Allegory of the Scripture is used to imply a different meaning than the literal meaning of the text. Unlike a literal translation, allegorization is an extremely dangerous method of interpretation, as it has no way to verify the meaning apart from taking the author at his or her word. It is often said to be a higher, spiritual, interpretation; however, when the Spirit from God bore along men to write the Scriptures, He did not have them use methods that where contrary to the normal use of the language.

To understand the Psalms we need to look at the meaning of the text, the words used, who it was written to, and the context of the whole passage. Can the Psalms be used for Christians?

Let us take a look and see…

Happy is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffer, but his delight is in the Law from Jehovah, and in His Law he utters day and night. And he will be like a tree planted upon the canals of waters, which produces fruit in its time and its leaves do not wither. And all that he does will prosper.

Although many English translations use the word “blessed” to open the Psalms, the original language uses a word that means “happiness”. If we do not understand the meaning behind the word “blessed”, right from the very beginning of the book we could get the wrong impression. To describe health, wealth, and happiness in the life of an Old Testament believer, the Scriptures use “blessed”. In Genesis 12:2, 3 God tells Abram that He will bless him, i.e. , health, wealth, and happiness. In Jeremiah 17:7 the Lord speaks through the Prophet saying that a man who trusts in Him, He will bless. Within the context, the blessing is health, wealth, and happiness here on earth during this man’s life.

Happiness will come to the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. He is not taking and using the advice of wicked men. This man does not stand in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffer. A scoffer is one who speaks in a roundabout way. This is not someone who is directly speaking down to other, but rather is talking behind someone’s back or speaking out of the side of his mouth. The concept of a translator comes from this word because it of its meaning of one who speaks indirectly.

In contrast to walking in the counsel of the wicked, this man delights (finds joy or pleasure) in the Law from Jehovah. This is the Law that God gave to Israel through Moses. Not only does this man find delight in the Law, he also utters it day and night. The word “meditate” is not a mind term. That is, it is not referring to a process of the mind, but actually comes from a word that means to speak, mutter, or moan.

At first this passage seems like a good passage for Christians. Even if you take away the concept of health, wealth, and happiness, which God did not give as a promise to the Church while here on earth, who would say that delighting in the Law of the Lord and meditation on it day and night would be bad for anyone? However, when you compare this passage with the truths revealed for Christians, problems present themselves that would require allegorization to accommodate them. Oh, yes, it cannot be taken literally because Christians are not under any quality of law according to Galatians 5:18, and many other passages. True, that does not mean a Christian does not have a standard, for we are under the standard of Christ, 1 Corinthians 9:21. However, the Mosaic Law and the standard of a Christian are so different, in order to apply this passage to Christians, the interpreter would have to allegorize the true meaning because it is not addressing saints under grace, but those under the Mosaic Law.

What about happiness, would not a Christian be happy if he or she did not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the path of the sinner, nor sat in the seat of the scoffer? Although there is some universal truth about the lifestyle of a person affecting their mental state, this passage is not saying that happiness comes from abstaining from these things, but from a lifestyle that delights in the Law from Jehovah, which would result in turning from the ways of the wicked. When it comes to happiness in the life of a Christian, Scripture reveals that there is more than just the lifestyle that affects the attitude. It is true that having a good conscience, listening to and living according to God opinion of a Christian will bring happiness, it is also true that happiness comes from the hope we have, from the promises we will receive, and even when we suffer because our actions are righteous. (Romans 14:22; Titus 2:13; James 1:12, 25; 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14).

When it comes to uttering the Law from Jehovah day and night, there is actually a huge difference between saints who are under grace and those who were under Law. Many translations use the word “meditate” which implies a meaning that is not true to the original language and can cause confusion between living under Law and under Grace. Since the word is not a mind term, not describing a process of the mind, this presents a problem when applying it to Christians without allegorizing it. (Remember, allegorization of Scripture is extremely dangerous. It does not look at the true meaning of the text, in all actually it ignores it and seeks to be understood by what it means to the reader without consideration of the context or normal meaning of words used.). Christians are not instructed to utter to themselves the standards of who they are in Christ; rather, they are to frame their minds on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and walk by the Spirit, (Colossians 3:1, 2; Galatians 5:16, 25). Under Law, the saint did not have a spirit that was alive unto God. Under grace, we are regenerated in our spirit and can therefore receive the things from the Spirit, (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Titus 3:5). Under Law the saint had to continually remind himself of the Law by speaking it to himself continually day and night. Under grace, the saint is to frame his or her mind on the things above, which will affect the actions because of the focus on the truth (seeing things as they really are).

