church4u

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How can we get right with God? Two men went to pray, in Luke 18. (V. 9) And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves - not God - that they were righteous, and despised others. Some Pharisees trusted in themselves and their own righteousness. The Lord knows our hearts. We can't trust in ourselves. We must place all of our trust in God. (V. 10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. See how they prayed: (V. 11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. His prayer really "goes no higher than the roof". There he stood, tall and vain: "I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like the rest of men: grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I tithe on all I possess. I give thanks to you, God, that I am keeping the Law, that I have been keeping this Law all my life." His prayer reveals a heart consumed by self-righteousness and a judgmental attitude to those he perceives as lesser. He wasn't really praying and thanking God, but he was only congratulating himself… He was a “model citizen”. We might think, what more could be expected of him? BUT… This man had no consciousness of his own sin and his personal unworthiness. He did not ask for grace - and he received none. He was proud of his morality. He confessed his virtues rather than his sins. The Pharisee was proud of his own righteousness, but the tax collector was humble and knew that he needed God's mercy. The Pharisee's focus on external actions and his comparison with others blinded him to his own shortcomings. Self-righteousness is pride - and it is sin. He did not come to God as a needy sinner. While the Pharisee prayed so proudly, the tax collector stood at a distance… HIS EYES were looking down but HIS HEART was reaching up. He was ashamed of what he had done. (V. 13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. He stands afar off. Though a Jew he stands at a distance - in the Court of the Gentiles - he was conscious that his sins had distanced him from God. Praise God - though the publican stood afar from God in conscious unworthiness - God did not stand afar from him. Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. He doesn’t raise his eyes at all. He doesn't lift his eyes up to heaven. He has a humble attitude of heart. He beats his breast. He says, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." He confesses himself to be a sinner. He recognises his sin. The horror of it. He doesn't claim any credit for any good he may have done. He just says honestly, "I am a sinner. God, be merciful to me." He sees only his own sin and guilt. He realises he is guilty in the eyes of a holy God. His prayer is short and simple. Just seven words. He saw his sinfulness. His need of a saviour. His prayer is simple but profound, acknowledging his unworthiness and utter dependence on God's grace. He's saying, "God show mercy through sacrifice to me, the sinner". He saw his need of the atoning death of Christ at Calvary. He calls out for the mercy of God. He prays for God to "be merciful". It was at the hour of sacrifice in the temple. The publican (unlike the Pharisee) was confessing his sin. He identified himself with the sacrifice made for sin. He prayed for God to be satisfied with the value of the offering on the altar at the time. He had brought his sin offering - as it was being offered up on the altar he prayed in effect that God would show mercy through that substitute being offered. He saw that only the value of the sacrifice could make full payment for the forgiveness of his sin. God is merciful to the repentant sinner because He is satisfied with the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. God exalts the humble and grants His grace and forgiveness. Sin can only be paid for as we acknowledge that we need forgiveness - we need a substitute dying in our place for our sin. (V. 14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified. He was forgiven - made upright and in right standing with God… The publican went home a changed man. He had repented and confessed his sin to God. In God's eyes he was justified. Justification is God as judge, declaring us "just" in His sight - made just - saved and delivered from the eternal penalty of sin - and made righteous. True righteousness comes to a humble and contrite heart. God can justify only by the sacrifice that Christ made for sin at Calvary. May we realise our need of God's mercy. God's grace extends to everyone. It is the humble and contrite heart that finds justification before God. The only way of salvation is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ received by faith alone. Go to him and plead, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." God is rich in mercy. Come to Jesus Christ in simple faith, and trust Him now.

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Preacher Jesse Trumble shares a communion message on faith, hope, and redemption, from Psalm 130. Psalm 130 is a song of degrees. These are the songs people would sing as they went up into the temple to worship. 1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Who of us could stand, if God were to keep track of our iniquities? Job 10:14 - If I sin then thou markest me and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. God sees our sin, and that we are sinful. God is right and just. Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap. Judgment looms. There will be condemnation for those who are not written in the Book of Life, but for those who are written in the Book of Life there is great hope. We read, There is forgiveness with thee. Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. He blots out sin for his own name's sake. We fear God - we reverence and honour Him. And He saves us - He redeems us from our sin. To redeem means to pay the price. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. God paid the penalty on the cross for our sin – and we can receive His forgiveness and be a redeemed people. We can cry out to Him in the darkest of times, God please forgive me. Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. He will hear - there is great hope in this. We can know this certain hope. It says, my soul waited for the Lord more than they that watched for the morning. Surely, there's hope in the morning. Hope in the Lord. He offers you His forgiveness and mercy.

