Sixth Sunday after Trinity: Romans 6:(1⁠–⁠2) 3⁠–⁠11

Blessed are your ears today because they are going to hear something.

Mark 8:27-33 (KJV) And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? [28] And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. [29] And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. [30] And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. [31] And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. [33] But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

You think like the world. Wait a minute! What did Peter do wrong? The Holy Ghost revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ. Even the words of your mouth, you don't know what you're talking about.

Theology is for Proclamation:

Who do you say that I am?

It is all about discontinuity. Discontinuity - what does that mean? Ask your neighbor, "Who do you say that he is?" He is the Christ. Even "I don't know," is an abstraction. He's the one that props up my god-projects. He's a prophet. He's the giver of life. He is despised.

Titles of Jesus: The advocate, the almighty, the Amen, the beloved son, branch, chief shepherd, captain of salvation, deliverer, dayspring - abstractions. You could have any one of them. Who do you say that He is? You're pretty cautious. Still afraid of dying. Still afraid of being caught in one of your abstractions.

Who do you say that I am? Let me warn you this critical passage. Jesus can't say who he is. You have to say who he is. Now they're caught in a situation of having to speak and in a penetrating exchange. The disciples are formally asked to give Jesus a name or a title. They are to answer for himself or herself, a question Jesus cannot answer. There will be consequences for who you say Jesus is.

Any number of people can say that Jesus is Lord. You can't say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Ghost. You can take the most cursing heathen there is and give him a hundred dollars every time he says, "Jesus is Lord." If you say Jesus is Lord, what would that imply? If your conversation is merely abstractions, abstractions cannot delivery. You have a concept of who Jesus is.

Peter says that he is the Christ. But a minute later, when Jesus acts as who he is, Peter reacts. When Jesus doesn't prop up your god-project, what happens to your abstraction called Jesus. On the Road to Emmaus, they were sad because they had wanted a winning God who would prop up their world and make things happen. Jesus is the back-up insurance policy for your god-project. I hope you take this word to people who don't hear it - receive it. The issue is the same today: Who do you say ______ (wife, mother, brother, sister) is today? Do they look useful to you? When you cannot use them anymore, they no longer exist for you?

I love you because you make my life go the way I imagine it should go. When the day comes that your Jesus does not do that... I say you're the one who keeps me from ever having to need any real conversation - whether it is girly talk or men's babble - keeping everything safe. Subtle is a serpent.

Do you want the god who prospers only?

When Peter hears about suffering, a new messiah from what he had in mind, all of a sudden, his mouth and his song changes. He begins to rebuke Jesus, and then Jesus rebukes him, for thinking he can keep his world - control it. You've got the heart of Satan. Later he will deny the Messiah, the Living God, and the Son - Christ. But that is not the last word for Him, or for you or me. You can deny him every day. Certain Lutheran pastors or theologians, if you were to start telling them who you think he is, these platitudes, they might have a Pittsburg type of response, or a Paul type of response, if they didn't laugh. With your abstractions you try to cover up your deathliness. No perfume will cover up a corpse.

Jesus died for me. Paul died. He says to them later on in Mark 8:34 (KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Today, Jesus exists so that you don't deny yourself. At least get some kind of man-centered gospel. After all Jesus is useful, husbands are useful, wives are useful, and neighbors are useful - until they let you down. You can't find a gracious neighbor. People are such flakes, I can't count on anyone. "It ain't me you're looking for." Sometimes God speaks through secular prophets. Who were you looking for - someone to die for you more? Who are you looking for in a neighbor? No wonder your relationships are such that you keep people out. They're only disturbances. You're a disturber. I had a whole plan until you showed up. We were going to have a prayer meeting - discuss the Word - we were actually going to talk, not about the things of Babylon.

Mark 8:34 (KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

You have a cross too, but not for redemption or salvation.

Mark 8:35-36 (KJV) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. [36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

You can lose your soul gaining your own little world; protecting it, controlling it.

