Intimacy

Creation, what is the purpose? God is love. So we are created to be love and to love.

Love=3D God’s= Love, in the Greek; agape’__ to love dearly or much. A love that gives out of desire to, because of others need and because we have what is needed, filled with grace and mercy. It has the pow= er to change that which can’t be changed. It is a miraculous intervention into the lives of People by God. The word agape’ seems to have been coined by Jesus in the Greek language and is believed to get it’s roo= ts from the Hebrew language, the word agab ( aw-gab') A primitive root; to breathe after, that is, to love (sensually):—dote, lover.

The way it is stated has the intonation= of; to breathe against or after as during a sensual moment. It is that of the i= ntimacy during a kiss of passion. Mouth to mouth and nose to nose.

Gen 1:26 - Gen 1:27 (NKJV) ²⁶Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; l= et them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ^=
27So God created man in His&= nbsp;own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.=

Our image, our likeness.

Image- (Brown, Driv= er and Briggs, Strongs), (of resemblance), resemblance; hence a representative.

Likeness- (S= t resemblance; concretely model, shape; adverbially like:&= #8212;fashion, like (-ness, as),…

Gen 2:7 (NKJV) ⁷And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

b. (breath-(Strongs= ), n^eshâmâh, nesh-aw-maw'-- a puff, that is, = wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, = intellect or (concretely) (that) breath (-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.

The act of creation itself shows that God was interested in an intimate relationship with man. He formed man in an intimate way. Breathing into his nostrils, this is closeness like a husband and wife closeness or that of tr= uly close friends. No other creation had this happen, man is very special to Go= d, the Father.

2. Salvation, what is the purpose. Salvation- (Stro= ngs)- rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. i.e.= to make safe from enemy or enemies

John 1:11 - John 1:12 (NKJV) ¹²But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,…

a.&n= bsp; received- (strongs), to take, receive what is gi= ven

= b.&n= bsp; right- (Strongs), delegated influence= :—authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

John 20:21 - John 20:22 (NKJV) ²¹So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”&n= bsp;²²And when He had said this,= He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spir= it.

c. breathe on- (Strongs), (to puff;); to = blow at or on:—breathe on.

d. Receive- (Strongs, Thayers), to take in or receive what is g= iven

The act of sa= lvation shows that God was interested in restoring an intimacy with man. The purpose of Jesus is to see that we have the reality of being with God as He= had intended from the foundation of creation. He came to destroy the works of t= he devil and seek and save the lost.

3. Our pos= ition, in the New Covenant or Testament.

Gal 4:4 - Gal 4:7 (NKJV) 4But when the fullness of t= he time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive = the adoption(Strongs, placing) as sons.⁶And because you are sons, = God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “A= bba, Father!” ⁷Therefore you are no longe= r a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

1 John 3:2 (NKJV) ²Beloved, now (Strongs,= A primary particle of present time; “now”) we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Hi= m, for we shall see Him as He is.

Gal 3:25 - Gal 3:29 (NKJV) ²⁵But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor= . ^=
26For you are all sons of God through= faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. <= /span>²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, the= re is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all o= ne in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, a= nd heirs according to the promise.

Rom 8:14 - Rom 8:17 (NKJV) ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received t= he Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶The Spirit Himself bears witness wi= th our spirit that we are children of God, ^=
17and if children, then heirs—h= eirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together

These stateme= nts show us that we are “Children of God” NOW! If we really believed that how would it change our lives and our living?

a.      Sons-(Strongs), Apparently a primary= word; a “son”

b.      Children-(Strongs), a = ;child (as produced):—child, daughter, son

How do you en= ter the throne of Grace? Do you come in the front door and bow low? If we are children, we should come from in the house, we don’t need to beg or c= ower and hope to be received. There are times of reverence but a son gives that differently than a servant.

&nb= sp;

4. What is= the purpose, the reason, for this position.

a. The position you hear from or see yourself in affects how and what you hear.

Mark 4:24 (NKJV) ²⁴Then He said to them, = ;“Take heed what you hear.(emphasis mine) With the same measure you = use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

Luke 8:17 - Luke 8:18 (NKJV) ¹⁷For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸Therefore take heed how you hear. (emphas= is mine) For whoever has, to him more wi= ll be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken = from him.”

b. It is your position that= gives you authority, not your education or works.

