It seems the bible as intended sheds a lot of light on the already but not yet, that is if people actually read and believed it. The interesting part of this is if men and woman would just stick to the word of God, everything would be clearer; lightness in darkness so to speak. Once we drift from the light of truth, confusion enters the picture and people are deceived and continue to be deceived. Here is why. John 3:19 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Isaiah already told us of this. Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” But you will notice just below this great passage about our King, “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. 13 But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty. 14 So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; 15 the elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. 16 Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.” This refusal to accept the word of God, the light has caused millions to be deceived. This rejection has lead to a rejection of the King, His kingdom and the power of the Spirit that empowers it. Instead of believing in the already we have people waiting helplessly for something that is not going to happen. Instead of repenting so the kingdom comes, near people continue to go their own ways, but what will they do in the end when mans teaching that did not line up with scripture fail them.
As we approach Christmas day, let me ask this question. Do you think Jesus has grown tired of Christians celebrating his birth as if it meant something more? Yes the same emphasis will be at Easter but if people are not listening to His word and following his word nor sacrificing their lives for him, then what is all the celebration for? The rejection of his word means God has turned his face from us, thus loosing the power that was once available to us. Gideon said it best in Judges 6:13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
Jesus was born a great king and by rejecting the already king and His kingdom we are seeing the enemy victorious over us, the gates and walls torn down, all happening as so-called Christians sit idly by. Jesus clearly said repent for the kingdom is near. He showed us what it looked like and then empowered his disciples to go out and do the same thing in the power of the same spirit that empowered Jesus, Paul Peter, Stephen, David, and Samson etc. Then we too are to go. He did not tell them do the best you can in the grace you have. Get by until I come back. Then we will build the kingdom together. No he said go but first wait to be clothed with power to go to the ends of the earth. So why do we have to wait if the command to go has already been given? Disobedience to the word of God has caused this rejection of the light. Instead of turning from our wicked ways, we have hundreds of years of creating new theology and doctrines that take us further and further from the truth of the gospel. We are supposed to Luke 1:79 “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” not make it darker. Our job is to spread the light and destroy darkness under the power of the one who created light. Luke 9:6 “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” Acts 5:42 “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” So they went out and proclaimed the already King, the already kingdom and the power and glory of that kingdom. This was to continue but it didn’t and what we have today does not represent the Kingdom nor does it have the power.
Today we are talking about peace. The first part is about the peace we receive that comes from our belief and obedience in Jesus who has made a way, the only way for us. As John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” Our belief saves us from condemnation and eternal damnation. Romans 5:9 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” This peace is the peace that Philippians 4:7 ”surpasses all understanding.” This is the peace that as we read earlier Ephesians 2:17 “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” We have incredible peace because by our faith and complete obedience to Jesus we can have eternal life with Him and we are saved from certain destruction and the lake of fire. Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” It is obvious the church has not continued in the gospel that was preached.
We are also included in the promises to Abraham and have become heirs to it. Galatians 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The second part is concerning the first. This great king came to make war on the enemy satan. The prince of peace is at war with the prince of this world. Now before I go on I know it is often hard to think about war at Christmas time and yes there have been Christmas truces during war. But think about the birth of Jesus and the start of his life. Matthew 2:16 “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” When he started his ministry Luke 4:14 “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. Matthew 13:58 “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Satan has great power that can only be defeated in the name of Jesus. Jesus came and because he lives we too can also defeat our enemies but not in our own power. Serving Jesus wholeheartedly is going to cause problems because the prince of peace is at war with prince of this world. Sadly most don’t really know the reason for the season nor do they truly know the great king and the power of his kingdom. John 18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” So I ask why people in the church waiting like the Jews for an earthly kingdom is beyond me. The prince of the world knows his time is short. Jesus said John 12:31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” There is power available to drive out darkness though we cannot drive satan out unless we have the power Jesus intended for us to have. John 16:11 “the prince of this world now stands condemned.” Even though he stands condemned, the prince of the world is still fighting until the end to take as many as he can with him Matthew 25:41 “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.. He knows where he is going but for now he has great power against us especially since we have been disobedient to the word of God. “A demon-possessed man met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. (My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many) .29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” He then cast them out into the pigs and the pigs drowned not the demons. The demons are still here. This is war and the church is loosing right now. This is not what we were designed for but we are not living a holy life. 2 Peter 3 said “You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” We are not meant to stay in darkness but to live in the light. If we had continued doing what Jesus said to do the world would be a much different place. Ephesians 2:1(ESV) “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
Now we have the opposite of peace. Everyone says we just need to get along but remember we are at war. We are warned by Jesus about the battle of peace, Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. (remember Jesus hometown) 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Luke 12:49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” We have everything to tell the weather and they still get it wrong but yet who is listening?