Who do you say that I am? Here is who he is.

Theology is for Proclamation: Page 60

Jesus cannot be proclaimed as the One who comes pandering to our religious conceits.

John & Leah, and others, went to see James Nestingen at his home. They said that they felt like they had always lived in his living room. They love sinners. Sinners will always find one another.

I don't understand it. I've practiced all the principals and I'm still not prospering. Who do you say that He is? He's asking you. Look at how some people might look at you - who they think you are. Get your own oil. "I'm doing great. I've got my little scene together and I'm comfortable. Maybe some days your scene runs out.

Jesus cannot be proclaimed as the One who comes pandering to our religious conceits. He cannot be preached as though he were the object of our choice. Of course, I’ve chosen a giver of life, a powerful Messiah who is going to do what I want and give me....

He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case,

How did Orual see Bardia, or Psyche? How do you see people? She's just a swollen black widow spider who has gorged herself, like Babylon. That's what Babylon is.

He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case, to decide the matter. He must be preached as the end of us,

Hold it pastor, I don't like where this is going. Better men than me have been hated. After all, you will be hated of all men if you proclaim this message - the one this leads to. This is preliminary - a prelude - a preparation - ending. You can't end yourself. "Don't worry Peter," Jesus said, "I've prayed for you." Even though you're a liar and fight with denials to save your world, I know my father has called you.

He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case, to decide the matter. He must be preached as the end of us, that is, a discontinuity.

From what? What have you been discontinued from? A think called your life, or your world, etc. You can sell out Jesus to save your life. You might even give him a kiss and tell him that He is the Son of God. Think of all the messages in America today that are going to tell you who Jesus is, and make an appeal to your god-project, to keep your world in tact.

One thing said about Forde, when he first preached his message, all the pastors there began to repent.

He must be preached... How about through you? How do you preach him? The first preachers were women. God gave them the message of the kingdom, of the gospel, and told them to go tell the disciples, the ones who were hiding.

Preaching Jesus as the End

Jesus cannot be proclaimed as the One who comes pandering to our religious conceits. He cannot be preached as though he were the object of our choice. He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case, to decide the matter. He must be preached as the end of us, for only then can he also be a new beginning. He must be preached, that is, as the death of us before he can be new life. The encounter with him as proclaimed Lord is not such that we simply go on as continuously existing subjects making our “religious preferences” felt, but rather that we are put to death to be made new. The proclamation brings radical discontinuity into our lives. We are to be turned into those who hear the word gladly - “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you”

Who chose him? We chose him as the proper up of our world. Maybe of I can get some help from God, things will work out better, and I can control things better; my family, my finances, my life. "I love you ma! You've got sweet tato pone."

You were born here children - what do you believe? You think just because you were born here, and because of your parents you have a claim? You have to receive.

The proclamation brings radical discontinuity into our lives.

Try to remember what Luther said; that sinner. He said heresy is not a matter of words. You hear a heretic speaking words. Just listen to Catholic doctrine - a mass. It’s the interpretation of words that bring heresies. If you have only your abstractions, notice how they can't help you. All the titles you give Jesus can't help you. "Well, I've always believed in Jesus, from a child up." Don't believe it, parents. Try the spirits. But if you don't want to be bothered....

The proclamation brings radical discontinuity into our lives. We are to be turned into those who hear the word gladly - “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” - and learn to stammer “Amen, so be it Lord!” We are indeed to be made new, re-created as beings who can finally speak the truth about God: “O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise” (Ps. 51:15).

Who do you say that I am? Whoever answers will be put on the spot, and there will be consequences.

Jesus - The one we crucified and the one God raised. I guess you can only see your past in terms of the future, in terms of what God has prepared for those who love him.