2 Pet 1:2 - 2 Pet 1:4 (NKJV) ²Grace and peace be multipl= ied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³as His divine power has given to us all things that pe= rtain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory = and virtue, ⁴by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,R= 30;

c. In our position as s= ons, we are sent to the world.

John 17:17 - John 17:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the wo= rld.

John 20:21 (NKJV) ²¹So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Only as sons can we exp= ect to be able to do what the world needs done. Only as children can we hear like we should and = do what we should. Can you imagine being sent without hearing or receiving directions? I don’t mean general directions but specific ones so that= I will get to the place I need to go, so I can do the Father’s will.

=

5. Promises and prov= isions of the position as children= .

=         &= nbsp;   a.. anointing,

John 14:12 (NKJV) ¹²“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

b. intimacy and hearing=

John 10:27, My s= heep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (see also, 10:3-5; 14-16)

c. sent out but able to hear each hour, even wh= ile in the dark

Matt 10:16 - Matt 10:20 (NKJV) ¹⁶“Behold, I send you out as sheep …. ¹⁷But beware of men, …...<= span style=3D'font-family:Arial;color:black'> ¹⁸You will be brought before governors ….. = ¹⁹But when they deliver you up, do not = worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;= ²⁰for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Matt 10:26 - Matt 10:27 (NKJV) ²⁷“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and = what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

The word “know” and the word “hear”.

Know- (Strongs,Thayers), to come to know, perceive, feel, to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of, Jewish i= diom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman, to become acquainted with= , to know

Hear- (Strongs, Thayers), 1) to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf, to = hear, to attend to, consider what is or = has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said, to hear something, to perceive by the ear what is anno= unced in one’s presence, to get by hearing, learn,= to comprehend, to understand

Our promise a= nd provision, to be sent like Him, and to hear, know the voice and presence of our Fa= ther and our Lord. We are to perceive with understanding what His will is in all situations and at all times.

How many diff= erent ways has the Father spoken to people in the Bible? We are to “hear” as son= s. How did the Father talk to Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, Stephen, Ananias, Phillip? ---- Words, visions, dreams, thoughts or impressions, feelings, angels, animals, nature, circumstances, etc.

6. Conditi= ons of intimacy.

Matt 22:37 - Matt 22:39 (NKJV) ³⁷Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord yo= ur God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’= ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor = as yourself.

   &nbs= p;        John 14:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵“If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 15:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.<= /span>

1 John 4:20 - 1 John 4:21 (NKJV) ²⁰If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his broth= er, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, h= ow can he love God whom he has not seen? ²¹And this commandment we have from H= im: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Our “obedience= 221; is that of Love, not constraint, we are not obedient because we will be punished but because or our l= ove, we do what we know He wants done by listening and obeying, because we trust Him, know Him and want to please Hi= m .

Our commitment to Intimacy/Love requires Honor, obedien= ce, and sacrifice (humility and true forgiveness are the cornerstone of each step)

7. Conditi= ons of authority. Jesus did not take his authority; he came to do the Father’s will. We are to hear before we act.

John 5:19 - John 5:20 (NKJV) ¹⁹Then Jesus answered and sa= id to them, R= 20;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. ²⁰For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will (emphasis mine) show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.=

John 5:29 - John 5:30 (NKJV) ³⁰I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment = is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (1Jn 5: 14-15)

John 8:28 - John 8:29 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but = as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. ²⁹And He who sent Me is with M= e. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”&n= bsp;

John 8:38 (NKJV) ³⁸I speak what I have seen with My Father..,

John 12:49 - John 12:50 (NKJV) ⁴⁹For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. <= /span>⁵⁰And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, what= ever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

John 14:9 - John 14:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰Do 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 authorit= y; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

a.     the example of being under authority. =

Matt 8:5 - Matt 8:13 (NKJV)

⁵Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, ⁶saying, “Lord, my servant is = lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

⁷And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

⁸The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should c= ome under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. <= /span>⁹For I also am a man under authority,(emphasis mine) having soldiers under me. And I say to this&n= bsp;one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ̶= 0;Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!= ^=
11And I say to you that many will come = from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. <= /span>¹²But the sons of the kingdom will be c= ast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”= ; ¹³Then Jesus said to the centurion,&n= bsp;“Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that sa= me hour.

