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The Substantial Symbolic Significance of What Christ Did After He said, “It Is Finished!”

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog


Jesus said, “It is Finished!”, but He never said, “I am Finished.” Interesting note: the statement, “It Is Finished” is actually one word in the Greek: tetelestai.  And, that word is an active present tense verb – which means it includes the past, the present and the future all at the same time. The word deals with wholeness and completeness, nothing missing and nothing lacking! But, nonetheless, when Jesus said, “It Is Finished!” It was, but the assignment He had been given wasn’t totally completed. He had shed His blood, but He had not yet died and came back to life. He was God’s agreement in the earth, but He also had not yet sealed the mercy seat in heaven (eternity) and He had not received His glorified body, in which He would appear to His disciples. However, Jesus is the only one who had the authority to declare that something was finished, before it was totally completed and He is the only who had the power and authority to accomplish what needed to be fulfilled. In realty, it was finished because it had already been settled in heaven and all of God’s promises are “yes” (definite affirmation) and “amen” (so be it) in Christ Jesus. So, what that meant was, it had already been settled by saying, yes! (definitely) amen! (so be it) in heaven, but it still had to be fulfilled in the earth and that’s what Jesus did.  But, the good news is, although it is finished, Jesus is still not finished today! As a matter of fact… ^He is still working today – to save, to heal, to deliver and to restore. ^He will never give up on you or me. ^He will never give in to defeat, because He is victory! ^He who began a good work, will complete it! ^His blood will never lose it’s power. There is power in His blood to save us and to heal us and to set us free. And, because He conquered death, hell and the grave, we will never die, but we have been given the opportunity to have eternal life with Him forever in heaven, if we choose to believe that He is the Son of God and that God raised Him fromthe dead on the third day – we do this by grace through faith, not by or from anything that we have done, but by and through everything that He has done. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is our redemption! And, the redemptive story of mankind and the Gospel of Good News is this – the first creation, Adam and Eve had sinned, but Jesus became the second Adam, He was born of a virgin – He walked among men and new no sin – He was betrayed, beaten and crucified. He willingly laid down His life, He was laid in a tomb, but on the third day He rose again! He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for you and I and one day soon He will return again and take us home to be with Him forever! Therefore ,what began in one garden through the sin and disobedience of Adam and Eve was reversed in another garden through the obedience of Jesus Christ, the living son of God! Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for all mankind once and for all – and He declared, “It is finished”, but He never said, “I am finished.”

Therefore, I want to look at the symbolic significance of what Christ did after He said, “It is Finished!”

1. He Tasted Death.

– The wages of sin was death – but the gift of God was eternal life through Jesus Christ.
– Life conquered death – so that we might live.
– No more rituals, no more blood shed and no more animal sacrifices.
– The veil had been torn and we now have access to God.

2. He Came to Life.

– He got up and death was swallowed up.
– Christ came to life and we became eternal beings.
– We will spend eternity somewhere, either in the presence of God or separated from God for eternity.
– For those that are in Christ – to be absent from these bodies… is to be present with Christ!

3. He Appeared to Mary.

– Mary came to the tomb first and Jesus appears to her first in the Gospel of John chapter twenty.
– John 20 shows us many things:
– The stone was rolled away.
– The tomb was empty.
– The grave clothes that remained.
– The angels that were present and spoke.
– Peter and John seeing for themselves: the grave clothes and empty tomb.

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” – John 20:1-18 NKJV

John 20 Shows Us Many Things, But Here Are 3 Things That I Want to Look at: (remember, this is all after Jesus said, “It is Finished!”)

1. The Grave Clothes Remained Untouched and the Cloth That Covered Jesus’ Face Was folded. V. 6-7

2 Things In Regard to the Grave Clothes of Jesus:

1st – THE HEBRIAC TRADITION OF THE FOLDED NAPKIN:

– A crumpled or loose napkin meant that you were through or done.
– Death had been defeated and had been done away with.

