ROMANS 8:1

For the UNSAVED person, there are consequences of breaking the LAWS of God and this brings a CURSE over your life. But through repentance, the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and any consequence of the curse once and for all.

How marvelous is our Lord and Saviour JESUS!

EPHESIANS 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

And this PRICE paid for our sins was paid ONCE and FOR ALL!

Some Christians use 2 Corinthians 12:7 as proof that God punishes “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure”

Nowhere in scripture does it say that ‘thorns in the flesh’ are sickness or disease. Thorns in the Bible refer to ‘personalities that harass you’. It’s a term similar to ‘That person is a pain in the neck’. In Numbers 33:55 the enemies of Israel were described as ‘thorns’. ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell’

Let the Bible interpret itself. Paul himself called the ‘thorn’ a ‘messenger of satan’. It was clear reference to an evil personality who was harassing Paul probably through gossip, false accusations and ill intent.

Paul continued to preach and teach the Gospel and what did JESUS say to Paul – ‘JUST BE COOL PAUL MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU’.

Paul did not suffer from sickness or disease as a form of being punished. Hw was so anointed that even is handkerchief healed people.

SO STOP THINKING THAT GOD IS PUNISHING YOU!

God is not angry or mad at you or out to teach you a listen and any sickness, disease or oppression is an opportunity for JESUS to be glorified!

SPIRITUAL FLU-SHOT!

Sickness is not a punishment from God but an opportunity for you to be HEALED in Jesus Name! Sickness can come from not being SENSIBLE! Looking after your BODY. Not defiling it with TOXIC FOOD, SUBSTANCES or BEHAVIOR. Sickness is also a glimpse and symptom of the CURSE but we are not under any CURSE and therefore we can RESIST SICKNESS and BE HEALED in JESUS NAME!

EXODUS 23:25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will TAKE SICKNESS AWAY from the midst of you”

ISAIAH 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

1 PETER 2:24 “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

JAMES 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

In the Name of Jesus Christ, I declare your bodies to be made whole and that you walk in divine health. I bind any work of the devil from afflicting your body, mind, or emotions and declare you to be completely made whole by the Body & Blood of Jesus. I declare God’s Word over your lives…

PSALM 91:9-11 “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.”

I declare this in the House of the Lord in the Precious Name of Jesus Christ.

LUKE 8:38-43 “

Clearly Jesus wants his disciples to find REST in Him and the only way He can do this is to create a New Covenant with ‘Better Promises’ Hebrews 8:6 ‘But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.’ A NEW COVENANT WITH BETTER PROMISES NOT COMMANDMENTS

Our sins are forgiven once and for all. Our righteousness comes from Jesus. Our holiness comes from Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives and abides in us leading us. We have eternal life in Jesus.

We are JUSTIFIED, SANCTIFIED AND GLORIFIED all because of JESUS and His Grace.

A scripture that is often misunderstood is PHILIPPIANS 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

‘Work OUT’ not work ‘FOR’ your salvation – EPHESIANS 2:8-9 ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.’

Now that I am saved it’s up to me to outwork my salvation with reverence and seriousness. Now it’s up to me to study God’s Word and see what it says about how I should be living my life but as a Christian living in the New Covenant I am going to take hold of the New Testament and if I read the Old Testament I will read it by seeing Jesus fulfilled in it.

Grace does not excuse us from GROWING and SERVING THE LORD but it does empower us to know that we can do it from a position of REST knowing that I’m OK with God.

HERE ARE 2 WAYS IN WHICH GRACE CHANGES YOU.

1. GRACE CHANGES YOU BY BEHOLDING JESUS – 2 CORINTHIANS 3:14-18

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains un-lifted in the reading of the Old Testament because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (Freedom) 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.

What I look at is transforming me. The mirror of the Law reflects my sins which leads to condemnation and more sin. The mirror of Grace/JESUS reflects Jesus which causes me to be changed like Him. What are you looking at? Christ is changing me as I look to Jesus, not to myself. You can not know God by looking at the Law but you will know God by looking at Jesus. Don’t study the Bible just to know the Bible, study it to know Jesus.