Happiness comes in a similar way to both the Old and New Testament saints. However, we do not want to allegorize Scripture, so how could this passage apply to a Christians? Directly it cannot, however, by contrast the Christian can use this passage without violating the true meaning. A person under the Mosaic Law would be happy by delighting in the Law and uttering it to himself day and night. Whereas happiness in a Christian’s life comes from their actions lining up with who they are in Christ, focusing on the hope they have of the rapture, listening and living according to God’s opinion of the saint who is in Christ, and suffering because of righteousness. To allegorize this passage and apply it to the life of a saint under grace would greatly diminish what that saint has in Christ.

Although the term, “planted like a tree upon canals of waters” is often used to describe one who obeys the Law from Jehovah, it is not an expression that defines a Christian who is living according to God’s opinion of him or her in Christ. The only reference to” planted” for Christians is the fact that they have been co-planted in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, (Romans 6:5). By the use of “planted like a tree upon canals of waters”, the author is expressing physical blessings that will come upon the one who delights in the Law. Within Scripture, there is never a promise to Christians for health, wealth, and happiness here on earth. Our promises are heavenly; promises that have far greater worth than earthly promises. Therefore, to apply this to the life of a Christian would violate the true meaning of the text. The only use this passage can have for Christians is by using it to contrast what the saint under grace has compared to those under Law.

As far as the remainder of the Psalm, the description of the wicked holds true in both dispensations. The way of the wicked will be destroyed, and they will not fool God for He knows the way of righteousness.

When we use the Old Testament correctly it can be very healthy for the spiritual life of a Christian, not by allegorizing and miss applying it, but by understanding the true meaning, which often shows how much better thing we have who are under grace compared to those under Law, and will hopefully spur us on to take full advantage of this wonderful salvation that God has so graciously given us.

Love bears all, 1 Corinthians 13:7

“All” is restricted by the verb “to bear”, which comes from a word that means, “to put a lid on”, “to keep silent” or “to cover”. It is used four times in Scripture and is typically translated in the context as “remaining silent”.

Love does not speak out even when it had the right to demand that which legitimately belongs to it, 1 Corinthians 9:12 (Many translation us the word “suffer”; however, this is not the Greek word for “suffer”, but rather the one for “remaining silent”)

Love believes all, 1 Corinthians 13:7

Belief comes from faith. Scripture defines faith as that which gives hope substance and is the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen, Hebrews 11:1 (Note: Although many of the translations employ things, the original language does not. Faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen.). Since a promise is always the basis for hope, faith is taking God at His Word, Romans 8:24, 25.

Because a promise is the basis for faith, the “all” has to be restricted to that which has been promised. Since love is directed at other believers, John 13:34, 1 John 3:23, 24, it will take a person at his or her word.

The abuse of love  is not justified here, for if saints are continually doing wrong they are to be admonished and if they refuse to change their minds (repent) other saints are to separate from them. Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14. This is also an expression of love, by seeking the best for the one loved, which can require separation for a time so the saint realizes the seriousness of the situation.

Love endures all, 1 Corinthians 13:7

“Endure” literally means to “remain under”. It is not often used of enduring suffering and hardship. In Romans 12:12, saints are instructed to remain under prayer. In Acts 17:14, Silas and Timothy remain in Berea while Paul travels to Athens. However, suffering may be caused by remaining in a place, Hebrews 10:32. Christ, for our sakes, remained under the threat of death from the cross and hostility from sinners considering the joy that was set before Him, Hebrews 12:2, 3. For the sake of the chosen, love will remain under suffering, hardship, imprisonment, and being treated so that they may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 2:10.

One who is expressing true love is not going away; they will remain under all circumstances.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be there on that first resurrection Sunday? The pain of losing the Hope of Israel, the horror of seeing the Messiah put to death by the very people that He came to save would have still been fresh in the minds of disciples. As Gentiles we can only image what it would be like for our King and Savior to be put to death because we have never had the promise of a Savior. Our perspective even looking back is different because if it was not for His death and resurrection we would have nothing. But for those Jews who faithfully came to the grave of their Messiah three days after His death, what hope could they possibly have left? How could their Lord be gone? However, God has a secret, one that He was keeping from before He began to create our Universe. One that not even the spirit beings knew about. The hope of Israel was in fact not gone, but has now become the hope of all mankind.

