Eternal Security, Entire Sanctification, or Obedience.

Can a person "sealed in the Spirit" on this earth, not spend an eternity with Jesus?

The Meal offering (the grace of Christ)

Scripture is replete with passages that reveal God's plan for mankind, which is to restore him to the original state and authority of his creation (See Dr. Gottier's book on "Toward a Renewed Mind" for a comprehensive study in this area. We are being remade into the image of the second Adam, Jesus Christ; this process is called sanctification. To fully grasp this truth, perhaps we should develop an understanding of the fall of man, and the consequential spiritual death of all humans, through Adam and Eve.

Adam and Eve:

Because Adam gave away his authority in rebellion, he broke his covenant with God. Hosea in chapter six and verse seven, speaking about Israel, wrote this:"But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me." The spirit of God departed from within Adam that day; Satan's kingdom was established on earth and all of Adams offspring were born spiritually dead to God.

• Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. Will you notice that God created Adam in the _________ or image of God. When Adam sinned and the spirit of God departed, Adam remained as a body and soul, but was spiritually dead to God. The Word says that the spirit that remained is a "God Hating spirit. [See the Bible study on "the Human Dilemma]

• Now will you observe in whose ________ or image Seth was born into? And we are all descendants of Seth.

Genesis 5:3 When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Seth was born in the __________ or image of Adam, not that of our creator, for the Spirit of God had departed. It would no longer be possible for a man to be indwelt by God's spirit, until Christ's death on the cross, where Jesus won back the authority, forfeited by man, to Satan.Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

• The law spelled out the penalty for sin-death. Physical death _________ from the time of Adam , even on those who did not rebel; men like Noah or Abraham. Death was a part of the curse that Adam's rebellion brought upon all mankind. Man was created eternal but, now knowing evil, God would not permit us to live eternally.

1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

• After Adam, man became spiritually dead, unable to come into the "Holy Presence" of God. Exodus 33:20 But He [God] said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" We humans , have come a long way from when Adam walked in the cool of the evening with the Father, in the garden. Now, even to look upon "Holy God," without the presence of His Spirit cloaking us, means instant physical death. God immediately set about making a way to restore man to a place, that he could once again be made spiritually alive, and enjoy the companionship of our Holy God. In Christ all shall be made eternally ___________. Not all men, but all who will receive the pardon, offered by His death on the cross (in Christ).

1 Cor. 15:45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

• To receive eternal life we must be made spiritually alive, indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. We must be restored to the image of the Godhead, as created in the first ________, who was a triune being; this is why God's word calls Jesus the "last Adam" "a life-giving spirit."

God is not simply in the business of teaching people to "be good." He is restoring mankind to the glory of His creation: a tri-part being, body, soul, and spirit; His Spirit, indwelling every individual. A being with all of the authority given to the first Adam; an eternal being able to fellowship with the Father.

The Meal offering (the grace of Christ) is an Old Testament portrait of the process that God will use to restore mankind, through "sanctification."

To attain a Spiritually renewed mind is the process of Sanctification. How important is Sanctification for the believer? I trust that you will also see the answer revealed in the Meal offering.

Leviticus 2:1 'Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it.

The meal offering sets forth the humanity of Christ, but His deity is not in view here; this offering is of the earth. It is the best that the earth has to offer.

Oil throughout Scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit and Frankincense, of the sweet savor of Christ.

• This offering was to be of ________ flour with oil poured on it and ______________.

• This offering would be a picture of the bride of Christ [the eclasia] the called out ones, being prepared to be offered, acceptable to our Lord. It was to be of fine flour (of the earth - humanity) which meant much time in preparation, as are we, by the Holy Spirit (who is represented by the_____), until we are made into the image of Christ, a sweet fragrance to the Lord, symbolized by the ______________.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• The __________ and _______ are equivalent to the pounding of the coarse grain which produces in the person being sanctified, _____________. When a person is able to endure by trusting in God's provision (faith), the end results are a Christ like person, perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The preparation of the individuals that make up the "bride of Christ" are the life long process that Scripture calls sanctification. Just as the grain offering was a voluntary offering, so must one submit to the process of sanctification, that the fruit of one's labors, can be presented to the Lord as a thank you offering. [The one who labored did not produce the fruit, God did. The laborer only prepared the soil and harvested the crop]. Romans 6:19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

• We must surrender the flesh as _________ to _________________ which results in __________________.
• Will you notice that this is an act of your free will, we must chose to present our bodies as subject to the authority of the kingdom of God, which results in _______________. ( For more information of serving in the kingdom of God see the Bible study on "Two Kingdoms.") This act of self-enslavement is pictured throughout scripture as the bond servant. The principle of the bond servant is elucidated in Exodus 21:5-6 "But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' [6] then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.

