KEY SCRIPTURES TO PRAY OVER THE 2023 HAMAS ISRAEL WAR

1.    Pray against evil agendas, unwise counsel, or delays promoted by foreign presidents suddenly visiting Israel: Jeremiah 30:8: “In that day, declares the Lord Almighty, I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.”

2.    Pray for the government and military of Israel to have the anointing of the sons of Issachar overruling their own thoughts: I Chronicles 12:32 “…from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command”

3.    Pray for warning dreams from the LORD to leaders and members of Hamas: Job 33:15-18: “In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears, and terrify them with warnings, to turn them from wrongdoing, and keep them from pride, to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.”

4.    Pray for the occult shields of protection to be removed from all Hamas leaders / terrorists who will not repent: Numbers 14:9: “And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

5.    Pray for Ziklag type miracles for the rescue of the Israelis held as hostages:  I Samuel 30: 11 They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. 15 David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?”16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 17 David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day 18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.”

6.    Pray for the people of Gaza and the people of Israel to be delivered from the tyranny of the demonic “kings” operating over Gaza and the surrounding cities in Israel: 

 

Amos 1:6-8

This is what the LORD says:

“For three sins of Gaza,

even for four, I will not relent.

Because she took captive whole communities

and sold them to Edom,

I will send fire on the walls of Gaza

that will consume her fortresses.

I will destroy the king of Ashdod

and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon.

I will turn my hand against Ekron,

till the last of the Philistines are dead,”

says the Sovereign LORD.”  

 

Zechariah 9:5-7

“Ashkelon will see it and fear;

Gaza will writhe in agony,

and Ekron too, for her hope will wither.

Gaza will lose her king…

and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.

I will take the blood from their mouths,

the forbidden food from between their teeth.

Those who are left will belong to our God

and become a clan in Judah,

and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.” 

 

7.    Pray for the protection of Jerusalem and the Lord’s “Holy Hill” the Temple Mount, as the stated goal of Hamas was not Gaza, but Jerusalem and the Temple Mount (the location of the al Aqsa Mosque” as the Hamas terrorist crusade was officially called “Al Aqsa Flood”.  Zechariah 9: 8: “But I will encamp at my temple [mount] to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.”  Zechariah 2:4 “And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.”  

8.    As Iran (Persia) is obviously behind both Hamas and Hezbollah, it is important to pray this Scripture about Elam, which was the core area of Persia where the Palace in the story of Queen Esther was located: 

 

Jeremiah 49:35-39

This is what the LORD Almighty says:

“See, I will break the bow of Elam,

the mainstay of their might.

I will bring against Elam the four winds

from the four quarters of heaven;

I will scatter them to the four winds,

and there will not be a nation

where Elam’s exiles do not go.

I will shatter Elam before their foes,

before those who want to kill them;

I will bring disaster on them,

even my fierce anger,”

declares the LORD.

“I will pursue them with the sword

until I have made an end of them.

I will set my throne in Elam

and destroy her king and officials,”

declares the LORD.

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam

in days to come,”

declares the LORD.

 

Compiled by Rick Ridings, Succat Hallel, Jerusalem 17 October, 2023

Two Jerusalems

by Tikvah and John Ott

The name Jerusalem appears 814 times in the Bible, and has a place of central importance to understanding the kingdom of God.

The name is literally Yerushalayim ירושלים. The "ayim" suffix means "two, double, pair". It is used in such words as ear or eye, meaning a pair of ears, oznayim or a pair of eyes, einayim.

Other examples would be the Hebrew for twice, pa'amayim, or two years, sh'natayim.

So there is a subtle implication in the very name that there is a double Jerusalem or a pair of Jerusalems.  This duality is referred to both in Jewish and Christian writings as Jerusalem of above and Jerusalem below; or heavenly Jerusalem and earthly Jerusalem. Galatians 4:25-26

Indeed, the Scriptures use the name Jerusalem most of the time to refer to our city in the Middle East, the capital of Israel. Occasionally it is used to describe Heaven, or a golden city invisible in the heavenlies.

