"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." I Corinthians 16:13

The phrase "quit you like men"  or "Act Like Men" is the Greek word andrizomai which means "to make a man of, to show one's self to be a man, to be brave."   This phrase was part of the theme of the men's conference Pastor Zac Poonen held in Loveland, Colorado this past weekend.  This other portion of the conference addressed Satan's Tactics.

Links to the list of various discussions, as well as a summary of the lessons, are listed below.  While this message was delivered primarily for men, there are many nuggets of wisdom which could benefit all.

Act Like Men	Satan's Tactics
Part 1 : Be a Witness Part 2 : Be a Worshiper Part 3 : Be Under Authority Part 4 : Be Free From Dead Works Part 5 : Be Built on the Rock Part 6 : Be a Judge of Yourself	Part 1 : Satan’s Tactics with Eve Part 2 : Satan’s Tactics with Job Part 3 : Satan’s Tactics with Jesus Part 4 : Satan’s Tactics with the Believer
Questions & Answers:   Session 1           Session 2

"Act Like Men" Lesson Summary

• To be a witness (Acts 1:8) is to stand uncompromisingly for all of God’s truth.
• A servant of the Lord will be tempted often, but he should never be discouraged.
• To be like Jesus is to “have no tears for one’s own griefs” but sorrow for the griefs of others.
• We must retain the standard of “hygiene” in God’s Word (2 Timothy 1:13).
• Being filled with the Holy Spirit “once upon a time” is no more useful than a car’s tank being filled with petrol “once upon a time”.
• When Jesus was on earth, most people didn’t realize that the Second Person of the Trinity was moving among them. Most Christians today don’t realize that the Third Person of the Trinity is now moving around on earth.
• Let it be said of you: “There came a man sent by God who was a witness for Jesus” (John 1:6-7).
• It is OUR responsibility to be the light of the world now (See John 9:5 and Matthew 5:14). We are to reflect the light of Christ in our lives just like the moon reflects the light of the sun.
• God desires that, both in our life and in our ministry, we bear fruit that remains permanently (John 15:16) – not fruit that disappears after a few years.
• The big difference in serving God under the New Covenant is that this service begins in the Most Holy Place. So, in order to serve God, we must first worship Him (Matthew 4:10).
• If we have truly learnt to worship God, we will never get bored with being in His presence.
• Before you can expect complete submission from your wife you must be completely submitted to Christ as your Head (1 Cor.11:3).
• Sin came through someone who rebelled against authority (Satan). Salvation from sin therefore came through Jesus, Who always submitted to authority.
• Submission to authority has nothing to do with whether the authority is perfect or not. Jesus submitted to imperfect Joseph and Mary for 30 years.
• In the step-by-step description of the full gospel in Romans, one important step is submission to earthly authorities (Romans 13:1-7).
• It is extremely dangerous for an unbroken man to exercise authority in a church.
• Eternal life is not a life that merely has no end, but a life that also had no beginning. It refers to the life of God alone – His Divine Nature that we can partake of (John 17:3; 2 Pet.1:4).
• The primary mark of a person who is walking with Jesus is humility (Matthew 11:29).
• The God Who commanded, “Do not kill”, “Do not commit adultery”, and “Do not steal”, also commanded, “Do not be anxious” thrice (Matthew 6:25-34) and “Do not fear” thrice (Matthew 10:26-31). Do we take these latter two commands as seriously as we take the first three?
• If we call anxiety and fear as “weaknesses”, we will never be delivered from them. If however we call them sins – because Jesus forbade them – then He will set us free from them.
• Most Christians have a “laminated righteousness” – one that is merely superficial. They can be compared to dogs that have been trained to act like cats and “meow”, but that will bark when provoked.
• The opposite of the fear of God is the fear of man. If we fear men, we will seek their honor. If we fear God, we will seek only His honor.
• Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites could pray, give, and fast publicly. In the New Covenant however, we are commanded to do these same things secretly (Matthew 6:1-18) - otherwise they will be dead works.
• The Father always heard Jesus’ prayers (John 11:41-42) because Jesus always did the things that pleased His Father (John 8:29). This is the secret of answered prayer.
• Dead works are good works that are done to get honor from men. We must be cleansed from such dead works before we can serve a living God (Hebrews 9:14).
• If God did not answer your prayer, it could be because He did not even hear it – because of some unconfessed sin in your life (Psa.66:18).
• God always answers prayer, but His answers could be, “Yes”, “No”, or “Wait” – just like the green, red and yellow lights in a traffic signal.
• If you assess your prayer-life by the clock, it is a dead work and it proves that you don’t really love Jesus.
• The last of the Ten Commandments (“You shall not covet after…”) was an inward requirement. God gave it, in order to find out who would be honest enough to acknowledge that he could not keep it. Paul acknowledged that (Romans 7:7-8) – and so God led him to a godly life (Rom.8:2-4).
• The Sermon on the Mount begins with a promise to the poor in spirit. The entire kingdom of heaven is available to them. To be poor in spirit is to have a constant sense of one’s own need (Matthew 5:3). Unfortunately, most Christians are content with a kingdom of earth (earthly blessings).
• The Sermon on the Mount ends with a picture of two types of churches – Jerusalem and Babylon – one built (on rock) by those who follow the commands in Matthew Chapters 5-7; and the other built (on sand) by those who don’t take these chapters seriously.
• A branch of an apple tree that has borne fruit for 50 years will still dry up as soon as it ceases to receive sap from the tree. Experience never makes up for constant dependence upon God for the power of His Holy Spirit.
• To pluck out your eye with regard to lust is to be like a blind man when facing sexual temptation.
• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of only two sins that could send people to hell – anger and sexually sinful thoughts and actions (Matt.5:21-30). Yet, these seem to be the very two sins that believers commit the most.
• To build your house on the rock is to dig past understanding God’s Word (mind) and being excited about it (emotions) to the point of surrendering your will (Luke 6:47,48). You will never become spiritual if you are only stirred in your intellect and in your feelings. God wants to dwell in your spirit. For that you must yield your will to Him.

