“Only Christ can comfort the brokenhearted and only those who believe the gospel of the grace of God can He comfort”

“Only Christ can comfort the brokenhearted and only those who believe the gospel of the grace of God can He comfort”

by | Jan 7, 2020 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

 

 

II Corinthians 1:3-5

“Only Christ can comfort the brokenhearted and only those who believe the gospel of the grace of God can He comfort”

 

 

#1 Purpose for Christians’ is to Share the Gospel

Until a person believes that they are a sinner and believe by faith alone that God sent His only Son, to shed His blood and die on the cross for their sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later defeating sin, Satan, the law and death itself. They are not just separated from God they are enemies of God.

Those of us that believed the gospel (Ephesians 1:13), we are already members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and either by death or rapture, we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

For the unbelieving brokenhearted world around us, they too have a message of hope which is the gospel of the grace of God. But they won’t know anything about it if we, the members of the body of Christ, don’t share this amazing message of hope with them.

 

Religion is Behavioral Modification Christianity on the Other Hand is Heart Transformation

 

THE GOSPEL

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

 

I Corinthians 15:1-4

The gospel of the grace of God is that at the cross Christ did everything God the Father demanded to pay the price for the sin of not just the people that donate the most money to charity, not for the higher educated people, not just for the clergy, not just for those that never miss Sunday service…But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). In other words, Christ died for the ungodly…

‘For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.’

Romans 5:6

 

All a lost person has to do to appropriate the “free gift” of salvation is to believe by faith alone in the gospel. That’s the good news all of us that already believed should be sharing with this lost world.

 

‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Romans 6:23

 

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

 

 

‘For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10

 

The only reason the Lord leaves us here after we believe the gospel is to share the gospel.

‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.’

I Corinthians 15:58 

‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ‘

II Peter 3:15

 

For the unsaved heartbroken world, it starts with sharing the gospel with them and for the believers, our comfort in troubled times comes from putting our trust in God, knowing our position in Christ, prayer, and the power that comes from reading His Word.

 

It is In what we Don’t Deserve that we Find our Strength…to Overcome ALL that Satan Throws at Us

It is In what we Don’t Deserve that we Find our Strength…to Overcome ALL that Satan Throws at Us

by | Jan 1, 2020 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.’

II Timothy 2:1

 

As believers, our battle is a spiritual one not physical, in Ephesians chapter six the apostle Paul admonishes Christians to stand firm and put on the whole armor of God. But the source of all strength for believers comes from God’s grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The Lord makes it clear that it is His grace that is sufficient for Christians today as it was for the apostle Paul 2000 years ago who pleaded with the Lord to remove a thorn in his flesh. As we read the account in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

‘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. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ‘

II Corinthians 12:7-8

The Lord’s response to Paul’s pleading is in verse nine.

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. ‘

 

It’s important for all of us to understand what the Lord is saying in this passage because it is truly mind-boggling when you really, really understand what the Lord is telling us. The Lord of glory tells Paul no I won’t remove it but don’t you worry My grace is sufficient and My strength is made perfect in your (ours too) weakness.

What a promise. God said it, we believe it.

I hope you’re getting it, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO, IT’S ALL GOD AND HIS AMAZING GRACE. Now verse ten is where Paul is admonishing all believers that it is in our weakness that God’s grace abounds even more.

‘Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’

II Corinthians 12:10

God’s divine grace is something we already have the moment we believed the gospel and the grace of God shines through believers more and more as we grow in the knowledge of His Word. And the only way for Christians to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word is to study God’s Word.

‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ‘

2 Timothy 2:15

 

Thank you for reading.

Please consider sharing this post on social media.

 

Thank you,

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

 

There is Only One Way to Heaven ‘Jesus Christ’

There is Only One Way to Heaven ‘Jesus Christ’

by | Dec 30, 2019 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ‘

I Timothy 2:5

 

There is only one way to heaven not multiple ways, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY FOR ANYONE TO GET TO HEAVEN.

The one and the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ by believing by faith alone in the finished work of the cross that He alone accomplished on our behalf.

‘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

In other words believe ‘the gospel’, the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later and anyone that believes by faith in that good news will have eternal life spent with the Lord in heaven. That’s It. There is no other way to glory but by believing the gospel.

