XXXVII.) THE HALL OF FAITH:
This chapter is often called the "Hall of Faith." You need to come here and linger long that your faith may become strong in the Lord, for in the scripture we get a view of the history of Israel and the church. As it is written by faith. In the blood of the saints:
1. They worshiped by faith as Abel:
Abel was Adam and Eve's second son, who was murdered by his brother Cain (Gen. 4). "The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor" (Gen. 4:4-5). In this case suggesting that the one came in a correct spirit whereas the other did not. The book of Hebrews suggests the same view: "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did" (Heb. 11:4).
It is always important to follow God's word, only then can we be sure that we are in his will but if we fail to do that which we know we should then just as God told Cain, "Sin layeth at the door." The Bible reveals that true worship is the only way to God, "For they that worship God must worship in spirit and in truth."
2. They walked by faith as Enoch;
Son of Jared (Gen. 5:18) and father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:21-22; Luke 3:32). Abram walked "before God" (Gen. 17:1), but of Enoch and Noah alone it is written that they walked "with God" (Gen. 5:24; 6:9). Walking with God is a relic of the first paradise when men walked and talked with God in holy familiarity, and it anticipates a new paradise (Rev. 21:;3; 22:3-4).
The secret of Enoch's walk with God was faith - the ground of his pleasing God, and this was the ground of his being "taken from this life, so that he did not experience death" (Heb. 11:5-6). After the monotonous repetition of the patriarchs who "Lived. . .begat. . . .and died" (Gen. 5 KJV), the account of Enoch's walk with God and translation without death stands forth in bright relief. He, too, begat sons and daughters, yet family ties were no hindrance to his walking with God.
Indeed, it was not until after Enoch was sixty-five years old, when he begat Methuselah, that it is written, "Enoch walked with God." He typifies the saints living at Christ's second coming who will be removed from mortality to immortality without passing through death (I Cor. 15:51-52).
3. They worked by faith as Noah;
When Noah was 480 years old, 120 years before the flood (Gen. 6:3), he was warned of God that the world would be destroyed by water (Heb. 11:7). He was then given exact instructions for building the ark (Gen. 6:14-16). While engaged in this colossal task, he warned men of the coming catastrophe, as a "preacher of righteous" (II Peter 2:5).
One week before the flood God led Noah and his family into the ark and supernaturally directed the animals also to enter. When all were safely inside, God shut the door (Gen. 7:16).
4. They lived by faith as Abraham;
At age seventy-five (Gen. 12:4) Abram was commanded to leave all and go out into the unknown, sustained only by the promises of God (Gen. 12:1-30), in faith he obeyed.
The fascinating glimpse into the international tensions of the ancient world given in Genesis 14 allows us to see Abram's growing faith. Clearly he is now more aware of himself as the man separated from the world to God. He first opposed the kings (Gen. 14:13-16) and then refused the world's wealth (Gen. 14:21-24). These are plainly the acts of a man confident in the protection and provision of God.
5. They governed by faith as Moses;
The story and life of Moses is rich in detail regarding how he governed God's people Israel, (Exodus). In a series of ten plagues Moses and Aaron countered Pharaoh's attempt to retain Israel in bondage (Exodus 7-11).
Moses then led Israel southward through the desert of Shur under divine direction (Exod. 15:22-27). At Marah bitter waters were sweetened, at Elim the Israelites were refreshed by twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and in the wilderness of sin daily manna was supplied, solving the food problem for this great multitude throughout their years of desert wandering, until they reached the land of Canaan (Exod. 16).
Moses did not enter his place as governor until they settled, three months after leaving Egypt in the environs of Mount Sinai (Horeb), where they remained for approximately one year (Exod. 18-19). At which time Moses became the great lawgiver through whom Israel's religion was revealed. As a representative for his people Moses received the law from God.
This law constituted God's covenant with his newly delivered nation. In turn the congregation ratified this covenant (Exod. 20-24), which included the Ten Commandments, also known as the (Decalogue). To enable the Israelites to worship their God properly Moses was given detailed instructions for the building and erection of the tabernacle. These plans were carefully executed under Moses' supervision. Details concerning various sacrifices, laws for holy living, and the observance of feasts and seasons were set forth through Moses as God's prescription for His people Israel (Lev. 1-27).
6. They followed by faith as Israel;
Israel, first named Jacob who was a son of Isaac became known as "He strives with God and prevails" (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Abraham's grandson Jacob was blessed accordingly with many children. Furthermore, when Jacob returned to Palestine in 1909 B.C., God "wrestled" with him and brought him to a point of total submission (gen. 32:25; Hos. 12:4). By yielding his life to God's purpose, Jacob achieved victory; and God changed his name to Israel, Hebrew Yisra'el, which means, "He strives with God and prevails" (Gen. 32:28; 35:10). Jacob's twelve sons were, literally, the children of "Israel" (Gen. 42:5; 45:21). Israel, however, was aware that God would build each of them into a large tribe (Gen. 49:7,16). The term "children of Israel" came to signify the whole body of God's chosen and saved people (Gen. 32:32; 34:7).
