Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

The Remission of Despair

January 2, 2011

by Shawn Brasseaux

This life is filled with good times and bad. Joyous moments such as graduations, job promotions, marriages, and births can make life very enjoyable. In life, we also experience hardships—financial struggles, illness, divorce, and death of loved ones. Those dire circumstances can bring us great despair and hopelessness. Where is God then? If God really loved us, why does He not spare us the grief and misery? How should we handle suffering as Christians?

The Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in Romans 5:1-5 KJV:

“1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

When a person trusts the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour, God “justifies” that person. In other words, that Christian now has a right standing before God; in God’s eyes, the person is a saint, one who has been imputed His Son’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). God’s wrath against our sin is now satisfied because His Son went to Calvary to pay for our sins. Thus, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we suffer, it has nothing to do with God being angry with us—remember He punished His Son to deal with our sins.

In verse 2, Paul speaks of us having access (by faith in Christ Jesus) into God’s grace. We can now depend on God’s grace, for it is in God’s grace that we now stand as believers—grace teaches us how to endure suffering. We can then “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” In difficult times of anguish and heartache, how can we have “hope?”

Paul says in verse 3 that we “glory” (rejoice, boast) in tribulations; that is to say, we endure challenging times and suffering with joy! Paul describes this chain reaction:

the more we suffer tribulations (trying times), the more patience we can gain
the more patience we gain, the more experience we can gain
the more experience we gain, the more hope we can have
the more hope we have, the more confident we can become because “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

We want to bypass the tribulations, but we cannot. Grace never teaches us Christians that we will live carefree lives, separated from suffering and hardships. No, not at all. On the contrary, grace teaches us “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 KJV). Later in that chapter, Paul continues:

“22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

All of creation suffers and groans in pain—even us Christians! We suffer because of three main reasons: (1) The Bible says we live in a sin cursed world, which is why we grow sick and eventually die at some point. (2) As sinful human beings, we make mistakes, and those mistakes cause ourselves and others to suffer. (3) Furthermore, as believers, we suffer persecution from the lost world. Until we leave this life, we cannot avoid suffering. Despite all this, there is hope, the Bible says. There can be remission of despair!

Everything we could suffer in this world is “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). And Paul knew what it was to suffer—he had various illnesses, he was beaten, imprisoned, whipped (almost 200 times), and stoned, all of which was for the sake of spreading the Gospel of Grace (2 Corinthians 11:22-28; Galatians 4:13,15).

In 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:4 KJV, we gain some wonderful wisdom in regards to enduring hardships:

“16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Chapter 5

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”

No matter what happens in this life, God has promised us something so wonderful in heaven. A glorified body, just like our Saviour’s glorified body: a body that will never hurt or grow tired and sickly, a body “eternal in the heavens!” As Philippians 3:20,21 tells us: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” That will be the day of the rapture, when our physical bodies are redeemed (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Ephesians 4:30).

For the next year, may we allow God’s grace to teach us to have “patience and faith in all [our] persecutions and tribulations that [we] endure” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). As we study God’s Word rightly divided, and place our faith in His Word to us, the Holy Spirit will use that sound doctrine to impact our lives and the lives of those around us. Galatians 2:20 says to let Christ live His life in you!! “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Who knows what trials we will face this upcoming year, but we know that God has equipped us in His Son Jesus Christ, and we can handle the whole gamut of circumstances (good and bad). Whether poor or wealthy, whether hungry or full, “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11,12). As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Whatever happens, let us remember to never lose hope and grow weary—“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 KJV). Paul wrote that in prison, you know! We cannot rejoice in our circumstances because they always change, but we can rejoice in the Lord—in who He has made us in Himself. Our position in Christ will never change. We can rejoice “alway,” literally meaning “all the way” throughout the next 365 days… and that will bring glory to the great God and our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ….

This upcoming year, there will be times of joy and peace, but also those of sadness and suffering. We can always handle the good times, but we always struggle when coping with the bad times. For the next year, remember what Romans 5:1-5 told us about enduring tribulation to produce patience, bringing experience, giving hope, and gaining confidence in grace. A part of spiritual maturity is being able to handle greater trials. No matter what happens, God’s grace is “sufficient for thee, for [God’s] strength is made perfect in weakness, therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10 KJV).

Who knows, this upcoming year, we may be caught up to meet the Lord in the air! 🙂

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New Year’s 2011: 2010 Reflection | 2011 Projection

December 31, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

As 2010 comes to a close and 2011 begins, we want to take time to reflect upon this past year.

This past year was filled with good times and bad. There were joyous moments—graduations, job promotions, marriages, and births. In addition, there were (what seemed like) eternities of suffering—financial struggles, illness, the death of loved ones, and persecution. What an eventful year it has been!

Take this time to think about what you did this past year, and evaluate your life on the basis of God’s Word. Where does your life need improvement? In your marriage? Your schooling? At the workplace? In the local church? What are your weaknesses? Strengths? What lessons have you learned? Did you apply to your life the sound doctrine found in God’s Word rightly divided? Was it you living your life to make God happy with you, or was it Christ living His life in and through you by faith?

In retrospect, we are bothered by those two words “if only.” If only I did this, if only I did that. The fact of the matter is this only hypothetical—we did not do it, so we need not waste our time fretting about a time period we cannot change. Though difficult, we need to focus on this present moment and the future. Do not dwell on your mistakes, but rather learn from them!!

In light of the upcoming challenges of 2011, let us consider God’s wisdom found in Romans 5:1-5 KJV:

“1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

In God’s eyes, we as members of the Church the Body of Christ are “justified” (just as if we never sinned). Because Christ’s blood has washed away our sin debt, our righteous and sinless God is no longer angry with us—“we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Christ Jesus, we can access God’s grace, and we can confidently stand in God’s grace. We can then “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Furthermore, Paul says that we “glory” (rejoice) in tribulations; that is to say, we endure challenging times and suffering with joy! Paul describes this chain reaction:

the more we suffer tribulations, the more patience we can gain
the more patience we gain, the more experience we can gain
the more experience we gain, the more hope we can have
the more hope we have, the more confident we can become because “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Grace never teaches us Christians that we will live carefree lives, separated from suffering and hardships. No, not at all. On the contrary, grace teaches us “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 KJV).

Being sinful human beings, we make mistakes, and our mistakes cause us and others to suffer. We live under the curse of sin and corruption, so we grow sick and eventually die. We as Christians suffer persecution from the lost world around us. Until we leave this life, we cannot avoid suffering. Who knows what trials we will face this upcoming year, but we know that God has equipped us in His Son Jesus Christ, and we can handle the whole gamut of circumstances (good and bad). As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

This upcoming year, there will be times of joy and peace, but also those of sadness and suffering. We can always handle the good times, but we always struggle when coping the bad times. This upcoming year, let us remember what Romans 5:1-5 told us about enduring tribulation to produce patience, bringing experience, giving hope, and gaining confidence in grace. A part of spiritual maturity is being able to handle greater trials.