"Satan's Tactics" Lesson Summary

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• Whether we know it or not, the devil knows that his time is short and that the Lord is coming soon
• Those who compromise on the things of God will never be a target of Satan's anger.  The devil's fury is reserved for those who serve God wholeheartedly and do not fear him. 
• There are two types of Christians: 1) Those who have a huge devil with a small grasshopper-like God; or 2) Those who have a huge Jesus with a grasshopper-like devil.  Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
• We should speak back to the devil when he speaks to us.  The word of our testimony to the devil - acknowledging that we no longer belong to him and that we renounce any past affiliation with him - is part of how we overcome (Revelation 12:11). 
• Jesus accomplished two particular things on the cross: He died for our sins (Colossians 2:14) and He also took away the armor of Satan against us (Colossians 2:15).
• Many Christians are never taught about the authority we have over Satan and how we engage in spiritual warfare against him.
• The devil was defeated on the cross and hates to be reminded of this.
• In every warfare, you need to know the tactics of the enemy so that you can be better prepared to fight against him (II Corinthians 2:11).  This is one of the wonderful privileges of the new covenant.
• Satan comes as a serpent (a deceiver) and a lion (a persecutor). 
• One tactic of Satan in deceiving is to keep people ignorant of what God has really said.
• Multitudes of people are in Hell today because they were given a false assurance that they would not die. God says that if YOU "brethren" (verse 12) live according to the flesh, then YOU will die (Romans 8:13).  This lie that we will not die in such cases is how the devil fooled Eve.
• God uses Satan to fulfill a certain purpose amongst His people.
• We will face storms and trials in obeying God, but the question is how do we react to them?
• The Bible teaches that Satan was cast down from the 3rd heaven (the immediate presence of God) into the 2nd heaven (which is the level immediate above the universe we can see or the 1st heaven). During the last days, Satan will be cast down from the 2nd heavens to the earth where he will fill the Anti-Christ before being judged by Christ.
• Satan doesn't accuse his own; he is the accuser of the brethren.  He accuses believers day and night before God of their unrepentant. 
• When we speak against believers, what determines whether it's a just or righteous accusation is not the truth of it, but the motivation behind it.  Do we have righteous concern for the person or is it simply gossip?  When it is the latter, we must remember that we are holding hands with Satan at that time.
• Their are two ministries going on in Heaven all the time: 1) The Accuser Satan who is in constant accusation against believers for their sin; and 2) The Advocate Jesus is in constant intercession on behalf of believers for their sin.
  
• To be blameless and upright is to walk according to the light God has given you by the Holy Spirit to stay free from sin.  God is looking for people such as this. 
• Around God's children there is a three-fold hedge: 1) One around the child of God Himself; 2) One around his children, and; 3) One around his property.  Satan cannot touch these areas without the explicit permission of God.
• God is very merciful to those battling sinful ways, but He is against the hypocrite.
• The cup of the Lord may be bitter, but it brings life.  The cup of Satan is sweet, but filled with poison.
• Th reason God allows the hedges to be opened up and for Satan to attack us is so that we can have be given double spiritually than what we had before, just as God gave Job double (II Corinthians 12:7-10).
• The greatest mark of a holy man is that he is humble (Matthew 11:29).
• Temptation is a test of our love for God because if we love Him, then we will endure temptation (James 1:12).
• Satan tempted Jesus in three areas: 1) Get a benefit or comfort for satisfying the needs of the body; 2) Using Scripture to cite "It is written" in an unbalanced & unbiblical way to portray a half-truth and not the whole truths of God; and 3) Compromise on the things of God in order to receive worldly compensation, fame, or honor in the world.
• There is only one power man has over Satan and that is the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Condemnation of believers is another tactic of Satan.  Being tempted is not sin.  Sin must be conceived after temptation to produce sin (James 1:14-15).  However, if we cast down the thought, we can overcome the temptation (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
• It is only when we make up our mind not to fight with people (flesh and blood) that we can be empowered to fight Satan (Ephesians 6:12).
• Anger is another tactic Satan uses to defeat believers. The number one mark of a fool is that he has anger in his heart (Ecclesiastes 7:9).  It gives an open door to Satan to ruin you (Genesis 4:7).
• God's love is a tough love, not wishy washy, because the standard is the same for all.  Ministers walking in His love will be more concerned about upholding God's ways than their personal reputation in being seen as a "gentle and humble" man by compromising on God. 
  

Questions & Answers Summary

• What authority do church leaders have over our lives?  How do we protect ourselves from church leaders who would abuse their authority?
  
  The closest to authority in the church is authority in a home because a church is a family.  It is the family of God.  In a home, the father and mother make decisions; and in a church the elders make the decisions.  The term "elder" is a relative statement.  You are considered elder compared to others in the church; it doesn't mean that such persons are very mature.  In local church, the leaders of that church have authority over the operations of that church.  Accusations against elders by at least 2 witnesses should be investigated to see if they are true (I Timothy 5:19-20).  There are boundaries to authority; it is not absolute. 
  
  
• How can one change to get a sensitivity, or a renewed sensitivity, to what is wrong if one's conscience has become seared?
  
  A conscience is the voice of God in every human making him aware that he is responsible to a Creator.  Our experiences in the world and in sin can dull or deaden the conscience.  Once we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to make the conscience more sensitive.  Our conscience becomes more sensitive to God's ways the more we are sanctified unto Him.  It is part of growing in Christ.  However, fellowship with backsliders or in a church which doesn't preach holiness can lead to desensitization.  To come back from such a place, stop looking at people and look back to Christ again as your example.
  
  
• How can a person be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  
  Our doctrines must be based on the teaching sections of Scripture and not merely the historical accounts of what happened.  There are certain groups which teaches that all believers must speak in tongues, but Scripture is clear that not all believers do (I Corinthians 12:30).  Baptism simply means immersion.  Being baptized in the Holy Spirit means to be continually immersed in or drenched by the Holy Spirit.
  
