OVER COMING STRESS (Part 1)

Bible Study For 3/3/2014

OVER COMING STRESS (Part 1)

[Note to Blog Readers: Expositor’s Notes in Bold Italic Font]

We seem to have stress in our lives and is hard to deal with at times. Stress can come in many forms. It can be due to family situations, over a death of a loved one, it can be caused by the breaking down of our vehicles, it can be caused by our jobs, it could be caused by money problems, it is most of the time caused by living in sin. Satan is the ruler of stress. We can over come any and all stress problems, if we just take it to the Cross and give it too God and, not just your sins, but your stress can and will be covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ. In order to do away with your stress, you need to understand about the Cross and what Jesus Christ did for sin and stress. God does not want to see any of His children suffer. As we go through scripture, be sure to speak up about thoughts and questions as we go through this. This study has been put together, with the Expositor Study Bible and with the Notes, to help explain what the Scriptures are talking about, to help you understand what you are reading. Lets get started.

 OVER COMING STRESS (Part 1)

John 14:27 (KJV)

Peace I leave with you (Sanctifying Peace), My peace I give unto you (there is a vast difference in “Peace with God,” which all Believers have, and “The Peace of God” of which Jesus speaks here): not as the world gives, give I unto you (the peace of the world is but surface; that given by Christ is in the heart). Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (“The Peace of God”) heals the troubled heart, and takes away fear.

Matthew  11:28-30 (KJV)

28 Come unto Me (is meant by Jesus to reveal Himself as the Giver of Salvation), all you who labor and are heavy laden (trying to earn Salvation by works), and I will give you rest (this “rest”  can only be found by placing one’s Faith in Christ and what He has done for us at the Cross [Galatians 5:1-6]). 29 Take My yoke upon you (the “yoke” of the “Cross” [Luke 9:23]), and learn of Me (learn of His sacrifice [Romans 6:3-5); for I am meek and lowly in heart (the only thing that our Lord Personally said of Himself): and ye shall find rest unto your souls (the soul can find rest only in Christ).  30 For my yoke is easy, and My burden is light (what He requires of us is very little, just to have Faith in Him, and His Sacrificial Atoning work).

Galatians 5:1-6 (KJV)

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free (we were made free, and refers to freedom to live a Holy life by evidencing Faith in Christ and the Cross), and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (To abandon the Cross and go under Law of any kind guarantees bondage once again to the sin nature.) 2 Behold (“mark my words”), I Paul say unto you (presents the Apostle’s authority regarding the Message he brings), that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (If the Believer goes back into Law, and Law of any kind, what Christ did at the Cross on our behalf will profit us nothing. One cannot have it two ways.) 3 For I testify again to every man who is circumcised (some of the Galatian Gentiles were being pressured by false teachers to embrace the Law of Moses, which meant they would have to forsake Christ and the Cross, for it’s not towed the two; as well, it’s not possible to wed any Law to Grace), that he is a debtor to do the whole law which of course is impossible; and besides, (the Law contained no Salvation). 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you (this is a chilling statement, and refers to anyone who makes anything other than Christ and the Cross the Object of his Faith), whosoever of you are justified by the Law (seek to be justified by the Law); you are fallen from Grace (fallen from the position of Grace, which means the Believer is trusting in something other than the Cross; it actually means “to apostatize”). 5 For we through the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the parameters of the Sacrifice of Christ; consequently, He demands that we place our Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ) wait for the hope of righteousness (which is guaranteed to ultimately come [Romans 6:14]) by Faith (refers to Faith in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross). 6 For in Jesus Christ neither Circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision (has no spiritual bearing on anything); but Faith which works by Love. (The evidence of true Faith is the fact of the Love which emanates from such Faith.)

Romans 6:14 (KJV)

 For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sinful nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to exercise Faith in the cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer): for you are not under the Law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of law, no matter how good that law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under Grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace merely the Goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints).