For now, we only ponder what the future holds in 2011: new opportunities in the ministry, meeting new people, and more spiritual growth are just a few of the things to which I look forward. Whatever happens, let us remember to never lose hope and grow weary—“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 KJV). Paul wrote that in prison, you know! We cannot rejoice in our circumstances, but we can rejoice in the Lord—in who He has made us in Himself. We can rejoice “alway,” literally meaning “all the way” throughout the next 365 days… and that will bring glory to the great God and our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ….

Who knows, this upcoming year, we may be caught up to meet the Lord in the air! 🙂

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“A Shadow of Things to Come”

December 26, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

Should we keep Israel’s feasts days and/or Sabbath days today in this the Dispensation of Grace? The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:16,17 KJV: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” As members of the Church the Body of Christ, Paul says we are not under the Law of Moses because it was crucified with Christ on the cross (Colossians 2:14). We do not have to keep the Sabbath day or any of Israel’s feast days because we are not the nation Israel (Romans 6:14,15; Galatians 4:9-11)!

With that said, we want to focus on that phrase in Colossians 2:17: “which are a shadow of things to come.” How were the holydays, the new moons, and the Sabbath days of Israel’s religious calendar “a shadow of things to come?” I think you will find this study very interesting, as I did when I first learned of it: this takes some serious studying, and you may not understand it all the first time, so do not give up with this!

The LORD mandated that Israel observe seven feasts throughout the year, and this information was given to Moses in Leviticus chapter 23. In Leviticus 23:3, God commands Israel to keep the weekly Saturday Sabbath (there were additional “Sabbaths”). According to verse 5, the first feast of Israel’s religious calendar was the Feast of Passover, observed on the 14th day of Nisan (March/April on the Gregorian calendar). Nisan was the first month of Israel’s religious calendar, and during Passover, Israel’s households killed a young healthy male lamb, shed its blood, and then ate the lamb; see Exodus 12:3-14.

The day following Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread began—Leviticus 23:6-8 tell us that the Feast of Unleavened Bread lasted a week, from Nisan 15 and to Nisan 21. The first and last days of that week were special Sabbaths, during which Israel could do no servile work. During the week of Unleavened Bread, Israel removed all of the leaven from their houses and only eat unleavened bread; see also Exodus 12:15-20 and Exodus 13:6,7.

According to Leviticus 23:9-14, once Israel entered the Promised Land, they had to offer a sheaf (bundle) of the “firstfruits” of their first harvest (the “firstfruits” are the first ripened crops in the field). Israel was to observe Firstfruits on Nisan 16, the day after the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. After the sheaves were brought to the priesthood on the day of Firstfruits, Israel was to count 49 days (seven Sabbaths, or seven weeks). On the fiftieth day (Pentecost; “fifty”), the Feast of Pentecost was to be observed (Leviticus 23:15-21)—on that day, the Jews were to offer “a new meat offering unto the LORD” (verse 16). Pentecost was observed on the sixth day of Sivan (our May/June). The Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost all occurred during the springtime.

For a period of four months following the Feast of Pentecost, no feast days were observed in Israel—there was a gap of time (more on this later). By now, it was autumn, and on the first day of the seventh month Tishri (our September/October), Israel celebrated the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24,25)—this involved another special Sabbath day in which Israel could do no servile work. During this time, trumpets were blown: hence the name, “Feast of Trumpets.” In modern Judaism, this holiday is called “Rosh Hashanah.”

On the 10th day of the seventh month Tishri (our September/October), Leviticus 23:26-32 speaks of the Day of Atonement, during which atonement would be made for Israel’s national sins (see Hebrews 9:7, which describes Israel’s high priest annually sprinkling animal’s blood on the Mercy Seat). The Jews could not work on this day either because this was another special Sabbath day. Modern Judaism knows the Day of Atonement as “Yom Kippur.”

Finally, from the 15th to the 22nd of the seventh month Tishri (our September/October), Israel celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44). During this week, Jews were commanded to live in “booths” (tents, tabernacles) made of sticks. The first and last days of the week were both special Sabbaths, and Jews could not work on those two days either. Why were Jews to dwell in booths? Leviticus 23:43 says, “That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”

The LORD God commanded Israel to observe these feasts in this order, year after year, from Moses until this pure God-given religion was watered down to become the vain worship system that existed at the time of Jesus Christ (a period of roughly 1500 years). It was a very complex religious calendar, but little did the Jews know that that calendar was actually a preview of all of God’s future plans for the nation Israel. The feasts were types (previews) of specific events in God’s dealings with Israel. Let us “connect the dots,” and see just how God has intelligently designed His Word!

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PASSOVER — “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” (1 Corinthians 5:7). In Exodus chapter 12, shortly before Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage, God told the Jews to kill a spotless (healthy) male lamb and put its blood on their doors. That lamb’s blood being shed every Passover was a type (preview) of Jesus Christ being killed, just as Peter wrote “[ye have been redeemed] with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). The Feast of Passover was a type/preview of Christ’s death on Calvary!

UNLEAVENED BREAD — Leaven (yeast) in the Bible symbolized sin. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a preview of Jesus Christ’s dead body being placed in the tomb, when He “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). Just as the Jews removed all the leaven from their homes, so Christ removed sin from our account! The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a preview/type of Christ’s burial, and Him burying (putting out of view) our sin!

FIRSTFRUITS — “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The Day of Firstfruits symbolized the fact that Christ is “the firstfruits” of those that have physically died. Christ was the first man to resurrect EVER; that is, the Firstfruits of Old Testament harvesting is a preview/type of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

PENTECOST — In Acts 2:1, we see that “the day of Pentecost was fully come….” Those words “fully come” indicate that the Day of Pentecost observed in the Old Testament was prophesying Acts chapter 2, when God offered to restore divided Israel and make her one single nation (the two bread loaves in Leviticus 23:17 are the two houses of Israel; see Acts 2:36). In the early Acts period, Israel’s twelve apostles urged her to repent of killing her Messiah, and for them to accept their kingdom. The Old Testament day of Pentecost was a preview of Acts chapter 2!

(GAP — NO FEASTS OBSERVED DURING THIS FOUR-MONTH PERIOD)

TRUMPETS — According to Matthew 24:30,31, Jesus Christ’s Second Coming will involve angels “with a great sound of a trumpet.” The blowing of the trumpets in the Old Testament is a preview of Christ’s Second Coming when He re-gathers scattered/dispersed Israel!