  John 7:37-39 addresses this topic. "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
  
  Having faith in God is in part believing that God is more eager to bless you than you are to blessed.  If we thirst (are desperate) and we believe, then we can receive the fullness of the Spirit.
  
  
• How can we become true worshipers of, and be truly in love with, Jesus?
  
  The love for Jesus is not a human, sentimental love which is often reflected in Christian songs.  If we love Jesus, then we will obey Him; that is how we show Him our love.  Today's generation is losing the depth of understanding and appreciating God's love.  True devotion to God comes out of reverence for Him.
  
  
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ALL Flesh is Grass

"BEWARE of dogs, BEWARE of evil workers, BEWARE of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:2-11

In the text above, Paul identifies "dogs", "evil workers", and those of the "concision" of whom the Body of Christ needs to be aware.  Paul doesn't use flowery terms to describe these individuals, nor is he mincing words.  His language indicates that he finds such persons to be a real threat to God's people in terms of their spiritual development and to their ultimately "winning Christ".  Yet, we find those of the concision on virtually every street corner in every city in the nation.

concision: a cutting up or off; mutilation.

circumcision: The surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin.

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked." Deuteronomy 10:16

Instead of cutting around the heart to remove that which defiles, the concision mutilates you, cutting you off from the very life of God.

Contrasted against these evil workers are those who - like Paul - are of the circumcision.  The Scripture tells us one major difference between these two groups of professing believers:

Those of the concision have their trust in the things of the flesh.  Their salvation is the product of who they are and what religious works they perform.  Contrarily, those of the circumcision have their trust in the Spirit of God.  Their salvation is the product of Jesus Christ alone.

What does it mean to glory in the flesh?  Paul names a couple of examples people boast in, falsely believing that such makes them more spiritual before God: 1) Their earthly heritage, position, & education or 2) Their keeping of the law.

Even today, there are groups battling over claims of being true "Hebrew Israelites" as if this is some token of authenticity of their faith.  Likewise, many in the churchworld believe they are more 'spiritual' based on being connected to the supposed 'men of God' in the church or having deep knowledge of religion and the original languages of Scripture.  They put confidence in being part of 'ABC' or '123' ministry, where Paul says in another text, "Is such not carnal?" (I Corinthians 3:4)

Another predominant way by which the concision attempts to cut off believers - according to Paul - is the law.  Paul says that such boast about being a keeper of the law and even argue about who is more blameless in doing so.  They trust in their own abilities to be righteous and struggle most of their lives to accomplish by the flesh what can only be performed by the Spirit of God.

Both of these things (trusting in one's earthly position or one's efforts to keep the law) are labeled by Paul as trusting in the flesh!  They are both ways by which dogs, evil workers, and those of the concision seek to ensnare those in the Body of Christ.  Yet Paul says all of such is dung.

Why?  Because anything which has its foundation in human qualities or human performance is of the flesh.  Man cannot procure his own salvation and neither can he add anything to it.  In fact, the minute he tries to add something to it, it brings a stench in the nostrils of Almighty God.  ALL of our righteousness, all of our good works - even lawful works, is like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6).

This is why the primary character trait that comes through in such persons is pride.  They are puffed up because their confidence about God is based entirely in themselves and in their works.  They have attained to their "own righteousness" rather than submitting to the righteousness of God.  As long as we believe that we bring anything to the table, then we will never be able to be led by God's Spirit.  Instead of generating life in others to draw them to the Lord, we will draw people only to ourselves and our personalities as we cut them off from Him.

How do we identify those of the concision?  What exactly is it that they do and why are their ways so deadly?  Better yet, how do you get free and stay free in the liberty in which Christ has called you to walk?  Listen to the following message from Pastor Gary Price as he teaches on, "Beware of the Concision".

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Self-righteousness, The Righteousness of the Law, or The Righteousness of Christ

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness..." Matthew 6:33a

There are all types of righteousness to which we can aspire, but there is only one kind that God desires in His children: the righteousness of Christ.

Do you want to live according to what is right in your own eyes or in the eyes of other people?  That is self-righteousness.

Do you want your outward works to appear righteous while you indulge your inner thoughts, appetites, and emotions without restraint?  That is the righteousness of the Law.

Do you want to truly be holy as God is holy?  That takes the righteousness of Christ.

Which do we really desire in our hearts?  With which are we satisfied?

Self-righteousness

A prominent mark of the unbeliever is not simply that they are going about doing evil or cursing God; lots of unbelievers do many good works.

The foremost mark of the unbeliever is that their life is governed by what is right or wrong in their own eyes.  This is the lie that Satan sold Eve in the Garden of Eden.  They would become gods, able to determine for themselves what is good and what is evil.  Self-determination was man's first sin.

Scripture is filled with references of why man should not follow what seems right in his own eyes, how the heart of man is deceitfully wicked, and that man's wisdom is not God's wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-7, 28:26; Psalm 118:8; Jeremiah 10:23, 17:5-9; Isaiah 55:9; I Corinthians 2:5).

When man disregards God's words and justifies himself according to his intellect or his feelings, such is self-righteousness.  In the New Testament, these are depicted as the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Although they were the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said that they were self-righteous unbelievers and hypocrites (Luke 18:9-14; John 3:12, 8:19-55; 10:25-26).

Being "right" in their own eyes blinded them to the righteousness of God (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32).  As a result, they strived to appear more "holy" than others.  Their own opinions became the standard of what was Godly and they quickly condemned others by their personal standards of righteousness.  They needed the accolades of men to replace the approval of God and inwardly hated those who walked in obedience to Him.  This is why Jesus said:

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20

Is your "righteousness" grounded in your thoughts, impressions, and ideals about life?  Is it based upon you always being "right", even preventing you from admitting error or asking forgiveness?  Is it validated by the praises of men?  Does it lead you to live your life as if others "owe you" something?  Is it drawn from comparing yourself to the "righteousness" of others?  Then your righteousness has not exceeded the righteousness of the Pharisees.  It is self-righteousness.

