Angels at the birth of Jesus the Christ
"Angel activity always increases at times of great spiritual breakthrough in the kingdom of God." Christmas was just such a moment in history. At the time of the birth of Christ, the earth exploded with angel activity.
1. God sent angels to make announcements to all who took part in the birth of the Savior.
a) Gabriel the angel appeared to the priest Zacharias and told him: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:13).
b) Gabriel was sent to Mary, Jesus' mother, to herald her as the woman chosen by God to birth His Son. "Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." Luke 1:30-31
c) Joseph was reassured of Mary's virginal purity by an angel who appeared to him in a dream. "But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matt 1:20-21
d) An angel directed the shepherds to Bethlehem so they could find the stable and manger where Jesus was. The same angel along with countless others shouted God’s praise above the shepherds' field.
"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:9-14
e) Angel activity increases when God releases His supernatural into the natural. ("For with God nothing will be impossible."
Luke 1:37) And angel ministry increases when our faith responds to the Word of God. "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. Luke 16:22 [it is the office of angels to minister to the heirs of salvation"—McGarvey -Four-Fold Gospel]
Immanuel - God with Us 1. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matt 1:23 (NKJV)
In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character. One of those names is Immanuel, which means "God with us." Before Jesus came to earth, the Spirit of God resided in the temple. The people had to go through all sorts of rituals to become clean enough to go near Him. Now, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). When we welcome Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is the one who cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts (Titus 2:11-14).
Isn’t it good to know that God is with us? He is closer than the very air that we breathe. His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us. The next time you feel alone, remember, you serve Immanuel — the God who is always with you!
"Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred Three,
Are terror to my mind.
"But if Immanuel's face appears,
My hope, my joy, begins;
His grace removes my slavish fears,
His blood removes my sins."
[from an old hymn]
"Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name. Amen."
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Living The Lord's Prayer
Living the Lord’s Prayer
[”For samples of vain repetitions, see I Kings 18:26; Acts 19:34.” McGarvey]
To many people the “Lord’s Prayer” represents the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave it as a pattern of how people may approach GOD in prayer. We pray as God’s children!
Jesus was a man of prayer.
We can imagine Him saying something like this. “The Father is the secret of My success. He is the reason for My existence, My vision, My horizon, My passion and zeal. Living for Him is what life is all about. If you miss this, you completely misunderstand Me, and every- thing I wish to give you.” [John 10:17-18; Hebrews 2:9]
1. Lord, teach us to pray.
“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
In God's family, we, as His childen have the right to pray to Him personally.
In teaching how to pray, Jesus is teaching how to live. For Him, constant communication with His Father was His life. So what He prayed about each day was what He most cared about.
a) A pattern for prayer. “So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Luke 11:2
From the very beginning Jesus is teaching that human life is to be understood in relationship to GOD who is our FATHER. If you want to become all you were meant to be - PUT GOD FIRST. [This does not cancel the fact that God intends us to work to make a living. Jesus worked as a carpenter, Paul made tents, Peter fished. We work, but as a Christian.]
“Seek first the Kingdom.” When we plan our day, when we set priorities, when we think of our short and long term goals, all of this must be viewed through our relationship to GOD, and His purposes and plans for our life. “If the Lord is willing, we will do such and such.” James 4:13-16
b) Your kingdom come. Satan is permitted to distort and confuse. Yet GOD is on His Throne. God’s Great Kingdom kingdom of God
c) Give us this day our daily bread. God is NOT a fickle, distant, harsh, trickster, who is nearly impossible to please. He is a loving Father who is committed to us without limit. As He supplied manna to the Jews, He feeds us through the most focused, compassionate, powerful, and intelligent MAN who ever lived. “I am the bread sent down from heaven.”
“But seek first the kingdom of God
d) Forgive us as we forgive others.” “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph 4:30-32
The apostles understood what they had received and what was at stake in Jesus’ command to forgive. And Paul knew that we are all prodigals who stand in desperate need of forgiveness. Unforgiveness blocks the flow of God’s mercy.
e) Lead us not into temptation. Jesus wants us to be alert, clear-minded, and ready for action. He himself was tempted “in every way that we are” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Sin kills. At its core, sin is a refusal of God, a conscious rejection of His Plan and purpose for our lives. But Jesus is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world! [But sin is what God says it is. Some confuse their opinions with God's commands.