ATONEMENT — In Acts 3:18,19, we learn that Jesus Christ will “blot out” Israel’s national sins at His Second Coming. Romans 11:26,27 is then brought to pass: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” The Day of Atonement (when the priest would pour animals’ blood on the Mercy Seat), like Trumpets, also previewed/typified Christ’s Second Coming!

TABERNACLES — When Israel’s kingdom is finally set up, and Christ is ruling in Jerusalem, God will then be dwelling with mankind on earth (“Immanuel” means “God with us;” see Matthew 1:23). In what does one dwell? A tabernacle, a tent! In Zechariah 14:16, we read: “And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King [Jesus Christ], the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” The feat of Tabernacles is a preview/type of the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth!

THE GAP

Okay, so, let us discuss the gap between Pentecost and Trumpets. During that period of June to September, the Jews had no feast days to observe. According to the Apostle Paul, our Dispensation of Grace (which began after Pentecost, in Acts chapter 9), has interrupted Israel’s program. Jesus Christ’s Second Coming is still future as is Israel’s atonement, and Christ’s Millennial Reign on earth. The first four feasts represented Christ’s First Coming, meek and lowly to Israel, and the last three feasts are a prophetic view of Christ’s Second Coming when He returns to earth in great power and glory! Wow!

Now we see why the Bible says that the Old Testament prophets spoke of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11).

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“Let Him Be Ignorant” (Should We Argue?)

December 15, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

When you share God’s Word with others, be mindful that you will run into opposition. Religious people can easily grow angry, throw tantrums, scream, and consequently, they may even curse you out or do you physical harm! What should you do when someone challenges you to a debate or argument? Does God want you to argue with them, or should you decline the invitation? The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), but does that mean we should argue and debate with everyone who disagrees with the King James Bible rightly divided?

Let me begin by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with a curious person asking Bible questions. Lost people will have questions before they come to salvation in Jesus Christ. This is a far cry from someone wanting to argue, which is what we will discuss here. In the ministry, I have come across multitudes of people who just wanted to argue for the sake of arguing. They were not seeking sound Bible answers; they were purely interested in mocking the Bible and wasting my time.

If ever you come across individuals (whether saved or lost) who persist in asking foolish Bible questions, or who continue to discuss the same useless information over and over, keep these verses handy and obey them. God wrote the following verses regarding dealing with people who have anti-Bible attitudes.

In 2 Timothy 2:23 KJV, Paul writes: “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” God says we are under no obligation to answer silly Bible questions. If someone is asking ridiculous or captious questions (it seems like an attempt to confuse you), the Lord says to avoid the conversation. Why? The word “gender” in this verse means “to generate.” Fighting and bickering (“strifes”) will result over something minor, and you might say something or do something that would dishonor the Lord. Remember, as servants of the Lord, we should not be quarreling/fighting with people: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive” (2 Timothy 2:24).

Let us look at Paul’s warning to Titus (3:9), which is similar the admonition he gave to Timothy: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” What are “genealogies?”

Compare to 1 Timothy 1:4 KJV: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” Now look at Titus 1:14 KJV: “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” According to these two verses, “genealogies” are “Jewish fables,” myths/legends that the Jews would pass down from generation to generation. Today, this would be equivalent to religious tradition that refutes the Bible—the writings of the church fathers, for instance. Today’s “genealogies” are simply teaching that has been passed down through a denominational hierarchy, ideas that generate doubt (questions), confusion, and deception. Avoid these tools of the devil, beloved!

Consider what 1 Corinthians 14:38 KJV says: “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” If someone is confused (ignorant, unlearned), and shows no interest in learning the truth of the King James Bible, leave him or her alone! The person cannot be forced against his or her will, so God says “let him be ignorant.” Do not address questions that come from those who have no desire to learn anything from the Bible. Here are the instructions Jesus Christ gave to His disciples in Matthew 7:6 KJV: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” The “pearls” here are God’s Word; do not cast the precious Word of God to those who will not appreciate it or accept it with readiness of mind. It would be a waste of time and energy, time and energy that could be spent dealing with those who do want to learn the truth.

Jesus Christ told His followers in Matthew 10:14 KJV: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (cf. Luke 9:5; Acts 13:51). Do not be discouraged when someone does not want to hear your testimony regarding God’s Word (the King James Bible). Just go on your way and speak to those who do want to hear what the Bible says! (Those who reject you as a Christian are not rejecting you per-say, they are rejecting God, and God will deal with them.)

If you come across someone who is interested in learning, then share the Holy Scriptures with him or her, in a loving and polite way. (Yet, I have learned that even when I was very polite, some people accused me of being “too pushy!”

Religious people are opposed to God’s Word because God’s Word rightly divided is opposed to them and their religion. The battle exists between Satan and God, and so a spiritual battle is being fought between us Christians and lost people. The Bible will offend people, it will convict hearts, and it will contradict what people are accustomed to hearing in most churches. Unless they hear it come out of their pastor’s lips or their denomination headquarters, most church members will object to you sharing Bible verses with them. You will have people get upset and some people may get a little violent and curse you. But, be not discouraged!!

Proverbs 26:4,5 KJV is wisdom in this regard: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Sometimes it is appropriate to respond to the scoffers; other times, you will decide to say nothing, and go on your way to those who will listen. Determine what action the situation requires by listening to the person’s tone, and comments, and observing their facial expressions, demeanor, and so on.

Why does God warn us not to engage in debates over minor matters? See what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:14 KJV: “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” One of the last things Paul tells Timothy is to “charge [believers] before the Lord that they strive [fight, argue] not about words to no profit.” Arguments that arise over small matters can divide believers and ruin Christian fellowship. The Bible says the argument will profit nothing spiritually!

For example, local churches have divided over issues as ridiculous as the color of the curtains, pew covers, or carpeting! Striving (fighting) about minor matters will not edify (strengthen, build up) the Christian brethren. Rather it will subvert (destroy, demolish) those who overhear the conversation. By the way, that Greek word translated “subverting” is katastrophe, which literally means “to overthrow” (like, “overthrow the faith of some;” 2 Timothy 2:18). Those types of discussions will literally make a catastrophe of the Church the Body of Christ, and ruin Christian fellowship with a division/schism!

CONCLUSION

Intelligent Bible conversations with inquisitive people are totally fine. But, when it comes to dealing with people who debate over things that are not of major doctrinal importance, we must step back and consider pursuing any further discussion.

God’s Word tells us that we should avoid topics/questions that generate more questions than they do answers. God’s Word does not answer every question, so if the answer is not clearly stated in God’s Word, then this is a topic that God does not consider important. If we fail to adhere to these instructions in God’s Word, we run the risk of overthrowing the faith of fellow Christians and/or further confusing the lost world!

Let us Christians remember to always “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and let us “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15), but when the scoffer rejects that truth, the Lord tells us “let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:38).

