Material of Bible School "The anointing of Abundance and Excess ", Kyiv

Сourse: "The Glory"

Part 1. Obedience To The Lord Jesus

Lesson 3: Jesus' example of obedience to God the Father

The basic verse of this message: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Plan

Repeating the main points of lesson 2

Introduction

1. Bethany: events in the temple

2. Lazarus died

3. Requests of brothers

Repeating the main points of the lesson 2

Again note that: even a born-again christian in his mind has no permanent free will to be obedient to the Lord Jesus. Attention! This means that:

• Obedience to God is not achieved simply through a desire to be obedient.

Attention! While a born-again spirit has not renewed his mind enough, and still containing the wisdom of worldy, sensual, devilish - he will experience the impact of the world and the dictatorship of the will, whose wisdom is. Let's talk about this wisdom.

• Wisdom of the World - is the order of the values of the fallen angelic beings, it was their priority, this mapping of their character, their pride and arrogance.

Therefore, when in the mind of a born-again christian there are the remains of this wisdom, by himself, in his mind, he will not be willing to be obedient to the Lord. This shows us that:

• Obedience to the Lord by born-again can only be achieved through a deliberate humility.

Word from the Spirit: “Humility of the soul (mind), which has the wisdom of the world, haughty and proud - this is the inevitable stress and conflict, which is reflected in its resistance.”

• While the Apostles were speaking about born-agains, they spoke about the spirit of man, not of the soul and body.
• Those who born again and filled with the Holy Spirit do not sin and do not want to sin because they are full of the Holy Spirit of God.  
• Born-again spirit must make efforts in humility of the soul or outgoing from it.

• Through a purposeful humility of his soul, Jesus reached obedience to God the Father.

Son of God was Jesus humbled with God's desires and those decisions that came from Gods' soul. His spirit was always in harmony with the Spirit of the Father and His will. In such time, humility needed only the soul of Jesus.

• Obedience to the Lord should be the main purpose of human life and purposeful action.
• Humility of the soul can not be achieved without the knowledge of the Lord's will 

The soul of born again under the influence of the wisdom of the world, always offers something to him, or somehow respond to what is happening. And when a person has no knowledge of the Lord's will, what his mind offeres him might look quite good and even important, but it is no knowledge of God's will.

• Basic humility - is submission of desires of the soul to God's will.
• If coming from the mind does not obey the will of God, it will take away from the will of God.

• Obedience, even in life of born again,  can not be by itself, as the mind and body seek to the opposite.
• Obedience to the Lord can only be achieved by born-again through a deliberate submission of the desires of the soul to the Spirit of the Lord.

Introduction

From the second lesson we learned that it is through the humility of the soul to God's will can obedience to the Lord be acheieved. We note some important features of obedience to the Lord, just out of obedience to the Lord God the Father.

1. Bethany: events in the temple

We read from the Gospel of St Mark: “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve” (Mark 11:11). From the verse reading it is clear that, going into the temple of the Father, Jesus did not take any action, he went and looked. Question: “Why did Jesus inspected the temple in all?”

Now examined Jesus, visiting God the Father and Jesus listened. And He didn’t listen to what He had seen through the eyes, but what happened in His spirit and in Spirit of His Father. Yes, what he had seen in the temple of God, and caused outrage in Himself, but He did not let out of his soul experiences to manage His will, He humbled them waiting for guidance from God the Father. It is a great example of how to act wisely, seeing something causing disturbance of the soul.

• No matter what happens around you, do not hurry in obedience to your soul: the first and the last word should be from the Spirit of God.

“…Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son (this applies to all children of God) can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19).

Also in the Old Testament is written: “…For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, (this is something that came out from the soul): No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore, shall ye flee: and, we will ride upon the swift; therefore, shall they that pursue you be swift” (Isaiah 30:15-16).

Whatever happened around Jesus, He didn't listen to what was emanating from the soul, and He taught to do the same everyone He called. That's what He said to Saul, urging him to serve Him: «But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee» (Acts of the Apostles 26:16-17). It sounds strange, but:

• you can not serve and be a blessing for people you depend on, as you go to a compromise with the truth in order to please them.

While the person in his mind depends on the people, he can not bear the uncompromising word, he will listen to the people, not the Spirit of God.

