Un v e il ing of God no 2 0 0

“W ith in th e v e il Fe b rua ry 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 A M B ri a n K o c o u rek, P a s to r

L e t u s st a n d to o u r fe e t a n d o p e n o u r Bib l e s t o 1 Corinth ia n s 1 5 a n d re a d f o r o u r te x t fro m t h e 10 th ve rse.

1 Co rinthia ns 1 5 :10 B u t b y t h e g race o f G o d I a m wh a t I a m : a n d h is g race whic h was b e sto w e d u p o n m e w a s n o t in v a in; b u t I la b o red m o re a b u n d a n tly t h a n th e y a ll : y e t n o t I , b u t t h e g race o f G o d w h ich was wi th m e .

L e t u s p ray

Th is m o rnin g we wi ll p i ck u p in o u r st u d y o f b roth e r B ran h a m ’s se r m o n T he Un v e i li ng of God a n d th is wi ll b e n u m b e r 200 in o u r se ri e s since we b e g a n th is stu d y b a ck o n M a rc h 1 8 , o f 2 0 1 8 . In just a co u p le m o re w e e ks w e wi ll h a v e b e e n in th i s stu d y fo r th re e f u ll ye a rs.

I a m ju st a m a z e d e a ch we e k a s we lo o k a t o n e t h o u g h t a t a t im e , a n d t o se e t h e jo u rn e y we g o n e th rou g h a s we ta ke e a ch t h o u g h t Go d ’s vi n d icat e d p ro p h e t b ro u g h t to o u r a tt e n tio n a n d t h e n ta ke it a n d ru n it f ro m Ge n e s is th ro u g h Rev e la ti ons .

T h e refo re t h is m o rnin g we wil l p ick u p wh e r e we lef t o ff la st we e k, a n d b e g in o u r r e a d i n g fro m p a rag rap h 1 8 5 whe re h e s a id, Don 't tr y to b e a M o se s . Don ' t try to b e a A a ron . Don 't. .. J us t b e w h o y o u a re , bu t b e a Chri s tia n .”

A n d we fi n d th a t is e xa ctly wha t th e a p o s tle P a u l t a u g h t u s a s we re a d fr o m o u r te xt t h is m o rnin g , B u t b y t h e g r a ce o f Go d I a m w h a t I a m.

Th e n h e co n tin u e s, W o u ld y o u , wi th yo u r h e a d s b o wed , rais e y o u r h a n d s t o Go d a n d sa y, " L o rd G o d , h e l p m e ins id e th e v e il . " Go d b less yo u . Go d b less y o u . Th a t just .. . L o o k a t t h e h a n d s. Ou tsid e , rememb e r, I m igh t n o t e ve r se e yo u r h a n d . It isn't worth m u ch fo r m e to se e it a n yh o w; it is, Go d . I t o n ly.. . To m e , it just m a ke s m e s e e th a t th e S e e d h a s fe ll so m e wh e re, B u t G o d s e e s th e r e a l h e a rt . If t h e re a re a n y o th e rs th a t d idn ' t raise t h e i r h a n d s, th a t wan t to b e raise d n o w, raise yo u r h a n d s a n d b e rememb e red in p raye r, raise yo u r h a n d s. G o d b less yo u . T h a t's g o o d . Go d b less yo u .

Now, th is m o rnin g I w o u ld li ke t o loo k a t t h e se 3 s h o rt, v e ry sh o r t sta t e m e n ts b roth e r B ran h a m m a k e s a s h e is clo sing o u t th is m e s sa g e i n p ray e r.

He sa ys, No 1 ) J us t b e wh o y o u a re , bu t b e a Ch ris ti a n . Y o u kn o w th a t is s o ve r y im p o rt a n t fo r u s t o g e t o u r e y e s o ff o f o u r fle s h , o u r ve il , a n d o n to Chri st who li ve s insid e th e v e il . Go d d o e sn ’t l o o k a t wha t yo u d o a n d wha t yo u h a v e n o t d o n e , b u t h e loo ks a t th e h e a rt . A t wha t yo u r d e sir e s a re to b e in y o u r h e a rt. A n d I a m su re th a t m o st o f u s wa n t to b e L ike C h ri st, so th a t is wha t Go d is lo o ki n g a t.

No2 ) H e sa ys, raise y o u r h a n d s to G o d a n d sa y, " L o rd Go d , he l p m e i ns id e th e v e il .” B e ca u s e with o u t th e g r a ce o f Go d we c a n n e v e r b e wh a t h e h a s o rda ine d u s t o b e . A s P a u l sa i d in o u r te x t, B u t b y t h e g rac e o f Go d I a m w ha t I a m.”

A n d we kn o w th a t Go d lo o ks t h rou g h t h e b loo d o f Hi s s o n a n d se e s u s a s p e rfe ct a s h e sa w Hi s o wn so n . A n d we kn o w t h a t He whic h b e g a n t h e wo rk i n u s sh a ll co m p le te it ”. A n d t h a t it is G o d wo r king in u s b o th to wi ll a n d t o d o His g o o d p lea su re.

No3 ) H e sa ys Go d s e e s th e r e a l h e a rt .” F or he I the di s c e rne r of the intents of e v e r y ma n s he a rt” , S o h e kn o ws y o u r d e sir e s a n d it is the Fa th e rs good ple a s ure to giv e y ou th e k ingd om.

Now, it is int e rest in g b u t a ll t h ree o f th e se sta te m e n ts re m ind m e o f a st a te m e n t th a t M a rti n L u th e r o n c e s a id, a n d I c a m e a cross th a t st a te m e n t l a st w e e k a s we were o u t h a ving lu n ch with se v e ral fa m il ies in t h e ch u rch.

M a rti n L u th e r sa id , w he n I look a t m y s e lf, I don’t s e e how I c a n be s a v e d . Bu t wh e n I look a t C hri s t, I don’ t s e e how I c a n be los t .”

A n d t h a t a b o u t su m s u p wha t B r o th e r B ran h a m was te ll in g u s h e re, whe n h e sa id, ju s t b e wh o y o u a r e , but be a Ch ris tia n . A n d t h e n s e tt in g th a t fo u n d a tio n a l tru th in yo u r m ind , t h e n raise u p yo u r h a n d s a n d s a y, Lord God, h e lp m e ins id e th e v e i l . B e ca u s e h e sa ys , God s e e s th e re a l he a rt .

A n d I a m so g lad t h a t o u r Go d , th e crea to r o f th e h e a v e n s a n d e a rt h , I a m s o g la d He i s S p ir it a n d th e refo re He d o e s n o t loo k u p o n m y fle sh , a n d a ll th e sh o rtc o m in g s o f th is fl e sh , b u t rath e r He loo ks in side o f th e ve il o f th is fle sh d o wn int o t h e h e a rt a n d He s e e s Hi s S p ir it wi th in, a n d t h e S o u l t h a t is tra p p e d b y t h e v e il o f th is fle sh , a n d He s e e s wi th in t h is ve il a S o u l a n d S p i ri t t h a t lo n g s to b e li ke Hi m , a n d to be c onf orme d to His fir s t bor n s on . ( Ro m 8 :29 )

A n d a s lo n g a s we h a v e th a t d e sir e wi th in th is ve il , we ca n sa y a s Jo b sa id in J ob 2 5 “F o r I k now th a t my re d e e me r li v e th , a nd th a t he s ha ll s tand a t th e la tt e r da y upon th e e a rth : 26 A n d th o u g h a ft e r m y skin worm s d e stro y t h is b o d y , y e t in my fle s h s h a ll I s e e God : 27 W h o m I s h a ll s e e fo r m y s e lf , a n d mine e y e s s ha ll be ho ld , a n d n o t a n o t h e r; th o u g h m y re ins b e co n su m e d wit h in m e .”

