|
| |
by John C. Shafer
(But it will not return to Him void=not having achieved its purpose)
If the word does not save, it will damn and destroy. If it does not come
convicting, breaking, ploughing in preparation for God’s working, it will harden and
bring men to fight against God and His rule. (Study the parable of the "soils"
and parable of wheat and tares).
Rolfe Barnard (1904-1969) always preached strongly on these points especially
to church people. "It is not admiring Christ, but a vital devotion to Him. To know
Christ is to experience Him and to experience Him is power, the power of a changed life
comes from Him who sits on a throne. To know Christ is to love Him, and to love Him is to serve
Him with utter loyalty and devotion. Those who come to know & experience Christ
are those who are seekers after Him.
If sin is damning its thousands,
religion is damning its tens of thousands.
I judge people by their attitude toward the Word of God. A lost man does not
believe the Bible. You know God has to work a miracle in a man to get him to listen to
something he doesn’t believe. The Lord said to the Jews in His day, "If you
believed Moses, you would believe Me." People don’t believe the Bible is
God’s Word, and yet the only way a man can get saved is by listening to that which he
doesn’t believe. What a miracle it will be if God ever fixes you so you’ll not
just attend services, but where you will begin to LISTEN to God’s Word. I
think I have been preaching all these years to a generation of people who seem to wish to
trust in the work of Christ, but not be inclined to be governed by Him and desire to yield
a loving obedience to Him. Hell is full of people who believed some facts, but who were
never savingly joined to Christ. I cannot understand that type of salvation or what a
sinner expects when he doesn’t desire to be under the rule of Christ, but continues
to rebel against His rule.
I cannot understand a salvation that turns out men and women who do not intend
in the deep recesses of their soul to become willing bondslaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I say to you, my friend, that church folks who do not pant after holiness are in mortal
danger and they know it not.
by John C. Shafer
1. You are here on this earth through no choice of your own!
2. You will leave this world through no choice of your own!
 | It is appointed to man once to die, "After that the judgment." |
| A resurrection to life or a resurrection to damnation. (John 5:28,29) |
| Whosoever is not found in the Book of Life is cast out. (Revelation 20:11-15) |
| Any comfort you may have by not considering these facts squarely and honestly is
a delusive comfort. |
3. A universal question-
ARE YOU READY FOR THE TRIP?
| Why is it necessary for me to prepare? |
| Because NO ONE is naturally prepared for the trip or possess the qualifications
to stand before a thrice holy God. |
| We come into this world unprepared to leave it. |
| Problem is two-fold: |
| We have a bad record- that needs blotted out. |
| We have a bad heart- that needs changed. |
4. If you neglect preparing-
You will still make the trip, but unprepared,
unaccepted.
You will hear the Judge say "Depart from
Me, I never knew you."
You will pray for the mountains to fall on you
and hide you from Him.
Again, none by nature are ready for this trip.
God’s grace has made a way, you can leave
prepared, IF YOU WANTED TO!
Christ Jesus came into the world to save some
sinners.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
A GOOD GROUND HEARER?
(GOOD HEART, HEARD THE WORD, KEPT IT, UNDERSTOOD)
By: Dr. John C. Shafer
HOW DO I GET UNDERSTANDING?
(=To distinguish, discern, be wise, skillful, prudent)
| Ps.111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom: a good UNDERSTANDING have all they that do his commandments...
|
| Ps.119:73 They hands have made me and fashioned
me: give me UNDERSTANDING, that I may learn thy commandments.
|
| Ps.119:34 Give me UNDERSTANDING, and I
shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
|
| Ps.119:99 I have more understanding than all my
teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
|
| Ps.119:104 Through thy PRECEPTS I get
understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth
light; it giveth UNDERSTANDING to the simple.
|
| Prov. 1:1-6 My son, if thou wilt receive my
words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline (mark well, prick up your
ears) thine ear unto wisdom,and apply (stretch,bend,cause to yield) your heart to UNDERSTANDING;
yea if thou criest after knowledge, and lift up thy voice (cause it to be heard) for UNDERSTANDING;
if thou seekest her (search after, strive after, beg, require)...then shalt thou UNDERSTAND
the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God...(for) out of His mouth cometh
knowledge and UNDERSTANDING.
