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Friendships in Christ │ Making Mention of You │ 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series,Studies | Comments Disabled
Forsaken

June 11, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Making Mention of  You Today

“We give thanks to God always for all of you,

making mention of you in our prayers”

1 Thessalonians 1:2

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       God intends for us to give thanks for our friends in Christ. Giving thanks obviously means you have something to be thankful about. Do you think about your friends in Christ as people you thank God for placing in your life? Paul taught us that we should be very careful to give thanks to God for our friends in Christ, always making mention of them in our prayers.

     How we view our friends in Christ makes a lot of difference in our lives. Do we focus upon the good in them and never see the bad? Do we stare at the bad, and never see the good? What are we looking at with our mind’s eye? In order for us to be thankful to God for our friends, we must notice things about them that God has produced in their lives. God works constantly in the lives of our friends in Christ, and we should be very careful to observe those things and thank God for His activity in the lives of people in Christ we love.

      Not only must we notice the things God is doing in the lives of our friends in Christ, be we must also take time to thank God constantly for those things. As you begin to thank God in your prayers for your friends in Christ, you will see that you may run out of things quickly. God is working in your friends, but are you looking with spiritual eyes to observe spiritual activity? If so, are you looking every day? Paul looked all the time and thanked God for God’s work in the lives of his friends in Christ.

       Finally, be sure to tell your friends that you are praying for them constantly, but do not lie. If you are not praying for them, skip telling them until you start praying for them. But, start today to pray and thank God for the friends you have in Christ. Do you have friends today who are telling you that they pray for you all the time and thank God constantly for them? If you want to obey the command of Christ to make disciples of all the nations, starting where you live, then be sure to constantly make mention of your friends in your prayers, thanking God for them, and then letting your friends know that you thank God for them and their friendship with you and God.  

 Application for Today

        Today I will take time to thank God for my friends in Christ and let my friends know that I mention them constantly in my prayers. I thank God that He has blessed me with friends in Christ who love Jesus and spread that love to other people, including me. 

 

Friendships in Christ: Grace and Peace │ 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

June 10, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Grace and Peace Today

  “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace”

1 Thessalonians 1:1

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

Jesus Christ intends to forge the finest relationship with you that you have ever had.  Better than your best earthly friendship, better than you had with any of your children, your spouse, your parent, your uncle, your aunt or other relative.  He wants you to know Him as your best friend ever.  He wants you to know His love that shines deeper into your heart and life than you could ever imagine.  He will never fail you and will never leave you hanging.  Jesus emphasized what it means to be His disciple in these terms: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  Jesus claims first priority in our lives, and wants our relationships with everyone to be transformed so that we are His disciples before any other relationship in our lives.  Most of you understand what I am saying up to this point.  But now, imagine He wants you to have friends like that and you can be a friend like Jesus to other people.  All of us need to learn from Jesus every day how we forge those strong relationships.

       As we read through 1 Thessalonians together, day by day, we will see the kind of relationship that Paul, Timothy and Silvanus enjoyed with the believers of Thessalonica.  But most of all, we will see Jesus forging bonds of love among all of them.

       When is the last time you wrote an e-mail, text message, or put pen to paper for the purpose of encouraging another Christian, especially someone you love?  Well, Paul did that in verse one.  Paul wrote as part of a ministry team, and he also wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:14-16).  God says He inspired every word of Scripture and those words will not pass away until all of them are fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).  We all need to take more time to write our friends in Christ, or pick up the phone to encourage them.

       Paul did not write just to pass the time of day.  He wrote to focus attention upon God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  He wrote to bid grace and peace to the Thessalonians.  Being more like Jesus means that you take the time to be involved in loving relationships with other Christians.  Being in Christ means being one part of Christ’s team of ministry in your home, at work, in your community, in your country, and in the world today.

 Application for Today

        Today I will look to Jesus and ask Him who should I talk to today, for His sake.  Who needs to hear about the grace and peace that only God the Father and God the Son offer to this world?  Who will I build a relationship with today in the name of Jesus?

