WHICH TREE IS MANIFESTING IN YOU?

March 21, 2004 MF Blume 1 John 1:1-3 (1)  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. The message preached last week has developed more in my spirit, and I wish to continue that thought and go further with it today. Notice that John said LIFE was manifested.   •    This takes us back to the TREE OF LIFE in the Beginning. •    If there is one picture that overspreads the entire Bible as God’s will for mankind is that we might have HIS LIFE WITHIN US. •    And that thought began with the Tree of Life in Eden. Genesis 2:9 (9)  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:17 (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. THE FALSE TREE: Genesis 3:6 (6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Notice these three things are in the false FRUIT. And notice that John speaks of something that has come to exist “IN” THE WORLD. 1 John 2:15-16 (15)  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:17 (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Notice 1 John 2:17 says the same thing that Genesis 2:17 said. The WORLD will pass away because it has these things in it from the fruit that would also cause ADAM TO PASS AWAY AND DIE when he would eat the fruit. The world has these three things IN IT.                  Satan wanted to put these things IN YOU. In fact, you’re born with these propensities in you. That is why he tempted Eve to eat the fruit of knowledge of good and evil because IT HAD THESE THINGS IN IT to be PUT WITHIN EVE. It's not fruit pulp that God is trying to stress in Genesis. IT'S SOMETHING INSIDE MANKIND THAT THE DEVIL SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING IN US. And God wanted something else in us. In other words THE ELEMENTS OF THE FALSE FRUIT MANIFESTED IN THE WORLD. IT IS "IN" THE WORLD. But the other fruit OF LIFE 1 John 1:1-3 (1)  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. LIFE was manifested. •    Manifested IN FLESH when Jesus came to this world. Manifested to such an extent that you could hear, touch, handle and see it! All of this came from the two trees in the beginning. Let us study how. We are going to deal with the spirit of truth and what the Bible calls the spirit of error also called the spirit of antichrist. We will show you how UNCHRISTIAN HATE AND DIVISION is actually the SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST. So many people automatically think of a very evil MAN when they hear the word antichrist. Did you know that the bible never speaks of a MAN when it uses the term ANTICHRIST? In fact, the whole Book of Revelation does not even use the term ONCE. And the only books in the whole bible that use the term antichrist are two very very small books near the end of the New Testament called 1 John and 2 John. 1 John 2:18-20 (18)  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (20)  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John 4:1-3 (1)  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2)  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:6 (6)  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (Notice that John mentions the SPIRIT OF TRUTH and the SPIRIT OF ERROR. •    The spirit of antichrist is ERROR, obviously. Jesus said it as well. John 18:37 (37)  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.) John said that people who know God hear him and the apostles. Jesus said that people of truth hear His voice. So we must understand that the apostles preached Jesus' truth. 2 John 1:7 (7)  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Now, we must understand that Christ in the flesh is actually God manifest in flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16 (16)  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Antichrist denies this. But it denies it in a way that many will not be familiar with, and a way most people do not mention if ever asked. Antichrist is a spirit that does not simply say that Christ did not come in the flesh. It denies everything about the idea of God in the flesh. To speak of God in the flesh is to speak about a divine LIFE inside of us and a LIFE that CHANGES and CAUSES NEW THINGS TO COME FORTH from our lives that cannot be attributed to anything natural. So lets go back to the beginning, for GENESIS shows the beginnings of everything. God told Adam he would DIE if he ate the forbidden fruit. Rom 5:12 (12)  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: This ONE MAN was Adam. Notice that DEATH is associated with the forbidden tree twice in the bible. God said it would kill Adam, and Romans says that death came because of the sin of disobedience to God’s Word. Last week we preached about the very three elements of the forbidden fruit that now comprise the entire world. Genesis 3:6 (6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 1 John 2:16 (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. God wanted to GIVE LIFE to the world. And this is more than what most people think God gives us. Its more than information. More than religion. More than a philosophy. IT IS LIFE. But the false fruit was called the KNOWLEDGE of good and evil. It sounds SOOOO religious! After we read about the WORLD being comprised of the three things from the false fruit, we read about antichrists! 1 John 2:18-20 (18)  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (20)  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. Notice verse 20. AN UNCTION. An unction is impartation of something of GOD. Anointing of God's Spirit. SOMETHING THAT IS ALIVE. We have experienced the power of the HOLY GHOST. We KNOW that what antichrist is proposing is false. We've experienced something IN US FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD -- an UNCTION. What is this spirit of antichrist? 