Monday, September 28, 2015

The Two Natures Within - Pastor David



.


When the sinner becomes a Christian, he receives a new nature from God; He or she is now a NEW direct creation of God, he becomes a partaker of the Divine nature. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name" John 1:12.Because the Christian does not lose his old sinful nature, he is soon conscious of warfare within.

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary one to the other; so that ye may not do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:17. Christians have tried all kinds of religious schemes and joined all kinds of fanatical movements to get rid of their sinful natures. Many of them have deceived themselves, but no one else, into believing that they have been successful. There are many who claim for themselves that they have reached, through a second work of grace, the state of sinless perfection. Such a doctrine and position is not only contrary to Scripture, but contrary to the experience of any and every Christian.

However, there is victory in Christ for every fully yielded believer

The Apostle Paul has well described the believer's experience in these words, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Romans 7:22-23. Notwithstanding this warfare, he exhorts his fellow saints in these words, "Let not sin therefore REIGN in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Romans 6:12. It is one thing for sin to dwell in the believer; it is another thing for sin to reign in him. The believer is urged to be constantly on his guard, to be sober, vigilant, prayerful, yielding himself moment by moment to the Lord.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

This does not mean that the Christian will lose his salvation, but he can fall into sin, if he does not do that which he is commanded to do, which is..."Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13. He is likewise commanded, "Submit yourselves unto God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. It is because of this great fact that God instructs us, "Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11. For said Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16.

There is victory for the Christian in the Lord, and this victory comes by walking in the Spirit. All who thus walk fulfill the righteousness of the law by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. Romans 8:4. Galatians 5:22. "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.

In previous messages we have dealt with the Christian's conflict with the world and the devil, but we are here dealing with an enemy which in this life never leaves us nor forsakes us, but which will hinder, defeat and disgrace us unless we are ever and always yielded to the LORD, and can truly say, "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and Who gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20.

When we are born of our parents we inherit a nature of sin which abides with us as long as we abide on this earth. When we are born of God we receive a Divine nature. We are born from above. With such Divine power we can put to death the deeds of the flesh. The old man came to an end at Calvary, as we see from Romans 6:3-6. Believers died with Him, this is a SUPER important point. But the believer must constantly put off the old man and put on the new. "That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man...And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:24.

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:11-14.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, September 25, 2015

Transition of Dispensations in The Book of Acts: Bible Study Illustration Chart 7 - Pastor David



.
Chart_1

(Chart courtesy of the Berean Literature Foundation)

*******

This Bible Study Chart illustrates that, with the rejection of Israel of The LORD Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, the message of the twelve Apostles went from the particular to the general.

While LATER, with the Apostle Paul, (the chief of sinners saved by Grace), his message, (received by direct revelation from the Glorified Risen Christ), went from the general to the particular again, climaxed by the glorious Truth about Christ and His Body, The Mystery.

Thus the TRANSITION lies BETWEEN and explains the generalities in the Book of Acts which have puzzled so many!

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Greatest of ALL Commissions: Bible Study Illustration Chart 6 - Pastor David.



.
Chart_1

(Chart courtesy of the Berean Literature Foundation)

*******

This Bible Study Chart illustrates how the so-called Great Commission was PRECEDED by a commission almost as great and then followed by the Greatest of ALL Commissions...THAT given by the Glorified LORD Jesus Christ to Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, and to us.

Actually, while there is much talk about...obeying the so-called Great Commission...NO ONE really obeys it today, for God has made this impossible.

We can and should, however, obey the Great Commission given to the Apostle Paul and us by Christ, in Heaven. 2 Cor. 5:14-21, Ephesians 3:1-11

Please watch this very important video message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owoAt_lrHac

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, September 11, 2015

Harmony of Messages Proclaimed by God's Servants - Bible Study Illustration Chart 5 - Pastor David

.

Chart_1


(Chart courtesy of the Berean Literature Foundation)


*******


This Bible Study chart illustrates the philosophical harmony of the messages proclaimed by God's servants through the centuries.


