PENTECOST
BY AL BUCHANAN
Mr. Orban was telling me prior to services that he was a little hoarse today. Tell you what, to me that’s a million dollar voice. That’s quite a quality voice. I really did appreciate that very, very much.
Last evening at sunset we all know that we entered into very, very special time, this Day of Pentecost. We’re gathered here on a Sunday morning, very unusual for us to do but we’re here keeping this very, very special day, the Day of Pentecost 2008.
As was mentioned in the sermonette, on another Day of Pentecost some 1,977 years ago a very special and unique time was beginning to come to a close while at the very same time another very important time was in the process of beginning. So one very significant time, unique in all of the history of the Church was coming to an end while another time in its own way unique was just about to begin.
Now just one week ago yesterday, I gave a sermon titled A Very Special 50 Days. Those fifty days—actually we could have made it fifty-four days because if you include the Passover in that year that Christ died through that particular year the way Passover fell, if you would have included Passover with those fifty days, it would have been fifty-four very special days that particular year. We pointed out that those were unique days. There were never ever days like that prior. There were never ever fifty days like it following. They were very, very significant in the year that Jesus Christ died.
In that sermon, however, we focused our attention on forty
of the fifty days. In those forty days
in which Christ appeared several times to the disciples and said some very
important things and we spent the entire sermon time focusing in on what He
actually said and what He taught those particular individuals that year. These things, as we read in Acts 1 and verse
3, pertained to the
And we pointed out as we went through that His primary focus was on informing them who He was and how that He had fulfilled all of the prophecies that had pointed to Him. He went back and He opened up those Scriptures to them and He allowed them to understand how that He had fulfilled all of these things that had pointed to Him. And so He made it very clear to them who He was, even to the point of Thomas exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” My Kurios and my Theos! He recognized Him as not only the One who had done what he had seen with his own eyes, but now he recognized Him as His God. This was His Theos in the Greek, his God. It was his Owner, his Master which is what kurios means. He recognized that along with the others. And so they recognized and He made it very clear to them who He was but He also made it very clear to them that what He was doing was opening up something that was incredible for them.
And He began, as you remember, on that Wave Sheaf Sunday
morning He instructed Mary, “Go tell My brethren.” This was the first time that we found that
kind of terminology used. He never had
referred to His disciples as “My brethren” before but He was able to at that
point because He had completed what was necessary for brethren to be added to
the Family, for Him to have brethren, fully born brethren in His Family. And so He brought out to them very clearly
who He was, what He was doing, and what He was doing would result in, that part
of the
The
At the close of those forty days and just before He ascended back to His Father, He commanded the disciples to wait, as we heard in the sermonette; specifically to wait for “the Promise of the Father.”
Now I mentioned in that sermon that I feel personally that those unique days that year, that unique period of time—it was fifty days—were a type of the period that we find ourselves living in now. That those fifty days up until the Day of Pentecost was fulfilled that year, all of that is a type of what we’re experiencing now, a time that began as those fifty days were coming to a close. They were a type of what would just then begin to happen, a time that will continue until all of the firstfruits are harvested.
Now I’d like to go back to Acts chapter 1 and look at a couple of things that I did not bring out in that sermon a week ago. And let’s notice this. We’re going to focus in on a couple of words used here in Acts chapter 1. In Acts 1 and verse 1 it says
Acts 1:1. The former account
I made,
Of course, Luke writing here.
Acts 1:1b. O Theophilus, of
all that Jesus began both to do and [to] teach,
2) Until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy
Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
So it’s very clear here that these commandments were directed to the apostles, to the twelve. Now I’ve pointed out before that I feel very strongly that beginning on Passover evening—remember He sat down with just twelve. He sat down with twelve, not the one hundred and twenty on Passover evening, but just twelve. And I’ve felt for years—and still do—that those twelve represented all of us there that evening. That we were represented in a sense at that table with Him that evening and even then during these following forty days and on into the fifty days, those twelve continue—I think—to represent all of the firstfruits.