It included Jacob's grandchildren and all subsequent members of the household, as they proceeded to Egypt for a stay of 430 years, 1876 - 1446 (Gen. 46:8; Exod. 1:7).
7. They fought by faith as Joshua;
Two months after Israel's exodus, Joshua was appointed Moses' commander and successfully repulsed an Amalekite attack (Exod. 17:9). Moses changed Hoshea's name to Jehoshua, [Yehoshua'], "Jehovah is salvation" (Num. 13:16; I Chron. 7:27), or Joshua, later forms of which are Jeshua (yeshua', Neh. 8:17) and, in Greek, Jesus (Iesous, Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8); compare Matthew 1:21. Joshua attended Moses on Sinai (Exod. 24:13; 32:17) and guarded both his tent (Exod. 33:11) and position (Num. 11:28).
Joshua opposed the majority report, insisting that Israel, if faithful to God, could conquer Canaan. He almost suffered stoning for his trust in God (Exod. 14:7-10). Subsequently, however, for having "followed the Lord wholeheartly" (Exod. 32:12), he not only escaped destruction (Exod. 14:38) but also received assurance, unique to himself and Caleb (Exod. 13:30; 14:24), of entering the Promised Land (Exod. 14:30; 26:65). About forty years later, east of the Jordan River, God designated Joshua as Moses' successor (Num. 27:18).
The appearance of "the commander of the army of the Lord" (Josh. 5:13-15) served as a dramatic sentence on Jericho but also as a visible confirmation of Joshua's divine call, similar to the appearance of the angel of the Lord to Moses at the burning bush (Exod. 3:2-6). Joshua then executed the God-directed siege (Josh. 6:2-6). He "devoted" (destroyed) Jericho (josh. 6:17), pronounced a curse on its rebuilding (Josh. 6:17; I Kings 16:34), and achieved widespread recognition (Josh. 6:27).
8. They conquered by faith as Gideon;
The record about Gideon is found in Judges 6:1-9:6. When he is first mentioned he was already a mature man. His firstborn, Jether, was a youth (Judges 8:20). Gideon had already become a noted warrior (Judges 6:12), perhaps by waging "underground" warfare against the marauding Midianites. The extent to which the people had been enslaved is shown by the fact that Gideon had to hide in a winepress to do the threshing (Judges 6:11).
A supernatural fire that consumed Gideon's sacrifice (Judges 6:17-23) attested to the fact that the messenger who called Gideon to lead Israel was from God. Gideon responded to the call and, with the help of some friends, overthrew the altar of Baal and cut down the sacred grove around it. He erected instead a new altar, naming it Jahveh-Shalom, "The Lord is Peace" (Judges 6:24).
For his daring feat the followers of Baal wanted to kill him, but his father intervened. Instead of death he was given a new name, Jerub-baal, or "contender with Baal" (Judges 6:28-32). Later the name was changed to Jerubbesheth, "contender with the Idol," evidently to eliminate any recognition of Baal (II Sam. 11:21). Gideon then issued a call to adjoining tribesmen to war against the Midianites. Having gathered a formidable host, he sought confirmation of his task and so put forth the famous test of the fleece (Judges 6:36-40).
As further assurance, he was instructed to slip into the enemy's camp, and there he overheard one soldier tell another of a dream and interpret it to mean that Gideon's smaller army would win the battle (Judges 7:9-14). To prevent human boasting over victory, God instructed Gideon to reduce his force to three hundred picked men by (1) letting the faint-hearted go home and (2) choosing only those men who were cautious enough to dip their drinking water when they went down to a stream to drink (Judges 7:1-8).
9. They subdued kingdoms by faith as David;
David was an extreme military man, his military organization included the professional Kerethites and Pelethites (Cretans and Philistines) and certain elites groups: "the six hundred" mighty men (II Sam. 15:18; I Sam. 27:2), "the thirty" heroes, and "the three" most distinguished (II Sam. 23; I Chron. 11). From 1002 to about 995 B.C. David expanded his knigdom on all sides: west against Philistia, taking Gath, one on its five ruling cities (II Sam. 8:1); east against Moab, (II Sam. 8:2); north against Syria, in two campaigns (II Sam. 10:13, 18; 8:3) to the Euphrates River; and south against stubborn Edom (I Kings 11:15; Ps. 60:10).
An alliance with Hiram of Tyre enable David to construct a palace in Jerusalem (II Sam. 5:11). David's political organization shows analogies with Egypt's, his "cabinet" (II Sam. 8:15-18) including such officers as the recorder (public relations official), the scribe (secretary of state), and other later additions (II Sam. 20:23-26). Over all, however, whether tribal princes (I Chron. 27:16-24) or royal officials (II Sam. 27:25-31), David reigned supreme.