For example, the Gospel of the Kingdom, proclaimed by our LORD and the twelve, NATURALLY takes us back to David and the great covenant of the Messianic Kingdom made with him. Similarly, the Gospel of the Circumcision, proclaimed later at Pentecost, NATURALLY takes us back to Abraham and the covenant of circumcision, guaranteeing the blessing of the Gentiles through the seed of Abraham, NOT Abram.


Study the rest for yourself until you get to the most blessed message of all, The Mystery. The Mystery, proclaimed by the Apostle Paul and based, NOT on covenants, or prophecies, but based on God's own purpose and Grace given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9.


***


In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.


So There You Have it!


Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.


Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.


In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry


Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)


DISPENSATIONS in The BIBLE: Bible Study Illustration Chart 4 - Pastor David

.
Chart_1

During the last few years Christians have been warned time and again against Dispensationalism, Ultradispensationalism, Hyperdispensationalism, and Extreme Dispensationalism. Some ignorant, spiritual leaders have warned their followers against any and all Dispensationalism. Now, the word "Dispensation" is used in Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 3:2-3, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:24-26, and 1 Corinthians 9:17. The Greek word is "OIKONOMIA" . . . "Oiko" means House . . . and "Nomia" means Law. IT is also from where we get our English word Economy. This word "OIKONOMIA" is translated "Stewardship" in Luke 16:2-4. You see the word has the meaning of "The ADMINISTRATION of a HOUSE or HOUSE HOLD. I am sure you have heard of...The President's ADMINISTRATION.

In Ephesians 4:12 we read that God is EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST. OK, now, "EDIFY" in the Greek is "OIKODOMEO". "OIKO" means House, and, "DONIEO" means Build. The House of God, which God is building in this age and DISPENSATION OF GRACE (Ephesians 3:1-4), is called "THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD; Without controversy a GREAT MYSTERY. (1 Timothy 3:15-16, Ephesians 5:31-32). Then, this HOUSE OF GOD, in Ephesians 3:6, is called "SUSSOMOS". "SUS" which means Joint, and, "SOMA" which means Body. God is building a "JOINT BODY". What is meant by "Joint Body", (because all of those IN Christ are ONE in Christ, ONE Body), is that both Jews and Gentiles as individuals are being added to the Body WITHOUT distinction, HENCE the Joint. So, in the building of this "CHURCH OF THE MYSTERY" (Colossians 1:24-26) unto Paul was committed "THE DISPENSATION OF GOD" (Colossians 1:24-26), and he was ordered by the risen Christ to "MAKE ALL SEE WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION (not fellowship) OF THE MYSTERY" (Ephesians 3:9). So the Apsotle Paul declared himself to be the Lord’s "WISE MASTERBUILDER" (Architect) who had laid the foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:10).

Surely then you must see that no Christian can obey Ephesians 3:9 and make others see "WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY" or obey Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:10, and build together on the foundation that he laid, without being a DISPENSATIONALIST. So we see that surely no intelligent, spiritual, student of the Scriptures, led by the Holy Spirit, after reading 1 Corinthians 3:10, Colossians 1:24-26 and Ephesians 3:1-4, would or could believe that the foundation that Paul laid was the same as the foundation that Peter and the Eleven (Acts 2:14) laid on the day of Pentecost.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Thursday, September 3, 2015

The Difference Between PROPHECY and The MYSTERY! Bible Study Illustration Chart 3 - Pastor David



.
Chart_1

(Chart courtesy of the Berean Literature Foundation)

*******

This Bible Study Rules Chart illustrates that Salvation was to have gone...and WILL some day go...to the Gentiles THROUGH Israel, with The LORD Jesus Christ as King on Earth.

Also, this Bible Study chart shows how, for the present Dispensation of Grace, Salvation has gone to the Gentiles APART from Israel, ENTIRELY on the basis of the meritorious death of the LORD Jesus Christ.

This Bible Study chart explains the difference between, the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God...between PROPHECY and The MYSTERY...and between The Kingdom of Heaven and The Body of Christ.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that 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 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

. In part 1 of the Lion and Lamb Ministry Holy Week Messages , we learned that the LORD Jesus Christ is NOT divided, and that He is t...