At the very end of the Bible, in the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation, the two Jerusalems are united, once and for all.  Heaven on earth. Heaven and earth back together.

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." 

Revelation 21:2

 

"And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God."

 Revelation 21:10

We live in earthly Jerusalem and pray with our hearts toward heavenly Jerusalem. In fact all true believers have Jerusalem in their hearts, both in heaven and on earth.

We hold the two together by faith. Ultimately in the perfect paradise restored, the "double Jerusalem" will be united forever.

Within the etymology of the holy city’s name Yerushalaim, Yeru means established. Shalayim is derived from shalem which means whole or complete. Thus God will establish and make Yerushalayim perfectly whole.

Melchizedek, Priest of God Most High and King of Shalem (written Salem in English, later known as Jebus which David and Joab captured through its water shaft) was an early appearance of King Yeshua who would arise in the order of Melchizedek, a duality recorded both in Genesis 14:18 and Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17.

“Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:3

This early mention of ancient Yerushalayim as Shalem (its meaning taken from the same root as shalom meaning peace,) illuminates Melchizedek as an early representation of Yeshua, the everlasting King of Wholeness.

As is written in Psalms 76:2, 

“In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.”

Yerushalayim’s destiny as the holy city shall be established and made wholly complete, united by the Prince of Shalom, King Yeshua (Salvation.)

Note:

John Ott is JBC’s worship leader who blesses the Sunday service with his gift of music.

Tikvah and John Ott have ministered together in Jerusalem for the last 15 years leading worship, prayer, and dance outreaches in Israel. Currently they facilitate intercession via global Zoom calls in Hebrew and English, giving expression to the prophetic gifts of the Holy Spirit.

tikvahott@gmail.com  www.Johnandtikvah.com

Six Days of Miracles - Irene Levi’s experiences during the 1967 Six Day War

Mt. Carmel school, school bus and view of Haifa Bay

Chapter 27 from the book From McComb to Jerusalem - The Life Story of Irene (Shaloma) Levi By Petra van der Zande  

Copyright © 2017 by Petra van der Zande

“Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O Lord….  Rise up, O God, and defend your cause….” Psalm 74:18  

With war looming on the horizon, civilians began to stock up on food, which led to food and cash shortages. Bomb shelters were prepared and ditches dug to be used as emergency shelters. Along with most of the reservists in Israel, some teachers from Haifa’s Bible College and Carmel School were called up, even in the middle of the night. 

June 5, 1967 – Refusing to listen to Israel’s entreaties not to engage in war, the Jordanian king’s army attacked Jerusalem from the east. Soon, the wailing of air-raid sirens prompted civilians to run to bomb shelters.

“Would you like your child to come home, or stay at Bethel?” [Boarding school] we had to ask the parents. The only child who went home was one who had been hurt while out riding his bicycle.

For me, the war became a time of ‘triple duty’. In addition to my own tasks, I had to take on extra duties of teachers who had gone off to protect their country. Like Queen Esther had done for her people, I, too, felt the need to fast.  Israel’s future hung in the balance –again! Whenever I could, I went to the home of Dr. Churcher who lived up the hill at the Church’s Mission to the Jews (CMJ). It was a respected ministry, helping Jews who were restored to the Land.  Dr. Churcher was our school’s beloved medical doctor and I often went there to pray with other believers.

The US Consulate advised its citizens to leave Israel unless they had vital business to attend to. Even though the situation grew tenser each day, I didn’t feel I should leave the school. Eventually, believers began to meet on the school veranda for prayer, which meant cleaning up at the end of the school day. 

The first day of the war had been the beginning of many miracles. Israeli pilots had destroyed the Egyptian Air Force on the ground; the Jordanian Air Force followed suit; it took only one hour, and two-thirds of the Iraqi Air Force were in shambles. 

