Author: Hank

Paul in Col 1:27 tells us of a mystery, a rich and glorious one – Christ, the Anointed One, God Himself, was LIVING IN the Colossian believers. How can that be? They were ignorant of the Mosaic Covenant and all that people must do to be acceptable to God. They were Gentiles. They had no covenant with God. No Ten Commandments. No rites, rituals and observations from on high. So what did they DO to earn the right to have God Himself living IN them, making them complete in Him, and blessing them with every spiritual blessing?

The simple answer: THEY DID NOTHING. OBEYED NOTHING. They BELIEVED the Good News friends, that GOD had accomplished salvation, and offers it freely to everyone. Forgiveness of sins. Justification. Righteousness. Eternal life. Thanks to the BLOOD of the CROSS, people w/o a clue to the ways of the Living God found this Living God—LIVING IN THEM!

A few miles to the east of Colossae, the Galatians were in a pickle. Some law-abiding Jewish believers had come by to try to get them to obey all the Jewish Laws in order to be ‘proper’ ‘authentic’ Christians.

Paul corrected them in the book of Gal, especially chapt 3, vs 2-12. Here are some snippets: “This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? …does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? …

He reminds them, and us, that Abraham BELIEVED GOD, and God counted him RIGHTEOUS. And then he quotes from  the Old Testament, saying that you can’t obey just some of the law, but you must obey ALL the rules or you put yourself under a curse! He hammers the point that the Righteous (that’s YOU because of the Blood) live by faith and focusing on keeping the rules is NOT of Faith.

If you have been trying to be a good-little-obedient-rule keeping Christian that God can be proud of, well, your thinking is mixed up.

We were made to live by the Spirit. DON’T GO BACK to observing rules, even perfect rules like the Ten Commandments. Don’t look back. Stay on this side of the CROSS — keep looking to Jesus, learn more about living by the Spirit. That’s how you Come Alive and Stay Alive in this nasty generation!

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In Moses’ day, people were afraid of God, and rightly so! They asked Moses to bring down orders from headquarters, and all that God says, they promised to do. That’s Ex 19:8. BOOM – there were the 10 C’s among others rules. All required strict adherence, through the power of the flesh. But flesh is weak, so although the commandments appeared to be rules to keep, they were in fact a mirror – to point out our shortcomings. And they were perfect at it.

Back in Jesus’ day there was trouble! For over a 1,000 years the Jewish leaders had opportunity to learn that mankind cannot obey God’s rules – we need a Savior. By Jesus’ time they should have or certainly could have, been ready to receive Jesus as that Savior – after all, it was the fullness of time.

But the Pharisees and law teachers placed their traditions and interpretations ahead of God’s Laws. They emptied the Law of the power to condemn. The Law’s perfect purpose was thwarted: sin was not being named as sin, and the self-righteous were not being silenced.

Today in so many places we hear a mixed message. Law – just listen for the “if’s” – “if you do this, then God will do…” or, “you need to do this before God will do… something” Mixed with GRACE – when you hear what God has done, especially concerning Calvary, you are hearing grace. Acts 20:24 says the Gospel is the Good News of His GRACE. You may hear that God gave us the Holy Spirit to help us keep the 10C’s. This is incorrect! Gal 3:12 says, “But the Law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”” The Law is a “to do” list. It is NOT of faith, and it’s faith that pleases God. Ro 1:27 “The just shall live by faith”. Heb 11:6 “…without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Here’s the point of today’s Hank’s Place. The Holy Spirit is NOT GOING TO HELP US KEEP A SET OF RULES. Rules are NOT of Faith. Read Gal 3:12 for yourself. It is only faith that pleases God.

There are a lot of voices out there, a lot of confusion when Law and Grace are mixed. Don’t be confused my dear friend. Simply walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit. Find true LIFE by simple faith in the Living God – you will enter His rest my friend. You will Come Alive!

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We have been pointing out that the Cross has changed….everything. And it is all for the GOOD!

Today’s message is so freedom inspiring that I’m concerned your head may explode if you are locked into performance based religion. Ready for the challenge? OK, let’s think about the Gospels. Where is the Cross in the Gospels? Near the end of each one, right? Now THINK! That means all of what you read in the Gospels, until the very end, are events that happened UNDER THE LAW. Jesus was born, lived, and died under the LAW.

When Jesus spoke, it was to people who were under the LAW. Keep in mind that the Gospel is the Good News of the GRACE of God that would come to us AFTER Jesus did His marvelous work at Calvary. Let’s look at an example of this GRACE from Calvary.