– Jesus had defeated death and the grave clothes were no longer relevant.
– The were loosely laying there because He was done!

*Sometimes you just have to been done in order to move on. You cant keep putting on the past, if you desire to walk in a new preferred future. You can’t put on hopelessness and expect to walk in a new found hope. You have to leave behind what you no longer need, so that you can experience what Christ has provided.

– A folded napkin meant you weren’t done and you would return.
– Jesus will return and you will see His face again.
– He is the King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s.
– Jesus will return again and we will see Him face to face.

2nd – GRAVE ROBBERIES WERE VERY COMMON IN JESUS’ DAYS:

– Mary ran to get Peter and John and she was yelling that they had stolen the body of Jesus.
– The soldiers already made an agreement to say that this was what had happened to Jesus’ body.

– BUT! John left no doubt that He got up!
– The grave clothes were untouched.
– The cloth that covered Jesus face was folded.
– If they would have stolen the body of Christ – nothing would have been in the tomb.
*Jesus got up! He conquered death. He shed the grave clothes and He folded His face cloth neatly and He walked out of the tomb alive and victorious!

2. There Was an Angel That Was Seated At the Head of Where Jesus Had Been Laid and There Was an Angel That Was Seated At the Feet of Where Jesus Once Laid. V. 12

– The Ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. (Ex. 25)
– The lid was gold and had 2 angels on each end facing each other.
– the lid was the mercy seat.
– A lid is what gives you access to something.
– Jesus became the living lid.
– Jesus gives us access to the presence of God.
– God’s mercy provided a way through Jesus.
– The veil has been rent from top to bottom.

– We can approach the throne of God and obtain mercy

3. Jesus told Mary not to touch Him. v.17

– Jesus was God’s agreement in the earth.
– Jesus was the eternal high priest.
– Jesus became our high priest.
– Jesus made the sacrifice on the earth. (in time)
– Jesus sealed the mercy seat in Heaven. (for eternity)

Jesus said, “It is finished… but Thank God He didn’t say, “I am finished…”

  1. He descended to the lower parts to free the captives, making His atonement known and confirming the words of the prophets.
  2. He came out of the tomb and appeared to Mary.
  3. He ascended to God the Father as the High Priest.
  4. He appeared to His disciples to prove His resurrection.
  5. He ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for us.
  6. He sent The Holy Spirit to indwell us, to empower us and to equip us.
  7. He sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us.

And, some day soon He is coming back to take us home to be with Him forever… Thank God He didn’t say, “I am finished!”

He is not through – He wants show up and work in your life today… It is finished, but He is not finished… the statement “It is finished” is one word: tetelestai – that is an active present tense verb – which means includes the past, the present and the future… and, it includes right now!

– He wants to save you.
– He wants to heal you.
– He wants to help you.
– He wants to comfort you.
– He wants to give you peace.
– He wants to restore your relationships.
– He wants to save your family and love ones.
– He wants to refresh you.
– He wants to talk to you.
– He wants to lead you and guide you.
– He wants to show you what you don’t know.
– He wants to have a relationship with you.

Giants Must Fall

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck Goliath and killed him.
– I Samuel 17:50

*David Was Anointed as King by Samuel.

  • The Davidic covenant promises the Messiah – Jesus Christ would come from the house and lineage of King David.
  • Jesus and David were both Kings, Priests and Prophets.
  • David was a shepherd and the Lord is our Shepherd
  • David defeated the enemy of the Israelites, Goliath and Jesus defeated the enemy of God’s people, Satan.

*David Was Chosen by God to Be Anointed.

  • David was not chosen by his father as being first choice. His other brothers were chosen first, but then David was brought in and anointed in front of them.
  • Sometimes God will take you from the back of the line to the front of the line all in the same day!
  • Sometimes God will take you from being last choice to being first choice!
  • Sometimes God will take you from being looked over to being sought after!
  • Sometimes God will anoint you in front of those who didn’t think you were worthy or able, just to prove that you are able and you are worthy. This proves that He is God and that He has the final say!