Schools were kept open, so every hour, our teachers opened the classroom doors for everyone to hear the latest news. “Haifa’s oil refineries are bombed,” the newsreader said. Everyone rushed to the window overlooking Haifa Bay, but from what we saw, this was not the case.

June 6 – During the afternoon English lesson, the flannel-graph story of that day happened to be of David and Goliath. I had reached the point where David defeats Goliath, when the radio news came on. All the doors were open, so everyone heard,

“Israel has turned back the enemy at the Sinai Desert and has almost reached the Suez Canal.” The children’s mouths fell open. “The West Bank is now in Israeli hands,” the announcer continued, “including Nablus, Ramallah, Jericho and Bethlehem.” 

It was a time to praise and thank the Lord for so many miracles in Israel’s past and present.

June 7 – At the Carmel School, classes continued as usual, with an hourly break to listen to the latest radio announcements. I was surprised to see Mr. Ben Meir, one of the Bible school teachers, enter the building. His face beamed when he announced, “All of Jerusalem is now united under Israeli rule!”  

He told us that on that very morning, Motta Gur and his paratroopers had been able to break through the Old City’s Lion’s Gate and liberate the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. “The Temple Mount is OURS!” Israelis would never forget Motta Gur’s words coming over the radio. Shlomo Goren, the Army’s Chief Rabbi, had blown the Shofar. With tears in their eyes, the weary, dust covered soldiers, for the first time in their lives, had reverently touched the ancient stones of The Wall. Many had stood with their heads bowed, reciting psalms. “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its cunning.”

The rest of the country still found it hard to believe that after nineteen long years, all of Jerusalem was back in Israeli hands! 

Israeli flag at the school - Irene 2nd from right

Two weeks before the war, during Israel’s nineteenth Independence Day, Naomi Shemer’s song had touched many hearts. Now, it could be heard everywhere, “Yerushaliyim shel zahav, veshel nechoshet veshel or…”, “Jerusalem of Gold’ was heard from cars, shops, and people around us singing it. When the songwriter heard that Jerusalem had been united, she immediately added another verse. The song, set in a beautiful melody, became a kind of second national anthem.

Naomi Shemer sings (click on the link) 

Naomi Shemer

This excerpt was part of the original song:

“The wells are dry, and the market place empty. No one visits the Temple Mount in the Old City. Through the caves in the rocks, the winds howl and no one goes down to the Dead Sea by way of Jericho.”

This was added now:

“We’ve returned now to the wells, the market and the square; and the ram’s horn from the Temple Mount in the Old City. And through the caves in the rocks, a thousand suns do shine. We can go once more to the Dead Sea by way of Jericho. Jerusalem of gold….” 

I was thrilled and awed, when I realized that prophecies had been fulfilled right before our eyes. Israelis walked with a new spring in their steps and contagious joy spread over the country. 

But the war wasn’t over yet, and because of their wounded pride, the enemy fool-heartedly continued to fight. Israeli soldiers were still risking their lives up on the Golan.

I continued to fast, though I had begun drinking water after three days. 

While reading my Bible, I was amazed how many times I came across the words “Adonai Tzva’ot” - The Lord of Hosts - the Armies. The prolonged fasting (with all the extra work) had weakened me. When I began to proclaim God’s promises, “The Heavenly host fights alongside Israel,” I felt revived. “Lord, I can feel it – You’re strengthening the Israeli soldiers on the Golan!”

June 8 –The Syrian positions on the Golan, which for so many years made life a living hell for the people in the valley below, because of their constant rocket barrages, had now been taken over by Israeli soldiers.

June 9 – After the ceasefire with Jordan, from all over the country people rushed to Jerusalem.

June 12 - That Saturday night, because their hall was being renovated, believers from the Bethesda fellowship were meeting on the veranda of Carmel School. During the communion service we sang a fitting hymn, about Jesus the Savior, who died on the cross. Then came the part, “’It is finished’, was His cry…” 

It is finished! A shock went through me. The war is over! I knew it in my heart, as if the Lord of the armies had announced it. Feeling weak from fasting, I leaned against the wall. And I’ll be able to break my fast after the meeting, I thought.

