Jamie Pantastico - Rightly Dividing Scripture: Israel, Church, Bible Prophecy

Biblical Hope: New Testament Hope Contains No Uncertainty

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 26, 2020 | Devotionals | 0 comments

Words and language are crucial to understanding meaning and when it comes to the word hope in Scripture it is crucially important to know its meaning

Unlike the common everyday English usage of the word HOPE, the Biblical, New Testament meaning contains zero uncertainty; instead is a promise of something not yet realized. It’s going to happen!

For example, no matter what tremendous trials and tribulations believers face we have hope that no matter what may happen to us even in death we are destined to spend eternity with the Lord. And this hope can not disappoint us, because this hope is defined by God Himself, in that, God the Father sent His only Son Jesus Christ, to die in our place, to pay for our sins, and was buried and raised from the dead three days later, the gospel. God has promised those who believe this gospel by faith alone; to have the HOPE of spending eternity with God.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

We have crystal clear promises from God through His Word. Without His Word, believers have no basis for hope but our faith is documented. Get into your Bible and study don’t just read it, study it.

‘For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ‘

Romans 15:4

New Testament Hope is a certainty of a promise not yet realized.

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Prayers for all…

In Christ.

Jamie Pantastico

Faith, Sine Qua Non

Fear and Panic are Irrational and In Complete Opposition to the Christian Life

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 22, 2020 | Devotionals | 0 comments

The CoronaVirus is no doubt deadly and should be taken seriously, but blood bought born again Christians are admonished NOT to panic, worry, complain or fear-monger!

We have No Reason to Fear

Why?

…He is risen…

The Power of the Resurrection

At the very core of Christianity and our faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The culmination of God’s plan of redemption is Christ being raised from the dead conquering death. And by His death, burial and resurrection Christ rendered Satan powerless against all who believe by faith alone in the gospel of grace.

So beloved, the reason Christians should have no fear is that death itself has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54). The spiritual bondage that Satan held over us which was sin, the law and death, has been broken because our faith in what Christ did on our behalf at the cross.

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:56-57

We have victory over sin, the law, Satan and death itself because as believers we identify with Christ death, burial and resurrection.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 6:5

So have no fear…He is risen…

‘But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid”, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ‘

Matthew 28:5

‘He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ‘

Matthew 28:6

Prayers for the body of Christ, for lost mankind and that gospel of grace, be proclaimed!

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Thank you,

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

Courage is Not the Opposite of Fear – The Opposite of Fear is Peace

by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 19, 2020 | Devotionals | 0 comments

Fear is the state you’re in as a result of being afraid. Being courageous is what you do in that state.

Therefore, the opposite of being in a state of fear isn’t being courageous, but being at peace!

The great news for Christians is that peace is something we already have the moment we believe the gospel. And it is in Whom and with Whom we have peace that gives us the courage (God’s Grace) we need to make it through the most difficult and darkest times in our lives.

Therefore, having been justified (just as you never sinned) by faith (believing the gospel), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 5:1

Fear is the biggest obstacle that holds believers back. Believers struggle with fear no differently than the unsaved world. We fear failure, rejection, being embarrassed, or disappointing or angering other people.

Fear is the state you’re in as the result of being afraid. The simple illustration below will help clarify “fear.”.

When you’re afraid, you are in a state of fear, like in the moments just before you’re called up to give a speech in front of a crowd of people. You’re in your seat, trembling to rehearse in your mind over and over the reasons you’re afraid, trying to justify that fear…

Your name is called, and you immediately stand and walk to the podium and begin. That’s courage. You’re still trembling; it’s evident in your voice, but you keep pushing forward despite the fear!

Fear is the state you’re in. Being Courageous is how you act in that state.

We ‘Were’ Enemies with God

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:7-8

Before a person enters into the knowledge of salvation, we are enemies of God, separated by sin with no relationship with the Creator God. We were ungodly. In Ephesians 2:1-3, the apostle Paul makes it graphically clear what our status was before our salvation.