Now, if h is rein s a re c o n su m e d wi th in h im , t h e n h e is n o t s p e a kin g o f h is p h ysical e y e s se e ing Go d , b u t t h e e y e s o f h is h e a rt. A n d we kn o w th e e y e s of y ou r he a r a r e th e e y e s of y our unders tandin g a s t h e a p o stle P a u l t a u g h t u s in E phes ia ns 1 . A n d th a t is e xa c tly wha t t h e A p o stl e P a u l p rop h e sied w o u ld t a ke p lace wit h in u s a t t h e e n d tim e .

E phes ia n s 1 :1 7 “T h a t th e God of our Lord J e s u s Ch ris t ,” (so h e sa ys t h a t o u r L o r d Je su s Chri st h a s a G o d , a n d t h is Go d is) th e Fa th e r of glory ,” (th e Fa th e r o f Dox a , which is th e opinions , v a lue s a nd judgme nt s of G od , a n d h e g o e s o n b y sa ying t h a t T h is Go d who is t h e Fa t h e r o f o u r lord J e su s C h ri st is a lso o u r Fa t h e r, a n d h i s p raye r is th a t He ) “m a y g ive u n to u s th e s piri t of w is dom a n d re v e l a tion in the k no wl e dge of him :”

S o G o d s a id h e w o u ld giv e u s th e S piri t of W is dom a nd Re v e l a tion in th e k now le dg e of hims e lf.” I n o th e r W o rds He wan ts t o g iv e u s wi sd o m to k n o w h i m n o t o n ly a s o u r Go d b u t a ls o a s o u r Fat h e r, a n d t h a t c a n o n ly co m e t h rou g h t h is wi sd o m He p rom ise d t o g ive u s a s we ll a s t h ro u g h t h e re ve a li n g o f Hi m s e lf a s He p rom ise d t o d o .

A n d n e v e r fo r g e t th e w o rd reve l a tio n i s n o t so m e m e n t a l th i n g th a t w e ca n co n jure u p , b u t th e word re v e l a tion m e a n s th e m a nifes t a tion of Div ine Trut h .” S o t h e ref o re t h e re i s

b o th W isd o m which h a s to d o wi t h th e m ind c o u p le d wi th e xp e ri e n ce , a n d a ls o re v e l a tion which h a s to d o wi th b e ing a b le t o se e t h e m a n if e sta tio n o f Hi m . M a n ife sta tio n o f Hi s Di vine t ruth .

A n d th e n P a u l g o e s o n to te ll u s h o w t h is wi ll c o m e a b o u t, wh e n h e sa ys in ve rse 18 “T h a t Th e e y e s o f y ou r unders tanding m a y b e e n li g h t e n e d ; t h a t y e m a y kn o w wha t is th e h o p e (th e e a rn e st e x p e cta tio n ) o f His ca ll i n g ,” (H is invita tio n ) “an d wha t t h e ri ch e s o f th e glory (th e d o xa , t h e o p inio n s , va lu e s, a n d ju d g m e n ts) o f Hi s inhe rita nc e in th e sa int s,”

Now, m a n b e ca u se h e is fle sh , h e t h in ks o f inh e ri ta n c e a s b e ing th ings o r poss e s s ions which o n e rece ives th r o u g h th e p a ssin g a way o f t h e o n e wh o o wne d th o se th ing s o r th o s e p o sse ssio n s b e in g p a sse d o n to h im u p o n d e a th o f a f a th e r, g ran d f a th e r e tc .

M a n t h inks th a t way b e ca u se m a n is a tt a ch e d to th e e a rth wi th h is fiv e o u te r se n se s, a n d so wh e n h e t h inks o f i n h e ri ta n ce h e t h inks in te r m s o f th in g s th a t h e ca n se e , t a ste , fe e l, sm e ll a n d h e a r.

B u t th e re is a n o th e r a s p e ct o f inh e ri ta n c e t h a t n e e d n o t h a v e th e d e a th o f t h e Fa th e r, fo r a n a th le te o ft e n inh e ri t s h is Fa th e rs h u m a n p h ysical ch a ract e ri stics, o r h e m ig h t in h e ri t h is fa th e r’ s a t h let ici sm , a n d sta tu re, b u t sinc e m a n is o n ly 1 / 3 fle s h a n d 2 / 3 ’s s p ir it a n d so u l, t h e re fo re we s h o u ld t h ink i n t e rm s o f G o d ’s inh e ri ta n ce a s S p ir itu a l sinc e He is S p ir it.

B u t Je s u s sa i d , Go d i s S p ir it, a n d t h e y t h a t worsh ip h im , m u st wor sh ip h im in s p ir it a n d tru th ”.

A n d th e refo re , wh a t we a re to inh e ri t fro m Go d h a s n o th i n g to d o wi th whe re we a re g o ing to li ve su ch a s th e New Je rusa lem . Th a t h a s n o th in g to d o wi th o u r inh e ri ta n c e rea ll y . W h a t we inh e ri t fro m Go d m o r e d ir e ctl y a s h is ch il d ren a r e h is a tt ri b u te s a n d ch a ract e ri stics, s u ch a s Hi s n a tu re, Hi s S p ir it a n d Hi s W o rd, a n d Hi s Doxa which is Hi s Op inio n s , Hi s va l u e s, a n d Hi s Ju d g m e n ts . A n d th o se t h ing s c a n b e inh e ri te d th is side o f th e re s u rr e ctio n .

I h o p e th is m a k e s m o re se n se n o w wh e n yo u rea d wha t P a u l sa id, 18 “T h a t Th e e y e s of y ou r unders tanding m a y b e e n li g h te n e d ;” (th a t is wha t th e W isdo m is s u p p o se d to d o , a n d t h a t is wha t t h e m a n ife st a tio n o f G o d is s u p p o se d to d o f o r u s, t o h e lp u s t o se e wha t th e rea l i m p o rt a n t t h in g s wi th Go d a re a n d t h a t th o se a re t h e t h ing s th a t we in h e ri t, su c h a s His Go d li n e ss, w h ich is Go d - li ke n e ss, His Nat u re, Hi s S p ir it, Hi s o p i n ion s , Hi s va lu e s, a n d Hi s jud g m e n ts. B e ca u se wh e th e r yo u h a v e a n yt h ing o n t h e o t h e r side o r n o t, yo u a re co n te n t b e ca u se y o u h a ve h i m .)

A n d th e n P a u l sa ys , h e o p e n s u p th e e y e s o f our unders tanding i n o rd e r “th a t ye m a y kn o w wha t is th e h o p e (th e e a rne s t e xp e cta t ion ) o f His ca ll ing ,” (T h a t’s Hi s invita tio n ) “an d w h a t th e ri ch e s o f th e glory (H is d o x a , Hi s o p inio n s, Hi s va lu e s, a n d Hi s jud g m e n ts) o f His inh e rita nc e in t h e sa i n ts,

Not ice h e n e v e r sa id , inh e ri ta n ce fo r t h e s a in ts ”, b u t Hi s i nh e r ita n c e IN t h e s a int s,”

Now, th is word inh e ri tanc e was ta k e n fro m a Gre e k word Kl e ro nomia which sim p ly m e a n s he ir - s hip o r po s s e s s ion a s a n he ir .

Now, it is in te rest in g t h a t t h e E n g li sh W o rd f o r inhe rita nc e h a s two d iffe ren t p a th s it t a ke s in sp e a king o f in h e ri tin g fro m o u r Fa t h e r. Th e 1 st s p e a ks o f s om e - th ing th a t is o r m a y be inhe r ite d ; a s in proper ty p a ssin g a t th e o wne r' s d e a th t o th e h e i r o r th o s e e n title d to su cce e d ; b u t t h e n t h e re is a n o th e r w h ich sim p ly sp e a ks o f le g a cy .

A n d th e n if we g o fu rth e r int o th e 2 nd d e fin ition , we b e g in t o lo o k a t th e ge ne tic c ha ra c ters tr a ns mitte d from pa re nt to of fs pring, tak e n c oll e c ti v e ly . s ome th ing, a s a qual ity , o r c ha r a c teri s tic , o r o th e r imm a teri a l poss e s s i on , re c e i v e d from progenitors or pre d e c e s s ors a s if by s uc c e s s ion: a n inhe r ita n c e of fami l y pr ide . port ion; birthright ; he rita ge : In o t h e r word s, Ab s olute rul e w a s c onsi d e re d th e inhe rita nc e of k ings .”