]
f) But deliver us from evil. The victory belongs to the Lord! The idea that we look to God for help to defeat the devil seems weird to the modern mind. Many today simply deny that there is a devil. But some think Satan is as powerful as God. Jesus does neither. He wants us to be battle-ready and to look to God and draw on His strength. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph 6:10-11
g) For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever. Amen. We can have faith in answered prayer when we ask for things worthy of the Lord and strive for holiness. Of course, human prayers neither limit nor control the Awesome GOD. He works for our eternal good, and for His Purpose to be completed here and now.
[Christians are to SEE Jesus high and lifted up! He is the Lamb of God who by Himself PURGED our sins [Hebrews 1:3]. This seems nonsense to some. ”For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 1 Cor 1:18-19; Isaiah 29:14]
Saturday, October 1, 2011
FOUR GREAT CERTAINTIES
FOUR GREAT CERTAINTIES R.D.Ice
then stand at Judgment.
Christ died once,
but His death was a sacrifice
that took care of sins forever.
When He Comes Again,
it will be salvation
for those waiting for Him.
[Hebrews 9:27-28]
1st great certainty - Death. “It is appointed for men to die once.”
Christianity is about life. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Jesus said: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” John 5:21.
But we all die because we are human in Adam. 1 Cor. 15:22
“Life is a constant and daily journey toward death. One after another dies, and the living must merely engage in the miserable business of carrying one another to the grave. All of us are traveling the same road together.” Luther
We shall be judged by a law which is “holy and just and good.”
God’s promise to forgive and forget. Hebrews 10:17; 1 John 1:9.
“Will my life stand the test of judgment?”
c) HE rose from the dead and commanded us to tell everyone the Good News that forgiveness and eternal life are offered freely to all who believe. Luke 24:47; John 20:31
God begins to reward us for Christ’s sake even now. He accepts us as sons/daughters (John 1:12). He gives us the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:6). He transforms our lives by making us a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
To believers who wait eagerly for Him, Christ’s return is the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:11-13)
We are in a new life right now,
and we want the Day to come!
The glorious Day when our great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered Himself as a sacrifice
to free us from a dark, rebellious life -
into this good, pure life,
making us a people
He can be proud of.
[Titus 2:12-14]
“He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world, but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:26-28
Everyone has to die once, then stand at Judgment.
Christ died once,
but His death was a sacrifice
that took care of sins forever.
When He Comes Again,
it will be salvation
for those waiting for Him.
[Hebrews 9:27-28]
1st great certainty - Death. “It is appointed for men to die once.”
Christianity is about life. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Jesus said: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” John 5:21.
But we all die because we are human in Adam. 1 Cor. 15:22
“Life is a constant and daily journey toward death. One after another dies, and the living must merely engage in the miserable business of carrying one another to the grave. All of us are traveling the same road together.” Luther
2nd great certainty - Judgment. “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10.
Judgment beyond this life is only fair and right.We shall be judged by a law which is “holy and just and good.”
God’s promise to forgive and forget. Hebrews 10:17; 1 John 1:9.
“Will my life stand the test of judgment?”
3rd great certainty - Gospel. “So it is certain that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.”
The Good News Gospel of Christ is as certain as death and judgment. God loves you and wants you to know what He has done for you in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. a) HE lived a sinless life - fulfilling God’s law.
b) HE died for us and paid the penalty for our breaking the law of God. Romans 5:8.c) HE rose from the dead and commanded us to tell everyone the Good News that forgiveness and eternal life are offered freely to all who believe. Luke 24:47; John 20:31
4th great certainty - Christ is Coming Again.
“He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”God begins to reward us for Christ’s sake even now. He accepts us as sons/daughters (John 1:12). He gives us the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:6). He transforms our lives by making us a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
To believers who wait eagerly for Him, Christ’s return is the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:11-13)
We are in a new life right now,
and we want the Day to come!
The glorious Day when our great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered Himself as a sacrifice
to free us from a dark, rebellious life -
into this good, pure life,
making us a people
He can be proud of.
[Titus 2:12-14]
Sunday, August 21, 2011
SAMARITAN WOMAN
PHOTINI - The Samaritan Woman of John 4:4-9
(Sometimes a question sparks investigation. Luke mentions many writing about Jesus. Luke 1:1-4. The Bible does not try to tell everything that might be told. John 20:30-31; 21:25. But traditional history tells of Photini, the Samaritan woman.)
Whoever invests his/her life in God's Son
Doesn’t die, but gets given this everlasting life.