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Christmas 2010 – “The LORD from Heaven” I & II

December 12, 2010

Christmas 2010 – “The LORD from Heaven” I
by Shawn Brasseaux
[12 December 2010]

“…the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47b KJV).

With the Christmas season approaching, we want to look at two studies on the incarnation of God. The Bible says that God Almighty came down from heaven to become a man; why did He do this? We search the Holy Scriptures for the answer. The true Christmas story has been suppressed and buried by thousands of years of religious tradition and paganism. Call this type of study “fanaticism” or “splitting hairs,” but this is Bible study, and we want to study the BIBLE.

Christmas according to religion is three wise men travelling to Bethlehem in order to visit a little baby in a manger. This is wrong, my dear readers! The Bible never says how many wise men there were and those wise men never visited the Baby Jesus in a manger. (Check the Bible if you do not believe me!) Our goal in this two-part Bible study is to understand why Jesus Christ even took on human flesh in the first place. We want to examine the incarnation of God (Jesus Christ) from two perspectives. To begin, we will consider the first few years of Christ’s life on earth as seen from the prophetic perspective.

Mary is a virgin Jewess who is betrothed (more than engaged) to marry Joseph, a much older man. Before they are married and before they have sexual relations, Mary is “found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph is very troubled by this, but he does not want to make a spectacle, so he and Mary keep the matter secret. Then, an angel appears to Joseph and explains: “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:20 KJV).

The angel also tells Joseph that prophecy is being fulfilled: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (cf. Isaiah 7:14). Jesus Christ, the LORD of glory (“Immanuel” means “God with us”), needs a physical body, and that body must be a descendent of King David (Luke 1:32). This is why the Holy Spirit supernaturally placed the Spirit of God the Son (Jesus Christ) into Mary’s womb. Technically, it was a virgin conception!

Let us look at some Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament. We see that Matthew 1:21 says that Israel’s Messiah’s name is JESUS (“Saviour”), because “He shall save His people [Israel] from their sins.” Jeremiah 23:5,6 KJV say: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Isaiah 9:6,7 KJV also spoke of Israel’s Messiah-King: “For unto us [Israel] a child is born, unto us [Israel] a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Even Moses wrote something about the Messiah in Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;” Israel’s King and Prophet has indeed arrived! According to Luke 1:5, Christ was born in late September to early October. Nine months previous, or late December, puts His conception around Christmas, not His birth. The idea that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday is nothing more than a pagan holiday that celebrates the birth of the son of the sun god.

Just before the Lord Jesus is born (sometime in September), Caesar Augustus wanted to tax the Roman Empire. Joseph, being a descendent of King David, must leave Nazareth and return to Bethlehem in Judaea, the city of King David (Luke 2:1-5). God the Father foreknew that Jesus Christ would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea, not in Nazareth (where Joseph and Mary had been staying). Micah 5:2 KJV reads: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Over 700 years before the fact, God said which Bethlehem too! (While there was another town named Bethlehem southwest of the Sea of Galilee [in northern Israel], God specifically said it would be the Bethlehem Ephratah, the Bethlehem near Jerusalem).

In Bethlehem Ephratah (Bethlehem of Judaea), Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ, and places Him in a manger in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:6,7). Nearby shepherds who are out watching their flock by night see an angel that declares (Luke 2:10-12 KJV): “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” These shepherds visit the Baby Jesus in the manger. By the way, these shepherds are out in their fields, indicating it is not a cold night in December but rather early fall (late September).

What about the wise men? In Matthew chapter 2, the wise men come from the east to Jerusalem, where the Roman King Herod reigns. These wise men inquire Herod where the “King of the Jews” is (a reference to Jesus Christ) because they have seen His star. Herod grows upset and feels threatened by the birth of this new King. When he gathers Israel’s religious leaders and asks where that King would be born, they tell him that Micah 5:2 prophesied the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea. Herod sends the wise men as spies, hoping to find out where Jesus is so he can kill the Him.

In Matthew 2:11, we read of the wise men coming into a “house”—not a stall or cave—and we see that Jesus Christ is a “young child,” not a baby at this point (no more than two years old). These wise men bring gifts to the Lord Jesus (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) and they worship Him. God warns the wise men in a dream to return to their home, but not to report back to Herod.

Three more prophecies were also fulfilled in these first few years of Christ’s earthly life. Herod in his anger demands the execution of all Jewish babies under the age of two in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. In Matthew 2:13, God sends another angel to Joseph, warning Joseph of the impending danger, and instructing him to take Mary and the boy Jesus to the land of Egypt! Thus, Joseph, Mary, and the boy Jesus flee to Egypt, until Herod dies. Matthew 2:15 KJV says: “And was there [in Egypt] until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” This quote is actually Hosea 11:1, when God speaks of time when He delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage, some 1,500 years previous.

As Herod kills these innocent children, yet another prophecy is fulfilled as Israel mourns for its loss (Matthew 2:16-18; Jeremiah 31:15). Ironically, there is no mourning as Israel’s Messiah is forced out of Israel to now dwell in Egypt?! Once Herod dies, the Lord speaks to Joseph in yet another dream, and He tells Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to dwell in Nazareth, in northern Israel (Herod’s son Archelaus is now ruling in Judaea). There in Nazareth, we understand Matthew 2:23 (“He shall be called a Nazarene”) to be a fulfillment of Isaiah 11:1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” Until age 30, it seems that Jesus lives in Nazareth (Luke 2:39).

In conclusion, Jesus Christ’s incarnation (becoming flesh) was to fulfill the Old Testament promises concerning Israel’s earthly kingdom. As the Apostle Peter said, “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). The prophetic program was Israel’s kingdom program. JEHOVAH would literally rule Israel as their King and Messiah in a literal, physical, visible kingdom on this planet. Once that kingdom was established, the Jews were to reach the pagan Gentiles with salvation (Exodus 19:5,6; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 9:20-23; et al.).

In God’s omniscience, He knew that Israel would kill their Messiah, but this would not at all disrupt God’s overall plan for the universe. In fact, Satan would actually help God out (and Satan would not know otherwise!).

We will stop this discussion for now. Next week, we will look at the incarnation of God from the Pauline perspective.

Christmas 2010 – “The LORD from Heaven” II
by Shawn Brasseaux
[18 December 2010]

“The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47 KJV).

Last week, we began the first of two Bible studies that deal with the incarnation of God (becoming the God-man Jesus Christ). Last week, we looked at the incarnation of God from the prophetic perspective; this week, we want to contrast that with the incarnation of God from the Pauline perspective.

According to prophecy, we Gentiles could only be saved through converted Israel and her kingdom. Yet what did Israel do to her King? Kill Him on Calvary’s cross! To Satan’s delight, the Jews crucified the Lord Jesus on the cross. How could Gentiles be saved if Israel rejected her King and kingdom? How could Israel even be saved now? Paul’s epistles answer these questions.