And so the commandments here were directed to the apostles whom He had chosen. So what He did and what He said in the presence of those twelve were important for all of us, for all of the firstfruits no matter when we live. Now this word “commandments” here is very specific in the Greek. It means to order, to command to be done, to enjoin. Now we’re not told specifically what these commandments are just that He gave these commandments to the apostles. Now we know that obedience to God’s Law was required of them as well as us. We are also required.
Now let’s just quickly—hold your place here—and go to 1 John chapter 2 and notice what the apostle John wrote there. 1 John chapter 2 and in verse 3.
1 John 2:3. Now by this we
know that we know Him,
He was speaking specifically of Jesus the Christ.
1 John 2:3b. if we keep His
commandments.
Okay. So He gave
commandments. Jesus Christ gave
commandments. Now we understand that
this Being who walked the earth as Jesus the Christ was the Being that is most
often referred to as the Eternal of the Old Testament. He is the one that thundered the Ten
Commandments from
Then in verse 4.
1 John 2:4. He who says, “I
know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him. 5) But whoever keeps His word,
truly the love of God is perfected in him.
By this we know that we are in Him.
6) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He
walked.
As He Himself obeyed those commandments and He expects us to follow through and do the same.
So back here in Acts chapter 1 and verse 2, perhaps those are the commandments that is referred to here. Again, we’re not specifically told here in this verse but going on in verse 3.
Acts 1:3. To whom He also
presented Himself alive after His suffering by many
As the margin has it, “unmistakable proofs” or
Acts 1:3b. infallible
proofs, being seen by them during forty days
So He showed Himself the first time on Wave Sheaf Sunday. So we know it’s the first forty of the fifty days that He showed Himself to them. And during that time, He spoke
Acts 1:3 cont. of the things
pertaining to the
So in addition to the commandments that they and us are required to obey, there was additional information that He communicated to them at that time.
Now this word “speaking” here is very different. It’s not “command.” It’s not in the same category as commandments
necessarily but this word “speaking” simply means to speak, to say a thing, to
set forth in language, to tell a thing to someone, to unfold, to explain. And so He just merely communicated to them
certain information that they very much needed as well as all of us. He informed them of things pertaining to the
Now let’s go back to Matthew 13. Hold your place here in Acts. Go to Matthew 13. Verses 1 through 9 we know is the Parable of the Sower that He gave. And then verse 10.
Matthew 13:10. And the
disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11) He answered and [He] said to them [to the
disciples], “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
This word “mysteries,” as even in the margin of my Bible
shows, that it means secret or hidden truths, truths that have been hidden that
need to be revealed. And He said very
specifically to His disciples, ‘It has been given for you to know these
mysteries of the
Over in verses 34 and 35 of this Matthew 13, it says that
Matthew 13:34. All these
things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did
not speak to them. 35) That it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will
utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
So it was time for certain ones to have the capability of understanding certain things.
Now in Matthew 11 verse 25, we could turn back there just a couple of pages. It says there that
Matthew 11:25. At that time
Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
[because] You have hidden these things from the
wise and prudent and have revealed [or unveiled or uncovered] them to babes.
So it really doesn’t matter how intellectual we are one way
or the other whether we can or we cannot understand. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is God’s choice to unveil this
truth to us. So as God’s great plan
unfolds, it was time for a very select and specially called group of
individuals to begin to come to know precious truths. And it had to do with those things pertaining
to the
So during those forty days, He explained these truths to the twelve and the others that were privileged to be there and hear as well. And perhaps most of the one hundred and twenty had that privilege. I don’t know. There were different ones.
At times, if you remember, when we went through that, there
were times He would just be speaking to one person. There was other times He would be speaking to
two, other times seven, other times all of the eleven that were remaining. And perhaps—we read in 1 Corinthians 15 where
Paul says He appeared to over five hundred at one time. And so we don’t have record of that in the
gospels. Exactly when that happened, I
don’t know when that took place. But at
some point during those forty days, He apparently appeared to over five hundred
at one time. So a number of people heard
many of these things that He said but it was given for the disciples to
be able to understand.
