THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS TO THOSE THAT PERISH IS FOOLISHNESS.

1Cor:1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV)

BELOVED OF GOD, IF YOU ARE A NEW CONVERT TO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS NECESSARY FOR JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, TO COME INTO THE WORLD, AND OFFER HIMSELF UP AS A SACRIFICE UNTO GOD. WHEN GOD CREATED HEAVEN, AND EARTH, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, EVERYTHING WAS GOOD, CLEAN, SANCTIFIED. BUT WHEN ADAM, THE FIRST MAN, SINNED. SIN CAME INTO THE WORLD, AND CONTAMINATED, POLLUTED, AND MADE UNCLEAN THE PEOPLE, THE ANIMALS, THE FISH OF THE SEA, THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, THE GROUND. AND, BECAUSE OF SIN GOD HAD ENMITY, A JUSTIFIED ANGER, TOWARD ALL MANKIND. FOR ALL MANKIND WAS IN ADAM AT THE TIME THAT HE TRANSGRESSED THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD. AND BECAUSE OF OUR PHYSICAL UNION WITH ADAM, SIN WAS IMPUTED UNTO ALL. WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD DEPARTED FROM ADAM, WE ALL DIED THE SPIRITUAL DEATH. NOW WHEN A CHILD IS BORN INTO THE WORLD, HE IS ALIVE PHYSICALLY, BUT DEAD SPIRITUALLY. HE MUST BE BORN AGAIN. THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL MUST BE BROUGHT TO LIFE. FOR IT IS THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL THAT SHALL LIVE IN ETERNITY.

1Cor:15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN, FROM THE TIME THAT ADAM TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, UNTIL MOSES WAS BORN. DEATH REIGNED. MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, WENT OUT INTO ETERNITY WITHOUT HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN PERISHED. FIRST COMES TEMPTATION, THEN LUST, THEN SIN, THEN THE CURSE, AND THEN DESTRUCTION. THIS WAS THE FATE OF THE PEOPLE UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE LAW OF MOSE'S.

Is:24:5: The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Is:24:6: Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN MOSES WAS BORN, GOD CHOSE HIM A PEOPLE, ISRAEL. AND, ALLOWED THEM TO PUT OFF THE SPIRITUAL DEATH YEAR, BY YEAR, BY USING THE SCAPEGOAT; UNTIL CHRIST WAS BORN INTO THE WORLD. BUT, FOR THE GENTILE BOTH THE PHYSICAL DEATH, AND THE SPIRITUAL DEATH, REIGNED FROM ADAM, UNTIL CHRIST HANG ON CALVARY'S TREE. FROM THE TIME OF ADAM UNTIL CHRIST JESUS HANG ON CALVARIES TREE WE, AS GENTILES, WERE WITHOUT HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

Eph:2:11: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph:2:12: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

WHY WAS THE CROSS NECESSARY? WHY WAS IT NECESSARY FOR CHRIST TO SUFFER, BLEED, AND DIE ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY? LISTEN CAREFULLY, WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SIN.

Heb:9:22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

THERE WAS NOT A GIFT IN ALL THE WORLD THAT COULD BE OFFERED UP TO GOD, TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS. THEREFORE, GOD SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON INTO THE WORLD TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS. THE BIBLE, THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD SAYS, THAT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSION, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. THE SCRIPTURES GO ON TO SAY THAT HIS SOUL WAS MADE AN OFFERING FOR SIN. LISTEN AS I READ FROM THE BOOK OF

Is:53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Is:53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Is:53:7: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Is:53:8: He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Is:53:9: And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Is:53:10: Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Is:53:11: He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Is:53:12: Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

SAINTS OF GOD, WHY WOULD JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, COME INTO THIS CRUEL WORLD, AND OFFER HIMSELF AS A SACRIFICE UNTO GOD? I BELIEVE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY THAT HE COULD ATONE FOR OUR SINS. THE VERY PURPOSE OF THE SACRIFICE ON CALVARIES CROSS, WAS TO TAKE AWAY THE ENMITY THAT GOD HAD FOR MAN. AND, TO RECONCILE GOD, AND MAN. AFTER THE DEATH BURIAL, AND GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST JESUS CAME TO HIS DISCIPLES, AND BREATHED UPON THEM, AND SAID RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST. THIS WAS THE RECONCILIATION OF GOD, AND MAN.

Jn:20:19: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Jn:20:20: And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Jn:20:21: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Jn:20:22: And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Jn:20:23: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

SAINTS OF GOD, WHEN CHRIST JESUS BREATHED UPON HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST, THE KINGDOM OF GOD CAME; FOR WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST. THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL CAME TO LIFE. THAT PART OF A MAN THAT SHALL LIVE IN ETERNITY CAME TO LIFE. IT IS THE SOUL THAT SHALL LIVE IN ETERNITY BECAUSE THE LORD RENEWS THE SOUL DAY BY DAY. THE ANOINTING CAME THAT TEACHES US, AND BRINGS US INTO ALL TRUTH. POWER CAME ; THE POWER TO PREACH OR TEACH, WITNESS, OR WHAT SOEVER THE LORD HAS CALLED A PERSON TO DO. BUT THE MOST WONDERFUL POWER THAT WE RECEIVED IS THE POWER TO LIVE THE SIN FREE LIFE. WHEN CHRIST BREATHED ON HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST, LOVE CAME. A LOVE THAT IS NOT SELFISH, A LOVE THAT THINKS NO EVIL, A LOVE THAT NEVER FAILS. WHY WAS IT NECESSARY FOR CHRIST TO DIE ON CALVARIES CROSS? CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY'S CROSS THAT HE MIGHT BE LORD OF BOTH THE LIVING, AND THE DEAD.