2. GRACE CHANGES YOU BY DELIGHTING YOURSELF IN THE LORD – PSALM 37:4

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Delight in the Hebrew is HAPPY RESPONSE Give in the Hebrew is MAKE A CHANGE. In other words, when I have a HAPPY RESPONSE towards Jesus the desires of my heart are going to be CHANGED.

How do you respond to prayer, bible study, worship, serving, church, tithing, etc A HAPPY RESPONSE will cause CHANGE in me. Ultimately CHANGE is a result of JESUS! REVELATION 22:13 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ PHILIPPIANS 1:6 ‘That He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’

1. LOVE FOR GOD
A deep abiding love for God is one of the supreme evidence of genuine saving faith.
Romans 8:7 ‘The carnal mind is enmity (hostile, hatred) against God”
Matthew 10:37-39

What you love is what you make time for.
Loving God is represented most fully by obeying God’s Word.

2. REPENTANCE FROM SIN
Repentance means a complete change of mind.
Repentance of sin causes hatred of it.

3. GENUINE HUMILITY
A humble spirit that seeks to win the favor of God and man.
Proverbs 16:18 ‘Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall’.
James 4:6 ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’.
Luke 15:11-24 – The Prodigal son.
Humility is not passive, it’s a confidence in knowing God is greater.

4. DEVOTION TO GOD’S GLORY
The top 3 conditions point to a life that is devoted to God glory.
Doing well in life, moral standards and choices.
It’s not perfection in ones life but the direction of a life that provides evidence of faith.

5. CONTINUAL PRAYER
Humble, submissive, believing prayer is a mark of true faith.
Reliance on God, being God dependant.
The Lord’s Prayer is a model of daily communication and dependence with God.

6. SELFLESS LOVE
Jesus said we will know that we are His disciples by our love for each other.
1 John 3:14 ‘We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death’.
Taking the fall for someone else, covering love.
Pastoring involves raising others to fulfill the purposes of God.

7. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
We are different by our behaviour to the pressure of this world.
We know how to say ‘NO’!
True believers are not ruled by worldly affections but their affection is for the kingdom.
1 John 2:15 ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him’

8. SPIRITUAL GROWTH
True believers grow and this growth occurs by regular examination.
Philippians 1:6 ‘Being confident, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it’.
Out of the High Chair, out of the Easy Chair into the Modern Swivel Chair.

9. OBEDIENCE
Obedient living is not an option but the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven.
John 15:1-8 ‘Every branch that abides in Him bears fruit’.
Obedience says ‘Yes Lord’ and obedience ‘Chooses Life’.

To despise means to “look down upon, revile, sneer at, to be angry with hidden deceit”. Most people look at the Bible and say that it is nothing more than a book of stories, myths, and legends. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches us that the Word of God was divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” 2 Timothy 3:16

We despise God’s Word when we fail to “trust” in His Word. I mentioned at Church last Sunday that TRUST is a major element in our walk with the Lord. When you really trust someone it involves our entire being placing confidence in the other person. There is a peace that comes from trust! The only way that trust is developed is by spending time with people. Knowing the person, sharing, and enjoying each other’s company. Understanding their aspirations, dreams, and problems. It’s exactly the same with the Lord. Trust and confidence come by having an intimate relationship with God.

I have grown in my relationship with the Lord and I trust Him and His Word. The study of God’s Word is essential for all Christians if they want to be equipped in this life for abundant living. One again the Bible tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, For reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16

Notice what the above scripture says,

For DOCTRINE – teachings relating to a particular subject, articles of faith, gospel, ideology.
For REPROOF – expression of censure, rebuke, challenge, accountable.
For CORRECTION – to set right, remove errors and faults, edify, to make accurate.
For INSTRUCTION – edification, education, training, tuition, order, or directive.
Thoroughly EQUIPPED – to furnish or pride with whatever is needed, fix, accommodate.

This year we will be conducting a Bible College specifically designed to enhance your spiritual walk with the Lord by growing in the knowledge of His Word. Nine electives covering the entire Word of God, providing an excellent overview of its purpose, meaning and application in our day to day living. What a marvelous opportunity this is to learn about God’s Divine Word.

