Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Good evening and happy Passover, let us hear the Word of God. Let the peace, grace, and joy of God be in the midst of us abundantly.
Revelation 1: 13-16 = the appearance of Jesus Himself in four real manifestations (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, February 3, 2014):
Tonight, we still discuss the fourth part, namely JESUS APPEARS IN HIS GLORY AS THE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM.
The head= the husband. The body= the wife. The head cannot be separated with the body forever. If we only know Jesus as the Savior and the Physician, we can be separated from Him. But if we know Jesus as the Head (the Heavenly Bridegroom) and we become as the body (the Heavenly bride), we will never be separated from Him forever.
Revelation 1: 16
1: 16. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance waslike the sun shining in its strength.
The signs of Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom are as follows.
Tonight as the Passover news we discuss the third sign, that is His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength.
His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength = His countenance is shining in the light of glory (Shekinah Glory).
The Tabernacle is the kingdom of Heaven seen by Moses. In the past, God commanded Moses to make the kingdom of Heaven in the earth. It was the Tabernacle (Exodus 25).
In the past, once a year Aaron, as the High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place (the last place in Tabernacle) by bringing blood and incense. After he sprinkled the blood for two times seven sprinkles, the Shekinah Glory happened.
It is the light of glory on Jesus’ countenance.
2 Corinthians 3: 17-18
3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there isliberty.
3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
If we see the countenance of Jesus that shines the light of glory, we as the flesh man will experience life renewal to the spiritual one as Jesus. The flesh man will be renewed from glory to glory into the same glory as Him ('being transformed into the same image').
The greater the glory is, the smaller the flesh man will be.
The light of glory has relation with the resurrection of God. When He was raised, there was the light of glory. When Jesus was raised and the tomb was empty, the women saw angels in glory.
The power of resurrection is the light of glory that is illuminated by God to the disciples, so they experience life renewal from flesh men to spiritual ones as glorious as Jesus.
One of Jesus’ disciples who experience His resurrection power is Thomas.
John 20: 20 talks about the resurrection of Jesus (the light of glory).
John 20: 24-31 talks about Jesus’ appearance to Thomas, or the light of glory illuminates Thomas.
John 20: 24-25,27-29
20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
20:27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,and put itinto My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed arethose who have not seen and yethave believed.”
= the resurrection power or the light of glory ERASES THE UNBELIEF. Thomas is a disciple, but he still unbelieves (he has no faith).
God is correcting the faith of Thomas. Faith means believing Jesus. The faith of Thomas is faith because of seeingphysical signs. It equals to not believing and having faith.
For example isbelieving Jesus because of seeing a sick person is healed. But when seeing the sick person is dead, he starts to grumble.
The characteristics of faith because of seeing physical signs are as follows.
Faith because of seeing is actually not a faith (unbelief). In Hebrews, it is said “faith comes not from seeing”.
John 20: 24
20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
At that time, the disciples gathered when Jesus came (the true fellowship), but Thomas was not there.
The practice of faith because of seeingis unwillingness to enter the true fellowship.
The true fellowshipis the fellowship that prioritizes Jesus (presents the revelation of the true teaching Word). It also directs to the building of the perfect body of Christ (the Heavenly bride).
Isaiah 30: 1-3
30:1. “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but notof My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
30:2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
30:3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be yourhumiliation.
On the contrary, Thomas likes to join the fellowship with Egypt. It refers tothe fellowship that shows earthly matters (money, position, celebrity, et cetera). It is a fellowhip withoutthe true teaching Word (without Jesus) and without the revelation of the Word.
Tonight, God is correcting about FAITH. In celebrating the resurrection of God, let the power of resurrection or the light of glory illuminate us, so our faith does not become as Thomas’, but we have the true faith.
If one enters a fellowship that only shows flesh matter, the consequence is the sins will increase up to the peak of sins (sins concerning eating-drinking and marrying-being given in marriage). He will enter the building of the body of Babylon or the bride of Satan that will be destroyed forever.
The peak of sinsis as follows.
Faith decides which fellowship we choose. Flesh man (faith because of seeing) will have fellowship that directs to flesh matters.
The fellowship of the body of Christ involves the things as follows.
Although Thomas is an apostle, he is a flesh man who has faith because of seeing flesh matters. Therefore, Thomas needs to get the light of glory or the resurrection power, so he experiences life renewal from flesh man to spiritual one as Jesus who has the true faith.