If Jesus, the one we crucified and God raised, is Lord and Christ, then he is in the first place the end of us as old beings, the end of our upward rebellion. He is, of course, also the new beginning. But he can be that only as he is first the end of the old. As we shall insist throughout, it is a matter of the death of the old and the resurrection of the new. Our very lives are to be conformed to that of the crucified and resurrected one. Therefore Jesus must be preached as the absolute crisis, the bitter end, of us as would-be Gods. (What else could it mean to call him - the rejected one - Lord?)

Of course, the Messiah is rejected. You will be too.

One searches almost in vain through the mountains of New Testament research - old or new, fundamentalists, conservative or liberal - for recognition of that fact.

For a way to save your life you search.

Could it be that our historical research, no matter what its presuppositions, is already a sell-out? Might the researchers be like the lawyers who comb the records for evidence in order to construct a case for the defense? Perhaps a reasonable argument can be mounted to shift the blame to someone else - maybe the Romans. Such constructions, however, serve only to tame Jesus, and if Jesus is turned into a domesticated house pet, it makes little difference from the perspective here what sort he turns out to be: orthodox, fundagelilcal, conservative, liberal, leftist, rightist, or middle-of-the-road. In any case, he is no real crisis or death threat for old beings.

You found a way to abstract him.

Discontinuity: Paul's word (Phil 3); all that he found an identity in, all his amazing achievements, as an up-and-coming Pharisee, he said was all as dung. On the Road to Damascus he said that he died, and he will continue to die daily. There is a fracture in what we would call our life, before Christ. Was it a god-project, a race, being turned in on yourself, trying to prove something or control something? How many of you are being set free of having to control things and people?

What is this new creation? Part of the new creation, when you see it, is that it receives, and since the fracture of the old man is put to death by Jesus at the cross, the ultimate judgment, and death blow, and freedom of God...

I don't trust myself any longer. Who you trust comes by hearing, and that is a gift too. Peter used to think like a man. Peter would say things that are exactly the opposite of what God was talking about, but he would couch what he said with his abstractions. Some people only talk of abstractionist, and they may call it theology. Secondary speech is what it is at best.

1 Cor. 2:1 (KJV) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

What good would excellency of speech done for the Corinthians?

1 Cor. 2:9-12 (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

The gifts God has given, continually gives, and will yet give, most people here don't know about. They may even have some abstraction doctrine on it, but perhaps they're caught up in controlling their world and that is all they can hear. It is such a relief to let go of tomorrow. Imagine what people in the world are fearing today. They are all crashing the gates of K-Mart. They worry that they're not going to give enough. Some old weird acquaintance comes by with a gift, some rotten tie or something else, and they won't have a gift to give in return. Failed again. Someone will send you a card. What can you say? Keep your stinking chickens - diseased cards.

1 Cor. 2:13-14 (KJV) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned.

The natural man, the carnal man, the man Adam, receiveth not. The new creation is basically characterized as trusting the Father, and receiving everything, as little children. They don't worry about tomorrow, or what they eat, neither will they think about what they wear. Two-year olds like to run around stark naked. It reminds me of Paradise. Why spend your money for that which is not bread, or your labor, trying to hold together a world that is dead. It doesn't mean we give up fighting for our wife, your children, or that you don't serve your neighbors. A new creation - that opens up the realm of your neighbor. Your mind is free and you don't even have to worry about the results. Casey Treat wouldn't understand Jim Durkin who said prosperity is not something we seek - but is the result of loving your neighbor - looking first on your neighbor's cares. Solomon called it all vanity - all your lusting for the identity the world is selling. How blatant the media, which is really just echoing the politicians, how blatantly they talk about you needing to get more credit, and the big problem in your life is that you're not enough of a slave of Egypt, or really bought into Babylon.

One of the young women who went to Hawaii didn’t have money left for food, but she really wanted a certain skirt. It's great to go to Hawaii, but do you really need that skirt. Go ahead, God says, do what you'd like. Continue to exist to where you don't want to be drowned every day. Okay, go for it! It may take you 40 years. He’s made it all pointless. Is someone really going to like you more with your new skirt, or your new Nikes, or your new haircut, or your new jeans? Or, you can go the other day; wear old jeans. They sell jeans with holes in them now. They've caught onto you there.