A great time for young people at a church4u event. A BBQ picnic with games at Fremont Park. We are an independent baptist church in Adelaide. Contact church4u - 3 Kirk Street Elizabeth Park, South Australia - 0417 016 160. www.cforu.net

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Salvation, full and free. Seek ye the Lord. The welcome words of Isaiah 55 from preacher Jesse Trumble. Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. God's invites us to freely feast and drink, without money and without price. Jesus is saying that he has something here for the thirsty soul. He offers pardon that brings joy. He fills the searching soul and satisfies our deepest need of life. His offer is free. A life spent only for pleasures and temporal things like power, influence or wealth is just a waste. The Prodigal Son went to a far country, threw away his money, and ended up in a pigsty. A life that pursues after that which is not of God ends up in the pigsty. Here is something that satisfies this hunger and this thirst. A life lived with God is truly full. God is convicting us to come to him and hear his words. The Holy One of Israel is the Lord Jesus Christ. He calls us to pursue him and to forsake our ways and our thoughts. He offers mercy to us and his promise to pardon us abundantly. This offer of pardon is only for a limited time. Today is the day of salvation. Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is still on the throne and he never forsakes his own. The Holy Bible goes forth, and it feeds, judges, condemns, guides, protects, and fulfills its promises. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Our thoughts and ways are wicked and against God, but Jesus has the answer for your life. Cry out to him for help, turn unto him, and you will know his saving love. He will abundantly pardon.

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The Matrix controls people's thoughts and beliefs. Babylon is such a Matrix – a symbol of rebellion and spiritual corruption. The evil system of Antichrist has global economic and political power. Babylon symbolises rebellion against God - the Tower of Babel was really the first false worship system. It means confusion, Genesis 11:9. This evil empire is marked for judgment; Isaiah 13:19. Babylon is a mysterious seductive entity, spiritual deception; pictured as a woman riding a beast. Revelation 17:5 …mystery Babylon the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth… The Babylon of the Bible is a corrupt system of oppression and tyranny. Rev 17:6 tells of the woman, drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Babylon is Antichrist - a false, deceptive religion, associated with false prophets, Jeremiah 29:9; they prophesy falsely - I have not sent them. Babylon is spiritual confusion - a mixed up syncretism of gods. It is occult; Isaiah 47:13. Rev 18:23 tells of pharmakeia; sorcery. The entertainment industry is filled with occult symbols and covert signs. They identify who they belong to. Babylon is a symbol of worldly wealth, materialism, and worldliness. Rev 18 3 - all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Babylon is a powerful materialistic system – a globalist power that seduces nations. It’s idolatry and spiritual adultery. One day it will all come crashing down. Rev 18:2 - Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen; it's become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit. It will ultimately fall. Babylon is the antithesis of God's Kingdom – it is directly opposite to God's Kingdom. Babylon is also a symbol of captivity. The Israelites were taken there as prisoners – it’s a picture of controlling enslavement. The good news is that Babylon is marked for judgment. Isaiah 21:9, Babylon is fallen, is fallen. All the graven images of her gods are broken. Babylon's idolatry will come to destruction. So, what are we to do about this "Mattrix"? How can we protect ourselves? Come out of her my people. Don't partake of her sins. Babylon is spiritual confusion - a force of deception which seeks to seduce and corrupt the faithful. Babylon is a symbol of idolatry and spiritual adultery - you cannot linger under its influence. This Matrix - the system of control - keeps people in a state of ignorance – never waking up to the truth. The greatest freedom is THE TRUTH that sets men free. Babylon comes in many forms - the various enemies of God and false prophets. We cannot accommodate error. Babylon stands as this symbol of worldliness. This monster has many tentacles: Wokeism, scientism, humanism, hedonism, leftism, atheism, consumerism, skepticism, secularism, post-modernism, communism, socialism, fascism, marxism, environmentalism, darwinism, paganism… Some churches are opening the floodgates for the New Age movement, pragmatism, ecumenism… The Illuminati holds power by a shadow government, a deep State, and covert forces. Antichrist belief systems are demonically driven. We see the rise of cultural Marxism – a culture war against Christian values and morality. Perversion is the new normal. It seems “Science” is the new god - Scientism is a religion. Technocracy means so-called experts govern us and tell us what's good for us. 1 Timothy 6:20 tells of so-called science. Man-made philosophies captivate people. 