I love to sail: One day when s I was out on my boat, the Lord showed me an illustration of what a person is like that does not submit to sanctification, He is like a sailboat in irons. No matter how hard the wind is blowing if you set your headsail to, starboard, and your tiller hard to port, your boat will head into the wind and sit still; you have just put the boat into irons (irons or shackles render a person unmovable). The person who is born again, spiritually alive, with one foot in the kingdom of this world and another in the kingdom of God, who keeps the focus of his mind turned hard against the things of the spirit, will be like a sail boat cast in irons, unmovable, unusable. Jesus illustrated this precept in scripture in Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. Rev. 3:16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."

Sanctification

Our minds, that are trained by our flesh, are in the process of being renewed. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Col. 3:9b-10 . . . you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, [10] and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

• Knowledge is stored in our minds. Our minds are being ____________ to a _______ _______________. The knowledge that is now stored there, from the old nature, is limited knowledge. The limitation is cause by the lack of spiritual input. The only spiritual insight that the old self can have is that which comes by demonic influence perpetrated by the father of lies himself, Satan.
• This ____________ is a lifelong process that is on going, in every believer, who will "pursue" it. It is the process called sanctification.

If you will indulge me, I will present the same information from a different passage and translation, in a format so simple, that a child will be able to grasp the truths presented here: Ephes. 4:22-24 Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. [23] Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. [24] You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness righteous, Holy, and true.[NLT]

• If you are born again spiritually (__________ _________) then your ____________, that is your mind, will begin to respond to your new spirit (Godly ___________) because you are once again born into the image of Gods likeness-righteous, Holy and true-a three part being, body, soul and spirit.

Romans 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

• The benefit of being totally submitted (enslaved-a bond servant ) to God results in ______________. Those who are sanctified receive ______________.

2 Thes. 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

• What is the process that God uses for bringing about ______________ for those who have faith in the truth? It is _________________.

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

• The writer to Hebrews warns us that we must __________ peace with all men and _________________ without which no one will ______ the Lord.

Sanctification doesn't just happen, just as we are not effortlessly at peace will all men, neither does sanctification just transpire, we must pursue it, chase after it, make an effort.

I am convinced that unless a person submits to the process of sanctification, resulting in obedience to the Word of God through a renewed mind, they will not inherit the kingdom of God. The word clearly defines the overcomer as, the one who is able to live above or apart from this worlds evil influences, this can only be accomplished in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The person who lives in submission to the authority of that Spirit, through the process of sanctification, is an overcomer. They are the one's who will eat from the tree of life. Rev. 2:7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.'; and will not be cast into the "lake of fire." Rev. 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'

• Who will not be hurt by the second death and will be allowed to eat at the tree of life? The one who __________________.

.1 John 5:5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• The one who _______________ is the one who loves Christ, a born again person, but be careful not to read something into the passage the is not there. If I said to you that the building you are now sitting in is on fire and you just nodded your head and sat there, can you really say that you believe me? Belief, faith, requires action. Jesus said, "if you love me you will obey me."

God defines true love for Him in 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome

• If we love God, we will disclose this by ________ing_ His commandments (bond servants to righteousness).

It is the born from above person, who demonstrates his love for God by keeping His commandments, found in His Word; that is the overcomer according to 1 John 5:4, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.

• For whoever is born of God is an ______________, through faith. As the Spirit of God teaches us and in _________ we submit ourselves to the "washing of regeneration" we are being sanctified and will overcome the world, that we may partake of eternal life, by eating at the tree of life some day in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The rubber meets the road; the eternal security question.

Those who purpose the argument that you can lose your salvation have a plethora of verses on which to lean their assumption. Below are some of the more popular passages used in teaching this theology.

1 Cor. 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

• The _______________ shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

(Where does our righteousness come from and what part do we play in it?)

Galatians 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Those ______ ___________, (continuously submit to the principles of this world) such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephes. 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

• _____ person who lives according to the standards of this world's principles, has an _______________ in the kingdom of Christ.

The previous verses are lists of sins that will keep you from heaven. In this theology, it is well understood that all born again people will go to "heaven," therefore if you are a person indwelt by the Spirit of God-born again, and you commit one of the above offenses, then the Spirit of God must depart and you will need to be born again. The logic is that you can't expect the Holy Spirit of God to inhabit an unclean vessel, which the sinning person has just become, and since God is "not willing for any to perish, but all come to repentance," He must have provided a way for you to still go to heaven; That way, according to this theology, is found in 1^st John 1:9: By confessing our sins, and finding forgiveness, we can again be born again and again, if we ask.

Rev. 21:8 has another list of sins, which when committed by a believer, are sure to cause them to lose their salvation. "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

• All of the unrighteous deeds mentioned above, bring about the _________ ________, judgement to be handed down at the Great White Throne Judgement.

