Return to flip book view

INTRODUCTION Preaching the Gospel in the Twenty-first Century, without the Doctrine of Godliness, has produced countless perverts. Why do I say this? Primarily because, the Gospel message includes “The Doctrine of Godliness.” Jesus came to speak about His Father’s Eternal Doctrine, His Father’s prophetic words, His Father’s Love, and His Father’s will. Yet there are many who do not understand this combination. Nevertheless, those who receive and understand the Gospel Message, are those who GOD “retains.” The scriptures tell us that GOD the Father has put all things under the feet of Jesus Christ. Also, HE gave Him the position to be “the head over all things,” even for the Church’s benefit. But tell me now, do you want to know what those benefits are, which should be our common experiences? {N.I.V.} Eph. 1:22-23 AND GOD PLACED ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, and appointed him to be Head over everything for the (benefit of the) Church, 23WHICH IS HIS BODY, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Because this detail is true, we should seek to know how the fulfillment of this reality would be common to our experiences.

Consider the fact that in those early days of the apostles, the Church at Rome was told to expect satan to be placed under its feet, to be “bruised.” This event would have materialized within a short space of time, after GOD’S decree. Rom. 16:19-20 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf. But yet, I would have you wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil. (simple: or, harmless} 20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. “Bruising satan under their feet?” What should such a knowledge mean for us in the Churches of Christ today, seeing that the early Church knew what this development would have signified? We may have overlooked invaluable points in scripture, as the people of GOD. Yet, most of us are aware, that the devil capitalizes on our ignorance. For example: ‘Were we told by Jesus to ask that our joy be full?’ Is this part of the reason for us to have the authority, to suppress, and destroy the works of the devil? Jn. 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Without considering any specific thing that we need to focus on for our joy, would your prayer be realized? It is important for us to learn how to ask for specific things.

See how specific Jesus was, at the time when He was actually praying for His disciples’ joy, on the eve of His crucifixion: Jn. 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world (meaning pray), that they might have my joy FULFILLED in themselves. Now the question is this: How can Jesus have His own joy fulfilled in us? Yet, this is a very specific thing which Jesus asked the Father for. Heb 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him (1Cor. 15:25-27). Therefore, we must understand, in satan being “bruised” and subdued through us, Jesus can have His own Joy fulfilled. Does this also mean that we too are to be specific about a thing in itself, whenever we are to make a request for our own joy to be full? To be certain as to the meaning of these things, we would truly have to understand, what will be the peak of Jesus’ own joy, which can be fulfilled in us by the Father. Also, we will have to agree with Jesus prayer as mentioned above, and desire for His request to be fulfilled in ourselves (Jn. 16:33).

Indeed, we should “be joyful,” because we too are made to be overcomers, as Jesus Himself, when we grow and mature. At that position, we are the ones who would always have an advantage over satan (Rom. 16:19-20). This is the essence of what the apostle Paul said to the Roman church, about satan being bruised “shortly” under their feet. The reality is this: “Jesus’ joy is fulfilled, when we are in a matured position, and are no longer subject to satan’s “bullying.” This becomes a genuine experience, because our Father guarantees this activity as we mature. Lk. 10:17-18 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. We may not realize why Jesus gave a parable for us to understand, how a man who finds treasure in the Kingdom of GOD, should become very great in His Kingdom. Mt. 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Great in GOD’S Kingdom, would be any man who has “ownership of the field,” which is called: “The Kingdom of GOD.”

The apprehension of “greatness,” is what all the true Children of GOD should be experiencing continually, if we believe what Jesus said. What does it mean to buy that field? If this “information” about the “Treasure in the Field” is not hidden from us, would we be able to accurately apply ourselves, to find all the treasure that is within it? EXPERIENCING true Greatness, is meant to be a reality for every child of GOD, in the times and seasons appointed by our Heavenly Father. {NIV} Eccl. 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Dan. 2:21; Acts 1:7; 1Tim. 6:15). Deut. 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which ARE REVEALED belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. As we review scriptures, we realize that this knowledge of “greatness” became the experience of multitudes of the heroes of faith. This was true for Enoch, Noah, the Patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Gideon, Ruth, the apostles and prophets of Christ, and countless more, both in the Old and New testaments. Even Jabez, who found “the secret to experiencing greatness,” had a City named after Him. This was so, because he desired to be more honorable than his brethren.

Yet, we cannot afford to miss out on his secret, which is this: ‘Greatness will always be possible, for the man who seeks to honor GOD, to establish His covenants and His Kingdom.’ GOD would always be giving him extreme benefits, to establish everything for such a fulfillment. {NKJV} 1Chron. 4:9-10 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So, God granted him what he requested (1Sam. 2:30; 15:30; Isa. 43:4; Jn. 12:26). GOD heard that specific desire and prayer of Jabez; that through being blessed, he would not cause sorrow to his brethren. {NKJV} Deut. 8:18 "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day (1Sam. 2:30; Ps. 91:14-16; Prov. 10:22; Isa. 48:17; Mal. 1:6; Jn. 5:23, 44-45; 8:49-50; 12:26). Can GOD establish His Covenants, without bringing you into the picture for fulfilling any of them? That position of

greatness will always be a matter of your choosing. Therefore, greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven, should never be a small issue to be exploring. Nevertheless, because Jabez held a special “key,” it would be a good thing for us to know, much more about the valued position of HONOR and HUMILITY, to be great in the Kingdom of GOD. Those two things always come before greatness. Prov. 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Prov. 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Prov. 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Prov. 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour (Prov. 25:6-7; 29:23; Isa. 33:6; Dan. 9:20-23; Mt. 6:33; Lk. 14:11; Php. 2:5-11; 1Tim. 4:8; Jms. 4:10; 1Pet. 5:5). As we explore these things deeply, let us be mindful as to the location of the field, and also, what we are told to expect to find, as eternal guarantees. There is a common saying: “Jesus paid it all for me.’ Therefore, may the Lord richly reward you as your adventure begins a new discovery, of what is also termed: “the inheritance of the saints.” Eph. 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his

calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:11; 2Thess. 1:11; 3:16; Col. 1:12; Jms. 2:5). Few have found all the treasure which the Kingdom has carefully guarded. However, it was never meant to be withheld for GOD’S own genuine children, whose hearts are accurately positioned. Mt. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Nevertheless, the following point must be especially considered, where the Kingdom of GOD is concerned. It is is this: ‘If your heart is not located where GOD has determined for it to be, you may actually have to “sell” much more, than what you had initially prepared to give. Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.33 SELL THAT YE HAVE, AND GIVE ALMS; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Eph. 1:5-9; Php. 3:20; Col. 3:1-3). Mt. 13:44 Again, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like unto TREASURE HID IN A FIELD; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and SELLETH ALL THAT HE HATH, and buyeth that field.