Now what He taught them at that time, what He taught the twelve primarily and the others who were privileged to hear, is exactly what we have been privileged to hear and to understand during this age. He was not revealing to them anything that He hasn’t revealed to others following that, I don’t believe. He was revealing in type to them what He has revealed to us following.
Now let’s go back to Acts chapter 1 again. I asked you to hold your place I believe and I did not. So let me go back there. Acts chapter 1 and verse 4. We’ll actually read verses 4 and 5.
Acts 1:4. And being assumed
together with them, He commanded them
not to depart from
So this is at the close of the forty days, perhaps on the fortieth day that He actually communicated this to them. So after teaching them these precious truths, He commanded them to wait for the Promise of the Father. Today, after teaching us what I believe to be these same truths, we are expected to wait. We’re expected to wait for the Promise of the Father as well.
What they experienced, Brethren, on that Day of Pentecost, I believe, was a type of what we are waiting for today. I want to go through that and show you what I mean by that. Now Acts 1 verse 9, let’s drop on down and read there.
Acts 1:9. Now when He had
spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received
Him
And so, He ascended back to His Father at this time and so now as the forty days came to a close, Jesus Christ is personally off the scene. He’s not with them anymore.
Then dropping down to verse 12.
Acts
And so it gets very specific as to certain ones that were there but when we drop down to verse 15, it talks about the number “about a hundred and twenty” altogether and so it doesn’t specifically give us names of everybody only some.
But they began their wait. They began to wait and whether they knew specifically that this Promise of the Father was coming on the Day of Pentecost, they surely must have suspected it and perhaps He told them that. I don’t know that for sure because we’re not given that specific information. But these one hundred and twenty, specially called, and uniquely privileged people began their wait.
Now only these one hundred and twenty will ever experience what they experienced. No one else will ever have that privilege. The eleven that remained and even Mathias was there because he had to witness these things. Remember? So he was there. So, the ultimate twelve were there and the one hundred and twenty witnessed much of this. But even the individuals like Mary who was alone when He appeared to her in the garden after He was resurrected from the dead, nobody will ever have an experience like Mary had. Nobody will ever experience like Cleopas and his buddy as on the road and had that experience will Him. Nobody else will have that experience. No one will ever have the experience Thomas had of reaching his hand into His side. All of this was unique. It was special. And these individuals will never ever—this will never be duplicated. Nobody else will ever experience that.
But you know what? We’re going through a period now that is also unique. We’re privileged at this time to hear basically, I believe, what they heard. Truths are being unveiled to us during this age that are not unlike what was unveiled to them. The firstfruits are preparing to be the very Bride of Jesus Christ. Nobody, after the Day of Pentecost is fully fulfilled, nobody else will ever have that opportunity to experience what we have experienced during this age. This is a time that’s unique. It’s unique to you and to me and all the others who have been privileged and honored to have been called by God in a very special way to be able to understand what we do at this time.
Now during this ten days, as was pointed out in the sermonette that they were altogether with one accord. Now if you parallel this, if those fifty days are truly a type of what we’re going through now, then that waiting period of ten days that they were in there would typify our time now when we are sharing this information that we have had as they were sharing this information. At that time they had all heard these things and they were, no doubt, thinking very deeply about what they had heard and the promise that was made. And they’re waiting for that and they’re, no doubt, discussing this, and they’re of one accord.
Now, as was pointed out in the sermonette, we’re anything
but that now as a Church as a whole. As
the greater
And they were in this type. They took care of certain matters that needed to be taken care of. You know they took care of the matter of filling up the vacant slot among the apostles. And they went through a procedure that permitted God Himself to choose the twelfth. It was very important to God that there be twelve apostles, very clear. They wouldn’t have replaced Mathias in the way that they did had it not been very important to God that there be twelve. There were the twelve apostles and there were a total of a hundred and twenty who were waiting together. It’s a multiple of twelve, the total that was there, even though it says “about.” And as I expressed a week or so ago, I don’t know why it says “about” a hundred and twenty. Why it’s not more specific than that but it isn’t. It says “about a hundred and twenty.” But I believe that those twelve and I believe the twelve were included in the one hundred and twenty and they were a type of the firstfruits.