Later, I learned that the last cease fire had come into effect exactly at that hour. When Jesus cried out “It is finished.” while hanging on the cross, He accomplished my salvation, as the Spirit had shown me years ago, and I had believed. That same Jesus was also the “Captain of the Hosts”.  Yeshua is alive today!

“We’re able to travel to the Golan Heights again!” we realized. “Oh! And all the other areas Israel set free!”

Messianic believers visiting the Garden Tomb in united Jerusalem

It had taken six days of heavy fighting, and gradually, the magnitude of the Israeli victory dawned upon Israel and the rest of the world.

 The “Six Day War”, as it has come to be known, surely was a miracle from beginning to end. 

After this war, I began to share my spiritual insight and experiences with every hitchhiking soldier I took along. “The sooner we ‘see’ Him, the Savior Soldier who died in our place,” I felt led to tell the soldiers, “the fewer soldiers here need to die in today’s armies. He’s alive, the Captain of Hosts!”  

  

ISBN  978 965 91615 4 6

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/petra-van-der-zande/from-mccomb-to-jerusalem-the-life-story-of-irene-shaloma-levi/paperback/product-18nj24r2.html

The Hebrew translation of this book can be ordered by writing to email: tsurtsinapublications@gmail.com

How to battle anxiety

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17).

Anxiety is an out of control thought pattern.  It settles over the mind like a severe weather system, spewing thunderclouds and casting lightning bolts.  Life feels like an airplane in a tailspin.  It feeds on what-ifs and worst-case scenarios.

What if the Coronavirus is unstoppable.  What if a pandemic takes over?  I’ll be quarantined for weeks! The economy is sliding into a bear market.  I’ll lose my health.  I’ll lose my job.  I’ll lose it all.  How will I survive on unemployment?

Down. Down. Down.  Don’t give in to this thought pattern.  It’s a sinkhole. Don’t catastrophize your way into quicksand. 

Take a deep breath and then…

1.   Pray about it. At the first hint of an anxious thought, Take the thought captive. Don’t tolerate the devil, not even for a second. Lasso the anxious thought with a word of prayer. Lord, there is an intruder at the door! Please take over!

2.   Identify the culprit.  Generalities are not permitted.  None of this: “I’m worried.” Get specific: Lord, I’m worried about the layoffs at work. Now, that’s better. But even more detailed: I’m worried that I will lose my job. Will I be able to find more work? Will we have to move? Specificity disarms anxiety.

3.  Take a reality check.  Is this a legitimate concern? Or is this a vague, ill-defined, rumor-fed possibility? They say layoffs are inevitable. Who are they?

4.  Take an action step.  Assuming the concern is legitimate, what can you do? Make a list of two or three steps you can Resist the urge to try to solve everything immediately.

5.  Ask: “Can God solve this?”  Is this challenge within his skill set? Is he overwhelmed by this setback? Are the angels pounding on the door of heaven trying to convince him to come out of hiding? Is he resisting?

I can’t handle this challenge It is too great. I don’t know what to do! I’m stumped, stuck, and stalled out. No…I don’t think so either. God is never baffled or belittled. Take the problem to him.

And, pray it through: 

“Lord, Thank you that “before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4).  Thank you that there are no surprises with you.  Help me find deep comfort in the fact that you are unshockable and nothing is too great, too terrible, too large, or too heavy for you.  Help me see the problems that I face today in light of how big you are.   Amen." 

© Max Lucado  (adapted from Anxious for Nothing, Thomas Nelson, 2017)

The Mercy Gate

The Golden Gate, on the eastern side of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, features prominently among Jews, Christians and Muslims as the place of the Last Judgment. In ancient times, judgments were rendered in the gates of the city (Gen. 19:1, 23:10). Since the Messiah was to come from the East (Matthew 24:27, Luke 19:35-38), it was concluded that his judgment would be at the eastern gate. In the assumption that the dead in the immediate vicinity will be the first to be raised, Muslims, Christians, and Jews want to be buried as close as possible to this gate.