These next passages are from 1^st John. If you begin from the premise that you can loose your salvation, by doing deeds of unrighteousness, then they form a powerful argument for a need to be born again after each occurrence of sin.

1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; [7] but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

• If you equate ______________ with having a regenerated spirit, then those who sin are really liars, and have a need to be reborn, or in some more liberal fellowships, re-dedicated. The logic; the Holy Spirit cannot live in an unclean vessel, when we sin the Spirit departs and we have broken our fellowship with God.
• In this theology waking in ___________ is the result of the commitment of a sin, a dirty deed..

1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

• According to those who follow this line of thinking, if we fail to admit (_________) to each unrighteous deed, His word-the Holy Spirit departs, and we again need the re-birth.

1 John 2:4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

• If people claim to be a born again individuals and fail to keep God's law, His ______________, they are a _______. As we have seen in Rev. 21:8, in this theology, if one tells a lie, and fails to confess it (1 John 1:9), to effect its erasure, the Holy Spirit will again depart and that person is in danger of hell fire.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: [KJV]

• Those who hold to the teaching that a person can lose their salvation again and again, use this verse as the pillar upon which they rest their entire theology. To do this you must equate the word holiness with "not sinning." In the King James version, the word hagiasmos, is translated __________. In the NASB it is properly rendered sanctification. It is a Greek word meaning; consecration, sanctification :-translated as: sanctification(8x), sanctifying work(1x), sanctity(1x). We need to look a little deeper into the meaning of "Holy." in just a moment.

The Context of Hebrew 12:14

Dr. Gottier points out on his tape series on "The book of Hebrews," that to establish a correct understanding of this passage we must put it in context. Hebrews 12:7-15 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

• Paul tells us that we should Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves."[ 2 Cor. 13:5 [NASB]] One of the primary ways to know that you indeed are a child of God is to recognize the _____________ of the Father.
• If God, the Holy Spirit, does not discipline us than we are ______ sons. We may claim to be sons but we are really __ ______ children.
• Discipline teaches us to __________.

2 Tim. 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; [NASB]

• Discipline toughens, purifies, and perfects us that we may _________ trials and persecutions and in the course of such not "______ " His Name.

Hebrews 12:9-10 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.

• As our earthly fathers disciplined our physical bodies, our heavenly Father disciplines our __________, for our own __________. The results of this spiritual discipline is that we may share His ________.

Let's look a little closer at this word Holy-Holiness. The root word is from Greek 40 (hagios); Strong's defines it thus; sacred (physical pure, moral blameless or religious). The question Dr. Gottier asks is what does it mean to be physically pure? The emphasis would have to be on without mixture. As we have already discussed, we are born into this world in the image of Seth, not the image of the newly created, pure and Holy, Adam. Our human spirit is a God hating spirit. When we are born anew, we are a mixture, often referred to a carnal Christians. God begins the work of Sanctification-purifying, removing the remnants of our old nature. For the Christian, living in a corrupt body this is a life-long pursuit or process; as the body wars with our Godly spirits for the control of our minds.

God begins to illustrate this in the Covenant of Law and completes the revelation in the New Covenant.

Deut. 22:9 "You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the produce of the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard become defiled. [NASB]

• When we get to the New Testament the ________ is revealed to be the Word of God as in the parable of the sower or in the parable of the wheat and tares it speaks of the Sons of God, who are the offspring of the living Word. When you mingle the Word of God with the philosophy of the world it becomes ____________.

Deut. 22:10-11 "You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. [11] "You shall not wear a material mixed of wool and linen together. [NASB]

Leviticus 19:19 'You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together. [NASB]

• You might be inclined to wonder why God cares, it doesn't seem like a very big deal, unless of course you realize that God is painting a much large picture, a portrait of the Christian and the natural man. Under the Old Covenant you must not _______ two ________ of things together.

The reason that God hates mixture is clearly seen in these scriptural examples, however keep in mind these are allegorical .Matthew 9:16-17 "But no one puts a patch of un-shrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. [17] "Nor do men put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." [NASB]

• In this case the contextual comparison is between those who would remain under law represented by the ______ garment and the old __________, and those who would choose to enter the New Covenant, depicted by the un-shrunk _____ patch and the ______ wineskin..

In Matthew 6:24 God reveals this truth, He must be first in your life. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. [NASB]

• Our human nature is such that we cannot hold two things in first place in our lives. We will ________to one and _____ the other.

James defines this a little closer in 3:10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. [NASB]

• The mouth reveals the heart, it is either sold out to God (__________ ), or to the flesh and thus remains in the kingdom of darkness.