|
| Prov.3:1-7 My son, forget not my law; but let
thine heart keep my commandments...write them on the tables of thine heart: so shalt thou
find favor and good UNDERSTANDING in the sigh of God and man. Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean not (incline not) to thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes...
|
| Prov. 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom
than gold! to get UNDERSTANDING rather to be chosen than silver! 4:7 Wisdom is the
principal thing; (therefore) get wisdom and with all thy getting get UNDERSTANDING.
|
| Prov.15:32 He that refuseth instruction
despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getting understanding. 10:13 In the
lips of him that hath UNDERSTANDING wisdom is found: but a rod (is) for the back of
him that is VOID OF UNDERSTANDING.
|
| Prov. 7 Be prepared to tell of a man VOID OF
UNDERSTANDING. (The natural man understands not, the natural man is deceived, the
natural man is blind. he is a SIMPLE ONE=open, silly, seducible)
|
(Compiled by Dr. John Shafer)
(A NEW LIFE, QUICKENED, RESURRECTED, NEW INCLINATION, NEW
BIAS)
Man's whole character must be affected, KNOWLEDGE, EMOTION,
WILL.
KNOWLEDGE, MIND:
THE NEED:
| Rom.8:5,6 "For they which are after the flesh (natural
man, without the Holy Spirit.) do mind the things of the flesh...for to be carnally minded
is DEATH...7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject
to the law of God, neither indeed CAN IT BE. (NIV 'It does not submit to God's law,
nor CAN IT DO SO.') 8.So then they that are in the flesh CANNOT please God
9. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
|
| Rom.1:21,28 "...they became vain in their
imaginations...and even as they did not like to retain God in their KNOWLEDGE, God
gave them over to a REPROBATE MIND. 3:11 "There is none that
understand-eth..."
|
| II Cor.3:14 "But their MINDS were
blinded..."
|
| Col.1:21 "And you that were sometime alienated and
enemies in your MIND by wicked works..."
|
| Titus 1:15 "...but unto them that are defiled and
unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their conscience is defiled."
|
| Phil 4:18 "Having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart.
|
| John 8:19 "...ye neither know me nor my Father: if ye
had known me, ye should have known my Father also."43. "Why do ye not understand
my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."
|
| Job 21:14 "Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us;
for we DESIRE NOT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THY WAYS. 15. What is the Almighty that we
should serve Him." Zecheriah "They refused to hearken, and stopped their ears,
that they should not hear."
|
| Matt. 13:14,15 (NIV"You will be ever hearing but never
understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has
become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes."
|
| Eph. 2:3 (We ALL) "...fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the MIND; and were by NATURE children of wrath, even as
others."
|
THUS A RADICAL CHANGE IS NEEDED IN THEIR MINDS.
| Acts 17:11 (These Berean Christians) "...received the
word with all readiness of MIND, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things
were so."
|
| Prov.1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." 2:2,3 "...incline thine
ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart unto understanding; yea, if thou criest after
knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. 5,6 Then thou shalt understand the
fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord God giveth wisdom; out of
his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.7. He layeth up wisdom for the righteous.9.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness...10.When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and
knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul. 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and LEAN
NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING."
|
| Rom.8:5-9 "...to be spiritually minded is life and
peace...you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be the Spirit of God dwell in
you."
|
| Psalm 19:7,8 " The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple...the
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
|
| Psalm 43:3 "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them
lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill..."
|
| I Cor. 2:14-16 "The natural man receiveth NOT the
things of the Spirit of God...BUT we have the mind of Christ."
|
| II Cor.4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
|
| Hosea 6:3 "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know
the Lord.."
|
| John 8:31,32 "...If ye continue in my word...and ye
shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
|
| Col.3:10 "...put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him."
|
| Eph.4:23 "And be renewed in the spirit of your
mind;24.and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness."
|
| Rom.12:1,2 "...present your bodies a living
sacrifice...and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind..."
|
| Phil.3:14,15 "I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (mature,
upright) be thus minded..." (contrast v19 "whose end is destruction, whose God
is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS."