According to Jewish tradition, the Shekhinah (שכינה) (Divine Presence) used to appear through this gate, and will appear again when the Messiah comes (Ezekiel 44:1–3). Then, a new gate will replace the present one now called Sha'ar Harachamim (שער הרחמים), the Gate of Mercy.

Christians believe that Jesus passed through this gate on Palm Sunday and upon His second coming, will enter the city through this gate. (Zechariah 14:4-5.) 

Muslims call it the Bab el-Dahariyeh - Gate of Eternity, recalling the visions of Joel 4:2 and 12, or the Twin Gate, because of its shape.

In Biblical times, the gate was known as the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:2,10.) It probably also existed during the period of Aelia Capitolina (Roman Period).

The top picture shows the Kidron Valley and part of Jerusalem’s Old City Wall with the Golden Gate, taken from the direction of the Mount of Olives.

Purim

Ta'anit Esther - ‎ Fast of Esther        

“They had established for themselves and their descendants the matters of the fasts and their cry.” Esther 9:31 (KJV)

The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Esther‎) on the 13th of Adar (before Purim) commemorates the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the book of Esther.  Because this is not one of the four public fasts ordained by the Prophets, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who are weak are not required to observe it.

PURIM

Purim is the celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from an enemy bent on their destruction. It is celebrated on the 14th and 15th day of Adar (usually in March). 

Purim is the plural of the Hebrew word “pur”, which means lot (used to determine something by chance). It refers to Haman’s use of lots to choose the date for his intended destruction of the Jews.

Throughout the book of Esther, "...the name of God is not there, but His finger certainly is," wrote Matthew Henry. "His providence is obvious – quietly, but sovereignly at work in the lives of men and women."

Although Purim is a minor festival from a religious point of view (it is not mentioned in the Torah as a Feast of the Lord), people celebrate it with fervour.

Until 2 AD, Purim was called “the Day of Mordechai”, or “day of Protection”. People observed the holiday by reciting the story of the Megilah* (Scroll) in their homes and by exchanging gifts.

The Talmud describes public readings during the Second Temple period. Priests were instructed to stop their service in the Temple and listen to the recitation. This practice ended with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

With the canonizing of the book of Esther and the appearance of synagogues, public readings in Hebrew and other languages became widespread. Between the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 5th century AD, the reading of the Hebrew Megillah was universally accepted. The liturgy was the same, but the drama, colour, merrymaking and pageantry varied from country to country. 

During the middle Ages, the celebration was enlivened by masquerades, jesters, musicians and actors. Noisemaking and selecting a Purim queen or king is traced to 14th Century France. Purim plays originated from the 16th century.

Fettmilch's demise and the return of the Jews to Frankfurt

In 1615, in Frankfurt, Germany, a local baker pronounced himself the “new Haman” and organized an attack against the Jews of the town.  Although they fought back, they were driven out of town, and had to leave their possessions behind. A few months later, the city's ruler realized what injustice had been done. A band welcomed the Jews back to Frankfurt, the baker was killed and his house destroyed. A plaque described his misdeeds and punishment. From that day on, Purim became a special celebration for the Jews in Frankfurt.  During the festival they read a special Megillah recalling their story.

The walking type of theatre, the Purim “shpil” eventually became stage performances. Until World War II, in Germany and Eastern Europe performances took place during the month of Adar. 

In Western Europe, North America and Israel, the emphasis was more on Purim masquerade parties for adults and children.

The book of Esther is usually written on a parchment scroll from a kosher animal. The Megillah (scroll) is often illustrated (permitted because the name of God is not mentioned in it).  