The Righteousness of the Law

According to the Scriptures, there is also a type of righteousness that can come from keeping the law.  There were people in the old covenant who kept God's law blamelessly and were even considered righteous because of it.

"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Luke 1:5-6

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:16-22

"Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Philippians 3:4-6

There is a certain kind of righteousness that comes from keeping the law.  However, it falls short of justifying man before God because - as the rich man notes above - this type of righteousness centers around what man can "do" to obtain eternal life (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16, 3:24).  This is why Paul above notes the righteousness coming from the law as having confidence and trusting "in the flesh".

Unlike the Pharisees and Sadduccees, these individuals were not unbelievers, but those who sought to serve God.  Even today, many who seek to fulfill the righteousness of the law desire to fully serve the Lord, but do not understand that such righteousness has already been fulfilled in those who believe (Romans 8:1-4).

There is nothing man can "do" to redeem himself.  As Jesus responded about the rich man above, with men salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  What man cannot do through works - even righteous works according to the law - God Himself accomplished in the person of His Son Jesus. 

Individuals could attain the righteousness of keeping the law blamelessly, but these efforts could not perfect their inner man (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:19).  Zacharias was righteous in his obedience to the law, but he still struggled with unbelief.  The rich man walked in all the commandments of God, but still had covetousness in his heart.  Paul was blameless in the law, even while he was persecuting the church.  No matter of keeping the law - even blamelessly - could produce the inner righteousness necessary to be reconciled to God.  Such could only come by God Himself, and not human effort.

Under the righteousness of the law, God's favor is earned by what we do versus what Christ has done.  Under the righteousness of the law, one's foremost concern is breaking God's rules, not God's heart.  Under the righteousness of the law, the motivation is fear of God's punishment rather than appreciation for God's mercy.  Under the righteousness of the law, sin is taken to Mt. SINai to be worked off through performance instead of taken to Mt. Calvary to be covered by Jesus' blood through grace. 

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. " Romans 10:2-4 

To borrow from the words of Jesus, "Wilt thou be made perfect?"  Then do not settle in striving for a righteousness based in human effort which does not perfect.  Rather, submit to the righteousness of Christ and be made whole (Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-22; Philippians 3:9; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 11:7; I Peter 1:1).

The Righteousness of Christ

The righteousness of Jesus Christ is embodied in the fact that He never did His own will, but the will of His Father.  Jesus didn't just do what seemed right in His own eyes.  Neither was He content in just obeying the letter of the law.  Jesus sought to please God in all things and at all times by living as a continual sacrifice to the Father...well before the cross; that is where the righteousness of God rests.

There is a message I heard from Pastor Zac Poonen which perfectly explains this critical difference where he expounds on the following texts:

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." I Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." I Corinthians 10:23

Essentially, the text above illustrates three levels of living.

1. Live unlawfully - This is what unbelievers do.  One does whatever they want to do with no regard for God's words. This is the lowest form of living and produces self-righteousness. 
   
   
2. Live lawfully - This is how many believers live.  A person feels justified by outward works; doing that which is permitted or not doing that which is forbidden.  The main concern is that their activity is 'lawful'. This is the righteousness of the law.
   
   
3. Live profitably - This is where disciples of Christ are called to exist.  The concern is not just "is this lawful", but what would the Spirit have me to do?  What is profitable?  The fruit of this is the righteousness of Christ.

The whole-hearted believer may not do that which is sinful, but neither are they satisfied for that which is simply lawful.  They seek the heart of God for only that which edifies.

It may be lawful to eat a particular meal, but perhaps it is more profitable to spend that time in prayer.  It may be lawful to watch a certain TV show, but it may be more edifying to study God's word.  It may be lawful to go to a party, but maybe it is more expedient to spend some time ministering to your neighbor.  It is not sinful to eat, to watch a TV show, or to socialize at a party, but what is the Spirit of God leading you to do at that moment?  Jesus never did what He wanted to do; only what the Father commanded Him to do.

Being truly led by the Spirit of God means to seek God's direction in all things regarding our inner and outer life.  Such is the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17).

Blessed Are They

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."  Matthew 5:6

Self-righteousness, the righteousness of the law, or the righteousness of Christ?  Which do we truly desire?

The following message from Pastor Poonen on righteousness may make you uneasy.  It might make you squirm as he puts his fingers on what it means to walk in the righteousness of Christ.  Yet I pray that it revives within your hearts a desire to be completely transparent before the Lord and to be made more like Him: http://ravensministry.com/audio/Austin_2011_2.mp3

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Finding and ABIDING in the Rest of God

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:29-30

The following message from Pastor Zac Poonen is very encouraging, at least it was for me.  In this sermon, He is teaching on what it means to rest in God:  In part, this addresses:

• Being Ambassadors for Christ means that we are not citizens of this world.  
• Most Christians are just playing the fool with Christianity.  The evidence is that there is no growth.
• Growing in grace only happens as we perceive our lowliness before the Lord.
• When people give you honor, don't forget that if they knew you as intimately as you know yourself, they would not give you that honor, but would give it to somebody else.
• You become a true worshiper when God's opinion is the only one that matters.  Then you will always be at rest.
• The Scriptures describing the true rest of God (Matthew 11:28-30) are followed up directly by Jesus being questioned by the religious leaders about breaking the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14).  This contrast is to show that they did not understand what the Sabbath really was. 
• It is when things are not going well that you know whether you are at rest or not.  So thank God for the little shakings, for such gives us the opportunity to check our foundations.  Is it on the rock or on the sand? 

I admit that resting in God is something He is dealing with me on as well, and has been for the past few years. Being removed from caring about the praises or criticisms of others.  Retaining God's peace in the midst of the trials of life.  Being a true worshiper of the Lord where we can stand individually accountable before Him, walking in the liberty of His Spirit, knowing that we are "accepted in the Beloved."

Yet, God is faithful and He is able to do abundantly more than we can think or even ask.

Challenges may abound, but the grace of God abounds even more!