2 Cor. 6:14-17 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

• Perhaps this is the picture of the ox and the donkey plowing together. In the study of the "Tabernacle" we have a clear picture of the power of Christ displayed by the ox. What ______________can a person empowered by the Holy Spirit have in common with the weakness of the flesh?

Can you see now why God hates mixture. Perhaps no illustration will come closer than that of a silversmith as he refines his silver, removing the dross, the mixture of the pure with the un-pure.

Malachi 3:3 "And He [God] will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness. [NASB]

If you were to ask a silversmith how he knows when the silver is purified, he will tell you that when he applies the right amount of heat, and scrapes away the dross, he will be able to see his own image in the molten purified silver. 1 Cor. 15:49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [NASB]

• God the Holy Spirit is our discipliner, our "Silversmith" if you will; When He is done we will bear the _________ of our creator.

2 Cor. 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. [NASB]

• Sanctification is the process used by the Holy Spirit of God to ___________ us in to the image of our ____________.

Col. 3:10 and [we] have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him [NASB]

• We are being ____________ according to the ________ of our creator, Jesus. We do not remain an old wineskin, rather we have put on the _________ _________.

Hebrew 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. [12] Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

• _____ ____ is the tool that the Holy Spirit most often uses to remake us into the image of Christ. This is "sanctification," purifying, removing the dross of our old rebellious natures.

Verse 12 refers to our place in the body of Christ, the more mature, Christ like, taking responsibility to disciple the weaker members, brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 12:14-15. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. [15] See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; [NASB]

• The subject is ____________; falling short of the _______ of God is to refuse the discipline of the Holy Spirit.
• A root of bitterness would be a mixture, like James was referring to, it will cause __________ in the assembly and by it many will be _________, because we have a corporate responsibility to one another.
• But far more important are the words of warning to those who refuse the sanctifying hand of the Holy Spirit, _________ which ___ _____ will see the Lord.

Eternal Security

Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. [3] For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

• Those who hold to the view of eternal security emphasize verse one and two; we are no longer under the penalty of death demanded by the law. Jesus set us ____ from the ____ of_____ and _________. Compilers note: Some will then push the envelope to far, even to the extreme of declaring that they are predestined to be saved, and so can live in complete sin and still be redeemed.

Col. 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

• Our Lord __________ the "sin _________" that we owe. He ________ the penalty of death, demanded by the law, to the Cross. He redeemed us; a book keeping term meaning to render the balance due to zero..

A most powerful argument against ever losing your salvation is offered in the following three verses:

2 Cor. 1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Ephes. 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephes. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

• And there you have it, you are not condemned (Rom. 8:1), you are _______ with the ________ __________, to the day of __________________.

As further proof that it is impossible to fall away, Paul in Romans 8:38-39 declares: . . .I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Can you think of anything that has been left out of the above passage that might________ us from the love of God? ________________________________________________

If that isn't convincing enough, we know that Scripture is clear, "God is Love" and "He is not willing for any to perish." If a person could lose their salvation by committing a sin then Hebrews 6:6 would argue against a loving God. And then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.

• If you could lose your salvation then it would be ___________ to be saved again, and what person hasn't, at least once, committed a transgression against a principle of God..

The Conflict of human theology.

The two theologies appear to be diametrically opposed and create a seemingly in insurmountable conflict. Let's examine once more, Romans 8:1-8, as just one example of the disparity: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. [3] For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, [7] because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; [8] and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

• Those who hold to eternal security must ignore verses 5 through 8. To make their theology fit Scripture they also must define "____ ________________" as eternal life with God, in heaven, "Christ's kingdom.".
• Conversely, those who hold a position of a need to be born again and again, must ignore verse one; There is therefore now _____ ____________ for those who are in Christ Jesus

From the very beginning of my Christian walk, our Lord has taught me, that the Word of God is always in perfect harmony, It never argues with itself. When it appears to be in conflict, the problem always lies in human theology. We must seek a theology, on any issue, that does not cause the Word to contradict itself. As you can see that the two schools of thought that we have been perusing, create serious conflicts. Since the Word of God is true, and therefore the above sited verses are true, we must seek a theology that enables them to be reconciled.. The major problems arise when we try to interpret them from a faulty foundation, or assign meaning to words, or make assumptions, that are not within the common interpretation or context.

A workable theology

We need to begin with the passage in Ephes. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Two words need to be interpreted correctly:

sealed: sphragizo, to seal :- put a seal(1), seal up(2), sealed(9), set a seal(3). The meaning of "sealed" is pretty plain.

redemption: apolutrosis, Greek 629, NASB apolutrosis; from apolutroo (to release on payment of ransom); a release effected by payment of ransom :- The word is translated redemption nine times and release once time. Apoluturosis is never translated eternal life in heaven, with Jesus or anything similar. Just because you have been released from your sin debt-death, you may not be entitled to eternal life with Jesus. A number of Scripture attest to this and I can find none that argue against it..

