Image vs. Substance

To watch the video of this message on Image vs. Substance please CLICK HERE.

Image - a popular conception (as of a person, institution, or nation) projected especially through the mass media.

Substance - ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change.

The Image of Absalom David's Son

2 Samuel 14:25
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

It’s obvious from this passage that Absalom’s image was excellent. It was something people talked about.

Eight Character Qualities that reveal the Substance of Absalom

1. He was a man who knew how to hide bitterness and strike in vengeance.
2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom avenged his sisters rape by ordering his men to kill his half brother Amnon at a family dinner.

2. He was a self promoter
2 Samuel 15:1
In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
2 Samuel 18:18
18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day.


3. Absalom would make it his highest priority to strategically stroke the need of the individual thus causing an identification with him and an un righteous soul tie with that individual
2 Samuel 15:2
2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."

4. Absalom would undermine the king’s ability to lead by emphasizing the king’s weakness and his own ability to meet that need.
2 Samuel 15:3,4
3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you." 4 And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice."


5. Absalom would place honor onto the men of the kingdom thus stealing their heart away from David
2 Samuel 15:5,6
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

6. The Lord has positioned himself against Absalom and desires to undermine the false kingdom Absalom has stolen.
2 Samuel 17:14
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

7. The forest is claiming more lives than the sword 20,000 v.8
2 Samuel 18:9
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

8. Absalom dies and his kingdom falls.
2 Samuel 18:14
14 Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

There is a battle in the hearts of Christian leaders today in our country between an image of man centered ministry and a substance of Holy Spirit centered ministry.
Some ministries are built around an image of man.
Some are built around the substance of the Holy Spirit
Some have both

It's not wrong to have a sharp image if the substance of God is supremely more important. If image ever trumps the substance of the Holy Spirit that ministry has moved into error.

Saul’s Image
1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.

We’re not exactly sure what made Saul “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites” but we know immediately following this statement his physical stature is added implying strongly that his height is part of his impressiveness. He seems to have an excellent image.

Saul’s Substance
1 Samuel 15:26-28
You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

Compare and Contrast David and Saul
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.“

The Image of Jesus
Isaiah 53:2b
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
One of the prophetic references to the suffering messiah.

According to Scripture Jesus was not an attractive man physically. He most likely didn’t look like a rugged modern day model.

The Substance of Jesus
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Jesus had Perfect Character

Watch this wildly popular video to see a contemporary illustration of a person with very little professional image but a lot of substance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

You may or may not have the greatest image but God is looking for substance. If you have substance without image you may be a person who’s yet to release what God’s given to you.

If you have image without substance you are building a house of cards and your “kingdom” will collapse around you.

If you have both you can use both to reach people but image must be crucified if it takes precedence over the substance of God.

If God has given you a word; go for it.

God’s empowering strength will make his dreams for you a reality if you are faithful and obedient for the long haul.

Consider Josephs horrible image but he had substance
Joseph
Has a dream
Sold to Merchants
Works as a slave
Gets Promoted to being a house slave
Accused of Rape
Sentenced to Prison
Get’s promoted in prison
Makes Strategic relationships
Expresses his gift
The gift gets re communicated eventually to Pharaoh

The substance is real in Joseph’s life and he gets promoted to the highest place in the land.

Sound Doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

What do you really like? A professional and sharp image or the substance of God? Hopefully you can find both where the substance of God rules and reigns in the hearts of people.

Jubilee Family Church

Who Put Jesus on the Cross?

The Audio is very low (sorry).
The Romans?
The Jews?
Was it Satan?

Jesus was arrested at night and charged with blasphemy, the charge was “you a mere man are claiming to be equal with God.”
Blasphemy, under Jewish Law was punishable by death.

Was it the Romans?

Under Roman control the Jews had to bring Jesus Christ before Pontus Pilate to have him crucified. They didn’t have the authority due to the Roman occupation to carry out the death penalty.
Jesus Before Pontus Pilate

John 19:9-11
"Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

This proves that Pilate as a Roman procurator believed he had authority over the life of Jesus but that Jesus declared that the authority over his life was much higher.

Though he was convinced of Christ’s innocence, and though he tried to dissuade the priests and the crowd from their aim to have Christ killed, he finally relented to the blood-thirsty religious leaders: "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it" (Matthew 27:24).

Clearly Pilate’s decision was motivated by the fear of a potential revolt. Therefore, to keep the leaders happy, and to prevent a dangerous rebellion, he relented to their request. Thus, though Pilate had the power to prevent Christ’s death, he chose to sacrifice an innocent man to keep the peace. Pilate, therefore, was a willing participant and contributed to Christ’s death.

Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged and then released but the crowd called out, inspired by the religious leaders of the day, to crucify Jesus.
Pilate did not want Jesus crucified because he judged him innocent of breaking any laws that were important to him as a Roman.

