Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of Matthew

Chapter 16

***Matt.16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 16:2 But he answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 16:3 In the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times! 16:4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." He left them, and departed.

The legal mind will not believe until it sees, it will not believe unless it can analyze every word, thought and action so it will not be mislead. Misleading to the legal mind is fear inspiring it will declare all things evil it cannot prove it by the senses of the flesh! The flesh lust against the Spirit that is a simple profound truth found in every bible. Here the fleshly mind and its fears, which is a legal mind, lust against the Spirit in Christ Jesus seeking a sign.

Gal.5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 5:26 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

John 6:29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 6:30 They said therefore to him, "What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do? 6:31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven{Greek and Hebrew use the same word for "heaven", "the heavens", "the sky", and "the air".} to eat.'"{Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24-25} 6:32 Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.
6:33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."

Christ good works were known throughout all of the country side where he had been performing his Father good works, but for the legal minded Pharisee's those good works were not enough. Pharisees. They had to fit it into their religion by legally dissecting each word, and action of Christ, testing them against the flesh, that is what accepted in the wisdom of their world, like attorney's test against the written law. They thought they could approve or disapprove the Son of God by their position of power, and wealth, as teachers of the law; how stunningly foolish is the fleshly mind in its presumptuousness?

John 6:36 But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don't believe. 6:37 All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 6:39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.

The earth is full of the wisdom and truth of God and people can't believe in God unless he puts on a light show! Unless he bring angels to display his power! How ignorant can human's be in blindness by sight worship of every thing physically in our creation, and yet miss the big picture? Christian's seek signs they are in a state of constantly looking for some sign in the heavens, they write glossy books with many fearsome picture so they can make God real, they have movies where signs are seen so they can come in contact with God by feelings of excitement in their flesh. They love prophecy seeking it like a religion so the have something to excite their belief in God, have you noticed?

John 6:63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Did you know as a Christian's God is not exciting your flesh at all? Did you know God does not promote flesh worship at all, which is sight worship in profound building, religion, books, people, sign in Sun, Moon and stars, did you know that? God is looking at hearts that seek him by faith, not sight, not flesh, and what flesh has created in God's name. He is not seeking people that want more excitement in their sinful flesh, no! God is not dealing with a fleshly mind or its lust, he is dealing with the mind of Christ a spiritual mind given freely to any seeking God by faith. Faith is not in our power, it is completely in God's power, did you know that?

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

Peter walked on water, how? By his power or by God's power? Faith is not an object we muster up from ourselves, it is factually a gift of God given to each one of us. When Peter thought in his fleshly mind about the impossibility of human's walking upon water what happen immediately? When a Christian's thinks fleshly about God they will sink into the fleshly mind that cannot believe by faith, and must walks by sight finding themselves mislead in to creature worship denying truth of God. They will give glory to the creation rather than the creator, and with that comes all sorts of evil fruits, which will be deny by the fleshly mind and justified by some good work they are doing in the name of God.

Rom.1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 1:19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
1:21 Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

***Matt.16:5 The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread. 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 16:7 They reasoned among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." 16:8 Jesus, perceiving it, said, "Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, 'because you have brought no bread?' 16:9 Don't you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 16:10 Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 16:11 How is it that you don't perceive that I didn't speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 16:12 Then they understood that he didn't tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Do we actually understand what yeast is when Christ speaks of it? Many think they do, they will say: “Yeast is the false teaching of the Pharisee's and the Sadducees!” This is partly true, but not truth! Anyone of us Christian's, or otherwise can add yeast to God's word the bible, the context in which Christ was speaking is this. Salvation does not come from man's efforts, it comes exclusively from God providing us atonement, through a precious life he created, which we have no right (legal right) to, giving us forgiveness from our sins, by God's payment not ours. We can add nothing to that which God gave to us freely, not one word, not one effort, not one self-goodness, all starts, and finishes with God redeeming us by his loving compassion at great cost to himself.

Exodus 12:15 "'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Acts 4:12 There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"

If you or me added ourselves into this pure truth requiring faith, faith in the blood, we, and our faulty reasoning's is yeast corrupting the Christ into death from human wisdom created from sin. This is why the apostles of Christ before being anointed did not comprehend that yeast was not just the teaching of Pharisee's and Sadducees, but their self-justification, of declaring themselves righteous by their own words, works of law and by good works for others. Faith is pure, and righteous before God, but what are we to put faith in man's efforts or God's efforts?

