omega”, which intimates that He is God’s alphabet, the One who spells out Deity, the One who utters all God has to say. Even clearer, perhaps, is the testimony of John 1:18: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is the bosom of the Father he hath declared him” The word declared means tell out (see Acts 15:14 and Acts 21:19.) It is translated “told” in Luke 24:35. Putting together these three passages we learn that Christ is the One who is the Spokesman of God, and One who spelled out the Deity, the One who has declared or told forth the Father.

WOW, we have just learned Jesus is the Word of God, the communication of God, the One who declares the Deity. Is it not amazing that we, the body of Christ, carry the “good news”, the “gospel” to the world. Christians are to declare the “gospel”. Think again now of our earlier comments about the oneness of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that we, all Christians, you, and I, would be one with the Father. It gives us our correct position as Christians, where we should be, one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you but that speaks volumes to me and causes me to fall on my knees in the knowledge and gratification of his grace toward me and to give him thanks for saving my soul.

Christ, then, is the One who has made the incomprehensible God intelligible. The force of this title of His found in John 1:1, may be discovered by comparing it with that name which is given to the Holy Scriptures – “the word of God.” What are the Scriptures? They are they Word of God. And what does it mean? This: the Scriptures reveal God’s mind, express His will, make known His perfections, and lay bare His heart. This is precisely what the Lord Jesus has done for the Father. But let’s look a little more into detail: -

(a) A “word” is a medium of manifestation. I have in my mind a thought but others know not its nature. But the moment that thought is put into words it becomes understood. Words, then, make objective unseen thoughts. This is precisely what the Lord Jesus has done. As the Word, Christ has made manifest the invisible God

(b) A “word” is a means of communication. By means of words I transmit information to others. By words I express myself, make known my will, and impart knowledge. So Christ, as the Word, is the Divine Transmitter, communicating to us the life and love of God.

(c) A “word” is a method of revelation. By his words a speaker exhibits both his intellectual caliber and his moral character. By our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned. And Christ, as the Word, reveals the attributes and perfections of God. How fully has Christ revealed God! He displayed His power, He manifested His wisdom, He exhibited His holiness, He made known His grace, He unveiled His heart. In Christ, and nowhere else, is God fully and finally told out.

Proverbs 8:30 – “Then I was by Him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him”

Let me ask you an important question: How can we obtain a better, deeper, fuller knowledge of God Himself? What conception have you formed, dear reader, of the Being, Personality, and Character, of God?

Before the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth, the world was without the knowledge of the true and living God. Some people say God is revealed in Nature. This is true, but the statement needs qualification. Nature reveals the existence of God, but how little it tells of His character. Nature, as such knows no mercy and shows no pity. If you step off a cliff, you will die. If you break the laws of nature, there is no redemption. A penalty is paid. Dear reader, it is only in Christ that God is fully told out. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Holy One. He was God, the Son, manifest in flesh. So perfectly did He reveal God He could say “ He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”. (John 14:9)

Verse four then follows naturally. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men”. He must be the Fountain of Life. He is the Life-Giver. All Life is found in Him. The Greek word for life is “Zoe” Throughout the bible it is translated as:

Ø Spiritual Life (John 1:4)
Ø Life-Time ( Luke 12:15) & (Luke 16:25)

So “zoe”, “life” includes in it’s scope all life, physical and spiritual.

And the Life was THE LIGHT of men - This follows immediately after the declaration that “all things” were “made” by Christ. All creation is in view here and it is “men”, which means believers and non-believers, that is spoken of here. Jesus was the light of men. He is our light, our true light, which lighteth every man, that cometh into the world.

Romans 2:15 – It is this “light” which lightens every man that cometh into the world, that constitutes them responsible human beings.

Many today preach and many believe that inside every man there is a spark of Divine life, which needs only to be fanned, to become a flame. This is not true, it is a satanic lie. The bible tells us over and over again natural man is “dead in trespasses and sins”. Yet natural man is a responsible being before God, to whom we shall give an account of himself. We are responsible, because the work of God’s law is written in our hearts, our conscience also bearing witness, and this is the “light” which is referred to in John 1;4, and the “lighteneth” (John 1:9)

John 1:5 – “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”.

In verse 1 He is spoken of as “the word”.
In verse 3 He is the Maker of all things.
In verse 4 He is “The Life”
Now in verse 5 He is “ the Light”
Compare all this to 1 John 1:5 where we read “God is light”

The conclusion, then, is irresistible, the proof complete and final, that the Lord Jesus is none other than God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity.
Every man that comes into this world is lightened by his Creator, but the natural man disregards this light, he repels it, and in consequence, is plunged into darkness. Instead of the natural man “living up to the light” (John 3:19) he loves darkness rather than light.

The unregenerate man is blind – in the dark. A darkness so intense it tries to shut out the light. And we all know how darkness fades with the coming light. This is a strong indictment of the fallen nature of man. Truly, nothing but a miracle can save him.

So, the pertinent question here is how does natural man come to the light he so resists. It would seem impossible, yet with God the impossible to man is not a problem..

In the next lesson we will take up John 1:6, and begin to learn how God makes it possible for men in total darkness, men who reject the light, to become light.

See you in the next lesson, God Bless You !!