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV). The nation Israel had known Christ “after the flesh” because He had ministered to them for three years in a physical body in accordance with the Old Testament prophecies and covenants (Romans 15:8; Matthew 15:24)! Paul writes that we as members of the Church the Body of Christ are not associated with Christ’s earthly ministry. We as Gentiles (non-Jews) do not have any covenants with God, we are not Israel, we are not under the Mosaic Law, and we are not promised a King and Messiah.

When the Lord saved Saul of Tarsus and made him the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 9, God set into motion a plan that He kept secret in Himself since the world began: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest” (Romans 16:25,26a KJV). Pauline doctrine does not focus on the birth and life of the Lord Jesus Christ—that was the prophetic program. According to Paul, God the Father let Israel and Satan kill His Son Jesus Christ on Calvary, but God would keep a secret from Satan. In doing so, this would allow God’s new program to begin: the mystery program. Consider 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 KJV:

“6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Now that Israel killed her Messiah, and refused to repent in the early Acts period (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; Matthew 12:31-32), God temporarily set Israel aside. As Romans 11:11 says: “…through [Israel’s] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.” Today, we live in “the Dispensation of the Grace of God,” a time period in which the nation Israel is “fallen,” “cast away,” and “spiritually blinded” (Romans 11:11,12,15,25; cf. Ephesians 3:2). Today, we Gentiles enjoy the salvation of God apart from Israel’s kingdom (Israel’s kingdom is still future); how is this possible? According to the Old Testament prophetic program, it was impossible!

The Apostle Paul’s epistles are unique in the Bible. While the remaining 53 Bible books focus on the prophetic program, Paul focuses on that program that God kept secret in Himself. In Paul’s epistles alone we find Israel’s rejected and exiled King (Jesus Christ) now being made the Head and Saviour of a new distinct agency called the Church the Body of Christ. Paul’s epistles focus on Christ’s heavenly ministry, in which He is dealing with the entire world (Romans 11:11; Romans 16:26; 1 Timothy 2:3-7)—remember, prior to Paul’s salvation, God was dealing primarily with Israel, not Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8; Galatians 4:4,5). Now that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh, and Israel had rejected Him, it would be possible to save Gentiles apart from Israel!

Excluding Galatians 4:4, Paul makes no reference to Christ’s birth (the Old Testament did, however). Paul does not emphasize Jesus Christ as Israel’s King, nor does he make reference to Israel’s kingdom—these are both Old Testament doctrines that belong in the prophetic program. Paul focuses on Christ now “ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10).

Let us study what Paul writes in Ephesians 3:1-9 KJV:

“1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

God sent Paul with a new message, the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24), and He sent Paul to the whole world (not just to Israel). This Gospel—not to be confused with the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Circumcision of the prophetic program—is “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul’s Gospel could only be true if Israel’s Messiah had come in the flesh and Israel had murdered Him! Through Paul’s Gospel, salvation would now go to the entire world, and this would happen before Israel’s kingdom would be set up on earth.

According to Paul, why did God become human flesh? It was not to sit on David’s throne as Israel’s King like the prophetic program taught. If we look at our key verse, we read “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47 KJV). In Paul’s ministry, Jesus Christ came as the God-man to die for the sins of the world. “For by one man,” Adam (“the first man”), “sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:… But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Romans 5:12,15 KJV). The only answer to man’s sin is to have a perfect, sinless man die. God was a Spirit, not a man with blood, so He had to become a man in order to shed His sinless blood.

Today, God has reconciled all men—Jew and Gentile—to Himself, despite Israel’s kingdom being postponed (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). God is forming a new agency, a new group of believers, the Church the Body of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is currently sitting at the Father’s right hand in exile, and He is not sitting on David’s throne as Israel’s king… yet! He is the Head of the Church, which is His body, right now (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).

The day is coming when the Church the Body of Christ will be caught up at the rapture to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air! At that point, the Dispensation of Grace will conclude, and Israel’s prophetic program will resume. Israel’s King will one day return to planet earth, and He will bring in the kingdom with Him. For now, we go in the Christian ambassadorship, persuading and warning the lost world of their need for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

* * *

This Christmas, there are many nativity displays throughout America. Here in a nation that professes Christianity, how many Americans even know who Jesus Christ really is? Jesus Christ is much more than a baby in a manger born 2000 years ago. Ultimately, Jesus Christ is Israel’s JEHOVAH. Jesus Christ was and is Israel’s long-promised King and Messiah, the Word made flesh to sit on His father David’s throne (Luke 1:32; John 1:14).

For us, as Gentiles, Jesus Christ was and is our only Saviour, the Head of the Church which is His body. Though a royal exile, He is “the Lord of glory” right now in heaven. The Word was made flesh (John 1:14) so that He could shed His sinless blood, die for our sins, and raised again the third day for our justification (Romans 4:25)!

The greatest Christmas gift was not placed under a tree, but nailed to a wooden cross. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to give us the gift of eternal salvation. What will you do with that gift? I hope you will accept by simple faith today!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM arC MINISTRIES!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Thanksgiving 2010 – A Cornucopia of Spiritual Blessings

November 24, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

With the Thanksgiving season nearly upon us, we want to reflect on the blessings we have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is a Thanksgiving icon that symbolizes the abundance of material blessings that we have received. As members of the Church the Body of Christ, God has blessed us with spiritual blessings that are worth far more than anything in this material world. Furthermore, these spiritual blessings will be here even after this present universe passes away.

The Apostle Paul reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).

Taken from the Pauline epistles, here are 120 spiritual blessings that the Lord Jesus Christ gave us the moment we trusted in Him as our personal Saviour. These blessings have been given to us freely and permanently—we will NEVER lose them. We did nothing in our strength to get these spiritual blessings, for they were given to us because of what Christ did on the cross of Calvary.