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The following 4-part sermon is a great study on the Book of Hebrews by Pastor Zac Poonen.

Although there are notes below each link to provide an overview of what is discussed, please do not take those notes as a substitute for listening to the message.

Hearing the message for yourself is sure to amplify your own personal study of this book.


Click Here for Hebrews - Part 1

• Hebrews Chapter 1 established the deity of Christ. 
• There is a difference between doing righteousness and loving righteousness.  We must love righteousness and hate sin if we want to be anointed with the oil of gladness (Hebrews 1:9).
• Jesus created the Heavens and the earth (Hebrews 1:10).
• Jesus is higher than the angels for God has never said to any angel what He has said to His Son (Hebrews 1:13). This is why the angels are to worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6) for He has been eternally God, even before the incarnation.  Created beings can never receive worship for such is idolatry.
• Hebrews Chapter 2 establishes His humanity.  The humanity of Christ - the fact that Jesus is a man as well as God - means that we can follow Him as our example in being an overcomer.
• The danger for many is not that we will outright reject the Gospel, but that we will drift away from it through neglect (Hebrews 2:1-3).  This text is not written to the unbeliever.  The author says, "How shall WE escape if we neglect so great salvation."  It is a warning to the believer.
• Jesus Himself was given grace to undergo the death of the cross and that same grace could only come to us through Jesus (Hebrews 2:9).
• Grace is not the unmerited favor of God.  It is God's help and God's power.
• Like Jesus, we become perfect or mature through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).
• We are the siblings of Jesus.  Whatever God did for Jesus, He will do for us for He is no respecter of persons.
• No child of God can die until Jesus opens the door for you to die because the power of death has been taken from Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15).
• Jesus was made like us so that He could be the author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:16-17).
• Believers can still have a heart of unbelief regarding the truths of the Gospel and the power of salvation given over sin.  This unbelief will cause us to depart from the Lord (Hebrews 3:12).  This is why we need to encourage each other to "consider Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1), our example.
• We are made partakers with Christ only IF we endure until the end (Hebrews 3:14).  We must abide in the faith. 
• God doing miracles for you is not the evidence that He is pleased with you.  He did many miracles for Israel in the wilderness, but was angry with them the whole time (Hebrews 3:17).  God is pleased when we enter into the land of Canaan and put those giants under our feet!
•  "Therefore let us fear..." (Hebrews 4:1).  This applies to us.  The illustration of Israel wandering for forty years in the Wilderness of Sin is given to us believers as an example (Hebrews 4:11). Do not believe the satanic lie which tells you that a believer can never later reject salvation; Scripture continually says otherwise.  Eternal security is conditional according to the word of God.
• You will only enter into the rest of God when you cease from your own works and struggles.  First, the rest of forgiveness of sin.  Then the rest of victory over sin.
• Law is man trying to do something for God.  Grace is God doing something for man.

Click Here for Hebrews - Part 2

• The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  The old covenant could only deal with the outside or outward performance.  But in the new covenant, the word penetrates to the very heart of man.
• The word of God is meant to be a sharp sword.  We should not try to blunt the sword by holding back some of God's truths in order to lessen the impact.  
• The word of God also divides between soul and spirit.  Even today, many professional Christians cannot distinguish between what is soulish and what is spiritual.  There are many "good works" being done and "good words" being spoken in the name of Jesus, but they are soulish.  We must seek to know God's ways, and this can only be done as His Spirit makes this division or merismos in our souls.  We will be deceived if we cannot distinguish between soul power and spiritual power.
• There is only one person with whom we "have to do" (Hebrews 4:13-14).  There is only one person in the universe with whom we have to give an account of our life to, and that is Jesus.
  
• There are at least 3 Heavens: one is what we see with the stars, moon, and sun; above that is the second heavenlies where Satan and his evil spirits dwell; the third heavenlies is where God dwells. 
• Jesus being a high priest who can sympathize with our situations doesn't mean that He just encourages us through it.  But, He is there with us, wants to help us through it, and carry our burdens.
• Financial difficulties are relative.  The greatest problem a person who is seeking after godliness faces is not finances, but being holy.
• Jesus was tempted just like we are, but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).  We too can be tempted, but not sin.
• Mercy deals with our past sins.  Grace is given to help us overcome sin in the future.  Mercy was available in the old covenant, but grace came only by Jesus Christ.  The time of need where grace is required is before we fall; and it keeps us from falling (Hebrews 4:16).  To ask for help after a fall is to seek mercy.  To ask for help before we fall is to call upon grace. 
• How did Jesus pray throughout His life?  "...with strong crying and tears."  (Hebrews 5:7) Did He pray like that because He was the Son of God?  No, He prayed like that because He hated sin.  Do we pray like that?  Often man is too indifferent to sin to pray like that.
• The baptism in fire brings a zeal and longing in the heart for purity.
• Jesus was never afraid to die physically.  He came to die such a death.  He did not want the break in fellowship with God that comes from spiritual death.  This was the essence of His prayer at Gethsemane.  But He had to accept that break in fellowship with the Father in order to take on the sin of the world. 
• We can only move on to the meat from the milk of the word through obedience to God by pressing on to perfection.