We go back to the events with Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, looked at everything that was happening in the temple, and He went back to Bethany, where he spent the night. And, perhaps, seen in the Father's house did not give rest to Him, so he spent time in prayer to the Father, from Whom, He received instruction in the morning He decided to go back to the temple. Read: “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple…” (Mark 11:15). Stop. Let us make some clarity: any incorrect and inconsistent moves the priests make which affects anyone at the temple will be known in all Israel, in all the synagogues, as priests and scribes of the temple - the center of the management of all synagogues in Israel. Jesus knew about this in His mind, but at the same time He honored the will of the Father above the possible reaction of the priests and scribes. Attention!

• When Jesus came into this unworthy world, He did not learn to live in it by its rules. Everything He said and did, - planted and maintained the real world for a man, the kingdom of God the Father.

And now that He entered His Father's house, He began to: “…and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple” (Mark 11:15-16). These were not actions based on the reaction of His soul, the soul perfectly understood the consequences, and it certainly was against this action. But He was in obedience to the instructions of the Father, the Spirit of God. The first peculiarity:

• obedience to the Lord in relation to the soul without compromise.

It is useless to expect that everything in this world, will lead you to obedience to the Lord. Everything in this world is directed to withdraw you from obedience to the Lord through the eyes of the soul.

2. Lazarus is dead

The following example shows obedience contrary to public opinion. Read: “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore, his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (John 11:1-3). Attention! What the sisters told Jesus about Lazarus, it was not just information, as a notice: “Let Jesus be informed.” No. They literally cried out to Him for help: “…behold, he whom thou loves…” (John 11:3), they called Him to come and pray for Lazarus, they believed that, if He shall pray for him, then Lazar will be healed.

Read on: “When Jesus heard that, he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4).

Question: “Why did Jesus answer the request to come and pray for the healing of Lazarus?” At that moment, when He was told about the illness of Lazarus, Jesus, as always, listened to the Spirit of the Father. Yes, perhaps, in His Heart He already wanted to go and pray, but He knew that what comes from the soul is not the light of truth. Listening, He was waiting on what God the Father would say for this occasion. And the first thing He received from the Father’s Spirit, is that: “…This sickness is not unto death…” (John 11:4). What He heard from the Father, telling Him about the disease, but didn't say it is now time to go. Therefore, Jesus, said, the word of faith, He stayed where He was, and continued to do what he was doing, absolutely not thinking or worrying about what will happen next with Lazarus and his family. Jesus fully trusted to God the Father: “Father Lazarus knows about the disease, I trust Him, and I'll stay where I am now.”

Further it is written: “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was” (John 11:5-6).

Question: “Why did he stay in that place for two days?” 

Because God the Father for two days wasn't saying anything, He spoke about something else, but not of Lazarus. Perhaps, upon the occurrence of night, on the third day, Jesus was instructed by the Father to go and pray for Lazarus in prayer. Attention! It was not the desire of His soul, it was the desire of His Father.

Read: “Then after that saith he to his disciples, let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him…” (John 11:7-8). What the disciples said to Him, it came from their souls, which remembered all the threats in the address of Jesus, therefore, and said: “…Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” (John 11:8). Their soul remembered the threat of religious Jews, therefore, did not seek to go there.

• Son of God, Jesus was under constant pressure coming from both His soul and of the souls of Jews who surrounded him.

Jesus, having an indication from God, and knowing that the disciples, led by their soul are in fear, show them why, with all the external factors He decided to do it. He instructed them, with the important features of obedience to the Lord.

“Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day…” (John 11:9), or when its light outside. Question: “Light for whom?” For the soul, when it sees what is happening through the senses and make a decision. But, of course, Jesus was not talking in the light of physical world and did not talk about the soul, He spoke about the light of the Spirit of God and of the human spirit. He meant: “Who listens to the Spirit of God, who is the true light of life, in any situation”. “…If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world…” (John 11:9)

• Listening to the Spirit of the Father, Jesus remained in the light of the Father, and a light to those, who listened to him.

Read on: “But if a man walk in the night …” (John 11:10), or who in this world does not heed the Spirit of God, “…he stumbleth, because there is no light in him” (John 11:10). Attention! The only thing that could save His spirit from the constant pressure on Him - a desire to be obedient to the will of God the Father – «have the light». Jesus always kept the focus of His attention to the Spirit of the Father, and what came from Him. Outgoing from the Father, the Spirit shed light on what comes out of Jesus' soul, and the souls of other Jews around Him (John 6:64).