Why The Cross?

Adam brought a curse upon the human race through both his trespass and sin. Just as God stated to Adam in the garden, “If you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil dying you will die”, so death spread to all his offspring. The trespass, which was when Adam determined in his mind to sin against God, caused spiritual death. The separation of the human spirit from God, making it impossible for us to receive the things from the Spirit. His sin, which was when he acted upon his determination to sin against God, brought physical death. For this type of act, the life of man is required, for he has sinned against a righteous God who demands justice. If we give up our life, we have nothing left; therefore, we required a substitute. But not just any substitute, it would have to be one who did not have a debt to pay himself. One that was already righteous before God. One that could give his life in exchange for ours.

Through the Mosaic law we find the pattern for what must be done to save mankind. The cross was necessary because like the sin offering under the Law, Christ suffered outside the camp so that He might sanctify to Himself a people. Only, unlike the blood of calves and goats, His blood had the power to send sin away.

Through the cross, Christ removed the debt against us by nailing it to the cross, Colossians 2:14

Through the cross, Christ removed the division between Jew and Gentile, male and female, free and slaves, Galatians 3:28

Through the body of His flesh, He reconciled to God those who had no hope , Ephesians 2:12; Colossians 1:22

But the cross is not the end of the story…

The Grave Could Not Hold Him

God the Father had promised God the Son that the human body which the Father had prepared for Him would not see corruption. A promise that He fulfilled by raising Christ from the dead on the third day.

Christ’s resurrection proved that He is righteous before God the Father and that we are justified by His sacrifice. The resurrection brought peace, a peace that we can have with God through faith in Christ Jesus, by whom we have permanent access to God because of this grace that we now stand in.

Without the resurrection, we have no hope. For if Christ was not raised, then we will not be raised. But He was raised from the dead, and now death has no rule over Him, He will never die again. He was raised so that we might walk in newness of life, no longer living our lives unto ourselves, but unto God.

Through His resurrection, He saved us from the wrath that is to come, 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Through His resurrection, God made a new creation, in which Christ is the Head, and the Church is His body.

Through the resurrection, we have a message that has the natural ability to save!

The Message of the Cross

Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Believe and you will be saved!

1 Corinthians 2: 7 , 8; Romans 5:12-21; Hebrews 13:12; Psalm 16:10; Romans 4:25 – 5:2; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, 20; Romans 6:9 ,10; 2 Corinthians 5:15, 17; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

How do we overcome the world system?

Recognizing the Benefits We have in Our Position in Christ

We are already overcomer in Christ, 1 John 5:4,5. Our victory over the World System is our faith; therefore, the one who has believed in Christ Jesus is an overcomer¹.

Since we are in Christ, we are like Him in respect to the World System. It is indifferent to us because it does not have an experiential knowledge of us. This lack of knowledge is a result of the world also not having an experiential knowledge of Christ.

Overcoming the Desires from the World System

Do not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the desires from the flesh, Romans 13:14

• Walk by the Spirit and you will in no way bring to completion the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:16
• Crucify the desire from the flesh, Galatians 5:24
• Live the remaining time that we have in the flesh to the desires of God, not the desires of the flesh, 1 Peter 4:2 

Use the World System, but do not abuse it, 1 Corinthians 7:31

Listen to the full sermon…

¹In the greater context the belief is in the fact that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Stop Loving the World System

John is instructing saints to stop directing love at the world system. This is an action that the saint are involved in and one that does not have any quality of the love of the Father in it; therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is not being produced in the life of a Christian who is directing love at the world system.

This type of love is a willingness to sacrifice to get something because of the strong desire to have it. An example of this type of love being used by unbelievers is seen with the Pharisees in Luke 11:43 where it is said they love the high seats and greetings in the market place. This is a human quality of “agape”.

God took the word “agape” and added meaning to it for us to understand His quality of love. His love is a love that seeks the best for the one loved, 1 John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The lusts from the World system are of the eyes, the flesh, and the pride of life.

The lust from the eyes has to do with appearances, 1 Peter 3:3. In most translations the world is hidden from the view of the reader because it is not translated. A woman with an unbelieving husband is told not to use the means of the world to win their husbands. This includes the use of wordily garments. How she dresses should not be to use the methods of the world system to manipulate her husband into going to church with her.

