The New Jerusalem: Relationship

From the Apocalyptic Book of Revelation St.John Records for  us a Vision of the New Jerusalem using the Highly Symbolic Form of writing which is Call "Apocalyptic Litature" Which Was Devised by the Jewish People in the Second Century BC and Was Employed by Early Christians.   

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathor mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for  these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev:21:1-5

During the time at  close of the Old Testament and the writing of the New Testament,  Rabbinical Scholars had  come to believe that at the end of human history God would restore the very Garden of Eden which they believed was removed from the Earth by God and taken into Heaven,  when the Great Flood was sent upon the Earth  in the Days of Noah. They believed that at the end of history  the Edenic condition would be restored between God and humanity.

The City of God

St. John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit draws upon this concept of  restored Eden when he writes of the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God.

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” he who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev:21:1-5

This city,  which we are given a glimpse of ,  we are told has been sought even from the time of the Patriarchs. Abraham is spoken of as seeking this city.

"By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Heb:11:9-10

The Holy Scriptures even describe the Christian life  in Jesus in the terms of this New Jerusalem.

"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven".Heb:12:22-23

This New Jerusalem is described in great detail within the book of Revelation as it descends from out of Heaven from God. St. John  records what the Spirit shows him as he transported in the Spirit to a high mountain by an angle.

"One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" Rev:21:9-10

 St. John tells us about the Holy City of God, this New Jerusalem,  which is described in great detail within the book of Revelation as it descends from Heaven from God to the New Earth. This Holy City is depicted as being filled with radiance of the glory of the Lord.

"It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life"(12-27)

Many Christians view this vision as a literal city, the  New Jerusalem in which all redeemed humanity, in Christ,  will dwell in  with the great God at the close of human history. 
But is this what the Holy Spirit is really speaking to us? What Does it mean?

A Community

In the ancient world, the world in which the Church was founded on the Day of Pentecost , the community was of supreme value and great importance, and all the more,  to be closely associated with a given community was a thing to be prized and to take pride in, to have one's name written into the role book of a given city as a citizen was highly prized among the people and of great personal and social pride.

Even St. Paul demonstrates  this pride in his citizenship and being a a citizen of the city of Tarsus in the Cilicia region of Asia Minor.
  
 "Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary" Acts:21:39
Jesus himself eluded to this citizenship as a position to be valued in a conversation with his Disciples as they returned and gave a report on their evangelism tour and the power which was manifested in them.

"but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke:10:20b

But what  ,was and  is , this community, especially in the ancient world in which the Church arose out of at the manifesting of the Holy Spirit among and in the lives of the followers of Jesus?

A community in the ancient world was ,and still  is,  an extended  interdependent relationship among several people all living  together in a given place all who are a part of one another lives and each contributing to that extended relationship as they are able.

Understanding the ancient world's view of a community as an extended relationships to which persons are bound together in can help us better understand what the Spirit is telling us about the New Jerusalem.

St.John begins his description of the New Jerusalem describing it as having and emitting the very radiance of the glory of God and  walls which enclosed the city.

"It shone with the glory of God, and its radiance  was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal"Rev:21:11

Community In Christ

St.John's description of this New Jursalem, this extended community relationship,   from the very  start points us to the presence of Jesus , the eternal Son of God , the second person of the Holy Trinity as being the very source of and among this community relationship of the redeemed.

The "glory" and "radiance" which St.John sees coming from the New Jerusalem is Jesus himself who we are told is according to the Hebrews Epistle is:

 " The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" Heb:1:3

This tells us that Jesus  is that glorious perfect representation of what God, the Holy Trinity wants for humanity, which is, what the New Jerusalem expresses for us , and that we should and will live in an extend community bound together thru the person of Jesus,and that this was and is God's purpose even from the very creation.

"let us make man in our image and in our likeness"  Gen:1:26

This community relationship is patterned after God's own "image" and "likeness", for the Holy Trinity is a community relationship which God has with in himself. This is why humanity is drawn to live in community with others  , because God himself is a community. Living in community with others, is the part of the "image" and "likeness"  which God is referring to.

High Walls and Gates

This glorious City of God, this radiant community we are told  by St.John  has high walls which enclose the community and each of these walls has thee gates.

"It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west"Rev:21:12-13

These gates we are told never shut "On no day will its gates ever be shut(25)" again this speaks of our God's grace and desire that all come to Jesus , he will never turn us away.

In the ancient world walls were need for security. Wall represented and  spoke of safety , a place of refuge and security. The higher and thicker the walls the more safety there was  for those within.
The safety of the Old Covenant Cities of Refuge found throughout Israel are brought to mind.Joshua:20:1-9.

That Jesus is the refuge to which we all can resort to and enter.

These great walls of the New Jerusalem which enclose this community of the redeemed,  speak to us all regarding the security of our relationship with our Lord Jesus.