In Mt 6:14-15 Jesus says, “…if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Read that and you see God’s forgiveness of you is conditional on your forgiveness of others. When Jesus spoke those words, BEFORE the Cross, it was totally TRUE.

But we are living AFTER the Cross, my dear friend! Let’s read Col 2:13, written AFTER the Cross. Paul writes, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.” Friend, we were forgiven while we were lost and dead in our sins. And read Col 3:13, “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

So what do we believe? Do you have to forgive first in order to be forgiven, or are you already forgiven? Before the Cross, you must forgive FIRST. AFTER the Cross, you forgive – in overwhelming thankfulness at knowing you yourself have already been forgiven. Before the Cross, forgiveness was something God would DO—only IF YOU did your part first. After the Cross, forgiveness is something God GIVES. It’s a gift by God’s grace—something you receive. The Gospel is the Good News, declaring what GOD has done for us, not what we must do to satisfy God!

My dear believing friend: you ARE already forgiven – give a shout out to Jesus! Get rid of any condemnation you may be under — RECEIVE that gift of forgiveness. Then, in gratitude and joy, forgive others—and COME ALIVE! 

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We have been pointing out that the Cross has changed….everything. The Cross tells us He loves us more than His own life! It tells us that if God is for us, nothing can stand against us, not even our own sin!

The blood of the Lamb of God has purchased our forgiveness. Sin no longer has a claim on us, hallelujah! Because it is Almighty Father who has qualified us, our sins cannot disqualify us. The only way we can lose out is if we fail to believe the Good News!

Before the Cross we were slaves to sin, with no escape. Try to do good, or purpose to do bad – it made no difference: we remained slaves to sin. But AFTER the Cross we have a choice: stay in the prison or run free. The prison doors are open! Live according to the old Law of sin and death, or live according the Law of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus! Either way, you are free to choose thanks be to JESUS.

Here’s a hint: if your spiritual life seems based on conditions, if you find yourself saying, “I’ll be blessed IF I do such and such,” or, “I’ll miss a blessing if I miss my morning prayer time” – well, that tells me you have yet to make the right choice, to LIVE FREE in Jesus! Maybe you are just waffling. Well, STOP IT.

God qualifies us and clothes us with His robes of righteousness. It’s all through Jesus Christ. But if you ignore what Jesus has done, you wind up remaining under the Law.

Look—God did not redeem you because He was looking for a servant. He redeemed you so He could show you His matchless grace. Also, consider this: God gave up His son for us. So how are you going to pay Him back? We can’t! Instead of thinking that way, let your life be a shining testimony of the generosity of your gracious Father.

Some people say, God will bless you as you do your part. Friend, your part is to BELIEVE God has done it ALL, and has chosen to bless us abundantly as we simply believe and enter His rest. It’s past time for you to be a son in His wonderful family. So join the FAMILY; get those happy feet a dancing, and Come Alive!

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We have been pointing out that the Cross has changed….everything. The Old Testament is there to create a hunger for a Savior! Now, live in His saving grace my friend, and not the letter of the Law! Enter His refreshing rest!

We faced condemnation and judgment before the Cross; now, we have NO condemnation, but justification. Instead of unworthiness we have righteousness. Instead of a distant and unapproachable God we have a freely accessible throne of Grace – to receive mercy and grace in time of need!

Although we may have it, we will not experience it if our mind is stuck in performance based religious thinking. That’s what life was like BEFORE the Cross!

Consider: the Old Covenant demanded righteousness based upon our performance: it demanded righteousness from sinful men. Deut 6:25 reads, “It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.” But AFTER the Cross we find Ro 1:17 “For in it (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (that’s God’s faith and YOURS); as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Or how about Ro 5:17, speaking of “those who receive the abundance of grace and of the GIFT of righteousness, (they) will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Consider this: before the Cross, God’s presence came and went, causing people to hunger for His Spirit. Ps 51:11 reads, “Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Friend, DO NOT pray that way! Why? Because after the Cross God makes His home with us and promises to never leave us. Jn 14:23 says that Jesus and the Father will come to us and make their abode with us. Heb 13:5 reminds us that the Lord has declared, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

Despite these amazing TRUTHS dear Christian friend, you might find yourself getting confused when you read the Gospels! Why? Because Jesus spoke THE LAW to self-righteous pharisees and lawyers. And Jesus spoke mercy and grace to those who humbly came to Him. YOU are not a pharisee, are you? No! Of course not! So pay attention to who is speaking to who. People under law or under grace? This is very important!