*David Developed in Obscurity What Was Eventually Displayed Publicly.

  • David tended to his fathers sheep faithfully and God was faithful to him.
  • David developed a relationship with Gods that ultimately developed him.
  • David took cheese and bread to the battlefield where the Israelites were battling the Philistines and fearing Goliath. He entered the battle and defeated the giant. He came to the battle as errand boy, but he left the battle a victorious warrior.
  • David displayed a public faith that had been developed in private.
  • David had a faith that had been developed in private, but he had courage to act upon what he believed, publicly!

*David Had Faith, Courage and Confidence.

David asked, “What’s the reward?”

David said, “Is there not a cause?”

  • David Possessed Faith!
  • David Displayed Courage!
  • David Manifested Confidence!

 

  • David said: “You come to me with a sword and a spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord!” 
  • David said: “The Lord does not save with a sword and a spear, for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands, so that all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel!” (V.47)
  • David didn’t say: “I have a slingshot and 5 smooth stones, but I’m only going to need one!” He wasn’t arrogant, but he had confidence.
  • You have to have the faith, courage and confidence that God is fighting with you and for you. And, as the giants in your life fall it will be so everyone will know that there is a God – a God who is alive, a God who saves, a God who heals, a God who helps and a God who delivers.
  • David knew the giant had to fall because he was keeping the people of God from the promised things of God – Giants must fall because they are keeping you from the promised things of God. Jesus is the Messiah, Savior and King from the lineage of Jesse from the House of David. David was a king, priest and prophet – Jesus was a King, Priest and Prophet and He has made us king’s, priests and prophets.
  • A King has dominion and authority in the Kingdom.
  • A Priest has access to God.
  • A Prophet has a voice to declare a future and a hope!

Your giants have to fall if they are blocking the promised things of God – you have dominion and authority in the kingdom and in the earth, you have access to God and you have a voice to declare truth and victory. You must exercise your faith, stand in confidence and move in courage in the name of the Lord!

There Are Giants In Your Life That Must Fall!

                  • Giants of Doubt.
                  • Giants of Fear.
                  • Giants of Unworthiness.
                  • Giants of Lack.
                  • Giants of Sickness. 
                  • Giants of Uncertainty.
                  • Giants of Limitations.

And when they do everyone will know that there is a true and living God!

Through It

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

We're Wired to Take the Path of Least Resistance | Psychology Today

You may have been ‘through it’ but you don’t have to smell like it, sound like it or look like it! Maybe you’ve been through: divorce, a bad home life, a difficult marriage, betrayal, a bad church history, or a difficult work setting, but you don’t have to smell like, sound like it or look like it. Now, let me explain through these biblical stories what I mean by ‘smelling like it’, ‘sounding like it’ or ‘looking like it.’

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through the fire, the only thing that burnt up was what bound them. And, what bound them was put on by man! What you go through is not meant to destroy you, it’s meant to develop. What you go through doesn’t define you. What you learn from what you go through and how you respond to what you go through is what actually defines you. Don’t just go through it, grow through it!

Joseph who was thrown in a pit by his brothers, lied about at Potiphar’s house by Potiphar’s wife and forgotten about in prison after prophesying to Pharaoh’s butler and baker. Joseph experienced many setbacks and difficulties, but remarkably, after going through all of these scenarios, he didn’t smell like, sound like or look like: the pit, Potiphar’s house or the prison. Nevertheless, when he had finally obtained the position of the prime minister at the palace, his brothers came to him asking for help and fearing for their lives. His brothers in which had started the entire process, the process of the pit, Potiphar’s house and prison. But, all of these setbacks were really a setup that ultimately led Joseph to the palace and put him in a position over the stewardship over prosperity, which in turn was a confirmation of his promise. Anyway, Joseph was now promoted to a position that would allow him to bless those that had caused him these difficulties. Joseph is now in the palace facing his brothers who are asking for help and he looks at them and says, “Do not fear, I’m not God, and what you meant for harm against me today, God is going to turn it around and use it for your good. Remember, when you are going through a difficult situation, not everything that happens is good, but God will work all things for your good. Joseph had grown through, what he had gone through!

