Now that we have come to the close out 2018 A.D. and 2019A.D. is here, Let us begin our year better as we endeavor to improve on our status with God, through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, Who has called us out to administer His love to all the Children of Israel and all the Gentiles. Today we shall examine the prophecy of Isaiah initially where it was said by the Holy Spirit that as believers, we will be “taught of the LORD”! As we take a “spiritual Inventory” how and what are the most critical things we need to do as we plan to receive this teaching by God the Holy Spirit? Today let us refresh our vision as we take in a message being called: “Learning To Love Like Jesus”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:9 – 14 (KJV)
Isa 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Isa 54:11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
Isa 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
Isa 54:14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
New Testament Scripture Reading: John 13:21 – 35 (KJV)
Joh 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Joh 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Joh 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Joh 13:25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
Joh 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Joh 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Joh 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Joh 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Joh 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) As we begin this new year seeking to have a “Better Year” with the assistance of God the Holy Spirit, we are now challenged with becoming more serious / dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, understanding that it is God Who is at work in us challenging us to learn to love like Jesus so that we may accomplish His will and agenda and not our own nor that of another.
2) The prophecy of Isaiah reveals that there shall be a generation of believers who are established under the promises of God who are able to see through supernatural revelation the ways of Israel and an aggressive greedy group of power-mad Gentiles who are afflicting Israel and “her seed” (Christ Jesus the Messiah and His Disciples / the Church) who shall be taught of the LORD and GREAT shall be the peace of His children!
3) Jesus taught that it will be the fruit of the way we love one another as His Disciples that will be the very most attractive characteristic that the Church possesses which will also be the most “evangelistic” quality utilized by God the Holy Spirit in reaching out to the lost world to let the masses know that Jesus Whom God the Father has sent is the only and complete Savior of all who believe in Him.