CHRIST OUVER VICTOR

 

Christ Our Victor – Mark 11:: 23-25

 

Intro:  Today we are spending our time in the Book of Mark.  Last week I said I was deviating from my systematic study of the Bible and 1 John to spend some time teaching from the gospels and the book of Acts.

 

“Have Faith in God” Jesus answered

 

1.  In this account Jesus had cursed a fig tree in vs. 12-14, and used it as an example for

     Faith.  Jesus states here in vs. 22, Have faith in God.  Faith is an incredible gift from

     God.  It is a communicated attribute of God given to all men.  It is the ability to

     Believe in what you cannot see.  At this time of year children believe in Santa Claus.

     Though they have no actually proof he exists.

2.  Faith allows us to believe in God though we cannot see Him.  Faith is the avenue or

     Path to the unseen.  Heb 11:1, “says that faith is the substance of things hope for and

     The evidence of things not seen.”  Faith is simply trust  Jesus says faith helps

     To see and hear, that which is not able to be seen or heard through normal means.

 

I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, “Go throw yourself into sea,” and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will done for him.

 

There are three aspects to this statement. 

 

1.  You have to pray express it aloud.  Matt 18: 18-20, talks about how whatever you

     Bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven      

     And if two or three agree on anything on earth you ask for it shall be done for you by

     Your Father in heaven.  This creates for you the reality and the necessity of your

     prayer request. 

2.  Don’t doubt.  Mark knew the power of doubt and spoke from his own personal

      Experience.  He had left Paul and Barnabus on their first missionary journey.  He also

      Remembered his mentor Peter’ experience on the lake when Peter tried to walk on

      Water.  That is why he wanted to emphasize this.  He knew Jesus’ secret of success. 

      Doubt was removed from Jesus life because He believe God’s word.  He was in

      Constant communication with God and He wanted to do God’s will.  You must do the

     Same. 

3.  Believe.  Simply put, stand on God’s word and promise.  If He says He going to do

      Something He will.  Brian Ruud said, “Everyman may be a liar but the word of God

      Is True.”  Oral Roberts said, “If God said it, I believe and that settles it.”  I love the

      Fact that Mark was the first gospel written and its emphasis was faith in God. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Therefore I tell you whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours

 

1.  Mark is a gospel of Jesus Christ showing His power and glory.  The good news of

      Salvation through His atoning death.  Jesus through his sacrifice gave us access to

      The throne of God.  Heb 4:15  This gives us confidence in prayer.

2.  Jesus assures us here that whatever we ask in prayer, believe and you will receive.

     This gospel records 18 of Jesus’ miracles and in each situation Jesus’ answer was

     Immediate.  God only with holds His answer because something is hindering it, the

     Answer has a timing effect or the answer is no.

3.  Jesus says today in a simple and concrete manner.  “Believe and receive.”  Jesus is

     The greatest man who ever lived and He wants to help you.  As He ministered to

      Blind Bartimaeus on the road to Jericho, healed the man at the Pool of Siloam, raised,

      Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus so Jesus is here to help you.  In a few of moments we

      Will open our altars and Jesus will help you today.  There are 42 promises in this

      Book that show the Lord’s promise to help.  The theme of this book is, “The servant

      Will immediately meet your need.”

 

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you.

 

1.  Jesus makes it clear that unforgiveness will stop prayer and God’s resources.   So

     Simply put, Forgive and you will be forgiven.  God considers this matter of the

     Utmost importance.  Unforgiveness will hinder every area of your life.  It is like

     A spiritual cancer there is no value in it.  It stops everything and kills all good that

     Comes your way.

2.  There are 11 biblical hindrances or reasons why prayer fails.

 

a. Disobedience.  Dt 1:45, 1 Sam 14:37 & 28:6

b.  Secret sin.  Ps 66:18

c.  Indifference.  Pr 1:28

d.  No mercy for others.  Pr 21:13

e.  Despising the law.  Pr 28:9

f.   Shedding of innocent blood.  Is 1:15

g.  Iniquity.  Is 59:2 & Mic 3:4

h.  Stubbornness.  Zec 7:13

i.  Instability.  James 1:6-7

j.  Unforgiveness.  Mark 11:25

k.  Self indulgence.  James 4:3

 

3.  My counsel is to remove anything from your life that hinder God’s blessing and

     Start living in God’s best.  Jesus did and so can you.  The same Holy Spirit that

     Was upon Him is in you. 