The passages clearly say that a person who receives forgiveness in Christ is sealed to the day of redemption with the Holy Spirit, it is a promise of God; it promises nothing more than that. The Holy Spirit of God will indwell the penitent until the day of redemption. The new believer is like a little green apple; that apple has everything that it needs to become delicious ripe fruit. What would happen to it if it refuse to partake of the sap of the vine? Conversely, what happens to new believers when they refuse to submit to spiritual nourishment. Jesus even cautioned us saying, "I am the vine, abide in me." I believe that the Word teaches us that, eternal life with Jesus, requires of us two things; we must chose to accept the pardon for sins offered, and then we must submit to the Holy Spirit for renewal of our minds.

Listen to Paul as he instructs Timothy: 2^nd Tim. 3:15 . . . from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• Without the prejudice of a faulty foundation, isn't it fair to say that Paul is implying that _______ in Jesus, opens the door to_____________ and eternal life with Him.. [salvation =soteria, deliverance, salvation] Paul goes on to explain how Timothy can obtain the salvation promised, it is through the Word for "[16] All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

• The work described is not the effort of our own hands, rather it is the work of the Holy Spirit, in and through us, who uses the Word of God (____ _______________) to train disciples of Christ, including the discipler, in ______________ by teaching, reproof and correction.

Judgement day

The Judgement Seat of Christ:

But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. [52] It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. [53] For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. [54] When this happens--when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die--then at last the Scriptures will come true: "Death is swallowed up in victory.

• The when, will be when, the ______ ____________ is blown.
• You could say that " when the last trumpet is blown" then we will all have eternal life [all who have been born of the spirit] for "__________ is no more" we are now eternal beings, and that would be true. But you have to read into the passage, to make it say that you will be spending your eternity, in His presence.

It is important to realize that Romans was written to those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, and in Him, they have found forgiveness. Rom 1:7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now notice what Paul says to these baby Christians: Romans 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. They are obviously not yet living a "sanctified" life.

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, The day of wrath is not the judgement seat of Christ' rewards, rather, it is the great white throne judgement. Matthew 7:21-23 could refer to the Judgement Seat of Christ. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. [22] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' [23] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' Where do they depart to? Is it possible that these unsanctified will become the inhabitants of the millennial earth and not be permitted to enter the Holy City or partake of the tree of life? I would not rule out the probability, that these translated beings have the opportunity, during the millennial reign, to commit their lives to Christ and be sanctified; consequently being allowed to enter the beloved city and then partake of the tree of life; most will not. It is to these that Satan comes, and again deceives. Rev. 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

Perhaps the parable of the ten virgins is best understood in this concept than any other. Matthew 25:1-12 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. [2] "And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. [3] "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, [4] but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. [5] "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. [6] "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' [7] "Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] "And the foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' [9] "But the prudent answered, saying, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' [10] "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. [11] "And later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' [12] "But he answered and said, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

• We know that the oil speaks of the Holy Spirit, and the light given by the oil as the power of the Holy Spirit, working in the lives of Christians. All were virgins, and so represent all who have accepted the forgiveness of Christ, and are set apart as the bride to be. I propose that the five foolish were un-sanctified and so their fate would be similar to those in Matt. 7: 21-23 "where Jesus say's "I do ______ know you."

The implication of Romans 5:9-10 ostensibly shows that there are two parts to eternal life with Him. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. [10] For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

• ________________ or redeemed by His death, we are saved eternally by His life-His resurrection, which allowed the Holy Spirit to come and begin to prepare a people, to spend eternity with Him.

What happens at the Judgement seat of Christ:

Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his DEEDS.

Acts 10:42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One [Jesus] who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

Romans 2:16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Romans 14:10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.

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

Ephes. 6:8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Can you see that the "bema" is a judgement of rewards-not condemnation, for deeds, wether good or bad. Jesus told us to "store up treasure in heaven." To define the rewards, apart from spending eternity with Jesus, as we shall see, is going beyond Scripture. Contextual references to the "bema" indicate that it is for Christians only, those who have been born again. 1 Peter 4:17a [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;

Rev. 14:7 And he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters."

• Christ is ________e__ at the bema.

In Rev. 11:15-18 we find the passage that is understood to be the rapture of the "Church.," is positioned in Scripture, immediately after the "last trumpet."