Christians for years = have taken “their” authority, but our Lord did n= ot. He chose to walk under authority, knowing that as a man, he could not know or see all, but the Father can and does. Our Lord Jesus, the Christ, did not do anything without hearing in some way from the Father. The centurion recognized this, why don’t we? This centurion was said to have greater faith than all of Israel,= even those who were his disciples didn’t get it evidently. Jesus, the man,= had to hear in every incidence, should we walk differently? Remember, we are se= nt, “Just like Him.”

Rom 8:1= 4 (NKJV) ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spiri= t of God, these are sons of God.

To be “led&#= 8221; has the intent of following or being “under” someone’s guidance as you walk.

No one has seen God a= t any time. If we can’t see Him how can we be “led”. We must he= ar, have visions and dreams, perceive, feel, see, know or in some way be communicated to by and through the Spirit of God.

8. Purpose of being sent, “just like Jesus”, under authority and in authority.

Luke 19:10 (NKJV) <= /b>¹⁰for the Son of Man has come to seek a= nd to save that which was lost.”

I John 3:8 F= or this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works= of the devil.

a. our battl= e is for the lost but against spirits in an unseen world.

Eph 6:12 (NKJV) ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, agai= nst powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

What we see in this world is the fruit, not the root. We must look at the natural realm = and see in the spiritual realm then battle (under orders from our Commander) in= the spiritual realm to see the result in the natural realm. Before you go in the natural, go on your knees in the Spirit.

  &nbs= p;         b. rulers of darkness and principalities over cities work through people. =

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        1. Speaking to one Samaritan woman, Jn. 4:7-41 was the key to Samaria.

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        2. Freeing one demonic man. Mk. 5:1-20 was the key to D= ecapolis. Mk. 6:53

3.= Paul and the lady with the spirit of divination. Acts 16:16-20, caused all the c= ity    rulers to come against = Paul.

9. One. (Strongs), a primary numeral; one: the meaning of one is, one. Our authority is in being “one”. Our hearing depends on our position,, we must live with = our father.

John 14:10 (NKJV) ^{<=
span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>10}Do you not believe that I am in the F= ather, 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.<= o:p>

John 14:19 - John 14:20 (N= KJV) ²⁰At that day you will know that I = ;am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

John 14:22 - John 14:23 (N= KJV) ²³Jesus answered and said to him,&nbs= p;“If anyone loves Me, he will ke= ep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

John 15:4 - John 15:7 (NKJV)

⁴Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of its= elf, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

⁵“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not, abides in me, he = is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw <= i>them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If you abides in me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

John 17:20 - John 17:23 (N= KJV) ²⁰“I do not pray for these alone,= but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in U= s, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²²And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³I in them, and You in Me; that they m= ay be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

One, not unity but, one. The trinity, three but “one” not just in purpose or in unity, but in reality. Hold your index finger up, it has three parts. Take your other index finger and it ag= ainst the one you are holding up firmly in the middle section. Move the top secti= on, do you feel the muscles under the finger you placed against the middle sect= ion move? Of course because these two sections are joined together by muscles t= hat are a part of both sections. Now, move your finger to the bottom section of= the other index finger and press firmly. Move the top two sections of the finger again, do you feel the muscles move here? Of course because the muscles are= a part of this section too. None of the sections can move independent of the other because these three are “one” finger. The parts are conne= cted in reality, not figuratively.

We are to be “one” with the Father a= nd Son. None of these parts of the “trinity” can do anything witho= ut the other being a part of it. We should know what Father and Jesus are sayi= ng and doing because we are a part of them and they are a part of us. How coul= d we not hear?

Being “one” with Jesus is the key to answered prayer, our fruit is limited becaus= e we are not.

1 Cor 3:15 - 1 Cor 3:16 (N= KJV) ¹⁶Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the   Spirit of God dwells in you?=

1 Cor 6:18 - 1 Cor 6:19 (N= KJV) ¹⁹Or do you not know that your body i= s the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own.

Eph 1:22 - Eph 1:23 (NKJV)= ²²And He put all things u= nder His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all = in all.

We are the body of Christ, we are not the Head but, we are His body and a part of who He is. Now that is an interesting thought. We are not God but, we are a part of Him.