1 Timothy 4:1, Don't give heed to these seducing spirits. Four companies control 80% of the world’s media. We're being lied to, with fabricated narratives and filtered messaging. Our schools subject children to ideological indoctrination. Jeremiah 10:2 says: Learn not the way of the heathen. Satan has infiltrated the church. Radical activism is taking over whole churches. We're seeing delusion, deception, and doctrines of devils. It seems many mainline denominations have moved their headquarters to Sodom. We're seeing the feminisation of the church and a decline of biblical manhood. They have emasculated the church. Some churches have become like circus shows to draw the crowd. There's the unbiblical tongues movement and a lack of biblical preaching. Ichabod is written over these churches - the glory has departed (1 Samuel 4:21). 2 Corinthians 11 tells us of false apostles, deceitful workers… Churches are playing with demons. We dare not trifle or compromise the Word of God. We have to leave the Matrix. We have to get out of Babylon, in all of its shapes and forms. We must separate from evil. Get out of churches that are false. Come out from among them and by ye separate. Like God told Lot, Escape for thy life! We dare not linger. Escape the Matrix. Escape for thy life. Here's the Escape Plan: Wake up - and awaken others. Keep your children safe. Be aware that the media is controlled. Be aware of globalism. Withstand false doctrine. Test everything. We've got to escape the matrix - flee to Christ.

What does the Bible teach about the new man and the old man? A message from preacher, Peter Gregoric. The believer in Christ has a dual nature: the old man, which is after the Flesh, and the new man, which is our Spirit, which is born again. Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. We are to put off the old man and to put on the new man. Every one has a body, a spirit, and a soul. Man is made in the image of God. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. We have a triune nature. The Bible teaches that the spirit of an unsaved man is dead - spiritually dead before God. For people who aren't saved, their body is alive, but their spirit is dead; they're dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: When we're saved our spirit is made alive within us - our spirit is born again. The unsaved will have to stand before God and they will answer for every sin they have done in their whole life. John chapter 3 tells about being born again; a spiritual birth. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. It's not about reforming the old man – we need to have a spirit made NEW. It's a spiritual birth that we need. As believers, we still have our body which is still sinful - our old man - but we also have the new man, which is made perfect. We have to decide daily whether or not we're going to walk in the old man and fulfil the lust of the flesh - the desires of the flesh – or to walk in the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness. Our old man is at enmity with God - it's carnal - it cannot please God. On the other hand, the new man which we get when we're born again only wants to do that which is right; it cannot sin. The problem we have is that we don't walk in the new man all the time. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Spiritually, I have that new spirit, and the fruit of the spirit. Fact is, we commit sin. At times we're still walking in the old man. That doesn't mean that we're not saved. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. What's going on is a struggle – a constant battle - where the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Paul rebukes the Corinthians - who've been saved for quite some time - yet they're carnal – as "babes" in Christ. Spiritually, people can be the same way, they're saved,, but they're still as a babe in Christ, and they still need the milk of the word. The Corinthian Church was carnal - walking in the old man, and lacking spiritual development. Of course we can try in vain to reform the old man. But he is spiritually dead. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Someone who's NOT saved CANNOT please God. No matter how hard they try to reform that old man, it's dead - you can't revive it. It's only by God – by being born again that you have that new man, that new spirit. Without faith it's impossible to please God. You have to have faith to be saved. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. We are called to crucify that old man - kill that old man. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Either you’re walking in the new man or walking in the old man. You're always going to have that struggle. One day, praise God , He will raise up that old man - at the resurrection. God will take our body, our sinful body, and make it new - a glorified body - at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 …we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. At the rapture, the last trump, God will destroy the old man and we will have a sinless body. It is then that we will have that "complete package" - the body, spirit, and soul – and we will be with the Lord for all eternity. God will raise up our body, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. For the moment, we have the old man and the new man fighting against each other; they're warring against each other. Yet we have that glad hope that one day that's going to be done away with, and that’s a great encouragement we can have.