However to appease the crowd he succumbed to the pressure and ordered Jesus crucified.

Was it the Jews?

The Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, set him up on multiple occasions and seduced one of his own disciples to turn against him for 20 pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:3-5
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

It is interesting to note that they were conscious of the fact that the majority of the people liked Jesus and, therefore, decided not to kill Him. They knew that the masses of people had to be handled carefully, to keep them from turning against them. Thus, their plan had to be skillfully conceived so as to convince the people that Christ was a blasphemer and that He deserved death.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that when Christ was brought to the Sanhedrin, “The Chief Priest, the elders, and the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death” (Matthew 26:59-61), and found several.

Finally, Christ’s own words were found sufficient to condemn Him to death. Thus, in the morning, “...all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death” (Matt. 27:1). Later, when Pilate tried to release Christ, they vehemently insisted that He had to be killed, and the angry crowd that was present, as well as the priests, finally prevailed (Luke 23:23).

Were the religious leaders guilty? According to the Gospel story, many were. They planned to capture Christ, they found false witnesses to testify against Him, and they refused to believe His word, though His miracles supported His claims. The religious leaders wanted Him dead and did not cease until their agenda to have him killed was fulfilled.

Was it Satan?

Did Satan try and kill Jesus on the cross? I think Satan feared the cross because he tried to get Jesus to avoid it.

Matthew 16:21-23
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I believe Satan wanted Jesus to die but he did not want him to be lifted up. He knew the prophecy and I believe tried to get Jesus to die another way or tried to get him to sin through various temptations.

Matthew 4:6
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "

Colossians 2:15
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
It was God’s Love for Sinful Mankind that Put Jesus on the Cross.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God the Father loves us so much that He was willing to go through unfathomable pain and anguish for us, by offering His only Son to be flogged and then to be nailed to the cross.

It was His love that put Jesus on the Cross. It was His love for sinful humanity that brought us unmerited forgiveness and opened the possibility of eternal life for all who believe.

Jesus Christ agreed to do God's will, fully conscious of the horrific ramifications that His decision would have had for Him. Yet, He was greatly encouraged by the fact that his future suffering would have brought about salvation for all who receive him by faith.

John 6:51
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Who, therefore, killed Jesus Christ? The answer should be clear by now: The Jewish leaders wished it; Pilate could have prevented it, Satan orchestrated it; our sins demanded it.

It was God the Father who willed it, and it was Christ who willingly offered himself to be sacrificed.

John 10:18
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The Cross screams, YOU ARE VALUABLE!

Jubilee Family Church

A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

'That surprises you, doesn't it? ' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had an incredible grasp on heaven. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Revelation 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Jubilee Family Church

Authority

The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.

To watch the video of this message please click here.

1. There can be a transfer of Authority
Numbers 27:20
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Authority can be given away.
The Authority that is given is effective.
The Authority is given away by the will of God, the one in authority and via the laying on of hands.

Prerequisite to receive an impartation of Authority.
a man in whom is the spirit

The Character of Christ with a Gift from God will make an effective minister.
Gifts without character won’t last very long.
Character without Gifts also won’t go very far either.
Both is best! The greater the gift the greater the need for Godly Character.


2. It’s wise to delegate Authority to have a greater influence
Deuteronomy 1:15
So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.

The Jethro Principle
Prerequisite for receiving authority.
leading men
wise men
respected men
If you want to find a leader just look around and see who’s leading.

If you want to find a deacon just look around and see who’s taking a leadership role in taking care of the natural affairs of the church.

3. Authority can be taken away
Daniel 4:28-33
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.


32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Grace is the power to do the right things and resist the wrong things.
Mercy is not getting what we do deserve (judgment), Grace is getting what we do not deserve (power to live the Christian life).

4. Understanding Authority = Great Faith!
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Matthew 8:10
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Revelation about the authority of Christ will lead us to great faith.

5. We have Christ's authority delegated to us
Matthew 28
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The 12 Sent Out
Luke 9:1
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Should a person with the authority to drive out demons ask God do to it? When they come across a sick person should they ask God to do something he’s already given us the authority to do?
The 72 Sent Out
Luke 10:17-20
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

6. Fullness Comes from Christ
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

7. Submit to Human Authority
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Leaders who keep watch over you must give an account
Disobedient followers make the job of the leader a burden
This situation is of no benefit to the follower

8. Find your place under authority
Ephesians 4:15b, 16
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jubilee Family Church

Missionary in East Africa Fights for the Lives of Children

Click here to watch video.

Leroy Bennett has been telling me about the "Machine Gun Preacher". I thought I'd share with you a link to CBN's website where they do a video interview with Sam Childers a missionary in East Africa. I caution you, the video is disturbing.

To visit the Angels of East Africa Website Click Here
To learn more about the group that is behind the atrocities click here

Jubilee Family Church