That our relationship with our God is secure,  and is secured, by and thru Jesus alone. We are assured of God's great love for us and that there is nothing we can do lose his loving grip upon our lives.


"I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand"Jhn:10:28-29

In these great secure walls are found the gates of Pearl thru which the redeemed enter into this community. The gates are found on all side of the city, the north, the south, the east or west, each of these gates bare an name of the tribes of Israel name upon them, showing us that Israel was from where the Christ would arise from,  for salvation is of the Jews.Jhn:4:22b.

This also tells us that thru Jesus people of all nations might be joined with and as part of the promises made to Israel. Eph:2:21

The Pearl is the message, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God,which has been preached into all the world  by the Apostles of our Lord.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."Matt:13:45-46

This Gospel message is  personified in the person of our Lord Jesus ,preached throughout the earth, the directions also speak of the accessibility of God to any and to all who will but freely receive it.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matt:28:18-20

Jesus himself tells us that he is the gate through which we enter this holy community and there is no other means.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved They will come in and go out, and find pasture."Jhn:10:7-9

What this all tells us  is that we have gained access into the redeemed community,  this New Jerusalem, when we hear the Gospel proclaimed and come to believe and accept all that Jesus has accomplished for us all. 

"The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick" Rev:21:15-17

The Walls Measured

This city is a place of perfect balance and is in a accordance with word of God.
The rod which St.John sees the angle used to measure the city is the Greek the word where from we  derive the word Canon or Canonical which  is used to describe the body of writings which we recognized as inspired  by the Holy Spirit, this means that our relationship with God is perfectly framed by the word of God, the Holy Bible.

"The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick" Rev:21:15-17

Foundations

St.John directs us now to the foundations of this New Jerusalem, on which the secure walls are built.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.Rev:21:14

This reference to the Apostles reminds us that they were the very first who came to believe that Jesus is the Christ and that they would serve as the start of God work of grace, and the very start of this redeemed community under the tenants of the New Covenant, which gives birth to the Church with Jesus as the very cornerstone of the foundation which hold the rest in place. Matt:16:17-19

 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone",Eph:2:19-20

It is Jesus who holds the New Jerusalem, this extended community relationship, in place as the Cornerstone . This tells us that our secure relationship is built on an unshakeable foundation secured by Jesus himself.

A Royal Priesthood

the foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst" (19-20)

The stones which are upon the great foundations speak to us of the Royal Priesthood which all Christians are apart of as believers in Jesus.1Petr:2:9

This Royal  Priesthood of believers  is  from Jesus' own ministry as the High Priest.Heb:4:14-16. The precious stones also call to mind the Stones which adorned the Brest Plate of Israel's High Priest, which Jesus supersedes.

The Golden Way

St.John  also sees as the main road of the city a golden street. This would be known in the Ancient world as the King's High Way, or The King's street it was the main way to the Royal residence ,or to the main city  of a kingdom. This road was often a tole road and a price needed to be paid to travel it.

This beautiful golden way of gold, is Jesus himself who has paved the way to this New Jerusalem and   who paid tole, the price for us all so that we might enter this glorious city. "I am the Way" Jesus tells us.

No Temple

St. John notes the absences of any Temple, he then explained that this  because it is due the presence  of God and Jesus himself.

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple"
Those who have entered into this redeemed community now wroship in Spirit and in truth and  are not bound by locations or building ceremonies. Jhn:4:19-24

Citizens From All Nations

We are told in the narrative of Revelation that people of all nations are now  apart of this community relationship with the great God, through Jesus.

"The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."(26-27)

The Restoration of Eden

St. John give us a a little more detail about this extended community realtionship which is pictured by the New Jursalem. St.John again borrows from the Rabbinical belief of a restored Eden, which pictures for us what our God's intent has always been toward humanity .

Eden was a place and condition of rest, beauty, abundance,security, health, peace , joy, and unlimited access and fellowship with the Creator of all things.Eden was a place where humanity was intended to walk among the shade of the trees, along the rivers which flowed  and come to know their God. Gen:1-2

Here St.John tells us that God's eternal purpose is now made a reality for all who will believe. St. John gives us a glimpse of what is now made true for any and all who will receive it through Jesus alone, that the Holy Spirit, pictured by the River which flows from the Throne of God ,  minsters to us every thing which the cross of our Lord has accomplished for us. There is fruitfulness and life , glorious worship and fellowship  in union with our God, no more pain no more suffering, our minds filled with merits of our Lord Jesus , no more sorrow not more alienation, no more disenfranchisement a place of belonging where our Lord God is accessible and among and in us all and it even now available  to all  and can be experienced even now thru the body of the Church, which give us only a foretaste of awaits in eternity.

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."Rev:22:1-5

This Community Relationship pictured by the New Jerusalem is what our God has always intended  for each and all of us as being in his "image" and "likeness", even from the very garden of Eden ,to us now , and on into eternity.