Click Here for Hebrews - Part 3

• The burden of the author is to move Christians beyond milk, beyond being babies into maturity as we press on to perfection.  
• He then addresses the danger of not doing so by issuing a warning to those who have been born again.
• The person discussed has been enlightened which means that in the darkness of his heart, the light of God has come. He has tasted the Heavenly gift which is the gift God gave of His Son; he has tasted Jesus.  He has received the Holy Spirit.  He has responded to God's word.  He has experienced the supernatural power of God in His life. (Hebrews 6:4)
• Then Scripture tells us that such a person as described above falls away (Hebrews 6:6).  This is not talking about falling and getting up, but falling away completely.  If God says it is possible to fall away, then it is possible, irregardless of what your theology might say.
• We are told that such persons crucify the Son of God afresh.  How do we do that?  Through a willful continuation in sin.  Jesus was crucified because of sin.
• You can cross a line where you have done such despite to the grace of God, that you cannot be renewed again (Hebrews 6:6).
• Too many Christians want to drink forth blessings from God, but have no concern to bear Godly fruit and as a result wind up producing that which is cursed (Hebrews 6:7-9). The end for such is to be burned (Hebrews 6:8).
• Yet, the author has faith that his readers will not take sin lightly, but will continue in the same diligence with which we started until the end so as to inherit eternal life (Hebrews 6:10-12).
• In the Old Testament, if God blessed a man, then he had children.  In the New Testament, the same is true spiritually; you will have spiritual children. People will be brought to the Lord through your life (Hebrews 6:14).
• The hope for a Christian is two-fold:  That Jesus is coming again and that - at that time - we will be like Him.  This hope is an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19-20).
• Jesus is called the Forerunner (after the order of Melchisedec) because He entered the holy of holies ahead of us thereby making the way for us to enter in.
• The priesthood of Melchisedec is far superior than the priesthood of Levi.  For one, Levi - while in the loins of Abraham - paid tithes to Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:1-11).  Second, the priesthood of Levi was based on certain earthly qualifications, but Melchisedec - as a type of Christ - is based on a Heavenly life with no earthly heritage and no beginning or ending of life (Hebrews 7:3).  Thirdly, the priesthood of Levi makes priests of men who are weak and must repeatedly offer sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 7:28), while Jesus Christ is holy and able to save to the utmost with one sacrifice for all sin.
• You can learn alot about Christian financial principles and Christian work by comparing the two priesthoods of Levi and Melchisedec.  Melchisedec was a King, and received gifts, but it was not according to law.  Melchisedec was not dependent upon Abraham's gift.  He took a gift from Abraham in order to bless Abraham.  Levi would teach people that they have to pay their tithes or be cursed.  When preachers tell you that you have to pay a tithe, they are appealing to the priesthood of Levi.  Many Christians are still bound by an old covenant type of thinking in believing they have to wear special clothes, believing that a building is the house of God, etc.  Don't condescend to a Levitical priesthood attitude if you wish to receive from the Lord for perfection does not come from this. 
• It is a tragic thing when people call themselves new covenant priests, but then go back to the old priesthood.  The glory of God will not come on this.  We must serve God according to the pattern that God has given in the new covenant.  This pattern is a person: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:1-2).
• The old testament law was faulty (Hebrews 8:7-8).  God had a purpose in this; He did not make a mistake.  God kept man under it to teach Him a lesson; namely, that no matter how hard you try, you will never come up to my standard or manifest my nature.
• The initial experience of many new Christians is to live like old covenant people.  We hear a message about victory and we "try".  The new covenant is not depending on human experience or ability.
• The old covenant says, "Thou shalt..." as man struggles to keep God's law.  In the new covenant, God says, "I will..." as He works within us to perform His will.

Click Here for Hebrews - Part 4

• In the Old Testament there was a constant remembrance of sin (Hebrews 7:27).  But in the new covenant, there is no remembrance of sin (Hebrews 8:12).  God does not hold your past life against you...no matter how wicked it may have been.

• The privilege under the new covenant is that we don't need any man or woman in order to know God.  We can each personally know God as a Father and friend through Jesus Christ.
• The model for what is required for us in the new covenant is seen in Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Mary could not have conceived Jesus no matter how hard she tried.  What she did have to do was submit to the work of the Holy Spirit, who alone could bring forth this new life in her.  Similarly, we cannot produce the life of Christ within.  It is God's responsibility to create righteousness in us, but we must submit to His work.
• Every person in the new covenant can be made perfect in our conscience through the Holy Spirit's power (Hebrews 9:9-14).  The Holy Spirit's power which presented Jesus without blemish to God is the same power by which we can do the same.  The law cannot make people perfect (Hebrews 10:1).  The mark of those under the old covenant is that they are afraid of the word perfection.
• God does not want your sacrifices, offerings, or tithes.  He wants your body (Hebrews 10:5).  The new covenant equivalent to the old testament 'tithe' is your body, your life.
• The central passage to the entire book of Hebrews is likely seen in verses 19-25; it is exhorting us to enter and walk by the new & living way into the most holy place.  This is the way of the cross.  Death to my own will and offering my body to do God's will.
• If you decide not to follow the way, but backslide by continuing willfully in sin, then we will be judged with the same judgment set for the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26-27).
• If you live by faith, then you will make progress.  If you draw back or drift away, then God will have no pleasure in you and you will be destined for perdition (Hebrews 10:38-39).
• We can only walk this way by faith (Hebrews 11).  Some people think faith in God is just about calling down fire from Heaven, break the walls of Jericho, part the Red Sea, and shut the mouths of lions.  That is an example of faith.  But it is also faith to be able to stand in our confession of faith while being tortured, afflicted, and killed.  Faith is not just the power to walk in the supernatural or experience miracles, but the ability to endure until the end...even through hardship.
• Our faith is not looking unto Old Testament persons, but looking unto Jesus.  And when we look to Jesus, we will run this race (Hebrews 12:1-2).  We have to run.  Don't get discouraged if you fall down, just get back up and run. 
• Don't be like Esau and lose your eternal inheritance for some small earthly gain (Hebrew 12:16).  
• If somebody harms you, the old covenant Christian will cry out for judgment.  If you are a new covenant Christian, you will cry out for mercy (Hebrews 12:24).
• The final Chapter of Hebrews gives us a summary of exhortations which we will experience as we walk in this new and living way.

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Not All of Scripture is All Scripture

Many claim to hold God's word in high regard, yet are very selective as to what they will adhere to or acknowledge. They either esteem parts of God's words over others or try to completely discount certain texts altogether.

The Torah

One way this is done is via the elevation of the Torah. The amazing thing is that ones who do this often charge other Christians with neglecting God's words, yet very few embrace the New Testament texts with the same vigor. Instead, they often do the exact opposite by denigrating the significance of the NT text or changing its meaning in order to justify elevation of the Torah.

