Walking by Faith  8/17/14

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:1-31 KJV)

 

What does it mean to walk by faith?

It is difficult for rich people to walk by faith because they have everything. How do you walk by faith when you have everything? 

 

It is in the heart of God that His people walk by faith. Genesis 1 is a picture of walking by faith. On days 1-5 he creates much. On day 6 He creates Man. When man shows up on day 6, he cannot explain or understand how the first five days took place. Adam did not see God create on the first five days. God was training Adam a lifestyle of faith from the very beginning.  

 

The atheist continues to look back at what God created and is unable to look at it by eyes of faith. The story would be different if Adam was created first and watched God create the rest of creation: he would have perfect understanding of how God is working. Man came upon earth on day 6 which means that God predestined man to walk in faith. Faith requires you to operate outside of perfect understanding. From the beginning, faith pleased God. Faith requires that you don't see everything.

 

Five key faith lessons to be learned from Genesis:

When Adam showed up on day 6, everything that he needed for life was already there. Walking by faith requires you to understand that whatever you need is already there. God didn't provide what Adam needs after he was created but before.

For you to show up on earth, you didn't ask for a mother or father from God. In the same way your provision is already there before you ask.

 

If I was Adam, when I showed up on day 6, I would have asked God what day it was and what happened on days 1-5. Adam had a past that God wasn't explaining to him. God wanted Adam to focus on the future.

Walking by faith requires you to focus on your future instead of asking for explanations about your past.

 

Adam was created on day 6, the next day was a day of rest. Walking by faith requires the person to see the next day as a day of rest. You must look at tomorrow as a day of rest, not a day of war or worry. There were kings in the OT who didn't have a single war for years and had rest. If God gave that to those in the OT, how much more to us?

A person of little faith worries. A person of faith rests. Adam didn't pray or fast to receive everything he needed, it was already there.

In the new covenant, Sabbath is a lifestyle, not just a day. Each day is a day of rest, free of burden and worry.

 

When God planted Adam, he was very specific about where he planted him.

God chose a locality for Adam to be planted in. Note that it was not garden of Eden, it was a garden IN Eden. God chose a specific locality IN Eden to place Adam. In the same way, God has chosen a specific place for you.

Prosperity is not in migration. It is in location. There is a location, a church, a place where God has chosen to prosper you.

What kind of place did God place Adam in?

God placed Adam in a flourishing place, near a river where there was gold. God didn't give gold to Adam's hand but placed Adam where there is gold. Your wealth is not far from you. Adam was placed right where there was gold. 

You may not have everything you need in your hand but God will place you in a locality where there is gold under your feet. You have to talk like a rich man, not like a poor man. You can have gold under your feet and still be poor, you need the anointing to receive it to your hand. Peter tried to catch fish with his skill- Skill cannot take you where the anointing can.

 

Walking by faith requires you to work. Humanity fell when the woman began to feed the man. You have got to really work.

 

Side note: What happened when Eve came into Adam's life?

When Eve came into Adam's life, he had to move from the realm of faith to the realms of love and knowledge. Adam was not required to deal with Eve with faith but with love and knowledge.

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:1-8 KJV)

We are living in a broken world. As I (Pastor Jerome) knelt in the presence of God, I wept over the brokenness of this world. I wept over nations. 

Who is responsible for this brokenness? 
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's : but the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Psalms 115:16 KJV)
The earth belongs to man. God is not responsible for the brokenness of the world.  

The Lord's prayer tells us that God is in heaven, and the prayer requests that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven: 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9, 10 KJV)

Even though our world is broken and has been given over to man, God is waiting to come inhabit any place on earth that we invite Him too.To bring the reflection of heaven on earth is our responsibility. 

How does brokenness begin and how is it festered and worsened? 
1. Admiration
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. (Matthew 24:1 KJV)
The disciples were admiring everything that man had made. We are living in a world where we are exalting man made things. We have exalted the creativity of man over the creation of God. 
Man is creative, never a creator.Nothing on this earth is ever new, it has existed before. Before the Wright brothers flew, God knew about flying. 
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (Matthew 24:2 KJV)
Jesus tells them that what they admire today will not be there tomorrow. 

We stand in awe of what man has done -  This is where brokenness begins. 

2. Answers
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3 KJV)
Disciples then came to Jesus privately. There are somethings you must ask God in private that He won't answer in public. They knew that there are things that they can extract from God by asking Him private. You too have to have a private walk with God where you can ask him questions, He will answer only to you. 