Likewise, we will be renewed tonight. The resurrection power illuminates us, so there is life renewalfrom flesh man whose faith is because of seeing, to spiritual one as glorious as Jesus (having the true faith).
Romans 10: 17
10:17 So then faith comesby hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The true faithis the faith that comes by hearing(not seeing) the Word of God that is anointed by Holy Spirit.
Let the preaching of the Word be anointed by Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must be serious during the prayer for opening the service and before the preaching of the Word (do not walk in and out the church).
The prayer before the preaching of the Wordis the one to cast out Satan. The example isin Matthew 4about Jesus who is tempted three times. At last, Jesus is asked to worship Satan. But Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan”. For now, Satan cannot be destroyed (it is not the time yet), but he can be cast out. In the opening prayer we must cast out Satan, because he is everywhere (where there is air, there is Satan). If Satan has been cast out, we can ask for Holy Spirit to anoint us. Satan and Holy Spirit cannot unite.
John 14: 26
14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembranceall things that I said to you.
Holy Spirit is unlimited spirit (it cannot be limited by age, social status, diploma, time). Holy Spirit is able to teach the Word of God and make us
Thus, Holy Spirit helps us. A child who understands nothing will be able to eat the Word if there is anointing of Holy Spirit.
If the faith is true and we understand until practice the Word, the results are as follows.
If tonight we receive the light of glory (the power of Passover) so our faith is renewed to the true one, we will experience miracle from God.
The miracles that we will experience are as follows.
When we are in failures, problems, and impossibilities, do not be desperate!If they happened because of our mistakes, we must ask for forgiveness. We must remember the Passover’s tidings. God lets this happen so we can experience miracles.
Do not live from something from this world, but we must live in the merciful hands of God. The Holy Communion tonightis the greatest grace of God and let it make miracles in the midst of us.
God blesses us.
Revelation 1: 13-16 = the appearance of Jesus Himself in four real manifestations (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, February 3, 2014):
- Revelation 1: 13= Jesus appears in His glory as The High Priest, being clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, February 3, 2014).
- Revelation 1: 14= Jesus appears in His glory as The King of all kings, whose head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, February 23, 2014).
- Revelation 1: 15= Jesus appears in His glory as The Just Judge, whose feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, March 17, 2014).
- Revelation 1: 16= Jesus appears in His glory as The Heavenly Bridegroom, the peak. We will never be separated from Him, but we are with Him forever. (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, March 30, 2014).
Tonight, we still discuss the fourth part, namely JESUS APPEARS IN HIS GLORY AS THE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM.
The head= the husband. The body= the wife. The head cannot be separated with the body forever. If we only know Jesus as the Savior and the Physician, we can be separated from Him. But if we know Jesus as the Head (the Heavenly Bridegroom) and we become as the body (the Heavenly bride), we will never be separated from Him forever.
Revelation 1: 16
1: 16. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance waslike the sun shining in its strength.
The signs of Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom are as follows.
- He had in His right hand seven stars (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, March 30, 2014),
- Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, April 06, 2014).
What proceeds from the mouth of God refers to spiritual food.
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
“Man shall not live by breadalone”. Bread is made from wheat, that is included in the genus of grass in this world.
A sharp two-edged sword refers to the true teaching Word.
The true teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword must become our spiritual food (solid food), until we are mature and perfect spiritually. - His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
Tonight as the Passover news we discuss the third sign, that is His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength.
His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength = His countenance is shining in the light of glory (Shekinah Glory).
The Tabernacle is the kingdom of Heaven seen by Moses. In the past, God commanded Moses to make the kingdom of Heaven in the earth. It was the Tabernacle (Exodus 25).
In the past, once a year Aaron, as the High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place (the last place in Tabernacle) by bringing blood and incense. After he sprinkled the blood for two times seven sprinkles, the Shekinah Glory happened.
It is the light of glory on Jesus’ countenance.
2 Corinthians 3: 17-18
3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there isliberty.
3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
If we see the countenance of Jesus that shines the light of glory, we as the flesh man will experience life renewal to the spiritual one as Jesus. The flesh man will be renewed from glory to glory into the same glory as Him ('being transformed into the same image').
The greater the glory is, the smaller the flesh man will be.
The light of glory has relation with the resurrection of God. When He was raised, there was the light of glory. When Jesus was raised and the tomb was empty, the women saw angels in glory.
The power of resurrection is the light of glory that is illuminated by God to the disciples, so they experience life renewal from flesh men to spiritual ones as glorious as Jesus.