Th e refo re inhe r ita nc e sp e a ks o f m u c h m o re th a n just th in g s, o r p h ysical p o sse ssio n s . It sp e a ks o f posi tion , na tu re , c h a ra c t e ris tic s , a n d a tt ributes which m a y b e b o t h p h ysical a n d s p ir itu a l.

Now, let ’s rea d th is sta te m e n t a g a in so we ca n b e g in t o d e v e lop a b e tt e r a p p recia tio n fo r th e inhe rita n c e Go d h a s fo r u s. Fo r P a u l te ll s u s th e W is dom a n d Rev e la tion in th e k nowle dge of God is su p p o se d to h e lp u s t o unders tand e ve ryth i n g G o d h a s f o r u s in te rm s o f Hi s God na tu re in u s .

In o th e r word s, h e sp e a ks o f His God Life , Hi s God opinions , His God v a lue s , His God J udgments .

On ce we p o ss e ss th e se Go d a tt ri b u t e s a n d ch a ract e ri stics, we wi ll u n d e rsta n d t h e im p o rt a n ce o f th e o rde r in th e fa m il y, G o d a s o u r Fa th e r a n d Chri st th e first b o rn in o u r fa m il y a s t h e ro le m o d e l fo r a ll so n s t o live.

A n d h e sa ys we inhe r it a ll t h is. S o th e o r d e r a n d D o xa a n d Go d ’s W o rd a n d His n a tu re a n d His li fe is a ll e n c o m p a ssi n g a s o u r inhe rita nc e .

Th e a p o stle P a u l sa id i n E phes ia ns 1 :17 “T h a t th e God of our Lor d J e s u s Ch ris t , th e Fa th e r of glory ,” (T h e fa th e r o f Doxa ) m a y g ive u n t o y o u th e s piri t of wi s dom a n d re v e l a tion i n th e k no wl e dg e o f him .”

A n d th a t is g ive n in o rde r 18 “T h a t Th e e y e s o f y ou r unders tanding m a y b e e n li g h t e n e d ;” A n d “th a t ye m a y kn o w wha t is t h e h o p e o f His ca ll ing ”, a n d “w h a t t h e ri ch e s o f th e glor y o f Hi s inh e rita nc e in t h e s a int s,”

A n d n o t o n ly th is b u t h e a lso sa ys i n ve rse 19 “An d wh a t is th e e x c e e ding gre a tn e s s of his powe r t o us - w a rd who b e li e ve , a c c ordi n g to th e work ing of his mighty powe r ,” 20 W h ich p o wer h e w r ough t in Chri s t , whe n h e ra ise d h im f rom th e d e a d ,”

So it is a lso to h e lp u s u n d e rsta n d t h is resu rr e ctio n p o wer th a t lays wi th in th e ve il o f o u r fle sh .

P a u l co n tin u e s, a n d s e t him a t his own right ha nd in th e h e a ve n ly p lace s , 21 Fa r a b o ve a ll p ri n cipa li ty, a n d p o wer, a n d m igh t, a n d d o m inio n , a n d e v e ry n a m e th a t is n a m e d , no t only in th is wor ld, but a ls o in th a t whi c h i s t o c ome : 22 A n d h a th put a ll th ings under his fee t , a n d g a v e h im to b e th e h e a d o ve r a ll th in g s t o t h e ch u rc h , 2 3 W h ich is h is b o d y, th e f u lne ss o f h im t h a t fill e th a ll in a ll .”

S o wh e n y o u l o o k a t th is inh e ri ta n ce IN t h e sa int s ”, y o u ’r e n o t loo king a t th e o u twa rd fle sh , o r a n yth i n g to d o wi th th e o u twa rd fle sh , b u t P a u l h e re is g e tt ing u s to f o cu s o n wha t is ins ide th e v e i l o f o u r h u m a n ity, a n d th a t’s rea ll y wha t we w il l inhe rit . A n d it is th is p roce ss t h a t we w a n t t o e x a m i n e t h is m o rnin g .

A n d in o rd e r to d o s o , l e t’s a g a in lo o k a t b ro th e r B ran h a m ’s th re e st a te m e n ts, a n d s e e if th is is n o t e xa ctly wha t h e is te ll ing u s. B e ca u se h e t o ld u s t h a t h e o n ly ta u g h t wha t P a u l ta u g h t, s o le t’s j u st rea d a g a in wh a t b r o th e r B ran h a m s a id.

He sa id, No 1 ) J us t b e wh o y o u a r e , bu t b e a Chris tia n . T h a t is n o t ta lki n g a b o u t yo u r fle sh , Th a t’s t a lki n g a b o u t y o u r so u l a n d yo u r sp ir it.

No. 2 ) H e s a id, raise y o u r h a n d s to G o d a n d sa y, " L o rd Go d , he l p m e i ns id e th e v e il .

Y o u s e e , it’s a ll a b o u t wha t’s in side t h e ve il . Th a t’s wh a t Go d wa n ts u s t o se e . W e sin g th e s o n g , W ithin th e v e il I now ha v e c ome ”, n u m b e r 204 in o u r b e h o ld b o o ks.

“W ithin th e V e il , I no w ha v e c ome , into t he Holy P la c e , I l ook u pon Thy Fa c e , I s e e s uc h be a ut y he re , no ne other c a n c ompa r e I w or s hip The e my Lord, w ithin th e v e il .”

A n d t h a t is wh a t t h e a p o stle P a u l was ref e rr ing to wh e n h e sp o ke in 1 Co rinthia ns 1 3 :1 2 a b o u t loo ki n g u p o n Hi s fa ce . B e c a u se whe n we se e Hi m fa c e t o fa ce we a re ch a n g e t o b e like h im .

W e rea d in Co los s ia n s 3 :4 W h e n Chri st, who is o u r li fe , s ha ll a pp e a r , (sha l l p h a n e r o o , whic h m e a n s t o m a n ife s t i n h i s tru e ch a ract e r ) He sa ys th e n a t th a t tim e o f Hi s a p p e a ri n g , Hi s p h a n e ro o , Hi s m a n ife st a tio n , th e n sh a ll ye a lso a ppea r” ( Th e n sh a l l yo u a lso p h a n e roo , o r m a n if e s t i n yo u r tru e ch a r a cte r ) wi th h im in glory .” (w ith h i m in d o xa , wi t h h im in h is o p ini o n s, v a lue s, a n d jud g m e n ts . ) S o yo u r e xp ressin g th e sa m e o p inio n s , va lue s a n d ju d g m e n ts a s yo u s e e in Hi s is wh a t c h a n g e s yo u fro m d o xa to d o x a a n d t h e n fro m i m a g e t o im a g e .

A n d a g a i n in 1 Corinth ia ns 1 3 :12 Fo r n o w w e se e t h ro u g h a g lass, d a rkl y; b u t th e n fa ce t o f a ce : n o w I kn o w in p a rt; b u t t h e n s h a l l I kn o w e ve n a s a ls o I a m kn o wn.

A n d t h e n in 2 Co rinthia ns 3 Th e a p o stle P a u l te ll s u s h o w th is tra n s fo rm a tio n is to t a k e p lace .