• That is how the spirit controls emanating of the soul, keeping the focus on what is coming out of God's Spirit.

It is written: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart (spirit) with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:20-23).

• The spirit of man is always listenening to someone or something.

But attention to the Holy Spirit fills the human spirit with the light of truth in relation of what is happening: “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light” (Psalms 36:8-9).

• The Son of God, Jesus, looked at everything and listened through the Spirit of the Father in the light of the Holy Spirit.

Obedience to the Lord is in conflict with this world.

Obedience to the Lord in this world is possible if you refuse to do the will of the world.

Obedience to the Lord will be made only at the statement and planting the Kingdom of God.

Let's say: «I came to this earth to do the will of the Heavenly Father».

Having said that, and in doing so, you enter into a conflict with the soul and the world, with which it is in contact.

• The soul does not show the will of God, confirming the way of life through which a man should go, soul fits human soul to this world. The way, prepared by God, only the Holy Spirit inside the human spirit knows.

Looking at the disciples, He saw that from his guidance they did not understand anything, He went on, but with already clear words to their minds: “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead” (John 11:11-14). Jesus decided to go to pray for Lazarus, not because He wanted to, but because God the Father wanted. Thus, another feature of obedience:

• Obedience to the Lord does not heed everything, it listens to whom it obeys.

Listen to the wonderful saying of John the Baptist after soul guided people gave him an understanding that he wasn't so popular, as Jesus: “…John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27). In other words, this statement sounds:

• man should strive only for what God has destined for.

Here's how such kind of wisdom shows the wisdom of God: “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.” (Proverbs 25:27).

3. Requests by brothers

Read the following example: “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him” (John 7:1). Reading this verse, it seems that Jesus was afraid of the Jews, and therefore did not go through Judea, but it is not, we know that Jesus listened to His heart, He listened to the Spirit of the Father. And if He didn't go somewhere, it means that Father was not letting Him. 

Continue reading: “Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him” (John 7:2-5). They were not Jesus' “brothers in faith”, they were brothers by His Mother. They were the children of Joseph and Mary. It came from the people who were close to Him. Jesus understood why they said so, that is why he had quiet attitude towards them.

Question: “What guided the brothers of Jesus, or rather where does their proposal to Jesus come from?” Because of their mind, their souls offered to tell them something, and they told it. His brothers in this case were a vivid example of a man driven by what proceeds from the soul.

Question: “In this case, to whom they were obedient?” To whose wisdom forms their decisions.

Question: “Whose wisdom prevailed in their minds?” Earthly, sensual, devilish, or fallen angels of darkness.

And it was obviously more than once, it is written: “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee” (Mark 3:31-32). Mary and His brothers did not even want to enter into the room where He talked with people. Of course, on the mental level it hurt Jesus, because He loved them, but He listened to the Spirit of the Father.

And then he sheds light: “And he answered them, saying, ‘Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.’” (Mark 3:33-35). This is a radical and strong statement, in which there is no chance of a compromise, and which can be seen another important aspect of obedience to the Lord:

• in obedience to the will of God the Father, God determines everything.

Now let's read what Jesus said to his brothers on their offer to go to Judea: “Then Jesus said unto them, ‘My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready…’” (John 7:6). In other words: “Spirit of the Father has not tell me anything about it.” He continued: “Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret…” (John 7:8-10). Jesus stayed where conversation took place until has received an indication from the Father to go on holiday, as the Lord said in one of His instructions: “…for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). Once again this tells us that:

• there are desires of the soul, and there are desires of the Spirit of God.

Question: “Did the spirit of the Lord wanted Jesus to be obedient to the Spirit of the Father?” Yes.

Question: “Did Jesus' soul always wanted to be obedient to the Spirit of the Father?” No. Otherwise, He would not had to humble His soul.

Thus, we note some important features of obedience to the Lord.

The first feature: obedience to the Lord in relation to the soul without compromise.

The second feature: obedience to the Lord does not heed the entire row, it listens to whom it obeys.

The third feature: in obedience to the will of God the Father, God determines everything, always and everywhere.