So truthful, it hurts!

The Lighthouse Sentinel

VOL. II NUM. I

2016 HOLY SPIRIT ALL RIGHTS PRESERVED

JANUARY / FEBRUARY

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-21

PAID IN FULL

Become a citizen of the Republice of Grace

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: - Ephesians 3:8-13

Today's

News

Grace & Peace from God

Galatia, Turkey - Don't make the same mistake the church in Galatia did! Let Our Lord Jesus Christ speak to you through His word and live out the liberty that we have in Him. Don't be a fool!

click here to continue

The Risen Lord Jesus Christ told Paul to tell us that we have GRACE & PEACE with God The Father as well as with Him! The church at Thessalonica was a model body of believers but they wanted to know what would become of those that died before them. Read this short letter, (especially chapter 4) to find out! click here to read 1 Thess.

When you hear the phrase "The Second Coming of Jesus", what is your first thought? Is it "look busy"?? In Paul's second letter to the saints at Thessalonica he wanted to assure them that they were not of those that were asleep behind the wheel.....

click here to read 2 Thess.

The Second Coming of Christ and The Out-gathering or Rapture of the Church are two separate events. Read this article to understand more about why understanding this difference is important! One event strikes fear into the hearts of men, while the other brings comfort...

The Secret Going vs. The Second Coming

Corinth, Greece - The apostle Paul wrote two letters to this carnal fellowship who were not walking in The Spirit. As a result they were not demonstrating lives that would be consistent with how God viewed them; "complete in Christ". While the first letter dealt primarily with Paul calling them out on division, contention and fornication he reminded them that they were to be as faithful stewards of the mystery of God commencing in unconditional love towards one another.

click here for 1 Corinthians

Rome, Italy: There is therefore now is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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. - Romans 8:1-11

World

News

Jerusalem, Israel: -

The book of Joel (click here to access) was designed to call the nation to repentance on the basis of the disaster of the locust plague, a token of the more devastating judgment of the coming "Day of the Lord". These judgments fall right in line with what God proclaimed according to the course of curses in Leviticus 26. The prophecy was also intended to comfort the nation with the promise of a future restoration and prosperity in the Day of the Lord, a day of deliverance for Israel and destruction for her foes.

But this great plague is but a mere microcosm of much greater judgment and wrath to come, and it ultimately looks toward the future “day of the LORD.” The book is divided into two major sections:

The first section deals with the locust plague (1:1–2:17), which includes an actual description of the plague (1:1-12), a prediction of a future day of wrath (1:13-20), and a call to repentance (2:1-17).
The second section presents promises of future blessing (2:18–3:21) including the land’s restoration (2:18-27), an outpouring of the divine Spirit (2:28-32), and the judgment of enemy nations and Judah’s renewal (3:1-21).

Joel prophesied of a coming destroying army of locusts, God’s punishment for sin being overwhelming, dreadful, and unavoidable. When His wrath occurs, there will be no food, no water, no protection, and no escape! The day for settling accounts with God for how mankind has rejected His word will be dealt with during this time. During times of stress it appears plainly that the cares of this world are most real to us but during this future day of reckoning—not the weather, mother nature, the economy, finances or threats from a foreign invader will matter. mankind will not be able to ignore or offend God forever and he will be forced to pay attention as His wrath is delivered.

This book of prophecy and future judgment of God is in direct contrast to how God is thankfully dealing with us today under this wonderful dispensing of grace! For the last two thousand years, Jesus Christ told Paul to proclaim - Grace and peace from God The Father and from Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Listen to Daily bible here and get through the bible in 1 year!

January through September

The Law of The Spirit

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

It is my opinion that the verses in Romans 1 and 2 of chapter 8 are typically taught to be associated with the conduct of a Christian for others to determine whether or not an individual is saved. This thinking has nothing to do with "The Law of The Spirit" that the apostle Paul was talking about. Taking Paul's words at face value in these verses, we read that as a result of what Paul already told us (about being justified; declared righteous in Christ by taking God the Father at His word on this matter) THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST.

He follows with a statement not a condition with "who walk not not after the flesh, but after the Spirit!

Why Paul??? Because The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from The Law of Sin and Death. The law of sin and death is simple from God's perspective; you sin, you die...let me explain its origination.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: - Romans 5:12

Paul of course was referring to Adam's sin in the garden that passed to all mankind. It was a matter of Adam not taking God at His word. All sin no matter the magnitude of it's horizontal (man-to-man) consequences is an affront to God...it was why He sent Christ Jesus. But the law of sin and death is in place until a person comes to the knowledge and acceptance of Christ and His offer, His free gift of righteousness which already has reconciled the world to God The Father, but must be appropriated through faith in order to get to heaven. The Law of Moses (The 10 Commandments) although perfect could not save us because it was weak due to our sinful nature! But God sending His own Son on our behalf, in the likeness of sinful flesh (He became one of us...) and for sin condemned sin in the flesh so that the holy and perfect righteousness of the law could be complete in us. Friends, Christ Jesus accomplished that for the world and whether or not ANYONE wants to believe that. Nonetheless, in order to get into God's holy domain, you need to be as righteous as God Himself....this of course is where faith in Christ comes in concerning this matter....so that the righteousness of the law might be completed or fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. In short, since there is now no condemnation to those who have trusted Christ and His righteousness, the "rightness" of the law is complete in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (a statement not a condition)!