2 Co rinthia ns 3 :1 2 S e e ing th e n th a t we h a ve su ch h o p e , we u s e g rea t p lain n e ss o f sp e e c h : 13 A n d n o t a s M o se s, which put a v e il ov e r his fa c e , t h a t th e ch il d re n o f Isra e l co u ld n o t s te a d fa stly lo o k t o th e e n d o f t h a t w h ich is a b o li sh e d : 14 B u t th e i r m inds we r e blinde d : f o r u n til th i s d a y remain e th th e s a me v e il u n t a ke n a way in th e re a d ing o f th e o ld te st a m e n t ; which v e il is done a wa y in Ch ris t . 15 B u t e v e n u n to t h is d a y, whe n M o se s is rea d , th e v e il is u p o n th e ir h e a rt. 16 Neve rt h e less whe n th e h e a rt sh a ll tu rn to th e L o rd, th e ve il sh a ll b e ta ke n a way. 17 Now t h e L o rd is th a t S p ir it: a n d wh e re th e S p ir it o f th e L o rd is , t h e re is li b e rty. 18 B u t w e a ll , wi th o p e n fa ce (no lon g e r l o o king a t t h e ve il o f o u r fle sh ) b e h o ldin g a s in a m ir ror th e g lory (do x a ) o f th e L o rd, a re c h a n g e d int o th e s a m e im a g e f rom g l o ry to g lo ry, e ve n a s b y t h e S p ir it o f t h e L o rd.

Th a t is why th e a p o stl e Jo h n to ld u s in 1 J o hn 3 :2, B e lov e d , n o w a re we th e s o n s o f Go d , a n d it d o th n o t ye t a p p e a r wha t we sh a ll b e : b u t we k n o w th a t, w h e n he s ha ll a ppea r (ph a n e roo ) , w e s h a ll b e l ik e him ; fo r w e s ha ll s e e him a s h e i s .”

A n d o u r se e ing h im a s He rea ll y is b ri n g s u s t o co n fo rm to Hi s I m a g e . A n d t h a t c a n n o t b e a cco m p li sh e d a s lo n g a s t h e re is a v e il we a r e lo o king a t . S o we m u st s h u ck th e v e il o f se lf, o u r fle s h a n d loo k o n ly u p o n Hi s W o rd h id d e n in o u r h e a rt, wi th in th e ve il so t o sp e a k , a n d o u r loo kin g is n o t wi th o u r p h ysic a l e y e s b u t wi th t h e e y e s o f o u r h e a rt , which is t h e e ye s o f o u r u n d e rsta n d ing , a n d th e n whe n we d o th a t we b e co m e e n li g h t e n e d a n d tra n sfo r m e d b y t h e re n e wi n g o f th e m ind .

S o we sin g t h e so n g is “W ithin th e V e i l, I no w ha v e c ome , into th e Ho ly P l a c e , I look upon Thy Fa c e , I s e e s uc h be a ut y h e re , no ne ot he r c a n c ompa r e I wors h ip The e m y Lord, w ithin th e v e il .”

Th is so n g is n o t a b o u t loo king in to a v e il w h i c h God s tands be hin d , b u t is lo o kin g wi th in th e ve il o f yo u r o wn fle sh , t h a t I n o w h a ve co m e , i n to th e Ho ly p lace wh e re I c a n loo k u p o n His F a ce , Hi s W o rd, a n d with in t h is ve il I se e su c h b e a u ty h e re, n o n e o th e r ca n co m p a re.

A n d it is wi t h in t h is v e i l” I co m e t o wo rs h ip t h e e m y L o rd, wi th in th e v e il . ( wi th - in which me a n s in side o f th is ve il I h a ve n o w c o m e .)

A n d w e kn o w th a t J e su s to ld u s t h a t it is in th is d a y w h e n we a re t o re ce ive Hi s Doxa , t h a t He wou ld c o m e a n d m a n ife st Him se lf to u s, a n d m a ke h is a b o d e wit h in u s, a n d in u s.

Fr o m h is s e rm o n T he Un v e il ing of God 6 4 - 0 6 1 4 M 1 3 3 b rot h e r B r a n h a m s a id, Th e ve il , tra d ition o f u n b e li e ve rs, tak e n a wa y , y o u s e e Go d . W he n th e v e il of tradi tions ha s be e n re mov e d, y ou c a n s e e th a t God i s s ti ll God of His W ord . He still ke e p s Hi s W o rd . He' s th e G o d , Au th or of His W ord th a t is hid b e hind s k in v e il s to ot he rs . Y e s , th a t is ri g h t . T o th os e wh o c a nno t g o be hin d th e v e il , He ' s s til l be hin d s k i n v e i ls . 1 3 4 No tice , th e n we be c ome pa rt of Hi m, a s y o u a r e th e v e i l th a t v e il s Him . Y ou a re p a rt of Him , a s lon g a s Chri st is in yo u , a s Chri st was o f G o d . B e ca u se God w a s in Hi m, m a de Hi m God . A n d a s Chri s t i s i n y ou , th e hop e o f g lory , y o u be c om e p a r t o f Chris t. " He th a t b e li e ve t h o n Me , t h e w o rks th a t I d o sh a ll h e a lso ." S e e ? Y ou be c o me pa rt of Chri s t as lon g a s Ch ris t i s hi d i n y ou . T h e n it' s v e il e d t o th e unbel i e v e r , b u t y o u k no w H e i s i n y ou . Y ou're templ ing Ch ris t th a t's b e h i n d th e ve il , th e skin . Th e n we b e co m e .. . b e h in d .. . B e c a u se o f t h is ve il .. . T h e v e il a g a i n , in h u m a n fle sh , h id e s Go d t h e W o rd fro m th e u n b e li e ve r.

Co los s ia ns 3 :3 For y e a re de a d, a nd y ou r li fe is hi d wi th Ch ris t in God.

B roth e rs a n d siste rs, t h is is just t o o ri ch f o r y o u n o t to g e t th is. W e a re ta lki n g a b o u t h o w im p o rt a n t it is f o r yo u t o e n t e r wi th in t h e ve il , b e ca u se a s l o n g a s yo u a re look ing a t th e v e il , y our v e il , o r a n y v e il , yo u wil l n e ve r se e Chri st in yo u th e Ho p e o f Glo ry .”

133 Not ic e , th e n we b e co m e p a rt o f Hi m , a s y o u a r e th e v e i l th a t v e il s Him . (Oh , t h a t is so ri ch , I wi sh we co u ld fu ll y co m p reh e n d wh a t h e is t e ll ing u s h e re. )… y o u a r e th e v e i l th a t v e il s Him (Oh m y , d o n ’t y o u just lov e th a t? ) Y o u a r e pa r t o f Hi m , a s lon g a s Ch ris t i s i n y ou , a s C h ri st wa s o f G o d . B e ca u se Go d wa s in Him , m a d e Hi m G o d .

Fo r w e h a v e t h e p r o m i se , Co los s ia ns 1 :27 To wh o m G o d wo u ld m a ke kn o w n wh a t is th e ri ch e s o f th e g lory o f th is m yst e ry a m o n g th e G e n tiles ; which is Ch ris t i n y ou , t h e h o p e o f glory : Ch ri s t I N y ou is the Ho pe of Do x a , th e h o p e o f h a vi n g t h e m ind o f Chri st, t h e d o x a , t h e o p inio n s, va lue s , a n d ju d g m e n ts o f Go d .

Rem e m b e r Je su s p ray e r to h is Fa t h e r b e f o re h e we n t t o t h e g a rd e n o f G e th s e m a n e . W e se e it in J ohn 1 7 .

J ohn 1 7 :14 I ha v e g iv e n them th y Word ; a n d t h e wo rl d h a t h h a te d th e m , b e c a u se t h e y a re n o t o f t h e wo rl d , e v e n a s I a m n o t o f th e w o rl d . 15 I p ray n o t t h a t th o u s h o u lde st ta ke th e m o u t o f th e worl d , b u t t h a t th o u sh o u ld e st ke e p th e m fro m th e e v il . 16 Th e y a re n o t o f th e wo rl d , e ve n a s I a m n o t o f t h e wo rl d . 17 S a nc tif y them th roug h thy trut h : th y w ord i s trut h .

S o yo u Je s u s h a s g iv e n u s t h a t which s a n ctifi e s u s, Go d ’s W o r d . S o we a re s a nc tif ie d by th e W ord, by th e wa s hing of w a ter by th e W ord . It is n o t y o u r e ff o rts th a t sa n ctifie s yo u , b u t Hi s W o rd th a t sa n ctifie s y o u .