Do you think God sent His Son to slam people down?
NO! He sent His Son to liberate people! [John 3:17]
1. Who were the Samaritans [Palestinians]?
The Samaritans were a mixed race and traditional enemies of the Jews. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and were awaiting a Redeemer, they accepted only the first five Books of the OT (the Pentateuch) as their Scriptures. They had built their temple at Mt. Gerazim, which the Jews destroyed in 128 BC. Their worship was similar to the Koran of Islam. [Note the Koran shows Mohammed dead, but Mary's Son Jesus ascending to heaven. And the Koran shows Jesus coming at the End of the World.]
God allowed the 10 Tribes to be taken captive. 2 Kings 17:1-18.
"Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities."
2 Kings 17:24
Bwecxause these new people did not worship Him, God sent lions among them. 2 Kings 17:25-27.
"Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord." 2 Kings 17:28
Note God sent no more lions. He must have accepted the things the Samaritans did to worship Him.
2. Jesus at the well.
Jacob's well was at the foot of Mt. Gerazim. It was here Jacob had the vision of the Ladder (Gen. 28:12-19).
"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:9-10
"Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" John 4:12
Jesus is greater than Jacob. He is the final revelation of God. "And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." John 1:51
3. Fountain of Living Water.
"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14
The living water given by Jesus is the Holy Spirit as a gift. The inspired explanation is John 7:37-39. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." And the Holy Spirit Himself becomes a Fountain of Water which flows with eternal life. [Jesus was glorified in the Cross & Resurrection.]
4. I AM - who speak to you am He.
Jesus reveals Himself to be more than the Messianic Prophet [who the Samaritans were expecting] and more than the Jewish Messiah. He is the Incarnate GOD Himself.
"Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." John 4:42
The Samaritans are the first to recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world. The Gospel is for the world. The Samaritan woman becomes the first evangelist, testifying to the advent of Christ and bringing others to Him (John 4:39).
According to an early tradition, after the Resurrection of Christ she was baptized [at Pentecost] and given the Christian name Photini, "the enlightened one." Along with her two sons and five daughters she went to Carthage to spread the gospel. There they were arrested and taken to Rome under Nero, imprisoned, and later martyred.
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are You, O God.
In Christ the walls that divide are broken down,
the chains that enslave are thrown aside,
and we are freed from death and despair
and given life and hope.
We are liberated from hate and war
and empowered to love and to seek peace.
For these and all Your mercies, we praise You:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Blessed be God for ever!
[from an old prayer]
(Sometimes a question sparks investigation. Luke mentions many writing about Jesus. Luke 1:1-4. The Bible does not try to tell everything that might be told. John 20:30-31; 21:25. But traditional history tells of Photini, the Samaritan woman.)
Whoever invests his/her life in God's Son
Doesn’t die, but gets given this everlasting life.
Do you think God sent His Son to slam people down?
NO! He sent His Son to liberate people! [John 3:17]
1. Who were the Samaritans [Palestinians]?
The Samaritans were a mixed race and traditional enemies of the Jews. Although they worshipped the God of Israel and were awaiting a Redeemer, they accepted only the first five Books of the OT (the Pentateuch) as their Scriptures. They had built their temple at Mt. Gerazim, which the Jews destroyed in 128 BC. Their worship was similar to the Koran of Islam. [Note the Koran shows Mohammed dead, but Mary's Son Jesus ascending to heaven. And the Koran shows Jesus coming at the End of the World.]
God allowed the 10 Tribes to be taken captive. 2 Kings 17:1-18.
"Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities."
2 Kings 17:24
Bwecxause these new people did not worship Him, God sent lions among them. 2 Kings 17:25-27.
"Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord." 2 Kings 17:28
Note God sent no more lions. He must have accepted the things the Samaritans did to worship Him.
2. Jesus at the well.
Jacob's well was at the foot of Mt. Gerazim. It was here Jacob had the vision of the Ladder (Gen. 28:12-19).
"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:9-10
"Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" John 4:12
Jesus is greater than Jacob. He is the final revelation of God. "And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." John 1:51
3. Fountain of Living Water.
"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14
The living water given by Jesus is the Holy Spirit as a gift. The inspired explanation is John 7:37-39. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." And the Holy Spirit Himself becomes a Fountain of Water which flows with eternal life. [Jesus was glorified in the Cross & Resurrection.]
