For His Glory TX

Mike Balloun teaches today. 12/12/20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS 8:15-23 THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD VERSES: Hebrews 12:5-8,16-17; Isaiah 11:1-9,30:26; 2nd Thessalonians 1; 1st Corinthians 15:42-43 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ab0q3trows87reb/AACxEv1jp11hqy7YWZz8nYKXa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 The clear contrast of Christians (those who follow the flesh unto death and those who follow the spirit unto life) is stated in verse 13. Then the result of those following the spirit/Spirit is stated in verse 14. They either become “sons of God’ or not. It is important to note that the remainder of the chapter focuses only on the destiny of those who are led by the spirit/Spirit. VERSE 15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Sspirit (divine nature) of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” In the gracious gift of rebirth of our spirit, we were not taken out from the bondage of the fear of death and the threat of what awaits beyond, just to be put under that bondage as a slave to another like-minded property owner. We are to comprehend here that we are bought out of that type of bondage, with dear price, with the new Master’s intent to be led instructively to be His adopted sons. Verse 14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” This verse refers to the process after the event; ‘child training’ unto adopted sons. And in verse 15, there are two kinds of fear represented. The one explicit is here likened unto fear under the forced service of an exacting impersonal master, the other implicit is the reverential fear and respect in loving appreciation of a Master who has set before us the gracious possibility of adoption into the closest of relationship possible; son-ship. (Paul is speaking to Roman believers who would be familiar with Roman Law which allowed for the estate holder to appoint any of his children to have controlling interest. Even an adopted child may be preferred over his natural children.) The idea being conveyed is the ‘tutorial’ leading of the “Father” is with loving intent, and that calling goal should be heartedly and fearfully apprehended and yielded to. And that with the utmost concern of offending and falling short of His adoption requirements. That for which He has lovingly provided in the helping of us to secure. See 2nd Corinthians 7:1… “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” See also Ephesians 5:21… “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” What was left behind was the bondage in fear of the Law of Moses, in its harsh severity, its unbendable demands for exactness, with threat of punishment for the slightest offense. That fear as seen in Exodus 20:20… “And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” And the bondage as in Galatians 5:1… “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. See the contrasting of Hebrews 12:18-29. The Law of Moses was given after redemption. The ‘fear’ of God, so as they would not sin, was set on display before Israel after they had already been redeemed. We Christians have been redeemed already and we are not led again unto the earthly Mount Sinai where God puts on a display that we might be put into a state of fear that we cannot endure. The spirit of redemption we believers in Christ have been given, as a result of the efficacy of Christ’s Passover Blood has the love of God, shed abroad in our heart, within it. That loving spirit witnesses to the redemption, free from the fear of the law of sin and death, and us now being a regenerated child of the Father, we are eternally secured as His child. We have not received the spirit of redemption as those who came out of Egypt, who had not the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, as the need for indelibly impressing them with the fear of God so as to keep them from offending the Law, on which they were to stand or fail in their promised inheritance was based upon their strict observance of its commands. We are not to be put back under that fear in the bondage of slavery to God by awesome displays of His power in order that we sin not, but rather in the grace of the spirit in love with the Father through Christ. This love affair being based upon His merit, we draw near, not standing aloof and afar off as they did at the bottom of Mount Sinai. What is being held out before us, in contrast.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ab0q3trows87reb/AACxEv1jp11hqy7YWZz8nYKXa?dl=0

Special Guest Teacher Yosef Rachamim Danieli. Throughout history, God has had to have many re-sets. He starts over many times as seen in the examples of Noah and the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom and Gomorrah (although this was a more localized re-set). Even before Adam and Eve, there was a re-set when God created order out of disorder; the Earth being formless and void. (Genesis 1:1-2) The first thing He did was to separate the light from darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4) In the dark chaotic days that we live in, humanity is in a mess, and many believers have become stagnant and lukewarm. Just as His Spirit hovered over the Earth in the beginning, His Spirit is calling us personally on an individual level to a Spiritual re-set. As can be seen throughout Israel’s history, when iniquity abounded and God’s people disobeyed His voice, God allowed their enemies to judge them. Likewise, God allows judgement in modern times on a global scale to call His people back to a state of repentance. (Psalm 126:5… “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”) Yosef (Rami) uses the examples of Abraham and Jacob who left everything they knew to be completely dependent on God. As sojourners in this world, we must also be willing to come out of our comfort zones and surrender all and trust in Him. Times of affliction give us the opportunity to get rid of anything that’s not godly, and to focus on the things that are eternal. VERSES: Psalm 126; Genesis 1:1-3; John 12; Jeremiah 7

Mike Balloun teaches today. 11/28/20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS 8:5-13 THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF A CHRISTIAN (The Consequences in the Afterlife of being either spirit-led or flesh-led.) VERSES: Matthew 5:25-26,10:28,22:13, 24:48-51; Luke 12:45-48; Revelation 20:6a,13; Hebrews 10:30-31,39; Galatians 5:19-22 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z104ig5kjtr1u4l/AACrJWr25pesDBvMUwTG7u1_a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 ROMANS CHAPTER 8 VERSES 5-14 THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF A CHRISTIAN (The Consequences in the Afterlife of being either spirit-led or flesh-led.) Paul has described to us in Chapter 7 the experience discovered in every Christian by relating his own experience; that of the duality of his being both spiritual and carnal, which he presents here as spirit and flesh. He makes this surprising discovery after having been born-again/regenerated in spirit, having presumed himself to be rid of the flesh nature, or at least it having little consequence on his life after regeneration. He discovers, as do we, that the Old Man is as strong as the New Man; a bitter discovery indeed. What must we understand from this conflict of the two natures within? 1) First, that it is by God’s wise design. We should know that God leaves our flesh nature in us that we may see the exceedingly sinfulness of sin by way of discovery of its deep-rooted, illicit desires lurking within; always ready to bring us into its web of death. There is no question that God could have made us into perfection at regeneration. Had He done so, we would have never known the insidious depths of evil’s malignancy. To live under this curse in time (though only for a moment relative to eternity) is to indelibly imprint the value of holiness and the absolute waywardness of sin upon our Soul. 2) The two contrasting natures now set in enmity within are God’s calling to the redeemed to cooperate in overcoming the flesh in the power provided by Christ’s faithful sufferings in Atonement with God. Whereby, He removed the ultimate threat of the law of sin and eternal death in the gift of His divine nature. To this gift (the gift of eternal life), He adds a future reward/prize for our personal sufferings in the battle against the flesh. 3) Having the constant presence of the enemy within our internal kingdom necessitates constant training to battle, a love for His Word, and a growing awareness of the great need of prayer and watchfulness. This serves to prepare us to loving faithful service, here and in the hereafter. 4) To capacitate is to sanctify. And that by an endearing process of humble enlightenment to suffering sacrifice with the provision of grace. Which effectively means an internal and eternal greater realization and appreciation of Jesus the Christ; Who offered Himself to be the Forerunner of suffering faithful Souls. Along with an appreciation of the loving Father Who sent Him, and the Holy Spirit in the intimacy of His work within such a corrupted Soul, in the acquiring of glorious son-ship and joint ruler-ship with Christ. An immeasurable capacity that we could have never known if God had just ‘saved’ or redeemed us and not ordained this battle of spirit against flesh within every Christian Soul, forever having been limited in service as a consequence. It is with these things in mind that we have the hope of the First Resurrection as recompense for loving faithfulness… “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (at least we should be renewing our inward man daily by partaking of the Word and prayer, and staying in intimacy with God). For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal (earthy); but the things which are not seen are eternal.” [2nd Corinthians 4:16-18] (We need to get God’s perspective of the things that happen in our lives. Instead of growing weary in suffering, we need to see that His grace is sufficient. Chapter 8 answers the question that Chapter 7 asks… ‘How can I overcome the flesh?’ The answer is by separating ourselves from the flesh, as Paul did, and allowing His image and holiness to be imprinted on our souls, as we are led by the divine nature given to us at our new birth. As we draw upon His grace, we can overcome. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us in our inner man.) VERSE 5 “For they that are (following) after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are (following) after the *sSpirit the things of the sSpirit..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z104ig5kjtr1u4l/AACrJWr25pesDBvMUwTG7u1_a?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 11/21/20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS 8:1-4 OUR WAR AGAINST THE FLESH VERSES: Galatians 5:13-25; 1st Thessalonians 3:12; John 5:30; Exodus 12:15; Mark 8:32-35 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pipllhmd6eo1t7i/AACmI-WiG9Y9JnjJSYypSPRPa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 In the Holy Spirit’s organizing of the Canon of New Testament Scripture, the Book of Romans comes first in the doctrinal letters. And rightfully so in that within its pages are found the foundational truths necessary for understanding the rest of Scriptures. It has been established thus far in Romans that all mankind are naturally born in Adam and under the condemnation of death (physical and spiritual). It has also been established that God justifies and saves on the basis of progressive Faith as seen in Abraham. God gave the Law of Moses that sin might be seen as exceedingly sinful. All men stand condemned under the Law of Moses; effectively the Law points to faith in Christ for redemption. God has justified those who have faith in Jesus Christ’s redemptive offering from Sin and the curse of the Law of Moses, nailing the Old Nature to the Cross. And thereby, God gifted to them a new nature by which they should now serve Him in newness of life. Additionally, to that end He has removed them from under the Law of Moses to under the Law of Grace. We have noted before how Romans 5:12-6:23 explains the two lineages of mankind; ‘in Adam’ and ‘in Christ’ and have also noted how Romans 7:1-8:39 reveals the walk in Christ after justification as being one of our spirit versus our flesh. This is seen in the necessity of not only being ‘in Christ’ now in order to serve God but that we must walk in the spirit/Spirit. The challenge now, being in Christ, is to walk in the spirit, not the flesh, in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we get it wrong here in Romans, we will be wrong throughout. In Chapter 7, “I myself” …is discovered to be the hindering issue to Paul’s new nature received at his conversion to Christ in the going on to sanctification/holiness in serving God. He had seen the light of Christ’s Crucifixion Cross that illuminated his need for imputed righteousness/justification, but he had not yet seen that part of the Cross that sheds the light upon the need for him (his carnal self) to be crucified. That includes all his flesh he had been blind to and that of religious self-determination that served him so well in Judaism. That is, all his determined works in holiness originated from the flesh/the carnal soul and body. (Philippians 3:4-6) He had brought his religious fervor and selfish ambition from Judaism with him into Christianity. It was to him at last discovered that the works of the flesh are powerless, and fruitless in obtaining holiness ‘in Christ”. The sins of his seemingly uncontrollable flesh resisted all of his New Man’s attempts to serve God acceptably. The New Man, or spirit that the Father had given him, was at enmity with the flesh nature within his soul and body. So we have arrived then at Chapter 8, which is the mountaintop in these progressive doctrinal truths. In that, we can look at Chapter 8 as being where chapters 1-7 have pointed us to. Chapter 7 ends in Paul’s Christian desperation in being besieged by the flesh discovered yet within him; and Chapter 8 begins in his rejoicing in the revelation in attaining liberty to answer the call to serve the Father. Jesus said in John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” Jesus is the prototype for us. He took the path that we are to follow. He said…“I can -- of mine own self (out from myself, that is from the reasoning soul of a man’s will without the directive of God) do nothing (acceptable to the Father): as I hear (from the spirit/Spirit), I judge (my movements): and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will (in the supremacy of my soul’s will), but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” In Adam, man had acted in himself apart from the Creator and it was a tragedy. He was made a ‘living soul’ in a spiritual state of communing in a loving dependence upon the Creator’s Will and he fell to ‘living by the soul’ in self-dependence without internal spirit communion with God. (1st Adam leaned upon the reasonings within the soul.) He was then, in the fall, relegated to the carnally-controlled soul and body state without spirit abilities, the condition wherein all men of Adam are born. The spirit/Spirit view of Christ for living life was first acted out figuratively in consecration in John’s Baptism, in that He committed to suffering death.