David Him se lf s a id in P s a lm s 1 1 9 :9 W h e re wi th a l sh a ll a yo u n g m a n c le a n s e hi s w a y ? by ta k ing h e e d there t o a c c ording to t hy w ord .

A n d J e su s s a ys in J oh n 1 7 : 18 A s t h o u h a st s e n t m e i n to th e w o rl d , e ve n s o h a ve I a lso se n t th e m int o t h e worl d . 19 A n d f o r th e ir sa k e s I s a n c tif y my s e lf , t h a t th e y a ls o might be s a n c tif ie d thro ugh t he trut h

In o th e r word s, a s Fa th e r, a s I h a ve li n e d m yse lf u p wi th Y o u r W o rd a n d th u s h a v e sa n ctifie d m y li fe , so t h e y h a ve li n e d th e m s e lves u p wi t h yo u r W o rd a lso a n d a re th u s sa n ctifie d b y Y o u r W o r d a s we ll .

V e rse 2 0 . Neith e r p ra y I fo r th e s e a lo n e , b u t fo r th e m a ls o which sh a ll b e li e ve o n m e th rou g h t h e ir wo rd; 21 Th a t th e y a l l ma y b e one ; as ( o r i n t h e s a m e ma n n e r o r w a y a s) th o u , Fa t h e r, a r t i n m e , a n d I i n t h e e , t h a t t he y a ls o ma y b e on e i n us : t h a t th e worl d m a y b e li e v e t h a t th o u h a st s e n t m e . 22 A n d t h e glor y (th e d o xa , which a re th e o p inio n s , va lue s a n d jud g m e n ts) which th o u ga v e s t me , I ha v e gi v e n th e m ; th a t th e y ma y be one , e v e n a s (or in t h e sa m e way o r sa m e m a n n e r a s) w e a r e o ne : 23 I i n th e m , a n d th o u i n me , th a t t h e y m a y b e m a d e p e rfe ct in o n e ; a n d t h a t th e wor ld m a y kn o w t h a t th o u h a st se n t m e , a n d h a s t love d th e m , a s th o u h a st love d m e . 24 Fa t h e r, I wi ll th a t th e y a lso, who m th o u h a st g iven m e , b e wi th m e wh e re I a m ; th a t t h e y m a y b e h o ld my g lory , whi c h th ou ha s t gi v e n me : fo r th o u love d st m e b e fo re t h e fo u n d a tio n o f t h e worl d . 25 O ri g h te o u s Fa th e r, th e worl d h a th n o t k no wn th e e : (gin o sko th e e o r e xp e ri e n tia ll y kn o wn th e e ) “bu t I h a ve k nown th e e , (ex p e ri e n tia ll y kn o wn) a n d t h e se h a v e k nown (exp e ri e n tia ll y k n o wn) “th a t th o u h a st se n t m e . 26 A n d I h a v e d e cl a red u n t o t h e m t h y n a m e , a n d wi ll d e clare it : th a t th e lov e whe re wi th th ou ha s t lov e d me ma y be in th e m , and I in the m .”

So we se e th a t th e Dox a o f Go d is w h a t m a ke s u s o n e wi th Chri st a s Chri st a n d Go d were o n e . A n d t h a t d o xa o f Go d is Go d ’s o p i n ion s, Go d ’s va lue s , a n d Go d ’s jud g m e n ts whic h co m e t o u s th ro u g h th e sa m e W o rd t h a t cle a n se s u s fro m a ll o th e r o p inio n s , va lue s a n d jud g m e n ts co n tra ry to Go d ’s.

A n d so we se e th a t a t th e e n d tim e , th e re is t o b e a m a n if e sta tio n o f th is d o xa o f Go d in u s, a n d it is to e xp ress itse lf t h ro u g h u s a s it d i d t h ro u g h t h e so n o f G o d , J e su s Ch ri st.

Th a t is wh a t t h e A p o s tle P a u l ta u g h t u s i n 2 Thes s a lonia ns 1 :10 - 12

Now in o rde r to f u ll y u n d e rsta n d wh a t P a u l is te ll ing u s in ve rse 10 we wi ll n e e d to b a c k u p a n d re a d fro m ve rs e 7 a n d o n .

2 T he s s a loni a ns 2 :7 A n d to y o u who a re tro u b le d rest wi th u s, w he n th e Lord J e s u s s ha ll b e re v e a le d fro m he a v e n wi th hi s mi ght y a ngel s ,

S o P a u l is t a lki n g a b o u t t h e reve la tio n o f Je s u s Chri st w h ich is th e u n ve il ing o f G o d th a t W il li a m B ra n h a m G o d s p rop h e t is p re a ch ing a b o u t in t h is se rm o n o f h is b y th e sa m e titl e .

Th e Gr e e k w o rd h e re f o r reve a li n g is a pokol upsi s w h ich m e a n s re v e a l ing b y unv e il ing .

A n d n o tice a t th is tim e t h e j u d g m e n t co m e s to th e u n b e li e ve r, b e ca u s e h e fa il s t o reco g n ize t h e m i g h ty Go d u n ve il e d .

8 “In fla min g fire (t h e re’s yo u r p il lar o f fire co m in g d o wn a s Ju d g e t o b ri n g ju d g m e n t) “ta king v e ng e a nc e (r e tri b u tio n a n d reve n g e ) o n th e m th a t k now not God , (T h a t a re n o t a ware o f G o d ’s P r e se n ce ) a n d th a t obey not t he gos pe l o f o u r L o rd J e su s Ch ri st: (An d so He n o w h a s j u d g e d t h e m , a n d t h e n He a p p li e s th e j u d g m e n t t o th e m ) 9 W ho s ha ll be puni s he d wi t h e v e rl a s ting d e stru c tio n out from th e p res e n ce o f th e L o rd, a n d o u t fro m th e glory (d o xa , t h e o p inio n s, v a lu e s, a n d ju d g m e n ts) “of h is powe r ;”

Th e refo re , b e ca u s e o f th e ir lack o f a war e n e s s o f G o d ’s P res e n c e a n d Hi s d iscl o su r e o f Hi m se lf, th e y a re s e p a r a te d fro m Hi s P res e n c e a n d fro m th e c h a n g in g e ff e cts o f Hi s Doxa .

On t h e o th e r h a n d , a t t h e sa m e t i m e we se e t h a t th e re a re t h o s e wh o a re n o t o n l y a ware o f Hi s P rese n c e a m o n g th e m , b u t a re a lso a ware o f h is dox a (his o p inio n s , va lu e s, a n d jud g m e n ts) th a t He c a m e d o wn to b ri n g with a S h o u t a n d t o p rocla i m Him s e lf a m o n g u s.

Th e se k n o w h i m e x p e r ien tia ll y, a n d a re kn o wn o f Hi m a s w e se e in t h e ve ry n e xt v e rse.

10 “W h e n He (W h o ? Th e O n e Who co m e s d o wn wi th a S h o u t, wh e n He ) “sha ll co m e t o be glori fi e d in h is s a i n ts, a n d to b e a dm ir e d IN a ll th e m th a t b e li e ve (be c a u se o u r te stim o n y a m o n g yo u was b e li e ve d ) i n t h a t d a y.”

S o a t th is Ti m e He co m e s in fla m i n g fire vin d icat ing th o se th a t a re n o t Hi s b y se p a ratin g th e m fro m Hi s P rese n ce , a n d while h e is d o ing th a t h e is a lso vind i ca tin g t h o se wh o a r e a ware o f Hi s P rese n ce , a n d who a re a lso c a u g h t u p in to Hi s S h o u t a n d wh o rece ive Hi s Doxa , Hi s o p ini o n s, v a l u e s, a n d j u d g m e n ts, a n d in d o ing so t h a t v e ry d o xa m a n ife sts itse lf in th e ir b e ing .