Paul and Silas had been preaching Christ and baptizing believers, going through town to a prayer meeting they encountered a woman who had a python spirit, she followed them and continually declared, “these are men of God who will tell you how to be saved.” Nevertheless, she annoyed Paul, so he cast the spirit of Python out of her, and when he did, her master turned them into the authorities because she was no longer of worth to them. Paul and Silas were then prosecuted, beaten publicly, and thrown in prison, after bound in stocks hand and foot. However, they decided to pray and praise, instead of pouting or complaining. What they chose to do, affected everyone. All of the prisoners chains were loosed and every prison door was opened because of the earthquake that was experienced, as Paul and Silas prayed and praised. They didn’t allow what had happened to them, dictate their response. They rose above what had happened and sang praises to God and prayed. As a result, the Philippian  jailer was saved, and his household. Maybe what you’re going through isn’t just about you. Anyway, here’s what I want you to see, Paul and Silas didn’t smell like, look like or sound like misfortune. He and Silas prayed and praised and when the prison doors opened and their chains fell off, they and all of the prisoners stayed in their cells and didn’t move. When the prison guard called for a light and was about to take his life because he presumed the prisoners had fled, Paul called with a loud voice and said, “Do yourself no harm!”  Paul and Silas didn’t just go through it – they grew through it! 

There will be times in life when you will experience misfortunate and less than desirable seasons of life. Nonetheless, you don’t have to smell like it, look like it or sound like it. And, you won’t, if you grow through, what you’re going through.

 

cOVERed

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

When you know you are cOVERed by God’s love, mercy and grace it will help you get over what you’re going through.

Being cOVERed is an Eternal promise that becomes an Internal reality that doesn’t change according to External  circumstances. 

All of Gods promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The word is eternal and establishes Gods promises – Jesus is the Word and He fulfilled and continues to establish God’s promises. He is the Word and He is eternal – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever more! Therefore, being covered by Gods FAITHFULNESS, FAVOR and FORGIVENESS are Eternal promises that are established by God and fulfilled through Jesus, these promises then become an Internal reality that doesn’t change according to External  circumstances. The Eternal promise of God cOVERing us in our mother’s womb is established in Psalm 139, and this promise doesn’t change, because God has not changed His mind! His promises are eternal and established in Christ!

So, when I know I’m covered it’s an Internal knowing of an Eternal promise that says Gods got this, therefore I can get over whatever it is that I’m going through! And, External circumstances don’t determine the outcome, because what I know Internally is established Eternally and is not dictated Externally. When you learn to walk in what you KNOW, you will get OVER what you can’t see. When you know you are covered it will help you get over what you’re going through.

The Bible is Full of Pictures of the Word cOVERed or Being cOVERed:

  • Jesus with Jerusalem (like a hen cOVERs her chickens with her feathers)
  • Adam and Eve cOVERed themselves with fig leaves
  • Noah sons cOVERed his nakedness
  • Elijah cOVERed Elisha with his mantle
  • Samuel cOVERed with his robe from Hannah to minister in the Temple
  • Children of Israel cOVERed the doorposts of their homes with the blood of the lamb
  • David cOVERed with Saul’s armor
  • Lazarus cOVERed in clothes strips of linen and cloth on his face
  • Jesus in (wrapped) cOVERed in swaddling clothes
  • Jesus cOVERed in grave clothes

I Want You to Know You Are cOVERed by:

