Break Up The Fallow Ground
1. Broken Ground
2. Tilling The Field
3. Don’t Break Down Others With Words
4. A Time To Break Down A Wall
5. Breaking Down A Wall Of Isolation
6. A Broken Box
7. A Broken Heart
8. Broken Families
9. Broken To Be Used Of God
10. Broken Bread
11. A Broken Friendship
12. A Broken Tradition
13. A Broken Watch
14. The Veil Between God And Man Was Broken
15. The Seal Of The Tomb Was Broken And Jesus Broke The Hold Of Death!
16. The Scriptures Were Not Broken - God's Word Was Fulfilled!
1. Broken Ground
Friday was the first day of spring and I am so glad that the weather is turning warmer and the sun is shining longer each day. Many of you know how much I love planting a garden and working in it all summer. I enjoy planting the seeds and watching the plants come up. I may be the only person around that enjoys sitting between the rows and pulling weeds. Many have told me to plant in raised gardens. But there is something special about Jeremiah 4:3, “For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” Let’s begin this series on broken things, with broken ground.
2. Tilling The Field
In chapter 27 of I Chronicles we read about different areas of work, and verse 26 tells about tilling the field. "And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:" (I Chronicles 27:26) There were people who had the job of tilling the field. They used oxen or other livestock and I’m sure it was much more work than we have to do today. I didn’t know if I would be able to plant a garden this year because I am not able to till the ground right now, and Michael could not do it all. Four of my grandsons came this week to help me get my field ready to plant. The older two helped Michael till the ground while I found other jobs in the yard for the younger two. What a wonderful blessing! We can also apply this to our spiritual lives. "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12) We need to break away the weeds and thorns, sins in our lives, so that God's Word can grow in good ground. Jesus told the parable of the sower that went to sow the seed of God's Word. "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:7-8) It's time to break up the ground and be fruitful!
3. Don’t Break Down Others With Words
Job lost his wealth, his livestock, his children and his health. His wife turned against him as she said, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” (Job 2:9) Then his three friends came to mourn with him and comfort him. As you read the book of Job you can see quickly that they were rude and spiteful in their words and discouraged him instead of encouraging him. Job told them, “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” (Job 16:2) And he asked them, “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” (Job 19:2) When I was going through chemo three years ago some people may have meant to comfort me, but they broke me with their words. We should comfort and encourage others and not break them down. We are to edify one another as the Apostle Paul told the early churches. “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19) “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (I Thessalonians 5:11) He even warned, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” (Galatians 5:15) James has a lot to say about the dangers of the tongue. Let’s lift one another up and not break each other down with our words.
“6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:6-10)
4. A Time To Break Down A Wall
I was trying to think of things that we can break and I thought about breaking down a wall. We may have different kinds of walls in our lives, and the one that first came to my mind is a wall of doubt. Ecclesiastes 3:3 tells us there is “a time to break down, and a time to build up;” A wall of doubt can hinder us from believing in Jesus and accepting His gift of salvation. A wall of doubt can keep us from many of the blessings of God. We read in Matthew 13:58, “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” What can we do to break down a wall of doubt? Trust in the Lord and increase our faith. There is a verse in Mark that tells it like this… “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) We can ask the Lord to help us in times of doubt. We can look back at all the times that God has helped us in the past and know that He has never failed us and He never will. Let’s break down those walls of doubt and build up our faith in our wonderful, faithful Lord. Matthew 14 tells us a time Peter doubted.
“22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22)
5. Breaking Down A Wall Of Isolation
When we look back to the very beginning of time we read, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18) God says that it is not good to be alone, yet when we sink down and reach our lowest point we often want to be alone. We put up a wall of isolation and try to hide behind it where no one can see us or reach us. After Elijah had such a great victory on Mt. Carmel, he was threatened by Jezebel and he went on alone. The Lord did not scold the prophet, but He let him rest and fed him. He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice and sent him on to more tasks. Part of it was calling the prophet Elisha, who would take his place. Elijah went to heaven victorious in a chariot of fire. Many pressures of life can get us down, but it is good to have a faithful friend to be with us to help carry our load. Maybe you feel alone because of your circumstances, or maybe you feel alone because you have chosen to be alone. And maybe after you rest and eat you can listen for God’s still small voice and break down your wall of isolation.