Get your pattern for living THIS side of the Cross, and COME ALIVE! 

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We have been pointing out that the Cross has changed….everything. Read the Bible that comes before the Cross and chances are you will be reading about a covenant that never applied to you. It’s there to create a hunger for the God of mercy and grace, and teach us we cannot obey God even if we think we can.

Before the Cross it was important to keep a record of sins. Just read Lev 4 & 5 for sins and sacrifices for sins. Talk about discouragement! But AFTER the Cross what can be more plain than Heb 8:12, where God says, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more?”

Before the Cross God gave us the 10 Commandments that begin with, “Thou shalt….” Just read Ex 20. But AFTER the Cross God says, “I will.” In Heb 8:8-12, God speaks His of being merciful to us, His forgetting our sins, He writing His laws in our minds and hearts and He giving us a knowledge of Himself. In the New, it’s all about Him and what He’s done for us, my friends!

In the Old Covenant, God’s favor hinged on your faithfulness. But in the New, His favor comes to us on account of Christ’s faithfulness. We could be faithful one moment and deny Him the next. Just ask that Apostle Peter! Walking with Jesus day in day out for over 3 years. Seeing countless miracles, signs, wonders. Hearing the voice from heaven declare Jesus is the Son of God. Staunchly declaring he would never deny Him – yet he does exactly that a few hours later. So much better to rely on Jesus Christ’s faithfulness, for He is eternally faithful!

When reading the Bible, learn to distinguish between the old law covenant, which condemns sinners, and the new covenant of grace, which makes sinners righteous. In the Old, Christ was a shadow, in the New He is our reality!

The word GRACE can be terrifying to those schooled in performance based religion. But RELAX— for another word for grace is J E S U S. Walk today my friend in the New Covenant in His blood, the covenant of Grace, and you will Come Alive!

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We are pointing out that the Cross has changed….everything. Read the bits of the Bible that come before the Cross and chances are you will be reading about a covenant that never applied to you—and no longer applies to the Israelites.

Why is this obsolete material in the Bible? Because it helps us appreciate who Jesus is and what He has done. The Law is the shadow, but Jesus is the REALITY. The Law is a warm-up act to get you ready for Jesus—but Jesus ALONE is the star of the show. The Law is the prosecuting attorney who condemns you as guilty, but Jesus is the great advocate who sets you free.

And, as Paul writes in 1 Cor 10:11, the trials of the Israelites were written for our instruction. One judgment after another for disobeying the Law. We read, and we understand: no one can obey God’s Laws. The flesh wins out; we DESPERATELY need a Savior! And our Savior JESUS has come!

Here are two more examples of how the Cross has changed everything.

Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for everyone. Ro 5:18 says “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men….” But on the cross our sins were carried away, and there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus—that’s Ro 8:1.

Before the Cross God was distant and unapproachable. It reads in Ex 19:12, “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’”

But at the Cross, according to Mt 27:51 “…the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” This was Almighty God bursting out of the Holy of Holies to dwell within His people, within you and me, my friend!

Yes, for Eph 2:13 states, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” And not only that, but we who have been brought near can now boldly approach the throne of GRACE. That’s Heb 4:16. That’s right, the throne of JUDGMENT has become a throne of GRACE—eternally!

My dear friend, please please please—think about this message. It’s true! Now, get rid of your condemning, works-based, flesh reliant, religious thinking—and Come Alive!

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At the Cross, Jesus took our sins – all of them, past present and future. And hung on that Cross while the incredible wrath of God was poured out in punishment for those sins: yours, mine, everyones. Jesus took it all, out of love for us, to the point of death. Don’t you think for a moment that God does not love you!

He gave us His righteousness in exchange; a free gift—but friend, it is a gift that can only be received by faith. And, He caused us to become heirs of God, sons of God with a full inheritance. It is beyond comprehension. We don’t know the half of it!

Now, here is the issue: so many folk, including many pastors, seminary professors, televangelists and such, miss the Cross. They pay lip service, yes, but not grasping that everything has changed. So, they bring the old covenant stuff, which was not written to you, right on over into your life: law and grace getting mixed together—that is a toxic mixture my friend — for it keeps you from moving forward in who you are in Christ Jesus and keeps you from being a powerful, world-changing Christian!

Let’s take an example today of the big difference the Cross makes for us. I pray you can see the mega change. Before the Cross we were blessed if we obeyed and cursed if we didn’t. But after the Cross we are blessed because Christ obeyed, and through him we are redeemed from the curse of the law.