We read in Revelation 14 verses 1 through 4 that it speaks of a hundred and forty-four thousand, once again, a multiple of twelve, twelve times twelve thousand. And it refers to them as the firstfruits. Now whether that’s an absolute number, if there is an absolute number given in the Scriptures for how many firstfruits there will be harvested total, that’s it. Whether that’s a symbolic number or an actual number, I’m not here to say one way or the other. I don’t know for sure. But it is clearly a multiple of twelve and twelve is very important to God in this whole process. So there will be a multiple of twelve, no doubt, as the firstfruits are harvested into the Family of God and the Family of God begins.
Now I want to go to chapter 2 verse 1 here of Acts. Let me just read verses 1 through 4 first of all and then I’ll make a couple of comments. Acts 2 verse 1.
Acts 2:1. When the Day of
Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2) And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they
were sitting. 3) Then there appeared to
them divided tongues, as of fire, and one
sat upon each of them. 4) And they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [or
languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance.
I’m going to get my watch out here. There’s no other means of knowing what time it is in this room. Typically we have a watch or a clock up here on the lectern or else there’s one in the back of the room. So I’d better get my watch out here else we may go beyond what we’re supposed to.
But here we read of this very spectacular giving of the Holy Spirit here to these hundred and twenty. Now here we are seeing these special fifty days beginning to come to a close. The day is not complete yet. Other things are going to happen here and we’re going to read in just a moment. But those fifty days were beginning to come to an end. But at the very same time with the giving of the Holy Spirit what these fifty days, I believe, are a type of was just beginning, was just beginning. This special time, in which we live, this special age in which we live was just beginning.
Let’s go ahead and read now what transpired after this. I think it’s very instructional that we take a note of this as to what it’s saying. It says in verse 4 that
Acts 2:4. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [languages], as the
Spirit gave them utterance. 5) And there
were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
And as was pointed out in the sermonette, several different locations are specifically mentioned.
Then down in verse 11.
Acts
Now here are all of these different people from different
languages and it says specifically from every nation under heaven. So what is this a type of, Brethren? This is a type here. I believe without question it is a type of
something that is going to be fulfilled in a much greater way later. We have these individuals from every nation
under heaven. What are they able to
do? They’re able to hear. What?
What are they able to hear?
They’re able to “hear them speaking in our own tongues.” What?
Acts 2:11b. the wonderful
works of God.”
Here we have individuals then from all over the earth here gathered, experiencing being able to hear the wonderful works of God in their own language. In other words, these individuals are able to communicate to them things that they can understand. Now what is it they’re understanding? The wonderful works of God! What does that include? What is it? Is it what the twelve are privileged to hear? Is it them now communicating those things to others? No doubt, no doubt.
Let’s go on and read.
Acts
They’re not drunk here.
Acts
So what they’re seeing there and what they’re experiencing there is what Joel prophesied of. But is it the ultimate fulfillment of what Joel prophesied? Let’s read. Let’s read what is printed right here.
Acts
Quoting from Joel then.
Acts 2:17b. in the last
days,
Now they may have thought they were living in the last days. They may have thought that Christ was going to return, as we heard in the sermonette, at that time and that all this was going to come to a close very quickly. They may have thought that. We know differently now that those were not the last days in the sense of being near the end of the age by any means. There’s 1977 years past and here we are today. So those weren’t the last days in that sense.
Acts
Now what were we seeing there? We weren’t seeing the ultimate fulfillment of that. This is not going to happen until—perhaps will begin in the Millennium—but won’t really happen to its fullness till the Last Great Day is fulfilled. But He’s saying, “I’ll pour out My Spirit on all flesh.” So what are we are seeing here, Brethren? I think, without question, we’re seeing a type of what is going to occur following the harvesting of the firstfruits into the Family of God. That then those firstfruits are going to be able then along with Jesus Christ to communicate these things in such a manner that everybody is going to be able to understand like we’re able to understand now.
Let’s go ahead and read here. Let’s start again in verse 17.