4.  Mark presented Jesus as a moving, active, energetic Saviour.  His deity is constantly

     Shown.  He is the Son of Man, the Messiah and He gave His life as a ransom for   

     Many

5.  Mark is a story teller and gives considerable attention to Jesus’ looks and gestures.

     In the 16 chapters of this book, Jesus is shown as decisive, active as he moves from

     One situation to the next.  Jesus is the Conqueror.  He is the Conquering Servant and

     The Triumphant Servant in His resurrection

6.  This book was written to a Roman audience who thought might and power were the

      Most valuable assets of life.  Jesus is presented by Mark as Conqueror of anything.

      You need to know that church.  The world, the flesh and the devil are no match for

      Jesus.  Come to Him and receive your victory today.  The strong theological truth

      From Mark’s perspective is Jesus is the winner and you will be as well.  You may

      Lose a few battles in life but you will win the war.  Amen. 

QUOTES FOR MAY 16, 20226

 

CHILDREN OF GOD

 

Children of God. – July 8, 2007

 

Intro:  Today we begin a two part message on being the Children of God found in

1 John 3:1-10.  A theme of great importance considering today there are so many wanting to belong and suffering from loneliness and rejection.

 

1. Recently a study was done in countries where abortion and homosexuality is tolerated.

    The rate of marriage has dropped dramatically, as well as people living alone.  In

     Sweden 60% of adults now live alone.  Denmark its 50%.  The Canadian mosaic for

     The family has changed, 20& of Canadian live in a single family home, 47% are

     blended families and 25% are traditional families.  Mankind does not have to live this

     way.  John says.

 

How great is the love of the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God.  And that is what we are.  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

 

1. God has lavished on us His great love.  The word lavish means to extravagantly,   

    Excessively, freely or liberally give.  God’s agape love which is described in

    1 Cor 13:4-8 is lavishly given to us.  Church you don’t have to feel unloved.  He

    Wants you to excessively receive His love.  John uses the concept of Fatherhood when

     He talks about love.  Dad, did you know 85% of a children’s self esteem is developed

     Through the relationship with a father figure.  That is why there is so many self

     esteem problems in our society.  Men by and large have abdicated their    

     Responsibilities as Father’s.   Talk about James Dobson’s Dad.

2.  Church we are Children of God.  Paul talks about this concept in his writings. 

      Sonship comes through Jesus Christ.  We were strangers and slaves but now we are

      sons and daughters of God.  This bible has many titles for those who belong to Christ. 

      We are beside children of God, heirs of salvation and God, Children of the light,

      family of God, the body and bride of Christ, children of the day and the church.  Paul

      beautiful puts its this way in Gal 4:6, “because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of

      His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba Father,”  John closes this

      sentence by stating with an exclamation point.  And that is what we are.  The children

      Of God. 

3.  John then states that we should not be surprised by the world not knowing or

     understanding us.  The world scorns, hates and persecutes us.  They are doing this

     Because they did not know Christ.  They killed him.  His purity, lifestyle, teaching and

     Love was beyond them.  Talk about what the Pharisees said about the woman who

     Anointed Jesus.

 

Dear friends, now we are the children of God and what shall we be, has not yet been made known.  But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

 

 

 

1.  John first states that as children of God, what will we shall be has not yet been fully

     known.  Paul states in 1 Cor 15:51-58, that we shall be changed from mortal and

     corruptible, to immortal and incorruptible.  He also tell us in 1 Thess 4, it will happen

     in the twinkling of an eye.  This is what is called the blessed hope. 

2.   John states, that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him.  Jesus stated in Luke

       24:39, that His physical makeup was flesh and bones.  Talk about this. 