“My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6

Consider the above scripture and notice that it say’s “God’s people” are being destroyed because they do not know what their inheritance is. You have an inheritance that was given to you 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s Cross and Resurrected three days later to overcome sin and death. Your inheritance from God IS YOURS! To know what God has left you here on earth you will have to go to the last will and testament of Jesus Christ which is the Holy Bible and there you will discover the great and precious promises that God has for you.

As God’s chosen people we have been given everything we need to succeed and live in victory. A life of peace, blessing, prosperity, health and Praise God we live in such a wonderful nation that is free to embrace Christian values.

What are the “works” of the devil? Take a good look at the world. Sickness. Poverty. Death. These are just a few.

“The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy” –  John 10:10

How much longer will you allow satan to continue to rob you of your blessed life here on earth. I say blessed because it is blessed when we discover Jesus Christ and begin a life that honors God.

Satan’s power was ruined by Jesus Christ, God’s Son when He came to earth.

“Having disarmed principalities and powers He made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it”

When a person comes to Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit has access to remove satan’s hold or authority over you. Because of what Jesus Christ did on Calvary’s Cross the devil is now helpless. His only real weapon is deception and he is a master at deceiving people and making them think that they have no choice in life but to submit to life’s misery.

AS A CHRISTIAN SATAN DOES NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW YOUR NEW AUTHORITY IN CHRIST!

We are given Heavenly authority when we are “born-again”!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new”-  2 Corinthians 5:17

When we begin a relationship to follow Jesus Christ and God’s ways which are contained in His Holy Bible we must first leave the past behind! We must stop looking back and let God do a new thing in our lives. We have now been put on a new course with a new destiny and a better future but we must let God work it out for us by being obedient to His Word. It is here that we must develop trust and patience in allowing God to mold us and shape into who He wants us to be.

“Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it! I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” – Isaiah 43:18-19

7 Things happen when you are “Born-Again” Ephesians chapter 1 & 2

1. Receive spiritual blessings – verse 3
2. Become a child of God – verse 5
3. Forgiveness of sin – verse 7
4. His will/destiny revealed in our lives – verse 9
5. An inheritance – verse 11
6. His Holy Spirit – verse 13
7. Elevated out of darkness – 2 verse 6

We are given 3 areas of authority as a Christian!

SPIRIT – Over Satan’s powers of darkness.
SOUL – Over anxiety, fear and depression.
BODY – Sickness, disease and death.

It’s your spirit which is eternal and when you are “born-again” it is activated and comes alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the spirit-man which should lead us in life.

“Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” – Galatians 5:16

“Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nether less do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven” – Luke 10:19-20

Authority means – privilege, capacity, force, competency, mastery, freedom, power, and light. One Bible dictionary defines God-given authority as “superhuman power”.

In the above verse, Jesus used the image of serpents and scorpions but we find in the original Greek text some interesting meanings of those words.

Serpents – ophis – sly, cunning malicious persons
Scorpions – skopos – skeptical, pierce, attacking words & intents.
It’s in these above areas that satan does his best to attack and afflict God’s people. So it is here that we are to understand that we have authority.

“Therefore submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you”
James 4:7

If you want the devil to leave or his annoying demons then RESIST them! The Bible says that when you tell them to go they FLEE! Don’t let your unrenewed mind continue to convince you that you are still a slave to sin.

“Nor give place to the Devil” – Ephesians 4:27

Another area where we have authority is in the soul realm. The soul comprises of our mind, will & emotions.

“But we have the mind of Christ” – 1 Corinthians 2:16

The realm of the soul is held by God’s word. It is God’s Word that renews a person’s mind and brings healing. It’s the confession of God’s Word that enables us to have victory. Whatever things in the past have shaped your mind, will, and emotions they can all be healed and renewed by God’s Word. The renewal process takes time and it is here that many people give up or slip back into mental strongholds which have plagued a person for sometimes years. These strongholds when submitted to God can be broken and you can be freed mentally forever!

“But you have not so learned Christ if indeed you have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. That if you put off concerning your former conduct according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness” Ephesians 4:20-24

Study Philippians 4:4-9

The final area we have authority in is over our body! We have authority over sickness, disease, and death which the devil tries to afflict us with. I guess without good health then everything else is insignificant. I read recently in a newspaper article that 2 out of 3 Australian’s take some form of medication. That is an astounding statistic. I am sure that it’s the same elsewhere in the world. This truly reveals the state of mankind. “Man” is sick without God!