    • God’s Faithfulness
    • God’s Favor
    • God’s Forgiveness
  • Being cOVERED by God’s FAITHFULNESS will remind you of what you already know.When I think about being cOVERed by faithfulness, I think about God Himself who is and was and is to come. He is faithful, righteous, Holy and just. The One Who created the heavens and earth. The One who stood out on nothing and created everything. The One who sits on His throne in Heaven. The One who is ever present and always concerned, but who is never taken by surprise or wondering what to do next. The One who was the fire by night and a pillar by day. The One who was the fourth man walking in the fire. The One who parted the Red Sea. The One who will make a way where there is no way. The One who makes the cooked places straight. The One who creates streams in the desert places. The Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning and the End. The One who was, and is and is to come.The One who is all powerful and all knowing, the One who is complete and lacking nothing! The One who saves, heals and delivers! The One who establishes our end from the beginning and our beginning from our end. The One who remains faithful, even when we are faithless! -II Timothy 2:13 | Lamentations 3:23
  • Being cOVERed by God’s FAVOR Will Enable You to See Your Setback As a Setup.When I think about being cOVERed by favor, I think of Joseph – because Joseph was able to get over what he was going through. He was able to get over being thrown in a pit, he was able to get over being lied about at Potiphar’s house, and he was able to get over being forgotten about in prison. And, he had favor in every situation! -Genesis 50:20 | Romans 8:28
  • Being cOVERed by God’s FORGIVENESS Will Get You Past Your PastWhen I think about being cOVERed by forgiveness, I think of the original sin in the beginning and what Adam and Eve did. They covered themselves. Genesis 3:7 tells us that Adam Eve were naked and afraid, so they sewed together fig leaves and covered themselves. They tried to do for themselves, what only God could do. However, Genesis 3:20 tells us that God made for them tunics of skin and clothed them. Thus, introducing His idea to make a way for us to be covered by Him, through Christ. Only God can do that, we can’t do it for ourselves. There are so many pictures and metaphors in regards to penitence and forgiveness and they all ultimately point to Christ being the final and ultimate sacrifice for our sin. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God id eternal life through Jesus Christ. With this in mind, think about the children of Israel covering their doorposts with the blood of the Lamb defeating the death angel, that had to passover. Also, think about the Father and the prodigal son. The Father ran to the son and covered him with a robe, placed a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, all before he was ever clean. God clothes us in righteous and cleans us as we continue to grow in Him. And finally, think about Jesus being clothed in grave clothes and coming forward victorious! Life defeated death and the victory over sin was ultimately and once and for all, defeated!

Now, we’ve talked about being cOVERed by: God’s faithfulness, God’s favor and God’s forgiveness. And, these are all good things to be cOVERed in and to be cOVERed by. They are also attributes in which we can find peace, hope and strength. But, I believe a person can also be cOVERed by the wrong things as well, things that you may have allowed others to put on you or maybe even things that you have believed for yourself and by default, you’ve chosen to wear.

Things Like:

  • Doubt
  • Fear
  • Unworthiness 
  • Guilt 
  • Shame
  • Peoples opinions
  • Perceptions 

They tried to put Saul’s armor on David. They put grave clothes on Jesus, who was life. And, they put cloth strips on Lazarus and cloth around his eyes. But, what they had put on him to prepare his body for death had to come off. When Jesus said, “Lazarus come forth!” He came forth bound hand and foot, with his eyes covered. What went on one way, had to come off the opposite way. Jesus said, “Loose him and let him go!” 

What is it that you have allowed yourself to be cOVEred with? What is it that you are bound by that you need to be set free from? Remember, what you conceal God can’t heal. Nonetheless, what you reveal, God can heal. The Lord wants to cOVER you in His mercy, grace and peace. What you uncOVER, God will cOVER with His peace, power and strength, and when you know you are cOVERed, it will help you get over what you are going through!

Weary?

