Tag: Apostles

JUDAS was chosen by Jesus

Five Fold Ministry Ireland
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Judas walked with, and was even chosen by Jesus, the greatest teacher and healer of all time and the omniscient Son of God. Judas personally witnessed Jesus heal the sick. The blind saw. The lame walked. The deaf heard. Jesus walked on water and even raised the dead back to life.

After seeing with his own eyes, the phenomenal miracles worked by Jesus, why did Judas betray the greatest man who ever lived? The answer is simple – greed – money. The same scourge which we can see all over the world today.

Jesus was betrayed with a kiss from Judas, the kiss of death. If we asked today, “Does this world want Jesus?”, the answer is No. No because they see in their own selfish hearts the unwillingness to give anything to anyone unless they have a promise that they will get more back. Never mind Christ going to Calvary to give everything for us, to die for the sins of the world.

The world cannot understand Christ’s agonising sacrifice because the world is dark with its all-consuming avarice and specifically, greed for money. To freely give something precious away, solely for the good of others, is far from their hearts. If Jesus thought the same way, the world would end up in hell.

We Christians are supposed to be the Light of this world. I myself do not see this. They have become similar to the world and extremely difficult to tell the difference between them and unbelievers. They have forgotten about preaching Christ and Him crucified on Calvary. Instead the main preaching in many churches today, is compromise and the tickling of ears with the prosperity gospel. This I do not have anything against except when it is continuously, aggressively advanced whilst Calvary is not mentioned at all.

Make no mistake. God WILL hold you accountable when you meet Him face-to-face. What is He going to say to YOU? “Well done good and faithful servant” or “Go away from Me. I do not know you”. You choose. Life… or death?

Paul
Servant of the Lord.

Road to Calvary 9: Satan tempts Jesus

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him out into the desert, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights. During that time he was tempted by Satan.

satan tempts Jesus
Satan tempts Jesus

Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, turn these rocks into bread so you can eat!
Jesus replied, “It is written in God’s Word, ‘Man does not live only on bread, but on every word that God speaks!“

Jesus on the temple
Jesus on top of the temple.

Then Satan took Jesus to the highest point on the Temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command His angels to catch you so your foot does not hit the ground. But Jesus replied, “It is also written in God’s Word, ‘Do not test God.”

satan shows Jesus world
Satan show Jesus the world

Then Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory and said, “I will give you all this if you bow down and worship me.
Jesus replied, “Get away from me, Satan! It is written in God’s Word, ‘Worship only the Lord your God.”

satan defeated
Satan leaves in defeat.

Then Satan left him to wait for a better time. Angels came and took care of Jesus.

Satan was so foolish to offer Jesus, something that He already owned. Rather than sending him to Hell where he belonged, Jesus simply defeated Satan by quoting the Word of God. 

NEXT: Jesus starts His ministry

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 8: John baptises Jesus

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

When John grew up, he became a prophet. He lived in the wilderness, ate wild honey and locusts, and wore clothes made from camel-hair.

John the Baptist preaches
John proclaims the first coming of the Messiah

Many people came to listen to John. He preached to them, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near. Some people repented and were baptized when they heard John’s message, but there were many religious leaders who came to be baptized without repenting and confessing their sins.

John rebukes the hypocritical church leaders
John rebukes the religious leaders

John said to the religious leaders, “You bunch of snakes! Repent and change your behavior. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah said,

“Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”
(Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ) Matt. 7:20(KJV)

Some Jews asked John if he was the Messiah. John replied, “I am not the Messiah, but there is someone coming after me who is much greater than I am. I am not even worthy to untie his sandals. 

John meets Jesus
John points out and proclaims Jesus

The next day, Jesus came to be baptized by John. When John saw him, he said,

“Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John

John said to Jesus, “I am not worthy to baptize you. You should baptize me instead.” But Jesus said, “You should baptize me, because it is the right thing to do.” So John baptized him, but not because Jesus had sinned—he never sinned.

Jesus and the Dove
Holy Spirit settles on Jesus

When Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit of God took the appearance of a dove and landed on him. At the same time a voice from heaven said, “You are My beloved Son, and with you I am well pleased.”

Later when Jesus went into Caesarea, Philipippi He asked His disciples, “Who do men say I am?” They replied, some say John the Baptist, some say a prophet. This was we believe, plain silly. Although John was a great man He was no comparison to Jesus. He never worked a miracle in his life, never healed anyone. His job was to proclaim the first coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Above, God the Father didn’t mention John, only His Son.

John bears witness to the Son of God
John bears witness to the Son of God

God had told John, “The Holy Spirit will land on someone you baptise. He is the Son of God.” There is only one God. But God is three persons, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God had stated who Jesus was. John saw and bore record that this was the Son of God. Then, in our opinion, this is where John erred. He pointed to Jesus, others began to follow Jesus. Yet why did he not? What was wrong with him? He continued in dead works. And this is what many churches do, continue in works that produce No fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. 7:20(KJV)

In John’s case, this is why the enemy was able to move so quickly. After many years preaching without hindrance, now he was promptly arrested and beheaded. He was continuing in a work that was already finished.

NEXT: Satan tempts JESUS

Five Fold Ministry Ireland