1 Cor. 2:14 (KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned.

The natural man won't receive the things that are of God. How do you know that? He's speaking to Christians here. 1 Cor. 3:3 (KJV) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

But you are not carnal. The new creation cannot even sin. It’s just a question of who is going to ride the donkey today. Or maybe you're a thoroughbred. It could be the devil, or it could be the Lord. Satan was operative through Peter. Notice how he covered it. He had an abstraction.

The babble of this world is one abstraction after another. Turn on the religious channel. They have a religion that is neatly packaged, and they'll even repeat scripture

How can you tell a new creation? They are a receiver. If the Spirit of God is not in you, you're none of Christ. You can be born of the Spirit and still grieve the Spirit by living in a world of abstractions. "A mighty fortress is our God.” But he's letting me down. Look what's happening in my life. It seems like he's not around. And was he ever here." No, that wasn't him. Yes, he's not going to desert Peter. He's got a plan.

How can you tell a person who is a new creation? 1 Cor. 3:1-2 (KJV) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto Spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

I have many more things to tell you but you can't bear. It would be the end of your world if I told you that. Some religious people will fight and kill to keep their world. Jerusalem always stones the prophets. A real prophet is the man against. Until Elijah comes and baptizes (John the Baptist) for the remission of sins... When the Holy Ghost convicts, it is clean. Maybe you've been living in an abstract world, and thought you were safe hiding behind a wall of abstractions. Our helper he amid the floods. Where did your helper go? He was blowing the wind. Every Christian lives in the boat, ever day, I hope. If you didn't you wouldn't see that you left Jesus sleeping. You didn't want to talk to him because his words would be troubling, upsetting, unsettling.

Some say he's a prophet. Who do you say he is? Do you like Jesus, the prophet? Yes, as long as he stays where we can control him, and repeat Scripture the way we like it. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...." You can still go out of here captive, unless you hear, and receive the gift of God that comes from hearing, which is also a gift.

What do we have to do? Nothing. The most hated thing is that everything is gift. This is how you can tell a Spiritual Christian. They are like a child. They trust. They are at liberty - for where the Spirit is there is liberty. Their speech is fluid, spontaneous. They don't have to think too much about what they're going to say. They think not so much about themselves as an individual, but as a member of the Body of Christ - a corporate identity. Each member is to serve the other members all the time.

A new creation is thankful. It has been forgiven much. Peter didn't need to be forgiven too much, but later he did.

The new creation's eyes are on the Lord and lives in grace. The old creation has to control his world. Through the eyes of faith you realize your world has already ended, and you'll see through the eyes of faith a new world, a new heaven and a new earth.

The natural man is filled with judgment, unable to trust, thinks evil continual, is bitter and envious. And the root of all that is to control and save his world. Jesus might be useful. He's not doing too hot. He trusts in his own thinking, which really isn't his own thinking. Is that my thinking or did it comes from another source. Peter had some thoughts, but what was the source of his thoughts? How was it manifest? Say something you think you should say. "Jesus, you're the Christ - Son of the Living God." Jesus told him that the father revealed this to Peter, but he didn't really believe it. "God almighty." Do you have to justify Jesus, perhaps - clean him up, and domesticate him?

One thing you'll see in a new creation is the Spirit of Jesus. John & Leah felt like they'd always been in Jim Nestingen's living room. An unwashed thing will bring fear, and defensiveness. Luther said that a Christian no loner has a name. What would happen to you today if you didn't have a name, and now your name was Christian? It would be pointless to buy a new skirt, Duncan. What would you spend your money on, your life on, your energies on? Vanity? When a man or woman is walking in the Spirit of God, the new creation, there is liberty.