Romans 4:20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,

Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you were a Jew we would go to the altar of God, there provided by the law was found our redemption from death, blood, of an innocent animal, which was not created to live under God's moral laws, thus, they did not break God's law making their blood free of sin. God gave the Jews that gift, they must put faith in God's mercy, and kindness to redeem themselves from sin. If they made little of the bloods power, and placed the power on their life, in living up to a law they could not live up to righteousness of God without the blood, they had become yeast, adding too faith, adding to God, making God's power - man's power, which is sins power, and not the incorruptible holy, holy, holy acts of God's salvation alone! They had redeemed themselves by self-justification, they would than give glory to a creation rather than the creator. Sadly, they had judged themselves foolishly, they had judged by sin, creating more sin, nor life; creating an unobtainable substitution, and what was that? How does on get yeast out of a leaven bread, without destroying the bread? How does man get sin out of man without destroying the man? Does judging by laws that point out sin remove sin/yeast? No! God must removed sin from mankind by his efforts, not man efforts, how can sin remove sin? How can death produce life? How can a corrupt tree produce good fruit?

Matt.7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? 7:4 Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

James 3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

It cannot be done, all men are dying. Subsequently, let us not become yeast to pure unadulterated Christ by promoting ourselves as important, a person through some gift as of higher value than others, or as a teacher thinking teaching removes sin, not even declaring ourselves righteous by meeting some rule or law, how foolish! Let us not boast in the flesh, but in Christ, and him impaled to free us from yeast!

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Galatians 5:9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.

***Matt.16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 16:14 They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 16:17 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Our we not blessed when God personally reveals the truth too us from above? Most don't think about that very much? Most fall in love with flesh, some powerful speaker, some great writings, but what happens when God tells us the truth that flesh can't get? We are blessed!

Jude 1:25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Romans 1:23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

Most flesh teacher fall in love with their own mouths, their own abilities and spend a life time talking about themselves, and how they were the first to reveal some so called new thought or truth from their bible. They go into a campaign of promoting self by books and in public forums boasting in how they are blessed. Blessed indeed! In their flesh with material wealth popularity, a following, and power. But Christ did not say the flesh is blessed, he said not much good about the flesh of mankind. He said happy was those that God revealed the truth too, not the flesh.

John 8:50 But I don't seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.

John 5:44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?

John 7:18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

No! The Spirit is not in a popularity contest with the flesh, its not in competition with the fleshly mind, the Spirit does not compete with a fool, nor does it compare itself with unrighteousness, and darkness to make itself right in the eyes of dead works, the sinful flesh, like all sinful human do. The Spirit is concern with one thing life, life from the incorruptible source of all life, it does not compromise rolling in the mire of our fallen flesh.

1Cor.1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1Cor.1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."{Isaiah 29:14}
1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

In fact, if we want the truth revealed to us by flesh, than we are missing the blessings of God. If we are trying to please those in flesh we are living a lie, and the truth is not in us. Truth come to us by faith, faith comes from the least popular place in our world, it come from above from a world fleshly eyes can't see or know! Faith opens our eyes to truth of God, it is unknown by this world, and its hated by this world and that why those loving the flesh, that is, this world, can't know God, or Christ, or his brothers.

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

John 6:63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.

John 17:14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

No! They are judging from below from the eyes of this world, they are judging with faulty judgments the truth of the Holy Spirit, they are lusting in hate for the Spirit and persecuting it wittingly or unwittingly, they must because the two world are opposed to each other. The apostles of Christ would be transformed into spirit person once the Holy Spirit was poured out into their hearts opening their eyes, recreating them into the likeness of the Christ. Than they would be blessed as Christ was blessed because the very Spirit of the living God was written into their hearts, they would have the blessings of God. Not material or a popular name among mankind, no! They would be just as Christ was in this world, hated, looked down upon, seemingly plagued of to mankind, not beautiful and powerful in the top seats of religion, business, nor government, but the off scouring the this world having no wisdom for the flesh and its life alienated from God. Our yours eyes happy and blessed? If so you have treasure in heaven, don't trade the fine pearl for the adulation of men!

