The cross of Christ

CHR

CHRISTIAN WARFARE

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The work of the cross.

Biblical Deliverance Ministries

Study two

After discussing the assurance of our salvation at some length, it seems appropriate to move on to look at the work which was accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ allowing himself to be crucified at Calvary. His anguish of soul, His torture, and the extreme pressures upon His Spirit are described to a small degree in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah.

It is interesting to consider verse 6 where we are described to be like sheep, somewhat unruly, always heading in the wrong direction, following this leader or that leader when we ought to base our learning and direction on Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.

Each and every verse is full of teaching and would do well to be explored. However verse 5 has special significance to those who are interested in doing battle for God.

The very first phrase raises the question as to whom and when these events took place?

Who do you think was subject to these atrocities?

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and when did they take place?

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If this is true why does it describe them in the past tense?

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This leads us to a very important principal of scripture often overlooked but which adds to the wonderment of God, His absolute capability and the magnitude of God and His planning.

To understand this a little more let us look at some Scriptures and see what they mean to us.

Firstly Hebrews ch13 v8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever. How can this be?

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In Revelation ch1 v8, ch21 v6 and ch22 v12 the Lord God says "I am the Alpha and the Omega who is and who was and who is to come". How can this be?

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In John ch1 v1 we are told that God was in the beginning and that the Word (Jesus) was with God and was God.

There are many references in the Scriptures concerning Eternity.

How would you describe eternity?

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It would probably be appropriate at this point to divert and look at how mankind is made up. Certainly we have a body (different as we may be) and somewhere inside there seems to be something that thinks and most would accept that part of us is called a brain. But then there is something else, a deep realisation that there is something more. This something more seems to generate a thirst for some spiritual fulfilment.

In the Scriptures it teaches us that we are made up of three parts.

(a) The body- the bit you see.

(b) The soul- the bit that does the thinking ( this also consists of our emotions and will etc.)

In fact we are told we are made in the likeness of God. Does this mean that we look like God? We would have to ask the question. Does God look like a Maori or Indian or Asian or even a Caucasian? No, I don't think that's the answer. It seems to me that we are made in the image of God in the way that God is made up of three (a trinity): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is all three, equal and yet completely one. If I may with reverence to God show that our likeness is in this same way, we are soul, body, and spirit and yet one person . In the Scriptures we are told that God the Father sent the Son, God the Father sent the Holy Spirit, and God the Son sends the Holy Spirit. In like manner our soul has the responsibility and the authority to deal with the areas of the body and spirit. We ought not to think that anyone can hide behind satan and say that "satan made me do it"

Now let's go on. This overall verse is obviously divided into four different parts. It would be wise for us to deal with the first one separately. The statement is made "He was pierced for our transgressions".

How would you describe transgressions?

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Now let's look at the last one "By His wounds we are healed". Which part of our being do you think this statement is talking about and why? The word "wounds" will probably give you a clue.

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Now let's look at No3 "The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him". What part of us do you think this statement is referring to, and why?

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Do you think that we could have a sickness in our bodies which is caused by problems in our mind?

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Can you suggest likely ones?

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Now let's look at No2. "He was crushed for our iniquities" There are nine references which differentiate between transgressions and iniquities. Why should this be?

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What would you say was the meaning of iniquities?

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What part of our being do you think that this part of the verse applies to and why?

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Yes, the iniquities are the driving forces which often cause us to sin, contaminating the whole being from their base in the spirit. It is important to realise that we have the responsibility to take charge with our soul (brain), not only to control their actions but to expell them all together.

Do you think that just as a bodily sickness is sometimes caused by a problem in the mind, perhaps a sickness in the mind could be caused by a problem in the spirit?

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How could this be?

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As we have learnt earlier in this lesson the spirit is the part of us which seeks spiritual fulfilment and those of us who seek fulfilment only through Christ will be fulfilled by the spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit). Do you think that on some occasions we could allow an intruder to take up residence?

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What would be the work of an intruder?

(a) in a christian.

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(b) in a non christian.

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There is no doubt that the devils target in a non christian is to prevent him/her from giving their life to Christ, either by false religions or many other temptations and devious means.

How ever in a christian the work of the devil is to create a diversion or some other means, causing us to sin, and fail to become a vessel fit for the master's use. By doing this he is trying to frustrate the Lord's work both in our lives and those to whom we would seek to witness.

It is apparent that the death, burial, resurrection and punishment of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at Calvary was effective in a far greater way than most of us realise. The extent of His love and His expression in the provision of an everlasting salvation is available for our whole being. It was not just confined to our sins, but also for the healing of our body, the development of peace in our minds through the healing of memories etc, and a genuine spiritual cleansing and development where we can be full of the Holy Spirit and free from any unwelcome extras.

When we consider again the extent and completeness of the salvation we are offered, we can only be filled with awe and a tremendous desire to adore and worship our great and mighty God and Saviour, to invite Him again to take complete charge of our lives, to live completely in His presence and seek to be obedient to Him each and every day.

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