S o whe n P a u l sa ys , W h e n He s h a ll co m e to b e glori fi e d in h i s sa int s,” t h a t w o rd glori fie d” was tra n sl a te d fro m th e Gre e k W o rd en - doxa - zo ,” a n d t h e word en m e a n ing in ,” a n d th e word doxa we kn o w a s th e opinions , v a lu e s ”, a n d judgme nt s a n d th e word zo is Zoe ,” which m e a n s in o u r li fe . In d o x a - L ife . S o yo u s e e th e f u ll e xp ression o f Go d in t h is h o u r i s t o b e livi n g itse lf o u t in o u r l ife .

11 “W h e refo re a ls o we p ray a lw a ys fo r yo u , th a t o u r Go d wou ld co u n t yo u worthy of th is c a ll ing ,” (i n vita ti o n ) a n d f u lfil l a ll t h e good p le a s ur e o f hi s good ne s s , a n d th e w or k of faith w ith powe r :” (“ Du na mis m ir a cle wor king p o wer.

Th a t is J ohn 1 4 : 1 2 b e i n g e x p resse d in a n d th rou g h yo u ). 12 “T h a t th e n a m e o f o u r L o rd Je su s C h ri st m a y b e g lori fie d IN yo u , a n d y e in h im , a cco rdi n g to t h e g race o f o u r Go d a n d th e L o rd Je su s Ch ri st.

S o we s e e th e re is to c o m e a c e rta in tim e wh e n th is is to b e fu lfil led a n d th a t is wh e n h e co m e s t o m a n ife s t Hi m se lf in u s a s He sa id a lso in J ohn 1 4 .

J ohn 1 4 :1 6 “An d I wi ll p ray th e Fa th e r, a n d h e sh a ll g ive y o u a n o th e r C o m fo rte r, th a t h e m a y a b i d e with y o u f o r e ve r; 17 E ve n th e S pi rit of t ruth ;” (th e S p ir it o f t h e Word) who m th e w o rl d ca n n o t rec e ive, b e ca u se it se e th h im n o t , n e ith e r k now e th h im :” (th e W o rl d ca n n e ve r e x p e ri e n ti a ll y kn o w h im ) “bu t y e k now hi m ;” (bu t yo u e xp e ri e n tia ll y wi ll kn o w h im ) fo r h e d wellet h wit h yo u , a n d s ha ll b e I N y ou .”

Now, in th e n e xt ve rs e Je su s t e ll s u s wh e n t h is tim e wil l co m e . He sa ys,

18 “I wi ll n o t le a v e yo u orphans : I wi ll c ome t o y ou .”

A n d wh e n is a n o rph a n n o lon g e r a n o rph a n ? W h e n h e is a d o p te d . S o h e ’s t e ll ing u s t h is wi ll t a ke p lace a t th e t i m e o f a d o p ti o n , wh e n h e co m e s t o u s, a n d in u s, a t Hi s A p p e a ri n g a n d P rese n c e .

A n d we s h o u ld k n o w b y n o w th a t Hi s P a r o u si a P res e n c e h a s 8 4 sig n s a n d e v e n ts which Je su s, P a u l, P a t e r, Ja m e s a n d Jo h n warn e d u s wou l d ta k e p lac e a t Hi s P a ro u sia. A n d we kn o w th a t 7 9 h a ve a lr e a d y ta k e n p l a ce , so th is S cri p tu re t h e n is in th e p roce ss o f ta king p lace i n t h is v e r y h o u r w e a re livi n g .

19 “Ye t a li tt le while, a n d th e worl d s e e th m e n o m o re;” (th e worl d ca n n o t p e rceive m y p rese n c e , n o r ca n t h e y d iscern M y p rese n c e ) b u t ye s e e me (bu t y o u wil l p e rceive me , a n d y o u wil l d iscern t h a t I a m in y o u r p rese n c e . S o h o w is t h is th a t y o u ca n p e rceive a n d d iscern Hi s P rese n c e ? He t e ll s yo u n e xt. ) be c a us e I l iv e , y e s ha l l li v e a ls o .” (So w e se e it is Hi s L if e in u s i s t h e re a so n wh y we live a n d ca n t e ll He is h e re)

20 A t th a t da y y e s ha ll k now” (“ Y o u sh a ll Gin o sko ”, “you s h a ll kn o w e xp e ri e n tia ll y”) th a t I am in m y Fa th e r , a n d y e i n me , a n d I i n y ou . 21 “H e t h a t h a th (he t h a t e ch o e s) m y co m m a n d m e n ts, a n d k e e pe th th e m ,” (he th a t g u a rds m y word s, a n d p r e ve n ts th e m fro m e sca p ing ) h e it is th a t lov e th m e : a n d h e th a t lov e th m e s h a ll b e love d o f m y Fa th e r, a n d I wi ll lo ve h im , a n d will m a nifes t m y s e l f t o him .”

A n d s o h o w wi ll He m a n ife st h im se lf t o th e m a n d n o t t o th e wo rl d ? He sa id I w il l b e i n y ou ”. E v e n the S piri t of Trut h whom th e w orld k nowe th not, y e t y ou wi ll k now him ”. B e ca u se Y o u wil l e xp e ri e n c e Him i n yo u .

Now, th is is th e e xa c t sa m e la n g u a g e th e A p o stle P a u l u se s in Ro ma ns 8 :13 “F o r if y e li ve a ft e r t h e fle s h ,” (l e t’ s sa y it th is way, F o r if yo u li ve a f te r th e v e il o f fle sh ) “ye sh a ll d ie: b u t i f y e th roug h th e S piri t do mortif y th e de e d s o f th e body ,” (th a t’s yo u r ve il ) ye s ha ll li v e . 14 Fo r a s m a n y a s a re le d b y th e S piri t o f God , th e y a re th e so n s o f Go d . 15 Fo r ye h a v e n o t rec e ived t h e sp ir it o f b o n d a g e a g a in t o fe a r; b u t y e ha v e r e c e iv e d th e S piri t o f a dopt ion , wh e reb y we cry, A b b a , F a th e r.”

Now, rem e m b e r, Those who a r e le d b y Th e S piri t of God a r e s ons .” Not th o se wh o a re led b y m e n , o r b y f lesh a n d b lo o d , n o r b y th e ve il o f th e ir o wn fle sh . Y o u h a ve t o g o insid e t h a t v e il t o live.

A n d t h e n P a u l s a ys, 16 The S piri t (a n d t h e re is o n ly o n e The S pi rit a n d t h a t is Go d ’s S p ir it. S o P a u l is te ll ing u s t h a t Go d ’s S p ir it) Its e lf wi ll (N o tice n o w wha t h e sa ys h e re, God’s S piri t w il l ) be a r w itnes s wi th (th a t m e a n s h e wil l join tly t e stify wi th our s piri t , th a t w e a re th e ch il d re n o f Go d :”

Th e refo re , h o w d o e s God’s S pir it joi nt ly te s tif y w ith y our s piri t ?” Not ice th a t P a u l s a id a s He is s o a r e w e i n th is w orld

Th e n wh e n yo u loo k wi th in th e ve il yo u s e e Ch ri st, a n d wha t yo u s e e i n side yo u r o wn so u l is th e im a g e o f th e first b o rn so n clea n s e d b y th e was h ing o f wat e r b y th e word . A n d b e h o ldin g th e W o rd wit h in we b e co m e co n fo r m e d in to t h a t i m a g e .

17 “A n d if c h il d ren , t h e n h e ir s; h e ir s o f G o d , a n d joint - he ir s w it h Ch ris t ; if so b e t h a t w e su ff e r w ith h im , th a t we ma y b e a lso g lori fie d t o g e t h e r.”

Heirs o f wha t ? Heirs o f His W o rd, h e ir s o f Hi s n a tu re , h e ir s o f Hi s L if e , h e ir s o f Hi s Glo ry, h e ir s o f Hi s o p in ion s, h e ir s o f h is V a lu e s, a n d h e ir s o f h is j u d g m e n ts.

Y o u k n o w we si n g t h a t so n g , y ou c a n ha v e a ll this worl d, but giv e me J e s u s a n d we d o n ’t e ve n kn o w w h a t we a re sin g ing a b o u t.