And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." [16] And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, [17] saying, "We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and hast begun to reign. [18] "And the nations were enraged, and Thy wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to Thy bond-servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear Thy name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

• The bema appears to come in the "last hour" of tribulation. It speaks of a judgement of rewards, given to what we understand to be the "church," the bride of Christ, the ________-_____________, the prophets and the _________ and to those who ______ the Name of Jesus. [To gain greater understanding, what it means to fear the Lord, see the Bible study "The Fear of the Lord" at www.geocities.com/christ_word]

These next few passages appear to begin, and refer to, the millennial reign of Christ. Rev. 22:12-15 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. [13] "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." [14] Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. [15] Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

• "My _______ is with me." His reward is for those, who become the bride. Part of the reward is to be able to enter the_______ by the front door, and to partake of the _______ of _______.

• Significant is the implication of free will in verse 14: Blessed are those who have [chosen] to ________ their __________. Who have submitted to the cleansing of the Holy Spirit-sanctification. "Blessed are those who (have chosen) to wash their robes."

The imperative need of a Christian to be sanctified.

John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.

• Perhaps grape vines are the Lord's focus here, only 2^nd year branches produce fruit, the older vines must be cut ________. Pruning pictures the process of sanctification, in as much as the old self, must be cut away to allow for the new nature to produce fruit.

1 Cor. 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

• The work of man, done apart from the "Word" though the power of the Holy Spirit is like wood, hay and straw. The ______ of purification and judgement will ______ the quality of the persons work.

These next passages are taken from the New Living Translation for clarity.

1 Cor. 3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ.

• To attempt to please God in any other way except through Jesus is to build on another _____________. This can best be seen in the writings of Joseph Smith and his angelic mentor, who have given us the Mormon Church with a different gospel; different, because they started with a different foundation. (The premise that God had more to reveal to the world than is found in the accepted Holy Scriptures, even though Revelations cautions us not to add or take away from what is written).

1 Cor. 3:12] Now anyone who builds on that foundation [the living word] may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.

• A person can attempt to please God with human works; the Word calls them _______, _______, and _________, things that burn up and are of little value.
• ______, __________, and ___________, are all portraits of Deity, Redemption and the work of the Holy Spirit. [See the Bible study on "A portrait of Jesus."]

1 Cor 3:13-14 But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. [14] If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward.

• If the work accomplished during the life of a believer survives, is not made of wood, hay and straw, then that person will be __________ed.

The only reward sought after by a true believer is to spend an eternity with Jesus.

Col. 1:22-23 Yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, He has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are Holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. [23a] But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.. . .

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ, the faithful Son, was in charge of the entire household. And we are God's household, if we keep up our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

Hebrews 3:14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 6:11-12 Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. [12] Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience.

Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Rev. 2:10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The Devil will throw some of you into prison and put you to the test. You will be persecuted for 'ten days.' Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life.

In an effort to keep the passages on sanctification in context; we now come to a most troubling verse, for those who believe that it is possible to lose your salvation by "sinning," committing a transgression. 1 Cor. 3:15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

• Remember our earlier discussion about human theology causing Scripture to disagree with itself. "If any portion of Scripture argues against your theology, change your theology, for Scripture is never wrong." The works done in the flesh amount to a ______, nothing. The __________, the person who offered such work, will be __________ even if by a thread.

Neither is the road smooth sailing for those who rely on eternal security. An example would can be found in 1 Peter 4:12-5:4 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; [13] but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. [14] If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; [16] but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

• Those who hold to the position of eternal security should be troubled by verse 15, cautioning Christians not to _________ because of foul deeds. be careful not to center on those who are evildoers, notice that Peter lumps into that mix of heinous crimes, troublesome __________s_.
• This judgement is identified as the judgement seat of God because of who will be judged, the ______________ of God -- believers.
• If the eternal security folks are not troubled by verse 15 than 17 should really cause some consternation; even Peter wasn't sure of the outcome for those who do not _______ the gospel of God.

1 Peter 4:18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

• I have yet touched upon the doctrine of election, nor do I intend to now, however, verse 18 would certainly red flag what is commonly taught today, called easy believism. Your salvation doesn't just happen, it comes with some ________________.

Still on Sanctification; In 2 Thes. 1:11, Paul is speaking to those who have believed in Christ forgiveness. To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;

• He implies that it is possible to "not be counted____________." Then what?

1 John 4:17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

• Love must be _____________ in us, God knows that we are not able to love as He loves just because we are saved; true love, comes with sanctification.

Will a born again person have to stand at the Great White Throne Judgement, or is it only for the un-saved?.

• The text speaks of the keeping power of God through sanctification [godly people], and the expectation of the Great White Throne Judgement, for those who follow their own evil, lustful desires, __________ing__ His authority.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, [6] and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.

• This passage is conclusively concerning those who have been born agin and yet refused the sanctification process-have _________ away.

The Great White Throne Judgement

• We know that this passage refers to the Great White Throne Judgement and not the "Bema." because Christ and his angels are reveled in _________ ______, dealing out _______________, not rewards.