A dog that doesn't have a loving master, a caring master, has to be kept on a leash or a kennel because he stays where he was born - rebellious. The new creation is no longer under the law. He’s allowed out of the kennel. Some people are on a leash. God allows them to get stirred up so they are continually lusting, and they may be hard hearted and indifferent to their husband, wife, parents, children, etc, so everyone is just useful to them. What's for dinner, Mom? Where's my dinner?

How do you relate to each other? How do you see each other? Have you ever seen someone as a sandwich coming to you? About time she did something around here. How about Johnny Paycheck? That is not Christian. We see one another as Christ sees us.

You’re off the leash if you're walking in the Spirit.

Just incase you don't understand the OT, read this:

1 Cor. 10:2-4 (KJV) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] And did all eat the same Spiritual meat; [4] And did all drink the same Spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1 Cor. 10:4-5 (KJV) And did all drink the same Spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Cor. 10:6-7 (KJV) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Idolatry today is self-image; my world I'm creating. Babylon likes to convince you that everyone can be a little god, and have their own little world.

1 Cor. 10:8-11 (KJV) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The new creation is one who is no longer bound by the lust of the flesh; the lust to create yourself, your world, to make a name, a Babylonian garment, build a staircase to heaven, or make a show in the flesh.

The new creation is grasped by the proclamation of what God has done. The new creation lives an ecstatic existence, living by faith, the gift of God.

The natural man receives not the things of God, but he that is Spiritual.

Gal 5:11 If you be led by the HS you are not under the law.

Are you led of the Spirit, or are you led by your own desires. Led means a lot of things: Driven, what induces you to move or think? Whatever induces you, that is what is leading you; a new skirt, etc. I didn't say you couldn't enjoy good things, the gifts of God.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is speech. Some of your children haven't learned to think, let alone speak. They can be fearful because they've tried to control their little world. Ask them a question and they might start crying or weeping. They're afraid of looking bad and are totally caught up making a show in the flesh.

Living in the Spirit means to be continually receiving gifts. There are gifts that are greater than a Cadillac.

Isaiah 65:7-12 (KJV) Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

[8] Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. [9] And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. [10] And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

[11] But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. [12] Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

V. 8-9 - I'm going to bring forth a seed - Christ - and you are Abraham's seed, in Christ.

Isaiah 65:16-17 (KJV) That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

[17] For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Even if you don't believe it, it's still yours. You don't get to receive it, until you trust. It is already done. The new creation was even then, 500 years before Christ.

Isaiah 65:17-19 (KJV) For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. [18] But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. [19] And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

The new creation lives in a new heaven. How do you know? They are not under the law for righteousness. He who is dead is freed from sin, and the law. They are a free man, or a free woman. There is liberty. They are not worried about how bad they are. They come to Christ every day. They trust their heavenly Father.

As you hear, the gift of faith comes to you and you begin to see the reality of things that were once abstractions now you begin to walk in his name.

Col 3 - put off the old man, the new man which is renewed in the Spirit of your mind.

Eph 4 - be renewed in the Spirit of your mind. Receive a new mind - the mind of Christ.

His Word is always breathing upon you, hovering above you. He won't force himself on you, though. But when you are ready to receive, he will give it to you.

Romans 6:3-8 (KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

The law has dominion over a man for only as long as he lives. If you've been baptized, and God took you to the cross in his Son, you are a new creation, and the law no longer has any rule over you. In the civil realm, the law has plenty of rule over you. There are consequences of breaking the law of diligence. If you're not receiving your unconditional justification, it affects how people perceive you.

Romans 6:4 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

20 years ago, we lived with our god-projects, and Jesus was useful. What were you saying when you came to him. I love you. You make my life go just the way I've always imagined it should. Jesus told the disciples that if they were to come after him, there were consequences for who they said he was.

Romans 6:5-7 (KJV) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.

