Review:
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- “I say to you,though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” Luke 11:8 NKJV
- Importunity/ persistence
- Strong’s definition (from the Greek): shamelessness, impudence
- What the disciples saw in Jesus’ prayer life was BOLDNESS. Jesus taught us to relate to the Father shamelessly.
- Righteousness: who WE ARE in relationship to Him; literally “right standing”
- It’s a standing, not a state. It’s a position, not a condition
- “I say to you,though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” Luke 11:8 NKJV
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- Justification is how God made man right with Him.
Remember there are two kinds of righteousness mentioned in the Bible.
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- Kingdom: the spiritual realm that has God as its head
- His righteousness: how God makes you righteous before him; His way of making you righteous before Him
- We are to seek the spiritual realm that has God as its head, and HIS way of making us righteous before Him. This enables us to receive ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THE WORLD SEEKS AFTER!!
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- “Exalted:” to lift up
- “Above measure:” beyond the mark; i.e. beyond the usual level of the life of humanity
- How? Through the abundance of revelation!!!
Paul’s revelation:
1. Man’s condition without righteousness
- Leaven of Herod: Hedonism
- 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 NKJV
- Leaven of the Pharisees: Legalism
- 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:10-23 NKKJV
2. How God made righteousness available to man
- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
- He gave us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:17-21 NKJV
- “Reign:” to be predominant, to prevail, to have superior or full dominion
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- Dominion
- To partake of and enjoy all that God has provided
- To dress and keep it (responsibility)
- Fellowship with God
1. To exercise dominion in the earth
Dominion: subjugate, dominate, rule
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- Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 NKJV
2. To partake of and enjoy all that God has provided
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Genesis 2:15 NKJV
3. Dress and keep
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- We have the responsibility of cultivating and protecting what God gave us to enjoy.
- Of whom much is given, much is required. Our position gives us the ability to stand and resist the devil.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:14-16 NKJV
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
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- Have dominion
- Enjoy God’s provision
- Cultivate and protect
- Have unbroken fellowship with God
In Jesus ALL OF THESE HAVE BEEN RESTORED.
SATAN CANNOT STEAL YOUR ABILITY TO REIGN IN LIFE , so he tries to get you to FORFEIT your standing through deception.
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 1 Timothy 2:14 NKJV
Deceive: to cause to think on things not true
The issue of sin is the issue of forfeiting your rightful position, standing, and ability to reign in life.
4. Fellowship with God
Our ability to have fellowship with the Father is a result of our position and standing with Him.
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just 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. 2 1My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 1:5-2:2 NKJV
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
THE BENEFITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS — Everything about righteousness is a reason to praise God. Without an understanding of the subject it’s hard to really worship Him in spirit and truth.
- 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 NKJV- The moment that Adam and Eve sinned, they thrust this realm into the kingdom of darkness–which God never intended.
- Satan could not take from us what God had given, so he strikes at the position which affords the blessing. This precedent is still the way Satan operates today.
- Isaiah 42 is a prophetic picture of the work of Christ.
- There are prophetic pictures in the O. T. of what the Messiah would do when He came, but they were SPIRITUAL realities that the people were unaware of (root vs. fruit).
- The Hebrew people interpreted most prophecy in light of their current natural circumstances, because they were in bondage all the time to other kingdoms (because of their disobedience). They expected a political deliverer, but a spiritual Messiah is what they got–because God was dealing with the root, not the fruit. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy, but NOT their expectations. Because they had no spiritual discernment, they did not recognize Him.
- 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. Isaiah 42:7 NKJV
- The only way Satan can blind you and keep you in darkness is to deceive you.
- 6 For when we were still without strength, [a]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 NKJV
- There was nothing we could do on our own to escape from the darkness.
- 1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV
- Two types of death: When Adam fell, we lost our ability to
- Physical: separation of the spirit and soul from the body (This is the fruit.)
- Spiritual: separation of the spirit from God (This is the root.)
- Two types of death: When Adam fell, we lost our ability to
Mankind has a temporal past but an eternal future.
- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12
- We no longer have to obey Satan or our flesh and have an uncontrolled thought life. We are NO LONGER without hope, without God.
- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 NKJV
- The only word that describes the condition of man before Christ is oppressed.
- Oppressed: to overpower, to exercise hard control over
- The only word that describes the condition of man before Christ is oppressed.
WHAT JESUS DID
- 16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 NKJV- The people who Satan has blinded will see.
- The FAITH walk is an unknown path to the world.
- The LOVE walk is an unknown path to the world.
- Jesus took the crooked and straitened it.
- 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3: 8 NKJV
- Destroy: to loosen (implies to release)
- 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. Luke 13 :12 NKJV
- Jesus did not do away with what bound her, but He released her from it.
- Redemption was God’s way of making mankind righteous and releasing man from the works of the devil.
- Redemption: to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s violated law (poverty, sickness, spiritual death)
- 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, Psalm 107:2 NKJV
- Speak up. Stand your ground.
26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined. Daniel 9:26 NKJV
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18 NKJV
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV
Satan knows the benefits of righteousness, which is why he blinds the minds of those who haven’t heard and believed.
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- Jehovah Jireh – the Lord you provider
- 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV
- Jehovah Shammah- the Lord is with you
- 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV
- Jehovah Ropha – the Lord you healer
- 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [a]stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV
- Jehovah Tsidkenu – the Lord our righteousness
- 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30 NKJV
- Jehovah Nissi – the Lord our banner
- 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NKJV
- Jehovah Shalom – the Lord our peace
- 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV
- 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NKJV
- Jehovah Raa – the Lord our shepherd
- 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11 NKJV
- Jehovah Jireh – the Lord you provider