The apostles tells us in verse 5 that if you are in the flesh you attend to those things, the Spirit man who is in Christ, does not. Don't be misled by someone's outer appearance or what they may have done for some iteration. Friends, we are not to be fruit inspectors, let the Holy Spirit do His work on that person whether a believer or not. Paul goes on in verse 6 telling his readers that to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. So what does Christianity do? We look for those Christians in a particular sin over some subjective time threshold and if not 100% forsaken, it is assumed that maybe they just aren't saved.

Continued in the 3rd column - "Law of the Spirit"

Our good works should be in gratitude to God not to achive one patrticule of blessing, rightness, blessing or anything else that has not already been completed by Jesus Christ!

Imagine a reunion like this!?!?

We are so blessed to live in this country. We can live today because thousands of soldiers in past wars or confrontations gave their own lives so that we can dwell in freedom!

In addition, there were thousands who faced the horrors of being a prisoner of war. I'd like to use these facts to drive home a point as it pertains to the relationship we have with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Imagine a POW named Joe Dokes, who while in prison often looked at a precious photograph of his family to give him hope each day that he was incarcerated. Day by day over 7 years he was forced to live in extreme weather conditions, along with poor housing and barely enough food to eat, all the while hoping for that future reunion with his wife and three children. Each night through the light the moon provided or by some stray beam or glare, he would gaze at that picture, stop for a moment and kiss each face on that photo. He would often fantasize about how the weather would be on the day he would reunite with his loved ones. Because of this cherished item, it became the motivation for him to live.

Finally, after a heroic rescue mission, Joe would finally be going home! While friendly forces helped him gather his belongings, he held his precious family photo in his hand, looked at it lovingly and again kissed each head in the picture looking forward to being able to return home once again.

Half-way around the world Joe would now be going home after many years away from his family. During the next week of travel, debriefings and other arrangements, Joe would finally be reunited with his loved ones. As he approached within an hour of his native country he pulled out the tattered photograph of his family that he had in his possession for so many years. As tears fell from his eyes, he gently stroked each tiny face in that picture with his thumb, longing for the time when everyone would be together again....

Then finally after so many lonely years, his wishes would come true, his prayers answered as the transport plane touched down, he could see the crowd, the band to celebrate his arrival and as his plane approached its final stop, he could see what appeared to be those loved ones from the picture that he treasured so!

Joe didn't bother retrieving his belongings as he ran down the aisle, then down the stairs to greet his loved ones who he missed so very much. As his family saw him they also ran towards their loved one logging to hold him, touch his face and reunite once again. As Joe approached his family, he looked at the tattered photo, looked at them, and continued moving closer. Then, right before they embraced one another, Joe walked PAST his family and held up that photo and began to sob and stroke and kiss the tiny faces in that picture focusing all his love and attention to that worn out reproduction of what used to be. His real family was left, dazed, confused and saddened by these events....

As twisted as the above story-line might be, I am afraid that there are many in Christian circles that are guilty of doing what Joe Dokes did to his family in our example. For us to cling upon anything other than the sufficiency of Christ and His work at Calvary is as ridiculous and vain as our anti-hero. While all of the bible is for us, not all of it is to us and there are many that would spiritualize the Old Testament AND Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in order to make what was for Israel for believers TODAY in this wonderful dispensing of God's grace. In fact, the apostle Paul accused the believers in Galatia of the same thing calling them foolish while attempting to live by the righteousness of the law rather than through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Isn't it interesting how soon we forget that His righteousness not only delivered us from separation from God, but that same power can sustain us IN THIS LIFE.

The man in the above example acted foolishly because he could not distinguish between what was a representation and what was real. In a similar fashion we make the same mistake with God when we are drawn to any other distraction besides the completeness and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. This includes our ability to walk in the Spirit.

Paul chastised the foolish Galatians asking them if someone had cast a spell on them because at one time they understood the meaning of Christ's death----in that they died too! He told them the same Holy Spirit that identified them with Christ was received by faith and in regards to their conduct, they should continue to rely on Him and NOT their own perfection.

The same righteousness that was good enough to save them would be good enough to sustain them in their Christian walk; THAT righteousness being Christ's....

So as believers, don't depend on signs from God, angels from heaven or something

superstitious....don't make the same mistake Joe Dokes did above, trust in, rely on, cling to what is real-----Our Lord Jesus Christ. <><

Coffee Corner

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

This Issue's Topic:

"Guilty No More!"

Why it is important to fully understand the accomplishments of Christ at Calvary on our behalf......