Jesus answers their private question: 
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4, 5 KJV)

In the last days, with all the catastrophes taking place, with so much of brokenness, the world will be looking for answers. In the midst of people looking for answers, there will be much deception. As the world becomes more and more broken, people will become more and more deceived.
Jesus is the answer but many will come pretending to be the answer. There will be false christs, false anointings. We should be careful not deceive people with things that will distract them from the Savior (example focusing on gold dust that falls during a service instead of focusing on the glory of God).
We should want only Jesus and His glory - not the peripheral things. 
We have a responsibility as a Church to not deceive people. To provide the authentic answer to the broken world - Christ. 

People seeking answers can be deceived by false christs and  false anointings, exacerbating the brokenness. 

3. Ammunition
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24:6 KJV)
As the brokenness of the world gets more festered. With deception will come the sense of insecurity. Nations will feel begin to feel unsafe.
When the world gets in an insecure gear, more selfishness comes into the world. No one wants to cross this barrier of selfishness to help another. The world hoards carnal ammunition to feel safe. The more insecure people/nations get, they gather more and more physical ammunition. The world is becoming fearless to take another man's life. The respect for human life is so low. God's institution on this earth to heal the brokenness is the Church. 

4. Anger
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7 KJV)
Love will be extinct. As love becomes extinct, anger will prevail. Anger doesn't heal but festers brokenness. 
You start solving the problem of nation rising against nation with the family. Within the family, there are husbands rising against wives, wives against husbands, children against parents. We as a church have to manifest Him. 

(Side note: 

Jesus speaks of three issues - famine, pestilence, earthquakes
Famine -in the last days the wealthiest people will be those with agriculture. Put your money into the soil. The apparel industry won't see money coming in easy. 
Pestilence - diseases and sicknesses; life will be full of pests. If pestilence is going to increase, then people are going to be looking for antidotes will become wealthy. 
Earthquake - people will feel more and more unstable. Any invention that enhances stability will be important in the last days.)

The above tells us how broken our world will be. The world will be broken and full of sorrow. Jesus did not speak about religion in the seven verses, indicating that in the end-times, religion will not be the answer. Man will not be saved by a prophet or a religion. Only a Savior can save. 

While the world is in sadness, are you saved from what the world is going through? 

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19 KJV)
Jesus has told us that we do not belong to the world. The world is not your home. You have to manifest the reality of your home (heaven) on this earth. This old world is not ours. You need to detach yourselves from the world. You don't belong to the world, so stop acting, living, dressing like the world. 
Religion is not the answer, meditation is not the answer, a prophet is not the answer. The answer is the Savior. 
As the world draws closer and closer to sorrow, there will be greater separation between the righteous and unrighteous. As the world goes deeper and deeper into sorrow, the Lord will demonstrate that His people are different - a peculiar people. We have an answer for the broken world. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 KJV)

In the OT and NT, the rapture is mentioned. The rapture is the secret sudden catching sway of God's people. 

If rapture is not real, then how did Enoch and Elijah get raptured? In how much more glory will He rapture His people? You will be raptured in His glory one day. You will not be part of the tribulation. God will separate His people from the rest and rapture them in glory one day. 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV)
Those who are citizens of another world will be raptured when God comes for His people. 

How are we going to manifest Jesus? 
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18 KJV)
As the world becomes more broken, you will have more answers. 

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV)

The glory of God will be seen on us. The greater the darkness, the greater your light. 
When you manifest Jesus to a broken world, you are manifesting light. It is because of the light that the unbelievers will be able to see. When the unbelievers see you, their blindness will be removed and they will see the light. Light is illumination - when people come to you their questions will be answered. You are light which brings clarity. Light shows the right path to travel in. Jesus manifested to a broken world is the answer the world needs.

 

 

Spiritual warfare begins in the home. If spiritual warfare is not defeated in the home, it will also affect your workplace. If we don't take care of spiritual warfare in the home and workplace we will never be able to be victorious against unseen spirits. Rebellion is as witchcraft - a husband/wife that rebels against their spouse, children that rebel against their parents causes defeat in spiritual warfare. If you cannot win the spiritual warfare against the people you can see in the home and workplace, you cannot win the spiritual warfare against unseen spirits. 

 

You can see your spouse, children, boss. We have to have victory in the areas of home and workplace where we can see the people. Once we have that victory, we can deal with unseen spirits. 

 

In the home you submit to authority (spouse/parents) in the workplace you submit to authority (boss). In the same way, in the spiritual realm, you must submit to the authority of God. Jesus must be the Lord of your life, if not warfare will be an every day affair for you. 

 

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psalms 127:2 KJV)

This verse paints a picture of working hard but being unable to enjoy the result of it. When your sleep is affected, it is a sign that there is spiritual warfare. When you lose sleep, when your nights are restless, it is a sign that you are in a war. 

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13 KJV)

 

Eph 6:13, refers to a singular (not plural) "evil day". We must be prepared for an evil day not continuous, constant evil days. Don't think that the closer you get to God that your warfare will increase. That is wrong teaching. 

 

The bride of Christ is not in any way depicted by the bride you see at weddings. The church is not a bride that wears a dress and a tiara and carries a bouquet, but a bride that wears armour and helmet and carries a sword and a shield. The bride of Christ is after victory, not blessing. The bride of Christ is a fighting bride. 

 

The following 5S's depict the elements of this fighting bride of Christ's warfare:

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)

To come against unseen spirits, you must be strong in the Lord. We are dealing with things that are unseen but real. 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV)

 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11 KJV)

You have to take a stance as a Christian. A batsman must have a stance in order to be able to face the ball. When you are in spiritual warfare, don't give up, don't run, instead stand. Your intention is not to progress nor regress, but to stand firm.  

God wants His people to stand and take ground when there is warfare. One person taking a stand in the family can ward off an attack. Evil has an expiry date, if you stand long enough, there will be victory. You must stare evil in the eye and rebuke it back to hell. 

 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11 KJV)

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15 KJV)

The devil is extremely good at planning. He will scheme and plan extensively to try to trip you. Coincidences are often a strategy and a scheme of the devil. The devil is a scheming liar, you must catch him in his tracks and stand against him. 

 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

Spiritual issues can not be helped through counseling. Spiritual wickedness cannot be helped through natural counseling, but through rebuking the devil. 

 

You are a soldier not just a bride. 

 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11-13 KJV)

 

There is a fight against you, your family. When there is resistance against you, it does not necessarily mean that you are headed in the wrong direction. Remember that you are a soldier for Christ who will be victorious. 

Progress Plan of God  4/27/14

 

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. (Psalms 37:35, 36 KJV)

 

There are certain people in our world today who are prospering exponentially. We compare our prosperity to theirs and are unhappy that unbelievers are prospering unbelievably. The Bible says that you might see the wicked prospering like a green bay tree. You are stressed while others are blessed and you wonder why. The Bible says that suddenly they will no longer be around. We should not desire the downfall of others but we should not dishearten ourselves by comparison.

God has a predestined plan for your life. You are going places that no one has gone. Therefore stop comparing yourself because God has a progressive plan for your life.

 

There is a way that you and I progress. God's way is not the lottery way, it is a progressive way. The wicked man in Psalm 37 wants to go up quickly, but does not realize that they are moving downwards. They have a great desire to climb but that their so called progress is regress.

 

As the church makes progress, it is a sign that the people are next. We cannot take the risk that we think we are progressing but are actually regressing. We need to come to a conclusion today about what kind of progress God approves. First let's look at progress God doesn't approve of:

 

Example 1: the prodigal son

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (Luke 15:11-13 KJV)

In an ambitious and independent attempt to progress, the prodigal son backslid. Ambition does not mean that it is God's time. Overly craving independence will not provide progress.

 

Example 2: the sons of the prophets in Elisha's time

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. (2 Kings 6:1-6 KJV)

God's progress plan is never on borrowed terms. In an attempt to make progress, the son of the prophet borrowed. Borrowing is not God's method for progress. The man never expected to lose what he borrowed. God will give back what you have borrowed so that you can return what you have borrowed. Borrowing in-itself is not wrong but borrowing as a method of progress is regress.

 

Example 3: a family that wanted to progress

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth–lehem–judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. (Ruth 1:1-7 KJV)

They family was in God's location yet there was a famine. They were exactly where God wanted them to be but they did not have enough. Not having enough is not an indication of God's place/plan. Wrong progress was to leave. Migrating for the simple reason of life being hard is not progress. Once the family left, they did not suffer immediately, but with time all the males in the family died.

 

The will of God is the perfect place to be. Don't go by sight, walk by faith.

 

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:14 KJV)

Lucifer was anointed of God. The word used for anointing in this verse is "mimschach". Mimschach means "the annointing for progress". The anointing is the ability, the influence of God on your life. The anointing is what makes you progress in life. This is reality - when God rubs shoulders with you, you are anointed.

 

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6 KJV)

If you get grace, you are equipped for the race to be an ace. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride comes before the fall. He who humbles himself shall be exalted. Respect authority, be the first to say sorry, walk in humility. It is in the humility that attracts grace which leads to progress. Humility is like a magnet for grace.

In Exodus, Moses repeatedly says "if I have found grace in your sight..". God gave to Moses what He didn't give anyone else. God gives grace to those who are gracious. The wicked don't have a chance.

Promotion is God's way of saying thank you for being humble. God approves the progress that comes through grace. Grace is what you don't deserve but what God gives you anyway.

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (Daniel 6:2, 3 KJV)

How was Daniel who was last become first? Not only was he first but he was preferred. They preferred him because he had an excellent spirit.

Excellence is the confidence people have in you regarding your dependability, reliability and consistency. When you have these virtues you will progress.

The Evidence  4/20/14

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3 KJV)

 

Acts was written by Dr. Luke to Theophilus. Luke points out that Jesus did what He said and said what He did until His ascension. We often stop at the resurrection, we should along with the resurrection remember the ascension which happened 40 days later. After Jesus' suffering, He showed Himself for forty days showing many infallible proofs. Infallible proofs refer to such evidence that can not be denied. 

 

In a court of law, it is the evidence that allows people to come to a conclusion. However evidence in-itself is insufficient to be an infallible proof. Evidence must be interpreted intellectually. You cannot prove the resurrection by systematic evidence alone. The tomb being empty is evidence; however, this is not infallible proof of the resurrection. The evidence of resurrection that proves the resurrection is evidence by experience. It can not be studied, it has to be experienced. Evidence that is experienced is the infallible proof.

 

The resurrection story is evidence experienced. The testimonies of many people's experience is recorded in the Bible. The testimony of a person is what they have experienced personally.

 

Testimony 1- The ressurection was experienced by not just a few, 500 saw him at once:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:3-6 KJV)

 

Testimony 2- Mary Magdalene experienced the Lord:

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:18 KJV)

 

Testimony 3- the angels testified that Jesus was not in the tomb:

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (Luke 24:6 KJV)

 

Testimony 4- the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus experienced the Lord as they broke bread with Him: 

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (Luke 24:33-36 KJV)

 

Testimony 5- unbelieving Thomas represents many of us. Many experienced Jesus and told him about their experience but that was not sufficient evidence for him. Infallible proof came for Thomas when he experienced Jesus for himself. He went from "I don't know if He is real" to "My Lord and My God". The doubts and faith of one man mattered to Jesus. He came through for Thomas, He will come through for you.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:26-29 KJV)

 

Testimony 6- Ten disciples experienced Jesus after His resurrection and that was their infallible proof.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. (Luke 24:36-43 KJV)

 

Peter when he preached spoke of this experience:

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (Acts 10:39-41 KJV)

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Will you believe because of these 6 testimonies? 

You were not among the 500, you did not see the angels nor were you present with Mary or Thomas or the other disciples. You weren't there to experience any of it and those whose testimonies that are recorded in the Bible are now dead and gone. You can't believe on another's experience, what then is our infallible proof? The empty tomb is not the greatest evidence, angels aren't there. To prove to us that He is real, Jesus will give you a greater proof, an infallible proof: the proof is the Holy Spirit.

 

1. The Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is within us and is our greatest evidence.

The Holy Spirit was with Jesus all his life but left Him when the sin of the world came upon Him. When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus again, Jesus was raised from the dead.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4 KJV)

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11 KJV)

 

2. The Holy Spirit was promised as a post resurrection event

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:5-7 KJV)

And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:48, 49 KJV)

Like the reception is a post wedding event, the Holy Spirit was a post resurrection event. That Holy Spirit comes that is evidence that the resurrection has occurred. If you experience the Holy Spirit, the reality of your experience is infallible proof of the resurrection. If you have the Holy Spirit you are in the reception of the groom that has died for his bride, you no longer have to look for the cross and empty tomb.

 

3. The Holy Spirit was promised as a post ascension event

Jesus is now seated on the throne.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14 KJV)

Jesus passed into the heavens as a High Priest. The High Priest is significant. In the OT, the High Priest represented God to the people and people to God. Aaron in the OT made an yearly sacrifice. When He went into the Holy of holies, he had bells on his clothing so that those outside will know if he dies.

A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not. (Exodus 28:34, 35 KJV)

If the people outside stop hearing the sounds of the bells they knew the high priest had died, conversely, the sound of bells from the Holy of Holies let them know that their High Priest was alive. In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest. The disciples who were waiting in the upper room, like those outside the temple in the old testament were waiting for a sound from heaven that indicated their High Priest, Jesus was alive. On the tenth day after the ascension, there came a sound from heaven, and the Holy Spirit came. When the disciples heard the sound, they knew Jesus was on the throne. Alive.