Luke 9:23 (KJV)

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me (the criteria for Discipleship), let him deny himself (not asceticism as many think of but rather that one denies ones own willpower, self-will, strength, and ability depending totally on Christ), and take up his cross (the benefits of the Cross, looking exclusively to what Jesus did there to meet our every need) daily (this is so important, our looking to the Cross; that we must renew our Faith in what Christ has done for us, even on a daily basis, for Satan will even try to move us away from the Cross as the Object of our Faith, which always spells disaster), and follow me (Christ can be followed only by the Believer looking to the Cross, understanding what it accomplished, and by that means alone [Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14; 8:1-2, 11; 1 Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2; Gal. 6:14;  Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15]).

Colossians 2:14-15 (KJV)

14 Blotting out the handwriting of Ordinances that was against us (pertains to the Law of Moses, which was God’s Standard of Righteousness that man could not reach), which was contrary to us (Law is against us, simply because we are unable to keep its precepts, no matter how hard we try), and took it out of the way (refers to the penalty of the Law being removed), nailing it to His Cross (the Law with its decrees was abolished in Christ’s Death, as if Crucified with Him); 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers Satan and all of his henchmen were defeated at the Cross by Christ Atoning for all sin; sin was the legal right Satan had to hold man in captivity: with all sin atoned, he has no more legal right to hold anyone in bondage, He (Christ) made, a show of them openly (what Jesus did at the Cross was in the face of the whole universe), triumphing over them in it. (The triumph is complete and it was all done for us, meaning we can walk in power and perpetual Victory due to the Cross.)

Romans 6:11, 14 (KJV)

11 Likewise reckon (account) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto (the) sin (while the sin nature is not dead, we are dead unto the sin nature by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice, but only as long as our Faith continues in the Cross), but alive unto God (living the Resurrection Life) through Jesus Christ our Lord (refers to what He did at the Cross, which is the means of this Resurrection Life).  14 For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sin nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to Exercise Faith in the Cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer): for you are not under the law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of Law no matter how good that Law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace is merely the goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints).

Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) 

1 There is therefore now no conversation (guilt) to them which are in Christ Jesus (refers back to Rom. 6:3-5 and our being baptized into His Death, which speaks of the Crucifixion), who walk not after the flesh (depending on one's personal strength and ability or great religious efforts in order to overcome sin), but after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit works exclusively within the legal confines of the Finished Work of Christ; our Faith in that Finished Work, i.e., “the Cross,” guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, which guarantees Victory). 2 For the law (that which we are about to give is a Law of God, devised by the Godhead in eternity past [1 Pet. 1:18-20]; this Law, in fact, is “God’s Prescribed Order of Victory”) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit, i.e., “the way the Spirit works”) of life (all life comes from Christ, but through the Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:13-14]) in Christ Jesus (any time Paul uses this term or one of its derivatives, he is, without fail, referring to what Christ did at the Cross, which makes this “life” possible) has made me free (given me total Victory) from the law of sin and death (these are the two most powerful Laws in the Universe; the “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” alone is stronger than the “Law of Sin and Death”; this means that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any manner other than Faith in Christ and the Cross, he is doomed for failure).

Romans 6:3-5 (KJV)

3 Know you not, that so many of us as were into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and Not Water [1 Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13]) were baptized into his death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!) 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sins and transgressions of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all our sins into the Tomb as well): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a “Newness of Life”). 5 For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of his death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the Instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (we can have the “likeness of His Resurrection,” i .e., “live this Resurrection Life,” only as long as we understand the “likeness of His Death,” which refers to the Cross as the Means by which all of this is done):

1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 21 (KJV) 

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize (presents to us a Cardinal Truth), but to preach the gospel (the manner in which one may be Saved from sin): not with wisdom of words (intellectualism is not the Gospel), lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (This tells us in no uncertain terms that the Cross of Christ must always be the emphasis of the Message.) 18  For the preaching (Message) of the cross is to them that perish foolishness (Spiritual things cannot be discerned by unredeemed people, but that doesn’t matter; the Cross must be preached just the same, even as we shall see); but unto us who are Saved it is the Power of God. (The Cross is the power of God simply because it was there that the total sin debt was paid, giving the Holy Spirit, in Whom the Power resides, latitude to work mightily within our lives.) 21 For after that in the Wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God (man’s puny wisdom, even the best he has to offer, cannot come to know God in any manner), it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (preaching the Cross) to save them who believe. (Paul is not dealing with the art of preaching here, but with what is preached.)