We cannot see these spiritual blessings with our physical eyes, but we see them with our spiritual eyes of faith (Hebrews 11:1). Let us always thank God for these blessings, not just during the Thanksgiving Season, but for all eternity.

called to be saints (Romans 1:7)
God’s righteousness imputed to us (Romans 3:22)
justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
our iniquities are forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ (Romans 4:7)
justified by faith (Romans 5:1)
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)
access by faith into this grace wherein we stand (Romans 5:2)
justified by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9)
saved from wrath through Christ (Romans 5:9)
reconciled to God by the death of His Son (Romans 5:10)
saved by Christ’s life (Romans 5:10)
we have received the atonement (Romans 5:11)
baptized into Jesus Christ and into His death (Romans 6:3)
planted together in the likeness of Jesus Christ’s death (Romans 6:5)
planted together in the likeness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection (Romans 6:5)
crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6)
alive with Christ (Romans 6:8)
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:11)
free from sin and its dominion (Romans 6:18)
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)
dead to the law, performance-based acceptance systems (Romans 7:4)
sons of God (Romans 8:14)
received the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15)
children of God (Romans 8:16)
heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28)
foreknown and predestinated to be conformed to the image of God the Son (Romans 8:29)
predestinated (Romans 8:30)
justified (Romans 8:30)
glorified (Romans 8:30)
conquerors through Christ that loved us (Romans 8:37)
sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2)
blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8)
temple of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:16)
heirs of the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9)
washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:11)
members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15)
baptized into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
members in particular of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)
comfort in tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:4)
consolation (2 Corinthians 1:6)
delivered from death (2 Corinthians 1:10)
stablished (stabilized, fixed), anointed, and sealed (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
triumphant in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14)
sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5)
liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)
given the earnest / down-payment of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5)
new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)
Christian ambassadorship (2 Corinthians 5:20)
the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
became the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16)
comfort (2 Corinthians 7:6)
grace to endure suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9)
delivered from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4)
justified by Christ (Galatians 2:17)
redeemed from the curse of the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:13)
a son and heir of God through Christ (Galatians 4:7)
liberty (Galatians 5:1)
holy (Ephesians 1:4)
without blame (Ephesians 1:4)
predestinated (Ephesians 1:5)
adopted (Ephesians 1:5)
accepted in the beloved, God’s Son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:6)
redeemed through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7)
forgiven through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7)
obtained an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)
quickened / made alive (Ephesians 2:1)
raised up together with Christ (Ephesians 2:6)
made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)
saved (Ephesians 2:8)
access by one Spirit unto the Father (Ephesians 2:18)
fellow-heirs and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Ephesians 3:6)
sealed by the holy Spirit unto the day of the redemption (Ephesians 4:30)
forgiven (Ephesians 4:32)
loved (Ephesians 5:2)
washed by God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26)
without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27)
holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27)
filled with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11)
consolation in Christ (Philippians 2:1)
fellowship of the Spirit (Philippians 2:1)
made blameless (Philippians 2:15)
made harmless (Philippians 2:15)
the righteousness of God (Philippians 3:9)
our names are recorded in the book of life (Philippians 4:3)
peace of God (Philippians 4:7)
our spiritual need of salvation met (Philippians 4:19)
a hope laid up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5)
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12)
delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
destined to be placed in reconciled heavenly places for God’s glory (Colossians 1:20)
holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in God’s sight (Colossians 1:22)
complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (Colossians 2:11)
buried with Christ in baptism, NOT water (Colossians 2:12)
risen with Christ through the faith of the operation of God (Colossians 2:12)
quickened / made alive with Christ (Colossians 2:13)
forgiven of all trespasses (Colossians 2:13)
risen with Christ (Colossians 3:1)
our resurrection lives are hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
deliverance from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
called unto God’s kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
our hearts are unblameable in holiness before God (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
given God’s holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
obtained salvation from God’s wrath by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
everlasting consolation through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
good hope through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:17)
given the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
called with an holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)
indwelt by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:14)
delivered from every evil work (2 Timothy 4:18)
preserved unto the Lord’s heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18)
eternal life (Titus 1:2)

Indeed, we are “complete in Christ” (Colossians 2:10).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM arC MINISTRIES!

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The Vatican Should Respect United States’ Sovereignty (by Nolan Guilbeau)

November 12, 2010

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

There’s disturbing information revealed when scrutinizing the activity of participation by the U. S. Conference of Bishops on issues of illegal immigration and reception of U. S. dollars from the Treasury for their budget. Should any tax-exempt religious entity profit at the expense of the taxpayers? United States statutes define Catholic organizations in America as “foreign principals”.

The Vatican is an independent nation. Its different group activities in America are classified as partnerships, associations, corporations and organizations. The laws of a foreign country solely organize these combinations inside the United States. Individuals engaged in activities for the interests of such “foreign principals” are defined as “agents.” They are employees, representatives, servants, acting at the order, request, direction and control of a “sovereign nation.” (22 USC Sec. 611C)

Many Roman Catholic Church agents are involved in defying U. S. immigration statutes advocating amnesty and open borders for all illegal immigrants with a slogan seldom heard in the media, “Make America Catholic.” Illegal immigration is a serious issue causing enormous instability in portions of our society and perhaps aiding and abetting a criminal invasion of America jeopardizing our security. These rebellious agents of the Vatican repeatedly disrespect our sovereignty!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

“And Such Were Some of You”

November 7, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

Can a homosexual get saved? What about prostitutes and whoremongers? Is God willing to save thieves and drunkards? An idolater? Adulterers and adulteresses? Does God really love these people? Should we love them? Is there really any hope for them? In this Bible study, we want to answer those questions by looking at God’s Word.

Let us turn to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV for the answer:

“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

The Corinthian church was one of Paul’s most immature assemblies, which is why they had a host of problems. In chapter 6 here, Paul deals with the Corinthian believers suing each other in the pagan courts… regarding minor issues too! Verses 1-5 tell us that none of those believers had enough spiritual wisdom and maturity to say, “Hey, let us stop this nonsense because we are being a reproach to Christ! Let us settle this among ourselves as civilized, mature Christians!” Oh how sad (but how true this is for “the church” at large today).

Notice the specific sins that Paul listed in verses 9 and 10: fornication, idolatry, adultery, those who were “effeminate” (men who behaved like women), homosexuality (“abusers of themselves with mankind”), theft, coveting, drunkenness, blasphemy (to God or others), and extortionists (stealing by force or coercion). Then, verse 11 reads, “and such were some of you….” Just think on that one statement for just a few moments. Exactly what was Paul saying? That God can save anyone and everyone, no matter how vile their lifestyle, no matter how wicked they are!

Some of these Corinthians lived horrible, sinful lives before they came to Christ (unfortunately, some of them still chose to live that way even after they were saved). To man, they were beyond hope. They were just “too sinful” for God to help…or were they? The glorious truth is (verse 11): “but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Now that they were saved, they were washed in Christ’s blood, set apart for God’s use (sanctified), and justified (right standing before God) in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Let us compare 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with what Paul told the believers in Colosse. Consider Colossians 3:5-8 KJV:

“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

Note what Paul writes in verse 7: “in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” The Colossians were once pagan Gentiles, but now they were saved. They were once idolaters, fornicators, homosexuals, coveters, and addicts, but now, they were children of God. The Holy Spirit empowered the Colossians to “put off” (literally, “deny”) the sins they once committed. Sin did not rule their lives anymore; their lives were now bringing glory and honor to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, but they still fell occasionally into sin. Nevertheless, God had given them a new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In his epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes (2:1-10):

“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Before we came to trust in the Lord, we were “dead in trespasses and sins.” We were walking under the influence of the devil, Satan. Our behavior was in direct opposition to God’s will for our lives. At that time, we were doing what we wanted, when we wanted, and we never bothered to ponder the fact that God still loved us with a love so awesome that we could never adequately express in words. But, because of our sin, God’s righteousness had been violated, and His justice would meet out the penalty. Someone would have to die—“the wages of sin is death,” the Good Book says in Romans 6:23a.