The Church today is being deluged with unprecedented deception of all sorts and it’s coming from within the Church. The apostle Paul warned about this to the point of tears that men would come in from within the Church to destroy it (Acts 20:27-31).

‘For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.’

Acts 20:27-31

The list of ‘destructive heresies’ is long and corrupting every facet of Christendom but the Word of God is clear these sinister men and women (Satan’s ministers of light 2 Corinthians 11:13-15) will go to their doom proclaiming anything but “the gospel of the grace of God” alone by faith alone for salvation (Acts 20:24;1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The Lord warns twice not to be deceived by a false gospel which will have elements of the true gospel that the He revealed to Paul (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) but it will be perverted by man adding something, anything to perfect work of the cross.
To those that preach any other gospel but “the gospel” that ascended Lord revealed to the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:11,12) they will be accursed (Galatians 1:8,9). There is no other path to salvation for lost mankind today but to believe in the finished work of the cross alone by faith alone apart from works (Romans 3:21-22).
The greatest and most sinister of deceptions is to preach the gospel of grace but to add just enough so that the person is taught that they must do something whatever it is in order to be saved. BELOVED THAT’S ANATHEMA TO GOD. HE WON’T HAVE IT. CHRIST DID ALL. 
Believers are warned twice by the Lord NOT TO BE DECEIVED AND TURN AWAY FROM THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD BY LISTENING TO PREACHERS THAT ADD TO THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS.
First Warning.

‘I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ‘

Galatians 1:6-8

 

Second Warning.

‘I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.’

Galatians 1:6,9

 

 

There is no way around the gospel of the grace of God and all mankind will be judged by the gospel the risen Lord revealed to the apostle Paul.
 
‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’
Romans 2:16
What Part of God Makes it Possible to Save You?

What Part of God Makes it Possible to Save You?

by | Dec 26, 2019 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘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.’

II Corinthians 12:9

Answering a question with a question is a great way to turn down the hostility meter by deflecting it back to the questioner, putting them on the spot to answer their own question.

 

Using a question to answer a question, especially when discussing the Word of God helps significantly because you immediately identify where the questioner is coming from, what is the Biblical basis for their question (their theology).

The impact of using a question when responding to a question about a post or article has never been more graphic than when responding to a question/comment about eternal security.
I’ve learned over the last three years that I need to withhold my response and instead ask a question to start a meaningful dialogue.

THIS IS ABOUT SALVATION. WE ARE TO DO THE LORD’S BUSINESS AFTER WE’RE SAVED!

When someone asks “How in the world can you be telling anyone that once they’re saved they are always saved? I respond by asking three questions.

 

1. What part of God makes it possible for Him to save you in the first place?

There is ONLY ONE answer they can give.

Answer: “His Grace”

If they provide any other answer than God’s grace, to repeat ANY OTHER answer then God’s grace! God won’t have it…! And they’ve been taught a false gospel.

God doesn’t need our help saving us and no one is going hand God a bill when they get to heaven not even Abraham (Romans 4:1-5) could do that!

The last thing God need’s is our filthy works touching His perfect grace. By grace (Who’s grace?) are you saved through faith…(Eph 2:8) And it was Christ alone (Who? Not you or me or anyone else) took care of mankind’s sin… as Hebrews 1:3 makes crystal clear…

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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

It was finished at the cross, and it is the finished work of the cross that we must place our faith, not in works, not in anything we do. All God expects from mankind is to believe (by faith alone) that Christ did it all on our behalf, that by shedding His blood, His death, burial, and resurrection.

Christ paid the debt that God the Father demanded to reconcile mankind back to Himself, “the gospel” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:20,21).

Ephesians 2:7

‘that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Romans 3:24

‘Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:’

Ephesians 2:5

‘even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),’

Galatians 2:21

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, (legalism) then Christ is dead in vain.”

Hebrews 1:3

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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 10:8-9

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them ” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

Hebrews 10:10

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

 

The second question is.

2. Do you deserve God’s Grace?

Again, there is ONLY ONE answer they can give.

Answer: “No”

The third question is where most never respond and are never heard from again but there are a few who try their best to justify their filthy works by twisting Scripture to put God in debt to them!

3. So, if you agree that we don’t deserve God’s grace. What part is it of God that keeps those of us who believe the gospel, His?

There is only one answer they can provide.

Answer: God’s Grace.

 

‘In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace‘ (According to what?)