One of Jesus’ disciples who experience His resurrection power is Thomas.
John 20: 20 talks about the resurrection of Jesus (the light of glory).
John 20: 24-31 talks about Jesus’ appearance to Thomas, or the light of glory illuminates Thomas.
John 20: 24-25,27-29
20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
20:27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,and put itinto My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed arethose who have not seen and yethave believed.”
= the resurrection power or the light of glory ERASES THE UNBELIEF. Thomas is a disciple, but he still unbelieves (he has no faith).
God is correcting the faith of Thomas. Faith means believing Jesus. The faith of Thomas is faith because of seeingphysical signs. It equals to not believing and having faith.
For example isbelieving Jesus because of seeing a sick person is healed. But when seeing the sick person is dead, he starts to grumble.
The characteristics of faith because of seeing physical signs are as follows.
- Being unhappy. God says “Blessedarethose who have not seen and yethave believed."One who believes after seeing physical sign is unhappy.
- Easily being wavered and deceived.
Revelation 13: 13-14
13:13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
13:14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signswhich he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
In the last days, antichrist and false prophet will perform great signs (“makes fire come down from heaven”). If the faith of the servants of God is because of seeing physical signs, they will be wavered, deceived, and then worship antichrist. - Faith from one side.
John 2: 23-24
2:23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
2:24 But Jesus did not commit Himselfto them, because He knew all men,
Faith from one side means we believe Jesus, but He does not commit Himself to us. This kind of faith is a fragile faith. It cannot endure temptation, even it will deny God.
It is like we stretch out our hands to God, but He does not stretch out His hands to us.
Faith is the foundation.If the foundation is fragile, a bigger building will easily collapse. The damage will be severe and cannot be repaired.
Faith because of seeing is actually not a faith (unbelief). In Hebrews, it is said “faith comes not from seeing”.
John 20: 24
20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
At that time, the disciples gathered when Jesus came (the true fellowship), but Thomas was not there.
The practice of faith because of seeingis unwillingness to enter the true fellowship.
The true fellowshipis the fellowship that prioritizes Jesus (presents the revelation of the true teaching Word). It also directs to the building of the perfect body of Christ (the Heavenly bride).
Isaiah 30: 1-3
30:1. “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but notof My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
30:2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
30:3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be yourhumiliation.
On the contrary, Thomas likes to join the fellowship with Egypt. It refers tothe fellowship that shows earthly matters (money, position, celebrity, et cetera). It is a fellowhip withoutthe true teaching Word (without Jesus) and without the revelation of the Word.
Tonight, God is correcting about FAITH. In celebrating the resurrection of God, let the power of resurrection or the light of glory illuminate us, so our faith does not become as Thomas’, but we have the true faith.
If one enters a fellowship that only shows flesh matter, the consequence is the sins will increase up to the peak of sins (sins concerning eating-drinking and marrying-being given in marriage). He will enter the building of the body of Babylon or the bride of Satan that will be destroyed forever.
The peak of sinsis as follows.
- Sins concerning eating-drinking = smoking, getting drunk, consuming drugs.
- Sins concerning marrying-being given in marriage = sexuality sin with all its variety, including wrong marriage.
Faith decides which fellowship we choose. Flesh man (faith because of seeing) will have fellowship that directs to flesh matters.
The fellowship of the body of Christ involves the things as follows.
- It is started from within a marriage. Pay attention to the direction of our marriage!If it only cares about physical matters, not Jesus or the teaching Word, it will direct to the Babylon.
- The shepherding. If a shepherding only cares about physical matters (human figure, money, position, et cetera) without the teaching Word, it will direct to the Babylon.
Although Thomas is an apostle, he is a flesh man who has faith because of seeing flesh matters. Therefore, Thomas needs to get the light of glory or the resurrection power, so he experiences life renewal from flesh man to spiritual one as Jesus who has the true faith.
Likewise, we will be renewed tonight. The resurrection power illuminates us, so there is life renewalfrom flesh man whose faith is because of seeing, to spiritual one as glorious as Jesus (having the true faith).
Romans 10: 17
10:17 So then faith comesby hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The true faithis the faith that comes by hearing(not seeing) the Word of God that is anointed by Holy Spirit.
Let the preaching of the Word be anointed by Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must be serious during the prayer for opening the service and before the preaching of the Word (do not walk in and out the church).