This is full-blown Spiritual warfare and because of our disobedience we are being defeated and the gates of hell are prevailing. This is why those who turn from their wicked ways are under such intense attack but do not fear, the battles is the Lord’s. I think people do not fully understand the power of the manger nor the power of the cross and definitely do not understand the power of Pentecost. If we did more people would be repenting and pleading for God to give us victory over the prince of this world. But many have been deceived into thinking we just need to get by and then one day Jesus will finally set up his throne and we will reign with Him. Guess what? If you have bought into this false teaching do you really think Jesus is going to say well done my good and faithful servant. This can be seen in the parable of the talents One was given 5, the other two and the other one. The one with 5 doubled as did the one with two but the one with one bag buried it. The master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Later in the chapter Jesus came to judge and to those who were faithful he said ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world but to the unfaithful he said “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Joshua 18:3 “So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” If we do not repent and turn from our wicked ways we will not win and be victorious in the land.
If you are waiting for the prince of peace to bring peace like the Jews then you have buried your talents and Jesus will say depart from me. We must return to the word of God. Jesus was born, then began his ministry and began to tear down the kingdom of this world. That's why James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” We cannot serve two masters. Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” We know that most do not accept His ministry because it does not line up with what we think it should be. So not only is there a war with satan but there is a war taking place in the church. Actually it is still the same war but this is about deception. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” This is war and we need great discernment.
Jesus even warns us. First of all remember this is also the church we are talking about. Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” So we have been warned but most have forgotten that Christianity is all out warfare. No not the crusades as our enemy is not flesh and blood but against the ruler of this world. Ephesians 6:2 “For but against the rulers, against the authorities, principalities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Even though this is happening we have great hope as long as we are clothed in power.
This is how it is supposed to be. Jesus has Colossians 2:15 “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Another great deception is that because of the cross, satan no longer has authority and power over us. This is only true if we wholeheartedly follow and obey otherwise we are defeated by satan. There is a great deception happening because satan is the great deceiver. Revelation 12:7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” That is already happening. Matthew 24:37-39 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
People are and have been deceived into waiting for a millennium that is already available. Last week we talked about the kingdom already available to us. But yet many Christians have been deceived into waiting for the kingdom the Jews have been waiting for since the days of the last kings. When you read about this millennial kingdom coming in the future you almost have to burst out laughing. One person said, As we read these verses, we wonder, “Why will God release Satan at the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ?” This is what they are saying. “After these thousand years, Satan, who was bound up during Christ's earthly reign, will be loosed to deceive the nations, gather an army of the deceived, and take up to battle against the Lord. First, we must admit that there are some biblical questions which we cannot answer this side of glory because God has chosen to reserve some mysteries to Himself” The confusing part for them is that God’s word does not line up with their man made theology. They will even admit to the foolishness but will not turn. The bible must line up with their folly. This is the foolishness of fools. I have a lot to say on this but steer clear of dispensationalism and millennialism, as these are false doctrines, doctrines of demons used to deceive the elect. I will say what in the world do you need the power of the Holy Spirit or the authority of Jesus if satan is bound and why would it take a thousand years. Satan must be laughing at how this ridiculous and ludicrous theology, this folly that leads to death has worked so successfully. Jesus did warn us do not be deceived. This thinking has infiltrated the church.
So as we end this Advent season, we must understand the already means already not sometime in the far off future, not an earthly kingdom but a spiritual Kingdom that has authority over the ruler of this world. Jesus has been rejected by the Jews and Gentiles alike because they continue to wait for an earthly kingdom where Jesus reigns on an earthly throne. The Jews rejected Jesus because they say he did not meet the requirements of peace according to the Jews. Excuse me the Prince of Peace does not understand peace. You see they missed it and they continue to miss it. Acts 10:34 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
We are to continue what the disciples did in the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember here we are not talking about the end of the end and the destruction of this world and the kingdom being prepared in heaven for us but we are talking about the fact that this already kingdom is a sending out in power to proclaim the good news. We have been commissioned by Jesus himself to go out in His authority Matthew 4:23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” We were not told to prepare the way for him to come in power 2000 plus years later. Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.”