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pipllhmd6eo1t7i/AACmI-WiG9Y9JnjJSYypSPRPa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 11/14/20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS 7:7-25 OUR WAR AGAINST THE FLESH VERSES: Galatians 2:20-21, 3:24, 5:1-26; Luke 12:48; 1st Corinthians 5-6; Ephesians 5 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d35i2nxx8o4sknt/AABnnVQe6FWuUf_5MA_Sk2Nca?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 DISCOVERING THE WICKEDNESS OF THE FLESH In Chapter 7, verses 7-25 we have come to one of a few very vital passages in New Testament Scripture where critical Truth hangs in the balance of the interpretation. There are opposing opinions among godly men arising out of legitimate questions on Paul’s statements. 1) Is Paul speaking of his own personal experience, or people in general? 2) If it is Paul speaking of himself, is he talking about before or after he becomes a Christian? (If it’s before, then it is stated or at least implied that a Christian is not to have this experience.) 3) Is the experience or dilemma of spirit against flesh occasional or continual? If many godly men differ to the extreme on a doctrinal understanding, as many do on the questions above, often true facts are found in both sides and Truth is found when put together. Though those men differ, they both have yet seen sufficient light upon the subject to make their firm belief known. So it is that the answer to the controversial questions above are found in ‘both’. As to the first question, is Paul speaking of his personal experience? Over 50 times in this short passage he uses ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘us’, and ‘we’. Additionally, the cry from the heart of ‘how wretched a man I am!’ is personal and would not be stated that way otherwise. Why did he reveal himself in such a personal way? Because the Holy Spirit is tying the experience to all regenerated believers. As a general experience, it is the autobiography of every Christian. Thus both sides have some aspects of truth in their interpretations of whom Paul is writing about. The word driving the context of Chapter 7 is ‘Law’. The word is mentioned over 20 times, and the first and last verses highlight the ‘Law of Moses’. It has been the center of discussion for 2 chapters; in regards to what the Law can and cannot do. The Law of Moses is the heart of the Jewish religion. Paul (as all Jews do) loves and venerates it. It is the prominent feature of every Synagogue, a copy of it is always front and center. Keep the Torah and be ‘saved’. They love to read it, touch it and then touch themselves, and kiss it. But yet in nearly every chapter, Paul resists the Law by saying some disparaging remark about it. In the 2nd Chapter he says; the Law condemns you, in the 3rd Chapter-he says; the Law cannot justify you, in Chapter 4 it is the Wrath of God, in Chapter 5 the Law increases your transgressions, in Chapter 6 you are finished with the Law and not under it, in Chapter 7 you are discharged/divorced from the Law, and the Law of Moses arouses bad desires in you. You would begin to think by all this that Paul thinks the Law is bad or evil; and you might ask him; (VERSE 7-13) Paul, is the Law of Moses sinful? “God forbid…” by no means is it bad, it is holy!’, he says. ‘But it certainly does a lot of harm to me! There is nothing wrong with the Law, there is something wrong with me.’ A well-used analogy is: There is nothing wrong with the Sun, but when it shines upon my garden it causes weeds to spring forth. When the Law of Moses shines upon the heart of a sinner, it just makes him the worse. Paul now illustrates this truth in his own heart. Verses 7-13 are in the past tense. Paul was not, as many have estimated, revealing his past when he was but a small boy, or when he was unregenerate (although there is an element of truth in the thinking), but that time is when he refers to himself in VERSE 9 (read) ‘For I was alive without the law (of Moses) once…’ (This time was when he was full bloom in religious Judaism. It was before he was a Christian. It was then when he was in great ignorance of how the Law applied to him in the most personal way. That is, in what the Law was actually requiring of him internally and not just in his service externally. It was the time in which he thought himself ‘blameless’ in the keeping of the Law, and thus being impenitent, having no sense of sin. Of course what he had wrongly supposed was that which religious Jews esteemed as service to God answered to what God had set forth in the Law of Moses Matthew 23) …but when the commandment came… (that is when his religiously blinded eyes were open to the convicting and condemning truth of the Law of Moses) …sin revived… (and went from a anemic like state of ineffectiveness to standing up in a thriving state) and I died.” I discovered myself.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d35i2nxx8o4sknt/AABnnVQe6FWuUf_5MA_Sk2Nca?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 11-07-20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS CHAPTER 7:7-12 THE TWO NATURES AT ENMITY WITHIN A BELIEVER VERSES: Galatians 2:17-21, 5:13-21; Matthew 19:20; 2nd Timothy 4:3; Job 42:6 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nosjk9mk8xnyjwj/AAA6p5hmkVL8xYz5t7Z2fz6Qa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 We have looked at the first part of a key doctrine of Christianity in the first 6 verses of this chapter; that of how we as Christians have died to the Law of Moses, our ‘first husband’, and are free of its/His demands and condemnation. And speaks to how we are now (through the death of the body of Christ and His resurrection) ‘married to another’ being thereby provided for under the Law of Grace in Christ Jesus, our 2nd and Lawful Husband. The Christian’s battleground and rules of engagement are being declared now to be within their soul, and is now for the first time defined in the 5th and 6th verses; as the enmity between flesh and the spirit. In that now, through the provision of Grace (the Divine Influence of the Holy Spirit) from the Lord, the Christian is to fulfill the calling of God in this Age of Mercy and Grace in the calling out of a people. That is, to bring…many sons to glory and that by the means of serving God in the newness of spirit, and not trying to serve Him in the impossibility of in the oldness of the letter (of the Law of Moses). (Romans 7:6) Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, has laid the groundwork in the first 6 chapters; that of justification, and freedom from condemnation from Sin and its condemnation that came to us through Adam’s sin, and freedom from the Law of Moses and its condemnation that we might serve God in newness of spirit unto the essential doctrinal truth of the 7th chapter where Paul has brought us to the fulcrum on which all the equal weight of doctrine on both sides of the epistle hinges, the internal battle within between the spirit and the flesh, the very pinnacle of Christian reality. VERSE 7 “What should we say then? Is the law (of Moses; judicial, ceremonial, and moral) sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law (of Moses). For I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” (Paul personalizes his words to tie himself to the Romans and to us.) Paul is now moving from justification in the Gospel of God unto even greater news of sanctification. Paul in verses 5&6 introduces the idea of the struggle of the flesh and spirit, and now begins the teaching of the Holy Spirit on God’s intended internal work of salvation; beyond the spirit to the soul and body. (He justifies us that He may, through our cooperation, sanctify us, and then He can glorify us.) But first we must be confronted with the flesh’s very real continuing presence, and that for the rest of our lives on earth, as part of ‘me’ although ‘I’ am also regenerated and a New Man joined to Jesus Christ. That truth is what is being revealed in the rest of this chapter. So ‘I’ is now currently made up of both the New Man and the Old Man (stated in this way for the purpose of understanding the duality of a born again Christian of both spirit and flesh). The ‘I’ in Verse 7 is representative of Paul and is used some 50 plus times in this chapter. We need to see ourselves as being included as a part of Paul’s references to all the personal pronouns ‘me’ ‘we’ ‘I’ ‘us’. The inward battle understanding begins as he explains the Law of Moses part but how then it is in utter hopelessness of our advancing spiritually, that is, in the serving and pleasing of God through the Law of Moses. In that the Law was designed by God to reveal our sin nature to us, not to sanctify us. (See Romans 5:20) Chapter 6 dealt with the freedom from sin and its authority and control over the soul and body…“Sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law but under grace”. Romans 7 deals with freedom from the Law of Moses, in that Chapter 7 now teaches us that deliverance from sin is not enough in itself for us to serve and please God, but we must also be delivered out from under the Law of Moses. Chapter 7 is an explanation as to why the new man must not look to the Law of Moses for sanctification. As Grace is not provided/attainable under the Law of Moses. It is to be the discovery of Paul in Chapter 7 and applicable to all Christians. The Holy Spirit is showing us that in spite of the Old Man being crucified in us through faith in Christ’s Atonement, the sin nature remains within. And that sanctification was not realized in regeneration and that a Christian must contend with the flesh throughout his career calling (for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14) Or is sanctification now to be realized even by the will of the new man formed within to serve God.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nosjk9mk8xnyjwj/AAA6p5hmkVL8xYz5t7Z2fz6Qa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today, 10/31/20 ROMANS CHAPTER 7:1-6 VERSES: 2nd Corinthians 3:1-6; Luke 16:16; Hebrews 1:1-2, 2:10; Matthew 17:3-5 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7aj1ghodc9wvz7b/AAAMALyjD-62HOrk6ldZR2Pqa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 ROMANS 7:1-6 MARRIED TO ANOTHER Romans 5:12 to 6:23 contrasts: ‘In Adam’ with ‘In Christ’ and now Romans 7:1 to 8:39 contrasts ‘In the flesh’ with ‘In the spirit’. Romans 5&6 deals with our freedom from imputed unrighteousness from the first Adam’s sin and its death sentence, in the power of imputed righteousness from the selfless offering of the Second Adam. In the previous chapters, the focus is more on what Christ has done for us. In Chapter 7, the focus turns acutely toward what God through Christ will do in us. It is now that I am to know that I am not only ‘in Christ’ but Christ is in me. The Cross has been given by God to procure for us the gift of eternal life; whereas the renewed spirit/Spirit has been given to produce a greater salvation in our soul and body. Remembering that in the Greek, the word ‘salvation’ has a past, present, and future connotation. At Justification, our spirits were saved, and God granted to us the Divine nature within our hearts. He then desires us to yield to His Divine nature by walking in sanctification, so that we may be saved in soul and body as well. 1st Peter 1:9 calls it, “Receiving the end (goal) of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (The saving of the body will be realized in resurrection glory for those who are overcomers.) In Chapter 6, Paul told us how we are delivered from sin, typical of a slave from his Master (Christendom as a general rule has concluded that this was the end of God’s requirements for man’s salvation). But then the 7th Chapter deals with the further need of freedom from the Mosaic/Adamic Law (revealing a further purpose of His Salvation Plan) wherein the relation is shown in type of that of husband and wife. Chapter 7 