10. They closed the mouth of lion by faith as Daniel;
Daniel was among the select, youthful hostages of the first Jewish deportation, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605, the third year of King Jehoiakim (Dan. 1:1, 3). For three years Daniel was trained in all the wisdom of the Babylonians (Dan. 1:4-5) and was assigned the Babylonian name Belteshazzar, "Protect his life!" - thereby invoking a pagan deity (Dan. 4:8). Daniel and his companions, however, remained true to their ancestral faith, courteously refusing "the royal food and wine" (Dan. 1:8, tainted with idolatry and contrary to the Levitical purity laws ).
God rewarded them with unsurpassed learning (Dan. 1:20, qualifying them as official "wise men"; 2:13). Daniel's jealous colleagues, failing to uncover a valid charge of corruption (Dan. 6:4), proceeded to contrive his downfall through a royal edict prohibiting for thirty days all prayers or petitions, except to Darius himself. Daniel was promptly apprehended in prayer to God; and Darius had no recourse but to cast him into a den of lions, as had been prescribed.
God, however, intervened on behalf of his faithful servant (Dan. 6:16) and shut the lion's mouths, though they subsequently devoured his accusers when they were condemned to a similar fate. It was in this same year first year of Darius, as the seventy years of Babylonian exile drew to a close, that the angel Gabriel answered Daniel's prayers and confessions with a revelation of the seventy "sevens" (Dan. 9:24-27). "So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius" (Dan. 6:28; 1:21).
11. They walked through the fire by faith as the three Hebrew children;
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the three Hebrew children were the youthful hostages of the first Jewish deportation, taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605, the third year of king Jehoiakim (Dan. 1:1, 3), whom Daniel requested be appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon. The three were later saved from the fiery furnace for not bowing to the image of Nebuchadnezzar, the guard who placed them in the furnace reported seeing four people in the fire as he noticed that the only thing that was burned were their ropes.
12. They suffered by faith as Paul;
Paul suffered many things as a Christian at the hands of both saved and unsaved, because of his pass life as "Saul who prosecuted the saints" but Paul came out of Arabia with the essentials of his theology fixed.
After returning to Damascus, his aggressive preaching forced him to flee the murderous fury of the Jews (Acts 9:23-25; Gal. 1:17; II Cor. 11:32-33). Three years after his conversion Paul returned to Jerusalem with the intention of becoming acquainted with Peter (Gal. 1:18).
The Jerusalem believers regarded him with cold suspicion, but with the help of Barnabas became accepted among them (Acts 9:26-28). His bold witness to the Hellenistic Jews around bitter hostility and cut the visit to fifteen days (Gal. 1:18). Instructed by the Lord in a vision to leave (Acts 22:17-21), he agreed to be sent home to Tarsus (Acts 9:30), where he remained in obscurity for some years. Galatians 1:21-23 implies that he did some evangelistic work there, but we have no events of II Corinthians 11:24-26 must be placed here, Paul's being filled with the Holy Ghost made all the difference between his continuing or quitting but he stood strong in faith and endured his suffering.
13. They died by faith as Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60);
Acts 7 records Stephen's remarkable apologia before the council. F. F. Bruce rightly points out that it was "not a speech for the defense in the public debate sense of the term. Such a speech as this was by no means calculated to secure a judgment of not guilty before the Sanhedrin. It is rather a defense of pure Christianity as God's appointed way of worship" (the Book of Acts [NINTC], 1956, P. 141).
Stephen's exclamation at the close of his speech is particularly important to a proper understanding of it: "Look. . .I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This is the only occurrence of the title "Son of Man" in the NT on the lips of anyone other than Jesus himself. It reveals that "Stephen grasped and asserted the more-than-Jewish-Messianic sense in which the office and significance of Jesus in religious history were to be understood." (William Manson, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 1951, p. 31).
Such radical thinking was too much for the listening Sanhedrin. "They covered their ears and,, yelling at the top of their voices, they. . .dragged him out of the city and began to stone him." The witnesses, whose responsibility it was to cast the first stones (Deut. 17:7), laid their clothes at Saul's feet (Acts 7:57-58).
14. By faith they were patient in suffering.
Courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, were victorious in defeat, and they were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the (all powerful Christ) that you can be victorious in circumstances and victorious over ALL the evil forces that would destroy you.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). The faith of the saints inspires us, but we look to Jesus as our example of faith.
One of the finest things about these historical books is this chapter on faith that one can learn by reading and taking note of their contents. Within them we see the failure of faith as well as the accomplishgments of mankind and the help of God. Paul told us these were written for us;
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant. . .Now these things
were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also
lusted. . .Now all these things happened unto them for our ensamples: and they
are written for our admonition, upon, upon whom the end of the world are come" (I Corinthians 10:1, 6, 11).