Isa.53:3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn't respect him.
53:4 Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.
53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
53:7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn't open his mouth.
53:8 He was taken away by oppression and judgment; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of my people?
53:9 They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
53:10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.
53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light{So read the Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint. Masoretic Text omits "the light".} and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.
53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

James 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"? 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34} 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

*** Matt.16:18 I also tell you that you are Peter,{Peter's name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone.} and on this rock{Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.} I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades{or, Hell} will not prevail against it. 16:19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven."

It is a strange thing that the mind of flesh will search the scriptures to find some verse or story that justifies in own lust for power and position upon earth. Was Christ to build a massive organized religion upon the back of Peter when Christ also stated that the kingdom of God is like a woman that put yeast into a measure of flour and the whole Kingdom of God was corrupted by the yeast? So which is it? Has the Christ become corrupted upon earth by false religion within just a few years after the apostles deaths or is there a religion upon earth that is the temple of God, without yeast of mankind's human reasoning by the sinful flesh.

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

We need not wonder or deceive ourselves by human justification for the need to have some man, and/or woman rule over us by a position like the world must have to survive, we walk by faith, and we are led by Spirit and truth, something no human can call themselves because all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Today there are some fifty-thousand sects of Christianity since Christ times, and each one of those fifty one-thousands branches of Christianity all have one thing in common they are corrupted by yeast producing bad fruit, justifying the sinful fruit by a good work done in the name of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 13:33 He spoke another parable to them. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures{literally, three sata. 3 sata is about 39 litres or a bit more than a bushel} of meal, until it was all leavened."

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?

They all are made of the same working of every government, and/or business upon earth, none, not one fits the truth of Christ words, and what is that? A good tree “cannot” produce bad fruit! Can any man or religion say they cannot produce bad fruit? Can any religion not help but to produce some bad fruit? Can any religion call itself the unadulterated truth of God, as Christ Jesus is? Can any religion called itself the bread of life, free from all corruption of yeast from sinful thinking?

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Haggai 2:12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No."

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Matt.7:18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

Now we must ask is there any indication that the apostle Peter, became the congregation of God? No! There is not, not one word of that found in the scripture, not even from Peter own mouth. Peter never stated he was anymore than a servant within the body of Christ a member of the congregation of God whom ministered to the rest of the body allowing the Holy Spirit from above to direct his every word and action for the congregation of God. Nor do we see in heaven Peter saying: “I am worthy to take the thorn as the foundation stone of Christ!” No! We find all those in heaven saying: “None on earth or in heaven are worthy to take the thorn, but the lamb of God, Christ Jesus.”

Revelation 5:2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?"

Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it.

Revelation 5:9 They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

There is only one name by which we must be saved, and it is not Peters. It is the name exult above all other names that God has glorified Himself with; higher than his angels, which is Jesus Christ, we cannot build upon any other foundation and have our works saved. Peter had a grand privilege he was given the privilege, not by his works, or his faithfulness for he openly deny the Christ. Our Father gave Peter a wonder responsibility, why we honestly don't know? Nor should we care, if walk in love? All body members are given gifts to glorify God's name we can be thankful in that Peter name is written upon the foundation stone of the new Jerusalem. Thankful in his example humility as a wonderful brother in Christ who like Christ never exulted himself upon earth causing ruin and destruction to the spiritual lives that he was entrusted as an apostle and elder over!

Matt.23:7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men. 23:8 But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
23:9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 23:10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 23:11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?"{Psalm 2:7} and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"{2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13} 1:6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."

*** Matt.16:20 Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ.

Will any human that has ever live not know whom Christ is? Not a trick question? Christ on earth had supreme faith in the power of his Father for good, he did not fret as so many Christian's do in making their personal efforts to get the Good News to the world out! Christ commandment his own disciples not to reveal to anyone that he was the Christ. In fact, to some dismay, Christ hardly told anyone that he was the Christ, the Messiah of God, but why?

John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.

***Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Christ knew something that the fleshly mind cannot grasp, or imagine that God knows every created human down to the each hair on our their heads. God is all powerful, and he by reading our hearts reveals the Christ to us, not man! No one is going to come to Christ unless the Father calls them, no one is going to legislate God's word by repeating it through one bible study after another making them accept Christ, how foolish it that? Does not the very creation testify against such empty headedness?

