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Topic: Rejoicing (11/22/04)
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TITLE: Kindred Spirits By Robert Drury 11/27/04 |
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We were all granted spiritual kinship with God and each other at Creation;
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1:27)
We chose to reject His love by ignoring the joy of being in relationship with Him and believing in the lie of selfness. The penalty for the self imposed separation from God was death. This consequence of sin was symbolized in the Law of Moses by considering all things associated with death as unclean and unworthy of presentation to god. The blood was Christ was symbolized by the blood of pure sacrifice first seen in the lamb that died in the place of Abraham’s son. Only His sinless blood could redeem our lost souls.
Our birthright of kinship to the Father is reborn in the Risen Christ and we are called to rejoice and not to be afraid for we have been forgiven and have cause for praise and worship of our Lord and Savior;
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 18:8-10)
We are kindred by covenant with Him and to one another;
The Spirit of Joy and the Spirit of Love are kindred.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15: 9-12)
The Spirit of Celebration and the Spirit of Forgiveness are kindred.
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)
The Spirit of Exaltation and the Spirit of Righteousness are kindred.
He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. (Job 36:7)
Our weak faith is in a mighty God. Our empty souls are filled and run over with His love. Who can keep us from rejoicing?
Wait! But what of the many moments we experience that have no joy? What of pain, loss, rejection, abandonment, guilt, remorse, shame and sadness? Is he to spare us from these
in our life? Hardly!
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Cor. 12:7-10)
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Phil. 1:19)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
I tell you the truth; you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ... Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:20-24)
He invites us to rejoice in His Living Word. I urge you to take your seat at the Great Banquet and enjoy!
Desperado
11-04
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