According to faith these things are seen in the people as:
For what said the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:3).
Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputteth righteousness without works (Romans 4:6).
So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17).
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (Romans 4:20).
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform (Romans 4:21).
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generation for evermore. (Psalm 106:31).
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Galatians 3:6).
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice then Cain, (Hebrew 11:4).
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our saviour Jesus Christ: (II Peter 1:1).
Forasmuch than as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; (Acts 11:17).
What was I that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:17).
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5).
WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN......(Romans 14:23).
The gift of faith is separate from the fruit of faith. We read about the fruit of the Spirit, one of which is faith, in Galatians 5:22-23, quoted in the original Greek it is not called faith at all but "faithfulness." The fruit of the Spirit are for character, the gifts of the Spirit are for power. Fruit is something that grows. Faith - or faithfulness - is a fruit which grows in the life of a Christian to establish him in spiritual character. But the gift of faith, believes God in such a way that He honors their word as His own and miraculously brings it to pass. Saving faith comes before salvation; faith - or faithfulness - the fruit of the Spirit, comes after salvation. The manifestation of the gift of faith comes after the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
(B) GENERAL FAITH (Mark 11:24)
(C) GIFT OF FAITH FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION (Dan. 6:16-17, 19-23)
(D) GIFT OF FAITH FOR SUPERNATURAL SUSTENANCE (I Kings 17:2-6)
(E) GIFT OF FAITH FOR MINISTERING THE SPIRIT (Gal. 3:5)
(5) THE GIFT OF WORKING OF MIRACLES: (I Kings 17:12-16; Acts 5:1-5)
In this part of the gifts of the Spirit we come now to the gift of "working of miracles." As with many words in the English language, when we use the word "miracle," it means one thing generally speaking. But used specifically it means something else. Sometimes the word "miracle" is used as a figure of speech.
We talk about miracle fabrics, miracle drugs, and miracle detergents. In nature we might see a beautiful sunrise and say, "that is a miracle." We might look at a beautiful rose garden a blaze with glorious color, the perfume of the flowers ascending into heavens, and say that is a miracle of nature. None of these things are a miracle specifically speaking, but generally speaking they are.
In the magnificent sunrise, the sun is doing exactly what it ought to do according to nature. Every one of the gifts of the Spirit is miraculous. They are supernatural. In the general use of the word "miracle," all gifts of the Spirit are miracles. But specifically speaking they are not. The working of miracles, then, is a specific act such as dividing a stream by the sweep of a mantle. After Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot in the whirlwind, Elisha received his mantle and smote the Jordan River. Dividing the waters by a sweep of his mantle was actually working a miracle. That was an intervention in the ordinary course of nature.
In the realm of healing, many times miracles are received, but they are not working of miracles, they are healing miracles. Everything that God does is miraculous in a sense, but it is not like turning common dust into insects just by a gesture. It is not like turning common water into wine just by speaking a word - that is working of miracles. Water turning into wine by the process of nature is a natural miracle. But water turned into wine by speaking a word, as Jesus did in John 2:1-11, is the meaning of the spiritual gift of working miracles. A miracle, therefore, is a supernatural intervention of the system of nature as we know it operated by the force of the Spirit.
WORKING OF MIRACLES
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
This gift was more prominent in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. And although people were healed and gifts of healings were in operation in the Old Testament, gifts of healings were more in operation in the New testament than in the Old Testament.
The working of miracles was used for the miraculous deliverance of God's people from Egyptian bondage. We see this gift used when God convinced Pharoah to let Israel go. A number of miracles were wrought there (Exod. 7:14). When Aaron threw down his rod and it was turned into a serpent, that was the working of miracles. When the dust was turned into insects and all the other plagues followed, this was the gift of working of miracles in operation. Coming out of Egypt, the Israelites faced the Red Sea with Pharoah and his host close behind, ready to make slaves again.
Mountains loomed on one side, the wilderness on the other, the sea in front of them, and the enemy behind them - their situation seemed hopeless. But Moses looked to the Lord and the Lord told him to stretch forth his rod. Moses obeyed and the sea divided. That was the working of a miracle. It was divine intervention in the ordinary course of nature. Actually, two gifts of the Spirit were in operation here. The working of miracles divided the sea, but it took the gift of faith to keep it divided.
Another scriptural use of the working of miracles was to provide for those in want: as in (I Kings 17:12--16). It was a working of miracles when the widow's pot of oil didn't fail but kept flowing until it filled every vessel she had. She then borrowed all her neighbor's vessels and filled them with oil (II Kings 4:1-7).