The lust of the flesh are those desires that come from our sin nature. The world system is designed by Satan to control the sin nature and its desires. As for the unsaved, the desires from the flesh are the primary things they seek to fulfill, Ephesians 2:3 (They do the desirous will of the flesh). These are lusts that war against the soul of a Christian by attempting to manipulate our actions and frame of mind through emotions, 1 Peter 2:11.

The pride of life has to do with arrogant boasting of biological life, James 4:16.

Satan is the originator of the world system. He had to create it in order to control the sin nature of mankind. In Luke 11:50, 51 we see that the world system was created shortly after Abel was killed by his brother. As the originator, Satan also has authority over the world system, Ephesians 2:2, 3, and through the world system he keeps the sin nature of unsaved mankind passive, 1 John 5:19 (they are lying as a baby in the arms of the wicked one).

Although government was implement by God, commerce, culture, industry, and judicial government are developed from the world system, Genesis 4:20 – 24. (It is important to note the terms “Father of” in these passages since it is used to show that they, the sons of Cain, are the originators of these systems.)

Listen to the full sermon

Putting up a Proper Defense Against the World System…

¹ Italics are added for understanding. “World” is used in Scripture for three different things, and must be determined by context as to whether it refers to the World system, the Inhabited World, or the Universe.

Morning Service

Audio

As we live our lives we should be diligent in our calling, not forgetting that God has washed us from our sins, called, and elected us to such a wonderful salvation.

January 2nd

Morning Service

Audio

Peter is an eye witness to the glory of Christ. 

January 9th

Morning Service

Audio

False Teachers among us blaspheming the way of the truth

Evening Service

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The conversion of Paul

January 16th

Morning Service

Audio

The Character of false teachers

Evening Service

Audio

The Gospel is taken to the Gentiles

In John 8:32 Jesus reveals to the Jews that He is going to provide a way to have victory over the sin nature. He refers to this specific set of doctrine as “The Truth”. Since the Jews rejected the teachings of Jesus at that time, we do not get the full details concerning how to have victory until Paul reveals it in Romans chapters six, seven, and eight. In chapter six we learn that we have died with Christ and have been raised to walk in newness of life, our sin nature is rendered ineffective in our position in Christ, we are to count these facts to be true and yield our member to righteousness rather than to the sin nature to perform unrighteousness.In chapter seven we learn that living by any quality of law makes it impossible for us to live the Christian life and it leads only to frustration because we are always doing the things we do not want to do while not doing the things our new nature wants to do. In chapter eight we learn that how we frame our mind directly affects our actions and that we are no longer obligated to follow the flesh, but can put to death the works of the flesh in our member and walk by the Spirit.  

Know → Reckon → Yield

To begin having victory over our sin nature we need to understand that we have died with Christ and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life towards God. As a result, the sin nature has been rendered ineffective in Christ¹. Once we consider this to be true, we should then yield our members to righteousness rather than unrighteousness. Paul further reveals in chapter eight of Romans that the framing of our mind directly affects our actions. If we are setting our mind on the things of the flesh – seeking to fulfill the desires of the flesh – then we cannot submit to God. To have victory we have to recognize the truth that we have died with Christ and are no longer slaves to the sin nature so we can now live a life unto God that is in slavery to righteousness. To continue living a life that glorifies God we need to have our minds set on the things above – our position and possession in Christ – in order that the end result of our mindset is righteousness rather than unrighteousness. Since we are dead to the sin nature, when its desires come up we need to apply the truth correct in order to have victory over the sin nature. Know → Reckon → Yield.

Simple, right?

Unfortunately there are many false teachers in the churches and very influential in the Christian community that are blaspheming the way of the Truth. They are teaching things about how to have victory over your sin nature that are false. Whether it is through prayer, memorizing your Bible, or confession to one another, the truth is not being taught. Some even go as far as to say we do not have a sin nature². Take for example Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven life”. Here is a book that claims to show a person the purpose of life and how to live the Christian life yet it does not even get the Gospel for Salvation correct³, and is basically a self help book that completely blasphemies not only the Truth but every aspect of the Christian life, yet many churches have used it to try to teach their people his ways. The ones seeking to deceive us are false teachers who through their covetousness seek to do business with us by using false words, 2 Peter 2:3.They do not have the truth and speak false things concerning the truth.