The great love God had for man sent Him to an old rugged cross. God would die in the place of wicked mankind and His blood would be the “propitiation”—the fully satisfying payment—for our sins (Romans 3:25). Our old identity and our old self died on Calvary with the Lord Jesus, but when He rose from the dead, God also “quickened” us, or “made us alive.” We are no longer “children of wrath,” for Jesus Christ suffered in our place God’s wrath against our sin.

Grace is everything that God can do for us through the Lord Jesus Christ and the work of Calvary. When we “believed on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31)—or placed our faith and trust in that finished work of Calvary—God took our unrighteousness and gave us Christ’s righteousness. We have now been made “the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Now, in Christ, we are sitting in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6,7). In the ages to come of eternity, we will see exactly how immense God’s grace really is!

God has called us to point out sin so that mankind can see their need for the Saviour Jesus Christ, but we should not attack people because of particular sins they are committing. When evangelizing the lost world, we need to remember that we were just as lost as they are. We were enemies of God, even if we were not murderers, fornicators, homosexuals, or thieves. Never should we get the self-righteous attitude and we should not snub our nose at them. In meekness and love, we treat the lost world with respect, remembering that we too were once without God.

Our own righteousness did not save us, so there is no reason for us to boast that we worked our way to heaven. In fact, we did nothing to work for salvation: we took God’s grace and salvation as a gift by faith, and we urge the lost world to do the same.

Now, we are not living worthless, sinful lives—that old lifestyle is gone, hidden forever “with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). We have been “created in Christ Jesus unto good works,” and the Lord Jesus Christ will now bring about those good works in and through us (Ephesians 2:10)!

Many a time when I read tracts and “salvation” literature I will see the statement, “In order to be saved, you must turn from your sins.” This, according to religion, is “repentance”—this is not Biblical repentance, by the way. Moreover, how can we tell lost people to “turn from their sins” in order to get saved if people who are already saved have not and will not turn from their sins? I have been saved for 16 years now, and I still sin on a daily basis!

Even after we are saved, we will still sin. That theme is evident throughout First Corinthians. Romans chapter 7 and Galatians 5:16-26 also make it abundantly clear that we still sin as Christians because we live in these bodies of flesh. It is only when we let the Lord Jesus live His life in and through us that we stop sin; when we resist God’s Word working within us, then sin slips in.

Just as God in His grace saved the sinners in Corinth, in Ephesus, and in Colosse, so God’s grace can supersede the sin of any individual living today! As Romans 5:20 explains: “…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” We see the lost world around us continuing in their day-to-day sinful activities, the same sins about which Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Colossians 3:5-8, and Ephesians 2:1-3. Nevertheless, God does not impute their sin to them. In fact, in this the Dispensation of Grace, God is extending His love, mercy, and grace toward mankind (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

Never should we look down on those who are without Christ, living in sin and rebellion against God. After all, we have read the Bible when it said that before we came to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we were equally guilty of sin and rebellion against God, and even as Christians we feel the urge to rebel against God’s Word. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV). That goes for Christians too!

Let us conclude by turning to our final passage, Romans 5:6-10 KJV:

“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

The Lord Jesus did not die for “goody-goodies.” The only people for whom Christ died were lost people, “ungodly people,” “sinners,” “enemies of God.” Who is that? EVERY ONE OF US! The only person God can save is a sinner! As members of the Church the Body of Christ, we should be proclaiming the wonderful news that the people of the world are ALL candidates for God’s grace! Be the light to the lost world, and treat them with love as you share the Lord Jesus Christ with them. Remember, whatever people we meet who are struggling with various sins, let us remember… “ and such were SOME OF [US]!”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Halloween 2010 – Satan: An Angel of Light

October 31, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

What comes to your mind when hear the name “Satan” or “the Devil?” A horned creature that is dressed in red and holds a pitchfork? An evil force in our universe? A cruel and wicked spirit? These are some of the thoughts that fill the average person’s head, but are these ideas Biblical truth or mere speculation and religious superstition?

From where did Satan come? The Bible says that God created the devil. But, how is this possible, seeing as to God cannot create anything evil? This is a most critical question, and we find the answer in two Bible passages—Ezekiel 28:13-18 and Isaiah 14:12-15. According to the prophet Isaiah, Satan’s original name was “Lucifer” (meaning, “light bearer”)—the King James Bible reads “Lucifer,” whereas most modern Bibles omit it.

Lucifer was “the anointed cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14), a special angelic spirit being that God “created” (Ezekiel 28:13,15). In fact, the prophet Ezekiel describes Lucifer as an intelligent and beautiful creature—“full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12). His garments were fashioned with precious stones and minerals: sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, and gold (Ezekiel 28:13). In his original position, Lucifer directed praise and worship to God; his body had built-in pipes and other musical instruments, enabling him to generate music to the glory of God (Ezekiel 28:13). “Till….”

Ezekiel 28:15 says to Lucifer: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” What was this “iniquity” (evil) in Lucifer? Isaiah 14:13 KJV enlightens us: “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Read what God tells Lucifer in Ezekiel chapter 28 (KJV):

“16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”

It is most obvious that Lucifer’s problem was pride (see 1 Timothy 3:6). He was so beautiful and intelligent that he actually thought he could usurp God’s authority and “be like the most High.” God did not create the devil as an evil creature (Lucifer was “perfect in [his] ways;” Ezekiel 28:15). Satan had a free will, but rather than choosing to serve God, Satan chose to be evil!

Lucifer enticed a portion of the angelic host to rebel against God (Ezekiel 28:18); consequently, Lucifer and the other rebellious angels lost their position in heaven (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). The Lord Jesus said of Satan’s fall: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Now, according to Revelation 12:7, Satan can still access heaven (this verse in Revelation speaks of him being cast out of heaven for the last time, which will be at the midpoint of the future seven-year Tribulation). Until Satan is cast down for the final time, Paul writes, “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Notice “spiritual wickedness in high places”—this speaks of evil creatures (Satan’s angels) in heaven! There is a spiritual battle today of good versus evil and God versus Satan.