 

Friendships in Christ: Faith, Love and Hope │ 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
seagrape storm

June 12, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Faith, Love and Hope Today

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father”

1 Thessalonians 1:3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Have you ever thought about what you constantly bear in mind?  At the beach, I see people constantly staring at other people.  Men staring at women, parents staring at children, friends staring at friends.  I also see people staring off in to the wild blue yonder.  What people stare at often reflects what they have running through their mind at any given time.

       Did you know that what you think about people will often determine how you feel about people?  Likewise, what you feel about people will also determine what you pray for people?  Thinking, feeling and praying go hand in hand.  All three of those things tend to influence one another.

        Paul told us he that he always prayed for the Thessalonians, and three things dominated his thinking while he prayed.  When we pray, we should deliberately focus our minds upon under the power of the Holy Spirit helping us pray (Romans 8:26).  As Paul prayed in 1 Thessalonians 1:3,  he thought about three things the Thessalonians did well: (1) work of faith; (2) labor of love and (3) steadfastness of hope.  Here, Paul remembered constantly their work, labor and steadfastness.  Let’s look at each of them in turn.

       The term “work” here means business, employment, task and covers a broad range of actions.  So, the “work of faith” tells us that the Thessalonians applied their faith at their job, as an employee, as a boss, as a homemaker.  Paul remembered how their faith affected every part of their lives.

       Second, Paul remembered their “labor.”  Labor in this passage means physical exertion or toil.  Paul used this same root word to describe the way he worked with his own hands as a tent-maker to pay his own way, and pay for the upkeep of his fellow workers (Acts 20:34-35; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).  It took effort to love people.  It will always take effort to lay down your life for other people.  Paul ties the “labor” to love.  I know a man who always says that you love people when you invite them to sleep on your couch.  He means, however, that he wants his adult son, living at home with him, to sleep on your couch.  Jesus taught that loving people starts with salvation, because only people born of God and who know God love other people (1 John 4:7).  So, if a person does not know God, they will never love, because they have not been born of God and do not know God.  The Thessalonians loved God and their love for God shined from their toil for Christ.  Paul repeatedly mentioned how he toiled for Christ by suffering hardships for the ministry,  as part of His work for Christ (2 Corinthians 6:5;  2 Corinthians 11:23).

       Third, Paul remembered their “steadfastness.”  He linked the idea of steadfastness to “work” and “labor” in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Only God’s power helps us attain steadfastness (Colossians 1:11).  I often see parents holding the hand of a child while small waves lap onto the beach.  As they wade out, the little wave pose no challenge for the parent, but the child could easily be knocked over by the wave.  The parent’s steadfastness comes from maturity, size and strength.  But the child holds the hand in hope.  Because his parent holds his hand, he has a steadfast hope that things will be okay.  As believers, when we feel the hand of Jesus holding our hands, we should have that same hope that He will take care of us, and we can enjoy the waves of life splashing up against us.  We hope in Jesus, and we long to see Him.  When we place our ultimate hope in our friends, family, spouses, or others, we miss the point that only God can be our final hope.

       So let me assemble Paul’s ideas together for a moment, just as he put them together.  We work and labor, and we continue to do so because of our “steadfastness of hope.”  Because we continue in our work and labor, we live in hope.  If you want to lose your hope, then stop working and laboring for Jesus.  If you want more hope, then start praying and thanking God for the work, labor and steadfastness of the believers you see around you walking with Jesus and living in His power.  Focus upon what Jesus is doing in the lives of the believers around you. 

       In order to build strong friendships in Christ, you will need to see the work, labor and steadfastness of Christ empowering your Christian friends.  You will see your friends most clearly when you bow your head, start praying, and encounter the Holy Spirit bringing to your mind what Jesus is doing in your friends’ lives.

 Application for Today

        Today I will pray for my friends.  I will be seeing their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope, even when I have my eyes closed and I am talking with God.  What will you be thinking about today when you pray?

 

Friendships in Christ: God’s Choice │ 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
bright.sunrise.blue

June 13, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

God’s Choice Today

“knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you”

1 Thessalonians 1:4

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       When I lived in Orange County in southern California, I enjoyed playing basketball in a city gym.  Sometimes, I would be the only white guy playing in there.  At other times, it would only be old white guys.  Nobody seemed to care about skin color, but rather they did care if you could play basketball.  You see, often more people would show up to play than the courts could handle.  So, the gym had a list and when your name came up on the list, you could pick your team, and then play until defeated.  It really mattered who you picked to be on your team.  If your team could win, then you could play on and on and on, until the team either quit or lost.