Wait, lets talk about this vessel which was filled with oil and what it means to us today, as Paul said, "these things were written as a example to us," this says that there is more to the story then just the working of miracles, therefore, the vessels which she had and the ones she borrowed is there to teach us something about the word of God and his people.
So for simplicity we will called them the "Vessels of God" and see if we can find their meaning in scripture; In II Kings 4:1 the story opens with Elisha telling the woman to go borrow vessels but he wanted her not just to borrow vessels but to borrow empty vessels, KJV we will explain this empty vessel as we study, but we point out this one because there is something to be learned from this story of the woman and the oil as we look into the:
FIVE VESSELS OF GOD:
In this part we will be looking at what is called, "The Five Vessels of God." and what they mean according to scripture, so that we can have a better understanding of what these vessels are all about.
There are statements in the Bible which apparently are contradictory, and to avoid confusion, one must follow the rules in dividing the truth. Not only must truth be divided into dispensation, but it must be divided into scripture and the same dispensation.
EXAMPLE: Compare Luke 9:3 and Matt. 10:9, 10 with Luke 22:36.
Above rule applies to this - "BUT NOW" makes the difference.
This same thing goes with anything you are studying in the scriptures, for everything in the scripture are found divided into scripture, and dispensation, we should learn to study them as such. Also we must remember to never put a question mark where God has put a period.
XXXIIX.) VESSELS OF HONOR: (II Tim. 2:21)
(V. 21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctificed, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
In our study on the five vessels, we see that it is a vessel of honor and we need to find out what one needs to do to become a "vessel of honor," but first lets find out what not to do.
Our verse tells us to, "therefore purge" yourself from these, so we will look at what we are to purge ourselves from.
As I stated before, every scripture must be rightly divided and this verse is found to be the most important scripture as we know, that God looks for a vessel that can be used and God must have a vessel He can use, or, that vessel becomes good for nothing to him if it is not able to be used.
Therefore purge yourself from:
(1) Youthful lusts (V.22)
(2) Foolish and unlearned questions (V. 23)
(3) The snare of the devil (V. 26)
(4) Profane and vain babblings (V. 26)
(5) Iniquity (V. 19)
Purging yourself from these can assure one of becoming a "Vessel unto Honor," as we look at these five things one must not do, lets also see what they mean, that they will not manifest in our life, and if they do we will know what to do about it.
This word "Youthful lusts," means - (Have a craving, appetite, or great desire for), we can understand why one must purge himself from this, for we find that it has been man's failure for many years, it was man's first and his last failure.
In the book of Genesis, we see lust taking its first steps into the heart of man (Gen. 3:6), where the woman that God had given man had been talking with the serpent and now, she is thinking it over and "Lust" steps in and gives her a helping hand, Notice:
(1) She LOOKS at this tree, (she develops a craving)
(2) Then she notices it is a tree GOOD FOR FOOD and to MAKE ONE WISE, (she develops an appetite)
(3) Now she takes PLEASURE in looking at its beauty, (she enjoys looking at the tree)
(4) And taking pleasure in it she now has a DESIRE for this food and wisdom. (she begins to want)
(5) So from the desire she TAKES from the tree and EAT. (now the actual act of taking)
If you were to go through the scriptures, you would see that just about every time the people of God failed to serve Him "Lust" had a great part in it, therefore God said, "that His people would not hearken to His voice, so He gave them up unto their own hearts lust:" and they walked in their own counsel (Psalm 81:10-12).
Also we see that we are to purge ourselves from "foolish and unlearned question," for these are some of the things that the people tried to do to Jesus. Such as the Sabbath day question, the Pharisees tried to see what Jesus had to say about the Sabbath, but Jesus told them about how David hungered and entered the house of God and did eat showbread that was not lawful for him to eat and how that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:1-8), we find that the Pharisees were often asking "foolish and unlearned questions."
These are just a few ways that the snares of the devil (V. 26) bring most of us down but Peter said in (I Peter 3:15), "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." And by doing this, you will avoid the unlearned questions that the devil tries to snare you with which covers our next verse (V. 26).
Now lets look at (V. 16), "profane and vain babblings," but if you will notice this falls back to, foolish and unlearned question (V. 23), and this is the way that the devil gets you snared also (V. 26), but we must keep everything in their right place, foolish and unlearned question come from outside of yourself, profane and vain babbling come from inside yourself, it is something we do.
Foolish and unlearned question are directed at you from others, but profane and vain babblings are what you direct outward toward someone else, so in other words profane and vain babblings is something "YOU" do.
Which in this case are empty sounds and Paul tells us to give a distinction in the sounds (I Cor. 14:7), this is what (I Peter 3:15) is also talking about, putting a distinction to the sounds we make so that others may hear what is being sounded (I Cor. 14:8).
Now as we come to "Iniquity" in (V.19), we must understand that "Iniquity" is found almost in every book of the Bible and it is something that the :Lord hates.