1 John 4:1-3 (1)  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2)  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Jesus was GOD IN THE FLESH. This was divine LIFE that is far greater than anything natural. And this divine life was manifested in human flesh one day. And the reason John said that although the spirit of antichrist is deceiving the world, we have received the anointing of the Holy GHost so we know better! The spirit that denies God's influence INSIDE human flesh cannot get hold of us, because we already have experienced an ANOINTING or UNCTION. Our lives have been affected. Holy Spirit christianity is not just another philosophy. It's associated with PERSONAL DIVINE EXPERIENCES. Supernatural experiences. That is why speaking in tongues is so synonymous with the people of the Holy Spirit baptism. It's more than information. It's EXPERIENCING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Something DIVINE comes into our lives that people can see! The fruit of knowledge only was knowledge about what is good and evil. Philosophy. Philosophy leaves one empty. No wonder people are tired of philosophical church! What does it actually DO for people? Antichrist is simply the spirit that speaks contrary to JESUS ACTUALLY BEING IN FLESH. It's contrary to God actually doing something in flesh. It's as different from truth as the false fruit of KNOWLEDGE was different from the FRUIT OF LIFE. What do we want?  Some knowledge?  Or something that is ALIVE? Here is the danger of the spirit of antichrist -- religion without any LIFE or POWER. Continue on with what 1 John says. 1 John 4:4 (4)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. I like this. Once we realize that antichrist is simply religion without LIFE and only knowledge, we get the point of 1 John 4:4 much more wonderfully. GOD IS INSIDE US! Antichrist can deny Jesus came IN flesh all it wants, but SOMEONE REALLY IS INSIDE US! We have experienced the ANOINTING -- the influence of God's Spirit upon our lives that changes our lives. And now John says GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU!!! He is IN THE FLESH. OUR FLESH. He is IN YOU! See how John slaps the spirit of antichrist! 1 John 4:5 (5)  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. The world is contrasted with people who have experienced GOD in their flesh and lives. Keep in mind that the WORLD is made of the things that were of the fruit OTHER THAN THE FRUIT OF LIFE. 1 John 4:7-8 (7)  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Love is of God. When people LOVE one another, instead of talk against one another, and divide up and cancel others out from themselves, THEY PROVE THAT ANTICHRIST IS WRONG. THEY PROVE THAT GOD DOES COME IN HUMAN FLESH. He comes in human flesh to such an extent that PEOPLE LOVE EACH OTHER WITH A GODLY LOVE! That is not the fleshly love that only loves those who love you. It is the divine LOVE that Jesus had, that LOVES whether someone loves you back or HATES you. Do you prove ANTICHRIST IS WRONG? Does your life prove that Jesus DID come in flesh? Does your life prove HE IS IN FLESH -- YOUR FLESH? What KILLS more people in this world more than anything else is CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT LIFE. The greatest issue that could exist in anybody's mind and heart is GOD. And when GOD is represented by PEOPLE who do not have LIFE of God in them, not manifesting GOD through them to people, while GOD IS LOVE, the greatest hopes are dashed to pieces. These people manifest hate and division, and sinners looking for hope, having put confidence in such people, are so discouraged and quit on God altogether! 1 John 4:12-14 (12)  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (13)  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (14)  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Think of a non-verbal TESTIMONY. We testify that God sent His Son to save the world WHEN WE DO SOMETHING THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE IF GOD IS IN US. That is a NONVERBAL testimony. You cannot see God. BUT JOHN IS SAYING THE NEXT BEST THING IS FOR PEOPLE TO SEE GOD DO SOMETHING IN YOUR FLESH. They cannot see God but they will know GOD DWELLS IN OUR FLESH when we love one another. To love people LIKE THAT is to have definitely BEEN GIVEN SOMETHING OF GOD'S SPIRIT -- v. 13. A testimony in court is PROOF of something. And WE DO TESTIFY THAT JESUS CAME IN FLESH to this world. We are proving its possible because HE HAS TO BE IN OUR FLESH IN ORDER FOR US TO LOVE AS HE DID. John 13:34 (34)  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 (12)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Jesus SACRIFICED HIMSELF for us. One thing I notice about people who love one another, is that they overlook the other's faults. How many know that God overlooked our faults and saw our need? That is how he loved us And we must love one another in that manner. When something BUGS you about somebody, and you clash with them, etc., you simply will not associate with them. In fact you may say things and HURT them. You are not sacrificing yourself for them. When you overlook what BUGS YOU, and ignore it and treat the person right, you are loving as God loves. People who LIVE this way, with lives that are AFFECTED by God until the people DO things that can only be attributed to God, then GOD IS IN THE FLESH. And nothing feeds and assists the spirit that denies God came in flesh, the spirit of antichrist, more than believers who claim to be of God but do not EXUDE GOD. Notice this is what JOHN is speaking about. Notice the first few verses in the book with this in mind. 1 John 1:1-3 (1)  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came in FLESH. You could TOUCH HIM. SEE HIM WITH EYES. HANDLE HIM WITH HANDS. LIFE was manifested. This goes back to the tree of life. The WORLD manifests the things about the false tree. But THE LIFE WAS MANIFESTED when Jesus came. And he came to GIVE US LIFE! To manifest LIFE inside of us! WHAT DO YOU MANIFEST? God did not want man to get filled with knowledge of good and evil. He wanted us to get filled with HIS LIFE.