Benediction: may we each and all give glory to our God who, through Jesus has brought us into a  extended community realtionship , which he has always intended for us to live in union with himself and one another, today, tomorrow and forevermore.Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion  
2101 Old National Pike Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

Pentecost:Brought Together in Jesus

  Pentecost- or Sha·vu·oth- in Hebrew= Feast of First Fruits

Pentecost has been seen as an Inarguable event that starts a “season” called- “Whitsuntide”.

We can read of humanities' attempt to have a form of forced unity  and the results of this human inspired effort in Gen:11:1-9

After the great flood humanity came together in pride and arrogance  in a humanly devised attempt to   “reach heaven” . This attempt ended in God confounding the languages of men so that their attempt failed

The nations were brought together by “one” , as one for their own purposes,  all speaking the same language yet,after the intervention of the great God , now humanities speaks in each in their own language an   all in regard to their own agenda,   and there has been strife and separation  among the nation of the world from that day until our present time.

Acts: 2:1

Often we view the events  surrounding  Pentecost as  Pentecost as having a kind of separation from those events just 50 days prior, that is , the crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  But  when we view Pentecost in  this way, then can develop the idea that  the Church emerges after the other great occurrence of Jesus’ live and can see the Church as being somehow distinct  from the vents in Jesus' life and death and resurrection.

That is, we see Pentecost  as an in “event” which inaugurates the Church. But we better understand it when we see Pentecost not as a delayed reaction to all those thing surrounding Jesus, but as an immediate result of those things, that is,  all Pentecost did was demonstrate what was already true , that Jesus lives and is the Son of the living God. Pentecost simply shows us this truth.

That Pentecost is, in truth ,  a summery of what has come before , especially the Death and Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.  Pentecost reflects that the Holy Spirit has, and is at work, not that he has  just begins to work , albeit in a new way bringing humanity into a grand participation with the living Jesus , affirming that the great God thru the incarnation  has united us to himself thru Jesus, the eternal Son of God the second person of the Holy Trinity.

Whereas humanity, in the post-flood area attempted to reach "unto heaven" resulting in a scattering of the peoples of the Earth , God has , thru the incarnation and the manifestation of the Holy Spirirt  on Pentecost  into the lives of people from all nation has brought unity in Jesus and the Spirirt showing that Heaven has reached down to us and brought us together in unity.

The Church then are those, regardless of from what nation they come,  who have begun to participate with Jesus having entered into the forgiveness of sin which God has made freely available thru his Holy Son Jesus,  and now have surrendered to the lead of the Holy Spirit in their lives making them a type of symbolic "first fruit" along with Jesus.

"But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."1Crth:15:23a

"He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created"Jam:1:18

The Ancient Church Compelled

The Ancient Church saw Pentecost as more of a day to recapitulate what is already true ,  that salvation has come and is available for humanities participation.
Through Jesus, and his Holy Spirit in our lives,   what the day of Pentecost in Act :12 does ,  is to demonstrates  what those who have come to believe  are to do ; we are to tell the world around us about the living Jesus.

In St.Luke's account in Acts:2, the 120 Disciples could not be contained to the upper room where they had been assembling, the Holy Spirirt compelled them to enter the streets of Jerusalem and proclaim Christ and his Kingdom.

St.Paul tells us , in his Epistle to Geek Christians at the city of Corinth that the proclamation by the Church  of the Gospel  message was motivated by the love of God shown toward all humanity  thru Jesus and his saving work.

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."  2Crth:5:14

The day of Pentecost does not mark the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s work in the History of salvation, but demonstrates that The Holy Spirits has, and is,and will be at work in the world  now through the Church that is all Christians.

The Church

Pentecost  is the day that we note the Church as a body empowered by the Holy Spirits moves through the world  and presents the Risen Savior to humanity  This same group of people who hid in fear just a few short weeks prior now empowered and embolden go forth and tell the world about Jesus, thru their words and actions.

 Pentecost, Not Bable

Pentecost demonstrates that the curse of Bable , in Christ has been Broken.

At Pentecost God brought many from many nations all , manifesting different languages , but speaking in “one” voice about Jesus not reaching up to heaven but heaven reaching down to men.

A Hymn of the Post Apostolic Church

“Filled with the Spirit’s power, with one accord

The infant church confessed its risen Lord.

O Holy Spirit, in the church today

No less your power of fellowship display”

For Us

The very same Holy Spirit who empowered the Church and manifested the Resurrected Jesus 2000 years ago and throughout the ages,  is the same Spirit and same Jesus , which is manifested in the live of the church even at this hour, who is here in our midst who indwells us thru out the ages,  Pentecost reminds us of this truth now and forevermore. that in Jesus we are brought together as one.