Have you been caught up in following⁴ after their wasteful ways? If any of us has or is, none of us would like to admit it would we? We do not like to be deceived. But the reality is that there are false teachers in the world today. We need to compare what we are being taught with Scripture. Are we being taught how to have victory over our sin nature correctly, or have we been taught the way of “the truth” incorrectly? Let God be true and man a lair. 

Know → Reckon → Yield.

¹ _{Romans 6:6}

² _{1 John 1:8}

³ _{Scripture is very clear that in order to be saved you must believe that Christ died for you sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Rick Warren’s teaching on the truth is on pages 185 through 192 of his book “The Purpose Driven Life”.}

⁴_{This word is only used in 2 Peter. It is a combination of two words “out from” and “called” with the meaning of “following” or “imitating closely”.}

Audio

2 Peter: Since God has been so gracious as to give us such great and magnificent promises, we ought to be diligent in using them.

Evening Service

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The witness of Stephen to the Leaders of Israel ends with his death and the beginning of Saul’s persecution of the Church.

When it comes to the Christian life and the Sermon on the Mount we do not want to confuse the universal truths that are revealed in the sermon as if they are saying the entire sermon is for Christians. Within Scripture we have doctrine that is learned but not intended for practice, and doctrine that is learned and put into practice. Identifying what type of doctrine is revealed and to whom is it spoken provides a clear understanding of both aspects of God’s Word.

In Matthew chapter six, although Jesus is directly speaking to the Jew concerning the Kingdom of the Heavens (Millennial Kingdom), He address appearance verse reality. This is applicable to any and all dispensations. If we only practice our faith in public, is it really faith at all? If we are seeking to show ourselves as one who is religious and therefore give to the poor, but only do it when others can see or are informed about it, is our purpose for giving correct? What about how we communicate with God? If we only speak with God publicly, do we have a relationship with Him?

On the other hand, we are not instructed by God to pray in the manner stated in Matthew 6:9-15. This is a prayer for the Millennial Kingdom saints. They are expressing a desire for the coming of the Father’s Kingdom, which is referring to the eternal state (after the Great White Throne of Judgment), they are asking not to be lead into temptation, and are forgiven as they forgive. Christians on the other hand communicate to the Father in eight different ways of which worship (giving God His full weight) is the primary, are to count it all joy when they are tempted, for through the testing of our faith patience is produced, and are forgiven on the basis of His mercy, while yet sinners¹.

In Matthew chapter seven, the Jews are told that by which judgment they judge, they will be judged. During the Millennial Kingdom they will be treated in the same manner as they treat others. This is not directly applicable to Christians because when we are judge we are child trained (disciplined) by the Father². Child training is teaching us to live righteously and is used to correct us when we are living a life that is contrary to God’s standards regardless of how we are treating others. However, there is an aspect of truth that is useful. We should not be looking at an issue that our fellow Christian is having without first considering ourselves. A carnal Christians should not seek to correct or assist another Christian who is caught up in a trespass to restore that saint. The carnal Christian needs to be Spiritual first. Then he/she will be able to properly express meekness (objectivity of mind) and assist the other saint with overcoming the trespass without become a victim of the same temptation³.

All Scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for teaching (doctrine that is learned but not practiced), for conviction, for correction, for child training in righteousness (doctrine to be learned and practiced), 2 Timothy 3:16

Rightly dividing the Word of God removes a lot of the confusion that is caused by taking the Words of Jesus and miss applying them to Christians. True, His Words are always of great value, but only when we take and use them in the manner in which He originally intended for the information to be used.

¹ Worship (Give God credit for who He really is) without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 1:2-4; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:8; 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14

² Christians are instructed in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 to judge, but not the intention, only the actions. 1 Corinthians 11:32. Only God knows the intention of the heart, 1 Corinthians 4:5

³ Galatians 6:1

Audio

Having an attitude of gratitude is essential in the Christian Life. We need to give God credit for who He is, understand that God will fulfill what He has determined to do, and have confidence in what God is doing so that we are not giving Satan an opportunity to influence us to act independently from God.

Morning Service

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God has given us His great and magnificent promises by which we become partakers of a quality of the Divine Nature.

Evening Service

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Should we listen to men, or to God? Twice the leaders of Israel have been given a chance to change their minds (repent) about Jesus and recognize what God is doing. The first time they warned the Apostles not to speak even an utterance of the resurrection through Jesus. The second time they would have killed them if it was not for one of their own warning them not to take unnecessary actions at this time, unless they were found to be fighting against God.