4. I AM - who speak to you am He.
Jesus reveals Himself to be more than the Messianic Prophet [who the Samaritans were expecting] and more than the Jewish Messiah. He is the Incarnate GOD Himself.
"Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." John 4:42
The Samaritans are the first to recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world. The Gospel is for the world. The Samaritan woman becomes the first evangelist, testifying to the advent of Christ and bringing others to Him (John 4:39).
According to an early tradition, after the Resurrection of Christ she was baptized [at Pentecost] and given the Christian name Photini, "the enlightened one." Along with her two sons and five daughters she went to Carthage to spread the gospel. There they were arrested and taken to Rome under Nero, imprisoned, and later martyred.
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are You, O God.
In Christ the walls that divide are broken down,
the chains that enslave are thrown aside,
and we are freed from death and despair
and given life and hope.
We are liberated from hate and war
and empowered to love and to seek peace.
For these and all Your mercies, we praise You:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Blessed be God for ever!
[from an old prayer]
Thursday, July 7, 2011
GOD BLESS AMERICA
God Bless America! July 4, 2011
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
[Irving Berlin]
"As we enter another Independence Day weekend, I think it would be good to remind ourselves of who those men were that counted the cost and paid the price to bring this land of liberty into existence." Chuck Baldwin
July 4th marks the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after 3 days of spirited debate.
Scripture instructs us to pray for the Nation in which we live.
"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace." Jeremiah 29:7-8
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:1-4
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
1. All nations serve God, (but also do bad things).
"For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Romans 13:4
a) Roman power kept the peace in Paul's world. People could travel safely. This made it possible for the Christian Gospel to be spread from place to place. While war is bad, it causes people to come into contact with new ideas and new possibilities. God sends times of Revival. History shows this to be true.
b) "You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wage earner by tearing down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Abraham Lincoln - via North Drexel Church of Christ, Oklahoma City
2. Pray for a New Pentecost.
a) "We need a New Pentecost because we need a New Evangelization.” So said Mr. Ralph Martin. "The New Evangelization seeks to reawaken the call to holiness within every person. Living out the love of God and neighbor is the path of holiness that the saints have trod on their way “from baptism to the Vision of the Ages.” Holiness, he insisted, is not reserved for a group of religious elite, but is the vocation of all the baptized and, ultimately, is the only path to heaven. Proclaiming this Gospel message is urgent – not simply a matter of enriching lives but of saving souls. Part of our own mission as the church is to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ and to build communities (churches) of prayer and holiness."
b) Holiness is becoming in fact what we already are in Christ.
"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col 3:12-15
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
[Irving Berlin]
"As we enter another Independence Day weekend, I think it would be good to remind ourselves of who those men were that counted the cost and paid the price to bring this land of liberty into existence." Chuck Baldwin
July 4th marks the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after 3 days of spirited debate.
Scripture instructs us to pray for the Nation in which we live.
"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace." Jeremiah 29:7-8
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:1-4
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
1. All nations serve God, (but also do bad things).
"For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Romans 13:4
a) Roman power kept the peace in Paul's world. People could travel safely. This made it possible for the Christian Gospel to be spread from place to place. While war is bad, it causes people to come into contact with new ideas and new possibilities. God sends times of Revival. History shows this to be true.
b) "You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wage earner by tearing down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Abraham Lincoln - via North Drexel Church of Christ, Oklahoma City
2. Pray for a New Pentecost.
a) "We need a New Pentecost because we need a New Evangelization.” So said Mr. Ralph Martin. "The New Evangelization seeks to reawaken the call to holiness within every person. Living out the love of God and neighbor is the path of holiness that the saints have trod on their way “from baptism to the Vision of the Ages.” Holiness, he insisted, is not reserved for a group of religious elite, but is the vocation of all the baptized and, ultimately, is the only path to heaven. Proclaiming this Gospel message is urgent – not simply a matter of enriching lives but of saving souls. Part of our own mission as the church is to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ and to build communities (churches) of prayer and holiness."
b) Holiness is becoming in fact what we already are in Christ.
"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col 3:12-15
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
EVE - MOTHER OF ALL LIVING
Eve - Mother of All Living
1. God created Mankind.
“What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalms 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:6-8
“This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.” Gen 5:1-2
a) Both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. So are each one of us.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Gen 1:27
Because of the law of natural generation, the lives of men and women are intertwined. Paul wrote: "Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman was from the man, even so the man also is through the woman; but all things are from God." (1 Cor. 11:11-12).
b) Brothers and sisters in Christ.