Benediction: May we each and all ever rejoice this Pentecost that we are brought together in Jesus, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen


Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

A Shepherd's Priority

For the Shepherd , those who watched over and cared for the folks, their priority was to see that,  in the end of the season,  that as many of sheep arrived home safely as possible .
The sheep were Shepherd's  priority, he was driven by a love for them, and sheep, are difficult animals to tend to. Sheep often behave badly and often, foolishly. Sheep but against each other needlessly and spread parasites and disease to one other, yet,  it is for just such an  animal that the Shepherd was willing to lay down his life.

The Good Shepherd

Sheep in so many ways, mirrors the behavior of humanity and even Christians yet it is for this lot of humanity for which  Jesus Christ died to demonstrate God's unconditional love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus made it his priority , to come and do all that is needed so that we could, like the sheepfold at the end of the season,  be with our God and Father and have eternal life.

Jesus laid down his own life for all of us, and he did it  willingly. Jesus was not compelled nor forced by any law or resident power  to go to the cross ,it was only out of his love for us, each and all of us and his Father that he did this to show the great depth of God's love and mercy toward and for us all.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” Jhn:1-18

Jesus did for us, each and all of us, what  not even the best of us  could never had done for ourselves. Even in our sinfulness  our God showed us his unconditional  love for us . God would not abandon us to the wolves of sin and death, but came to us,  was among us  as one of us all to deliver us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rm:5:6-8

 As a Shepherd Jesus made us his priority,  to redeem us, and bring us into his eternal sheepfold that awaits any and all who will but freely receive it beyond the confines of this life.

The Father’s Will

Jesus did this out of love for us,, but also out of Love for the Father in Heaven to fulfill God' purpose which he has ordained  and his loving desire  to have us as his Children. This was, and is,  the eternal will of God.

Jesus came to do the will of the Father which was for us to have eternal life.


"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”Jhn:6:37-40

Jesus came to do the will of the Father which is that  the Father wanted you and I and all of us  as his own.

Jesus Will get us Home

The Shepherd never took is flock where he himself has not gone. Jesus has walked the the life we each and all live, Jesus as the great Shepherd knows how to get us home when our season upon this Earth come to a close, Jesus has made us his priority,  to bring each and all and as many who will but freely receive it into the household of the great God for all eternity.

Benediction: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" Amen.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

Prayer for The Washington County Commissioner’s Meeting ,April 2016, In Washington Pennsylvania

This Prayer was Delivered at the April 2016,  Washington County  County Commissioner's meeting in Washington County Pennsylvania by Rev.Todd Crouch

The Apostle St. Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy that we should offer Prayers for our leaders.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior":1Tim:2:1-3

It is also recorded in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs the29 chapter vers 2.
“When the righteous rule, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan”

Lord God , Creator of both Heaven and Earth,  we pause at the opening of this gathering to give you thanks for all the blessings , material and immaterial which you have lavished upon us individually and collectively .

We thank you Lord God for the freedom to meet together and discuss the needs of Washington County and the municipalities which are within Washington County. Lord we thank you for the long and rich history of Washington County and the many advantages which you have given to us all.

Lord we thank you for those who have a willing heart to assume the responsibility, before you, to lead and direct the affairs and business of Washington County and to serve in the sacred public trust as Commissioners, Lord bless them with peace in their lives both public and private.

St. James wrote that “if anyone desires wisdom let them  ask of God and he will give it”. We humbly ask for wisdom and the spirit of unity and cooperation in dealing with the needs and challenges of Washington County.

We ask that today, and every day, you would endow our Commissioners, and all of our municipal leaders , to have this spirit of wisdom and guide them in the resolutions of challenges which we collectively face.

Lord we ask that your blessings would come down and rest upon Washington County to create an atmosphere of a civil and just moral climate .That Washington County would be a place of peace, and prosperity and opportunity  both spiritually and economically,  a place  where the poor are not forgotten and the weak are not oppressed, that the elderly are honored and the young are nurtured,   where there is equality for each and all , a place of justice and respect  for everyone .

That there will be respect  and high regard for our police and law enforcement and public safety  personnel ,and  and citizens who are responsible  for their  lives ,and that  each  will be fair and just in all of their dealings in every sector of life. 

Lord God we ask that the long and deep historic ties, and the sacred heritage which Washington County shares with the churches within the County will be maintained and respect and protected and will foster a growing awareness in the hearts and minds of each and all citizens of their need for you and your abiding presence in their lives both public and private.

Lord God as we are gathered here today, let it be recalled that over two centuries ago , that the people of Washington County, both high and low, came before you and made a sacred Covenant; that only the God of the Holy Scriptures would be honored and worshiped in Washington County.Lord we ask that the sacred intent of the tenants found within that Covenant will be honored and fulfilled in our time, by we their descendants.   

Lord God glorify yourself in Washington County, and in this land and in all the Earth.

We ask , you Lord God , to restore, renew and reinvigorate all of our places of worship that they would thrive and be fruitful  as well as all   public and private institutions , our schools, business  large and small , manufacturing and service to thrive and be blessed , as the Palmist wrote “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;”

Lord we ask that the deliberations held and decisions   made here this day,  and every day, will be for the public welfare and good . We ask that Washington County will live up to all of it’s  potential  and become the place which you have desired it to be and for the purpose that you have ordained, and for which you have founded it.