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, blog, Messages

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Last night right before I fell to sleep I said to Kelly, “I’m tired.” To which she said, “That’s good, maybe you’ll sleep well tonight.” What she meant was, it’s a good thing to be tired, since you’re in bed and ready to go to sleep. But, what I meant was I was tired of the way things are. I am tired of not knowing. I’m tired of believing and not seeing results. I’m tired of not having money. I’m tired of not having our own house. I’m tired of the daily routines that life sometimes demands. I’m tired of not knowing who my true friends really are. I’m tired of trying and exploring everything I know to do and to no avail. I’m tired of COVID and masks. I’m tired of not knowing what all of this even means or where it will all end. I’m tired of political agendas and social injustice and societal unrest. I’m tired of issues and acts that are a defilement and gross perversion being ok. I’m tired! 

Now, as you can see, this may be the most vulnerable post I’ve ever written and posted and, in many ways it is somewhat therapeutic. However, I’m sure that there are people reading this that are tired too. When you’re tired it changes everything. It changes your mood and your perspective. It can even diminish your faith and make things appear bigger and worse than they truly are. I remember when the girls were little and they would get tired, nothing would satisfy them, until they found rest. They would become fussy and unsettled and someone would always say, “What’s wrong.” And Kelly and I would always answer, “They’re just tired.” Nonetheless, they always found comfort and rest on our lap or by laying on our shoulder. I wonder what would happen if we could find comfort and rest in coming to our Heavenly Father when we are tired, weary, or worn. What if we found rest in Him alone. Not in answered prayers, finances, homes, retirement, careers or secured futures, not in our agenda being fulfilled or not even knowing what the future holds, but in Him alone. As a side note, a meme I created a year ago came up in my Facebook memories today, thats right, the morning after I told Kelly last night, I’m tired. It was the scripture from Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I think it was a divine reminder that when I come to Him, I can find rest. And, I want to remind you, that when you come to Him, you can find rest also.

However, I’m also learning that true rest doesn’t usually come from more sleep. Actually, the weariness I’m referring to is more about fatigue that is caused from frustration, not from a lack of sleep. It’s being drained of energy and being worn down because of external circumstances or, from internal perceptions that have created disappointments. In other words, my being tired is derived form external scenarios and dilemmas. With that being said, there has to be a peace that’s internal that empowers us to not grow weary in well doing. This internal peace can only be anchored by the Word of God and given through the Holy Spirit. I’ve been so fatigued with frustration that I couldn’t sleep or find rest. I don’t believe that this is God’s plan or His best for us, His children. Psalm one hundred twenty seven verse two, tells us that we shouldn’t toil in vain and that He gives His beloved rest. And, in the New Testament it records Jesus in a boat during a storm that was so bad, the disciples, whom several of them were fisherman, fisherman that were used to boats, water and storms, thought they were going to die, while Jesus was asleep resting.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” This scripture is a scripture of promise, but the promise is contingent upon what I do. He will keep me in perfect peace if my mind is *stayed (*to lean or lay upon, to lean against, to rest upon) on Him, because I trust in Him. So, I will have peace when my mind is resting upon who He is, and I will have peace and rest upon who He is, because I trust in Him. We are to come to Him, find rest in Him, and trust Him. This is where true rest can be found for a tired, weary and worn soul.

In closing I want to leave you with this scripture:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

 

Fear verses Faith

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

Fear began in the garden and ended on the cross… Fear entered in by one man: Adam. Love was perfected and it cast out fear by one man: Jesus. Genesis tells us that Adam and Eve hid themselves in shame. It states that when God called for them in the garden of Eden, that they were, “naked and afraid.” Its the first time fear was mentioned in the Bible. However, 1 Corinthians shows us that was lost in creation, was restored through Jesus. Here’s what it says: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” In John 3:16-17 it tells us that God so loved us… and that He didn’t come to condemn us. I John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out all fear.

Fear is meant to keep you where you are. It’s designed to keep you from moving forward. Religion also uses fear to keep things the way they are. Religion deals in rules, fear and judgment. However, Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Fear will keep you from moving forward. It will keep you from seeing things change, that need to change. Jesus came to empower us, and the Bible tells us many times, in numerous passages: “do not be afraid.”