Daniel 7:9 gives us a picture of the Throne of God. "I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire."

• The _________ of God is pictured as ablaze with flames and its wheels a burning __________. Fire, through out Scripture, is always a picture of judgement.

Hebrews 12:29 gives us a clear portrait of God: for our God is a consuming fire.

• Our God is a _______________fire.

Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

• The great white throne judgement is a judgement resulting eternal punishment for the ___________ _______. They will be cast into the eternal fire prepared for the ______ and his ______________.

The accursed ones are defined in Hebrews 10:26-27. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

• Those who continue to go on ________ ___________ can expect no less than condemning _______________ and to be cast into the "lake" of ___________.

It is important at this juncture to be sure that our understanding of what constitutes sin is Scriptural. Look at how John 16:9 defines sin. The world's sin is unbelief in me.

• All sin finds its roots in _________.

2 Peter 3:7 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

• This earth, in fact all of the creation that surrounds it that was corrupted by the fall of man, and those __________ people who remain are doomed to ____________in the lake of fire.

Rev. 14:9-11 And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, [10] he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

• The lake of fire, Hell, will not be a fun place where the ungodly will enjoy the companionship of their fellow rebels, rather, it will be a place of eternal torment, where there will be ____ ____ _____ and _______, for a eternity.

Rev. 20:4-6 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the word of God. And I saw the souls of those who had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [5] This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) [6] Blessed and Holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

• After the bema judgement there will be a period of a ______ __________ before those who were not part of the "bride of Christ;" who did not participate in the first ____________, stand before the great white throne judgement. The __________ __________ refers to the eternal judgement and being cast into the lake of fire.

Rev. 2:26 'And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.

• Those who will reign with Christ for the millennial kingdom will be the ______________r; defined as those who were obedient..

Revelation 20:7-8 When the thousand years end, Satan will be let out of his prison. [8] He will go out to deceive the nations from every corner of the earth, which are called Gog and Magog. He will gather them together for battle--a mighty host, as numberless as sand along the shore.

• After the millennial kingdom dispensation comes to a close, _________ will be released to go and __________ all who will still follow him. God is still in the business of purifying a people to serve him in love.

Satan gathered an army from every nation. God's people were in and around the city of Jerusalem. Rev 20:9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God's people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

The Lord sends ______ from _________ and ____________ them.

Rev 20:10 Then the Devil, who betrayed them, was thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

• Satan's unholy trinity, will be cast into the ________ of ___________.

Now we come to that portion of Scripture that deals with the resurrection of the dead, from the beginning of time through the millennial kingdom, with the exception of those who were raised at the bema, the first resurrection; they are alive and well and living in the Holy city, Jerusalem. Revelation 20: 13-15 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. [14] And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

• This is the __________ _________, their names were not written in the ________ of ________

Rev 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds

• The _________ of ________ contains information about the ___________ of those not judged at the first resurrection, the bema judgement.

The right to eat at the tree of life in the beloved city, Jerusalem. Acts 20:32 "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

• Scripture shows that all sin has its roots in unbelief. The Holy Spirit will _________ the world concerning sin because they do not __________ in Christ.

2 Thes. 1:4-9 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. [5] This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. [6] For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [7] and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, [8] dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

• The previous passages, pretty well sums up all, that I have been trying to communicate. The great tribulation will bring retribution and rewards. The expected penalty for those who ____ _____ _______ the gospel of our Lord Jesus, is _______ destruction, away from the presence of our Lord and from His power. The reward for ___________, ______________ and _______ance_, is being found worthy of the Kingdom of God, that is eternal life in His presence.

Conclusion

Matthew 13:3-9 . . . . "Behold, the sower went out to sow; [4] and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. [5] "And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. [6] "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] "And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. [8] "And others fell on the good soil, and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. [9] "He who has ears, let him hear."

Jesus now explains to His disciples the meaning of the parable: Matthew 13:18-23 "Hear then the parable of the sower. [19] "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. [20] "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; [21] yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

• The seed is figurative of the _________ of God and the soil is the heart of a person.
• The roadside recipient is deceive by the ______ ______ who is Satan; and we will not concern ourselves with him here.
• The Rocky soil represents a person who has heard the gospel, received the pardon and yet fails to submit to renewal of the Holy Spirit. When affliction or persecution comes, because of his faith in Jesus the Living _________, he quickly _____ ______. Peter, before it was possible to be indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit, illustrates this for us through his denial of Jesus. After Pentecost he demonstrates a Holy boldness, with no regard for his own safety or life; obviously the power of the Holy Spirit within. .

