MORE OF THE GREATEST CONFESSION
Jesus only asked for a confession once. He asked his disciples Who they thought that He was. Peter, led by Holy Spirit, got the answer right.
He said to them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter replied You are the Christ the Messiah, the Anointed, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 16:15-17)
Because of my intimate personal relationship with Jesus, I believe that He cherishes us infinitely and that we are His joy and hope. Holy Spirit taught Paul that we are His glorious inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18)
So I think that Jesus wants to hear our love message to Him. So, therefore, our confession of how we feel about Him is also the highest form of praise and worship.
In our last two teachings, we detailed the first three verses of the greatest confession ever made (in my opinion), the twenty-third psalm. David’s statement of profound belief is an outstanding example of how we should believe and speak the truth.
In our last message, we reported that Jesus told us what thoughts and beliefs we allow into our hearts would be spoken out of our mouths, and we will have what we say as long as we say it without a doubt, good or bad.
(Matthew12:34-Mark 11:22-24)
That is why it is urgent that what we say is positive and in agreement with the teachings and promises of Jesus.
David wrote that because God was his Shepherd, he would never lack anything. One thousand years later, Jesus pronounced that He is Our GOOD Shepherd, that He knows us and calls us by our name and that we know His voice and will never listen to any other.
(John 10)
HOW COOL IS THAT?
According to Peter, the disciple, and apostle, Jesus has already given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, including His faith.
(1 Peter 2:24)
Here are a few of those things that Jesus bought us with His blood: Eternal life with Him in Heaven, the presence of the Holy Spirit and all of His powers within us, Forgiveness of all our sins, past, present, and future, and the inability of God to remember any of our sins, the ability to gain wealth, healing of all diseases known and unknown, dominion over the evil one and all of his powers and demons, the same power that Jesus used on earth, and the ability to speak things in and out of existence. Peace, His peace. A new covenant of grace through faith, not performance. Deliverance for the Jews, who were the only people under them from the works based ten commandments and attached 603 man-made ordinances.
Documenting Scriptures
(John 3:16-18 and 36, John 5:23,Romans 10:9-10, John 16:7-14, Psalms 103:1-3 and 12, John 1:29, Hebrews 8:10-12, Hebrews 10:10-18, Zephaniah 3:17, John 10:10, Luke 6:28, 2Corinthians 9:6-14, Psalm 103;1-3, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17, 1 Peter 2:24, Luke 10:18, John 14:12-14, Mark 11:22-24, John 14:29, Ephesians 2:8-12)
All that Jesus requires of us to receive these promises is to believe and believe in Him. PERIOD.
(John 6:28-29)
We have been taught to pray incorrectly. We have been taught to pray and beg God for things He has already given us, such as healing. Instead, the proper way to pray is to thank God for all He has given us at the price of His blood, which is everything. David’s confession is the perfect model of prayer.
David confesses that God has already given Him everything and that He will never lack because of that fact.
HERE IT COMES
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want!”
Because if we believe and believe in Him, we receive all of His blood-bought great and precious promises!
He causes me to lie down in green pastures.
He came so that we would have life and have it in abundance. There is nothing more prosperous for a sheep than to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
Jesus leads us beside still waters because He knows that we are fretty little sheep and are easily frightened.
He gave us His peace.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
He placed us in right standing with Him by removing our sins forever. Why? Because He loves us so much just as we are, He was willing to die the worst death any human ever has or will to ransom us from our sins so that He can have us with him forever and ever in His glorious home. Now the only thing that can separate us from Him is unbelief. Thus, His name is honored by the love He has poured into us.
“Yes, though, I walk through the deep dark valley of the shadow (not the valley of death, the valley of the SHADOW of death. The things we fear the most form a shadow that we react to in faith or fear. They appear deadly, but they are only shadows, even the worst of them.) of death, I will fear or dread no evil,
(It is critical that we understand this remarkable statement of faith. David is making a profound statement of belief. He writes that no matter how dark, frightening, threatening, or impossible the situation, He refuses to surrender to the fear we all experience. Then he explains why.)For you are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.
Many Bible scholars and theologians have delved into the meaning of those two words, Your Rod and Your Staff.
My belief, as guided by Holy Spirit, is that God’s Rod is His Word/Jesus, and His Staff is Holy Spirit. The shepherd’s Rod was used to protect his sheep. The staff had a hook on it that was used to guide the sheep and, if necessary, lift them from dangerous places.
Jesus is our King. He and His Words protect us from our greatest enemy, ourselves, and the evil one. When we choose to believe Him, we have nothing to fear.
Holy Spirit is our guide. He leads us into all truth and shows us the things that are to come.
One thousand years after, David wrote the greatest confession of all time. Jesus, our King, explained to those of us who believe and believe in Him why we should not fear any situation.
“I have told you these things so that you may have perfect peace and confidence in Me.
( It is essential to understand what Jesus meant by “Perfect Peace.” The Hebrew origin of the word is Eirene, meaning peace, prosperity, quietness, and rest. The dictionary meaning of peace is freedom from disturbance, tranquility, and calm. Jesus tells us that He has made it possible for us to live in perfect peace in any situation and then explains why.)
Jesus continues:
In the world, you will have tribulation (problems, challenges, fears, attacks, etc. He means that we will walk through the valley of the SHADOW of evil.) and trials and distress and frustration; but be of GOOD CHEER take courage; be confident, certain and undaunted; (Here comes the why that David knew)
For I have overcome the world! I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.
(John 16:33)
We are challenged to believe the Words of Jesus and make a confession of belief as did David, or to allow our fears based on the things we see to overcome us.
Holy Spirit dictated a foundational truth of how to live in a state of belief to our teacher Paul:
“So we look NOT upon the things that are seen, but on the unseen. Because the things that are seen are temporary and subject to change, but the unseen things are eternal and are of God.”
(2Corinthians4:18)
What is your confession?
End of teaching