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:27-28
c) Fill the earth with people.
“Satan is unable to beget sons and daughters.” Jack Hayford. Only Jehovah God has the power to Create and Generate.
“And Adam called his wife's name Eve (Life), because she was the mother of all living.” Gen 3:20
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." Gen 4:1
d) God authorized Marriage with Adam & Eve.
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’” Matt. 19:4
“Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14
2. The Seed of the Woman.
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal. 4:4
The Eternal Word - God The Son - came as the son of a human mother. He came into our world to be our Savior. He came as the seed of the woman - without a human biological father.
“Nevertheless she [Eve = woman] will be saved in [the] childbearing if they [women] continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:15 [The original Bible has "the childbearing."]
MacKnight (a contemporary of Campbell) says: “However, though Eve was first in transgression, and brought death on herself, her husband, and her posterity, the female sex shall be saved equally with the male, through [the] childbearing; through bringing forth the Savior; if they [women] live in faith, and love, and chastity [holiness], with sobriety [modesty] which I have been recommending.”
Probably Paul says some of these things to refute those who said that woman was guilty of destroying the human race. Paul shows us, that if woman brought sin into the world, she also brought the Savior [the seed of the woman, Gen. 3:15]!
3. Companions and partners in salvation.
Salvation is the goal of both the man and the woman. They both achieve great happiness in working out the penalty which God placed on Adam and Eve.
“Paul argues that now, by faith in who Christ is and what He has done, men and women of all races, and of every social class, are offered the opportunity to become inheritors of the promise made to Abraham. By faith and baptism they become part of Christ and part of each other, caught up into the Family of God. Gal. 3:26-29."
“We cry ABBA FATHER” Romans 8:15.
1. God created Mankind.
“What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalms 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:6-8
“This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.” Gen 5:1-2
a) Both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. So are each one of us.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Gen 1:27
Because of the law of natural generation, the lives of men and women are intertwined. Paul wrote: "Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman was from the man, even so the man also is through the woman; but all things are from God." (1 Cor. 11:11-12).
b) Brothers and sisters in Christ.
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:27-28
c) Fill the earth with people.
“Satan is unable to beget sons and daughters.” Jack Hayford. Only Jehovah God has the power to Create and Generate.
“And Adam called his wife's name Eve (Life), because she was the mother of all living.” Gen 3:20
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." Gen 4:1
d) God authorized Marriage with Adam & Eve.
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’” Matt. 19:4
“Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14
2. The Seed of the Woman.
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal. 4:4
The Eternal Word - God The Son - came as the son of a human mother. He came into our world to be our Savior. He came as the seed of the woman - without a human biological father.
“Nevertheless she [Eve = woman] will be saved in [the] childbearing if they [women] continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:15 [The original Bible has "the childbearing."]
MacKnight (a contemporary of Campbell) says: “However, though Eve was first in transgression, and brought death on herself, her husband, and her posterity, the female sex shall be saved equally with the male, through [the] childbearing; through bringing forth the Savior; if they [women] live in faith, and love, and chastity [holiness], with sobriety [modesty] which I have been recommending.”
Probably Paul says some of these things to refute those who said that woman was guilty of destroying the human race. Paul shows us, that if woman brought sin into the world, she also brought the Savior [the seed of the woman, Gen. 3:15]!
3. Companions and partners in salvation.
Salvation is the goal of both the man and the woman. They both achieve great happiness in working out the penalty which God placed on Adam and Eve.
“Paul argues that now, by faith in who Christ is and what He has done, men and women of all races, and of every social class, are offered the opportunity to become inheritors of the promise made to Abraham. By faith and baptism they become part of Christ and part of each other, caught up into the Family of God. Gal. 3:26-29."
“We cry ABBA FATHER” Romans 8:15.
KJV - First Printing
First Printing of the King James Version
The very first printed Bible was the Latin Version from Gutenberg’s Printing Press some time in 1454 or 1455.
May 5, 1611, the first printed edition of the KJV came from the press. This Bible was 17½ inches tall and 12 inches wide by 5½ inches thick and weighed 30 pounds. The original KJV 1611 was published in Black Letters (Old English Letters) and it included the Books of the Apocrypha. It also contained an introduction by the Translators, and a justification for their work.
“Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty’s special command. Appointed to be read in Churches.”