John 5:44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?

John 6:37 All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.

Not one word from God of whom created this wondrous earth, not a word for the very heavens declare the glory of God without a word. We worship in Spirit and truth, Spirit cannot be seen or had by fleshly mind person, truth cannot be know without God revealing the truth to us. The son of God is the truth, he must be revealed not by flesh and blood, but by Spirit. There is no such thing as flesh revealing the truth, there is no amount of work the flesh can do that will give a person the truth of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

Those led by Holy Spirit are directed to God's divine appointments, where God says, through his Spirit speaking through us that he has decided to give the person the Christ, not us! No glory will go to mankind for finding the truth of God, God is declaring the Good News from spirit son to mankind from heaven. We are ministers of a new covenant not written by hand of man, it is written upon hearts by God's Spirit. We can traverse sea, move mountains to preach, we can live in fear, we can boast in our great works for the Christ, but any work not done in, and through Christ for God's glory will be burnt up proving where is came from, when we all stand before the throne of God.

2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke."{Psalm 116:10} We also believe, and therefore also we speak;

***Matt.16:21 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 16:22 Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you." 16:23 But he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men."

The flesh adds nothing to the truth, which is a bold statement for those trusting in themselves! Here flesh clashes with Spirit and follows the same prescribed pattern set out from the Garden of Eden, which is, the fleshly mind is against God - the Spirit person! This truth we must come to know, its is not personal, it is a fact none of us can get around. We are at God's mercy, completely, we must put faith in something we cannot see, touch, smell, we must walk on water by Christ command for us to follow him in faith.

John3:10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don't understand these things? 3:11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness.

John 3:14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 3:15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Peter did nothing more or less than any of us would have done in his place in flesh comforting flesh by telling it what it wants to hear. The flesh lies, it just does, it does so to comfortable flesh, it will praise someone publicly on a moment of emotions, while in a few minutes speak behind the person back for a mistake. The sinful flesh is not beautiful in God's eyes, it is dead and full of all kinds of evil thoughts, and ways because it is conceived in sin.

Gal. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 5:26 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

Peter here was strongly reproved for his fleshly thinking believing as we all do the most important thing is to comfort a person having problems. We can as all flesh does, judge Peter actions as lower than our own, but if we love truth, we know why Peter stated what he did to Christ. Many Christian's have their favorite scriptures such as Christ was fond of the son's of men so when some tells the truth of our fallen flesh, they can judge the person saying they are not fond of sinful mankind so that makes them a hater of man for telling the truth of their real condition as God and Christ did!

Jer.17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? 17:10 I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

We have a world full of comforters of the flesh, lovers of flesh, and lovers of the world, but until we can come to truth there is no hope of life and understanding of God's real love for mankind. When a dangerous condition exist in a person, a diseased, a virus that will kill the person and those that could become infect with the virus, it is not hate for the person to tell the truth of the death dealing virus found in them. It has nothing to do with unkindness at all, it has to do with truth, God's love is not love of sinful flesh where he tell us lies to comfort our flesh, but love of truth, and in that truth is how God is going to deal with us out of his love for mankind. This truth hurts, it rebukes our fallen flesh, and it factual kills it so the Spirit of God can live in us, it does not flatter it!

John 1:14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Would Christ has been the truth if he told Peter: “Your right Peter I know your great love for me, so its OK to live a lie! Its OK that your good motives in comforting me with a lie are justified by your good which outweighs the evils of your flesh”.

Why did the Christ the Son of God not compromise what the truth is that he would indeed suffer and die in Jerusalem? Instead telling the apostles they better mature up, because what they were going to see was one of the most horrific acts of sinful flesh ever witnesses on this earth? The murder of an innocent man, a righteous man, because the flesh loves the lies of the flesh, that he would die at the hands of those loving their flesh more than God, he would die because love of being powerful the flesh did not want to give up, he would die because the fleshes love of unrighteousness over love of truth. This is the truth! This is why sinful flesh cannot add to truth, and this is why God must deal with the flesh in truth, killing it love of self to the destruction of others.