teaches us that redemption or justification from Adam’s condemning sin with the gift of eternal life is not enough to fulfill God’s Gospel purpose; that of bringing many sons unto glory. (Hebrews 2:10) For His purpose for the salvation of man is to have heirs/first-born sons who will rule and reign with Him in glory. We are now to discover, in the wisdom and knowledge of God, the whole matter of Jesus Christ’s Atonement goes far beyond that of inherent ‘sin’ and curse of eternal death from Adam and mere redemption from it; with eternal life; unto pleasing God. In that, we Christians, now having been redeemed and empowered, must now rule over the sin nature left by God within us. (It was intentionally left within us for us to overcome.) Chapter 7 then answers to Chapter 6’s statement of “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law (of Moses) but of grace”. The discovery to us then in the 7th Chapter of Romans is that, while on the one hand; positionally we have been raised up to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus and are not of this World…but practically or experientially, we are left to continue to live in this World and are as yet connected to our Old Man. In that we yet are capable to walk “in the flesh” as we may yet be “carnal sold under sin” and “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:5,14,18) Being lost spiritually in the World is the equivalent of being in the flesh without power to overcome it. Being ‘saved’ is to have the power to not walk in the flesh (hearkening to the Old Man) and choose to walk in the spirit/Spirit of Christ to please God and receive His commendation when we leave this world, and face sure judgment for how we walked here after being ‘saved’. And to deal with the sin nature within, we must be free from the Law of Moses on the outside. In the verses below, verses 1-3 speak of the death of the husband (the Law of Moses) and verses 4-6 speak of the death of the wife (followers of Jesus the Christ). VERSE 1 “Know ye not brethren, (for I speak to them that know the (Mosaic) law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” VERSE 2 “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth: but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” VERSE 3 “So then if, while her husband liveth, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law: so that she is no adulteress, through she be married to another man.” VERSE 4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become (Greek: put to death) to the law by the body (the death of the physical body) of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7aj1ghodc9wvz7b/AAAMALyjD-62HOrk6ldZR2Pqa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 10/24/20. THE BOOK OF ROMANS 6:10-23 DEAD UNTO SIN BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD VERSES: Galatians 5:19-21, 6:8; Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 6:8, 12:14; Exodus 12:15,19 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4yzzt8brbc5kvkd/AAB0MPm8RvseQhinotglyklOa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 “For in that He died, He died unto sin once for all; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Paul declares that Jesus Christ died on the Cross. He was born the Son of God/the Son of Man, His mother being under the Curse of Adam’s sin. He being born of the flesh of His mother, was subject to the flesh and physical death although He was sinless Himself throughout His life under the Law of Moses (winning the right to eternal life by keeping the Law). The fact that He was incarnate, born condemned to death without sin, in itself was unjust. But it was all in answer to God’s great graciousness on mankind, and Christ’s great willing sacrifice of Himself in the Father, having imputed Him our sin on the Cross. “For in that (purpose) He died…” and sin once laid upon Him; He died. He thereby put sin away, satisfying God’s just holiness for Adam’s sin with its death sentence for (and on) all mankind. Jesus, as the Last Adam, died not only for our sin; but to sin and death…in that “...death hath no more dominion over him” because “…in that He liveth…” His life is now resurrected from among the condemned dead, that which has established by proof His perfection in living according to God’s Law given to Man. Followed then by obediently dying in an undeserved death; and as living now in the Father’s Glorious Resurrected Life that has dismissed Him from any further jurisdiction of condemning Law forever, in that now “...He liveth unto God forever.” So it is that those earlier verses in chapter 6 are proofed up... in that it was Christ Who Died to sin and we also died with Him to sin. VERSE 11 “Likewise So then (now comes the Holy Spirit’s directive to us who have died to sin with Christ) do ye also reckon yourselves (as the Law of Moses had no such provision), to be dead indeed unto sin (on the one hand), but alive unto God (on the other hand) through in Jesus Christ our Lord (in relating and resembling Christ in living in the identity of the New Man). So as we reckon (regard) ourselves dead to sin with Christ, so now also we should reckon ourselves in the same bearing (posture) in Christ unto a walk of holiness. (Simply put, we identify with His death but then we should identify with His walk of Holiness.) Now to reckon (reckon being an accounting term in the Greek) oneself dead is a far cry from being dead to sin. Christ IS dead to sin. And our spirit is dead to sin, in that it has the gift of the divine nature of God and eternal life. But our Old Man’s body and soul is but crucified, having been hung on the Cross with Christ and yet still alive to sin….(the Old Man’s hands and feet being nailed on the cross, yet he is only disabled-not dead). But God assures us that the Old Man will die and we will finally be free of sin and death (in the resurrection). Now this reckoning answers to faith and hope. In that it was unbelief in God’s Word that brought sin and death upon man, and it is by belief in God’s Word that man shall finally be dead to sin. We believe/have faith in what? We (our body and soul) have emblematically died and have been buried with Christ, as we have experienced, without the seeing of it, actually the spirit’s awakening in newness of life and God’s setting it against the Old Man/sin nature while it is still alive. The calling of the Old Man is to obey the lusts of the flesh, answered by our obedience. Now we must follow the spirit in belief of God’s overcoming Word, not the carnal influence of the Old Man on our body and soul. The Scripture is not “I am dead, or be you dead” but reckon/account/consider yourselves “…dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God…” This is the calling to every Christian to the spiritual life in assuming the attitude of Christ towards sin and service unto God. That is the high calling of the glory of the Father unto the promised position with Christ, to be actually attained by true believers realized in the soul and body only at the First resurrection. “....in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is the first mention of ...‘in Christ’ ...and it is only brought forward after the understanding imparted in the previous doctrines. Those being particularly the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and our relation to Him in them; as they signify justification, sanctification, and glorification. Culminating in this statement of in Christ, we as justified believers, have the divine nature and are now aided in obedience to our new Master. We obedient Christians have been baptized into.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4yzzt8brbc5kvkd/AAB0MPm8RvseQhinotglyklOa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today 10-17-20. ROMANS CHAPTER 6:8-9 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM/IMMERSION VERSES: 1st Corinthians 15; Hebrews 2:6-10; Colossians 3:9; John 12:24-26; Acts 2 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r0t4mprkun0k0t1/AACO85eXT87EReuBBcYG9-5va?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 ROMANS 6:8-9 “Now if we be dead died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from (among) the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” To apprehend the fullness of the meaning of immersion, a Christian must apprehend God’s purposes in creating Man and then redeeming him in order to see what He has in view. If we don’t see what God’s end plan is, we won’t see the necessity of taking the steps He requires of us. Those steps being redemption, which is represented in the cross; sanctification, which is represented in baptism; and then resurrection/ glorification. We have discussed God’s purpose for Man was to rule in glory over the Earth and the heavens associated with this Earth from the Book of Genesis, and that unto the glory of God. But by Adam, sin and death came upon all his seed, and we all fall short of the Glory of God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” [Romans 3:23] But God has set forth a Salvation Plan in Jesus Christ to bring Man into his appointed royal glory. “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” [Hebrews 2:6-10] (God’s purpose for man being to bring many sons to glory. ) But Sin thwarted God’s Garden plan for Adam’s/Man’s glory. Adam chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and took the human way. He was a willing accomplice with satan and became a subject/slave of this World, being now without the divine nature of God. Without the divine nature of God, there was/is no hope or possibility of glory. Sin brought in condemnation and death for man. From all this we see God’s gracious reason for Jesus the Christ; the Second Adam to Live, Die and be Resurrected. That is to defeat and set aside sin and death and bring righteousness and eternal life to His seed, and thereby potentially bring them into His glory. Redemption qualifies us again for glory. (Adam was qualified for glory but he never attained it.) So God’s purpose in creating Man and then for the redemption of Man is to bring many sons unto glory (incorruptible immortality). How does this relate to baptism? We have said is that my Old Man has been crucified with Christ “…that the body of sin might be destroyed disabled, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” [Romans 6:6b] (This verse says we should not serve sin, noting that we are still able to sin which is contrary to the popular teaching that Christians are ‘dead to sin’. And it also runs contrary to the teaching that that their past, present, and future sins were taken care of by the mere act of receiving Christ.) The Old Man is of the old creation in fallen Adam, and is crucified and disabled (under the death sentence) but is yet alive on the Cross. Me, as the New Man, is brought forth out of the Old Man, and knit into Christ to be fully realized in the new creation of the future. (We are becoming a new creature in Christ. We are in an embryonic stage of the new creature. The New Creation isn’t fully realized until the First Resurrection. And many who are qualified will stay in that underdeveloped stage and not emerge as that spiritual being/New Creation with glory at the time of the First Resurrection. For not all who receive the cross will receive the reward of the First Resurrection in glory.) I have died with Jesus, leaving my Old Man (knitted to sin unto death eternal; inherent from Adam) on the Cross. Eternal death was God’s Judgment on Adam’s sin; and I was corporately the seed of Adam carrying the eternal death sentence under the curse of the law that Adam transgressed, and..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r0t4mprkun0k0t1/AACO85eXT87EReuBBcYG9-5va?