1. King James was answering two requests.
a) Shouldn’t there be a standard Bible for the Church? The version approved by King James was to be used by all the Church of England.
b) Shouldn’t there be a standard Church for the Bible. The Church of England was to be the authorized Church. The Book of Common Prayer (how to do it manual) was also produced to standardize the worship, marriages, funerals, etc. (1662). We make use of these forms today (Episcopal).
2. The King James translators and revisors.
These were Christian scholars who read and studied Greek, Hebrew, Latin, as well as German, French, and many others.
a) “For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures in the English tongue:” [from the original introduction of the King James Version Bible.]
They said: "We are so far off from condemning any of their labors that travailed before us in this kind, either in this land or beyond sea, either in King Henry's time, or King Edward's...or Queen Elizabeth's of ever renowned memory, that we acknowledge them to have been raised up of God, for the building and furnishing of his Church, and that they deserve to be had of us and of posterity in everlasting remembrance."
3. To every man in his own language.
“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.” John 19:19-20 (NKJV)
a) Moses spoke Hebrew (also Egyptian and other languages).
b) The Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX) was used by the New Testament writers. Greek was the universal language of the New Testament world.
c) Latin was the language of the Roman soldiers. The Latin Bible communicated God’s message for more than a thousand years in our Western world. But God speaks all languages and He raised up men who published new versions in German, English, and many other languages. “All of us hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful things God has done.” (Acts 2:5-11).
d) English became the language of the British Empire. It developed from many roots including Norman French. Since its publication in 1611, the KJV has influenced the language of the English-speaking world, the study noted, generating now-common phrases such as “fight the good fight,” “reap the whirlwind” and “feet of clay.”
More than half of all American adults (62%) own a KJV Bible, and those who read the Bible regularly are more likely to read the KJV. 82% of Americans who read the Bible at least once a month own a KJV, and 67 % of American adults who own a Bible have a KJV.
e) NKJV. Words do change their meanings, and some words are no longer used. The “Search For The Lord’s Way” TV program has switched to the NKJV.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
The very first printed Bible was the Latin Version from Gutenberg’s Printing Press some time in 1454 or 1455.
May 5, 1611, the first printed edition of the KJV came from the press. This Bible was 17½ inches tall and 12 inches wide by 5½ inches thick and weighed 30 pounds. The original KJV 1611 was published in Black Letters (Old English Letters) and it included the Books of the Apocrypha. It also contained an introduction by the Translators, and a justification for their work.
“Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty’s special command. Appointed to be read in Churches.”
1. King James was answering two requests.
a) Shouldn’t there be a standard Bible for the Church? The version approved by King James was to be used by all the Church of England.
b) Shouldn’t there be a standard Church for the Bible. The Church of England was to be the authorized Church. The Book of Common Prayer (how to do it manual) was also produced to standardize the worship, marriages, funerals, etc. (1662). We make use of these forms today (Episcopal).
2. The King James translators and revisors.
These were Christian scholars who read and studied Greek, Hebrew, Latin, as well as German, French, and many others.
a) “For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures in the English tongue:” [from the original introduction of the King James Version Bible.]
They said: "We are so far off from condemning any of their labors that travailed before us in this kind, either in this land or beyond sea, either in King Henry's time, or King Edward's...or Queen Elizabeth's of ever renowned memory, that we acknowledge them to have been raised up of God, for the building and furnishing of his Church, and that they deserve to be had of us and of posterity in everlasting remembrance."
3. To every man in his own language.
“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.” John 19:19-20 (NKJV)
a) Moses spoke Hebrew (also Egyptian and other languages).
b) The Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX) was used by the New Testament writers. Greek was the universal language of the New Testament world.
c) Latin was the language of the Roman soldiers. The Latin Bible communicated God’s message for more than a thousand years in our Western world. But God speaks all languages and He raised up men who published new versions in German, English, and many other languages. “All of us hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful things God has done.” (Acts 2:5-11).
d) English became the language of the British Empire. It developed from many roots including Norman French. Since its publication in 1611, the KJV has influenced the language of the English-speaking world, the study noted, generating now-common phrases such as “fight the good fight,” “reap the whirlwind” and “feet of clay.”
More than half of all American adults (62%) own a KJV Bible, and those who read the Bible regularly are more likely to read the KJV. 82% of Americans who read the Bible at least once a month own a KJV, and 67 % of American adults who own a Bible have a KJV.
e) NKJV. Words do change their meanings, and some words are no longer used. The “Search For The Lord’s Way” TV program has switched to the NKJV.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
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