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Conside some various bad things that happened to one man. He was... MARRED - Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: DESPISED - HATED - REJECTED - Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. AFFLICTED - Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. WOUNDED - Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - He bore the INIQUITY of others - Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. OPPRESSED - Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. PRISON, JUDGMENT - Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. DEATH - Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. GRIEF - Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. TRAVAIL - Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. POURED OUT - Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. CURSED - Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Why do bad things happen to good people? Really, all the suffering of Christ was because of man’s sin. It was my fault. Man’s sin is the cause of all the bad things we face on this earth. SHAME - Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. LAID DOWN - 1 John 3:16 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. PIERCED - Psalms 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Why did bad things happen to Jesus? Why was He... MARRED REJECTED AFFLICTED WOUNDED Bearing INIQUITY OPPRESSED Suffered PRISON, JUDGMENT DEATH GRIEF TRAVAIL POURED OUT CURSED SHAME LAID DOWN PIERCED He was… BROKEN - 1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Broken, for you. Why do bad things happen to good people? Actually, the Bible says that: Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There’s actually no good people. Why did the worst of things happen to the best of people? Our precious Lord, who was the only one without sin. Why do bad things happen to good people? Really the source of all bad things is man’s sin. There’s no excuse to blame God for it. We are the problem. Man’s sin. And God has done everything to save us from our sin, if we would but trust Him. We would better pose the question: Why do good things happen to bad people? Why would God in His grace see fit to act to save us? And give to us, unworthy ones: His… Salvation Forgiveness and Eternal Life.

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Preacher Michael Orlino, on Psalms 103. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. It is an easy thing for us to forget - we can hold up to seven pieces of information at the same time for around only 20 seconds. The Lord calls us to not forget his benefits to us. We bless the Lord and praise him as we remember the goodness of God in our lives. David is talking to his own self - to his own soul. He is instructing his soul to bless the Lord. He is directing his soul to bless the Lord - to praise him. We think of him as the as the one Mighty God - a faithful God who has never abandoned us. We lift up our petitions and our hearts to him and say, Lord, You are the faithful God, I love you. You are my God and I bless your name. David is talking to his soul, but also, he's talking to his memory. David is instructing his soul - the seat of the understanding and affection - the inmost soul. David is also calling upon his heart, his affection; upon everything that is in him. You cannot truly serve God while your heart serves sin or idols in your life. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. We are instructed to bless the holy name of God. His name is Holy - it is consecrated, set apart, the name that is above all other names. He is Yahweh, the Covenant name of our God. Praise God for his character, his faithfulness, his love, his mercy. Brethren, let’s not forget the good things that the Lord has done for us. It is easy to forget our Lord, to forget his goodness. Thank him for his providence and his care. We are prone to forget, just like the Israelites. We complain despite God's marvelous and mighty works. Let us recollect the goodness of God in our lives in our lives. Remember all the things that the Lord has done in your life. Praise the Lord for his pardon - who forgiveth all thine iniquities. God has redeemed us. We receive pardon from the Lamb of God. Our God has redeemed us through the blood of his son our Lord and Saviour. Exodus 34:6-7 ..The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin… Psalms 103:10-12 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities… 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. We have been brought back from sure destruction to a sure heaven, to sure eternal life, to a sure haven of rest In Christ the Lord. 1 Peter 1:18-19 …ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price… Glory in the gospel - what a comfort it is to know – Jesus is MY Saviour. If you are not in Christ why would you not come to God for your pardon? Why would you not come to God for the healing of your soul? Verse 4, …who crowneth thee with loving kindness and and tender mercies… We know that those who are with him and for him will be kept all the time. We know his Covenant love, his steadfast love, his faithful love. He reckons us righteous. He preserves us. He has counted us righteous in Christ. 2 Timothy 1:12 …for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: He is keeping you all the way. We also praise the Lord for his Providence - who satisfies thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles… He gives us more than what we need, even above and beyond our basic needs. David was satisfied. He was content. He was gratified and happy. He has given us good things. Truly our cup overflows. We are thriving in the goodness of God. We have reason to praise him. Just think, how your heart beats about 100 000 times in one day – that’s about 35 million times in a year; or about 2.5 billion times in a lifetime. So you have 2.5 billion reasons to thank the Lord for his goodness to you!