Acts
Now no question He’s beginning to do that on this day but not in its ultimate fulfillment.
Going on and read and verse 19.
Acts
So this is talking about events that have not begun to happen yet, that are yet to be fulfilled.
And then verse 21.
Acts
So there’s coming a time and this is a type of it when this will occur when ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ It’s interesting that this is quoted, obviously, from Joel from the Old Testament which here the Lord is Yahweh there. In the New Testament it’s Kurios. Same Being, the very same Being. Whoever calls on the name Kurios, whoever calls on this Being who inspired these words to be written and to be understood by us is the One whose name we call on. He is the one who revealed Himself clearly to the twelve and the others and He has revealed Himself clearly to us at this time.
Now back in verse 1 of chapter 2.
Acts 2:1. When the Day of
Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2) And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they
were sitting. 3) Then there appeared to
them divided tongues, as of fire, and one
sat upon each of them. 4) And they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them [language].
So once again we’re seeing these days, these special days, coming to a close and at the same time what these days are a type of are just now beginning.
Now in type we see what the fifty day harvest typified. And I want to just briefly talk about that. Some people feel, I think, that the firstfruits’ harvest occurs on the Day of Pentecost. That that’s what it pictures. Think about it. Go back to Leviticus 23 and what it teaches us. The harvest takes place during the fifty days. Remember the harvest began on Wave Sheaf Sunday morning.
Now let me clarify something here. Some people have a question about this. On the years where Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath, the Wave Sheaf Sunday falls on the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Now the question is: Did they begin their harvest that day? And I say absolutely not! The priests did their work that day which they did on all the Holy Days. They had much work to do, many sacrifices to make, many offerings to offer and this was merely one of them. And they did their work of offering the Wave Sheaf Offering that day.
The harvest, I’m quite confident, did not begin on those years on Wave Sheaf Sunday. The other years, no doubt it did. As soon as that offering was made, the harvest began. And it began and continued through the fifty days. Do you realize not a single grain was harvested on the fiftieth day? It couldn’t have. It’s a Holy Day. They didn’t harvest any of the grain that day. It was harvested in the previous period leading up to it.
There are many people being harvested now. Many people have already been harvested. They were firstfruits. We’re waiting to be. Remember the Two Loaves were offered up on Pentecost. The flour was derived from the grain that was harvested during the fifty days or during the—not fifty days, but forty-nine days. Actually I guess on a year when Passover doesn’t fall on the weekly Sabbath, there were forty-two days of harvest. Six days a week for seven weeks they harvested the grain.
So the flour from the grain that was harvested during that period was baked into Two Loaves and those Two Loaves were presented on Pentecost. The harvest didn’t take place. The harvest had already taken place and they were presented on that day of Pentecost.
If it remains consistent that as the omer that represented Jesus Christ was elevated on Wave Sheaf Sunday morning and that typified Him, the resurrected Christ, ascending and being presented to the Father, presenting Himself to the Father on that morning, if the symbolism continues through, then the waving of the offering up of the Two Waves Loaves then would represent the resurrected saints, the resurrected firstfruits, being presented to the Father.
So you see this is not—the harvest isn’t taking place on that day. The opportunity when the firstfruits are going to be recognized as the firstfruits, no doubt, is going to happen when this day is fulfilled. And we know that the resurrection isn’t going to occur until the seventh trumpet at the return of Jesus Christ. The firstfruits will be resurrected from the dead at that time and then they will at some point in time be presented to the Father.
But this is incredible, Brethren, when we think about our privilege and the honor that we have at this time to have been exposed to the truth that we’ve been exposed to at this time and have been given the same spirit that these individuals were given as this period of time that we live in now began to unfold. It’s an incredible privilege.
Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 20.
1 Corinthians 15:20. But now
Christ is risen from the dead, and
has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
And as we pointed out when we were going through Leviticus 23 a few weeks back, the word “firstfruits” there speaking of Christ is a different Hebrew word than the one later used in Leviticus 23 referring to the firstfruits that are going to be harvested during this period. There’s two different Hebrew words altogether.