Ephesians 1:7

‘And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ‘

Colossians 2:13

‘Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ‘

Romans 5:20

‘so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’

Romans 5:21

 

Mankind has always tried to do something and do it his own way to gain favor with God for salvation but it will never work out the way they think. Proverbs 21:2 comes to mind… ‘Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.’

The demonic attacks on God’s grace and those who teach and preach the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) are nothing new. They have been around since the risen Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the apostle Paul this message of salvation by faith alone in the finished work of the cross apart from the law, almost 2000 years ago. Back then Paul accusers were legalist, the Judiazers, traditionalist. Today it’s no different, no different at all. So is the condemnation from the Lord no different for all who hold down the truth of God’s grace being poured out to all.

‘And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.’

Romans 3:8

 

To Simple for Most

The gospel of the grace of God is simple and foolishness in the eyes of most as 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us… ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’

To repeat, to those of us who are saved we know that this simple message is the TRUE GOSPEL and the ONLY POWER that can save lost man.

‘But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,’

Romans 4:5

 

Thank you for reading this post.

Please consider sharing on social media.

 

Mesa Bible Study

Jamie Pantastico

Faith, Sine Qua Non

 

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Be Steadfast and Alert Because Satan Seeks to Destroy You and the Church

Be Steadfast and Alert Because Satan Seeks to Destroy You and the Church

by | Nov 26, 2019 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

 ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ‘

1 Peter 5:8

The promise of salvation we have from God does not mean Christians’ can live utterly unconcerned about the consequences of actions surrounding their daily lives; living without caution; or carelessly.

Believers are admonished to be steadfast, standing firm in the Word of God and “vigilant” always alert and aware of Satan and his many deceptions that come at believers twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. Satan is real, has great power and he is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 11:15; John 12:31).

 

The devil is not just “the instigator” of all deceit, a murderer from the beginning (the fall, Genesis 2:17; 3:17-24; Romans 5:12), and father of lies (John 8:44) he is also the “accuser” and “slanderer” of the saints.

Yes, Satan has access to heaven where he is accusing believers day and night of their sins before God the Father. But we have our Advocate (1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5), Jesus Christ who is at the right hand of the Father as our defense attorney guaranteeing our acquittal because we believed the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

 

As grace age believers we are warned constantly about the devil and his deceptive tactics in many forms; false teachers, doctrines of demons, the world system, deceiving spirits, and the list goes on, all led by and powered by Satan (1 Timothy 4:1-3;2 Timothy 3:1-6,13; Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Romans 1:18-22; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:6; Revelation 13:11-17; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Colossians 2:8; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-16).

‘lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.’

II Corinthians 2:11

Now doesn’t that just say it all?

“Take Advantage” “Ignorant” What does the devil focus on? Our mind!

 

Its not possible for Christians to be sober (steadfast and standing firm, confident in the Scripture, able to identify and resist Satan’s attacks) or is it possible for believers to be vigilant (keenly alert and able to identify Satan’s never-ending attacks of deception in whatever form Eph 6:11) if the believer is not studying the Bible daily and praying always. It’s just not possible.

 

Our Defense

The answer is simple but hard to follow through on consistently because of our flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Galatians 5:17

But we must fight. We must dedicate time everyday to the Lord.

How?

Pray

Pray without ceasing, means pray without ceasing! We all have something to pray about or someone to pray for. We have access to God anytime, at any moment. Go boldly to God with everything you have, casting it all on Him.

‘Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ‘

Hebrews 4:14-15

‘Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’

Hebrews 4:16 

Study the Bible (Sound Doctrine)

The only way for Christians to be vigilant, staying alert to Satan’s non-stop attacks is to be rooted in the Word of God (sound doctrine). And the only way to do that is to study the bible daily.

Only standing firm in the truth of God’s Word can we defeat Satan’s deceitful schemes and falsehoods.

What does the Scripture say…

‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.’

II Corinthians 10:3-6

 

 

Christians can't have one foot in the world and one foot in the Church

Christians can’t have one foot in the world and the other in the Church!

 

Going to Church regularly and fellowship with God’s people are also important parts of the believers maturity but for the purposes of this post the focus is on what is done least of all.

To that end I hope that this has been encouraging and in some way edifying. Please consider sharing on social media.

 

Thank you,

 

Mesa Bible Study

Jamie Pantastico,

Faith, Sine Qua Non

 

 

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