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An ultimate dictator is about to take to the world stage. He will be the enemy of Christ, AND of all who follow Him. Who is he? Anti-christ means against - or it can mean, instead of - Christ. The antichrist is a deceiver - a liar, a master of deception. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. The Bible tells us of how the last days this figure, THE Antichrist, will speak lies. It seems like DECEPTION is rampant. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Many are falling for all kinds of apostasy. The Antichrist will be a powerful leader: Revelation tells how he will rule the world government for 42 months. The Antichrist will exalt himself - above all that is called God - he will be full of pride. Revelation 13:5-6 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. The Antichrist will gain political power and spiritual authority over every nation on earth. Really, it’s the ultimate ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. In Revelation 13:7, John writes, And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. As a political or military leader, the Antichrist will use his power to persecute Christians, and promote his own agenda. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The spirit of the Antichrist is at work. We see FALSE RELIGION on the rise. Only the remnant whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are wise enough to not worship him. The Antichrist will use his power to gain mastery over the economy of the world. Revelation 13:15-18 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name... 666. A new MONEY SYSTEM is being proposed, for a form of digital money that can be completely under the control of the state. The ultimate object of the Antichrist’s control system is that he will cause chaos and destruction on a global scale. The Antichrist will be a charming, crafty politician, who will muster others to join his cause. He will have great power and influence. It says that the Antichrist will gain the allegiance of other kings and form a global alliance. The Antichrist will make war with the Lamb. The people of God. Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. The Antichrist will be thrown into the lake of fire and will be punished for eternity. Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. I believe that the spirit of Antichrist is emerging. Let us be on guard against deception and false teachings. We can take comfort in the fact that Christ will ultimately defeat the Antichrist and his followers, and we can look forward to the day when we will be with Christ forever. Let’s be alert to this coming deceiver. We are warned of him: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. It says that people are going to be under a strong delusion and believe a lie. How are we to avoid being deceived by the coming great antichrist and his counterfeit miracles? Have a love of the truth. That same truth will protect us from the deceptions of the other lesser antichrists. The Bible tells us of the ultimate overthrow of the Antichrist: 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: The Lord Jesus is coming. Do you know Him?

Blood poured out is a graphic picture. Two thousand years ago the lifeblood of a man was poured out. It was a deliberate act as He gave Himself an offering for mankind. Leviticus 17:11 tells us “the life of the flesh is in the blood”. Ephesians 5:2, Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and given himself for an offering… Israel as a nation was in bondage, held captive as slaves. Egypt made the lives of the children of Israel “bitter with hard bondage” (Exodus 1:14), and they “sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God” (2:23). . On that dreadful night of the Passover they were to take a lamb for a house; Exodus 12:3, a lamb without blemish. They were to kill it at Passover. Exodus 12:7, they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the door of their house. As Spurgeon put it: What if some foolish Israelite had despised the command of God and had thought, "I will sprinkle something else upon the doorposts," or, "I will adorn the lintel with jewels of gold and silver," he must have perished; nothing could save his household but the sprinkled blood. Nothing else but the blood would do. Exodus 12:11 it reads: And thus shall ye eat it, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. The blood is God's Escape Plan. The blood saves us from the wrath of God. Only the blood is acceptable. Abel's sacrifice was blood. Cain’s was not acceptable. The blood saves completely, and we can be certain of its efficacy. It has that soul-saving power. Acts 20:28 tells of the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood. As the Hebrews applied the blood it was the blood that gave them safety, and the Lord passed over – and so we get the word, “Passover”. The Lord passed over – and judgment didn't fall upon them. By the blood we're given entry - Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. The shed blood of the lamb set people free – in God's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Like the children of Israel, we are no longer slaves… We have liberation. We have liberty. God sets us free from that and gives us the glorious liberty of the children of God; Romans 8:21. Ephesians 2:13, But now in Christ Jesus we who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. We've got a liberty - and that doesn't mean a liberty to sin, but a liberty to praise Him, to serve. We have victory today because of the blood of Jesus. Our salvation gives to us, as the true children of God, a blessed victory. In Christ, now, we've got a higher affection, a greater blessing. The blood brings pardon and forgiveness. The blood keeps on working - sanctifying us, in our journey of faith. We've got a cleansing by the blood, 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, We have washing. A spiritual stain on the soul. The most powerful stain remover. The blood is your only reliable shelter - whatever happens we can trust the blood of Jesus . Trust him and be thankful for the blood.