He was a firstfruit. He was the First of the firstfruits as we’re all recognized as firstfruits.
1 Corinthians 15:20. But now
Christ is risen from the dead, and
has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Notice: “of those who have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:21. For
since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
The hope of the firstfruits is in the resurrection from the dead. If we’re not resurrected from the dead, most of us would never have an opportunity because very few of us are going to be alive at the return of Jesus Christ. Very few of the total number of firstfruits are going to be alive at that time, only a handful actually. Most are going to be in the grave waiting a resurrection from the dead. And that is our hope. For most of us that’s our hope is a resurrection from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:21. For
since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
all shall be made alive.
And so there in Joel when he talked about there that God inspired that He’s going to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, the all are going to be made alive at some point in time and all will have an opportunity to, a privilege to receive of God’s Holy Spirit at that time whenever that is for them.
1 Corinthians 15:22. For as
in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
I think that we ought to read this really slow and drink it in and attempt to appreciate what this is saying because if we truly are one of the firstfruits, then we are one of those who are called Christ’s, who are Christ’s. Now an incredible, incredible privilege! When you think of it, those one hundred and twenty or ever how many totally experienced being there with Christ at that time were highly privileged, but we are very privileged. Incredibly privileged to be among those who are called Christ’s now!
In James chapter 1, let’s go there. James chapter 1 and verse 17.
James 1:17. Every good gift
and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18) Of His own will He brought us forth by
the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Or of His creation, what They are in the process of working out now. By God’s own will, by His choice and His determination, He brought us forth by the word of truth and we are included among those who are called firstfruits during this age at this time.
In Revelation 14 verses 1 to 4, we referred to that earlier
where it mentions the firstfruits there again and numbers them as a hundred and
forty-four thousand. And apparently
there will be a total of a hundred and forty-four thousand either symbolically
or literally. One way or the other there
will be that many firstfruits that will enter the Family of God. And, again, it’s a multiple of twelve. So it was a hundred and twenty, a multiple of
twelve, made the nucleus of the
Here we are, Brethren, 1977 years later than what those individuals experienced and we find ourselves part of this spiritual organism that began on that day 1977 years ago. One of the specially called and we are, as one of the specially called, we’ve been included among the firstfruits. All of us having been called and chosen by God Himself to receive this very special gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
If you want to give a title to this message, you can title it Our Special Calling, Our Special Calling.
That very special gift that entered into us at our baptism makes us unique. What is it, Brethren, that results from God’s Holy Spirit being in us that makes us unique? What is it that sets us apart? I hinted at this on the last sermon that I gave. But what is it that distinguishes the true firstfruits from all other human beings on the earth? There are many thousands, probably I could safely say many millions of people—it would be absolutely true—many millions of people feel that they have God’s Holy Spirit. What is it that makes those who truly have God’s Holy Spirit unique from the rest?
I want to go back to James 1 and expand on that a little bit more. We just basically read it the first time through. Let’s spend a little bit more time here. James 1 and verse 18.
James 1:18. Of His own will
This is speaking of the Father of lights. We spent some time in a sermon at least one sermon—I don’t know if it was a series or not—on the Father of lights. Jesus Christ came into the world as the Light of the world and it speaks of us that we are to be lights and it speaks here of the Father as being the Father of lights. So we tend to read over things like this at times but it says, “Of His own will.” Of this Being’s own will
James 1:18b. He brought us
forth
God the Father personally selected us for this tremendous privilege. And it says here
James 1:18. Of His own will
He brought us forth
Now in The New International Version it renders that
James 1:18b. He chose to
give us birth
The Jerusalem Bible has it
James 1:18b. He made us His
children
The Philips renders it
James 1:18b. He made us His
own sons
“He made us His own sons.”
Hold your place there and turn back to John chapter 1 and in verse 6. We’ll begin to read here of John the Baptist. I’m going to read this as it flows through. John 1 verse 6.
John 1:6. There was a man
sent from God, whose name was
John. 7) This man came for a witness, to
bear witness of the Light,
Once again, here is Jesus Christ referred to as the Light.