Not sure? Listen to Deut 11:26-28 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.”

Now listen to Post-Calvary: Eph 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Where is the ‘to do’ list? Where are the threats? They are not there, my friend.

How about: Gal 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree””

Give Jesus praise today: believe in Him and you are blessed. Don’t belittle or overlook Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary by entertaining error filled theology that says you have things you must do in order to receive blessing from God. Yes, there are plenty of good things you can do as a Christian – but nothing you can do can ‘earn’ you favor with God.

So, give it up, rejoice in Jesus, and Come Alive!

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Have you had days where you wondered where Jesus was? Well, so did the disciples! Let’s learn from two Storms of Life stories.

The first is Mk 4:36-41. After a busy day of ministry, as evening was approaching, Jesus gets into a boat with His disciples and instructs them to cross over ‘to the other side.’ Soon after they set sail, Jesus goes to sleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. An epic storm descends on the lake. It’s night, the huge waves are washing over the boat and even the seasoned fishermen among them are terrified.

Ever been terrified by a sudden storm of life descending upon you? And where is Jesus – well He’s there, but asleep? Doesn’t He care? That’s what they ask Him. Jesus stills the storm: “Hush, be still.” And asks them why were they afraid; why did they still have no faith?

Friend, if you are in Christ today, Jesus IS with you. It may be a sudden storm of life—but know this: Jesus IS with you, even if He appears to be sleeping. Take courage! Fear NOT! Fear not, but speak to that storm now, just like Jesus did, using His name, and tell it to hush up. As a Christian, a little anointed one, you have the authority in His name. Use it!

In Mt 14:22-33, after another full day of ministry (feeding 15-20,000 men, women, children), the disciples are following Jesus’ instructions to cross over to the ‘other side.’ Only this time Jesus has tarried to dismiss the people and take some time to pray alone on a mountain.

No fierce storm this time, but the winds are contrary and they have been straining at the oars for hours, maybe 6 or 8 hours. Jesus sees them, and comes to them, walking on the water. If His disciples are in trouble, Jesus wants to be with them. He comes to them. Friend, be encouraged! If you are in any sort of trouble at all, even just exhaustion over life’s issue: Jesus is on His way to you – and as in this instance, He is passing by! Do you get it?

You may not yet understand the truth that Christ is in you and you are in Him—keep growing! Learn from this pre-Calvary story: Jesus draws near to you in times of difficulty. So, what do you do about it? REACH OUT to Jesus, Call to Him. Ask for help in time of need. You’ll get it–and from that experience with the Living God quelling the storms in your life, you will Come Alive!

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In Mt 16 Jesus asked His disciples who the people said the Son of Man was. He delighted in calling Himself the Son of Man. Well, the people did not have a clue; one of the prophets maybe. Then Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was – Simon responded with a revelation: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” But did they get it?

At the start of His ministry, Jesus was water baptized by John, and in Mt 3:17 a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Did they get it? Some thought it thundered.

Soon after, Philip brings Nathanael to Jesus, and in Jn 1:49 Nate declares “You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel!” Did they get it?

Knowing Jesus true identity is not easy! In Mk 4 after Jesus calms an intense storm on the Lake, with a word, the disciples wonder, who is this man who speaks to the wind and waves and they obey Him? They don’t get it.

A bit later, in Mt 14, they are rowing across the lake at night and Jesus comes walking on the water to them – after He saves Peter from an early death by drowning, the disciples are beginning to get the picture, for they say, “you are certainly God’s Son!”

In Mt 17 a voice from heaven declares to Peter, James, and John, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him!” In spite of the declarations, the miracles, the fulfilled prophecies—people, even the disciples, were having trouble seeing Jesus as the Savior, Son of God.

True, Jesus could say troubling things, as in John 6 about having to eat his body and drink his blood. Or how about at the Last Supper, when He, their teacher and Lord, put on a servant’s garment and washed their feet. The coming King of Israel, the Messiah could not, would not, do that, would He?

You see, when our minds, just like theirs, are set on man’s interests and purposes, when we are looking at things from a human perspective, it is hard to see the real Jesus. You know, if Jesus is really God and loves everyone, why is there famine, and injustice and suffering and dictators?

Friend, don’t let that be you! We don’t understand very much – just ask Job – but God’s not asking us to: He wants us to believe on His son, who died for our sins so we could become sons of God ourselves through the Resurrection.

Don’t hold back, don’t let human reasoning keep you from the prize. Don’t sit on the fence: jump into Jesus, Come Alive!

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