1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV)

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you (with the purpose and design, Paul did not resort to the knowledge or philosophy of the  world regarding the preaching of the Gospel), save Jesus Christ, and him Crucified (that and that alone is the Message, which will save the sinner, set the captive free, and give the Believer perpetual Victory).

Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

But God forbid that I should glory (boast), save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (what the opponents of Paul sought to escape at the price of insincerity is the Apostle’s only basis of exultation), by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (The only way we can overcome the world, and I mean the only way, is by placing our Faith exclusively in the Cross of and keeping it there.)

Ephesians 2:13-18 (KJV)

But now in Christ Jesus (proclaims the basis of all Salvation) you who sometimes (times past) were far off (far from Salvation) are made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ. (The Sacrificial Atoning Death of Jesus Christ transformed the relations of God with mankind. In Christ, God reconciled not a nation, but “a world” to Himself [II Corinthians 5:19].) 14 For He (Christ) is our peace (through Christ and what He did at the Cross, we have peace with God), Who has made both one (Jews and Gentiles), and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us (between Jews and Gentiles); 15 Having abolished in His Flesh (speaking of His Death on the Cross, by which He Redeemed humanity, which also means He didn’t die spiritually, as some claim) the enmity (the hatred between God and man, caused by sin), even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances (pertains to the Law of Moses, and more particularly the Ten Commandments); for to make in Himself of twain (of Jews and Gentiles) one new man, so making peace (which again was accomplished by the Cross); 16 And that He (Christ) might reconcile both (Jews and Gentiles) unto God in one body (the Church) by the Cross (it is by the Atonement only that men ever become reconciled to God), having slain the enmity thereby (removed the barrier between God and sinful man): 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (proclaims the Gospel going to the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh. (This refers to the Jews. It is the same Message for both.) 18 For through Him (through Christ) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (If the sinner comes by the Cross, the Holy Spirit opens the door, otherwise it is barred [John 10:1].)

II Corinthians 5:19 (KJV)

To wit, that God was in Christ (by the agency of Christ), reconciling the world unto himself (represents the Atonement as the work of the Blessed Trinity and the result of love, not of wrath), not imputing their trespasses unto them (refers to the fact that the penalty for these trespasses was imputed to Christ instead); and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. (All Believers are to Preach the Cross in one way or another or the other [1Corinthians 1:18.)

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He who enters not by the door into the sheepfold (proclaims to us that there is a “door,” and, in fact, only one “door!”), but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber (using a “way” other than Christ; He Alone is the door).

1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) 

For by one Spirit (the Holy Spirit alone does this) are we all baptized into one body (at Salvation, the Holy Spirit Baptizes the Believing sinner into the Body of Christ, which is the Born-Again experience; it doesn’t refer to Water Baptism), whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free (all must come in the same manner, “by and through Jesus Christ and what He did at the Cross”); and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (The Holy Spirit is the agent Who affects the work of Redemption carried out in our lives, which is made possible by the Death, Burial, Resurrection, Ascension, and Exaltation of Christ.)

Galatians 3:27 (KJV) 

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ (refers to the Baptism into His Death and Calvary [Rom. 6:3-5]; the reference is not to Water Baptism) have put on Christ (means to be clothed with Him [Jn. 14:20]).

John 14:20 (KJV) 

20 At that day (after the Resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost) you shall know that I am in my Father (speaks of Deity; Jesus is God!), and you in me (has to do with our Salvation by Faith), and I in you (enables us to live a victorious life [Gal. 2:20]).

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) 

20 I am crucified with Christ (as the Foundation of all Victory; Paul, here, takes us back to [Rom. 6:3-5]): nevertheless I live (have new life); yet not I (not by my own strength and ability), but Christ lives in me (by virtue of me dying with Him on the Cross, and being raised with Him in Newness of Life): and the life which I now live in the flesh (my daily walk before God) I live by the faith of the Son of God (the Cross is ever the Object of my Faith), who loved me, and gave himself for me (which is the only way that I could be Saved).