One assertion made is that the word "Scriptures" in the Bible is speaking only of the Old Testament texts because these were the "Scriptures" as they knew them at the time. Some go even further and will discredit the majority of the NT text by labeling Paul a false apostle and asserting that his writings are not inspired by God.

Yet, these claims are addressed in the Scriptures directly when Peter writes:

"As also in all his [Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." II Peter 3:16

The Apostles knew that many of their writings were a continuation of the Scriptures. Not only did these New Testament writings hold the weight and authority of Scripture, but Paul's writings specifically are recognized as Scripture. These were not just letters to the churches, but are signed off on by God as inspired by Him.

In His wisdom, God continued to follow the same process He initiated with His people in the old covenant: giving them a written copy of His words so that they could know Him and know His ways. The New Testament writings are part of these Holy Scriptures, including the writings of Paul.

God's communication of His will to His people did not end with the Old Testament text. To elevate that text above the NT writings is to blind one's self to God's revelation to man, which will result in a perverted understanding of God's will.

Just the "Red Letters"

In the same way that people elevate the Torah, others will say that only the "red letters" matter. If Jesus isn't specifically recorded as saying it, then it can be disregarded; it may not even be the words of God, but merely the opinions of men.

Yet, this is a complete misrepresentation. All Scripture is "God-breathed" (II Timothy 3:16) which means that they all can be literally said to be God's words. These are not the words of Moses, Isaiah, Matthew or John, but are "What saith the Lord".

We don't have to seek out only the literal spoken words of Jesus Christ (the red letters) because the same Spirit by which He spoke is the Spirit which inspired all of Scripture, including the Old Testament (Galatians 3:8; I Peter 1:10-12; Hebrews 4:2).

Neither Jesus nor the Holy Spirit say anything different than what has been decreed. They are both constrained to only speak and do that which God the Father has declared (John 8:28-29, 14:23-26). The words and life of Jesus are not a separate or different testimony from what is seen in other parts of Scripture, but they are all a part of the same story or work.

"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34

When we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father for He only glorifies the Father. Jesus came in the flesh to finish the work His Father had begun, a work whose beginning is detailed in the OT texts. How can one properly understand the work being completed without perceiving the foundation from which it began? If Jesus is only doing what the Father decrees and finishing the Father's work, then we need to understand what that is. Jesus does not bring a new testimony from the Old Testament, but He fulfills the testimony of the Father given in that text.

This is why it is also incorrect to say that the OT writings are not relevant for those in the new covenant. The Old and New Testaments together make-up the Holy Scriptures; and we need them both. From Genesis (the beginning) to Revelation (the manifestation), these books form a complete picture and detail one story of God's plan for salvation via His Son Jesus Christ (John 5:39). The Old Testament gives insight into the promises of God and serves as an example for us (Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11). The New Testament text gives us understanding about how these promises have been, and are being, fulfilled.

There is one work, one message, one testimony being revealed in Scripture, and that work did not begin or end with Jesus' physical existence on the earth. In order to understand the whole story, we must consider the whole book.

Merely Cultural Admonitions

Another way people dismiss entire sections of Scripture is a belief that certain texts do not apply to us because they only address specific issues at a particular place & time. Let me offer that if there is any Scripture which you think is not relevant to the present church of God, then I suggest you have not yet properly understood the text in question. Just because a certain command may not be applicable to us today does not mean there is no truth to be gained from the text.

God tells us that all of Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, & instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). As a result, there can be NO Scripture which does not meet that criteria...or else it is not Scripture. Instead of dismissing what we do not understand, we need to seek God for enlightenment about why the text is present. God does not mince words and everything He says and does is for a reason.

The Bible Does Not Contain ALL of God's Words

It is true that the Scriptures do not contain all that God knows or even all that He desires for us to know; neither is that the purpose for why the Scriptures were given. The more important question is what do the Scriptures contain?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." I John 5:13

The Bible does not have to contain all of the words God has ever said or will ever say. What was written is more than sufficient for us to believe on Jesus Christ and have eternal life; and that is why they were given. The purpose of the Scriptures is not to tell us how to handle every situation in our lives, but to show us the way to salvation (John 5:39; Luke 24:27; Romans 1:1-2, 16:25-26; II Timothy 3:15).

There will certainly be things God tells us which are not written in the Scriptures. For example, when Paul endeavored to go into Asia, the Spirit forbade him (Acts 16:7). There was nothing in the Scriptures which Paul could have studied to get this directive. He needed a present word from the Lord to know exactly what to do in that situation...and so do we! We need to be able to hear God's voice (and thereby His words) as He leads us each day (John 10:16, 27).

Both the written and the spoken word have a purpose in our lives; in leading us into salvation and guiding us in the ways of righteousness. Yet, we know that God's words - whether spoken or written - will always be in agreement with each other as they are all coming from the same source (Galatians 1:6-9; II Thessalonians 2:15).  We can always refer to what is written to discern the authenticity of what is spoken.

God says that "all" Scripture is breathed by Him and fit for the purposes of bringing us into and raising us up in the faith. How then can we justify discounting any of it?

If we truly love and honor God's words, then we will hold to and esteem all of the Scriptures. That means not cherry picking through what we feel is acceptable, but receiving with gladness the whole counsel of God.

Thy Word IS Truth Series

• We only need to be led by the Spirit
• Not all of Scripture is all Scripture
• The Bible is not the "Word of God"
• The Scriptures have been perverted
• Conclusion

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"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having SWERVED have TURNED ASIDE aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.  

But we know that the law is good, IF a man use it lawfully; 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, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." I Timothy 1:3-11

Even in the early days of the church, there were efforts to subvert people's souls and pervert the way of salvation in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, in Paul's letter, he encourages Timothy to command that men teach no other doctrine than that which he had learned.  Paul gives insight into these false doctrines by referring to myths and disputes over earthly heritages, which were promoted to make people question the faith instead of being edified in the faith. 