And you He made alive, who were (before we believed) dead (lost, without God and hell bound) in trespasses and sins, in which you once (not now because of your faith) walked according to the course of this world (ungodly), according to the prince of the power of the air (prior to our salvation we were in Satan’s domain), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we (Paul is speaking to believers, the apostle Paul always writes to believers never to unbelievers), (and here it is, how we ALL were living prior to salvation) all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature (Adamic Nature) children of wrath (prior to salvation we were ALL diametrically opposed to everything God and the gospel), just as the others.

Ephesians 2:1-3

But Now…We Have Peace Because of the Cross

Romans 5:1c

….we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, because of our hearing the gospel and believing by faith alone that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected three days later, all this was done on our behalf. In our place to pay the price for our sins, we are now reconciled to God and have peace with God (2 Corinthians 5:18–19).

Because of Faith in the Gospel, We Have Peace With God – ‘We Now Have Access to the Source of All the Courage We Will Ever Need’

God’s Grace

It’s crucial to understand that because we are at peace with God, we have access to the source of all the courage we will ever need, which is the power of God’s grace appropriated by faith through our relationship with God the Son, Jesus Christ.

‘through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ‘

Romans 5:2

It Comes Down to Our Faith

One of the hardest things to do as a believer is to have faith that God is working in our lives and to not be afraid when trials and tribulations come our way. Finding the courage to get through tough situations is hard enough already, but when we feel that God isn’t there, fear becomes overwhelming!

What to do?

Always go back to His word and believe what God says: “What Saith the Scripture?”

Because our God is faithful even when we’re not.

Ultimately, we can overcome all persecution, trials, and tribulation with no fear because of Christ’s victory over the world at the cross.

Smile beloved and be full of joy because we have peace with the God of Glory!

John 16:33

‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’

II Timothy 2:13

‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.’

II Corinthians 12:9

‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘

Mark 4:39-40

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 43:1

“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”

Courage is not the opposite of fear. The opposite of fear is peace. For believers we have peace with God because of our faith in the gospel.

Christians’ Don’t Get to Pick and Choose Who We Forgive

by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 28, 2020 | Bible Doctrine | 0 comments

As Christians, we are to maintain a constant position of forgiveness and grace toward ALL mankind, saved and the unsaved. We don’t get to pick and choose who we forgive because Christ didn’t pick and choose who He died for.

‘who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ‘

Hebrews 1:3

‘By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.’

Hebrews 10:10

Christians are Admonished to Forgive Others

The content and context of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and the doctrines of grace clearly demonstrate that all who believe the gospel are forgiven of all their sins; past, present, and future. The fact that a believer has been forgiven of all their sins is the bases for Christians to do likewise and forgive others.

For example, in Colossians 3:13, Paul writes that we should be, ‘bearing with one another, and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.’

Also in Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Not Forgiving is the Antithesis of God’s Grace

When a believer is incapable of forgiving another they are not only in opposition to God’s grace. They are ignoring that it was the Creator God Himself that has forgiven them of all their sins when they didn’t deserve it.

They are placing themselves in the position of judge and jury. Taking Christ off the cross. Making the choice on their own not to forgive another for whatever reason they come up with to please their flesh. Because there is no Biblical support for Christians not to forgive people no matter who they are or what they may have done, saved or unsaved.

‘Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:4,10

Conclusion

God’s Word is definitive on the matter of believers forgiving others.

‘bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ‘

Colossians 3:13

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God

by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 25, 2020 | Devotionals | 0 comments

God Wants Christians to Do What Satisfies Him

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.’

Philippians 2:13

Glorifying God is the reason for mankind’s existence and for the believer, it is our chief purpose in everything we do.

I Corinthians 10:31

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

‘Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: ‘

2 Thessalonians 1:11

‘That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

2 Thessalonians 1:12

As believers in the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and members of the body of Christ, we (and that’s all of us, not just the Pastors or Theologians) can bring praise and honor to God by declaring His glorious character and attributes, His sovereign and sustaining power (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3) over His majestic creation (Colossians 1:16). As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ (by staying in His Word) who is the author and finisher of our faith, we will grow more and more building on our faith which will motivate us to bring glory to God.

Thanks for reading.