Author: kevinwearls

1. Messiah:  His Early Years                                                         1:1-4:11

Introduction:  His Coming Work          

                                           Genealogy and birth of Jesus

                                           John the Baptist

                                           Temptation

2. Announcing the Kingdom                                                   4:12-7:29

Ministry and Teaching for the Multitudes                           

                                           Ministry in Galilee

                                           Sermon 1:  Sermon on the Mount

3. Twelve Miracles:  Twelve Men                                                8:1-11:1

Miracle Days and Teaching for Disciples                               

                                           Twelve Miracles

                                           Sermon 2:  Charge and sending of the Twelve

4. Hidden Wisdom

Teaching, Preaching and Parables                               11:2-13:53

                                           Question from John

                                           Rebuke of Cities

                                           Pharisees

                                           Sermon 3:  Eight Parables

5. Experiences and Explanations                                                 13:54-19:2

Ministry in Galilee                                                

                                           Herod and John

                                           Sermon 4:  Teaching on Greatness and Forgiveness

6. Work of Messiah:  His Concluding Weeks                          19:3-26:2

Ministry in Judea and Teaching                                   

                                           Teaching and the Pharisees

                                           Sermon 5:  Signs and Parables of His Coming Again

Conclusion:  The Great Commission                            26:3-28:20

                                           Anointing at Bethany

                                           Passover and Resurrection

                                           From Galilee to the Nations

http://www.kevinwearls.com

The term Father (pater) is used in the Sermon on the Mount 17 times. (17 is the 7^th prime number).

My Father                                     1

Our Father                                    1

Your Father                                   7

Your Father/Heaven                 8

Two themes on the Father’s Heart:

What are the heart desires (will) of the Father for you?

What are your heart’s desires for the Father’s will?

Jesus displays and mirrors the Father:

“Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” (John 14:8–11, NKJV)

What are the heart desires (will) of the Father for you?

“If you then, being evil (human), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, NKJV)

1. A Healthy Birth (as a child)

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9, NKJV)

2. A Healthy Growth (as a young person)

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8, NKJV)

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26, NKJV)

“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:32, NKJV)

3. A Healthy Full Life (as a functioning adult)

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48, NKJV)

What are your heart’s desires for the Father’s will?

1. Father and Sons:  Partnership

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

2. Courageous actions:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)

3. Persistence:

“that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45, NKJV)

4. Generous:

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1, NKJV)

“that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:4, NKJV)

5. Communicative:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6, NKJV)

6. Forgiving:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NKJV)

7. Self-denial:

“so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:18, NKJV)

What is the Father’s will?

 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV)

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19, NKJV)

Let’s examine the first plague on the land of Egypt.

First Plague: Moses and Aaron were given authority to turn the waters of Egypt into blood (Ex. 7:19-25). What does this mean to us? Water is a type of the human soul with all its emotions and feelings. Blood is the result of human beings killing one another when their emotions get out of control. It shall be like that in these last days. The “water” of human emotions will be so stirred up by passions and desires that it will cause much bloodshed. What will be the cause of this? It will be the people’s reaction to the discipline of the rod, which is the power of God’s word spoken against the godless and licentious living which will abound among the multitudes. The Word, preached in power, will create great division among the people. So many are captive to evil spirits; and the spirit of libertine conduct spreads unchecked throughout all segments of society. Even the church world is losing its moorings, believing less and less of the inspired word and partaking more and more of the reasoning of man based on pseudo-science. In general, people will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (2 Tim. 3:4). Compromise will be the order of the day; the “water” of human emotions and desires running rampant.

Suddenly, in the midst of all this there will arise a people who speak with God’s authority and who wield a rod of truth to startle and anger the multitudes. Many will hear and convert, but most will arise against those who preach a strict code of righteousness and denounce them as reactionaries. Then the Lord will move to judge, for His word can’t be thwarted. The word spoken in that day will be creative; the very speaking of it will bring it to pass. The multitudes who refuse to hear will receive the judgment of that spoken word. The very speaking of that word of judgment will inevitably turn the waters into blood. In other words, those who refuse truth, confirmed by many signs, will be turned over to the delusion of their perverted knowledge. They will become victims of the instability of their rampant desires, whipped into a frenzy by countless satanic hosts released during this time to try all men.

Because of the conflicting interests of people giving full rein to their perverted desires and the fever pitch created by satanic control and influence, all major issues will be fraught with intense strife. Instead of the due processes of law and order, people will be moved to vigilantism, submitting to intimidation and violence instead of reason. The “water” of soulish desires and emotions will gain complete control of people. The result will be intense conflict and violence, resulting in much bloodshed. This will be the turning of water into blood. Conflicts will arise over race, religion, employment, wages, working conditions, social mores, wealth distribution, education, government, foreign policy, communism, socialism, medicine, health, the press, thought control, and many other issues, which will keep the general condition of society in such a tumultuous ‘fluid’ state that demonstrations, riots, boycotts, strikes, pressures, intimidation and other forms of emotional outburst will be the order of the day, resulting in constant bloodletting. This will be the judgment of the rod, the Word of God, upon people who refused the truth. Left to the instability of their demon-crazed ways, they become the victims of violence and blood. The result of the first plague was simply to ‘harden’ Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh is a type of Satan. Thus, you can see how the chaos of the times will enable him to ‘harden’ his control over the people through increasing dictatorial powers placed in the hands of those who are working for absolute supremacy of the beast governments.