John 1:7b. that all through
him might believe. 8) He was not that
Light,
That is John wasn’t.
John 1:8b. but [he] was sent to bear witness of that
Light. 9) That was the true Light which
gives light [Notice this!] to every man [who comes] into the world.
So Jesus Christ has the ultimate responsibility of sharing what He shared with the twelve and the others that were present there during those forty days, He has a responsibility of sharing that precious truth with every human being who has ever lived or ever will live on this earth. They will be exposed to this light and it’s His responsibility to do that.
John 1:9. That was the true
Light which gives light to every man [who comes] into the world.
And we understand that, no doubt, without question, we’re going to have the privilege and the honor under Him, under His direction of sharing this precious truth with others, sharing this light, being a light to others at that time when this is ultimately fulfilled.
But verse 10.
John 1:10. He was in the
world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and His own did not
receive Him. 12) But
Verse 12.
John 1:12. But as many as
received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, [even] to
those who believe in His name: 13) Who
were born [or begotten], not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God.
So it was God who chose who it was who would have this privilege and this right to become children of God.
So back here in James 1 verse 18.
James 1:18. Of His own will
He brought us forth
He chose to give us a begettal for we are begotten children of His, begotten sons of His. And how does it happen?
James 1:18b. by the word of
truth,
Now, knowing these mysteries of God was necessary for the
twelve. It was necessary for those whom
He shared it with during those forty days.
It’s also very important for us to know the mysteries of the
James 1:18. Of His own will
He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of
firstfruits of His creatures.
Of what He is doing, what He is in the process of creating now as He’s expanding His Family.
2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13.
2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we
are bound to give thanks to God always for you,
And here Paul is writing to these individuals.
2 Thessalonians 2:13b. [to]
you, brethren beloved by the Lord,
So he’s writing to individuals who are included among those who can be called brethren of Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we
are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord,
because God from the beginning chose you for salvation
How and what was the process?
2 Thessalonians 2:13b. through
sanctification
Through setting apart by two things.
2 Thessalonians
So even before the foundation of the world we read in Ephesians 1, God decided that He was going to call the firstfruits. It was part of His plan that it would begin. This is all very orderly and very precise. And He knew at the time that it was going to begin when it did. Now we know that there were certain firstfruits even chosen beginning with Abel and others, select individuals. Never though was there a time in the Old Testament when a group was called together and formed a church. Jesus Christ said, ‘I will build My church.” And He began to do that on that day, this very day 1977 years ago when the Spirit of God was given. But the truth goes hand in hand and it is absolutely necessary that we have God’s Spirit, but that we also have what comes as a result of that and that is the truth. Those who have been granted the Holy Spirit will also, Brethren, have the truth. They’ll have the truth of who He is and what He is doing. It absolutely will be given. It has to be. It’s necessary. It’s vital to us to know these things.
Let’s go to John 6. How is it we know that every one has this? John 6. It is the responsibility of the Father Himself to communicate it. This vital information comes from the Father. Let’s go to John 6 very quickly beginning in verse 37. John 6 verse 37.
John 6:37. “All that the
Father gives Me will come to Me [Christ said.], and the one who comes to Me I
will by no means cast out. 38) “For I
have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent
Me. 39) “This is the will of the Father
who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should
raise it up at the last day.
So there was no way that Christ is going to fail in this process. Can we fail? Of course. He can’t. He’s going to do His utmost to bring this to completion. That we will be, every one of the firstfruits, will be raised up at the last day. That’s His intent. That’s His purpose. That’s His role actually at this time.
Verse 40.
John 6:40. “And this is the
will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may
have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
So it is Their plan. They’re going to have a certain number in Their Family beginning when this day is completed. There is no question about that. It is Their plan, Their purpose. They’re going to bring it about.
Verse 41.
John 6:41. The Jews then
[murmured] against Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from
heaven.”
Let me drop on down to verse 44.
John 6:44. “No one can come
to Me
And He talks about individuals coming to Him here in these verses we just read.
John 6:44. “No one can come
to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the
last day.