Our task is described when Jesus spoke to Paul. Acts 26:18 “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” We are to continue this already ministry. We have turned from our wicked ways because we no longer want to stay in darkness and captivity. Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Romans 13:12 “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1(ESV) “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
The peace we have in Christ does not always bring peace to our lives. Total war could break out against us. Matthew 10:24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” This true peace that comes from the Prince of Peace enables you to endure everything even death because you know whom you believe. Paul said death where is your sting. This peace tells you God is in charge no matter what. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Acts 9:31 “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
If we are going to live in the Promised Land we must obey. Leviticus 26:3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.” Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
“Already” Addendum – Joy to the world half of Christmas is here
We just finished talking about Jesus the already King, ruler of His already Kingdom and what the power of his Kingdom looks like. Yesterday I talked about how the Prince of Peace is at war with satan the prince of this world. So this morning I had to go to London to grab a few Christmas gifts and on the way I was listening to UCB Canada briefly and wouldn’t you know, there was a live example of exactly what I was talking about yesterday, so I am going to share it with you so you can hear for yourself the foolishness of fools.
Now let me just say this is not an attack on a person but an illustration of how many believe these lies in the church today and this will also show how so many Christians are being lead astray by faulty teaching. Interestingly enough the link I will give you is from a program called Walk in the Word but it really shouldn’t be called that because they skip over too many parts of scripture so their own man made theology can prevail. I had to pull over a couple of times to make notes. I then listened to the below link when I got home.
I normally do not do this but this is so blatant I want you to decide for yourself. Here is the link - http://jamesmacdonald.com/radio/the-rest-of-christmas-joy-to-the-world/ Just click on the message and you can listen online.
I would ask that you listen to the sermon called “Prince of Peace from the Rock Dec. 18/16 http://www.therockstrathroy.ca/index.cfm?i=15695&mid=18&showid=138245
The title of the message is called “The Rest of Christmas” from a series called “Singing Christmas.” This sermon was based on the hymn by Isaac Watts called Joy to the world. The hymn is scriptural but what they have done with it is not. Here is the first verse
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing. He then summarizes by saying - Prepare to welcome the Lord our King. The king the Lord. You will notice at around 8:00 minutes into the sermon you will see the man made theology kick in. He says the song is not talking about the First advent but the second advent of Christ as King. He says erroneously that the prophets of old grouped together things about him as savior and things about him as King suggesting they should be separate. He said they could not see. He even implies the prophets who spoke the word of the Lord could not see the gap between savior and king. WHAT? God did not understand his own words! According to scripture there is no gap. He then says, this is why the disciples were confused and did not understand. Yes the disciples before Pentecost were still confused about the kingdom but not after. They went in the power of the Kingdom and did what Jesus commanded concerning the kingdom. Remember Simeon was Luke 2:25 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Matthew 2:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel” but the Jews wanted no pared of it because they did not understand that Jesus reigning on the throne would be spiritual not earthly.
I can hardly write this but when he says we only have part of Christmas and the rest we do not have yet is scary. Joy to the world the Lord is savior but not king yet. He even distorts the now and the not yet. He then goes into the reasons why, (by the way these are the same reasons the Jews rejected Jesus as their king in the first place.) And here the Gentiles are rejecting Jesus as King just like the Jews. He is teaching that Christmas is not complete. I will leave it at that. How sad for the people saying amen. If you listen carefully you will hear the emptiness of his words.
Psalm 98:6 “shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” When we sing joy to the world, the lord is come let earth receive her king. Why didn’t the Jews receive their king? Why don’t the Gentiles receive their king? The answer is they refuse to believe the words of God right before their eyes. He even tells you that some will not receive their king just like the Jews. He says prepare to welcome the Lord our King. So why don’t they. There is no room in their theology to welcome the king. So I leave this with you. This is a warning to be careful who you listen to, myself included. Always 1 John 4:1 “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Luke 21:8 “He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.”
The last verses says, “He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love” He is ruling already on David’s throne thus keeping his promise to David.
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