       Jesus emphasized to His original twelve disciples that they did not choose Him, but rather Jesus chose each of them, and He knew that one of them would be His betrayer (John 15:16).  Jesus knew beforehand about Judas the betrayer (John 6:70-71).  Jesus knew that He must be betrayed into the hands of sinners to fulfill the Scriptures (Matthew 26:24).  Jesus told His disciples that He chose them so that they would bear fruit that would remain. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Paul was praying and thinking about all of his believing friends in the church at Thessalonica.  He made three points in this verse we should consider carefully today.

       First, Paul thanks God that God chooses people to enter His family, so that they could be called “brethren.”  This term includes both males and females and refers to all the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  When I played basketball in California, we played for the fun of playing a few games together.  When God makes choices, He chooses you to enter His family eternally.  We all become brethren together.

       Second, Paul thanks God that He loved His children.  God chose you to enter His family because He loved you.  God the Father sent God the Son to die for His family, so that they could live together for eternity.  Right now, you can join God’s family by accepting the simple gift of salvation.  If you believe that Jesus died for all your sins, and you want God to forgive you, then He will.  You see, we do not know who God will choose to enter His family, but if you want to join, He will always welcome you to be on His family team.  You must believe that Jesus died for you and that He has forgiven your sins because He paid the price for them by dying on the cross.

      Third, God chose you.  Never for a moment think that you claimed your rightful place in God’s family. None of God’s family members earned their place there.  God chose sinners to be with Him for eternity, and so changed them by grace and faith to be new creatures in Christ, holy and beloved by God.  So, even your faith is a gift of God so that no one may boast that they did it themselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).  But whoever wants to join God’s family will always be welcome.  Time, however, is short.  If you die without believing Christ has forgiven your sins, because He died for you, then it will be too late.

       So, let us review this verse again.  God says we all live together in one church, spread across the world, as one family chosen one at a time by God.  I should look around at my family, and really enjoy being with all my spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ.  Paul thought of them when he prayed, and so should we.

      

 Application for Today

        Today I will pray for my spiritual family and thank God for them.  My friends who grew up without knowing their human family seem to appreciate most having a spiritual family.  We live in Christ as an adopted family spanning thousands of years, and the whole earth.  Will you be thankful that God chose you and loved you today?  Will you be thankful that God chose so many other believers to be in His family?

 

Friendships in Christ: The Power of the Gospel │ 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

June 14, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

The Power of the Gospel Today

“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Jesus told a parable about a sower.  As the sower sowed, the seed fell on different kinds of ground.  Some of the ground produced fruit, but most types of ground did not produce fruit.  In this parable, Jesus explained that some people would respond to His message of good news (the Gospel), but many would not.  In fact, He said that most people would enter the wide gate leading to destruction, instead of the narrow gate leading to heaven.

       Paul makes several critical points about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how the Thessalonians received it.  Each of these points deserve our attention today.  Please keep in mind that Paul was thinking about the Thessalonians when he was praying for them.  He had many positive images of them flowing through his mind as he prayed.

       In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul first points out that the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to them in the power of the Holy Spirit with full conviction.  What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  As always, let the Bible answer the question.  In Romans 1:16, Paul tells us that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.  Therefore, we see that the Gospel brings salvation by faith alone.  In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul wrote further that “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”  Paul also wrote: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  Paul commanded us to “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8).  Without the bodily resurrection of Christ, we have no Gospel and we are still in our sins and we lie (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).  But with Christ, we will be resurrected to life, but unbelievers will be resurrected to judgment (John 5:28-29).

       Second, Paul focuses our attention upon the  the Holy Spirit.  As the third person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), the Holy Spirit performs many wonderful, divine ministries in our lives.  Remember, the Holy Spirit is God.  He ministers within us to  produce conviction about our salvation.  As Paul said, our salvation rests not upon persuasive words of wisdom, spoken by men, but upon the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5).  The Thessalonians received the Word of God by the power of God convicting them of the truth of the Gospel.  Under the power of the Holy Spirit, we see the Gospel for what it really is, the word of God.