3.  John then says, we shall see Him as He is.  In Rev 1:12-16, we have a picture of what

     His features are now. Have someone read. In this verse we see Jesus as the Soon

     Coming King.  His immanent coming is a theme of all New Testament writers.

     In the O.T. there are 1835 references and 17 books that give it prominence.  In the

     N.T.  There are 318 references, 1 out every 30 verses, and 23 of the 27 books deal

     with directly.  For every prophecy on the first coming there are 8 on His second.

 

Everyone who has this hope in Him, purifies himself, just as He is pure.

 

1.  The second coming is design to be not only a promise or hope; it is design to move us

      To action.  In this case it is to keep oneself purified.  James states in James 1:27, that

      Pure religion, is to take care of widows and orphans and to keep oneself from being

      Polluted by the world.

 

2.  Purity is an act of the will and a deliberate choice.  Choosing to take what you have

     Inside which is the righteousness of Christ and applying to all areas of your life. 

     Talk about the feeding of the two animals inside.  

3.  Purity is understanding you have been bought with a price, so we are to glorify God

     With our bodies.  It is realizing you are a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Making a choice

     To live separate from the world.  Talk about James Robison’s transformation.

 

Everyone who sins breaks the law, in fact sin is lawlessness.

 

1.  John was raised under Jewish law which believed as we do that that breaking God’s

     Law brings punishment.  In John’s day, until Christ came it was 614 laws.  Christ

     Reduced it to two.  Love, God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to

     Love our neighbour as ourselves.  Today if you don’t do this you are breaking the

     Law of God.  Jesus said in John 17, that this how people will know that we are His

     Disciples.

2.  Sin has three consequences,  It brings eternal, physical and spiritual separation from

     Him.

3.  John states that sin is lawlessness.  Sin has no truth, morals, standards or values.

     Everything goes. 

 

But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins and in Him is no sin.

DANIEL BACKGROUND

 

In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes,  (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

 

     These first three verses are the background for the prayer of Daniel.  These three verses establish the time, place and reason why Daniel prayed.   It was the first year of Darius son of Xerxes.  Darius was crown prince of the Persian Empire. He was the eldest son of the Persian king Xerxes I and his wife Amestris, the daughter of Onophas. His younger brothers were Hystaspes and Artaxerxes, and his younger sisters were Rhodogyne and Amytis.  He was a Mede by descent.  So this is the time of the Medo Persian empire.  He was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom.  The Medo Persian empire at the time was the largest empire at the time.  It ran from the Mediterranean to India and 127 provinces.  Daniel was in charge of the Babylonian portion. 

 

     So here is Daniel in the first year of Darius’ reign, looking over the scriptures and the word of God.  He is reading the scroll and writings of Jeremiah.  He was reading Jeremiah 25:11, where God tells Jeremiah that Jerusalem would be empty, uninhabited and desolate for 70 years.  You see God had Spent 400 years telling Israel and Judah to repent, turn from idols, being immoral and unjust.  He sent prophet after prophet and in time they refused and judgment came.  Daniel had been part of that judgment.  Nebuchadnezzer was that hand of judgment.  Daniel was among the Jewish nobles who had been transported to Babylon with Jehoiakim,  Scholars put Daniel at 15-18 when he was taken the Babylon.  In Daniel 9, he is in his late eighties or nineties. 

 

     Daniel was pouring over the Jeremiah 25:11, meditating, seeking the meaning, wanting to understand how  and why it could happen.  Daniel does 6 things which are at characteristics of intercessory prayer. 

 

1.            He turned or sought the Lord. 

2.            Pleaded with him

3.            Daniel was in prayer

4.            He petition God

 

5.            Daniel fasted.  There are four types of fasting. 

 

a.            The Normal Fast which is a short fast for one or two day.  Going without food

b.            The Absolute Fast which can be from 3 days to 40.  Usually just water or liquids

c.            The Partial Fast.  Going without some type of food for a period of time.

d.            The Rotational Fast.  Skipping meals one or two a day for a period of time to prayer.