In t h e mo rnin g wh e n I r ise, I n th e mo rnin g w h e n I ri se , I n th e mo rnin g wh e n I ri se Give me Je s u s

Give me Je s u s, Give m e Je su s, Y o u ca n h a ve a ll t h is world , just g i ve me Je s u s.

W h e n I a m a lo n e , w h e n I a m a lon e , wh e n I a m a lon e , Give me Je s u s

Give me Je s u s, Give m e Je su s, Y o u ca n h a ve a ll t h is world , just g i ve me Je s u s.

W h e n I c o m e t o d ie , W h e n I co m e to d ie, Wh e n I c o m e t o d ie , Give m e Je su s Give me Je s u s, Give m e Je su s, Y o u ca n h a ve a ll t h is world , just g i ve me Je s u s.

Give me Je s u s, Give m e Je su s, Y o u ca n h a ve a ll t h is world , just g i ve me Je s u s.

P a u l g o e s o n to sa y in Ro ma ns 8 :22 “F o r we kn o w th a t th e who l e crea tio n g roa n e t h a n d tra va il e th in p a i n t o g e th e r u n til n o w. 23 A n d no t only th e y , but we ou rs e lv e s a l s o gro a n , whi c h ha v e th e firs tf r uits of th e S piri t , e v e n we ours e lv e s groa n wi th in ours e l v e s , wa iting fo r the a dopt i on, to w it , th e re d e m pt ion of our body.

W a itin g a n d g roa n ing f o r th e d a y wh e n th is v e il wi ll refle ct o u tsid e wha t is li ving b y o u r d e sir e t o b e like h i m o n t h e in side o r w ith in t h e ve il .

Th a t is why whe n B rot h e r Hi cke rson wan t e d to sh a re t h is M e ssa g e wi th h is siste r who was li ving in L o u isvi ll e , b r. B ra n h a m s a id, d o n ’t d o it , it’s n o t fo r h e r. S h e c o u ld n e v e r l ive it. B u t d o n ’t worr y b e c a u se sh e wi ll b e t h e re in th e n e w e a rth a n d wi ll co m e to t h e city a n d yo u wi ll g o o u t t o visi t wi th h e r, b e c a u se s h e d e sir e s in h e r h e a rt to h a ve wh a t yo u h a ve

b u t sh e d o e sn ’t h a v e it. B u t G o d wi ll loo k a t h e r d e sir e a t t h e whit e th r o n e a n d th a t is h o w sh e wil l b e g iven lif e .

Y o u s e e , G o d d o e s n o t loo k a t th is ve il o f o u r fle sh , h e loo ks w ithi n th e v e il a n d th a t’s whe re h e w a n ts t o m e e t wi th u s. Y o u h a v e g o t to s e e t h is, b e c a u se Go d is d e a li n g wi th i n yo u r S p ir it d o wn insid e o f yo u r so u l. A n d y o u r so u l is who yo u rea ll y a re. Th a t is whe re th e g e n e s e e d o f Go d li ve s. A n d wh e n yo u g e t yo u r e ye s f o cu se d o n th e ve il o f t h is fle sh , yo u lo s e sig h t o f wh o y o u re a ll y a re.

Y o u a re a so n o r d a u g h te r o f Go d a n d Go d i s S p ir it, a n d th e refo re Hi s ch il d ren a re b o rn o f Hi s S p ir it which is H is W o rd. B u t a s lon g a s yo u a re f o cu s e d o n t he v e i l o f fle sh , y o u wi ll n e ve r b e c o m e a n o ve r co m e r.

Th e A p o stle P a u l g o e s o n t o sa y in ve rs e 24 “F o r we a re sa v e d b y h o p e : b u t hope th a t is s e e n i s not hop e : f o r wha t a m a n s e e th , why d o t h h e ye t h o p e f o r?”

So we a re still waitin g fo r th e f u ll m a n if e sta tio n o f wha t is li ving wi th i n yo u to c o m p let e ly ta ke o ve r yo u r ve sse l a n d e xp r e ss o r fu ll y m a n ife st yo u a s s o n s o f Go d . B u t sinc e t h e re is n o p e rfe cti o n th is si d e o f t h e res u rr e ctio n , th e n o u r p e rfe ctio n h a s n o th in g t o d o wi th th e b o d y o f t h is d e a t h th a t P a u l sp o ke o f in Ro ma ns 7 , B u t a lto g e th e r it h a s to d o wi th God work ing in y ou bot h to wi ll a nd to do . A n d we’re p e rfe ct e d b y th e b loo d o f G o d s first b o rn s o n .

Fr o m h is se r m o n F iv e ide nt ific a tions 6 0 - 0 9 1 1 E P :82 On e B o d y.. . H o w d o we c o m e int o th a t B o d y, h o w d o we g e t int o it? By one S piri t we 'r e ba pt iz e d i nt o one Bo dy . A n d whe n in th a t B o d y, fre e , g u a r a n t e e o f th e resu rr e ctio n . " Go d p lace d u p o n Hi m th e iniq u ity o f u s a ll ." Not b y " o n e h a n d sh a k e ," n o t " o n e ch u rc h let t e r," b u t b y o n e Holy S p ir it, Je w, Ge n tile, y e ll o w, b lack , white , h a ve a ll b e e n b a p tiz e d b y o n e S p ir it int o th a t o n e B o d y , th rou g h th e B loo d o f H is Own co ve n a n t. " A n d whe n I se e th e B loo d , I'll p a ss o ve r yo u ," a n d a re fr e e fro m d e a t h , fre e fro m p a i n , fre e f rom sin. " He th a t's born of God, does not c ommi t s in, 'c a us e th e s e e d of God re ma in s in him a nd he c a nn ot s in ”. No sin. . . " B e y e th e re fo re pe rfec t, e v e n a s y our he a v e nl y Fa th e r is pe rfec t, " J e su s sa id. H o w ca n yo u b e p e rfe ct? Y o u c a n' t d o it . Y ou wa s b orn in s in, s ha p e d in i niquity, c om e to th e worl d s pe a k ing li e s .” B u t whe n y ou a c c e pt Ch ris t a s y our s i n - be a re r , whe n y ou a c c e pt Him by f a ith , yo u b e li e ve th a t He s a ve d yo u , a n d He di e d in y our p la c e a nd to ok y our s ins , th e n Go d a cc e p ts yo u a n d b a p tiz e s yo u int o th e B o d y a n d ca n n o t se e n o mo re sin . Ho w c a n I be a s inne r w he n th e re 's a n a to ne me nt o n the a lta r for m e ?

A s M a rti n L u t h e r sa id , whe n I look a t my s e lf, I don’t s e e how I c a n be s a v e d” . (be ca u s e wh e n y o u lo o k a t yo u rself y o u a re loo king a t th e ve il , th e b o d y o f sin ,) b u t h e wen t o n t o sa y, Bu t whe n I look a t C hris t, I don’ t s e e ho w I c a n b e l os t .”

A n d so P a u l c o n tin u e s, 25 “Bu t i f w e hop e fo r th a t w e s e e no t , th e n do we wi th pa tie nc e wa i t fo r it .”

A n d I d o n ’t kn o w a b o u t yo u , b u t I a m still h o p ing fo r wha t I d o n ’t y e t se e co n c e rnin g t h is ve il , S o t h e re is o n e th i n g to d o , For whe n y ou ha v e done a ll y ou c a n to s tand, th e n jus t s tand ”. A n d th e n do we w ith p a tie nc e wa i t fo r it .

P a u l Co n tin u e s, 26 “Li ke wi se th e S piri t (Go d ’s S p ir it) a lso h e l p s o u r infirmi tie s :” (th a t’s o u r fra il tie s o f t h e ve il ) “fo r we kn o w n o t wha t we sh o u ld p ray fo r a s we o u g h t: b u t th e

S piri t It s e lf m a k e th inter c e s s ion fo r us wi t h g roa n in g s whic h ca n n o t b e u tt e re d . 27 A n d He th a t s e a rc h e th th e he a rts k n o wet h wh a t is th e mind of th e S piri t , b e c a u s e He m a ke th in te rcessio n fo r the s a ints a cco r d ing to th e w i ll of God .”