I was recently talking to a dear friend of mine about the embarrassment of past sins in our lives when the topic of guilt came into focus. I told him that whether or not he knew it, he had quoted the bible in his inward struggles! In Romans chapter 6, Paul talked of sin that believers would look back on with 'new eyes' and be embarrassed about. We read in verses 19 through 21 of that same chapter: I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. In this context, Webster defines guilt as: "feelings of culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy : morbid self-reproach often manifest in marked preoccupation with the moral correctness of one's behavior {aggressive responses originating in inner guilt and uncertainty.

The bible tells us that we are indeed sinners but believers must remember that the completed work of Jesus Christ not only removed our sins, but our guilt as well! As a matter of fact, nowhere in Paul's letters do we read about guilt being an issue for a child of God. The only guilt mentioned in the gospel of the grace of God has to do with unbelievers. (in this context; ref. Rom. 3:19 - RICK)

You may ask then; "If what you are saying is true, how can I overcome my feelings of guilt?" Some of the most frequent answers you will hear may or may not bring rest in a believers heart when being pounded with real, overwhelming, feelings of guilt. These answers include:

We're all human and we're not perfect after all...
Just forget about it!
Don't be so negative....
Read the bible, you'll feel better....

While all of the above answers may have an element of truth in them, God has something for us that is much more complete! While we know through the definition above that guilt is "self-inflicted", Jesus Christ would approve of us doing more than just "reading the bible" for superstition sake for a certainty. Others may even feel compelled to read in order to avoid the perceived "wrath of God". Instead, God has made it clear in His word through what Paul received from Jesus Christ on this matter. It is here where reading the bible begins to form doctrine so that our lives take on new meaning and purpose according to the Master Architect!

One of the many great things about the message of grace is that nowhere in Paul's letters will you find him 'rubbing our noses' in past sin. The One who loved us enough to die for us while giving us His own righteousness in the process, does not want us to labor but to live for Him! It is this distinct gospel that He gave Paul that describes our former state in unbelief so that we may understand the consequences of sin from a practical sense. But Paul describes our position in Jesus Christ to be unchanging despite ourselves and our failures! "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Colossians 1: 22,23

The bible presents an interesting dichotomy of sorts in regards to man's sin on this very issue we are discussing. How can we grasp the magnitude and destructiveness of sin while understanding it no longer has a grip on us? While digesting and 'chewing the cud' on Christ's accomplishments on our behalf, we also will read and study the bible as it refers to literally thousands of examples of sin, its destructive trail and the lives it ruins. But Paul refers back to our sinful past only to remind us of the abundance of the riches of His grace and for that purpose alone! Yes, he rebukes Corinth, but it's his doctrine which speaks of reconciliation, peace with God and a joyful remembrance of the new creatures we have become in Christ Jesus. This "gospel of grace" given only to Paul, speaks of God tabernacling in us as the 'new' temple. This "revelation of the mystery" encourages believers to renew our mind as part of our lives in order to think on things that edify us.

God wants His children to be thankful while expressing that thankfulness through love towards one another. It is the love of Christ that should constrain us to do just that!

It is the understanding of Christ's great love for us that will free us from our self-inflicted state of guilt. After all, if God the Father says we are reconciled to Jesus Christ and that we have taken on His very righteousness, then where is the sin and its associated guilt? Secularism and other psychology will place the blame and guilt of sin on someone else including parents, relatives or maybe past romances. While horrific life events may shape us, we give them the power to rule us. These teachings continue to present man blameless and guiltless for all the wrong reasons! The bible condemns us yes; for all have sinned and we continue to fall short of God's bar of perfection.(Continued on right)

Earth News

Philippi, Greece- The bible makes it clear that Satan has transformed himself into an angel of light and that we should not be surprised that he has transformed "ministers of righteousness" to deceive many. With these "wolves in sheep's clothing" across our churches today, let's examine what Paul had to say to the saints at Philippi. Read the text in verses 1 through 10 in the chapter of Philippians 1 first, then make sure to go back and read the rest of the chapter!

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 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: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. - Philippians 1:1-21

The Law of the Spirit

(continued)

Paul clears up the notion of conduct as an indicator of whether or not someone is a Christian in verse 7 of the above passage:

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Christians often consider themselves quite spiritual because they are able to overcome struggles or some vice that maybe others have not. Worse, with this form of self-righteousness, they claim great devotion to God while having nothing to do with resting in Christ and His sufficiency...

We must understand clearly that "BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT; FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN" (Romans 3:20).

We should have no illusions as to man's utter inability to please God by works in any age including this age of grace. Our good works should be in gratitude to God not to achive one patrticule of blessing, rightness, blessing or anything else that has not already been completed by Jesus Christ!

So, "The Law of the Spirit" has made us free from The Law of Sin and Death" then friends. Let's not confuse the two when we see someone step out of line lest we fall into the same temptation. Let's exercise brotherly love and help bring them back to right thinking so that they can continue to be a testimony of Christ.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Romans 5:6-11

Guilty No More!

(continued from 3rd column )

But exclusively and only through Christ do we have the opportunity to have His perfection charged to us, His righteousness deposited into our account and His liberty to sustain us forever! It is this reconciliation Paul had in mind when he said in 2 Corinthians 5: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Resource Point