The prayer before the preaching of the Wordis the one to cast out Satan. The example isin Matthew 4about Jesus who is tempted three times. At last, Jesus is asked to worship Satan. But Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan”. For now, Satan cannot be destroyed (it is not the time yet), but he can be cast out. In the opening prayer we must cast out Satan, because he is everywhere (where there is air, there is Satan). If Satan has been cast out, we can ask for Holy Spirit to anoint us. Satan and Holy Spirit cannot unite.
John 14: 26
14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembranceall things that I said to you.
Holy Spirit is unlimited spirit (it cannot be limited by age, social status, diploma, time). Holy Spirit is able to teach the Word of God and make us
- understand the Word of God.
- believe and have faith to the Word of God = the Word becomes faith within our heart.
- practice the Word of God = the work of faith.
Thus, Holy Spirit helps us. A child who understands nothing will be able to eat the Word if there is anointing of Holy Spirit.
If the faith is true and we understand until practice the Word, the results are as follows.
- John 20: 30-31
20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
“that believing you may have life in His name” = the true faith.
The exampleof life with true faith until practicing the Word is as follows.- Abraham obeys God to leave his country (although he does not know where he will go, he has not seen it yet, but he hears and practices the Word).
- Abraham obeys God to slaughter His son. He only hears and practices the Word.
No matter how great a man is, he is only as Peter and the other disciples of Jesus. They try to catch fish all night with their smartness and experience, but they get nothing. When Jesus comes and says, “cast the net” on the shore, they obey Him. As the result, they catch fishes. Thus, the Word + faith = success. Casting the net on the shore is faith not because of seeing,but hearing the Word.
The proof of living by faithis being strong and of good courage (confident) in facing everything.
2 Corinthians 5: 7-8
5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Being strong and of good couragemeans not being desperate and disappointed, not leaving God, but keeping believing and hoping to Him, keeping holding fast the true teaching Word and only worshiping Him.
God looks for strong and of good courage people, not smart ones, et cetera, to be used in the great revival,that is the revival of Holy Spirit in the last days.
When Joshua was sent by God to bring the Israelites from the border of Canaan (the last point before Canaan), He only required “be strong and of good courage”.
Joshua 1: 6-7, 9, 18
1:6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God iswith you wherever you go.”
1:18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”
“that you may observeto do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you” = holding fast the true teaching Word (do not add, reduce, or change it) and obeying it.
It is mentioned “be strong and of good courage” four times.
Matthew 24: 3-5, 11, 24
24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will bethe sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceivesyou.
24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceivemany.
24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceivemany.
24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
“the elect” = people in the true teaching Word or Bride Tidings.
Why is it mentioned “be strong and of good courage” four times?- Because there are four timesdeceptions. Four times “be strong and of good courage” is to face four times deceptions.
We must be strong and of good courage in facing deceptions (false teaching) and temptations in the whole world. - Revelation 19: 1, 3-4, 6
19:1. After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belongto the Lord our God!
19:3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!”
19:4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”
19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
It is written four timesthe true worship("Alleluia!”). Four times “be strong and of good courage” is to face false worship.
We must be strong and of good courage to face false worship. Thus, we will not be deceived in false teaching and worship.
The word “Alleluia” is a simple word, but it is a clear separationbetween lives who will be lifted up on the glorious clouds and who will be left. The one who is lifted up will worship with “Alleluia” while the left one will only groan.
We must not differ any little in the true teaching Wordin the matter of marriage, faith,et cetera. Little difference(although only little difference with Holy Bible) is a clear and firm separationforever.
If we are strong and of good courage, the results are as follows.- Joshua is strong and of good courage, and he is used by God to bring the Israelites to Canaan. It means thata strong and of good courage life (not a smart or stupid or rich life) will be used by God in the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain, or the revival of building the perfect body of Christ.
- Canaan = the Kingdom of Heaven.
It means thatwe will be lifted up on the glorious clouds to be together with God forever, until we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Abraham obeys God to leave his country (although he does not know where he will go, he has not seen it yet, but he hears and practices the Word).
- John 20: 30
20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signsin the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
“many other signs” = miracle.
The second result is miracle happens.
There are 8 miracles in the Gospel of John.These miracles are divided into 4 groupsas follows.- First group:
- First miracle = John 2= the wedding in Cana. There is miracle from having no wine to having it.
- Eighth miracle = John 21= miracle from having no fish to having fishes.
- First miracle = John 2= the wedding in Cana. There is miracle from having no wine to having it.
- Second group:
- Second miracle = John 4= miracle of a nobleman’s son who almost dies is healed.