|
| Heb. 8:10 "I will put my laws into their mind, and write
them in their hearts..."
|
| I John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God is come,
and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, even in His Son
Jesus Christ."
|
THE MIND MUST BE QUICKENED,
THEN TAUGHT, INFORMED
AFFECTIONS, HEART, LOVE:
THE NATURAL MAN HAS: AN UNREGENERATE HEART
| Jer. 17:9- "The HEART is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked..."
|
| Rom. 2:4-6 (NIV)"...but because of your stubborness and
you un-repentent HEART, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of
God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."
|
| Prov. 12:23 "...the HEART of the fools proclaims
foolishness."
|
| II Chron.12:14 "And he (Rehoboam) did evil, because he
prepared not his HEART to seek the Lord."
|
| Matt.15:18-20 "But those things which proceed out of the
mouth come forth from the HEART; and they defile the man. For out of the HEART
proceed evil thoughts, murder,etc..."
|
| Eph.4:18 "Having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their HEART; who being past feeling have given themselves over to all
uncleanness etc..."
|
| Ps.44:21 "Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth
the secrets of the HEART. (cf. Ps.139; Prov.16:2; 21:2; Luke 16:15)
|
THUS A RADICAL CHANGE IS NEEDED IN
MAN'S AFFECTIONS AND HEART:
| Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near unto them that are of a
broken HEART, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
|
| Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a CLEAN HEART, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me." 17. "The (acceptable) sacrifices of God are
a broken spirit: a BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART, O God, thou wilt not despise."
|
| II Cor. 4:6 "For God who commanded the light to shine
out of dark-ness, hath shined in our HEARTS, to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
|
| Heb. 8:10 "I will write my laws in their HEARTS..."
|
| Rom.5:5 "...the love of God is shed abroad in our HEARTS
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
|
| Phil.1:9 "And this I pray, that your LOVE may
abound more & more..."
|
| I Peter 3:15 " But sanctify the Lord God in your HEARTS:
and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear."
|
| I John 4:19 " We love Him, because He first loved
us."
|
| II Thess. 3:5 "And the Lord direct your HEARTS
into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
|
| Matt. 12:33 "Make the TREE good, and his fruit
good..."
|
| Prov. 4:23 "Keep thy HEART with all diligence,
for out of IT are the issues of life." (cf.Matt.15:18-20)
|
| Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his
HEART bringeth forth that which is good...for out of the abundance of the HEART,
the mouth speaketh."
|
| Prov. 23:7 "For as a man thinketh in his HEART,
so is he..."
|
| I Chron.28:9 "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the
God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect HEART and with a willing mind: for
the Lord searcheth all HEARTS, and understandeth all the imaginations of the
thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee..." (cf Rom. 8:27)
|
| Ezek.36:27 "A new heart also will I give you and a new
spirit will I put within you: I will take away your stony HEART..."
|
A NEW HEART
MUST BE GIVEN, A NEW DISPOSITION IMPLANTED.
THE WILL, (OUTWORKING IN ACTIONS, CONDUCT,
VOLITIONS)
| Jer. 7:24 "They hearkened not, nor inclined their ear,
but WALKED in the counsels, and in the imagination of their evil heart..."
|
| Jer. 5:4 "Therefore I said, surely these are poor, they
are foolish; for they know not the WAY of the Lord."
|
| Rom. 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
going about to establish their own righteousness."
|
| Eph. 2:2,3 "In time past ye WALKED according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom WE ALL HAD OUR CONDUCT IN TIMES
PAST in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind; and were by NATURE children of
wrath, even as others,"
|
| Phil. 3:18 "For many WALK, of whom I have told
you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES of the cross of
Christ." (cf I Pet. 4:3 "In times past we WALKED...")
|
| Rom. 3:10-20 "...none seek after God... all gone out of
the way...they are together become unprofitable...none that doeth good, no not
one...destruction and misery are in their ways..."
|
| Prov. 12:15 "The WAY of a fool is right in his
own eyes..."
|
| Prov. 14:12 "There is a WAY which seemeth right
unto a man, but the END thereof are the ways of death."