It has already happened. You have a new creation that comes out of the waters every day, and the new creation is caught up in his neighbor in realty, and not just using people. See yourself as a gift for everyone around. You won't have time to worry. Some of you worry a lot because you think about yourself a lot. How much have you been forgiven? There is nothing left to be forgiven for, but it is good to confess your sins daily. It is good to have it spoken to you, "I forgive you." You have power on earth to forgive sins, and retain them, which is always heartbreaking. No one wants to do that.

Romans 6:7 (KJV) For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Why do I keep sinning? There's another law in your members, but that isn't you. You can take that and twist it, but there are consequences for that.

Romans 6:8-9 (KJV) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Romans 6:15 (KJV) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

What is born of the Spirit cannot sin. What is born of the flesh is flesh.

Romans 7:1-2 (KJV) Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

You were Mrs. Law - bound to the law - joined to legalistic thinking - outward thinking - visible things you could see or understand with your natural mind. Even the Word of God, every letter, became law. I can get away with it as long as no one sees me.

Your husband, who used to be called Mr. Law, died. Now you are free to marry Christ. What's he like?

Romans 7:4 (KJV) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Now you are free to be married to grace and mercy. You've become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another. When you marry Him, you get his name. It makes pointless trying to get a Babylonian garment to show everyone.

Now, Mrs. Grace....

Rev. 3:12 (KJV) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Be careful of saying who He is. He should be Lord of my life, and in theory he is, but I don't know that I want to bear that burden. Someone will think I'm a Christian. When you're a Christian, you no longer say, "Let us make a name." You are now free from Babylon. No man can hear this. This is known as divine foolishness. No man would ever hear this until God has done something in his heart. Then, he may glimpse this. Some children here know more than the adults. Adults might hear this, not all of them, as abstractions. It only goes as far as what you think the words mean, without the HG interpreting, and I believe you've been given the HG as a gift.

Romans 6:11 (KJV) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul became wretched when he saw that he didn't love his neighbor as he ought - that he fell short. Seven times I fell short today. But that did not disqualify you from God's mercy. Mrs. Grace's husband is always there. "I knew all about that, honey, and I'm even working that together for your good." "Well then, I can sin more." "Wait a minute! I might just let you do what you want." That's the kind of husband he is.

The truth of law - the good news of law. Read Luther's Sermon - New Years Day. The law's second use is to bring us to Christ, so that once again you are totally justified, unconditionally, because of faith. If you've heard, faith has come, and you are no longer under a school master for you are all children of God by faith in baptism.

Galatians 3:23-28 (KJV) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Now can you see the goodness of the law, its function? It brings us to Christ

By faith, you realize tat you've been given the righteousness of Christ, and now he has become your righteousness.

1 Tim. 1:9 (KJV) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

If you know anyone who is lawless, disobedient, ungodly, etc. you can know that they are under the law. This is written for an example so that you wouldn't fall under the same thing. But, do what you want. Now, what would you like to do?

Romans 8:3-6 (KJV) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace.

To be led by your flesh, your lust, your religious, abstract flesh, with the right answers, is death. Paul had more right answers than I think I'll ever get, and it was death to him.

Romans 8:7-10 (KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Why wouldn't any man preach Jesus as the end? Maybe people might think you're one of them.

Theology is for Proclamation: Preaching Jesus as the End

Jesus cannot be proclaimed as the One who comes pandering to our religious conceits. He cannot be preached as though he were the object of our choice. He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case, to decide the matter.

Orual wouldn't die to the case she had. She even thought she was doing good things, too. Frank wouldn't die to his case.

He must be preached as Lord, as the one who comes to dispose of our case, to decide the matter. He must be preached as the end of us, for only then can he also be a new beginning.

If you're baptized, if the Word of God touches you, if the school master comes daily to lead you to Christ, daily, and you're convicted that you haven't loved your neighbor as you love yourself, the new creation is Christ, so that your new husband, Mr. Grace, Mr. Mercy, Mr. Love, all that he gives you, the fruits of the Spirit, show up in the new creation.

The old creation cannot believe a Word of this Book. It cannot hear the gospel; it must be killed first - be brought to see his need.