Ephesians 4:5 (KJV) 

One Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith (what He did at the Cross), one baptism (our Salvation, referring to Believers Baptized into Christ, which was done at the Cross; it has nothing to do with Water Baptism [Rom. 6:3-5]),

Colossians 2:11-13 (KJV) 

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (that which is brought about by the Cross [Rom. 6:3-5]), in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (refers to the old carnal nature that is defeated by the Believer placing his Faith totally in the Cross, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work): 12 Buried with him in baptism (does not refer to Water Baptism, but rather to the Believer baptized into the death of Christ, which refers to the Crucifixion and Christ as our substitute [Rom. 6:3-4]), wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (This does not refer to our future physical Resurrection, but to that spiritual Resurrection from a sinful state into Divine Life. We died with Him [Rom. 6:3-5], and herein lies the secret to all Spiritual Victory.) 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh (speaks of spiritual death [i.e., “separation from God”], which sin does!), hath he quickened together with him (refers to being made spiritually alive, which is done through being “Born-Again”), having forgiven you all trespasses (the Cross made it possible for all manner of sins to be forgiven and taken away);

Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? (This refers to the suffering presently endured [Vss. 17 - 18] in comparison to “the Glory which shall be revealed in us.") If God be for us (should be translated, “since God is for us”), who can be against us? (It is who can be against us that will really matter.)

Romans 8:17-18 (KJV)

17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross); if so be that we suffer with him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering “with Him” referring to His Suffering at the Cross, which brought us total Victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross). 18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time (speaks of the world and its condition because of the Fall) are not worthy to be compared with the glory (the glory of the coming future time will bear no relation to the misery of this present time) which shall be revealed in us (our Glory will be a reflective Glory, coming from Christ).

Psalms 119:71 (KJV 

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your Statutes. (Chastening and discipline make the Bible precious and the life more fruitful. They are helpful Bible teachers.)

Luke 10:41-42 (KJV)

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha (is said in pitying love), thou are careful and troubled about many things (concerned things which were important, but not the most important): 42 But one thing is needful (proclaims to us the Mind of God, and tells us where all victory is): and Mary has chosen that good part (means that this is a “choice”), which shall not be taken away from her (the greatest thing is communion with Christ).

Luke 6:48 - He is like a man which built an house (we ought to grow in grace and knowledge), and digged deep (deep into the Word), and laid the foundation on a rock (that “Rock” is Christ and Him Crucified [1 Corinthians 1:21, 23]): and when the flood arose (problems will arise), the stream beat vehemently upon that house (Satan will try to destroy the house), and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock (once again, “that Rock”   is  “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified,” which must ever be the Object of our Faith).

1 Corinthians 1:21, 23 (KJV)

21 For after that in the Wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God (man’s puny wisdom, even the best he has to offer, cannot come to know God in any manner), it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (preaching the Cross) to save them who believe. (Paul is not dealing with the art of preaching here, but with what is preached.) 23 But we preach Christ Crucified (this is the foundation of the Word of God and, thereby, of Salvation), unto the Jews a stumblingblock (the Cross was the stumblingblock), and unto the Greeks foolishness (both found it difficult to accept as God a dead Man hanging on a Cross, for such Christ was to them);

1 John 4:18 (KJV) 

There is no fear in love (the type of  “fear” spoken of here is not a godly fear or a filial reverence, but rather a slavish fear for a master or of a criminal before a Judge); but perfect love casts out fear (God has a Perfect Love for us, and if we have a perfect love for Him, which we surely can have, then we know He is going to sustain us, so there’s nothing then to fear): because fear has torment. (It is guilt that makes men fear what is to come.) He who fears is not made perfect in love. (If we do not properly understand the Cross, then are not made perfect in love.)

John 16:33 (KJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace (in effect, says to them, “Things may look dark, however, despite how they look, everything is under control; trust what I have said and believe Me!”). In the world you shall have tribulation (concerns the fundamental condition of Divine Life in this world; the world is totally opposed because its system is solely of Satan): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (He did this through the Cross [Colossians 2:14-15], so may we overcome the world).