We ask Lord that what occurs in Washington County will be so astounding and your blessings so great,  that the cup of the County will overflow to each and all of it’s citizens  and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all America.

Lord we ask that what is about to take place here in Washington, will command the attention of many and bring an influx of capital ,  investment, and resources both material and immaterial…That Washington County will be an example to counties across the land  of what it looks like to receive the favor and blessing from your loving hand to which others will look and wish to emulate and to receive.

Lord,  thru your Holy Spirit guide and bless our Commissioners and other civil and public servants, and God Bless Washington County with all these blessings, and more.

We ask these all things in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
 

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

Behold the Man!

 Governor Pilate brings forth Jesus to the mob that has assembled in there on the floor of judgment called “Gabbatha” . Jesus has been scourged and abused , mistreated in many ways and Jesus  is now presented before the  mob that assembled there –and to all humanity. Jhn: 19:1-9

“Behold the Man” ,  Ecce Homo, only St. John records theses words, this beholding of Jesus is not Just for that mob there two thousand  years ago,  but it is for all humanity in each and every age . These words "Behold the man" are an invitation  for  all humanity throughout the ages to look upon Jesus.

There we all see Jesus’ wearing the crown of thorns, beaten, bloodied and broken standing starkly before them and we all.

"Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!" Jhn:19:1-5

What we see is Jesus ,who in the Apocalyptic Book of  Revelation is called the Lamb  who was "slain from the foundation of the world"– the Holy Spirit drew on this graphic image of the humanity of  Jesus  standing before the World  beaten and  bloodied  to convey to us all that in the incarnation God , has made away to deal with the sin of humanity and bring us into union with himself. Pilate does not even perceive the import of his own words.

The Lamb

God is pointing the humanity of Jesus out as the One who unites us with himself. Even in the Eternal state of the very highth of Heaven we can still see Jesus;  we can behold the man Jesus there at the throne of God.

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders" Rev:5:6a-b

We see Jesus , who stands eternally as the object of the heavenly worship,  even now, the Lamb who eternally is bearing  the wounds , the  marks of slaughter. This is the same  the same Jesus who was brought out before the enraged mob on the pavement of  judgement , this angry mob ,which represented all humanities's reaction to the Holiness of  great God.

These wounds upon the Holy person of our Lord Jesus are the only man made things in Heaven.

Jesus is the Lamb who was slaughtered on our behalf.St.John tells us that God has eternally made provisions for our forgiveness , to have his unconditional love and grace flow like a cleansing river to wash our sins forever away .

"the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world"Rev:13:8b

This tells us, thru the cultural axiom , that God has ,even in Eternity Past,  forgiveness  just waiting for Jesus to come and thru his life death and resurrection show us what has and is eternally true and so we might upon belief in Jesus experience this forgiveness and grace.


Hostility Toward God

Jesus was handed over by the "Religion Leaders" . They perceived Jesus as a threat to their position and power , not to truth or holiness. Religiosity always sees grace as a threat and attempts to dismiss or  to destroy it.

"Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”Matt:20:17-19

When the mob, incited by the "Religious Leaders",   stood before Pilate that day looked upon Jesus they saw one who was a perceived threat to them and to their “Religious Establishment”,this mob expressed there on that day what the Apostle St.Paul would cite in his Epistle to the Christians in the Asia Minor city of Colosee, that it is humanity which is hostility toward God, not God towards humanity.

"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,"Colss:1:21a

There at Gabbatha this hostility found with the minds of humanity  has full expression in the mob that is shouting for the blood of Jesus , the man we are told by Pilate to "behold".
Religiosity,  and  the baser impulses of humanity are being given their fullest evilest expression in that moment  all directed toward Jesus, the perfect embodiment of the love and grace of God.

This rejection ,and humanities hostility , and it’s cure was prophesied in the word’s of Isaiah the Prophet who wrote some fully of the saving work of Jesus that some Biblical Scholars call Issiah's writings the fifth Gospel.Isa: 53:1-9

"See, my servant will act wisely ;he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him —his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness" Isa:52:13-14a-b

These words tells that even as humanity is hostile,  God’s love for humanity is there to bring us back into union with himself all thru Jesus.

Behold the Man

Pilate's  statement points us all to  the incarnation. Those who beheld Jesus  on that day, and many through out the ages, really do not understand what they  were to "behold" in the person of Jesus Christ.
It is when we "behold the man" ,  that when we look upon the person of Jesus Christ we see that in Jesus God has  joined with us , so that in Jesus God has,   and is revealing  himself to us so that we might come to believe and be holy.