“3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.” (I Kings 19:3-7)
6. A Broken Box
As we prepare our hearts for Easter I want to look at some things that were broken during the Easter season when Christ was crucified and He rose up from the grave. Today we see a broken box. Mary of Bethany had a box of ointment that was very costly. In order to give it to Jesus, it had to be broken open. Notice in verse 8 where Jesus said, “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” Could it be that Mary was the only one who understood when Jesus tried to prepare them for His death and resurrection? She gave Jesus the most precious thing she had. Let’s give our best to the Lord, even if it means breaking something precious to us.
“3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Mark 14:3-9)
7. A Broken Heart
In Luke 13 I believe that we have two examples of how the heart of our Lord was broken. I think it breaks the heart of Jesus when people don’t accept His gift of salvation. He left heaven to come where He would suffer and die on the cross to pay for the sins of all who will believe on Him and ask Him to forgive them. It would break our heart to offer a gift of love, just to have it rejected. Then we can see His broken heart over Jerusalem, God’s chosen city. “But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.” (II Chronicles 6:6) They killed the prophets that were sent to give them God’s Word. Jesus wanted them gathered under His wings, where He could lead them and protect them, but they would not! It should break our heart when our friends and loved ones won’t listen to us tell them about God’s wonderful salvation and put their trust in Jesus.
“22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13:22-30 & 34-35)
8. Broken Families
A coworker once showed us family photos and a woman asked, "How did you get such perfect photos of the children?" He laughed as he explained that they took several shots and he chose the best ones and photo-shopped the best faces of his children onto those pictures. My pictures are not photo-shopped. What you see is the way it is. Little Lici doesn't like the picture of the grandchildren on my computer because she was crying. She didn't want her picture taken and that's the best one we got. We see family pictures online and it makes us wonder why our family is not that perfect. I believe that it's an illusion. I don't think there are any perfect families and I don't think there are any perfect homes. I believe that there are a lot of broken families and broken homes out there that we don't see. Jesus was perfect, but His family was not. In Matthew 13:57, He said, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." Do you see that? Jesus did not have honor "...in his own house." We also read in John 7:5, "For neither did his brethren believe in him." As Jesus was dying on the cross He wanted to make sure His mother was taken care of. He saw John standing by His mother and let them know that he wanted John to take care of her.
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:26-27)
Where were His brothers and sisters? It is good to read that His brothers did later believe. After His death the disciples were waiting in the upper room, and we read, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." (Acts 1:14) Since "his brethren" follows the presence of His mother, I think it may mean His brothers. Don't get discouraged looking at all the "perfect" families and wonder what happened to yours. There are broken hearts in all of our families.
9. Broken To Be Used Of God
Today is Palm Sunday, a time to remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey that had never been broken. Colts or foals have to be broken before they can be ridden and used. In the same way we often have to be broken to be used of the Lord. This young donkey had never been broken, but he was broken in the hand of the Lord. "And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him." (Mark 11:2) A colt would have to be broken before a person could sit on it and ride it. They took the colt to Jesus and He sat on it and rode into Jerusalem. Imagine how a young animal would have reacted to garments thrown in front of it, people waving tree branches at it, and shouting, yet the colt went on, being used by the Lord. As we yield our lives to God we sometimes need to be broken so that we can keep our minds and eyes on the Lord. Sometimes we need to be broken so that we will take our eyes off what is ahead of us, and what is going on behind us. We need to be broken from the noise of the world and focus on serving our Savior. Sometimes our pride needs to be broken so that we put our Lord first in our lives and say like John the Baptist. "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)
"8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest." (Mark 11:8-10)
10. Broken Bread
Jesus wanted to have the Passover supper with His disciples before He was to be crucified. They went into an upper room that was furnished. He gave thanks and broke the bread and gave it to His disciples. “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) They were there when Jesus broke the loaves and fishes to feed the multitudes. Two chapters later we see the account of two of Jesus’ disciples that were on the road to Emmaus and they were sad over the death of Christ. They did not know Jesus when He walked and talked with them. But, when they sat to eat that evening their eyes were opened when He broke bread. “And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” (Luke 24:35) Jesus wants to fellowship and eat with us, too. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 20:3)
“21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” (Luke 24:21-35)
11. A Broken Friendship
Most of us have probably felt the hurt caused by broken friendships. It may have been something that was done on one side or the other that caused pain, or maybe just time or distance that caused you to break apart. You may have lost touch with friends that had been close for many years, or someone you knew only for a short while. No matter how devastated you felt at the time, it could never compare to the sorrow Jesus felt when Judas Iscariot betrayed His friendship. Judas Iscariot walked and talked with Jesus. He saw the miracles and ate of the loaves and fish. He chose to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Even though Judas betrayed Jesus, He still called him “Friend”. The next time you feel betrayed, cheated, and hurt by a one-time friend, remember that Jesus went through so much more for you.