- Seventh miracle = John 11 = Lazarus who has died is raised.
- Second miracle = John 4= miracle of a nobleman’s son who almost dies is healed.
- Third group:
- Third miracle = the healing of a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda.
- Sixth miracle = a man born blind receives sight (John 9).
- Third miracle = the healing of a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda.
- Fourth group:
- Fourth miracle = Jesus feeds 5000 people (John 6).
- Fifth miracle = Jesus walks on the sea.
- Fourth miracle = Jesus feeds 5000 people (John 6).
Now, we are learning the eighth miracle.
John 21: 3-6,11
21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
21:4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
21:5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”They answered Him, “No.”
21:6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
21:11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
God lets the disciples(us)catch nothing(experiencing total failure, sickness, facing temptations, et cetera), so they can experience miracle(it is not to destroy them).
How can miracle happen?If we experience failure, temptation, et cetera, it is the biggest chancesto hear and receive the true teaching Word (the Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword). It means as follows.- The Word that sanctifies our feeling.
verse 5= 'Children, have you any food?'. It is a sharp Word of Godbecause they had tried all night to catch fish but they got nothing. Jesus asked after their failure. It means the sword of the Word sanctifies our feeling.
If the feeling has been sanctified by the sword of the Word, the result is honesty(confessing our failures). It is as the answer of the disciples when they are asked “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him,“No”. - The Word that sanctifies our mind.
The disciples had tried all night to catch fish in deeper sea, but they caught nothing. The time and place to catch fish are correct according to their experience.
verse 6= "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." God told them to cast the net in the morning on the shore (the time and place to catch fish are incorrect). It is the sanctification of mind or logic.
Frequently, the Word of God is impossible and does not agree with our mind. If our mind has been sanctified, we can be obedientto the impossible Word. It equals to having THE MIND OF FAITHor the mind of the Word.
If we are obedient, the result iswe will receive the power to erase impossibilities.Because Peter and the other disciples were obedient to cast the net, they caught fishes ("So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish”). On verse 7, they caught “one hundred and fifty-three” fishes.
Do not feel smarter than the Word (than God)!If we think that we are smarter than the Word, we will never experience miracle.
153 fishes. 1 + 5 + 3 = 9. Figure 9refers to the grace. The mercy of God is greater than everything. It never ends and it is always new.
If we listen to the Word until we obey it, we live in the merciful hands of God and we will experience spiritual and physical miracles (our steps are the steps of miracle).
The proof of living in the merciful hands of God is our steps are the steps of miracle.
Whatever happens in our life (failure, badness, et cetera), we must not be desperate and disappointed!
- First group:
If tonight we receive the light of glory (the power of Passover) so our faith is renewed to the true one, we will experience miracle from God.
The miracles that we will experience are as follows.
- Physical miracles:
- Having fishes from catching no fish. It is miracle to careour life.
- Making possible the impossibilities. It is miracle to helpor solve all our problems (finance, health, et cetera).
- Changing failures to success and beautyin His time.
- Having fishes from catching no fish. It is miracle to careour life.
- Spiritual miracleis the greatest miracle, that is life renewalfrom flesh man to spiritual one as glorious as Jesus. We have nine fruits of the Spirit.
Changing = bearing fruits.
Galatians 5: 22-23
5:22 But the fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Nine fruits of the Spirit are divided into three groups as follows.- “love, joy, peace” are the characters of Father God, or the image of Father God.
- “longsuffering, kindness, goodness” are the characters of the Son of God (Jesus), or the image of the Son of God.
- “faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” are the characters of Holy Spirit God, or the image of Holy Spirit God.
It means thatwe return to the image and pattern of God the Trinity.
In the past, men were created according to the image and pattern of God the Trinity. But they were harmed by sins, so they lost the image of God the Trinity and were naked.
Through the resurrection of Jesus, He returns us to the image and pattern of God the Trinity (to the glory of God). We become the bride who is ready to welcome Jesus’ second coming on the glorious clouds. It is the last Passover, when we leave the world to welcome His second coming and we are together with Him forever. - “love, joy, peace” are the characters of Father God, or the image of Father God.
When we are in failures, problems, and impossibilities, do not be desperate!If they happened because of our mistakes, we must ask for forgiveness. We must remember the Passover’s tidings. God lets this happen so we can experience miracles.
Do not live from something from this world, but we must live in the merciful hands of God. The Holy Communion tonightis the greatest grace of God and let it make miracles in the midst of us.
God blesses us.