First published by J. Leland Earls (1968), revised and edited by Kevin W. Earls.

Paul, in his ministry, did not hold back from declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). I would encourage you to not ignore the Biblical teaching regarding the end of this age. Jesus made many references to this time in statements and parables (see Mt. 24-25, Lk. 21 and other passages). Paul also teaches about this time in 2 Thessalonians, 1 Co. 15 and more. Some ignore the book of Revelation as too confusing; but it is inspiring reading seeing the Lord’s plan for the culmination of this age and His victories over evil. I encourage you to read what is written on this subject for your own education and encouragement of others as well.

Revelation has a multitude of passages referenced from the rest of the Bible. The best way to understand it is to know your Bible. Revelation is a prophecy (not history) of things to come. It is a book written with symbols that come from the language of creation and redemption. Reading through the book it is amazing how much worship of the Lord is included. Revelation is a book about overcoming and learning to rule and reign with Christ. It is the revelation (unveiling) of who Jesus is and what He is about. You may not know the interpretation yet but being familiar with the content is the first step.

We do not set dates but are aware of the signs declaring the nearness of Jesus’ coming. Jesus said “and there will be . . . pestilences (pandemics)” (Mt. 24:7). It is the Lord’s decision when He comes, but He will come! (Acts 1:11, 2 Th. 1:8). He may postpone (Lk. 12:45) but He has a strategy.

When this portion of the counsel of God is studied and embraced it produces a Kingdom perspective on current events as well as a purifying of our motives (1 Jn. 3:3).

This is a excerpt from a prophetic word received by J. Leland Earls on August 4, 1964.

“Many things shall come on this land says the Lord. For I have decreed it and it shall come to pass. Do you think that man can thwart My Word which declares my plan is that all nations shall engage in mortal combat in a day of judgment and retribution? Yes, and I say that much confusion shall come on my people in the days that are ahead. For three times will I bring terror on this nation. From the east will I cause consternation. For out of the east will arise a plague, a scourge, which will cause great lamentation and woe, and it shall bring peril on the nation. But the end is not yet. . . .”

Continue to pray and seek the Lord during this season!

by J. Leland Earls, edited by Kevin W. Earls

       God is moving by His Spirit to bring light and revelation from His Word as never before. We are surely living in the time spoken of by Daniel the prophet: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). The “time of the end” of this age is upon us. Therefore, we are witnessing the “unsealing” of mysteries unknown to past generations. “Knowledge is increasing” both in the natural and physical realms of man and in the realm of the spiritual things of God.

       This does not mean that we should be gullible and accept everything we hear and read, but rather weigh it with a discerning mind seeking to “test all things” and “hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Above all, we should heed the admonition found in Is. 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The word of God is always our standard. However, we must continually be willing to restudy and reexamine what we think the Bible teaches. We must realize that many of our past concepts have been the result of our limited capacity to understand as well as the grossness of our hearts in not being able to “look beyond” the veil to view the full glory of the Lord. As the Jews had a “veil” (of unbelief) on their hearts (2 Cor. 3:13-15) not being able to “look” to the end of that which is abolished (the Old Covenant), so we have had a “veil” on our hearts not being able to fully “look” to the end (consummation) of that which is now being fulfilled (the New Covenant).

       When Moses came down from the mount after spending forty days with God, he had to put a veil over his face because the people were unable to view the shining “glory” of his face (Ex. 34:29-35). Thus, has it been through many generations. Christ has been speaking to men through His Word, but much has been veiled because of our inability to comprehend and receive. But now the “veil” is being lifted. More and more glorious light is coming forth from the Lord as He reveals (unveils) Himself to us in these last days.

        God must deal with us as we are. Much depends upon our heart willingness to receive and obey truth. Jesus said, “If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). We must be willing to restudy and rethink all that we have ever believed. And if our hearts are too gross for us to admit that we have made mistakes and have been in error in many things and change our thinking and acting accordingly, then the Lord will have to leave us where we are and continue to veil much of His truth to us.

        Another factor is heart readiness. The soil of our heart must be “broken up” and prepared to receive the “good seed” of His Word (Mark 4:20-28). The Lord many times has to condition us by experience before we are ready to receive more light and understanding. The Lord’s word to us is “break up your fallow ground . . . circumcise yourselves to the Lord” (Jer. 4:34). As Jesus spoke to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus he perceived their lack of readiness to receive and spoke to them: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25) And thus has it been ever since:  We are fools, and we have been so slow to believe all. Do I hear a gasp? Too harsh, you say! Are you willing to be honest with yourself? Are you willing to let the Lord deal with your heart until you are conditioned to “behold with unveiled face the glory of the Lord?”

       Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Our “seeing” of God (comprehending His reality and truth) is in direct proportion to the “circumcising of our hearts.” The grossness of our hearts has to be “cut away” lest it be fulfilled in us as it was in the Jews of Jesus’ day; “for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed” (Matt. 13:15). God said to Moses who wanted to see the Lord: “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). What is true in this statement physically is also true spiritually. We (the carnal self-life) cannot live if we are to “see” God. The more we “see” of God the more of our self-life has to die.

       There is no occasion of boasting when we realize that God has had to hide us in the cleft of the rock (Jesus) and has had to cover us with his hand of mercy, while He has passed by and we have “seen” but a little portion of His Being (Ex. 33:21-23). But the more we are willing to die (to self) the more of His Glory (light—truth) shall be revealed to us. Increasingly we shall “see” the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).

       What is presented through this ministry is with the realization that as yet we “see in a mirror, dimly,” and “know in part” (1 Cor. 13:12). All of us are still walking in some error, but we should desire above everything to know the truth, for “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). One truth which we must all be willing to confess is that found in 1 Cor. 8:2, “if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” With regard to many things which may be new to us we have to follow the example of Mary who “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

       I believe one more thought should be added. What about our heart motives? Jesus said, “He who speaks from himself seeks his own honor; but he who seeks his sender’s honor is sincere and in him there is no deceit” (John 7:18, Berkeley). If we are seeking our own honor in one way or another then we can be sure that what we speak tends to come “from (out of) ourselves.” But if we have no ambition or desire but to seek the honor and glory of the One who “sent” us, then out of a “sincere” heart will come that which is without “deceit” (falsehood).

       But who can honestly say that he knows his own heart perfectly, and that his motives are completely without any “taint” of self? We can only pray that God will keep us free from the beguiling influences of our own deceitful hearts, and from the corrupting desire to “please” others. None of us are immune from the “wiles” of the evil one in his attempt to inflate our ego and infuse us with the “spirit” of those at Babel: “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower . . . let us make a name for ourselves” (Gen. 11:4).

       If we want to keep hearing from God, and speak only that which He would have us speak, then in us must be fulfilled the words of Is. 66:2, “I will look favorably upon that man who is humble, feels crushed in spirit, and trembles at My word” (Berkeley).

Please write for further information on other books and articles available:

Kevin Earls                                                                        http://www.kevinwearls.com

Word of Life Fellowship                                                      http://www.wordoflifefellowship.com

PO Box 190

Shelton, WA  98584                                                This ministry is supported by free will offerings.

Yesterday evening the Governor of our state (Washington) gave a directive to residents to “stay at home” for the next fourteen days. Washington has been in the forefront of the virus news. This was to start on Wednesday for all business in the state. Interestingly the fourteen days will end on Passover this year (April 8^th).

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast (the tenth plague), and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment:  I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the house where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:12-13).

The lamb’s blood applied to the entry of the house protected those inside from the death in the land. This shows us that those who have received the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) have a protection against the death of our souls (and a promise of being resurrected and/or with Him for lasting life).

When the presence of death is in proximity we are to be wise, resourceful and put our trust in the Lord.  When Jesus was confronted with potential death He “passed through the midst of them” (Lk. 4:30), and “Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (Jn. 8:59).  Jesus was not afraid to die, but He knew the Father’s plan and avoided the wrong place and time.

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.  (Ps 27:5)

Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,

Who have upheld His justice.

Seek righteousness, seek humility.

It may be that you will be hidden

In the day of the Lord’s anger.  (Zep 2:3)

              Finally, the Lord’s delay gives mankind the opportunity to fulfill the first commission ever given to him as recorded Genesis 1:28;  “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth.”  I believe that before the Lord returns to this earth, He has determined that (according to His perspective) the earth be filled up. I believe that from the beginning He planned that a specific number of human beings be given the opportunity to be born on this earth.

Man has thwarted this purpose by murdering multiplied millions of babies (called “abortion”).  This is not only a “stench” in the “nostrils” of God, but is hindering His purpose. Some might say that the earth is already over-populated.  This is not true!  In some places, yes, but this is only because of man’s stupid practice of cramming millions of people into “ant-hills” called “cities.”  Nations that seem over-crowded, like India, could easily raise enough food for their own people and even export food products, if they did not allow millions of cows, mice, rats, etc. (that they worship and therefore cannot kill) roam the land eating millions of tons of food that should be eaten by humans.

I recently read that the population of the earth is 7.8 billion (Could God’s goal be 8 billion? Or ?).  That original commission to fill earth must be fulfilled.