Its my desire to see people set free from fear and to be empowered to live a victorious, peaceful, joyous life. I don’t want to see people be so bound by fear that it keeps them from experiencing all that God has for them. I don’t want you to be so gripped by fear that you never know the joy of surrender or obedience. I don’t want you to live another day, with fear robbing you of joy, hope or peace.

Fear is an illusion that can distort reality and keep you from knowing, seeing, or experiencing what’s on the other side of what you fear most. Don’t allow what you fear the most; to keep you from what you desire the most.

  • Here’s how fear is defined in Webster’s: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger or uncertainty. |a state marked by this emotion. |an anxious concern caused by emotion. | profound reverence and awe toward God.
  • In the Bible, there are two words for “fear”: One is phobos, a fear that either keeps us bound up with terror or causes us to flee in face of the unknown. The Bible has hundreds of scriptures telling us not to have this kind of fear. The other word for fear is yirah, which is awe and respect. This type of fear keeps us safe from consequences. It’s a healthy fear.

*Genesis 3:9-13 – fear will cause you to doubt, hide, lie, and blame.

In the Bible the most general word in the New Testament for faith is ‘pistos’ which means: belief, confidence, or trust. Or, it could be said this way, “a trust that produces a confident belief.” Faith is trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense from our limited perspective.

*Hebrews 11 – faith will cause you to hope, believe, trust and have confidence.

 

“Without Faith it is impossible to please God.”

1. Faith is the beginning of all things.

2. Faith pleases God.

3. Faith allows us to receive salvation.

4. Faith gives us access to God.

5. Faith is required, to live the life God desires for you to live.

* We must have faith that God is who says He is!

* We must have faith that we are who God says we are!

* We must have faith that God will do what He said He will do!

You must remember: “Faith is not taking matters into your own hands; it’s putting ‘it’ in Gods hands and trusting Him for the outcome.” Someone said, “everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. We all have fears, but pushing past your fears will determine your success and establish your peace. To counteract fear you will need the antidote of faith.

***An antidote is: a remedy to counteract the effects of something.

Another good antidote to fear is: “Fear the right thing!”

In other words: If you are going to be afraid, be afraid of never accomplishing your dream, be afraid of not walking in freedom, be afraid of not experiencing what you truly desire to experience. This fear of “the right thing”… should give you the courage and determination to do the right thing, that in turn, will grow your faith.

*When Fear Knocks; Answer With Faith.

> You can believe the lie or thought that will produce*(fear) or

> You can believe the fact or truth that will produce *(faith).

> Fear will create a stronghold that binds.

> Faith will create a strong-tower that liberates.

Common Fears That We All Face… the Stronghold That Fear Produces… and the Faith Answer for That Fear: Continue reading “Fear verses Faith” →

God Will Provide for Himself a Lamb

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog

God Will Provide for Himself a Lamb…

Sacrifice and bloodshed have been woven throughout the Bible since the beginning. We see this in the creation account in the garden of Eden. It begins where God sacrificed the animals He created, the animals Adam had named. He did this to clothe Adam and Eve who had sinned. God’s creation from dust, who were ashamed, naked and afraid.

We get a Levitical account of this idea of bloodshed and sacrifice in the OT in regards to the children of Israel. Where the Passover the lamb had to be raised in their home and sacrificed on an altar, then the blood was applied to the door post of their homes, and when it was, the death Angel would Passover. 

The penalty of sin has always been death, and the gift of God has always been life. Sin has always been darkness and death, Salvation has always been light and life. That life is seen and given through and by God’s love. (Jn. 3:16)

However, Mankind continued throughout Biblical accounts to make penance with God. Nevertheless, God finally had to make the final sacrifice for all time, and He did so when He made an everlasting covenant, through Christ, for us! Paul tells us that the first Adam was made from dust, but the second Adam is the Lord from heaven. We now get a picture of what was to come in Genesis with Abraham and Isaac. When Abraham, through faith, offers his promised son as a sacrifice and tells Isaac, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the sacrifice.” 