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Study Mark 16:15-18 – you will see here that we have authority over sickness by the laying on of our anointed hands and praying in the Name of Jesus Christ. It is God’s desire that we walk in health and prosperity, remember it is satan who comes to rob, kill, and destroy.

“Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” 3 John 1:2

Today you can make a quality decision to follow Jesus Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with awesome power. Use the Name of Jesus Christ and the Word of God as a weapon against the attacks of the devil and begin to subdue his kingdom here on earth. This battle will rage until the return of Jesus Christ when He will bind satan and cast him into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Remember, AS A CHRISTIAN YOU HAVE AUTHORITY…KNOW IT, UNDERSTAND IT, USE IT!

The whole idea that we can trust in an invisible God to meet our needs, direct our lives, guide our affairs is to some quite ridiculous.
Trust in God will bring a rest that only God can give. A lack of trust will always lead to compromise.

Compromise is dangerous because it settles for 2nd best, sometimes it causes sin but most of the time it betrays & restricts God in your life. Taking a wrong detour to get their quicker sometimes ends in disaster. Most people stop at red lights but many who are impatient will go through them to get to their destination quicker, this is at a huge risk!

TRUST – Belief, confidence, dependence, faith, the expectation on someone, or something to meet your needs wholly, completely, without fear of failure.

COMPROMISE – A settlement based on concessions. A happy medium. An agreement not based on the actual real need but based on what the person is prepared to do even if it means going against one’s real belief or true desire.

Once faith has been activated, trust must be applied
You can only trust what is right – God’s Word must be the base.

3 MAJOR AREAS WHERE TRUST IS VITAL

1. MY FUTURE – Isaiah 55:8, Proverbs 22:4

When I got saved I made a decision to move into My Pastor’s home for a season. This was a major culture shock but I trusted God had a purpose. I took a path – a major decision was taken which affected my future. Text: Daniel 3:8-25

2. MY LOVE LIFE – Genesis 2:18, 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

It’s not surprising with so many divorces in Australia, approx 1,000 per week that many people jump into wrong relationships because they fail to trust God. After I was saved I had to make another decision and that was to trust God. I dealt with the idea of compromise this meant dealing with the idea of being alone. A season to focus and renew my thinking about life & relationships. In God’s plan, it was essential that I meet Lissa, my wife!

3. MY FINANCES – Isaiah 48:17, Malachi 3

This was easy because when I got saved I had nothing. I discovered the principle of tithing and giving. Many who find it hard to give also find it hard to trust.  2 Kings 4:1-7

Conclusion.

When we live with trust we will also live in a rest that only God can give.

Faith or fear it’s your decision. God did not design man to live in fear. We were designed to live in a state of Faith. Faith is “Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Word (Jesus Christ).” Worry is putting question marks where God has put full-stops. Worry is a form of atheism, for it betrays a lack of faith in a miraculous God.

Ulcers & Tumors and Abscesses
Stress and worry break us down. They are the unseen source of our headaches, backaches, heartaches, and bellyaches. They produce everything from obesity to obscenity, from constipation to diarrhea and from impatience to impotence. They give us knotted stomachs, sleepless nights, high blood pressure, low morale. They make our tempers short and our days long. They cause indigestion, irritation, chest- pain, and muscle strain.

You don’t get stomach ulcers from what you eat, said one doctor, you get ulcers from what’s eating you! Those who are extremely anxious say’s John Calvin himself prone to anxiety said, “wear themselves out and become their own executioners”. Epictetus, the great stoic philosopher warned that we ought to be more concerned about removing wrong thoughts from the mind than about removing tumors and abscesses from the body”.

Faith is important because it is how we receive from God.

Equally fear is important because it is how we receive from the Devil.

Receiving or “lambano” means to take! We have to “take” the promises of God and not just wait for them to for into our lives.

Romans 10:8:
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. This is a spiritual law that cannot be violated!

Thinking + Believing + Confessing = Life!