In and thru Jesus all of God, the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit  is brought into view. That when we come to Jesus, we come to All of God, in his Holy Person.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness"Colss:2:9-10

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."Colss:1:15-20

Pilate said more then he knew that day when he presented Jesus before the mob Gabbatha. Pilate was, in his ignorance , preaching the very Gospel,  telling the mob, and all of us, to  "behold" Jesus ,  that is our message and the message of the Church throughout the ages,  “Behold the man”.

Benediction:May we each and all ever tell others around us to "behold the Man" today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen!

 Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

Breaking the Chains

So often we find our selves in the Spiritual life struggling against sin or the pulls of the flesh, or the pressures from the world. Many attempts to over come their habits and will find themselves falling back into the pattern of behavior  which are not good. They feel bound in chains and unable to move forward.

Often new believers will lunch into the spiritual life and initially make many changes and strides in the Christian life, and may have some success at the new life for a time only to find themselves defaulting to patterns of behavior that they lived prior to coming to faith in Christ.

These patterns of thought and behavior shackle so many believers and imprison them . These believers, in their desire to be rid of these issues,  may exert more effort or attempt to show more will power  only to find success elusive.

Doing More Good

Some will reason that they need to “do more good” and  they attempt to handle this situation by following a code of "good works" thinking that doing good is the answer.

 Some will  Look to the Ten Commandments as the patter or guide for our lives only to fall short , and in fact, we find that the more effort we expend and will power we put forth, we only to fail again,  feeling even more frustrated and chained to our problems and patterns of behavior.

Attempts are made to adopt a life style which will help us control the pulls which hound us to control the" flesh" do not work even though they seem good but in the end we do not solve the problem nor break the chains which we are bound in.

"Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence"Cols:2:20-23.

Crucify the Flesh

Many see the need to crucify the evil works of the flesh ,but some do not see the need to crucify the "good" works of the flesh.

Even the "good" works  of the flesh needs to be crucified, as "good" as these works might be , if the originate out of the "flesh" than these works are just are not "good" enough.

Remember that at the beginning our first parents chose the Tree of  the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  This is the way of  relying on the "flesh" not on  God for every provision of salvation and life to be given by and through his grace.

The Tree of Good and Evil produces "good and evil" and what is more "good" is listed first, so this tells us that the "flesh" can produce a "flesh" originated "good",  but this "good" falls short . The Tree of Life was literally to chose grace and dependence on God. Gen:3

Many attempt to keep the Law supposing that keeping the Ten Commandments or some form of code will result in the level of freedom that we want, only to find themselves failing . But why is this so?

When we look to the Law or any performance based "religion" we can fall into "Legalism".

A Legalist can have only one of two reactions. A legalist will ether over estimate their performance which will then manifest in self righteousness or they will underestimate their performance which then manifest as self condemnation. A legalist can never be at rest, there is always something the need to do, or to do better.

Problems Gain Strength

It seems the more that we try to do "good" the harder it becomes, we cry out for divine help. We know that we believe in Jesus, we know that we have been forgiven of all our sins, yet we struggle  against the chains that bind us seemly to no avail .
Sincere Christians struggle with  the "fruit of the flesh" being manifested in our lives. At times we can feel overwhelmed and held captive. We can be frustrated and riddled with guilt at our failures.

It seems the more that we attempt to break the chains of the flesh the greater the pull that the flesh has over us we find our lives producing the fruit of the flesh. Gal: 5:19-23

St. Paul gives our very state a voice in his Epistle to Christians at Rome two thousand years ago, and to we believers throughout the ages as we have dealt with the issue of try to do good only to fail.

"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Rm:7:14-20

St. Paul shared all of our struggle with attempting to deal with sin through the Law. He found that he was unable to keep the Law, knowing that it is "good" yet still falling short, as do we all.

Sin is Empowered

What is it that we all fall short and fail when we attempt to break the chains of sin that can bind us through keeping the Law, or any humanly devised code, or performance based "religion"? It seems that the greater we struggle  and try to keep the Law the worse our state becomes, it is as if , the worse it gets, the worse it gets.
Where does sin's power come from? St. Paul tells us in his Epistle to the Christians in Corinth.

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law"."1Crth:15:56

St. Paul is telling us  that very the power of sin is the Law itself. At first ,this seems a contradiction, the Holy Law of God which in Romans St. Paul tells us is good , he now tells us is the very power of the chains which hold us. This means what it says that the Law gives sin power.

That where the Law is present, or any performance based "religion",  sin has power. The more Law the more power to your sin.

Where performance and a preoccupation with rules and works are found you will find Christians struggling for the freedom that the Bible speaks of.

Law Brings Failure

We can feel that  can not move forward because we are in chains in which we are bound , these and will stifle the Spiritual life.

As glorious as the Law, was and is,  St. Paul however calls the whole Covenant,  which the Ten Commandments were the center piece of,  the "Ministry of Death" written of Stone Tablets . 2Crth:3:7-9

"Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was,"(7)

The Covenant with its'  Law was called the "Ministry of Death " because , that is what is the result of attempting to keep it, we can not do keep it,  we all fall short,  we have no power in our own selves to keep it.