|
| Prov.8:36 "But he that sinneth against me (godly wisdom)
wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
|
| Isaiah 59:1-14 "...the WAY of peace they know
not; ...they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know
peace...we grope for the wall like blind men...for our transgressions are multiplied
before thee..."
|
THE STUBBORN, REBELLIOUS, SELF-WILL
MUST BE SUBDUED:
| Prov. 2:10,20 "When wisdom enters
into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul...you will walk in the WAY
of good men, and keep the PATHS of the righteous."
|
| Psalm 110:3 "Thy people shall be
willing in the day of thy power."
|
| Rom. 8:10-14 "And if Christ be in
you, the body is dead because of sin: but the Spirit is LIFE because of
righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES by His
Spirit that dwelleth in you. If you live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
|
| Rom.6:13-18,22 "Neither yield ye
your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God... But God be thanked, that ye were the slaves of sin, but ye have obeyed from the
heart that form of sound doctrine which was delivered you."
|
| I Cor. 6:20 For you are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in YOUR BODY AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, which are
God's."
|
| I Cor.15:57,58 "...be steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,...your labor is not in vain in the
Lord."
|
| (II Cor. 9:6-8; Gal. 5:25; Phil.
2:12-16; Eph. 5,6; Col. 3:1-10;
|
| Heb.12:28; Eph.6:7; Deut. 10:12; Heb.
13:21; Eph. 2:10; Ps. 37:3;
|
| Rom. 12:1,2; Ps. 40:8; Prov. 8:20,
32,34,35; II Thess. 2:13)
|
| II Peter 1:3 "ACCORDING
AS HIS DIVINE POWER HATH GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND
GODLINESS..."
|
|
(John C. Shafer)
IN FERVENT PRAYER, GO
ASK GOD:
| Oh, Lord, make the tree good and the fruit good. |
| Oh, Lord, heal my eyes, so I might see. |
| Oh, Lord, unstop my deaf ears to hear. |
| Oh, Lord, subdue my rebel will. |
| Oh, Lord, that I might hate my own sin. |
| Oh, Lord, bring my wayward feet to the One Way. |
| Oh, Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is great. |
| Oh, Lord, make me to know my transgression and sin. |
| Oh, Lord, blot out the record of my sins in heaven. |
| Oh, Lord, give me a new heart here on earth. |
| Oh, Lord, I have eaten the fruit of my own ways, feed me at YOUR TABLE, I AM
HUNGRY. |
| Oh, Lord, Cover me with your righteousness for I am filthy and unclean. |
| Oh, Lord, Take out my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh, loving you. |
| Oh, Lord, Put my sins far away from you. |
| Oh, Lord, I have wronged my own soul, Lead me in the Way of Life. |
| Oh, Lord, I have loved death, now give me a love for thy commandments and life. |
| Oh, Lord, Incline my heart unto you word. |
| Oh, Lord, help me to incline my ear unto wisdom, and apply my heart unto
understanding. |
| Oh, Lord, Let me not wander from thy commandments. |
| Oh, Lord, grant me grace to repent. |
| Oh, Lord, grant me faith to embrace my Lord Jesus Christ. To always hear His
voice and follow Him. |
| OH, DEAR GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.
|
|
| All that I am, possess and shall be, I surrender
to the terms of the King of kings and the Lord of lords as He is revealed in His holy
word. |
| I desire to become the subject of His holy and
gracious rule, the object of His mercy and grace, although I am sinful and deserving of
eternal wrath. |
| I lay claim to the promises of His word, and
express my longing to walk always pleasing to Him. |
| I am not worthy of the least of His mercies, but
accept them as God’s gift purchased for me by the atoning work of our Lord Jesus
Christ. |
| I gladly own Him as my Prophet to teach me, as
my Priest to forgive my sin and pray for me, as my King to reign over me. |
_________________________
(Signature)
"You are not your own, you are bought with a price,
therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are His."
Compiled by Dr. John C. Shafer
We would briefly set forth some of the Scriptural references that refer to the
threefold office of Christ in relation to the salvation of His people and in answering the
claims and charges of God against them.
As Mediator he bore an actual relationship both to God and man and stands between them
transacting matters for them both. He does this as Prophet, Priest and King both in His
flesh while here and now from His royal throne in heaven.