What does the Bible say about the Passover? Exodus 12:3 …take to them every man a lamb according to the house of their fathers a lamb for a house... 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt both man and beast and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment I am the Lord. 13 …and the blood shall be to you a token upon the houses where you are and when I see the blood I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt. In 1 Corinthians 5 7-8, Paul writes: …Christ Our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast …with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Passover has been celebrated for thousands of years. God calls for a searching and a casting out of leaven from the home – leaven is a symbol in the Bible of sin. To prepare for Passover they had to get rid of any leaven. The Jews of today follow a cleansing process. The wife thoroughly cleans the house, but she deliberately leaves ten small pieces. Then the father and the children take a candle, and they search through the house to find every bit of leaven. God wants us to clean up our act - to get rid of any leaven. God's church is called a spiritual house; 2 Peter 2:5. We want to address sin, and deal with it in our life. We can take the candle – the word of God - Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Let us examine ourselves and keep that closer walk with him, asking him to daily help us with our daily cleansing and living. At the time of the Passover the children of Israel were in the bondage of Egypt. They were enslaved, in captivity. When God's judgment came they were sheltered – by the safety of the blood. Egypt represents the world. Passover recalls God's deliverance of His people from that slavery of Egypt. As the saved, we know Heaven as our new home, our new direction for life. God sent Moses to Pharaoh demanding the release of the Israelites, but Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let God's people go. God sent ten plagues – the last was that every firstborn of every household would be destroyed. But God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice the lamb, and mark their doorposts with its blood, and then the angel of death would “pass over” and not bring judgment to that household. Passover is a reminder of God's power – and promise - to deliver His people from bondage, and of His great faithfulness. The lamb is a sacrifice for sin – a symbol of Christ, the Lamb of God; John 1:29, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. We can be saved by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Lord our righteousness. We can be saved by God and made safe by God. Those who trusted in the blood of the lamb are delivered from Egypt, that picture of the world system. The ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh, is a type of satan. Sin is likened to slavery and bondage. Our salvation is truly in knowing the shed blood of Christ over our life. It is the blood of Jesus that redeems us – we can know His redemption power. We can find that great safety that is in Christ - under the shelter of His blood. The lamb was killed between the evenings - Exodus 12:6; it refers to the ninth hour of the day – that means 3pm. This was exactly the moment that Christ died. The believers had to smear the blood on the two door posts and on the lintel - the top part. Passover reminds us of sin’s enslavement - Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt. Passover tells of the freedom of redemption – it’s a powerful symbol of our salvation for us today. Christ Our Passover is sacrificed for us. The work of His cross is the fulfillment for you and me today. Passover declares Israel's passage from bondage to freedom. For you and me it's very fitting for us to remember the bondage of Egypt - we used to be a slave to sin. Now God has set us free; we're no longer slaves to sin, we're no longer a bondman in Egypt, we're a son, a child, of God, by faith. Passover celebrates your freedom. You've been set free. I once was under bondage, under the servitude to satan, and sin. But now I've been set free, I've been liberated, I've been redeemed. Galatians 5:1, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. There had to be a death in every home that night - either a dead lamb or a dead son. God promises and extends to us His offer of great deliverance and victory. Have you taken shelter – by His saving grace and love – do you know and apply the shed blood of Jesus to your life? There's no other way that you can be saved – no other salvation, other than by the blood of Jesus. He willingly went to the cross - deliberately - Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. We can take shelter under His blood. No man-made righteousness of our own will do. It has to be the blood of Jesus.