 

We do not know which one Daniel did.  But here are ten benefits to fasting

 

Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

2.1 1 – Deeper Intimacy with God

2.2 2 – Answers to Fervent Prayer

2.3 3 – Develop Humility before God

2.4 4 – Gain Wisdom and Understanding

2.5 5 – Authority over Demonic Strongholds

2.6 6 – Repentance and Salvation

2.7 7 – Personal Victories in Your Life

2.8 8 – Gaining Heaven’s Perspective

2.9 9 – God’s Protection and Help

2.10 10 – Commissioned to Ministry

 

6.    He put on sackcloth and ashes. 

 

      We need to have that same experience.  Our nation is turning from God.  We are seeing this right now.  This is urgent church.  We are on a knife edge.  Our nation is on a rapid descent to destruction.  If we do nothing God will hold us accountable.  This is our moment.  I know I cannot stand idly by.  We must pray.  God revive the church, bring revival heal and restore our land.  Next, week we will start looking at the first of five part of the prayer of Daniel.   I encourage you to join me over the next five weeks to pray for ourselves, family, church, city, province and nation. 

PROV 3

 

Prov 3:13-35

 

13 - You are blessed when you find wisdom and gain understanding

14 – Wisdom is more valuable than silver and yields more profit than Gold.  Its priceless.

15 – More priceless than rubies and precious gems.  Nothing in life can compare with wisdom.

16 – Long life is in her right hand and in her left hand is riches and honor.

17 – The way and path of wisdom is pleasant and peaceful.

18 – She is a tree of life so hold onto to her.  Hold on to her and be blessed.

19- By wisdom the Lord formed the earth and through understanding He set the heavens in place.

20 – Through knowledge all forms of water came about.

21- Solomon counsels his son to not let wisdom and understanding out of his sight for by them sound judgment and prudence come.

22 – Wisdom is life and grace to those who embrace it.

23 – Wisdom is a place of safety and those who walk in it will not stumble.

24 – When you lie down you will be safe and you will have a sweet sleep.

25 – You will have no fear and disaster will overtake you as it does the wicked.  A little comparison here.

26 – Since wisdom dwells with God He will be with you and you will not be snared.  You will see what is coming.

27-29 – Do not with hold help when you can.  Do not send you neighbor away.  Do not plot against your neighbor who trusts in you.

30 – Do not accuse anyone especially if they done you no harm. 

31 – Do not envy the violent or choose their ways.

32-33 – The Lord detests the perverse and a curse is on the wicked.  He takes the upright into His confidence and blesses the home of the righteous.

34 – The Lord mocks the proud but shows mercy to the humble and oppressed.

35 – The wise get honor and the fool ends up being shamed.

 

Prov 4

 

1-2 – Solomon tells his sons to listen to his words through them they will gain sound understanding.

3-4 – David taught Solomon these same things when he was young.  Through the commandments of God he will live.

5 – Get wisdom and understanding and through them you will live.

6-9 – Wisdom is compared to a woman.  Wisdom will protect you and if you love her she will watch over you.  Right from the beginning get wisdom go after it even if it costs you everything.  If you cherish wisdom you will be exalted and be honored.  Through wisdom you will have a garland and crown.

10-13– Solomon then reminds his son that wisdom will add years to life. It will keep you on a straight path.  When you walk you will not be hampered when you run you will not stumble.  Hold onto to understanding it will guard you and give you life. 

14-17 – Avoid the path and way of the wicked.  They cannot rest until they do evil they eat the bread of wickedness and drink violence.

18-19 – The way of righteousness is like a bright sunny day.  You can see everything clearly.  The way of the wicked is dark and they stumble all the time. 

20-22 – Pay attention to wisdom.  Keep the words of wisdom in sight and in your heart.  Wisdom is life to those who hear it and health to their bodies. 

23 – Guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.

24 – Keep your mouth and conversation free of perversity and corruption.

25-27 – Keep your eyes straight ahead.  Give thought to your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn left or right and keep your foot from evil.

 

 

 

QUOTES FOR MAY 16, 2026

PSALM 15

 

Psalm 15

 

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?  Who may live on your holy mountain?