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today, 10/10/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 6:1-7 VERSES: 1st Corinthians 11:29,15:34-36,42-45; Romans 2:5-11,5:17; Galatians 2:19-20 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/se5jfsgdam7oe8q/AACeaQoTgtOCL--GVvya2Tz4a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 VERSE 1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” Throughout this Chapter, Paul comments on this imagined argument about abusing God’s revealed grace extended to man in Jesus Christ. Paul here begins to introduce a very clear understanding on the 2 natures of a born again/justified man. These 2 natures are the old man and the new man; the flesh and the spirit (flesh = the sensual body with the carnal un-renewed mind and is in contrast with the spirit which has to do with our spirit granted from God when we were born/conceived). We are not spirits, we are living souls, but we have a spirit. Our spirit is unanimated before becoming born-again since it is ‘fallen’. It is fallen, not dead, because it has some life, but it is comparable to being on life support. Upon birth and until we are born-again, our spirit has little impact on us. But when we are born again, our spirit is re-animated/regenerated/enlivened and we are able to commune with God by our spirit. God intends to deal with every Christian through their re-animated spirit, and here in Chapter 6, Paul introduces the concept of the necessity of ‘works’ with the additional grace after the grace of justification. The chapter is about rightly distinguishing between the two graces and how that relates to two justifications and two righteousnesses, along with an understanding of the two resurrections. All of which water baptism plays a key role. The Holy Spirit, in the previous chapters, explained how sin entered the World through unfaithful Adam, and how sin brought the curse of death as a consequence to God’s Righteousness and Justice, and how sin and death are perpetuated through the seed of Adam. And also how Death now reigns over man in this World; both on earth and after we die, in Hades; the intermediate place of the dead in the center of the Earth. God’s Graciousness or Lovingkindness, being His undeserved, unmerited solution which answers to His Righteous Judgment, is that a Second Adam must be completely faithful in severe trial under the Law of Moses, even unto death. Whereby God’s Righteousness and Justice might be completely satisfied that a more abundant grace (Romans 5:17) beyond the minor grace of the re-birth of the spirit, must be provided to the sanctifying of the soul and body, the determined purpose of God in creation and salvation of Man (the major grace which allows us to become a ‘new creation’). And so as one man was responsible for sin and death in all of us (we being Adam’s seed) so Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the answer to; righteousness and Life in all that receive Him by faith as their substitutionary sacrifice for sin and thereby become His seed; justified in His righteousness with the gift of life eternal. (Under this seed of Adam, our inheritance is sin and death which is contrasted to the inheritance of righteousness and eternal life under Christ’s seed.) Now a similar minor grace unto justification with the imputed gift of righteousness with eternal life by faith was extended to men in the earth before Jesus Christ; as Paul has already declared unto us; in that Abraham was the prime example. This is a little known biblical fact that far before Mosaic Law, God made a provision after Adam’s fall to be justified but it was in a minor degree in that the justification didn’t bring them back into the Garden. They had justification but not reconciliation. His grace/power extended was generally limited to this minor justification and righteousness; in that on God’s part, the Old Testament atoning blood of an animal was insufficient for propitiation for the degree of salvation beyond just life free from eternal death upon resurrection. That is to say that there wasn’t propitiation strong enough to give us more than free unmerited grace unto justification until Christ’s Blood was shed. Only His propitiation provided the provision of eternal glorious life unto ruling, that which God always intended for Man. The problem on man’s part was that sin was not seen as so sinful, as man supposed he was less corrupted than he actually is, and thought himself capable to answer to God’s Righteousness by his own merits and acts (as seen in Cain in the first place). We have seen that God’s wise answer to this was to increase the knowledge of His Righteousness by the Law of Moses; that man might see the exceedingly sinfulness of sin and see his hopeless condition in its light; and thereby become contrite of heart before God; so then sin abounded.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/se5jfsgdam7oe8q/AACeaQoTgtOCL--GVvya2Tz4a?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 10/03/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 5:12-21 THE TWO ADAMS CONTRASTED VERSES: 2nd Peter 3:7-8; Hosea 6:2; 1:9; Genesis 1:1-2; 1st Corinthians 15:20-26; Matthew 7:21; Revelation 22:12 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3gza7itzhjao53h/AAAXD5sOkWJ3sv9VkF2GazA8a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 These remaining verses are some of the most enlightening and critical for the understanding of what Christianity is, starting with Adam’s demise in the Garden of Eden and the following consequences and promise of God to the Second Adam. We spoke earlier about how our faith must be established on Biblical facts not feelings. Some Biblical facts in verse 12… “Wherefore, as 1) by one man (Adam) 2) sin entered (from outside) into the world, and 3) death by sin; and so 4) death passed upon all men, 5) for that all (men) have (the word ‘have’ not in the Greek) sinned…” By one man; Adam, sin entered into God’s RE-created world 6000 years ago; thereby becoming the heavens and earth which are now, by the same word (as the original creation and) are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant -- of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” [2nd Peter 3:7-8] 1) The first Adam was tested by the one law and failed. He forfeits innocence and receives condemning conscience. He receives judgment in the penalty of death for his willful disobedience. He and his seed, for an Age after him (up until the Law of Moses) were subject to trial according to the ‘law of condemning conscience’ according to the sentence of the Garden judgment, which resulted in all their deaths. Showing that Death reigns. 2) Sin; (the verb/the action in the Greek ‘humartia’ is to miss or wander from the right path; to go; or do, wrong) entered in to this world ; having not been here, was introduced by satan. The Angel Lucifer, was the first recorded in Scripture to do what is called ‘sin’. He, being now irreconcilably unrepentant, remains THE original Sinner; with many types of sinning, having had a fuller knowledge of God’s Will. (The noun for sin in the Greek ‘paraptoma’; a falling aside, when one should have stood upright. Hence morally a fall, a falling aside from truth and equity; a fault, or trespass.) Sin is accredited to him. Because of him in the first place, and Adam’s willful transgression in the 2nd place, sin entered this Re-Created world, and Adam (and Eve) became the first human sinners. 3) Death came as a result of Adam’s sin. Death is the severe penalty of Law given according to the notice that Adam had previously received. 4) Death is perpetuated in all mankind because we all are Adam’s seed (we were in his loins; from him). 5) Death is perpetuated; because we all sinned in him. The fact that all men continued to die effectively proves they had sin in them. For death is the penalty of sin and answers to the sentence and proof of law broken. How is this explained? That men are the seed of fallen Adam and as such inherit the condemned fallen nature of Adam is true enough, for it is the Law of Genesis; in that every seed must produce after its own kind (compare Genesis 1:11 to 1st Corinthians 15 which has in view the resurrection). But this does not completely address Paul’s statement of facts moving forward, in how it relates to the comparison of the Two Adams’ imputations of sin and righteousness. There is something to be said about corporate humanity; corporate sin, and corporate righteousness. Truth of corporate humanity is found in Adam. We are all imputed death, and then in Jesus Christ we may all have imputed life (more to be said on this matter in this lesson). It should at least be understood that we as humans come from one seed, and we therefore answer one to another corporately. Whereas Angels are all singular in nature, and are individuals unto themselves. VERSE 12-13 “For until the Law (of Moses) sin (that entered through Adam) was in the world; now sin (and its penalty of death) is not reckoned, where there is no law.” The Law here means Moses’ Law. Before which there was only the trespass by one man, of one law, with the penalty of death. There were numerous and grievous sinners and sins but their eventual deaths were a result of Adam’s trespass, not a reckoning of their own sins. Not having heard of the law or its breaking, does not mean they had no light. All then as now should have humanity. If they have not humanity, it’s sin against their own conscience, for all men of fallen Adam were of...... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3gza7itzhjao53h/AAAXD5sOkWJ3sv9VkF2GazA8a?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 09/26/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 5:1-11 THE RESULTS OF JUSTIFICATION VERSES: 1st Peter 1:9; Hebrews 7:25,12:28; Luke 21:36; Revelation 14:9-13 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yf3waibg5na962z/AABJ0BzVGBQwVdkE51Bc-FOCa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 Verse 1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Being justified by faith alone, God imputes to us a righteousness that grants us a right-standing with Him. Paul, having declared our having been justified by faith as being a past tense event, now begins to outline the present and future effects of God’s great work. Verse 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (in the resurrection).” Within these two verses we find the summary of the progressiveness of the “Gospel of God” (wherein we are following in the steps of Abraham; Romans 4:12). The first step being Justification, the 2nd step sanctification, and 3rd step glorification of our souls. Justification by faith grants us eternal peace with God. Justification establishes Christ Jesus as the LORD/Master/King…Who is to instruct us in sanctification into the resurrection inheritance of the glory of God. Our first step of justifying faith, like Abraham’s, continues to be tested and refined through obedience to our (new) Lord in the 2nd step. For this refining process of sanctification, the Lord has also made Atonement; that we might access the provision of grace on the standing of justification; unto faith’s goal; sanctification in the hope of the glorification of God. (Romans 8:30, 1st Peter 1:9… “Receiving the end (goal) of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”) The results of justifying faith in the believer shown here in these two verses are: • Eternal Peace with God through our believing He raised Jesus Christ from the dead for our offenses. • Access to God by continuing faith unto further grace for obedient service as Jesus is now our Lord. • ‘hope’ (elpís; gen. elpídos, fem. noun. Hope, desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it) of glory. We have a hope of obtaining Kingdom Inheritance in the First Resurrection. This is what Abraham attained unto, which was validated by Christ in Matthew 8:11. He did it by faith and grace, who against hope believed in hope, being strong in faith, and being now fully persuaded, he was willing to sacrifice his son. And therefore this great faith brought to him the additional greater imputation of righteousness that answers to faithful obedience to God beyond merely believing. The contrasting of which we have previously spoken and which has Romans 1:16-17 in view. (Going from faith to faith is like going from believing on Him onto believing IN Him/following Him.) Faith has been the subject to this point of Romans, and now hope is laid beside it in the “hope of the glory of God.” It is critical to understand that the hope here referred to is not for justification; for through faith we have obtained the grace wherein we now stand; for we are in possession of it now, and we do not hope for what we have already been gifted. And Justification’s secured results of peace and access to God are that we might additionally, through faith (which is the ground of things hoped for, but not yet seen) and hope thereby draw upon/hold fast the grace (the power of the divine influence upon the heart Hebrews 12:28) in obtaining worthiness. That is to say, sanctification unto glorification; that (conditional) promise of a new glory-filled nature fit for the future heavenly inheritance. (This promise of glory-infilling is the reward for the one who has yielded to God unto the salvation of his soul/fulfilled the call of God on their life.) VERSES 3-5 Peace with God brings war with satan and his seed. (His seed being the demonic and even people in this World. He has a lot of seed in many powerful places/positions). The World and its nature are at enmity with God and the sincere justified seeker of Godliness and righteousness. The worldly are all about the seen (temporary), the Godly and righteous are all about the unseen (eternal). If you knew your enemy was coming, you’d be on watch, and not be asleep. The modern-day grace message and its lying vanities have lulled many to sleep. We need to be in the discipline of watching and praying in expectation of war, but we also need to be aware of the enemy’s tactics. He tries to get us into either despair or presumptuousness. Both can keep us from pursuing spiritual growth. We have access to God as we are led out from under the Law. For the Law had shut the way unto God, in that the Law........... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yf3waibg5na962z/AABJ0BzVGBQwVdkE51Bc-FOCa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 09/19/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 4:13-25 THE TWO SEEDS OF ABRAHAM AND THEIR DISTINCT INHERITANCES VERSES: Genesis 15&17; Hebrews 11:8-16; Revelation 21:3-7,22:2; Matthew 5:26 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/imyx4dbomvujrwv/AACfsZppqZmXo1-2vofMD7ZQa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 In Chapter 4, Paul has been using quotes from Genesis Chapters 15 & 17 to teach on Abraham’s Covenants and on his faith. He continues in verse 13… (VERSE 13)“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his (circumcised) seed, (to be obtained) through the law, but through the righteousness of faith” (that type of faith in God being exampled by Abraham; the father of faith). The following is a grand statement from Karl Barth concerning that kind of faith which we, as humans, owe to God: “….in that where there is no faith, God is deprived of His honor: He ceases to be accounted among us wise and just and faithful and true and merciful. Where there is no faith, God retains neither His divinity nor His majesty (in our lives). Therefore, everything (relating to our inheritance) hangs upon our faith. Our Lord God requires of us no more than that we should render the honour due unto Him and that we should take Him for our God; that is, that we should not take Him for a vain and empty idol, but for the true and veritable God…The competence to give Him such honor from the heart is assuredly wisdom beyond all wisdom, righteousness beyond all righteousness, worship beyond all worship, sacrifice beyond all sacrifice. He who thus believes and confides in God’s Word, as Abraham did, is righteous before Him; for he possesses the faith which renders unto God the honour due to Him; that is he gives Him what he owes Him and what he is bound to give Him.” (VERSE 14) For if they which are (doers) of the (circumcision and Mosaic) law be heirs (of the World), faith is (then) made void, and the promise (is) made of none effect (the seed of Abraham having not ‘continuing’ faith in patience outside of doing the law, so then the promise of their personal inheritance of the World is made void)… (VERSE 15) Because (being subject to) the law (without faith) worketh wrath (because of its binding curse on those who do not keep it entirely): for (or so) where no law is (that being only where faith in God is), there is no (imputed disqualifying) transgression. (VERSE 16) Therefore it (the inheritance of the World) is of faith (in the bare, unqualified, preposterous Word of God; thereby giving Him His due), that it might be by grace (of His Divinity and Majesty alone, in the provision of gracious power unto justification; in undeserved, unmerited favor. This being the exhibition of this first provision of power {the first level of justification/minor provision in the Salvation Plan of God} which is in the saving event of being born again when God grants the divine nature within our spirit. This happens by merely believing what God promised but then afterwards in the further provision of grace; there is the divine influence of power upon the heart. This is the major grace in the second part of the Salvation Plan of God whereby we continue in the process of sanctification, and go from faith to faith, by yielding the will in obedient action to His Word.); to the end the promise (of inheritance of the World) might be sure to all the (faith-guided) seed; not to that only which is of the law (that is to say Jews who were given the law but were justified by faith), but to that (seed) also which is of the (same type) faith of Abraham (but uncircumcised, and not of his physical progeny); who is the father (through exampling faith in God) of us all (Jews and Gentiles). (VERSE 17) As it is written (Genesis 17:5), I have (past tense and before Abraham’s covenant of circumcision) made thee a father of many nations (not just the one circumcised), before him whom he believed, even God, who (said He would) quickeneth the dead (as in the quickening of Abraham’s regenerative abilities and the dead womb of Sarah), and calleth those things which be not (many nations from them) as though they were. (VERSE 18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken (by God), “So shall thy seed be.” (VERSE 19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: (VERSE 20) He staggered not at the (laughable) promise of God (as it relates to his seeds being heirs) through unbelief (he choked doubt to death); but.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/imyx4dbomvujrwv/AACfsZppqZmXo1-2vofMD7ZQa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 09/12/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 4 VERSES 1-13 GOD BEGINS TO RE-ESTABLISH THE LOST PART OF HIS KINGDOM… and that through Abraham VERSES: Genesis 15; Genesis 17; Psalm 32:1-2; James 2:17-26; Acts 17:31 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8imfixna1rtcoxm/AAB1120Akp-7eq5Tii5_Zqo0a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 First, as we have noted before, the initial purpose of Paul’s Letter to all the beloved of God, called (to be) saints at Rome, is that he intends to settle disputes among the New Man converts (Ephesians 2); those believing Jews and Gentiles, by putting them all on the same spiritual ground. He starts off in the first three chapters by explaining how both were slaves of sin. Sin being that nature innate and ineradicable in all man-kind, regardless whether they were Gentile outside the Law of Moses or Jews under the Law. Both groups Paul declares irreconcilably ungodly and unrighteous; hopelessly condemned under the Just Wrath of God’s Righteousness. And therefore, they were equally in vital need of Justification unto right standing with God. And that could only be through the imputed righteousness of the sinless substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. He being set forth by God as the propitiation for sin and administrated in the power of His grace to all; Jew or Gentile. All who will see themselves completely inadequate in the light of God’s Righteousness and justly deserving of Wrath will confess their great need of His gracious justification unto righteousness by believing on Christ’s propitiation offering. (When our insufficiency collides with His all-sufficiency, it leaves a vacuum/a void that only faith can fill.) The result of Christ’s offering is God moving from His position of forbearance; unable to forgive the sin of sinners (due to His righteous Justice needing to be satisfied) to that of a place where He might be just to forgive sinners for their sin. And thereby through Christ, He now calls all men to accountability according to the freely offered justification from their sin. (Acts 17:31) This justification unto right-standing with God without works is the sole foundational doctrinal subject presented so far as the Gospel of God in the first three chapters. (In this initial Justification, righteousness is imputed, but man is not restored/reconciled to the same degree of intimacy as in the deeper level of Justification. This is seen in the example of Adam and Eve in the Garden.) Now it is to be seen that Romans Chapter 4 is an advance of God’s Gospel on previous chapters dealing with justification and righteousness imputed without works. This righteousness is solely in the merit and power of the Blood and the Cross of Christ, the Son of Man. Paul now begins to picture Abraham as the further example of Justification by faith without works, but in addition he then introduces Jesus Christ’s Resurrection power as the Son of God and Great High Priest unto our further justification in righteousness by works. (Abraham is an example of first being justified by faith alone and then his going from faith to faith is an example of works AFTER justification.) The doctrinal truths brought forth here in the 4th Chapter of Romans can only be clearly understood by having a good familiarity with God’s dealings with Abraham in Genesis chapters 15 and 17. It is there we discover the promise to Abraham of 2 seeds; that seed of the physical (verse13) and that of the Seed of the spiritual; Jesus the Christ (verse 18). Abraham’s 2 Covenants are seen, one in chapter 15, the covenant of grace, and the covenant of ‘Law’ in chapter 17. Abraham’s 2 justifications are seen, one by faith without works in 15:5 and one by works in 17:22-27 and 22:16-18. Abraham’s 2 eternal inheritances are seen, one by the physical seed, being the earthly realm; and one by the spiritual Seed, being the heavenly realm. (Genesis 15:5 referring to the heavenly inheritance, and verses 7 & 16 referring to the earthly inheritance.) Also the 2 signs and seals of righteousness are seen, one in circumcision, which was given to Abraham and one being baptism, which was to the Gospel New Man and was the seal of the Holy Spirit. And two pictures of the resurrection are shown in Abraham’s and Sarah’s bodies, and also in the fulfillment of the Covenant of Grace which God intended to fulfill thousands of years later, which demands there be the resurrection of Abraham and his faithful Seed/seed from among the dead. (It should be here noted the corresponding essential truth, for clear understanding going forth, that what has not yet been differentiated by Paul, but only now hinted, is the distinguishing between sin from the sin nature. The justification..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8imfixna1rtcoxm/AAB1120Akp-7eq5Tii5_Zqo0a?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 09/05/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 3:20-31 THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD VERSES: 1st Corinthians 6:19-20; Acts 17:30; Colossians 1:27; John 5:46; Romans 8:30 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hadp6pgaie7o2ha/AAAKGR-ufSMsmEigknq7P5nqa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 These verses (Romans 3:20-31) are often incorrectly referred to as the heart of the Gospel of God. They speak to God’s gift of Justification with eternal life through Jesus the Christ. Correctly understood, these verses are foundational to the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1) as opposed to the heart of the Gospel. What the vast majority of Christians have been taught is that these few verses represent the completeness or the fullness of God’s Gospel Message manifest in Jesus the Christ. That supposed completeness being that we are “saved by grace” through Jesus Christ only and that without any works of our own. But this is just part of the Gospel of God. It is the foundation, not the fullness. Using these words alone (saved by grace) and declaring this revealed gift of God’s graciousness in justification, the majority of Christians claim that this gift in His grace also answers to sanctification, without any works. And furthermore, they wrongly appropriate unto themselves resurrection glory. The Grace message (Cheap Grace message) today teaches that justification, sanctification, and glorification are all imputed to those who are merely justified. The truth of Scripture reveals that the gracious and merciful gift of justification stands apart from the grace and mercy (power) unto sanctification, and the hope of glory. The fact that scripture holds forth the “hope of glory” and not the assurance of glory of the First Resurrection resists the idea that redemption justification assures the promise of glorification. (Romans 5:2; 8:30; Colossians 1:27; Philippians 3:11-14). These verses speak about the hope of glory or the reward of being glorified. In Romans 8:30, the past tense is used when he says, “them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified”. This does not mean that all who are justified will be sanctified and thus glorified, as many Christians believe (as if it was a package deal). This verse speaks to God's Sovereign will in having a People whom He has predestinated to be overcomers who will be justified and eventually glorified. His Sovereign will / His Boulema WILL be done, as opposed to His desired will (His Thelema) which man, by his free will can either choose to resist or yield to. As we walk in the wilderness of life and then fight spiritual giants to inherit the Promised Land, we are working out our sanctification in the present tense. But to Him, that verse is past tense/completed because it was predestined that He will have a People whom He will sanctify and glorify. As to whether we will be a part of that People, is up to us. The foundation of the Israelites’ Good News calling was redemption from Egypt, and that being without any works on their part. But the heart of their Gospel was God’s glorious inheritance which was held out for them; that inheritance which without works they would not inherit. In this example, we can see God’s order. First there is the one-time event of applying the Blood of Christ for our redemption/justification which is the foundation that we need to build upon. This is akin to God redeeming the Israelites by the shed blood of the lamb. Then, the Israelites had to fight/overcome the enemies that would keep them from entering into their inheritance. This answers to the ongoing process of sanctification which we engage in while alive (conforming to the image of Christ) in order to obtain the prize of a glorious inheritance which answers to eternal glory. The Israelites’ experiences serve as a good example not only for us to not make the same mistakes (1st Corinthians 10:1-12), but the order of the events serve as a great example in understanding the fullness of the Gospel of God/God’s Salvation Plan. There are 9 key English words used in verses 20-31, each requiring definition for clear understanding for rightly dividing the Word. 1) Law- is descriptive of God’s Righteousness that condemns sinners. It is synonymous with the Righteousness of God. 2) justified- in legal terms, one goes before the Judge (God), Justice has been satisfied (Christ paying the price/penalty for us), one is acquitted, and free from the sentence (of eternal death attached to sin). The Greek holds forth 3 tenses in connection with JUSTIFY/(SAVED): WAS JUSTIFIED/ SAVED-in the past tense; that is justified by faith without works. BEING JUSTIFIED..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hadp6pgaie7o2ha/AAAKGR-ufSMsmEigknq7P5nqa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 08/29/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 2:1 - 3:20 THE DISCOVERY OF SIN AND GOD’S WRATH VERSES: Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 2:23, 20:13; James 1:21-25; 2nd Corinthians 5:10 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ogo2twoh1h9diyq/AADcpHLvfwVRtzsbABknBquFa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house. (Read Jeremiah 18:2-12). There he observed a potter who was forming a lump of clay into a beautiful vessel. But the clay would not cooperate with the Potter, who at last determined that it must be formed into a lesser and more crude vessel. At that, the Lord God posed the question to Jeremiah, ‘Who determined what manner of vessel the lump of clay should be?’ The answer is that the clay determined its final value and use, as the clay said, “…we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.” [Jeremiah 18:12] This answers to Matthew 21:43 and Acts 13:46; 28:25-28. And answers to Paul’s statements to Jews in Romans Chapters 2 & 3. This analogy in the Book of Jeremiah answers as well to the Gentiles’ response to God in Romans chapter one… “Because when they knew God (in that God revealed Himself, though in lesser light, to them in Nature and conscience), they glorified him not as God, either were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” [Romans 1:21] In the last of Romans 1:18-32, the giving up the Gentiles in body and soul to immorality was discovered in their persistence in idolatry. Their sin, Paul declares to be open and blatant. Now Paul turns to the Jews in the 2nd Chapter of Romans, continuing in the bad news of the Gospel; the Righteousness of God being the Wrath and Judgment of God which rests on all men; (when apart from and/or without Christ) for that which is born of the flesh is flesh. And now he will disclose the form of their (the Jews’) sin. He will contrast the sin of idolatry responsible for the immorality of the Gentiles that manifest in open and blatant licentiousness, with Israel’s sin of idolatry, which manifests in secretive and religious hypocrisy. The intent is to put these Roman Believers both on the same ground…sinners subject to God’s Wrath. Romans Chapter 2… [Romans 2:1-6] “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Verses 1-3 are a continuation of the statement of Romans 1:32… “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Therefore any man (with a view here to the Jews who assert their godliness) will be judged for whatever he has considered wrong in others but yet does himself. You can count on this that no matter who you are, Jew or Gentile. God’s Wrath is on those who do such things (that is referring to the list of the previous chapter in Romans 1:24-31). Verses 4-6 talk about the Jews not understanding or being unaware of the purposeful forbearance of God “…not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Without this ‘knowing’ there is no correct perception of anything at all. Under the cloud of His wrath, works the undercurrent of the Spirit in goodness with a view to a man’s repentance. The Jews are held to a higher standard here when compared to the ignorance of the Gentiles who had/have not the Law or Covenant understanding. The Jews had more light, and instead of being compassionate on those who were in the darkness, they became critical and proud. Here is the birth of the ‘religious’ life, and fanciful, romantic, self-deceit. Imagining that they stand on better and higher ground with God, in that they are the circumcised seed of Abraham, in this they took pride and with it a false sense of security in the Covenants and law. And although they knew His condemnation against idolatry and immorality, they soon presumed that their position and religious works kept them in good stead with God; as God’s proprietors. Persisting in sin, they became hard and impenitent in heart (without shame or regret) as they mistook God’s goodness and forbearance from immediate Judgment for His..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ogo2twoh1h9diyq/AADcpHLvfwVRtzsbABknBquFa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 08/22/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 1 VERSES 18-31 The "Good News" / The Wrath of God is Revealed VERSES: Acts 18:1-2; Romans 1:1-4, 1:16, 2:9-10, 3:10 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5v4mwljog6o25ch/AABq-hvymVPI9D_87ndfgtbaa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 ROMANS 1:18-31 THE “GOOD NEWS" / THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED Let us keep in mind that in the first 3 chapters, Paul was shaping the Roman Believers’ understanding that both Gentiles and Jews are on the same ground with God in the New Testament. It was generally understood by Jews (compared with themselves) that Gentiles were idolaters. And so after the introduction and salutation, the rest of this Chapter is addressing God’s Wrath and the character of Idolaters. God’s Wrath is what gives the force behind the Gospel. God loves and God hates. We will never understand the goodness and love of God until we understand the severity of God in His hatred for Evil. So it is, we must face Chapters 1-3, which centers on the Severity of God, before we can get to Chapters 4 and 5 which are centered on the grace and mercy of God. Solomon, by the Spirit, wrote: “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.” [Proverbs 16:14] (God/Jesus as King is a theme that will be brought out as we go through the Book of Romans.) The Wrath of God is HIS WAY OF PUTTING AND KEEPING THINGS RIGHT. And note that this revelation of God’s Wrath is set forth by Paul in the Gospel Age of Grace and Mercy. Christ warns His disciples, “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” [Matthew 10:28] His Wrath is eternal, as He is. Though God’s Wrath will be quelled when all things are reconciled, yet its expression will be visible forever in everlasting destruction. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” [Isaiah 66:24] His Wrath is not: 1) Vindictiveness, revengefulness and unbridled anger, such as an emotion which a man would have. To think in these terms is to make God too personal; or like in manner to man (thinking that God would react as a man would). 2) Neither is His Wrath of that other extreme; to think God too impersonal, as if He had in ancient times just set certain Laws of the Universe into play. And that when these Laws are broken, there is simply Laws of retribution set in place; laws of the universe, similar to the impersonal law of gravity; natural ramifications of impersonal judgments that set in on the transgressors. The Truth of the Word resists either of these beliefs or misunderstandings. Wrath is God’s reaction to being offended. And is justified in His taking offense, since He is the Almighty Creator. His being rightly offended could be illustrated in any number of limited ways. For instance, how would a man react, if having taken much care in constructing some beautiful thing, which he thought to be better than just good, but very good, and after having revealed how to care and operate it, he entrusted it to another, who then carelessly destroyed that beautiful creation through willful abuse, ignoring the instructions of its care that he had been given? And having shunned all attempts to correct his wrong behavior, continued in contemptuous and total disregard to abuse and destroy that which he had been entrusted? Most certainly the offended man would react very strongly to the unrelenting offender. This illustrates God’s warrant and reaction in Wrath, but He is not a man, whose wrath often is unbridled anger, rage, and full of vindictiveness. But the Creator’s Wrath is wisely purposeful and measured by His Holy Righteousness and is therefore right. His Wrath is the responsible reaction according to His Righteousness and is personal, because He is a ‘person’ and the One Who has been rejected. AGAINST WHAT IS GOD’S WRATH SET? VERSE 18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” His Wrath is not arbitrary but set against Ungodliness and unrighteousness. Ungodliness is an attitude set against God and is the chief sin. No consideration of God in gratitude or thankfulness. No thought of God. He is not a part of their world or life. He is not thought to be necessary or additive. The attitude is, ‘Who needs God?’ On the contrary, the unGodly make their own god; one that suits them; one that that their debased minds now have conjured or gravitated to. The nature of Ungodliness is in the first place directed towards God Himself. The offense of ungodliness can be understood from the First Tablet of the Commandments given to Moses which had to do with honoring God.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5v4mwljog6o25ch/AABq-hvymVPI9D_87ndfgtbaa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 08/15/20. ROMANS CHAPTER 1 VERSES 1-17 The Righteousness of God VERSES: Habakkuk 2:4, 3:1-19; 1st Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:5,9; Colossians 1:25-29; Romans 8:29, 9:4-5 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jfbhaw851caykzf/AACIySkdK_WEhWWc4cHQGrlya?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 THE BOOK OF ROMANS CHAPTER 1-17 Paul’s Introduction Interestingly we have just completed our study of the Book of Hebrews, a Book addressed to Jewish Christians, and now we have begun a study on the Book of Romans, a Book addressed primarily to Gentile Christians (verse 13). The salutation or beginnings of both Books start similarly in their declarations of the Messiah; the Son of God, and the New Testament calling, through Him. Verses 1:1-7 “Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name (see Acts 15:14); Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul, formerly Saul the Jewish Pharisee (Pharisee meaning set apart among the Jews), first introduces himself to these Romans, having never met them, and that as a slave, now a set apart one to his Lord Jesus Christ. His Calling as this slave was discovered on the road to Damascus, afterwards being appointed an Apostle (a sent one) to advocate the Good News of Jesus both Messiah and the Lord to the Nations. The Message was not “Paul’s” Gospel…per se. As the prophets of old, and John the Baptizer had an understanding of the Gospel he is about to declare (that God would reveal the Messiah to both Jew and Gentile)…a scheme/plan God had devised even before the fall of man, and gradually had unfolded His Good News Plan over the first 4000 years up until the climax of Paul’s day. That which God had caused His prophets to not only preach but instructed to write down; these were/are the holy writings of the Old Testament, as they are inspired by God. So it is that Paul comes alongside all the earlier prophets to write and expound on the Gospel of Christ, the mortar or substance of this Letter. In fact ,much of this Letter is a running commentary on what the Prophets of Old wrote and did. The mystery of the Gospel given to Paul (Hebrews 3:1; 1st Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:5,9; Colossians 1:25-29), is that of the heavenly Kingdom calling to the New Man, primarily to Gentiles, to the end that they might co-rule with Jesus Christ the Lord. This is nowhere in this Epistle explicit, as it is beyond the scope and purpose of this Letter although alluded to in Romans 16:25,26. “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Paul’s gospel was not the fullness of the gospel of God. His part of the “good news” had to do with the mysterious calling unto the heavenly kingdom. His gospel went far beyond justification to what was held out for the sanctified, which was the hope of glory. Verse 3 God’s Son being here declared as having two natures at His birth; human and Divine; declared God’s only begotten Son, manifest according to man’s nature; the Son of David. That is, to say in the flesh as the Son of Man in accordance to the seed of promise to be of the lineage of David. And manifest as the Son of God in power according to the “spirit of holiness” fully realized in His select Resurrection out from among the dead in Hades. He, being the first born from among the dead, ever. Neither man or spirit, none other has ever experienced this Resurrection, nor into the power of the indissoluble character of life. It is both the virgin womb and the empty tomb in that the Gospel declares the Son of Man and the Son of God. The News reported among the World is about the World and the Worldly are occupied with it. But the Good News of God... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jfbhaw851caykzf/AACIySkdK_WEhWWc4cHQGrlya?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 08/08/20. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ROMANS VERSES: Acts 18:1-2; Romans 1:1-4, 1:16, 2:9-10, 3:10 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5v4mwljog6o25ch/AABq-hvymVPI9D_87ndfgtbaa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 Paul’s purpose to write this letter was not specifically to share the “Gospel” with its two components of Grace (the gift of eternal life and the prize of the “Kingdom of heavens”). For many of the components of the Gospel are not mentioned or spoken of specifically. For example, nothing is said specifically about the all important Second Coming of Christ, or the First Resurrection, or the Bride ruling, etc. The truths set forth in this Letter are not to document what the “Gospel” per se was or is, but to clearly state certain key elements of the Gospel, peculiar to their Day (which also have direct application today). To say Paul’s intent was to write a Letter to simply declare the “Gospel” message would skew the overall Message to be gleaned. Today’s “Gospel of Grace” Message so greatly deflects the vital Message of God’s Salvation Plan, and so as generally presented today, it was not the thrust or intent of Paul’s very long letter to the Church of Rome. The letter itself was a tacit “argument”… (with an imagined someone; “THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art…” And the 11 times he argues, “God forbid” throughout the Letter is in answer to statements or questions he himself poses) about the state within the Church due to ignorance of the general principles of God’s plan of Salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. All of this historical analysis set aside for a moment, the intent of the Holy Spirit goes much deeper than just the historical need of unity in the Church of Rome, or the future surety of Israel’s restoration, or Paul’s personal God-guided thoughts. In that the Truths set forth in the Book of Romans gives the Christian the clearest outline of God’s Salvation Plan for man from the inside out; from a lost unregenerate bound for God’s eternal Wrath, to the glory of firstborn sonship. In that the gift of righteousness in Christ received is the means by which the Holy Spirit establishes His foothold inside of a now redeemed person. It is the divine eternal nature of God that causes the rebirth of the spirit within him. It is then through this imparted divine nature that the further work of the spirit/Spirit can be accomplished in us, which is “…to be conformed to the image of his son…” which we do by yielding our spirit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This is the point of the Book of Romans; Christlikeness. And it is set forth for both the Jewish and Gentile believer in Christ. In the first two chapters, Paul uses the term. “to the Jew first, and also the Greek (Gentile)” three times to set the tone and course of the Letter. (Romans 1:16;2:9-10) Paul wants to make it clear to the Church at Rome that he is under obligation to God for both Jew and Gentile to deflect any sense of favoritism. At Paul’s heart was the Message to the Ephesians…that of the ‘one new man'…and the calling to the kingdom of heavens. The Book of Romans can be divided up into two parts. Chapters 1-8 are about our vertical relationship with God. Chapters 9-16 are about our horizontal relationships with man. FIRST PART OF BOOK (CHAPTERS 1-8) His Letter or Message in the first part (the first 8 Chapters) is intended to set forth the Truth that all “saved” (note that in the Greek, ‘saved’ has three tenses; past tense: I have been saved, present tense: I am being saved, and future tense: I will be saved) men, being Jew or Gentile, are now set on the very same ground before God in Christ. DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5v4mwljog6o25ch/AABq-hvymVPI9D_87ndfgtbaa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today 08-01-20. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ROMANS CONTRASTING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE WITH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM VERSES: 1st Thessalonians 2:12; 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12; Genesis 1:1-4; Isaiah 61:1-2; Numbers 21:8 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l8bd5xrfrg0cohp/AAAk9XsAOlgbedN6l6u3Gos8a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 CONTRASTING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE WITH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM (An introduction/preface to our forthcoming study on the Book of Romans) THE NEW TESTAMENT, referred to as the Gospel (good news) answers to the Old Testament. It is made up of 27 separate accounts of Jesus the Christ’s Atonement. (The word atonement in Hebrew, when translated to Greek, is… redemption, ransom, restoration, and propitiation). The New Testament was written by 9 or 10 authors. The Gospel Message HAS TWO PARTS. Most Christians only understand the first part of the atonement, which is: THE GOSPEL CALLING OF ETERNAL LIFE through faith in Jesus Christ; with His imputed righteousness being our redemption from the wrath of God; the gift of eternal life. (Romans 3:21 & 6:23) The less understood second part of the Gospel Message is: THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST (the further calling to share in the eternal glory of God through our faithful conformance to Christ.) See the following verses which speak more clearly to the second part of the atonement as opposed to just eternal life. 1st Peter 5:10… “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.” See also 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12… “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” And 1st Thessalonians 2:12… “…That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”) {The Mosaic Law was a step or period towards Christ. In that the Law was presented for the One Who would fill it with meaning. (Jesus) Its meaning being that God intended to bridge the realms of fallen mankind (a nature given to darkness) with that of the spirit realm (with its nature of light) through Him. In that He would be the prototype that would fully answer (and go beyond) the demands of the Law to an unearthly type of man, able to walk in the fullness of the Character of God described and demanded in the Law. The Law of Moses was “parenthetical” in that it filled in the gap from the time of Abraham until the time of Christ at the cross. During His ministry, Christ renewed this understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven. This gap being bridged answers to resuming the Gospel of the Kingdom of heavens to which it could be said had ceased or was lost after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Hebrews 11 shows us that these men had the heavenly kingdom in mind) in this dispensation leading to God’s day of vengeance and the Millennial Kingdom to follow.} THE GOSPEL OF GRACE (the righteousness of God granted outside of the Law. See Galatians 1:6) “Christ died for our sins according to the (Old Testament) scriptures… “ [1st Corinthians 15:3b] “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” [John 3:14-15] The simple ‘believing’ or having faith in Christ’s Blood Sacrifice (“…without shedding of blood is no remission” (of sin) on the Cross is typed in Numbers 21:8. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten when he looketh upon it, shall live.” This is a picture of the Son of Man being lifted up on a cross and how when we look upon Him, we are saved. Living eternally is simply looking upon the Cross of Christ and being “born-again” instantly. There is nothing additive. (In the type, serpents were the cause of death to the Israelites and so a brass serpent was hung up. And so it is in the anti-type, that because it was a man that brought the curse of God upon us; it was the Son of Man who was brought forth as our remedy). Looking to Christ is all God requires. Christ’s death on the Cross completely satisfies God’s justness and we thereby are imputed justification. There is nothing more we can add, nor could we. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8-9] Calvary is a finished Work. So therefore as far as we..... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l8bd5xrfrg0cohp/AAAk9XsAOlgbedN6l6u3Gos8a?dl=0

Mike teaches today 07-25-20. HEBREWS CHAPTER 13 VERSES: Genesis 1st John 3:16,14:17,21; Ephesians 4:14; Revelation 1:8 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/whqi5hwbybhukwt/AADPb6Bsfq3-2BCd-R3W9vs3a?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 “Let brotherly love continue.” This statement and the remainder of the chapter answers to the last two verses in Chapter 12… “ Wherefore we receiving (the opportunity & privileges by imputation through Jesus Christ’s righteousness to inherit) a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us (continue to) have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” So in summarization, within chapter 13 there are explicit exhortations which are in complete harmony with the entire Book of Hebrews. That of the exhortation of faithful obedience in behavior unto holiness along with a number of corresponding threats of punishment for disobedient behavior. In that when loving, habitual obedience to Christ’s commands is exercised, it ensures the welcoming into His coming kingdom of heavens at His Return with the first resurrection, and the sure avoidance of this threatened fearsome experience for believers who disobey. “let us have (or hold fast) grace,” answers to a previous verse in chapter 12, verse 15 where it is written: “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…” This chapter summarizes both what having grace with obedience unto holiness looks like, and also speaks to the failing to hold fast to grace and what defiling roots springing up in evil behavior looks like. (Behavior that excludes you from inheritance of the kingdom.) Grace is on the one hand a weed inhibitor (in that it does not let the seeds of weeds germinate) and on the other hand, a fertilizer for good seed sown. Jesus’ Atonement Sacrifice provided this more powerful provision; New Testament grace. This having Grace is an exercise of the will with renewed mind to the Words of Christ habitually received and exercised which withstands the consuming fire of judgment to be weighted after death. (Hebrews 9:27) This Grace provision is free to all who receive it upon accepting Jesus Christ as Redeemer and continue to receive it unto sanctification from the carnal soul. It is not just a one-time receiving at rebirth that answers to the threat of our not failing of God’s grace, nor does being born again satisfy the command “let us have grace.” It is by our obtaining by drawing upon His ongoing provision of grace that we might serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear. We have heard to spiritual numbness, “All is grace through Jesus”. That is true, but truth is what modern Christianity is vitally missing. It is our part to see that we do not fall short of or run out of that grace power. (Galatians 5:4) Grace is the divine power dispensed and brought to bear upon our soul, in the conforming to Christlikeness by the Holy Spirit (of which we may have a greater or lesser amount) working within the inward man, dependent upon our heart/soil condition that we ourselves determine by our yielding or not yielding our wills and minding the things of the spirit/Spirit. (Romans 6-8) New Testament grace being manifest in great spiritual unto moral power at Pentecost, in that all brethren chose to share alike in earthly goods. But then came the test of trial in persecution, and faith and hope failed. (See Mark 4:17… “And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.”) “Let brotherly love continue” is not based upon the flesh (that is, a brotherhood of Jewish heritage) but upon the spiritual brotherhood of Jesus Christ for anyone; from all mankind. For it is by our love for the brethren that we prove our love of God. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” [1st John 3:16] Looking closer at Hebrews 13…. 1) “Let brotherly love continue.” 2) “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” This has that day and time in view when travel and trust was a great test of faith for Christians. Most likely, it has the history of Abraham and Lot in view. 3) “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them… and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Christians should care for those who suffer for Christ’s sake. Doing unto others what we would have others do unto us. 4) “Marriage is honourable…but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Leviticus 20:10 speaks to man inflicting punishment of death........... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/whqi5hwbybhukwt/AADPb6Bsfq3-2BCd-R3W9vs3a?dl=0

Mike teaches today 07-18-20. HEBREWS CHAPTER 12:25-29 VERSES: Genesis 1:1-2; Haggai 2:6; Isaiah 14:12-14, 24:21; Acts 28:25-28 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y2hw3n8d5w78u9b/AAD3YM5aXCKdfgmda-EptBzTa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 In the Book of Hebrews, written in 62AD, the Holy Spirit calls the Hebrew Christians, 29 years after Christ’s death, to come completely out of Judaism. Out from Temple participation, out from its services, its feasts, its earthly blessings, and even eventually out from its City. (Revelation 11:8… “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”) The out-calling for modern day Christians can be also found in these passages and Book, but not so obviously. 