1 John 5:14 - 1 John 5:15 = (NKJV) ¹⁴Now this is the confidence that we = have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

We take His general will but, we don’t get the specific and we don’t see what we know we should see. We take His general commands and forget to hear the specific on= es; He is still speaking and leading us by His Spirit according to the Word.

10. Revela= tions of intimate hearing and it’= ;s affect on the authority of the church. It takes more    than the knowledge of w= ho Jesus is and who we are to be effective in the realm of the Spirit.

Matt 12:28 - Matt 12:29 (NKJV) ²⁸But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless = he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.<= /span>

Matt 18:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸= 220;Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whate= ver you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven

Luke 10:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹Beh= old, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all t= he power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

The church is always bu= sy binding this or that, taking authority over the devil, yet we see much of what we = bind not being bound. If binding a= s we see fit would have worked all the world would be saved by now. Maybe we sho= uld look at a possible reason.

Matt 16:13 - Matt 16:19 (NKJV) ¹³When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son= of Man, am?” ¹⁴So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, so= me Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” <= /span>¹⁶Simon Peter answered and said, R= 20;You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷Jesus answered and said to him,&nbs= p;“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jon= ah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father= who is in heaven. <= /span>¹⁸And I also say to you that you are Pe= ter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.&nb= sp;<= /span>¹⁹And I will give you the keys of the k= ingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Let’s look at this a lit= tle closer.

        &= nbsp;

Matt 16:13 - Matt 16:19= (NKJV)

13When Jesus came into the r= egion of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I= , the Son of Man, am?”

¹⁴So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

The people k= new that the prophets had done most of what Jesus was doing so they just figure= d he was another prophet. That would have been a good assumption based on what t= hey saw.

¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter is saying something different, there is a boldness in his answer, no hesitation. “You are…” He is not the least bit worried about being wrong. He kno= ws!

¹⁷Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has= not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
What is Jesus saying her= e? He is telling Peter that all he has seen and heard could not have shown him th= at He was the son of God. Everything that Jesus had done would have only point= ed to him being a prophet. He was excited because Peter had to hear from Fathe= r! My Father in heaven had to show or= tell you that! He was excited because Peter had to have “heard” from= the Father.

¹⁸And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My chur= ch, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

We know that the rock th= at the church is to be built on is not Peter. We know that the Rock is Jesus but, = that is not all of the revelation that He is talking about. He is saying that he will build His church on the rock of “revelation” It is more th= an just knowing that Jesus is Lord, it is also hearing from the Father!! The rock of revelation is knowing and hearing!!!. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church that knows that Jesus is Lord and t= hat hears from the Father. The enemy will not be able to prevail when we keep listening and obeying the Father!

¹⁹And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The church had for years= been binding and loosing to no avail. We take the authority given in Lu. 10:19, = Mt. 16:19 and18:18 then we run wi= th it, but generally we come up way short. Most times we see the devil run right o= ver our binding or loosing. Why, = Because we are not listening to the Father first. The church that can bind and loose with authority is the one under authority ---that hears and then binds or looses. The church that listens will have t= he keys to the kingdom! Those that say not my will but Yours be done!

Abraham was= called the father of Faith. When Isaac was a young man, God told Abraham to go and offer Isaac as a sacrifice to him. Abraham prepared then went on a three day journey to the place God told him to offer Isaac. After he got there and ma= de the alter then laid his son on it, God comes along through an angel and says “stop”, Change directions here and DON’T offer him. The church would have missed that, they would have said that second voice three days or three years later was the devil. They had already heard and that is= a 180 degree turn. That can’t be God! The problem is that once we hear = we quit listening so we miss the turn that would accomplish what God wanted in= the first place. He did not make a mistake or lie to Abraham, but tested his willingness to follow His “voice” and to continue to listen for= a “now” word to finish what He wanted to accomplish in the place = he was sent to.

=

We must come back to being like Je= sus who did not take His authority but walked under authority, listening and obeying continuingly if we wan= t to see hell shake and His, the Father’s kingdom, come!=

=

We will not be perfect in this hear= ing as we are not without sin. We must not stop though and be satisfied with our intimacy with the Father, it is the key to much more than we can know. Abra= ham and all the others missed God at times, but they still listened to His voice and walked on. Our future is in His presence. The whole Bible is a love sto= ry and we are the prize, how can we not hear Him say “come”? We are made for intimacy and fellowship and He is longing for it.