When the Law was given and the Covenant ratified  it was marked by death as if to emphasize what would result. On that day, which was the Feast of First Fruits, under the Old Covenant three thousand died .Ex:32:27-28

"He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.'" So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day".Ex:32:27-28

When we are under a performance based "religion" then death will result, that was what the Old Covenant was.

Old Covenant was not just a set of Law and Sacraments , but rather was and is  a  Mind set . The belief that the way to God is performance.  Whatever Law that is resorted to, if we take hold of any "code"  then we are under this Old Covenant  mind set,  and we will find failure.

 St. Paul confronted this is his own life and ministry, and with a view of the experience the people of Israel, and all humanity by extension. St. Paul cries out the question which we all ask.

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me." Rm:7:22-23

The Solution

St. Paul ask for us what the solution is for  all,  for we all share this same condition none of us is "good" enough, the flesh can not produce any fruit which is "good" enough to save us.

"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" (24)

The Apostle then answer the great question for us.

"Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (25)

St. Paul  again, provides the same solution for us and the admonition that our Christian lives is not futile all because of Jesus.

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."1Crth:15:57-58

Jesus and his work upon the cross and his glorious resurrection is the answer to
his is why Christians anguish under the bondage never being able to fully experience freedom and maturity in the their spiritual life  when they are under a law or performance based "religiosity" .

Where performance and a preoccupation with rules and works are found you will find Christians struggling for the freedom that the Bible speaks of.

The Cross

At the cross God, through his Holy Son Jesus,  brought the means to know true freedom . At the cross we find God providing everything needed for the salvation of humanity and freedom upon faith in the work of Jesus Christ.

When this message about Jesus and his death upon the cross was preached on the Day of Pentecost centuries  after the Law was given,  what God has done through Jesus,  and the New Covenant was then inaugurated then three thousand then came to believe.Acts:2:38-41

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."Acts:2:41

At the cross God himself and  took away the sin and the instrument of the Law that empowered sin in the lives of humanity. The veil  of the Temple was rent and out poured the rivers of God's grace upon us.

Do Not Forget

 St.Peter wrote that when we Christians forget that we are forgiven, it hinders our Spiritual maturity. 2Ptr:1:59

At the cross God, through Jesus Christ, has simultaneously forgiven our sin, and not just forgiving what we have done or thought, but has forgiven us of who and what we are, that is , God has forgiven that we are flesh and the nature which we all possess and God  dismantled the Law that condemns of us.

 St.Paul the tells us that Law is abolished. Eph:2:23-16

•  St.Paul tells us that we are dead to the Law,  that it is no power over us.Rm:7:4

•  We are under Grace so sin will not Rule us.Rm:6:14

•  God has qualified us  not we ourselves. Col:1:12

In His Flesh

Jesus, by coming in the incarnation as one of us, that is, sharing our flesh and dieing in the flesh, by doing this,  even the flesh , and all that it produces, the terrible sin and the inadequacy of the  "good", both of which are a barrier between humanity and our God, are then dealt with and  and forgiven. The way to God is opened and God's loving grace pours out without limit to us.

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;"1Ptr:3:18

And again in Hebrews.

"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh"Heb:10:19

The Righteousness of Grace

There has been, for two thousand years, a tension within the Church between grace and law. Some Christians fear that grace is permission to sin. St.Paul addressed this very concern.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"Rm:6:1-2

St.Paul also in his pastoral Epistle to St. Titus tells us that God' grace rather leads us to live according to the righteousness which our Father desires.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,"Titus:2:12

Far condoning and granting leave to sin, God's grace leads us to live godly lives.
Yet many Christian’s struggle to perform that is adhere to a standard that they can not keep, therefore failure becomes their experience as the struggle to break the chains that are made even stronger by a performance based "religiosity" 'the can only hope to fail under this approach to God.

Yet God has done all that is needed through Jesus, we can experience this   when we accept that God has considered us crucified with Christ. Rm: 6:6

And Not Just the “bad” of the Self but the “good” as well, remember the flesh can do good,  so if we attempt to crucify the bad but allow the good to live then it will be only a matter of time for the bad to arise again,  and we are in bondage again .

The whole self must die, both the good and the bad, and Christ alone must live.

This is all through faith in Jesus; it is the righteousness of faith.
It must come by and through Jesus Christ and the Cross that frees us and breaks every Chain which binds us to slavery, all through our Lord Jesus and his death and resurrection, that our chains are broken and we are made forever  free.

Benediction: May we each and all have through our Lord Jesus every chain were with we are bound broken all through the power of his cross, today, tomorrow and forevermore.Amen.

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike,  Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

You can follow the Fountain of Life on Face Book - Click on our Face Book link : https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-of-Life-Church-349595355088375/

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

Dear Friend

"I call you friends" Jhn:15:15

The writer of the Book of 1Chronicles record that there was within the administration of King David of Israel  a unique position among the varies ministers of state called The King's Friend.