The scroll is read in synagogue on the eve of Purim and the next morning. Each time the name of Haman is mentioned, the people use their ra’ashan (greggers) and stamp their feet to drown out Haman’s name.

Purim is a feast of gladness, and the only time people are allowed to get drunk – so they no longer remember whether it was Mordechai or Haman who was to be praised or cursed.

During this festival, people send misloach manot (gifts to the poor). It is also customary to give money. In synagogue, just before the reading of the Megillah, male congregants often donate coins as a reminder of the custom that every Jew over twenty years old, paid half a shekel for the upkeep of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Because the city of Shusan was a walled city, an extra day was added for the celebrations. This is the reason why a walled city like Jerusalem celebrates Purim on the 15th of Adar. Purim is an official school holiday in Israel and the streets are filled with children and adults wearing various costumes, funny hats or wigs.

Oznei Haman

Oznei Haman or Haman Tashen (Haman’s ears) are three-cornered cookies which are a favourite Purim treat. One of the fillings is poppy-seed, called “mohn”  in Yiddish, which sounds a bit like “Haman”. Oznei Haman refers to the old European custom of cutting off criminal’s ears before they were hanged.

**********

PURIM SAMEACH - HAPPY PURIM

© 2024  Petra van der Zande

Exerpt from the book: Remember, Observe, Rejoice – A guide to the Jewish Feast, Holidays, Memorial Days and Events. 

Available through www.lulu.com or at Jerusalem Baptist Church

The book is also available in Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Traditional and Simplified Chinese. 

The Spiritual Mind, Part 2 Philippians 3:12-21 By Pastor Joel McElreath

This Sermon outline corresponds with the audio link of the sermon on the JBC website. 

***********************

Philippians 3:12-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.       

Sermon: The Spiritual Mind, Part 2 Philippians 3:12-21   By Pastor Joel McElreath

INTRODUCTION: Today in our study of chapter three we will look at two key themes:  sanctification and glorification.  This third chapter may be the most beloved chapter of the letter.  It contains some cardinal doctrines which are a cause for great joy.  Remember, the term joy or joyous is found 16 times in four chapters.

I.  SANCIFICATION: THE BELIEVER’S PRESENT STATE.  3:12-16

A.  Perfection has not yet been achieved. Verse 12.  Sanctification is both a process and a position.

B.  The process is defined as a track race.  Cf. 1 Cor. 9:25-27; 2 Tim. 2:5.

1.  Awareness of the need to pursue a better condition.  In verse 12.

2.  Must exert ourselves to pursue a better condition. It is a “reaching forth.”   

3.  Focused concentration on the goal. Verse 13. Cf. Hebrews 12:1,2.

4. The daily discipline for the athlete: daily death and daily resurrection. .

5.  Paul would soon finish the race.  Cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

C.  God’s aim for each of His children: a God pleasing character.

D.  The goal and the prize are the same.  Verse 14. Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

E.   The process to reach the goal is two fold: objective and subjective. (vs. 15,16)

ILLUSTRATION:  True story of a translator in VietNam.

II.  GLORIFICATION: THE BELIEVER’S FUTURE STATE.  3:17-21.

A. Practical steps:

  1. Follow Paul’s example stated in verse 17.  Cf. 1Thess. 1:6

  2. Avoid the enemies of the cross.

B. Note the “pattern you have in us.” Verse 17.

1.  Paul sets the pace.

2.  Observe others who are faithful and obedient and follow them also.

3.  Forget past negative memories and failures.

C.   Focusing on our expectations.  Verses 20-21.

1.  Heaven bound home of our citizenship.

2.  Eagerly awaiting the return of Christ . Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

3.  Transformation of our lowly bodies into one like Christ’s. Romans 8:29    

 

D.  Subjection of all things to Christ. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:24-28.

CONCLUSION: True maturity in the faith will produce a strength and a hope that will not fear the future but embrace it.  Your character will also demonstrate love.

Story of Phocas, a fourth century Christian who lived in Asia Minor.