THINKING – the ability to reason, consider, judge, recall, reflect with thought. Proverbs 23:7 “For as He thinks in his heart so is he” Our thoughts determine our nature. How we perceive ourselves. The mental picture of ourselves and our future. Our may have to be renewed. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” What should we meditate on? Philippians 4:8 “Finally brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things”.

BELIEVING – To take as true, real, confidence in facts presented. If you think on something long enough you may start to believe it. Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believes every word but the prudent considers well his steps”. Be careful what you think you may start believing it. Is it fact or truth! What we are to believe – John 3:16, 5:24, 6:40, 7:38, Romans 1:16, 1 John 5:5, 1 John 5:13.

CONFESSING – To admit, tell, admission of thought or belief. Proverbs 6:2 “You are snared by the words of your mouth, you are taken by the words of your mouth”. Be careful what you believe you may start confessing it. What the Bible say’s about words – Proverbs 12:14, 12:18, 15:4, 18:21, 21:23.

We must make God our hope in the way of duty and then we shall have a comfortable subsistence in this world, v. 3. (1.) It is required that we trust in the Lord and do good, that we confide in God and conform to him. The life of religion lies much in a believing reliance on God, his favour, his providence, his promise, his grace, and a diligent care to serve him and our generation, according to his will.

DO NOT FRET. verse 1. This is a command not to be overly concerned about the world and those who appear to be doing well. If we measure ourselves to people doing well we will always get disappointed. It’s God’s Word that determines our self worth. You are special to God, be happy in who you are. If you are not happy then make positive changes that will bring you to the place you want to be. Read Matthew 6:31

TRUST. verse 3. Confidence in God comes from a deep relationship with Him and then acting on His Word. So many people are bound in life with fear and anxiety because they have still failed to develop a relationship with the Lord. People who lack trust in God are often people who still have their trust and confidence in themselves or what they possess. People of faith are people who know how to trust God in everything. Read Proverbs 3:5

DELIGHTS. verse 4. This is a major Key to Blessing. Trust is developed when we truly delight to be in God’s presence. When Church becomes something you look forward to. When Bible study and prayer are something you are eager to be involved in. You can not fake this desire. It’s easy to pick out religious addicts and those who truly beam with God’s presence in their lives. Most of the time your big-mouth usually gives you away. You see out of the heart flow the issues of life. If your mind dwells on the things of God then a joy will come, if it’s self, then self comes out in constant, never ending winging. Read Jeremiah 22:21-28

COMMIT. verse 5. Seek out God’s will and Plan for you life then bring it to God in prayer. Prayer is such a powerful tool. Praying in the Spirit is something that only born-again, covenant people can do with God. It’s a special gift and it brings tremendous results. It builds us up – Jude 20 Read Philippians 4:6

REST. verse 7. This links with verse 1, Allow God to move in your situation. Don’t be quick to act in haste just because your prayers are not answered immediately. God has a perfect timing for everyone’s life. Christianity is all about resting in God. If your life as a Christian is still consumed with fear and anxiety then something is wrong! And it’s not God! This shows a lifestyle that is out of order with God’s Word and the result is confusion and heartache. Repentance and longing to do things right is your only answer. Choose life! Read Proverbs 14:33

CEASE FROM ANGER. Verse 8. If there is fretting and a lack of rest then inevitably it will lead to anger and bitterness. This ugly root will ultimately destroy your life manifesting itself with broken relationships all around. There are people who carry around anger and bitterness all their lives. The truth is that they are angry with themselves. Frustrated and even jealous that they are not walking in the same blessing as others. It’s easy to point the finger but have a good hard look at yourself first. No one like’s to be around angry grumps. Get over it! Turn your righteous anger into something positive that will bring blessing instead of a curse. Anyway, aren’t you tired of being angro all the time? Read Ephesians 4:26

WAIT. verse 9. Waiting on God is something most people never do. I guess this comes from the society we now live in. An instant, fast, give it to me now society but the Bible say’s that wisdom, strength and understanding comes from waiting on God. Being patient and allowing God to work things out for us is the best way to live successfully. Remember a wise man once said, “a key to life is minimizing your mistakes”. Read Isaiah 40:31

Do not Fret, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Cease from anger, Wait – 7 Keys to life!

With Love

GARY COSTELLO
Senior Pastor