The Forgotten Son! Part 1

Good day. Today we are posting the first newsletter in the series The Forgotten Son; there was originally 7 parts to this series but over time Part 4 went missing. We pray that you will allow the Lord to fill in the missing part in your hearts as He ministers unto you as you partake of these newsletters. The Forgotten Son newsletters were written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

The Forgotten Son!   Isa.9:6        Vol.18 No.26
     Part I
  
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV)
 
Have you ever stopped and wondered why the writer Isaiah, in scribing this verse, asked, or should I say stated two separate points? Notice, that he tells us of a child born, and a son that is given. Who, do you think that he is referring to?
 
8705 le- unto;(le); a prefixed (inseparable) preposition; sometimes it appears with the definite article (la-, le-). It means: 1) to, toward; 2) at, in; 3) till, until; 4) in order to, for the purpose of; 5) for, belonging to, with respect to, in regard to, according to.
 
For the purpose of our salvation, a child was born. In order that the sacrifice would be perfect, the Son was given. It is up to us as individuals, to take the time to hear the Word of God and gain understanding of what Father is trying to say to us here.
 
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV)
 
This verse explains how God was manifest in the flesh. (1 Timothy 3:16) The Word, (Christ), formed Jesus of Nazareth in the womb of the virgin. Jesus of Nazareth was the fleshly shell around the Spirit of Christ.
 
1 Timothy 3:16 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. (KJV)
 
Have you ever stopped to wonder what the difference between the Son of Man and the Son of God is? Have you taken the time to hear what Father has to say on the subject? You must remember that each of us as individual members of the body of Christ, are responsible for our own salvation. You can not blame, what you did not learn, on anyone but yourself! You have to take the time to study the scriptures; to find and unlock the mystery of the gospel. Then and only then, will you recognize the Son of God!
 
Matthew 22:42-46 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (KJV)
 
The child that was born, was Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenters’ son. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can see this from Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. This all took place from the moment of conception; how else could He lead a life without sin? We also have to keep in mind Romans 8:9, that if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is not of God. So, as we can see and hear, if He was the Son of Man, and the Son of God, He had to have the Spirit of Christ at all times here on earth; or the Word is not true. And we know that God cannot lie!
 
Mark 4:11-14 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. (KJV)
 
We, (the Church), have not taken the time to hear and obtain Father’s instructions to us on the mystery of the Gospel. Have you ever even questioned Father on what the mystery is? What was it that Mark was saying that they should not know? What was it that they should see, and yet not perceive? What is it that they hear, and do not understand?
 
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (KJV)
 
Paul says that we are not to be ignorant of this mystery!
 
50 agnoeo- ignorant; 1) to be ignorant, not to know 2) not to understand, unknown 3) to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong.
 
Take the time to go back and read all of chapter 11 and see how we are grafted into the natural olive tree; even though we are of the wild olive tree. We are grafted in by Christ! It is not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
What is the blindness that has affected Israel? They believe in Jesus! They believe that he was a great prophet! So, to what is their blindness? They do not believe that He was Christ, the Messiah! And because of their unbelief, they are lost, how can it be any different for us?
 
4457 porosis- blindness; 1) the covering with a callous 2) obtrusiveness of mental discernment, dulled perception 3) the mind of one has been blunted; used of stubbornness, obduracy.
 
Didn’t the Lord tell them that He was the Christ? Why would they not hear? Maybe for the same reasons that you and I don’t listen at times too? Take a look at Hebrews the fifth chapter and see what the writer has to say about those who should have been teachers and had to go back and be taught all over again. Why? Because they were dull, or lazy at hearing the Word of God.
 
We are just as stubborn as the children of Israel at times. We will not believe or act upon something, unless everyone else is doing it. We think, for some unknown reason, that if everyone else is doing it, it makes it right.
 
Do those who you listen to, possess the mystery of the faith? Paul tells us, that this is a requirement for those who have an office or position of teaching or leadership in the “Church”. It appears that we only see and hear in part, as it suits us. We do not take the time to hear what the Spirit is saying unto the “Church”.
 
1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (KJV)
 
We forget that faith only comes by stopping all that you are doing, shut off any outside distractions, and hear what Father’s Word has to say to you! Could this be why Paul told Timothy, that at his first answer no man stood with him, but all men forsook him? No one wanted to hear what Paul had to say on the mystery of the Gospel.
 
We have to recognize how it took the Son of man, and the Son of God to bring about the new creation.
 
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (NKJ)
 
He, Jesus Christ, became sin for me. Then, when He died, He arose from the dead, the first born of the new creation. It took both the Son of man and the Son of God to bring about the perfect sacrifice; one that was acceptable to Father.
 
It does not matter what everyone else is preaching; what does matter, is what the Word of God has to say. If Noah had followed what the people said, would the ark ever have been completed? Serving God through Jesus Christ has never been, nor will ever be a popular decision with the world.
 
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (KJV)
 
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (KJV)
 
Who has this mystery been kept secret from? Did you notice, that it says that it was kept secret, but now is made manifest!
 
5319  phaneroo-manifest; to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way a) to make actual and visible, realized b) to make known by teaching c) to become manifest, to be made known d) used of a person; to expose to view, to make manifest, to show oneself, to appear e) to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood who and what one is
 
602 apokalupsis-revelation; 1) a laying bear, making naked 2) a disclosure of truth, an instruction a) concerning things before unknown b) used of events by which things or states or persons; hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all 3) manifestation, appearance.
 
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (KJV)
 
Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (KJV)
 
We fail to see and hear the faithfulness and obedience of the writers of the New Testament. They did not have the New Testament available to them; but had to write down what the Spirit of Christ revealed to them. Do you really think that what they  wrote down was readily received? Do you think that they received much opposition?
 
Do you really understand and appreciate all that the writers of the New Testament went through, to make these writings available to you? In most instances, they too, paid the price of sacrificing their lives in the physical, that you might live spiritually.
 
Ephesians 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV)
 
Have you sought after, and found the mystery of Christ? How do you talk to Father? How do you access the throne? Paul is quite explicit here, to inform us, that when we hear what he has to say to us in his epistles; that we too can understand the mystery of Christ! But we have to take the time to read the Word of God, being led by the Spirit of truth. It is the truth of the Word, that sets us free.
 
Did you notice, that when you read, you are to understand Paul’s insights of this mystery, that was before hidden.
 
John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (KJV)
 
We hear most everyone talk about Jesus of Nazareth the Son of man; but very seldom, about Christ, the Son of the Living God. Why is this? Can you give me an answer?
 
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (KJV)
 
Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV)
 
We hear so many say: Father knows my heart! Yes, this is true; Father does know your heart. What we have to recognize, is that Father can only act according to our words. We are created in His image, after His likeness. It is by our words we will be justified, or by our words we will be condemned. The words that come out of our mouth, is what is in our heart; and these are what Father has to act upon.
 
We have to know how to approach the throne of grace in time of need. But there is only one mediator who can do that in my behalf. Do you know who that is?
 
Next week: The Forgotten Son! Part II
 
 
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
 
 
Word Corner: mystery
3466  musterion- 1) hidden thing, secret, mystery a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding c) a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will: 1) of men 2) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly 2) in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an Old Testament saying, of an image or form seen in a vision, of a dream.