"14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him." (Matthew 26:14-16, 20-25, & 48-50)
12. A Broken Tradition
Back in the days when Jesus walked on the earth, He actually walked on the earth. The only time that is recorded that He rode on a donkey was when He rode into Jerusalem just before His death. The people walked and their feet and their sandals got dusty. It was tradition that a servant of the house was to wash the feet of people who came into the house. Jesus and the disciples went into the upper room to eat the Last Supper of Passover. Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed the feet of the disciples. He broke the tradition to be an example to the disciples to serve others. Are we serving others?
“1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:1-17)
13. A Broken Watch
When Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, He asked the disciples to watch. He knew all things and He knew that His time had come to die. The disciples were tired and sleepy and they fell asleep. They didn’t keep their watch. Jesus also tells us to watch and pray. Are we faithful to watch for His coming? Are we faithful to watch over others?
“32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mark 14:32-41)
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthw 24:42)
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Corinthians 16:13)
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” (Colossians 4:2)
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (I Thessalonians 5:6)
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (I Peter 4:7)
14. The Veil Between God And Man Was Broken
God gave Moses the law concerning the veil in the tabernacle. "And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place." (Exodus 26:33-34) The veil separated God and sinful man. Once a year the high priest would enter the holy of holies behind the veil and offer an atonement for the sins of the people. Job cried out, “O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” (Job 16:21) Jesus came to intercede on our behalf. When Jesus died on the cross the veil was rent in two, from the top to the bottom and the wall of partition between God and man was broken. Jesus made the final sacrifice, and we can enter into the holy of holies by the blood of Jesus!
"50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." (Matthew 27:50-54)
"19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:19-23)
15. The Seal Of The Tomb Was Broken And Jesus Broke The Hold Of Death!
I was brought up in church and we went to church all year, not just at Easter, and I have known the meaning of Easter from an early age. But, reading the gospel accounts of the Passover, the agony in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the mockery of a trial, and the cruelty of the cross, my heart and soul are deeply touched by all Jesus went through to save me. If the story ended there, it would be the most sorrowful story of all time. The story of Jesus does not end in the tomb. Today we rejoice! Christ rose up from the grave! Pilate said, "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can." They rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher and made it sure, sealing the stone. Come Easter morning the seal was broken and the stone was rolled away! Jesus broke the hold of death! The angel of the Lord didn't roll the stone away so that Jesus could get out of the tomb. No, the stone was rolled away so that the world could see the He was risen, just like He said! And because He lives, we live. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:55-57)
"59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (Matthew 27:59-66)
"1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)
16. The Scriptures Were Not Broken - God's Word Was Fulfilled!
We have looked at so many things that were broken. But, praise the Lord, God’s Word is never broken! God is faithful and His Word is true. Jesus came, just as promised, and He is coming again, just as He promised! Every promise will be fulfilled!
"53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." (Matthew 26:53-56)
“6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:6-11)
“1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 22:1-8)