Where is the devil today? According to John 12:31 and John 14:30, Satan is “the prince of this world,” and the Apostle Paul calls him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). The Bible says in Matthew 4:8-9 and Luke 4:5-6 that Satan possesses and controls this world’s governments (no wonder they are so corrupt!).

Satan is “out and about” on earth, roaming near and far, wreaking havoc and misery, especially amongst the members of the Church the Body of Christ. Satan (means “slanderer/accuser”) seeks to corrupt God’s Word. By doing so, Satan hides the Gospel of Grace from the lost, keeping them unsaved and in spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). The devil also hindered the Apostle Paul’s ministry with a legal restraining order (Acts 17:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:18). Satan uses grudges and schisms to divide Christians (2 Corinthians 2:11). The devil “tempts” the believers to go contrary to God’s Word rightly divided, so that they forget their identity in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Satan is one evil creature, is he not? However, let me remind you of that verse we saw moments earlier: the devil is “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12). Satan is a very skillful and intelligent creature. He is extremely cunning (“subtil,” Genesis 3:1), and he has been operating a brilliant plan for the past 6,000 years. While Satan’s agenda seeks to counteract God’s plan, Satan takes the subtle approach: Satan has devised a plan that closely resembles God’s plan, but the satanic policy of evil actually seeks to prevent God’s plan from being accomplished!

Satan is active within witchcraft and the occult, but Satan accomplishes most of his work in his special “hiding place.” Where is that? In religion! Right where most people would think not to look!! After all, notice what the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 KJV:

“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Satan, although diabolical in nature, appears as “an angel of light.” The devil has studied God’s Word to the point where he knows how to appear to be doing God’s work while actually doing the exact opposite! Satan, of all creatures, appears to be “an angel of light!” Likewise, he has his “ministers of righteousness” scattered throughout the world’s religions, even more so in Christendom! Satan has created false Bible versions that look just like God’s Word, too.

For example, much of Christendom still adheres to Old Testament Mosaic Law keeping (Judaism). Granted, Judaism is a God-given religion—the only God-given religion for that matter—but God has currently suspended the Mosaic Law. Paul writes that there is no Mosaic Law in effect today in the Dispensation of Grace (Romans 6:14-15; Colossians 2:14), yet Satan has deceived many church members to where they follow God’s directions that God gave to someone else.

Rather than telling you not to follow the Bible, Satan will oftentimes tell you to follow the Bible, but not to “rightly divide” the Bible. Being “scriptural” is not the only critical issue; what matters is are we being “dispensational?” “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). Do the verses in question apply to us as Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace, or do they address Israel in the Dispensation of Law? Every verse in the Bible has a context, so when studying a Bible verse/passage, we should ask three important questions—(1) Who is the author? (2) Who is the audience? (3) What is the author saying to the audience? This is God’s method for Bible study.

What about those “bright lights” that people claim to see when they have “near-death experiences?” What should we make of these claims of modern-day “angelic appearances?” The “miracle healings?” Satan, the angel of light, is at it again, deceiving the masses with innocent-looking events. God did perform miracle healings, angels did appear to people, but God is not doing that sort of thing today. See how crafty Satan is? Let us look at another example of how the satanic policy of evil operates.

Shortly after Satan’s fall, we see him focus on mankind, with Adam and Eve created just less than one week earlier. We want to recall the events of Genesis chapter 3. By nature, Satan is a sly serpent, but he appears very attractive to Eve. Satan uses warped/distorted excerpts from God’s Word to weasel his way into Eve’s mind. What Satan wants to do is use God’s Word to his advantage, thereby causing Eve to doubt God’s Word. She, not grounded in sound doctrine, falls into his trap by eating the forbidden fruit. Once Adam hearkened unto his wife’s voice, he partook of the forbidden fruit, and mankind fell into sin. Satan successfully pulled it off—he had now enticed man to rebel against God too… and it worked because he (mis)quoted God’s Word. He appeared to be “an angel of light!”

That first sin in the Garden of Eden was just the beginning. We are still under the curse of sin today. This is exactly why the Lord Jesus Christ left heaven above so that He could die for our sins and give us eternal life by offering Himself as the sinless sacrifice needed to save us! Furthermore, after the Lord shed His precious blood for us, He was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthian 15:1-4)!! The devil had “the power of death,” but Christ’s finished work on the cross of Calvary destroyed Satan’s power (Hebrews 2:14).

Satan’s ultimate end is Isaiah 14:15 KJV: “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Satan, along with all his angels and the people who chose to follow him, will be consigned to a literal, everlasting lake of fire (cf. Matthew 25:41). Satan will one day be punished for all the evil his policy promoted.

CONCLUSION

If you are a member of the Church the Body of Christ, be aware of your enemy Satan. He seeks to ruin your Christian life so that it becomes empty and miserable. The only way to protect yourself is to study and believe the King James Bible “rightly divided.” Ephesians 6:11-18 says we are in a spiritual battle, and you need to protect yourself with sound Pauline edification. If you have not trusted in Christ today for your salvation, you are bound in the chains of Satan, and only God can free you from that spiritual prison. I hope you will accept God’s offer of salvation today by trusting Christ Jesus alone as your personal Saviour.

Remember, “your adversary the devil [is] as a roaring lion [that] walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV). The devil is a vicious lion by nature, but he masquerades as “an angel of light!”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

United States is On the Road to Tyranny (by Nolan Guilbeau)

October 29, 2010

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

The proverbial flies in the ointment are visible to many, beginning with an unpopular out-of-control Congress with a dismal approval record following the dictates of a radical government administration. Future generations have been mortgaged to the hilt in national debt. Is this debacle incompetence, ignorance or intentionally planned?

Most Americans are unaware scores of U. S. House of Representative members are identified ‘socialists or sympathizers’ in organized assemblies within this body. Having a common ideology, socialization of America accelerates through their combined efforts. Beware, according to V. I. Lenin, “the goal of socialism is communism.”

Stigmatized by the label “socialist,” most have renamed their organizations “progressives.” The House is divided in four socialist groups, the Progressive Democrats of America, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, formerly chaired by Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Their own records numbered House congressional members having DSA membership in 1999 of more than 70 in that branch of Congress alone. After being exposed by Washington newspapers, DSA since has scrubbed their list of members. They candidly admit sharing operations with the other “progressive caucuses of Congress” now numbering more than 100 members. Their agendas/goals are clearly stated in advancing socialism in America.

Of the 20 standing committees in the House, 11 of which are chaired by congressmen of these different socialist assemblies. Reliable news media outlets recently retrieved this information from archives and have posted it on the internet. Viewing our leaders actions/attitudes we can conclude there is an “entrenched nest” of influential officials whose fealty is disconnected from America’s values. They continue to thrash our U.S. Constitution, slowly dismantling, making null and void our system of laws by which we are governed, and transforming it to a dictatorship. God help us!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)