HE WAS THAT GREATER PROPHET.
Revealing the mind of God to us by His word and Spirit, teaching our ignorance.
Interpreting the will of God to us.
| John 1:1-14 The WORD came communicating what could not otherwise be
known. "No man hath seen God at any time,..." The Son came with not only life,
but light. |
| Deuteronomy 18:15 "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a PROPHET,
from the midst of thee, of thy brethern, like unto me (Moses); unto Him ye shall
hearken." (Listen, give heed). Read also Acts 3:11-26 |
| John 6:14 "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus
did, said, this is of a truth THAT PROPHET that should come into the world." |
| Luke 24:19 "...concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a PROPHET
mighty in deed and word before God and all the people." |
| Luke 7:14-16 "And He (Jesus) said, Young man, I say unto thee arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak...And there came a fear on all: and they
glorified God, saying, that a GREAT PROPHET is risen up among us..." |
HE WAS/IS THE GREATER AND ETERNAL PRIEST (Hebrews 5,7)
He made Himself and offering for sin, The Father put upon Him the sins of His
people. He prayed for His own while here (John 17) and how intercedes for them from His
royal throne above.
| I Corinthians 5:7 "...for even Christ our Passover was sacrificed
for us." |
| II Corinthians 5:21 "For He (God) made Him sin for us, (He) who knew
no sin; that (in order that) we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." |
| Hebrews 3:1 (amplified translation) "So then,
brethern....(thoughtfully and attentively) consider Jesus, the Apostle and HIGH PRIEST
...Jesus Christ." |
| Hebrews 2:17 "Wherefore in all things in behooved Him to be made
like unto His brethern (It was necessary, and He was fitted and qualified to meet the
need) that (in order that) He might be a merciful and faithful HIGH PRIEST in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." |
| Hebrews 8:1 (amplified translation) "Now the
main point of what we have to say is this: We have such a HIGH PRIEST, One Who is
seated at the right hand of the majestic (God) in heaven. As officiating Priest, a
Minister in the holy places and in the true tabernacle which is erected not by man but by
the Lord." |
HE IS THE SON AND KING PROMISED TO DAVID TO SIT UPON HIS THRONE.
| "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." |
| Isaiah 32:1 "Behold, a KING shall reign in
righteousness." |
| (Psalm 24:8; 89:3,4; Isaiah 9:6,7; Isaiah 11:10; Jeremiah 30:9) |
| Matthew 2:2 "Where is He that is born KING of the Jews?" |
| 3:12 (Authority and power) "Whose fan is in His hand, and He will
thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner." |
| Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power
is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. |
| "John 17:2 "As Thou hast given Him (Jesus) power over all
flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him." |
| Luke 8:25 "...what manner of man is this? For He commands even the
winds and the water, and they obey Him." |
| John 10:18 (Regarding His own life) "No man taketh it from Me, but I
lay it down, and I have power to take it again." |
| Matthew 25:34 "Tell the daughter of Zion, behold THY KING
cometh unto thee..." |
| Luke 1:30-33 "...and the Lord God shall give unto Him the THRONE
OF HIS FATHER DAVID." (Peter in Acts 2:25-36 tells us that David saw the issue
clearly. What David looked for has happened, He is on that throne, David looked forward
and saw this great resurrection and enthronement. (v.31-36) |
| John 18:37 (amplified translation) "Pilate
said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! (You speak correctly!) For I
Am a King - Certainly I am a King! This is why I was born, and for this I have come into
the world..." (He then goes on to tell that He is come also to bear witness to the
truth, in other words a PROPHET. |
| I Timothy 6:15 "Who is the blessed and only POTENTATE, the KING
of kings, and LORD of lords..." ( I Peter 3:22; Revelation 11:15; See Him in
Revelation 1:10-18) |
| Philippians 2:9,10 "God also hath highly EXALTED HIM, and
given Him a Name which is above every Name; That at the Name of Jesus every knee should
bow..." |
He has the Name, designations, authority, power, and activity of
the KING.
 Please
e-mail Dr. John C. Shafer for answers to
any questions you may have, or requests for study materials.
|