The first false doctrine Paul addresses with Timothy is how the law was being used and promoted by some.  He criticizes those desiring to be teachers of the law by stating that such have "swerved" and "turned aside" from the faith.

Swerve (astocheō): To deviate from or miss the mark

Turn aside (ektrepō): To turn or twist out as in becoming disjointed from the Body, to turn away from

The problem with these teachers was not that they recognized the goodness of the law, for the law is good.  The issue was that these teachers did not understand how to use the law lawfully.  Paul then goes on to explain that in order to use the law lawfully, we must recognize that the law is not made for a righteous man.

These teachers, not understanding what they taught or affirmed, were in error by trying to teach those who are declared righteous in Christ to be under the law.  They did not know that the end of the commandment was love out of a pure heart, an undefiled consience, and true faith.

The only ones who are still under the law - the only way the law can be used lawfully - is addressing those who are outside of the faith and still lost in sin.  Those in Christ are no longer under the law - we have entered into the end of the commandment - because in Christ...

• We are given His Spirit of love (Galatians 5:22, II Timothy 1:7, I Peter 1:22, I John 4:7)
• We are given a pure conscience (Romans 9:1, II Corinthians 1:12, Hebrews 9:14)
• We are given pure faith in Him (Galatians 5:22)
• We are made righteous in Him (Romans 10:4, Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 1:11)

 And against such there is no law.

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"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with allthy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

"He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thyheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Luke 10:26-27

People often speak of how love is the fulfillment of the law.  But what does that really mean? What are these texts really telling us?

• One, it tells us that the "great" commandment to love God with all of our heart, mind, & soul is the highest law; it has primacy over all other laws.
  
  
• Second, it shows that there is a secondary command to the "great" command. This is not less in significance, because it is "like unto" the first.  So, it is also "great" but can only come after the first.  It is only possible to love our neighbors if we first love God (I John 4:21).
  
  
• Third, we are told that all the law and the prophets "hang on", stem from, or are encapsulated in these two "great" laws.  By default, this not only means that the other laws are lesser than these two; it also tells us that the two "great" laws are more broad than the others.  One can only be "summed up" in something which is greater than one's self.

A friend recently said the following:

If you read the Torah closely you will see that outside of the Sacrificial and Ceremonial laws there are no new laws. The rest of the Torah are each of the 10 commandments broken down in detail...for example Exodus 21:15 "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death." This is "honour thy mother and thy father" explictily detailed.

This statement is true!  Further, this tells us exactly why love is the fulfillment of the law.

The laws under the "great" commandments are not the whole of God's will for man or even the whole of God's law for man.  The laws under the "great" commandments are merely "examples" of the greater/higher laws. They are the "great" laws broken down in more explicit detail so that man could perceive God's ways.

Understanding these things, we could depict God's laws as follows:

It can be seen then, how obeying a higher law fulfills the lower laws/examples.  Conversely, it would be in error to say that obeying a lower law/example fulfills the higher laws.

This is why obedience to the Ten Commandments or Mosaic laws could never perfect man (Matthew 19:16-21; Hebrews 7:19), for the "great" commandments of God are broader and encompass more than these examples (Matthew 5:28).

Is this not what Jesus was saying when He criticized the Pharisees for neglecting the "weightier matters" of the law (Matthew 23:23)?  They were heeding the letter, but obeying the letter of the examples could not birth justice, mercy, and faithfulness in their hearts.

Some might ask "Why didn't God just give Israel the two 'great' laws instead of all the others?"  The answer is because man was so defiled by sin, he could not comprehend what God meant by "love God and love your neighbor."  Therefore, God had to give examples of what this meant.

These examples are types or shadows of His perfect will which is reflected fully in the two "great" commandments and embodied in the person Jesus Christ.  This is how Jesus fulfilled the law and also why the law has been fulfilled.

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:44-48

Jesus had to open the eyes of the disciples' understanding because - although they were well-versed in the Scriptures - they still did not have understanding. Jesus told them that He must fulfill what was written: He must suffer, die, and rise from the dead in order to offer man repentance and remission of sins. 

Jesus fulfilled all of the law by walking continuously in the perfect law of God (love) and offering Himself as a sinless sacrifice for our sins. Thus, Jesus fulfilled and not destroyed the law.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:17-18

Jesus promised to fulfill the law, and He did just what He said.  He became the firstborn from which we may likewise follow and walk in newness of life (Romans 8:29).

Consider again my friend's comments above.  If we understood what God meant by "honor your parents", He would not have to tell us "Do not smite your parents."  We would know that instinctively!

The goal is not to walk around trying not to smite our parents so that we can comply with God's law.  The goal is to be transformed into His image so that we have no desire to smite our parents.  The goal is not to try and resist sinful urges the rest of our life, but to kill that which has the sinful desires (the old man) so that we can obey God by nature (II Peter 1:3-4).  This is why we must be born again by the Spirit of God.

The old covenant is symbolized by what man must or must not do. The focus is on man's ability & works before God: "Thou shalt" or "Thou shalt not".  However in the new covenant, God says, "I will". The focus is on God's utmost capability in completing HIS work IN man.  Why? Because man cannot change his own heart and the heart of God cannot be legislated. The root of sin is in the heart and only God can change that.

God is not trying to get us to comply with examples of His righteousness, (which is a lower level of relationship), but to be transformed into His righteousness by being made one with Him in His Son (which is a higher calling). The letter of the law (examples) were not made for a righteous man (I Timothy 1:9).  Being made new to walk according to the dictates of the Spirit, we can then fulfill the royal law of God by walking in the "great" commandments (Ezekiel 36:26-27, Romans 8:4; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 4:14).

When the New Testament text speaks repeatedly of the old covenant or the law being replaced, done away, or set aside...it is not saying that the words of God have become void.  It is saying that man no longer needs examples when he has been transformed by God to become the reflection of Himself.  As such, man will walk in all of God's judgments as he is led by God's Spirit in all matters, even areas where no express law has been given.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

For more information on the law, please see the series on The Spirit of the Law.

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