 

1.        This is one of the 70 some psalms which David authored.  David was a shepherd, warrior, musician, singer, king and prophet.  Did you know God showed David the crucifixion of Jesus a thousand years before it happened.  Psalm 22 is the most famous. 

2.        He asks two questions.  Lord who can dwell in your tabernacle or sacred tent.  Who can be in your presence?  Who can stand you glory, essence and nature?  Who can be holy, righteous and set aside for holy purpose?  The first question is about the actual tabernacle.

3.        Who can dwell on your holy hill?  Who can be on Mount Moriah?  The temple sat on the spot where Abraham attempted to sacrifice His son, and it was the spot where the Lord almost destroyed Jerusalem.  David bought the land set up a temporary tabernacle and Solomon would later build the temple both places were sacred.  Did you know that today you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?   You are sacred, holy, set apart for the Lord. 

4.        When the Bible says you are a temple of the Holy Spirit, it means that God’s Spirit lives in you. It also means that you are a holy place and that you need to take good care of yourself—spiritually, physically, and mentally. Each individual person who trusts Jesus Christ to forgive his or her sins is a temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells within them. In type, we are each a temple—an instrument for worshipping and glorifying God.  

 

2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

 

1.        This means What does it mean to be blameless? It is to live with integrity and moral purity. When a man is blameless before God, he is regarded as faithful and usable by Him. He reflects God's character and values. He avoids sin and compromise.

2.        Walking in righteousness is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting a life lived in accordance with God's will and commandments. It signifies a journey of faith and obedience, where believers strive to align their actions, thoughts, and intentions with the divine standards set forth in Scripture.

3.        Speaking the truth from our heart means expressing genuine, authentic, and honest words and actions that reflect the truth we know and trust. It does not necessarily mean being blunt or hurting others but rather being true to our core beliefs and values.  This is about our character.  Jesus was a master of this.

 

3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others.

 

1.        When you speak the truth from your heart.  You watch your tongue and mouth.  You are quick to hear slow to speak and slow to anger.  You speak about people the way you would want to be spoken about.  You do not slander.  Slander is a legal term for the act of harming a person’s reputation by telling one or more other people something that is untrue and damaging about that person. It is also known as oral or spoken defamation.

2.        You do no wrong to your neighbor.  You treat people the way you want to be treated.  It is not because they are good or godly, but you are.  Jesus would reemphasize this thought in the Sermon on the mount.  You neighbor is anyone you interact with at anytime.  This is a quality of the child of God.  You are truthful, honest, forgiving, loving, gracious and kind.

3.        Cast no slur means you refuse to gossip, speak evil or malign the reputation of your neighbor.  Gossip dies when you refuse to listen or speak.  The church can be a bad place for gossip.   This is about our words and activities in this field.  Talk about the rumor mill song

 

4 who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind.

 

1.        Does not honor, respect, promote or associate with wicked people.  It refers to disapproving or rejecting a wicked or immoral individual. It is often used in religious or moral contexts to emphasize the importance of avoiding associating with such persons. 

2.        To honor means recognition, respect and reward for those who live in reverence and awe of the Lord. 

3.        You keep your word, promise or oath.  You can be trusted, you are loyal, honorable, and keep promises even when it costs them.  You do not change your mind.  That is why Jesus said let your yah and nay but your word.  God honors his word above His name.  Talk about Rob Roy.  This is about how we treat others and keep our word.

 

5 who lends money to the poor without interest, who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

 

1.        David knew the problem people have with money.  Three chief reasons people end relationships.  Trust, money and communication.  He was talking about how the law taught that you do not charge the poor or fellow Jew interest on a loan.  It means to be generous. 

2.        It means you refuse to take a bribe especially against the innocent.  How you handle money shows who has your heart.  This is especially a problem with those in civil authority.  Remember where you heart is there is your treasure.   

3.        Whoever does these things will never be shaken.  This means nothing and no one can shake you.  Everything can and will be shaken but you have a rock, anchor, shelter, refuge and place of safety.  This is such a powerful psalm