A n d wha t is th a t i n te rce ssion ? P a u l te ll s u s in P hili ppia n s 3 :15 L e t u s th e re fo re, a s m a n y a s b e p e rfe ct , (m a tu re ) b e th u s m in d e d : a n d if in a ny th ing y e be ot he rwi s e mind e d, God s ha ll re v e a l e v e n this unto .

A n d whe n G o d reve a ls to yo u s o m e th in g i n h is W o rd th a t is co n tra ry to a n a ctio n yo u h a ve d o n e o r s o m e th i n g y o u h a v e s a id, Hi s S p ir it in y o u , wi th in t he v e il c o n victs y o u a n d yo u a re wash e d b y th e was h ing o f wat e r b y th e word . It ’s Ju st th a t sim p le. It is n o m o re y o u th a n n o th in g ,

A s P a u l s a id in P hi li p pia ns 2 :13 Fo r it is G od which worke th in y o u b o t h t o wi ll a n d to d o o f h is g o o d p lea s u re. A n d wh e n yo u c a n r e co g n ize th a t th e o n e sp e a kin g to yo u r so u l is Go d lea d i n g yo u to stra igh t p a th s, a n d c o rr e ctin g yo u r e rr o r, th e n yo u n o lon g e r a re to sse d a b o u t a s a n a n g ry wav e , b u t yo u a r e b e ing led b y th e S p i ri t o f Go d a n d He is clea n sing yo u b y His W o rd W ithin y ou .”

Now, b a ck t o Ro ma n s 8 :28 “A n d w e kn o w th a t a ll th ings work t ogether fo r good to th e m t h a t love G o d , to th e m who a re th e c a ll e d (t o t h o se wh o h a ve rece ive d t h e invita tio n ) “acco rdin g to h is p u rpo s e . 29 F o r who m h e d id fo re kn o w, h e a ls o di d pre de s tinate t o b e c o nf orme d to th e ima g e of hi s S on , th a t h e m igh t b e th e first b o rn a m o n g m a n y b r e th re n .

30 M o reo v e r whom h e did pre de s tinate , t h e m h e a lso ca ll e d (T h e m He a lso invite d ) “an d who m h e ca ll e d ,” (W h o m He invite d ) t h e m h e a lso just ifie d :” (An d to b e jus tifie d m e a n s yo u m igh t h a v e d o n e it b u t y o u n e ve r r e ce ive cre d it f o r w h a t y o u d i d .)

If a n y o n e u n d e rst o o d j u stifica tio n it was kin d David , fo r h e s a id, P s a lm 3 2 :1 “Blesse d is he whos e tr a ns gre s s io n i s fo rgiv e n , whos e s i n i s c ov e r e d . 2 B le s s e d is th e ma n u n to wh o m th e LORD imputeth not i niquity , a n d in wh o s e sp ir it t h e re is n o g u il e .”

Oh , m y, th a t is th e S o u l wi th in th e v e il .” S o d o n ’t e ve r l o o k a t th e v e il , y o u ’ve g o t t o g o wi th in th e v e il a s b ro t h e r B ran h a m sa id , o r yo u wi ll h a ve t o g ive y o u r o wn b loo d in th e tri b u lat ion , b e ca u s e it i s d e a th n o t to g o with i n t h e ve il .

Go d b a ck t o pp 1 8 4 w h e re b r o th e r B ran h a m sa id, W e 'r e in t h e l a st d a ys, jus t th e co m ing o f t h e L o rd. A n d if y ou find y our s e lf out s ide that v e i l , whi c h is d e a th to s tay out , wi ll yo u b y f a it h t h is m o rnin g , s a y, " B y G o d 's h e lp . A n d with Y o u r h e lp, L o rd , I w a nt to bre a k throu gh th a t v e il . I w a nt to ge t in whe re Y ou 'r e a t t o s e e the fu ll Word of God "?

A n d t h e n h e sa id in pp 185 th o se t h ree s ta t e m e n ts we a re e x a m i n ing t h is m o rnin g . No1 ) J us t b e w h o y o u a re , bu t b e a Chri s ti a n .

No2 ) raise yo u r h a n d s t o G o d a n d sa y, " L o rd G o d , he l p m e i ns id e th e v e il .

No3 ) Go d s e e s th e r e a l he a rt .

A s t h e A p o stle P a u l s a id in T itus 2 : 1 4 W h o ga v e him s e lf for u s , t h a t h e mi ght re de e m u s from a ll i n iquity , a n d purify unto him s e lf a p e cu li a r p e o p le , ze a l o u s o f g o o d wo rks.”

A n d G o d p ro m ised i n Hebre ws 1 0 :1 7 A n d th e ir s in s a nd iniquiti e s w i ll I re me mb e r no more .”

A n d a g a i n in Hebr e ws 8 :12 Fo r I w il l be m e rc iful to t he ir unright e ousne s s , a n d

th e ir s ins a nd th e ir i n iquitie s w il l I re m e mb e r no more .

A n d P a u l q u o te s Davi d in Ro ma ns 4 :7 S a yi n g , B less e d a re t h e y whos e iniquitie s a re fo rgiv e n, a nd whos e s ins a re c ov e r e d .

A n d we a ll o we it t o G o d s e n d i n g fo rth h is first b o r n so n . A c ts 3 : 2 6 Unt o yo u first God, ha v ing r a i s e d up his S on J e s us , se n t h im t o b less yo u , in turnin g a wa y e v e r y one of y ou fro m hi s i niquiti e s .

A n d s o we h e a r P a u l te ll u s in Ro ma n s 8 : 3 0 “a n d w h o m h e jus t ified , th e m h e a ls o glori fie d .”

31 “W h a t s h a ll we t h e n sa y to t h e se t h ing s? I f Go d b e fo r us , wh o c a n b e a g a inst u s? 32 He th a t s p a re d n o t h is o wn S o n , b u t d e li ve re d h im u p f o r u s a ll , ho w s ha ll h e not wi th him a lso fre e l y giv e us a ll th in g s? 33 W h o sh a ll lay a n y t h ing to th e ch a rg e o f Go d 's e lect ? It is Go d t h a t jus tifie th . 34 W h o is h e th a t co n d e m n e th ? It is C hris t t ha t d ie d , ye a rath e r, t h a t is ri se n a g a in, wh o is e ve n a t th e ri g h t h a n d o f Go d , wh o a ls o ma k e t h inter c e s s io n fo r us . 35 W h o s ha l l s e pa ra t e us fro m th e lov e o f Chr ist? sh a ll tri b u lat io n , o r d istress, o r p e rsecu t ion , o r f a m ine , o r n a ke d n e ss, o r p e ri l, o r swor d ? 36 A s it is wr itte n , Fo r th y sa k e w e a re kil led a ll th e d a y lo n g ; we a re a cc o u n te d a s sh e e p f o r th e sla u g h te r. 37 Nay, in a ll th e s e th i n g s we a re m o re th a n co n q u e rors th rou g h h i m th a t love d u s . 38 Fo r I a m pe rs ua d e d , t h a t n e ith e r d e a t h , n o r li fe , n o r a n g e ls, n o r p ri n cipa li tie s, n o r p o wers, n o r th ing s p rese n t, n o r th ing s to c o m e , 39 Nor h e igh t , n o r d e p th , n o r a n y o t h e r crea tu r e , sh a ll b e a b le t o s e p a ra te u s fro m t h e lo ve o f Go d , w h ich is in Chri st Je su s o u r L o rd .”

Th a t I wh y Martin L u t h e r co u ld s a y, wh e n I l o o k a t m yse lf, I d o n ’t s e e h o w I c a n b e sa ve d . B u t wh e n I lo o k a t Chri st, I d o n ’t se e h o w I ca n b e lo st.

L e t u s p ray…