You are now free. The Spirit of the Lord is on you. The old creation is washed up.

It is all summed up, the old creation, who you were, is summed up in the fact that forgiveness of sins has been preached to you, in the name of and for the sake of Jesus. He made all of our god-projects pointless by simply dying and giving to his bride all the He has. Sometimes neighbors help you receive gifts. Without neighbors you probably won't receive much, just like having children. Maybe you only have one. As you get more, it is the Lord. Sometimes the best cure, and the only cure, for a selfish child, is another child. God is going to give you more children, more than she who is married.

The end of your abstraction world is now. Can you lay hold of that as a gift? God is showing you why He hasn't worked - why it didn't work out for you. Remember, Peter, don't worry, I've prayed for you, Jesus said. No power is going to pluck Peter out of Jesus hand. It matters now only how long you want to wait. A child doesn't know what gifts his parents have brought to you.

You can go out of here an unbeliever today. Try to expand what you're hearing to your whole life. Are you living in abstractions? "I'm a believer." Yes, but do you mind me asking you who is it you believe in and what do you believe? I believe we have a new husband, and all he has he's given to Mrs. Grace, Mrs. Abundance. All he is, is written on your forehead. You get a new name when you get a new husband. This is a type of the marriage supper of the Lamb. He gives you his name, now. Let me just end in saying that one of the things He gives you is that you add nothing to the gift. Can you see how offensive this is? Jim Durkin has nothing on you when it comes to packages.

Let it happen cap’ in. Unt mo! More Lamb. We eat Lamb - daily. Neighbors really help you receive gifts. Again, you don't have to go out and strive for this. I'm not too worried about it. But it comes to you. You don't have to look for neighbors. If you've got a "Beware of Dog!" sign - that's okay. When Peter spoke he didn't even know he was saving his life. "This is really going to put me in with the boss." By the way, "Do you know this man, Jesus?" they asked Peter? "Hell no!" (Peter started cursing.) God puts them in the Bible for me. If Peter can get saved (and he didn't stop his trip for he went fishing). The Lord gave Peter gifts, fish; so many that Jesus asked him what he really valued. "Do you love me more than these?" "You know I do, Lord." In a manner of speaking it was true. He asked Peter again. "Lord, you know I do. Yes, I love you." Then Jesus asked him again a third time. "Lord, you know." After each question Jesus told him to feed his lambs, feed his sheep.

God has given you gifts, and your life becomes, like Jim's, a reception and a giving out. You don't have to try to do this. Stop trying, and instead receive God's Word. Hear and faith will come, and God will show you what happened in 1st and 2nd Peter. He was a new creation, and was not led about by the fear of man. Your new creation is an ecstatic creation. Even Paul had a flesh, that made him wretched now and then. But there was no condemnation because he was still in Christ Jesus.

The new creation continually receives forgiveness, mercy, and it is not just an abstraction for you. You've got real reasons to receive forgiveness today. So do I. Those who are forgiven much get many packages. Luke 15 - God loves dead sons, son who are dead in sin, and for whom God was arranging famines, outrageous situations. He wanted to bring him into the KOG, where there is a banquet, an over-abundance of everything, for lepers.

I'll start right here, receiving forgiveness. Look now at the robe I wear. See past my flesh, and know that I forgive you all your sins.

Are you forgiven? Did you have anything to be forgiven for? It’s settled; I have a flesh. I don't have to hide anymore. Under the law, anything anyone could say to you, it's worse than that. My name is Mrs. Forgiveness, Mrs. Mercy - all the titles of Christ, that you still think are abstractions - they're all part of his name. They are all yours when you marry Christ. They're yours. Even if you're a child, the inheritance is settled.

All your sins are forgiven for Christ's sake.

Praise - He's done something. He cleaned the gutters. Not one leaf was left. A life of praise isn't something you have to do. Imagine you being married to the best wife in the world.

Mrs. Jesus, you are dismissed.

AMEN