John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."{Psalm 119:45}

James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

Each one of us are faced daily with these same types of decisions; our being rebuked in our flesh, which hurts our feelings, being told the truth when we think we have the truth, offending us. Our being rebuked is a loving thing from our Father, being told the truth is the only door into the Kingdom of God, for Christ is the door, the life, and the truth. So each of us must sober up! wake up! Facing the truth as has every Christian's since Christ had to face in their own lives. Let us be kind in truth, let us not be kind in a lie, let us be loving in truth, let us not be kind to sinful flesh so it may continue in a lie, killing the Spirit of God!

James James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

Now lets talk truth, if Christ had went along with Peters faulty thinking based upon Peters good motives in not wanting Christ to suffer or worry about dying, where would the human race be right now? In death and sin, because if Christ had compromised the truth, and become like Satan loving the lie, he would have fallen like Adam did. The truth is if God did not love us, truth! He would not have sent his Son to this earth to die for people that deserved death because of their sins.

Truth, if God did not love us, he would not allow us time in repenting when most of us at one time could care less what God thought. Truth, if God did not love us, he would not tell us the truth, he would lie to us just like the Devil did giving us false hope to enslave us under his death dealing kingdoms. Truth, God loves us, he allowed his precious Son to suffer dying a cruel death for our sins. He has allowed his name to be blasphemy for thousand's of years by people of sin inputting unimaginable evil to God in every way, without losing his temper with us. Truth, and let this be the one most important truth you take away from this discussion, God loves us more than we love ourselves!

1 John 3:20 because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

Heb.12:6 For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives."{Proverbs 3:11-12} 12:7 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn't discipline?

***Matt.16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 16:26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Life is precious, and yet, on this earth life is treated often with little or no respect. We as human run in to extreme sparing no cost to save a person and disregarding a unborn child. We will spend million upon a famous persons life, and let others die of lack of food in a third world. In fact, it seems sometime the human race is insane when it treats lives so much differently over country, power, wealth, race, age, and political views.

Matthew 10:29 "Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin{An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius. An assarion is approximately the wages of one half hour of agricultural labor.}? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will.

When we read Christ words above, we could get to thinking Christ has no appreciation for life by asking each of us to give up our lives for him? Many of Christian's have mistakenly devoted their lives to an organization becoming a slave to its every demands thinking this is what Christ wanted a life of service for fellowman through some worldly group, but its not!

Matt.6:1 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, 6:4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 6:5 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites,

To accept Christ when these words were spoken to those listening would mean after Christ death and resurrection God's Holy Spirit would be pour out upon his disciples their lives on this earth in the flesh would be considered dead in Christ, freed from sin, where the Holy Spirit could reside in them making them the temple of God. The life they would than live would be Christ Jesus life indwelling them dedicated as the physical temple of God was when on earth. Their lives were living sacrifice for God. They had no life to save it was gone in Christ, they were new a new creation created for God's will.

Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

This group was Spirit led, under the headship of Christ Jesus, their thinking or life was no longer theirs. In this context Christ was speaking about these dedicated servants of God that must follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus where ever he would led them, and like Christ they would add nothing to Satan world. Satan wanted Christ to add to his world that is why he handed Christ all the kingdoms of this world, to get him involved in saving Satan enterprise! Christ flatly rejected his offer, why?

John 8:23 He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit." 4:14 Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 4:15 For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that." 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.

Simply put, he belonged to another, Christ belong to YHWH and his will. Christ was indwelt with the Fathers Holy Spirit being led as the wind into wherever the Father wanted him to go and do in ways of service. Christ must reject any lesser assignment of doing the work for mankind's glory instead of the Fathers glory. This is why we are certain without question Christ is the one proven faithful slave, given rulership by his Father upon his faithful course to his death.

John 3:8 The wind{The same Greek word (pneuma) means wind, breath, and spirit.} blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

***Matt.16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

The apostles of Christ seen the Son Man in his Father glory, did you know that? Many put this off into their day, but truth is Christ was resurrected made into the image of God, given glory, and honor, made incorruptible and immorality. Is there something greater? No! Christ has received his Kingdom, he has received his reward, he is the faithful and discreet slave of God.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?"{Psalm 2:7} and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"{2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13} 1:6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."
1:7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."{Psalm 104:4}

Those that were hearing Christ words here before his death experience this truth after Christ death and resurrection, they were anointed with God's Holy Spirit, they were put to death in their flesh. In other words, God's judgment was removed upon for sin, Christ striped the power of Satan world, and man's off his body members and they were resurrect spiritually within Christ into the new heavens.