INIQUITY is merely wickedness.
But as becoming vessels of honor, we must first remember that we were shapen in iniquity (Ps. 51:5), and once we know this we can see ourselves as God sees us and turn to God to help and pardon our iniquities (Ps. 25:11).
This first vessel is of one who loves the Lord in such a way, that they are faithful unto death and the Lord has promised them a "crown of life" (Rev. 2:10), for these must be:
(1) Departed from iniquity (V.19)
(2) Prepared unto every good work (V.21)
(3) Follow righteousness (V.22)
(4) Faith (V.22)
(5) Charity (V.22)
(6) Peace (V.22)
(7) A Pure heart (V.22)
(8) Gentleness (V.24)
(9) Apt to teach (V.24)
(10) Patient (V.24)
If we will notice, that all of the things that it takes to be a vessel of honor, is that they must have the "fruit of the Spirit" as well, which is (LOVE), for love worketh all these things, Paul said in (Phil. 4:8), to think on these things:
"WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE -
TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT, OF VIRTUE, OF PRAISE,
THINK ON THESE THINGS AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU," this is a vessel of honor.
These are vessels of -
GOLD, SILVER, and PRECIOUS STONES.
REFERENCE: I Sam 2:30; Ps. 15:4-5; Pr. 3:9; 13:18; Is. 58:13; John 5:23; I Pet. 2:17.
XXXIX.) VESSELS OF MERCY: (Rom. 9:23)
(V.23) And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.
The vessels of Mercy is a vessel prepared unto glory, that the riches of God's glory might be made known. This vessel is prepared specially for one purpose and that is to the glory of God and His plan for man, these vessels only do what they were meant to do, sometimes we wonder when a person comes into our life and just as quickly as they came they disappear, this could have been a vessel of mercy, they come into our lives and bring us to a place in God where we can do more to the glory of God, in other words they may be there only to raise us spiritually to a higher level in the Lord.
Now this really tells us all we need to know about this vessel, but we need scripture to back this statement up right? So lets see what the scriptures reveal about becoming a "Vessel of Mercy."
This vessel, is a vessel as we said, prepared unto glory and not all can make it to be a vessel of mercy, these are specially called vessels, for we see as it was with "Rebecca," that she was carrying two children and Rom. 9:11 tells us, (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) also (V.26) lets us know that this vessel is called, the children of the "Living God," as we read (Hosea 2:23) we see that the Lord said, "AND I WILL SOW HER UNTO ME IN THE EARTH; AND I WILL SAY TO THEM (VESSELS OF MERCY) WHICH WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, THOU ART MY PEOPLE; AND THEY SHALL SAY, THOU ART MY GOD."
This vessel is a vessel of:
( GLORY ).
This vessel will receive the "Crown of Glory" which God will give to Pastors, Evangelist, Teachers, Ministers, Deacons, Elders, as with all leaders of the Church.
REFERENCE: Ex. 34:7; Ps. 18:25; 37:26; 67:1-7; 103:8, 11; Pr. 11:17; Is. 57:1-2; Jer. 3:12; Matt. 5:7; Ps. 41:1-13; Matt. 6:14; Mark 11:25; Heb. 6:10; James 2:13.
XXXX.) THE CHOSEN VESSELS OF GOD: (Acts 9:15)
(V.15) But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel:
This is a personal vessel unto the Lord, and has a personal calling from the Lord Himself, one can say, this is the Apostle's calling, but it is and has a little more than this. As we study this chosen vessel, let's keep in mind what the Lord said to Saul, (Before he changed his name to Paul) "ARISE, AND GO INTO THE CITY, AND IT SHALL BE TOLD THEE WHAT THOU MUST DO."
If you will notice, this is a personal calling made to Saul and the thing for him to do now, is obey, also not everyone receives this calling. The last part of Jesus' statement makes it very clear, "WHAT THOU MUST DO."
Obedience is very important, but one that lets himself be led of the Spirit, will obey anyway, "WHAT THOU MUST DO," for the Holy Spirit will keep them in remembrance of this and their calling (Acts 13:2), a chosen vessel is bound by an obedience that separates them from all other believers.(I Cor. 15:10).
The Chosen Vessel is a vessel of GRACE.
The chosen vessel will receive the "Crown of Rejoicing" (I Thess. 2:19-20) the crown of rejoicing is the soul winner's crown, the greatest work you are privileged to do for the Lord is to bring others to a knowledge of Christ as personal saviour, the degree of your joy in heaven will be determined by the souls you have had part in bringing to Christ. Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that they are his hope, or crown of rejoicing now and when Jesus comes.
REFERENCE: Acts 9:6, 11, 15, 16; 13:2; 22:21; 26:17; Rom. 1:1; I Cor. 15:10; Gal. 1:15; Eph. 3:7; I Tim. 2:7; II Tim. 1:11.
XXXXI.) VESSELS OF RESTORATION: (Isa. 66:20; Jer. 51:34)
(V.20) And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
This vessel, is one of a copy of the real one, such as the case of Adam in his first state, unfallen, clean, or as Jeremiah put it a empty vessel (51:34), but when Adam became fallen, the whole human race became fallen - but in the last Adam (Jesus), we can be reinstated as the first Adam before his fall.
NOTE: We do not become the first Adam, or the last Adam, we only become a representation of the original form. This is the case of an unbeliever becoming a believer - THE ACT OF RESTORING, OR THE STATE, OR, FACT OF BEING RESTORED.
Therefore it can be said, that this is the vessel of a new beginning, the vessel of restoration is a renewed vessel.
This vessel will receive the "Crown of Righteousness" (II Tim. 4:5-8) the crown of righteousness is a reward, and it is not to be confused with the righteousness of God, which the believer receives when he becomes a Christian: for at that time, the believer is made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21) reads like this (For he hath made him to be sin for us who know no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.) This saying righteousness is a gift to be accepted by the lost, the crown of righteousness is a reward to be earned by the saved. If the believer looks for and loves the doctrine of the second coming of Christ. It will affect his whole life, look at the dynamic impact this truth had on the life of the Apostle Paul in (II Tim. 4:7) also (I Cor. 15:32).
REFERENCE: Lev. 10:10; II Kings 5:12; Job 17:9; Ps. 24:4-5; 51:10; Pr. 16:2; 20:9; Isa. 1:16; 52:11; Matt. 8:2-3; 23:26; John 13:10, 11; 15:3; Rev. 19:8.
XXXXII.) VESSELS OF DISHONOR: (II Tim. 2:20)
(V.20) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold, and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some to dishonor.
This vessel, is one of shame, when one magnifies himself as if he can do everything without help from God, or anyone else (Ps. 35:26).
Therefore the vessel of dishonor is a self-made, self-appointed vessel.
This vessel is building with:
WOOD, HAY, and STUBBLE.
This vessel, is unworthy of a reward or crown if you are looking for a vessel to become for the Lord, be sure you choose one that builds with the right materials, GOLD, SILVER, and PRECIOUS STONES so that when it is tried in the fire, it will come forth as pure gold, without lose, pure, and ready to be used by the Lord. Paul said, "If it shall make you free, than rather use it."
REFERENCE: Ps. 35:26; 69:19; Pr. 6:33; Rom. 9:21; I Cor. 15:43; II Cor. 6:8.
WORKING OF MIRACLES
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:We see working of miracles when Jesus took a little boy's lunch and fed five thousand, gathering up twelve remaining baskets when they were through (John 6:5-14). The working of miracles was also used to carry out divine judgment (Acts 5:1-5). Christians in the early church had everything in common. They sold all their possessions and brought the money to the Apostles. God didn't tell them to do it. They evidently had some urge of the Spirit to do this and it proved to be a wise move as in a few years the city was overrun and they would have lost everything they had anyhow.
When Ananias and Sapphira sold their land, they kept part of the money they received. It would have been perfectly all right for them to have come and say, "This is half of it." God didn't require them to give it all. But they lied. Peter knew, through the gift of the word of knowledge, how much Ananias was keeping back. He said, "why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?" Then Ananias fell down dead, a result of divine judgment through the working of miracles. When Sapphira came in later, not knowing that her husband was dead, she repeated the lie and she too fell dead. The working of miracles was again used to carry out divine discipline.
When Paul was preaching in Cyprus, Elymas the sorcerer withstood him. Paul, through the power of God in the operation of the gift of working of miracles, struck him blind for a season, and that was a sign to others nearby (Acts 13:4-12). When Jesus stood on that ship and said, "Peace be still" (Mark 4:39), that worked a miracle.
In (Young's Concordance) the Greek word here is called "powers." In other words the working of miracles, means, "explosions of almightiness." It means impelling, staggering wonders and astonishment. In other words, the Greek could read, "The working of impelling, staggering wonders of astonishments, or the outworking of explosions of almightiness."
When the Lord permits an individual, through the power of the Spirit, to speak the word and the river is divided - the same God who created those waters - He lets a little bit of that omnipotence, as the Spirit wills, be manifested in that person. This working of miracles is indeed a mighty gift, glorifying the "GOD," as Howard Carter said, "Of all power," stimulating the faith of His people, and astonishing and confusing the unbelief of the world.
XXXXIII.) THE GIFTS OF HEALINGS: (Acts 10:38; I Corinthians 12:28-30)
The gifts of healings are for supernatural healing of decease without natural means of any source. Every single one of the nine gifts of the Spirit are supernatural. We may have some difficulty, because of our limited knowledge, in defining some of the other gifts; but I think we have little difficulty in defining this gift, the gifts of healings. Nearly everyone understands about healings, and of course Jesus brought it into prominence by His ministry, which was a healing ministry. He also gave authority to His disciples to heal the sick (Matt. 10:8).
THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS OF HEALINGS IS TO DELIVER THE SICK
AND TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL IN THE HUMAN BODY.
A FULL MEASURE OF THE SPIRIT
IN JESUS' MINISTRY:
The Bible tells us in the Book of Hebrews that Christ had the Spirit without measure. Therefore, we would see a full manifestation of these gifts in His ministry which we wouldn't see in anyone else's because, as the writer of Hebrews inferred, Christ had the Spirit without measure and no other individual does. However, it seems to me it infers that the entire body of Christ has the same measure of the Spirit which Christ had, but it would take the wholke Church to come together in unity for this to happen. Therefore, an individual would not have the same measure of success in ministering even the gifts of healings which Christ had because He had it without measure. This simply means that as the body of Christ, the Church would make up the whole body so it would be only natural that the church as a whole make up the full measure of the Spirit. Then having the Spirit without measure, He would have the manifestation of all these gifts of healings; (I Corinthians 12:28-30).
Why are they "gifts of healings" and not the "gift of healing?" I really don't know but I have my opinion. I don't think any of us could know for certainty because the scripture doesn't tell us, but I think there are gifts of healings because there are different kinds of diseases and one gift wouldn't heal all kinds of diseases. I have noticed in my ministry, as well as in the ministry of others where these gifts are in operation, that there is a greater degree of success in some areas of healing than in others.
Other ministries tell me there are certain kinds of diseases which are seldom healed in their ministries, and yet certain other diseases are nearly all healed. To the question, WHY? I can only answer that I don't know. But Jesus knew and said, "There are some that come but by fasting and prayer" perhaps in the process of time we will know more about this for we are here to study and to learn.
In the ministry of Jesus every manner of sickness and every manner of disease was healed because all the gifts of healings were in manifestation since He had the Spirit without measure.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who
went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of devils, for God was
with Him" (Acts 10:38).XXXXIV.) THE GIFT OF PROPHECY: (I Cor. 14:1-5; I Thess. 5:19-21; Acts 21:8)
Prophecy is the most important of the three gifts of inspiration or utterance, and of course the reason is that it takes the other two - divers kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues - to equal this one. Paul said, ". . .Greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he interpret" (I Cor. 14:5), inferring that to speak with tongues and interpretation is equivalent to prophecy. Therefore, prophecy is really the most important of these three gifts of inspiration or utterance. Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue.
The Hebrew word for "to prophesy" means "to flow forth." It also carries the thought "to bubble forth like a fountain, to let drop, to lift up, to tumble forth, to spring forth." The Greek word that is translated "prophesy" means "to speak for another." It means to speak for God or to be His spokeman.
GIFT OF PROPHECY FOR ALL
(V.1) Follow after charity (Love), and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
In this passage of scripture Paul tells us to desire spiritual gifts, but especially that we might prophesy. That doesn't mean we are not to desire the others, but that we are to put this first. Again at the end of this chapter Paul repeated, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy." Paul, writing by the inspiration of God, emphasized the importance of prophecy.
Notice that Paul is telling the whole church at Corinth to covet to prophesy and to desire spiritual gifts, but "rather that you may prophesy." Yet he had just gotten through telling them in the twelfth chapter of I Corinthians that "God has set in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. . ." Then he said, "Are all apostles?" The answer is no! "Are all prophets?" No, they couldn't be. If prophesying made you a prophet, then Paul would be contradicting himself. However, the fact that you have prophesied doesn't make you a prophet.
A rich man has money. All of us have at least some money, but that doesn't make us all rich by the same token a prophet would prophesy, but one who prophesies wouldn't necessarily be a prophet. A prophet would have more of the gifts in operation than just the gift of prophecy.
He would have revelation gifts operating along with pprophecy. Paul says in verse 29 of this same chapter, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge." Then in verse 30 he said, "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by (that is, another prophet), let the first hold his peace." Here he is talking about revelation. The Prophet would have these other revelation gifts operating.
In the twenty-first chapter of Acts we see a scripture illustration of the gift of prophecy. (Acts 21:8-11).
WRONG USE OF THE GIFT
CREATES CONFUSION:
I Thessalonians 5:19-21
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not Prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Paul didn't infer that just a few believers would speak with tongues. He encouraged the entire church at Corinth to pray in tongues and worship God. Then he said, ". . .let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret" (I Cor. 14:13). God wouldn't tell us to pray for something we couldn't have. And he also wants us to prophecy because he plainly said to "desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy" (I Cor. 14:1). Then he said to covet to prophesy.
MEMORY TEXT:
"But he that prophesieeth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (I Cor. 14:3).
