THE PURE IN HEART

Sons Training Monday, June 19, 2017

How to Study and Teach the Bible Lesson 20

Praises to God the Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ, who has made us accepted in the beloved family of God. They send their greetings to you with grace and mercy. The Father has been faithful to reveal to us the hidden wisdom of the Word. He has taught us the mystery of Christ, but the real question is, “Have you perceived it?”

John 3:1-3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

It seems Nicodemus, too, did not perceive the message our Lord Jesus had been preaching in the streets. Nicodemus was stuck on the fact that Jesus was a miracle worker and a teacher. He saw the anointing of God on His life and limited His existence to just a man being used by God. However, Jesus was the walking, living, breathing Kingdom of God. How is it possible for one to hear the teachings of Christ and not understand them? I remember often when Jesus would teach He would say the following saying: …He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. I believe this proves very plainly that one can hear the Word and not really HEAR it; or rather perceive it. This is manifest in the following scripture.

1 Corinthians 2:4-7

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

The gospel is a mystery. The gospel is only revealed to those who have an ear to hear it. It is the hidden wisdom of God, and only those inside of God can truly perceive it. There are some who can quote the scriptures verbatim, and even teach this message, however, they have not perceived it by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:8-10

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. As a minister, I have noticed a common trend in many of those I minister to. They receive the truth with their intellect. When you do this, the truth becomes nothing more than academia which you will try to implement in your life where you see fit. Also, I can assure you that 80% of those who I am talking about will read this and assume it is not them. Even as we went to school and learned history, biology and such. We took notes in class, and processed the information with our fleshy mind. I have seen this same trend with the saints. They think the Word through with their minds, and try to ponder it in their hearts. They measure this Word against their failures, their past, and they utilize logic. However, this truth will never be deciphered with the natural/carnal mind.

John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? It is very possible to hear heavenly things and not believe nor perceive them. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. The natural eye will never see the things of the Spirit; the natural ear will never hear the things of the Spirit and the carnal mind will never perceive it. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. This message will only be comprehended by those to whom God has shown it.

Matthew 16:13-17

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. I want us to remember here that Jesus had been preaching Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God, since the very beginning of His ministry. However, the knowledge (the ability to know assuredly) that He indeed was the Messiah had to be revealed by God. With all of that said, at salvation our souls were removed from the flesh, placed in the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has entered our bodies. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. The reality of the matter is the following:

Matthew 5:8

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Only the pure in heart will see God.

The saints of God must realize that the Word of God is more than academia, or knowledge; it is life. It is spoken reality. The things of the Spirit are deep and can only be revealed by Him. The Spirit of Enlightenment will allow you to perceive the mysteries of God plainly. However, when there is any form of darkness in our hearts this blinds us from ever manifesting the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

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.

When we walk in darkness, though we may hear the Word and though it will bear witness with our spirit, we will never be able to see it in its totality. Our own darkness will blind us. Our darkness can be our sins, or simply distractions and unbelief. For some, their darkness is the fact that God is always on the “back burner”. He is given the residue of our time. To others, it may be they have placed their focus on life situations, and have missed the glorious liberty of salvation. For others, it could simply be a walk in sin. Nevertheless, God has spoken to us, and has chosen us to hear this truth. The sheep will hear the voice of the Chief Shepherd. God has shined in our hearts and only He can give us the light of knowledge and understanding concerning the mystery that shines in the face of Jesus Christ. He has given us a great gospel, that if perceived, will be received with eternal joy and thanksgiving. When the message is perceived, you will abandon all distractions, all concerns, all agendas, and wantonness. You will embrace your oneness with Christ Jesus. You will then realize that God has called you to be a pilgrim passing through this earth and your sole purpose here is to procure more sons. Is this what you are obsessed with? Or, are you distracted? Judge ye, this day whom you serve. I love you dearly! Let us purify our hearts.