Col.2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; 2:15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Each member of the body of Christ is also under the judgment of the flesh against the Spirit perfecting them in faith. They are having every fleshly thought judged as to it being in harmony with the mind of Christ or of the fleshly mind. In other words, according to their deeds daily. Every word spoken came true two thousand's years ago and is on going into our day for God's anointed followers. The are the first fruits of this training, they are the first fruits of gaining freedom in Christ and conquering this world, what world? The world alienated from God, which is created through the fleshly mind of this world under sin and death. Why must they go through this as Christ went through the same training?

Rom. 12:2 Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God?

Simply put, to set creation, all creation free from the Adam's sin, and the futility of Satan and mankind's systems of things. Christ has been working for thousand's of years conquering this worlds unrighteous, in his building the house for God's glory, the holy temple of kings and priest that will bring the things causing death to its end, sin of Adam. Let us be assured that Christ words in context have came true, each member of the body of Christ has received the life of Christ body while upon earth as the apostles did upon Christ glorification some two thousand's years ago. Hence, without doubt they are indwelt with life, eternal life, thus, they have eternal life indwelling them, Christ life.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

This hope is living in Christ it has never not been in existence since Christ glorification, we may have just discovered it, or have been a long time with it, but let none be fooled, it is not new light, it is the light that we have came into.

Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;

2 Timothy 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

***Matt. 16:28 Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."

Here Christian's are faced with a really problem because many of religion today would have them believe this is yet to be fulfilled, Christ coming in his Kingdom? Thus, making those standing there hearing Christ words some two thousand's years old. What creditable person is going to believe such none sense?

Col. 2:6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, 2:7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ. 2:9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,

Christ received his Kingdom upon his resurrection it that clear and that simple if you believe the written word of God the bible? Those in the upper room received Christ Kingdom also, how? By adoption through the Holy Spirit pour out upon them in flames of fire. Could there had been a more dramatic proof Christ was ruling?

Act. 2:1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2:2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 2:4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.

But there is more, now the apostles were born again, they had been given a new spirit, heart, and mind. They now understood the deep things of Christ, and were lift up into the Kingdom of Christ seated with him in spirit. Now they had the word of God written into their hearts, by the Holy Spirit and they needed no one to teach them by their anointing. Subsequently, they were son's of the living God, while on earth!

Titus 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

They had become the temple of God, and would be made rulers in Christ Kingdom upon their death in the flesh on earth. Was this a little event? In no way was this a little happening, the physical temple at Jerusalem was rejected after thousands of years of it representing God upon earth, now the new creation, the son's of God represented the one true place of worship of God on earth. Furthermore, the law of God was removed, fulfilled replacing it with a new covenant by faith. No longer would innocent animal life's blood need to be pour out daily at the temple, Christ had provide the one time precious blood of the pass-over lamb for those having faith.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?"{Psalm 2:7} and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"{2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13} 1:6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."
1:7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."{Psalm 104:4}

Here we have earth shattering events, all with in days of Christ being murder. Nothing like it has ever occurred on earth before, or after these most striking event in heaven or earth. The Jewish world, there heavens and earth was removed replaced by Christ Jesus righteousness in a new heavens and a new earth, how? By removing the old covenant and replacing it with the new covenant.

Heb.12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels, 12:23 to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 12:24 to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,{Jeremiah 31:31} and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. 12:25 See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, 12:26 whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens."{Haggai 2:6}
12:27 This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.{Deuteronomy 4:24}

Those of the flesh, like the Jews are still looking for a bigger event, missed the truth by faith. No! God is not about sight worship of the fleshly mind as are so many Christian's whom down playing these awesome events because it not all about them in their times. No! God is about everlasting life through worship of Spirit and truth, where truth and love are found in the hearts of men. Where new personalities are created according to Christ righteousness, and people live by a new law, invisible to the eyes of the flesh, foolish to the eyes of the flesh, but eternal never failing by the power of God, love!

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Colossians 1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Completed on: December 09, 2014

by: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus