Why is it STILL about ‘us?’
[Video link (and commentary by Holy Spirit) on this teaching: ]
____________________________________________
Matthew 19:17
“And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one— that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life— keep the commandments.”
_____________________________________________
Below is a holy Spirit inspired message the Lord led me to, online, by a person that goes by: J.F. I was led to it because of the great grief I feel in my spirit and soul, concerning the church’s focus, through time— as well as now: for all things are common to man, and patterns— repeat.
This posting by J.F. —as well as what the Holy Spirit is bringing forth unto me, and through me— is something I pray we all take to the Lord in ‘sincerity, and humility—’ and consider our ways.
_____________________________________________
Much of our Christianity is concerned about me. Christians emphasize my forgiveness, my answered prayers, my blessings, and my spiritual gifts, and my Christian service. But Peter had to learn, "It’s about Jesus, it’s not about you."
____________________
Matthew 16:13-27
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying— Whom do men say that I— the Son of man, am?
And they said— Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He said unto them— But whom do you say that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said— Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him— Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you— but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto you— That thou art Peter— and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shalt bind on earth— shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth— shall be loosed in heaven.
Then he charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
From that time forth Jesus began to show unto his disciples, how he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes— and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him— saying— Be it far from you, Lord: this shall not be unto you.
But he turned, and said unto Peter— Get yourself behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God— but those that be of men.
Then Jesus said unto his disciples— If any man will come after me— let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life —shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life, for my sake —shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world— and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange— for his soul?
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father— with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
_________________
Much of our Christianity is concerned about me. Christians emphasize my forgiveness, my answered prayers, my blessings, my spiritual gifts, and my Christian service.
But Peter had to learn, “It’s about Jesus, it’s not about you.”
Think back to when Jesus took His disciples to Caesarea Philippi. It is a beautiful place that I have visited. Today, it is a national park and is the place where the headwaters of the Jordan River come out of the ground. Jesus asked the 12 disciples the question, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
He got all kinds of answers. Some disciples said that He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Only Peter gave the right answer,
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
That was a wonderful answer by Peter, as far as he understood. Remember, Peter and all the disciples were looking for an earthly Messiah. When Peter called Jesus “THE CHRIST,” he was calling Jesus, “the Messiah.” All of Israel was looking for the Messiah, i.e. —the Deliverer who would defeat the Romans and drive them into the sea. Israel wanted a Deliverer like David, who would drive out the heathen and rule over them. Peter was no different from the common men of his day. He was looking for an earthly ruler, so he answered Jesus—
“Thou art the Christ (i.e. the Messiah) . . . the Son of the living God.”
Jesus commended Peter, answering him— “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said that Peter’s statement was a wonderful answer, but that Peter got his answer —from the Heavenly Father; Peter didn’t think it up himself.
But immediately, Peter and Jesus went on different tracks; heading in different directions. Jesus was thinking of the cross and suffering. Peter was thinking of the Kingdom and its glories.
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21). Jesus knew the cross waited for Him where He would die for the sins of the world. The cross was the next great item on the agenda of Jesus— and, He knew— He could not by-pass the cross.
It’s been said, everything in life is perception and expectation. Jesus expected the cross— Peter expected to live in a glorious kingdom.
Jesus was about the cross— Peter was about the Kingdom.
Because Peter had the wrong expectations (focus)— he had to learn a very important lesson. “Peter, it’s about Jesus; it’s not about you.”
Peter rebuked Jesus saying— “Be it far from thee, Lord . . .”
Peter didn’t want anything to do with the cross because it was ghastly . . . it was agony . . . it was humiliation . . . it was final.
Peter didn’t have any room in his life for the cross.
But Jesus had other thoughts, Jesus said to Peter— “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God— but those that be of men.”
What did Jesus call Peter? He called him “Satan” because Peter wanted Jesus to by-pass the cross for the glories of the Kingdom. Peter wanted the same thing that Satan wanted.
Some people listen to me today, and want to by-pass the cross; they want to by-pass the humiliation and agony of Jesus’ death, just to enjoy the good things of the Christian life.
Be careful, just as Jesus said to Peter— “Get thee behind Me, Satan.”
He may say the same thing to you.
___________________
Mark 14:66-72
“And as Peter was beneath, in the palace— there came one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself— she looked upon him, and said— And you also were with Jesus of Nazareth.
But he denied, saying— I know not, neither understand what you say.
And he went out onto the porch; and the cock crew.
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by— This is one of them.
And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter— Surely thou art one of them: for you are a Galilaean, and your speech agrees thereto.
But he began to curse and to swear, saying— I know not this man of whom ye speak.
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him— Before the cock crow twice— you shall deny me— thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.”
____________________
Remember, a few hours earlier Peter had vehemently proclaimed that he would never deny the Lord. Peter had claimed that he would die for Jesus, “I will lay down my life for Thy sake” (John 13:37). But when the maid accused him of being a follower of Jesus, “He denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.”
Peter was confused because he wanted Jesus to drive the enemy into the sea. But the enemy had Jesus on trial for treason and blasphemy. This was not what Peter wanted.
Remember, “It’s about Jesus, Peter; it’s not about you.”
Peter had an opportunity to set the record straight. He was given the chance to cover up his first denial. A second maid saw him and she said, “This is one of them” (Mark 7:69). Here Peter could have identified himself with Jesus, his sufferings and the eventual cross.
Was Peter still concerned about
→ the glories of the Kingdom?
What did he do?
“He denied it again” (Mark 14:70). Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Him three times, and this is the second time that Peter denied his Lord.
“And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art [one] of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth [thereto]” (Mark 14:70). Now they had some evidence against Peter.
They recognized Peter’s dialect and accused him of being with Jesus.
Did Peter take a stand?
Did Peter identify with Jesus?
Did Peter support Jesus in His trials and sufferings?
This was an opportunity for Peter to stand boldly. “But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak.”
Notice the response of Peter.
First, he cursed.
Why did he do that?
What’s in the heart, comes out of the mouth; and when Peter ran away from the Lord, his heart became black, and was filled with unbelief. The natural response to unbelief— is to curse.
But there was a second thing about Peter’s response. He said, “I know not this man.” Peter had spent three years with Jesus, and yet he said— “I don’t know this man.”
Why?
Because Peter was still looking for Jesus to usher in the glories of the Kingdom. He was looking for outward success.
He was looking for victory over the Romans.
Peter was not looking for the cross.
Even in this darkest hour, Peter should have understood—
“It’s about Jesus, Peter; it’s not about you.”
_________________
John 21:15-17
“So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter— Simon, son of Jonas— lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him— Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love you.
He saith unto him— Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time— Simon, son of Jonas— lovest thou me? He saith unto him— Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love you.
He said unto him— Feed my sheep.
He said unto him the third time— Simon, son of Jonas— lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time— Lovest thou me?
And he said unto him— Lord, thou knowest all things; you know that I love you.
Jesus said unto him— Feed my sheep.
__________________
After, Jesus met Peter on a Galilean beach. It is there that Jesus provided a miraculous catch of fish, and it was on a beach that they enjoyed an early morning breakfast together. After the breakfast was over, Jesus asked— “Simon, [son] of Jonas— lovest thou me more than these?”
Notice two or three things that Jesus said.
First, Jesus called him Simon which was his old name. Because Peter had gone back to the old ways, Jesus addressed him by his old name. Remember, when Jesus met Peter— He gave him the new name, Petros, i.e., rock which is the word Peter. Because Peter had backslidden— he was Simon, the old man— following the old ways, with the old name.
Second, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. The authorities tell us that the Greek word these is a reference to fish. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him more than his old occupation and the things he got from working.
“It’s about Jesus, Peter; it’s not about you.”
We have all heard the sermon that explained that Jesus used the word agape for love— deep, passionate love. Jesus used the word for love that means the sacrificial love of the mother —for the child.
Peter couldn’t answer that he had deep self-sacrificial love for Jesus. All Peter could say was that he liked Jesus. Peter used a superficial word philo, the word from which we get Philadelphia. Philo is the love of brotherhood. Peter knew that he had denied the Lord and forsaken Him. Peter knew that he didn’t have sacrificial love, he could only say, “I like you.”
Peter was about to learn, “It’s about Jesus, it’s not about Peter.”
Jesus asked Peter three times, “Lovest thou Me?” The Bible says, “Peter was grieved because he said unto him a third time” (John 217). Because Peter had denied Jesus three times, he was grieved when the Lord asked him three times, “Lovest thou me?”
Peter had traveled down a long road in denying the Lord, and now it was a long way back. He had to tell the Lord three times that he loved Him.
“It’s about Jesus, Peter; it’s not about you.”
But also, Jesus humbled Peter by using a different word. The third time that Jesus asked Peter— “Lovest thou Me?” Jesus used the superficial word philo.
Jesus was saying— “Do you really like Me?”
This revelation must have crushed Peter’s ego, because he could only say— “Lord, I like you.”
There are many here today who have denied the Lord in several ways.
Remember, the Christian life is “It’s all about Jesus, it’s not about you.”
It’s not about how you feel,
or what you get out of it.
The Christian life is about— Jesus Christ. The cross is about Jesus— He died for you. The resurrection— is about Jesus, He was raised for you.
Now what does He expect?
He expects you to come to Him, to follow Him, to give Him everything.
He expects you to fall on your knees and say— “I’m sorry” —and to get up from your knees and follow Him.
And what can God do for you today?
Remember, that Peter who denied the Lord in the blackness of night, stood mightily for God on the day of Pentecost. He was the powerful preacher when three thousand people became Christians. On that day, “It was all about Jesus; it was not about Peter.”
Yes, those with a broken wing can fly again. Yes, you who have strayed from God can come back. Yes, you who have denied the Lord can be used greatly.
This is a message— this is your message today.
“It’s about Jesus; it’s not about you.”
—J.F.
______________________________________
2 Corinthians 4:1-7
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But if our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them, who believe not— lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God— should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves— but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves— your servants— for Jesus' sake.
For God— who commanded the light to shine out of darkness— has shined in our hearts, to give the light— of the knowledge— of the glory of God —in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have— this treasure in earthen vessels— that the excellency, of the power —may be of God— and not of us.”
_____________
Psalm 37:3-6
“Trust in the Lord— and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed.
Delight yourself → in the Lord: and he shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way— unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth your righteousness— as the light— and your judgment, as the noonday.”
_____________
Psalm 37:27-28
“Depart from evil— and do good; and dwell for evermore.
For the Lord loves judgment, and forsakes not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”
_____________
Luke 5:33-39
“And they said unto him— Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but you eat and drink?
And he said unto them— Can you make the children of the bridechamber fast— while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them— and then shall they fast in those days.
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man puts a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then— both— the new makes a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new— agrees not with the old. (they are torn apart)
And no man puts new wine— into old bottles; else the new wine— will burst the bottles, and be spilled— and the bottles shall perish.
But new wine— must be put into new bottles; and —both— are preserved.
No man, also having drunk old wine— straightway desires the new: for he says— The old is better.”
_____________
_____________
What are we really exalting?
Whom are we really exalting?
Because the evidence is come from within— and it exits, for all to perceive and witness— from the abundance that resides within— of the ‘truth’ of what is exalted within.
If it is ‘ourselves,’ we are still satanic, in the Garden— and have not returned full circle, through death— of ourselves exalted: what we desire, think upon, and eat in— that comes out of us in a witness (unto Adam and Eve— it was desirous ‘to them’ as to what they would consume, think upon, reason, and go after— not following the Almighty, nor reverent unto him— but unto exaltation of themselves).
Satan— is a title, not ‘one’ person;
and is a choice unto us all.
If we abide in Christ— we will exit abiding, dwelling, and focusing on ‘us;’ because, after all— we are ‘following’ him, exalting him, focusing on him as we step inline, behind his moves, and lead— right?
And he exalts man— not man, exalting man, like in the Garden; and he exalts man— in due season.
Lack of full circle— is man, being minded upon what should, or is, or desires— to come to man: man— is the focus of the ‘fallen heart.’
I hear religion, and man exaltation in many ‘voices’ right now— and I discern satan. I don’t care HOW MUCH they claim to love God (to love God, is to obey him, and honor— ‘him’); and I don’t care how much scriptural revelation, or experience in the spirit realm they claim to have walked in— I am listening to the ‘hearts’ of the men and women— and witnessing— who is enthroned within— and what/whom is their ‘focus.’
Because the God of all created— desires to speak with them, and enlighten them, and receive them from out of darkness; but satan desires, as well, at the same time— to keep us focused on what he is: the CREATED, always being at the forefront of what the ‘focus’ of the created— is tuned into.
So— are we truly minded on Christ, in love, from our hearts? Or are we minded, focused and exalting ‘the creation,’ still— and not the Creator, once again?
Because I hear a lot of man— walking in the glory that is of, and for God, ALONE.
I hear and witness, man— focused upon what he ‘is, or will’ RECEIVE, of God; and less, much less— upon exaltation of God, in their hearts, mouths, speech, and focus.
What are we going to walk in?
What gifts will we display?
What mantles will we carry?
What will we do?
Who will we minister to?
When will we do this?
What position will we walk in, in Christ for eternity?
What glory— man— will experience.
What are we TRULY DOING?
What are we TRULY WITNESSING to the ‘world?’
Because in all that above— that is how the secular walk.
What glory do they get to walk in, in the carnal material life— fame, display, what they carry abroad in themselves, what they do, who sees them do it, who they will impact, and when it will all take place.
We are witnessing— all day, every day; best we begin to discern our own hearts with God, now; as well as— discern the messages you are hearing from the ‘amiss,’ and apostate, prideful church, and its “leaders:” because satan has come in, unawares, to most— and he leads the people.
You can know it— because they call themselves ‘good,’ now— and they focus on their identity in Christ— much more than they focus on the identity of Christ, or God himself— and that we can do nothing of ourselves— EVEN WITH HIM.
All the ‘good’ we will EVER DO— comes from a union, wherewith we come into agreement to FOLLOW WHAT HE IS DESIRING TO DO— in the vessel he now owns, and cohabitates with us, in.
If we are TRULY to look at ourselves— and we see NO DIFFERENCE between ourselves, and the Messiah— we have become the saviors— ALONE, led of ourselves; and (satan loves that focus) not those IN the Savior— and the Savior— IN US, ‘leading us’ about— like the horses we are: we have become the “saviors,” not those who are ambassadors, ushering in on our hides (skin suits, horses who carry him to the masses)— the Savior in us, to all who have need OF HIM.
If we see no difference between Christ, and ourselves— we have become flawless in our vision and perception— and the glory is now ours.
We are to glory in the only one that is to receive glory from the created— God himself; and YahShua— demonstrated this.
He was God, incarnate, fully— and yet— he diverted ALL GLORY FROM ‘the son of man,’ and gave it ONLY— to God.
For there is only one ‘good,’ and if the Messiah, himself did not take the glory— Why are we?
Is this about how awesome ‘we are?’
Is this about what ‘we want, hold, have, desire, or walk in?’
Or— is the one on the throne within our hearts/souls— REALLY— God Almighty, the ‘only true God?’
Or— have we remained usurping the throne of glory within??
Because I hear a lot about ‘man,’ in the preaching these days— and that we can look at ourselves— and see no difference between ourselves and our Lord.
If that is so— how is he God, who has not fallen short of God’s own glory, and why did we need him to be able to do anything?
We need to be very careful that we are not— an ‘anointed one’ —who has said—
“I will be like the most High, and I will ascend the clouds, and his mountain…”
All the while— TAKING— the glory ‘from God,’ and giving it the creation: the title satan, fits us then.
We are not good, as he is good— and part of returning to him— is to recognize this; that we are always going to be fighting satan’s nature and ways, whilst here; and that— in a fallen realm, where we still have a ‘will’ —that seeks ‘its own—’ we will fail to exalt the king— truly— if we remain focused on US.
And there is only ‘one’ good— and we will only ‘do good,’ when we are focused upon him in our hearts and minds: and the mouth will witness what is the truth— within the man.
So— I do see a difference between myself and God— and believe that’s a GOOD THING (satan saw no difference, only ‘his own’ glory or beauty, abilities and desires/appetites); because it keeps me reliant upon a leader in my life— and that leader is NOT ME.
I can do NOTHING OF MY OWN; and all, and any good that comes from me, or indwells me— is not of mine; for there is only ‘one’ good— and he leads me, and he reshapes me— but I am not him; and I know my place.
I am but an infant compared to him— but he made, and is remaking me— into his image— NOT HIS IDENTITY: I am found ‘in’ Him, and unto him— I will give the glory— due only to him.
He will walkout— ‘his’ —glory, in and through me— as he chooses: anything I will ever walkout in this lifetime— will be because HE walked it out, through me— as I yield to him— and give him the glory: for only ‘one,’ is good— and it is God.
It’s not about ‘me,’ it’s always— been about him.
I pray we will see with spiritual eyes— and exalt HIM.
___________________________________________________
Matthew 19:17
“And he said unto him— Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one— that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life— keep the commandments.”
____________________________________________________
I will take ‘his hand,’ his authority—
and ‘follow’ —HIM.
I am the child follower— he is the leader parent:
And it’s about OUR LEADER PARENT.
Comments