“And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:8 NKJV

Ultimately, Jesus would be that sacrifice, the final sacrifice, the everlasting covenant for all mankind, mankind that was created from the dust, but yet, could now become heavenly beings by receiving eternal life through Jesus!

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8 NKJV

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NKJV

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had “passed over” the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 NKJV

Nonetheless, there is something that I noticed when I was reading Genesis 22, the account of Abraham offering Issac on the altar by faith. What I noticed was the word Moriah. The passage says, “take your son to the land, or to the hills of Moriah.” So, I looked up the word and found out that, Moriah means, “seen by Yahweh” and “chosen by Jehovah.” I knew Moriah is where Isaac was offered by Abraham, but, I found out it was also where Solomon built the temple of the Lord, and, it was also where Golgotha was. That’s right, the place of the skull, the place of the crucifixion of Christ, the place where Christ made an everlasting covenant, so we could have eternal life, peace, strength, joy, and healing. It was “a place chosen by Jehovah!”

It was the place of atonement! Abraham had offered Isaac there, but God provided Himself a lamb. Solomon built the temple there. The temple was a prototype of a place to get to God, it’s where the ark of the covenant was. It was a place of worship, incense, and sacrifice. A place where the glory of God could be experienced, but there was a veil, but God would provide a sacrifice through Christ that would tear the veil. A way for mankind to go behind the veil and experience God personally!

Moriah was a place that was, “seen by Yahweh”, that means God saw Abraham Offering Up Isaac, that means God saw Solomon building the temple where his father David has encountered God, a place to worship and encounter the glory of God. But, it also meant that God saw that His only begotten Son would hang on a cross and die for all mankind. 

Jesus died on a cross on a hill in Moriah. He did what Abraham and Solomon couldn’t do. He brought us into the Holy of Holies and created an everlasting covenant. He shed His precious blood so that we might have life! God turned His back on Him so He would never turn His back on us! We are the righteousness of God in Christ. The blood is everlasting and all powerful! The blood will never lose its power, and it has the power of life, and of healing and of peace! 

Christ is our hope and through His blood we have propitiation, peace and power! We have salvation, healing and life! Abundant Life, and Eternal Life that is by Gods Grace, and through His love. The shed blood of Christ is eternally enough for everyone and everything! It is everlasting and eternal and it will never lose its power! From the cross Jesus declared, “it is finished!” And it was.

Communion:

Jesus institutes the bread and wine as His blood and body. He reveals it is an everlasting covenant. He also reminds us that when we take the bread and drink the cup, we are to remember Him. The Passover meal had different elements, but there was always the bread, the wine, and the lamb. Jesus become that spotless lamb, that eternal sacrifice, and that eternal and final sacrifice is His shed blood and crucified body. The bread is His body and the cup is His blood. When we receive it, we receive Him. We receive hope, healing, provision and peace. Let’s remember, and let’s receive with grateful hearts and surrender souls. 

A Forgetful Reach

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages

A Forgetful Reach

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –Phil 3:13-14

Paul says, he forgets what’s behind and reaches for what’s ahead. He is saying he has not yet arrived or attained, but he is reaching upward toward the heavenly call in Christ Jesus. I call this a forgetful reach! A forgetful reach helps us forget about what we can’t change and reach for what we can do something about. The only thing we should truly remember is God’s faithfulness and grace over our lives.

A Forgetful Reach…

1. Reaches for what matters and forgets about what doesn’t matter.

2. Remembers what needs to be remembered and forgets what needs to be forgotten.

3. Let’s go of what’s behind and reaches for what’s ahead.

4. Focuses on things that will lift you up, not on things that will drag you down.

5. Doesn’t rehearse; what it’s trying to forget.

6. Releases what needs to be released, so it can receive what needs to be received.

7. Doesn’t just see things the way they are; it sees things they way they can be, different!