1) in that Christians today readily claim the loving grace of God in the Son’s Atonement offering, and are continually offering up thanksgiving for all the lofty promises of God in Christ, but they heartedly resist the idea of grace (divine influence) by obedience to Christ’s Commands. They want only the blessings but none of its demands; none of the responsibilities for personal righteousness beyond redemption. Obedience to Christ’s Commands for eternal inheritance, not obedience for redemption, for redemption was a free gift. And some declare that any who would preach the dangers of resisting His Commandments as being legalists, and virtual thieves of God’s loving grace. Religious blinders (Revelation 3:14-22) keep today’s Christian from seeing that the moral conduct expected and demanded by God in this Book of Hebrews is in answer to the loving grace of redemption, extended and received by them wholeheartedly in His Son’s Atonement sacrifice. That necessity of obedience for inheritance with Him is clearly intimated and clearly seen by those who have eyes to see. This is evident in Christ’s 7 epistles to the Churches in Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation and Matthew Chapters 5-7, etc. (2) in the resisting the proverbial knocks on the door of Christ’s New Testament Commands. Unleavened Christendom has been invaded, and hijacked by satan; resulting in today’s Laodicean attitude. (Matthew 13:33) Christ’s call of “come out of her my people…” out of mystical Babylon as well as the literal Babylon of the last days, is in some ways undoubtably comparable to the call of those ancient (and present-day) Christians out of Judaism. (Revelation 17 & 18) THE LAST WARNING VERSES 25-29 “See that ye refuse not him (the Son of God) that speaketh (of all the wondrous promises of heavenly kingdom privileges granted by the Father in Him. Hebrews 1:2, 12:22-24) For if they (the ancient Israelites after having heard commands with promised earthly privileges) escaped not who refused him (the Son of God) that spake on earth (at Mt.Sinai, of the Covenant of Law with its penalties against disobedience; and that not in vain; as 3000 died for the breaking of the 1st and 2nd commandments. And we also have the examples of punishment in the stoning of the Sabbath breaker, and then when the fiery serpents sealed the fate of those who joined themselves to Baal Peor. See Deuteronomy 4:3, etc) …much more shall not we (as Christ followers have a chance of) escape (the sure judgment consequences for ignoring the Commands of conduct that He so greatly values; by simply professing His Loving grace), if we turn away from (obedience to) him (Jesus Who now) speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth (the earth only and that exclusively to mankind and Israel specifically. See Exodus 19): but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven (Why? When Christ leaves the 3rd Heaven, He must reward the obedient and punish the disobedient. In the process of the restoration of all things, there must be the shaking and removing of all compromising materials (which is in view in Haggai 2:6) which greatly includes the unseen realm wherein satan rules from {Isaiah 24:21}, that being the heavens associated with this earth. See Revelation 6:12-17 with 12:7-10) And this (prophetic) word, Yet once more, signifieth (portends/points to that 1000 years later of) the removing of those (contrary) things (permanently) that are (to be temporarily) shaken (in the great tribulation Matthew 24:29), as of things that are made (contrary by satan and fallen mankind Isaiah 14:14, 2nd Corinthians 11:3), that those things which cannot be shaken (to be realized fully at the end of the Millennium Hebrews 10:13 with Isaiah 66:22) may remain (forever 2nd Peter 1:11)........ DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y2hw3n8d5w78u9b/AAD3YM5aXCKdfgmda-EptBzTa?dl=0

Mike Balloun teaches today. 07-11-2020 HEBREWS CHAPTER 12:18-24 VERSES: Exodus 19-34; 1st Corinthians 10:11; Revelation 19:7-9; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 9:13-15 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g35cij39g1ktafk/AACiiqQ2SPYlpHuCyu765J0ea?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 Hebrews 12:18-24 (the 5th warning continued) “For ye (we) have not come unto the mount that might be touched (that might be felt, not only seen) and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of trumpet, and the voice of words; (the terrifying voice of God; “I am the Lord thy God… thou shalt have no other gods but me”… “I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God”) which voice they (the elders) that heard entreated (Moses) that the word would not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure (or bear the thought of the prohibition) that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” [Hebrews 12:18-24 (These verses have Exodus chapters 19-24 in view.) Obviously this 5th warning of falling from grace (verse 15) and shunning the promised privileges of the Gospel, as those other four warnings previously discussed in other lessons, is being addressed to born again Christians. The Author begins to make parallels of the honors bestowed and lost between them and the redeemed Israelites from Egypt. “For ye are not come…But ye are come…” (verse 22) The Israelites were in the third month from coming out of Egypt and were being led to the mount of God and now camped close to the foot of Mt. Sinai / Mt. Horeb, where God had determined to frighteningly reveal Himself to them. (Exodus19-24) This sets the scene for these warning and instructive verses before us in the 12th chapter of Hebrews. Compare with Galatians Chapter 4 where the inferiority of the earthly Mount is declared. (In verses 18-21, there is a further fulfillment which answers to the future terrifying day of the great tribulation of Matthew 24:21, expounded upon in the Book of Revelation.) The Author’s idea is to comfort and warn these Hebrew Christians, who although having lost their Jewish privileges of Temple sacrifice and priestly intermediacy, are now guided and instructed. For those historical happenings at Mt. Sinai were but shadowing examples of the heavenly realities. (1st Corinthians 10:11) Privileges now were being granted unto all these Hebrew Christians who had been led by Christ, the true and great Mediator of a new and better covenant, (that covenant being with all mankind) to the foot of that heavenly Mount Zion. And that being on the same basis as those led to Mt. Sinai; that basis being God so loved the World, and because he would keep the oath which He spoke to Adam and swore to Abraham. (Deuteronomy 7:8 with Genesis 3:15; 15:18; 22:17) This new covenant heavenly access was solely granted by the sprinkling of Jesus’ Blood; the Lamb of God. (See Exodus 24:6-8 where the covenant of Moses was ratified and sealed by the sprinkling of the inferior blood… “And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” See also Hebrews 9:13-15… “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” And also Hebrews 10:22… “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts....... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g35cij39g1ktafk/AACiiqQ2SPYlpHuCyu765J0ea?dl=0

Mike teaches today. 06-27-20 HEBREWS CHAPTER 12:14-17 WHO SHALL SEE GOD? VERSES: Psalm 51:1-17; Philippians 2:10; Daniel 7:9-13; Matthew 5:8; Jude 24-25 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/frco16ykobn5v7y/AADXxpqHXMqRDILJLcQM3MXXa?dl=0 AUDIO: Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 Just a few reminder words about VERSE 11-13…. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peacable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Chastisement in itself is painful. When faced with it, our emotions run wild. Some temptation for rebellion could possibly surface, against man, or God, or both. But when the chastisement is rightly received and understood that it is directed by the love of the Father, it has a settling effect upon the soul. Our key discovery in His chastisement is to be that the Father has lovingly refocused our hopes, our pursuits, our desires that we might be eternally “partakers of His holiness.” We realize that we are not already in the promised place; we are yet in the wilderness. And that all the World’s desires are (vain at best) dangerous stumbling blocks to our attaining unto His promises for the faithful overcomers. My soul then awakened from self-consciousness unto God-consciousness then becomes less troubled about those things which would otherwise be greatly disturbing. My heart is now rightly pointed in the way of the Lord, peacefulness begins to flood my being, and fruitfulness in righteousness quickly follows. VERSE 14a “Follow peace with all men, and holiness (Scripture defines 2 distinct holinesses: 1) Old Testament; where external sanctification was in its view, in the keeping of Mikvehs (cleansing immersions in water) and commands of Kosher eating and drinking. Where also there were different degrees of holiness; as the Priests were held to another holiness. Obedience to the Mosaic Law for holiness has been set aside, as now holiness under the Law is hopeless. (Galatians 3, Romans 6:14) 2) The standard being for us as Christians is New Testament holiness; a holiness focused on the internal, that of putting-off of evil and putting on Christlikeness; and that by renewed conscience, the Word, and in the power/grace of the Holy Spirit. It is thorough holiness (a holiness worked out by the process of sanctification) that the Father asks from sons, that which fits them completely to dwell in His Presence forever. VERSE 14b… (holiness) without which no man shall see the Lord.” Who is the “Lord” here referred to in Hebrews 12:14? It cannot be Jesus Christ, as it is written, “every knee will bow before me.” (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10) And “every eye shall see Him.” [Revelation 1:7] The Lord here (in verse 14b) is meant to be the Father…“Therewith bless we God, even the Father…” [James 3:9] (See also Psalm 2:2… “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed”. And Jude 24-25…“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” And Daniel 7:9-13… “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days (Yahweh) did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man (Jesus) came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days (Yahweh), and they brought him near before him.”) Clearly Christ was referring to the Father when He said: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8] To see the Father means to finally see Him with our eyes (eyes that have been glorified)… “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/frco16ykobn5v7y/AADXxpqHXMqRDILJLcQM3MXXa?dl=0

Mike teaches today. 06-20-20. HEBREWS 12:7-13 PURGATORY? [PART 2] Subtitle: God’s Chastening Before and After Death Verses: Luke 16:19-41; Revelation 2:23; Matthew 5:25-26, 10:38-39; 1st Corinthians 15:54-55; Ecclesisates 12:7 STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ladvhj2429k013n/AAApf4YcyL1cQqZDD6I6j7YYa?dl=0 AUDIO: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n9ycuj5n9u4w9ir/AAAVkh5Vjmg02-rICL6sZ8BRa?dl=0 Subscribe to Receive Updates from For His Glory TX: http://eepurl.com/o7-J9 It will be discovered by any truth seeker that Scripture does not teach we Christians go directly to Heaven when we die. Scripture will be found to teach that everyone continues (as it has been since the first man, Adam, died) to be carried into or directed into Hades/the intermediate place of the dead at the time of death, to be detained there until resurrection. Scripture teaches that man is a triad being. He is a living soul, (Genesis 2:7) he has a spirit, and a body. The soul and body have self-consciousness and with the spirit, man has God-consciousness. (Hebrews 12:9) Scripture teaches us that this union is “life”, and death is its separation. Man having died, Scripturally means that these three parts separate; the body goes back to the dust, where we await its resurrection, the spirit goes back to God who gave it, (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 23:46) and then the soul (the essence of us) goes to the Intermediate place of the dead; or Sheol in Hebrew. The Old Testament declares it (according to our count) 65 times in several different versions; the word Sheol is translated hell or grave equally and pit three times. The New Testament word, in Greek, for the same place is Hades; it is used 11 times, and 10 times it is translated “hell” and “grave” once. For a total of 76 times we are informed in Scripture about Sheol and 22 times in the Old Testament we are told it is down where we go when we die. “But those that seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.” [Psalm 63:9] “Let death seize upon them and let them go down quick into hell (Sheol).” [Psalm 55:15] “…that her guests are in the depths of (Sheol).” [Proverbs 9:18] “For I will go down to (Sheol) to my son mourning”. (Genesis 37:35) “They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.” [Job 21:13] It is here where we can briefly examine what Scripture says on the subject of the intermediate place of the dead. We have before established from Scripture that death in itself has no magical effect on our character. We are what we were when we arrive in Hades. We are tainted with sin and death when we are here on the earth and we are yet tainted with sin and death after we die. First, it is important to note that it is not the Christian’s sins per se that will be dealt with by corrective or instructive chastisement after death, because the days of our response to these unto worthiness of the First Resurrection in faithful fruitfulness have passed, in that a dead branch cannot produce fruit no matter how much it is beaten. Therefore, it is instead the Christian’s punishment after death (as opposed to a Christian’s chastisement while alive, when they could have still produced fruit). In his punishment, the Christian would have the sorrowful realization of how it was his unwillingness to be purged through the conscience, the Word, and Holy Spirit from the works of the carnal nature that created the “debt” now owed to God, which he must now pay the consequences for in full. (Matthew 5:25-26… “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” See also Matthew 18:34-35…“And his lord was wroth, anddelivered him to the tormentors, -till heshould pay all that was due.SO SHALL ALSO MY HEAVENLY FATHER DO UNTO YOU, IF YE FORGIVE NOT EVERY ONE HIS BROTHER FROM YOUR HEARTS.” See also James 2:13, “…for judgment iswithout mercyto him that hath showed no mercy”. When we are dead, we are no longer in the position (to acquire mercy and grace) for cleansing or purging from our sins that we might be found and judged as faithful and fruitful. Only while we were alive were we able to approach the throne of grace to receive grace and mercy to cover our sins after regeneration. The cleansing process is likened unto mowing the grass, as the mowing equates to cleansing from sin “...let us lay aside ever weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” that we might stay in communion/koinonia with God.... DOWNLOAD COMPLETE STUDY NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ladvhj2429k013n/AAApf4YcyL1cQqZDD6I6j7YYa?dl=0