Matthew 13:22-23 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. [23] "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

• Faith results in action, this person heard the _______, believed it to the point of receiving forgiveness, and yet did not allow his mind to be set on the Spirit, therefore the worry about earthly things and the pursuit of earthly treasure cloud over the word and the man remains un-sanctified.
• The one on whom the seed was sown on good soil, pictures the man who hears the Word, understands it and then ______ _______. John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

From the standpoint of sanctification, all three of the Gospels are essentially the same. The rocky soil speaks of the person who with great enthusiasm accepts God's forgiveness through Christ but never opens the Word. Most live in the emotional realm, for a while, and appear to be very spiritual. Their mind's remain subject to their bodies and are never set on the voice of the Spirit within. For clarity of principle let's examine Romans 8:6-7 in the New Living Translation. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. [7] For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. Can you see; as Dr. Gottier puts it, that the mind is the battle ground of the flesh and the Spirit.

Again, for clarity of principle, let's examine the parallel passage in Luke 8:13-18, in the New Living Translation.

The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. [14] The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. [15] But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.

• To those who would set their minds on the cares of this world, "mammon"; choosing to live in the kingdom of this world rather than the kingdom of Heaven. The __________,__________ and the ________ of ___________ choke out the Word of God in their lives, thus preventing the Holy Spirit of God from bringing about the sanctification, washing with the water of the Word, that will preserve them. [see the Bible Study on "two kingdoms"]
• Those who are being sanctified, the good soil, are good hearted people who _____ to the Word of God thus allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit of God to ________ the fruit of the Spirit in the life of that person. Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

This next parable follows in Luke 8:16-18 and perhaps is a good concluding passage to this study as well, for it summarizes the sanctified life. "No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house. [17] For everything that is hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light and made plain to all. [18] So be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they think they have will be taken away from them."[NLT]

• If we are walking in the light, then the work of the Holy spirit should be evident in our lives, yours and mine. The Word of God, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit should be producing change in our lives as we submit ourselves to His authority, for cleansing, washing, and purifying . Like the light mounted in the ______, visible: That change should be evident to those around us, if we are being sanctified. If we are not, it is because we have chosen not to pursue sanctification or not to set on minds on the Spirit.. Our lives will become like the seed sown in the rocky soil or among the thorns, we will produce no fruit. Will you notice Jesus' attitude toward those who refuse the renewing of their minds-sanctification. John 15:6 Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. [NLT]

The Solution:

Father I come before you with praise and singing in my heart, submitting myself before You, choosing to serve in Your kingdom rather than the kingdom of darkness, submitting myself to your authority for You alone are worthy. I chose to live by the laws of the kingdom of heaven and reject the reign of Satan and his authority in my life. I look forward to the day when Jesus will come, and in an instant destroy Satan and his minions; a day when your righteousness will rule and Your will be done on planet earth.. I pray that I and all of my loved ones be found worthy in that day.

Father fill me fresh this day with your Holy Spirit. I choose to set my mind on spiritual things and not the things of this world. I ask for protection from any distraction that would keep me from Your Word, and obedience to Your Word.. Help me to keep an open heart and mind to the voice of Your Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit of God, be my teacher, cause your Word to be alive in me.

I agree with Romans 12:1 and offer myself - totally and completely, take me and use me, have your own way Teach me to hate sin as You hate sin, to love others as You love them. I repent of any transgressions of Your will, and I thank you for any course correction in my life that will make me more like Jesus, in whose image I am being renewed. Show me my heart Father, reveal to me areas of my life that are not yet submitted to You. Grant me wisdom and understanding that through Your Word and the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit, I might know You and Your ways and that I might be known by You.

Father thank you for the armor that you provide:

I put on that armor now to prepare for the day ahead.

Thank you for saving me and those that I love most, you have shown mercy instead of the justice that we deserve.

Thank you for the Righteousness of Christ, for I have none of my own, renew my mind, may your thoughts become my thoughts, may your ways become my ways.

Fill me with your love that I may Love others as Christ and You love them.

Thank you for Your Word, Your word is truth, teach me to apply Your word in my life.

Thank you for the Shield of Faith to ward off any attacks of the enemy.

Thank you for the Sword of the Spirit that I may correctly understand Your Word and not deceive myself or be deceived by an incorrect interpretation.

As the beggar who found bread and desires to share it with others, prepare me with your Word, and grant me the opportunity this day to share your Word with others.

Father, you know every step that I will take today. You know every life that I will touch. Quicken my spirit to recognize the hungry heart-the one that you have been preparing by the power of your Holy Spirit. Grant me the spirit to represent Jesus well-to explain the aspects of the Christian life that will most meet the need of this person. Give me the courage to lead them to You. Father, grant me the insight to know what you are doing, that I may do what you are doing

Thank you for studying God's Holy Word with us.

If your have a comment or questions you may write: Greg Deans, 204 Sir Chandler dr. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 or Email at deans@eartthlink.net.

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