Rom:14:9: For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (KJV)

BELOVED OF GOD, WHEN CHRIST JESUS HANG ON CALVARY'S TREE, HE TORN DOWN THE PARTITION BETWEEN THE JEW, AND THE GENTILE, AND MADE OF THE TWO ONE NEW MAN IN CHRIST.

Eph:2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph:2:14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

CHILDREN OF LIGHT, WHEN CHRIST JESUS HANG ON CALVARY'S TREE, HE ABOLISHED THE ENMITY, THE JUSTIFIED ANGER, THAT GOD HAD FOR MANKIND. THE WORD GOSPEL MEANS GOOD NEWS. WHAT GOOD NEWS ? THE GOOD NEWS THAT WE, AS CHILDREN OF GOD, THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THE FATHER. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD, THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, HAS ENDED. BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICE THAT CHRIST JESUS MADE ON CALVARIES CROSS.

Eph:2:15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

SAINTS OF GOD, IF YOU EVER WONDERED WHY MEN ARE HANGED WHEN THEY HAVE DONE SOME HORRIBLE CRIME, IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS A CURSE ON EVERY MAN THAT IS HANGED ON A TREE. WHEN CHRIST JESUS WAS HANGED ON CALVARY'S TREE, HE BECAME CURSED, THAT HE MIGHT TAKE AWAY THE CURSE, THE SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION, FROM GOD'S CHILDREN.

Gal:3:12: And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Gal:3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Gal:3:14: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

WHEN CHRIST JESUS HANG ON CALVARY'S CROSS, THERE WAS A FOUNTAIN OPENED THAT CLEANSED THE ANIMALS, THE BIRDS, THE FISH, AND OTHER CREATURES OF GOD. THAT IS THE REASON THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE ABLE TO EAT SUCH THINGS AS PORK, CATFISH, RABBIT, SQUIRREL, AND OTHER THINGS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY UNCLEAN. WHEN CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED THERE WAS A FOUNTAIN OPEN THAT CLEANSED OUR FOOD. NOW OUR FOOD IS CLEANSED BY THE WORD OF GOD, JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD, AND PRAYER.

Acts:10:9: On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

Acts:10:10: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Acts:10:11: And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Acts:10:12: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Acts:10:13: And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Acts:10:14: But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Acts:10:15: And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

SAINTS OF GOD, THERE ARE MULTITUDES OF MEN, WICKED MEN, THAT TEACH THAT SOME OF GOD'S CREATURES ARE UNCLEAN, AND SHOULD NOT BE EATEN. SUCH AS PORK, CATFISH, RABBIT, SQUIRREL, AND MANY OTHER OF GOD'S CREATURES ; THAT DOCTRINE IS THE DOCTRINE OF THE DEVIL. FOR EVERY CREATURE OF GOD IS GOOD, AND NOTHING TO BE REFUSED, IF IT BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING. FOR OUR FOOD IS CLEANSED BY THE WORD OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST, AND THANKSGIVING.

1Tm:4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1Tm:4:2: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

1Tm:4:3: Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1Tm:4:4: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1Tm:4:5: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

1Tm:4:6: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

BELOVED OF GOD, WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTIZED OUT OF THE WORLD, AND INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND RECEIVES THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST, HE BECOMES A MEMBER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. REMEMBER THIS, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO BE RIGHTEOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD, AND THAT IS BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, AND FAITH IN THE BLOOD THAT HE SHED ON CALVARY'S CROSS. IF A MAN TRIES TO BE RIGHTEOUS ANY OTHER WAY, HE WILL, IN MY OPINION, COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. I BELIEVE, A MAN WILL HAVE TO BE PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS TO RECEIVE THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE. WHEN A MAN PLACES HIS FAITH, AND TRUST, IN JESUS CHRIST, AND FAITH, AND TRUST, IN THE BLOOD HE SHED ON CALVARY'S CROSS; GOD, THE FATHER, ALLOWS THAT MAN TO DECLARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST, WHICH IS PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS; FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS PASS. WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL SPEAKS OF THE LAW, IN THESE VERSES OF SCRIPTURE, HE IS SPEAKING OF THE LAW OF MOSES.

Rom:3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom:3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom:3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Rom:3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Rom:3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Rom:3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

HOLY CHILDREN, WHEN THE MEN NAILED JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, TO THE CROSS. AS THE NAIL WHEN THROUGH THE FLESH, IT WAS IN THE FLESH, THAT THE ENMITY THAT GOD HAD FOR MAN WAS ABOLISHED, AND WHEN THE NAIL STRUCK THE CROSS, EVERY LAW, EVERY ORDINANCE, THAT WAS AGAINST US WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS; TAKING THEM OUT OF THE WAY.

Eph:2:15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Col:2:14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;