Then verse 45 and it’s very assuring that we understand and know this.
John 6:45. “It is written in
the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned
from the Father comes to Me.
So the Father is directly involved in communicating certain information to us. It’s consistent among the firstfruits that they understand certain things and it must be those things that He taught the twelve in particular, the eleven in particular, during those forty days, who He was and what He was doing would result in. That who They are and what They are doing, that information is unique, Brethren, to us. Do you understand that? Without God’s Holy Spirit you cannot fully appreciate who Jesus Christ actually is and what He has done. You cannot appreciate it. You cannot come to deeply and truly understand it without God’s Holy Spirit. You cannot grasp and understand. You think it’s blasphemy to think that we can actually become full brothers in the very Family of God with Jesus Christ. It’s not known. People don’t understand that. We do. It’s an incredible, incredible privilege that we have.
Back here in 2 Thessalonians, did I ask you to hold your place there? I probably didn’t. Back in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 13.
2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we
are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord,
because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14) To which He called you by our
gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
We have been called to experience the very glory of God, to actually participate in the very Family of God and share in all that They will do from this point forward.
We could go to 1 Corinthians 2 verses 6 through 14 there or so and show that the only way you can understand these precious truths, which are called “things of God” there, the only way you can understand them is with God’s Spirit. It very clearly points that out. You can’t understand them without God’s Spirit. And “these things of God” are the things that Jesus Christ communicated to them during those forty days and He’s communicated to us during this period of time in which we live. God ordained before the ages that we should participate in this. Maybe not us personally specifically, but that firstfruits be called.
We are so privileged, Brethren, to have been selected by God to share in the experience that we’re experiencing at this time. It’s a most incredible experience, and, if we’re not careful, if we’re not careful, we’ll have failed to appreciate it. If we don’t think about it, if we don’t spend time looking at what these Scriptures are saying as to what is happening in our lives, we won’t appreciate it. We’ll take it as just routine and we’ll take it lightly and then we won’t appreciate what God is doing. It is so important, I think, that we take time, especially on these days, to think deeply about what God is doing in our lives.
Let’s go to Romans 8. We’re going to close there. Romans chapter 8, we’ll begin in verse 14.
Romans 8:14. For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
We’re granted God’s Holy Spirit but it really is up to us as to whether we’re going to follow its lead or not. It speaks in other places of “grieving” God’s Spirit. It’s important that we follow what this Spirit of God is inspiring and guiding us to do.
Romans 8:14. For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15) For you did not receive the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by [which] we
cry out, “Abba, Father.” [Daddy,
Father.] 16) The Spirit [itself] bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17) And if children, then [we are] heirs—[we
are] heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified
together [with Him].
That’s, Brethren, in our future. When this day is fulfilled, when we’re presented to the Father which those Two Waves Loaves represent—I believe without question. Remember they were elevated along with some animal sacrifices at the same time. I believe Jesus Christ will be at our side at this point in time. What an honor! What an absolute privilege it is for us to understand and know not only who God is and what They’re doing but who we are and what a privilege and what an honor it is to know what we know and to have what we have.
Verse 18.
Romans 8:18. For I consider
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Do you realize there’s coming a day when the true Jesus Christ will be introduced to all of those alive in the Millennium and then finally all of those that are resurrected from the dead who never ever knew Him? But at the same time the firstfruits will be introduced alongside of Him? Brethren, that’s in our future. That’s in our future.
Verse 19.
Romans 8:19. For the earnest
expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
That we’ll be revealed at some point.
Romans 8:20. For the
creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who
subjected it in hope; 21) Because the creation itself also will be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
children of God. 22) For we know that
the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23) Not only [they], but we also who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves eagerly
waiting
Remember those individuals on the fortieth day were commanded to wait. We are having to wait much longer than they did for the type to be fulfilled. We’re having to wait much longer. They had to exercise a certain amount of patience to wait for the time that they did. We are needing to exercise patience as we wait.
Romans 8:23. [And] Not only
[they], but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption
of our body.
Transcribed by kb