 List of Personnel in David’s Administration. Those whom formed his government overseers and helped administer the Kingdom.1Chrnls:27:25-34

 The King's Friend

Among these officials there is a man named  Hushai, he is called in these verse, as the King's Friend or confidant.

"Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend".(33b)

The King's Friend was Hushai official designation that is why he is list among the other government officials this was his capacity with in David's administration.

Hushai has no administrative function such as legation or judicial proceedings or taxation but  rather Hoshai's role was to be the Friend of the King. To just be with David, to do things together, to fellowship. To talk to and to  know the mind and  heart of the King. To spend time with him, to share David's life.

This Unique role of Friend of the King  gave Hushai not just access to the throne, but to the very man who sat upon the throne.

When Need Most

Hushai's role of being the King's friend played an important role during a time when  King David's son Absalom, who lusted after power,  lunched an insurrection against the government of David and attempted to overthrow his father and place himself upon the Throne of Israel. 2Sam:15:1-12

During this insurrection incited Absalom, David sent  Hushai was sent back to Jerusalem  under the pretense of serving Absalom's administration and  to be a counter to the advisers of Absalom so that opportunity might be found for David's return to power. 2Sam:15:32-37

"So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city."(32)

During David's exile from Jursalem Hushai stood in the court of Absalom , here Hushai  operates covertly working on David's behalf, countering the input of Ahithopel who was the architect of Absalom's challenge to claim the throne. Hushai was willing to risk his very life on behalf of his friend David the true King of Israel.2Sam:16: &  2Sam:17-

Hushai was willing to lie down his life for David , that is the close bound of friendship which Hushai  had and showed toward David, Hushai recognized that David was anointed by God to sit as King over Israel.

Unique Position

As Hushai position was unique in the Government of Israel, so Christians  have a unique position with God's true anointed King , not just over Israel, but over all nations, his very own Son Jesus Christ the King of Kings who , like David,  is not visibly upon the throne.

Christians are like Hushai was, walking in the courts of a would-be claimant to the throne of the nations, being as Hushai was,  a counter to the evil influences of the world system, working for the rightful Anointed one of God until that time arrives when the Heavens will part the trumpet of God will sound and Jesus will descend from the Heaven in great power and glory.

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come".Lk:19:13

Christians are to conduct their live in such away as to do the will of  their King in the world, to occupy as an advanced installment of the Kingdom of God even in the courts of this world.

Hushai the King's friend was willing to lay down his life for his friend David, for Hushai knew the mind of David and spent time hearing what was upon David's heart.Hushai knew that David was a man after God' own heart and loved him for it.

"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'"Acts:13:22

 Even as our Lord Jesus was willing to do for each and all of us. Jesus has disclosed to us what is in his heart, proclaiming the very love of God for us all.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."Jhn:15:13-15

Jesus has opened his heart to us, his friends about his Father's undying and unconditional love.

Access to The Throne

Hushai had access to the throne of David, and not just casually but in the official

capacity as his Friend. Spending time with him, hearing what is on his mind,

we have the same position and privilege, but not with a human King but with Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully human.

We like Hushai, have access not just to the throne, but to Jesus who sits upon it.

Jesus The King of Kings, we are to spend time with him, we are to know his heart and mind. We discover the thoughts of our Lord thru reading his word, hearing it expounded, worship, prayer and fellowship. Jesus looks upon us as not just casual acquaintances but has a close bound with us as his own dear friends. Jesus chose us before we ever chose him.

We are ever able to come to Jesus at any and all times to have prayerful conversations with him about life anything we have on our hearts.Jesus  is always to ready and willing to spend time with us.

Dear to Christ

As his friends Jesus is addressing us, so that we might understand his mind. The Holy Spirit is speaking to believers from the pages of Scriptures as dear friends.

St, Peter in his Epistle calls  all believers as "Dear Friends" , but this is not just St.Peter's feelings toward Christians, it is the Holy Spirit who is giving voice of Jesus' friendship with us all then speaks of the revelation of the heart of Jesus fro us all.

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.2Petr:3:1

Again St.Peter expresses this feeling  "dear friends"  (8)  He intones to us again as "dear friends" (14) "dear friends" (17)

This generous  uses of the phrase "dear friends" speaks of the endearment which our Lord Jesus shows for and toward us collectively and individually.

St.John tells us that the whole purpose of the very Gospel is so that others too can be made aware of the fellowship that  is available for them with God thru his holy Son. that they might join in with that you are the friends of God

  "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete".1Jhn:1:1-4

You are a "dear friend" of the true King our Lord Jesus Christ even as Hushai was to David, the true King of Israel.

Benediction: May we each and all ever serve our Lord Jesus in the midst of the courts of this world  , our friend and  true King, today, tomorrow and forevermore.Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike,  Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

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"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"