       Third, as preachers of the Gospel, Paul and his friends acted under the power of the Holy Spirit as they brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Thessalonians.  Paul said the Thessalonians knew what kind of men they proved to be among them.  The Thessalonians watched these men, and could see the Holy Spirit working in them.  Paul and his companions worked for the sake of the Thessalonians.  They loved them, and labored for them.

       So, as we review this verse together, with a view towards today, we see that the Holy Spirit takes the Gospel of Jesus Christ and convicts the hearts of some people to receive forgiveness for sins from Jesus.  The Holy Spirit also uses His divine power to help believers live Godly lives as they share the Gospel.  Godly lives must always support the Godly message.

 Application for Today

        Today as I pray, I will think about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life and the lives of my friends.  He supernaturally convicts me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has come into my life with full power and conviction.  I will look at my believing friends and thank God that you too have the Holy Spirit at work in your life.  I see Him as you live in His love and power.  Will you see the Holy Spirit at work today and be thankful in prayer?

 

Friendships in Christ: The Joy of the Holy Spirit │ 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

June 15, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

The Joy of the Holy Spirit Today

“You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 1:6

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Have you ever noticed the way that little children imitate their parents?  Sometimes, the parents become mighty embarrassed.  Paul  reminded people to imitate Jesus, because we should follow His example (1 Corinthians 11:1).  As believers, our lives should imitate the life of our Savior.  But, so often, our lives actually imitate the lives of the unsaved people around us.  Therefore, we must make a conscious decision to be an example, like Jesus, for every person around us, and especially believers.  But, how do we do that?

       Paul recalled that the Thessalonians received the Word of God in much tribulation.  This word “tribulation” means a violent time of trouble.  If you were to go back and read Acts when Paul first visited Thessalonica, you would see that the Jews became enraged with Paul and his preaching of Jesus.  They formed a mob and set the city in an uproar (Acts 17:1-9).  Those same Jews from Thessalonica even chased after Paul when he went to Berea and preached the Gospel of Jesus to them (Acts 17:13).  So, I hope you can now see that the believers in Thessalonica had very strong opposition from the Jews in the city who rejected the Gospel.  Even so, the believers had joy.

       In that atmosphere of tribulation, the believers at Thessalonica had the kind of joy only the Holy Spirit can bring.  You may recall that the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit in our lives, including joy (Galatians 5:22).  In the same way, Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2).  Sometimes when things seem the toughest, the Holy Spirit produces joy that fills our hearts and makes us feel like Jesus inside.  We know His joy deep inside, even though outside things can get intensely troubling.

       So, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 shows us that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, and remembered how they became imitators of Paul and his friends, even when the persecution of believers was rising, but the Holy Spirit gave them joy inside.  You see, as we stand together in tribulation, we feel the joy together as the Holy Spirit fills us to do God’s will.  We share His joy together, and set an example by God’s grace in our lives.

 Application for Today

        Today, I will focus upon my example.  I will be setting one today for God or living in sin.  By God’s power, I want to thrive in persecution, and feel the joy of the Holy Spirit as I stand strong with my Christian friends.  Will you rejoice with us today and be an example for all believers?

 

Friendships in Christ: Examples to All Believers │ 1 Thessalonians 1:7

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

June 16, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Examples to All Believers Today

“so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

1 Thessalonians 1:7

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       We saw yesterday that Paul and his friends set positive examples of Jesus.  In turn, the Thessalonians began to imitate Jesus.  Now we see that the Thessalonians had gained a reputation as true examples of Christian living.

       One time I learned about a lawyer charged with acting improperly in an adoption proceeding.  The other lawyer attacked her in court, but the judge ruled that the lawyer had done nothing wrong.  Outside of court, the accusing lawyer went up to the other lawyer he just attacked for about a half an hour and said it was nothing personal.  The accused lawyer declined to shake hands, obviously because it was entirely an attack upon the person and reputation of the lawyer.  Reputation makes a big difference because people get to know who you are.  The Thessalonians had a great reputation, because they were full of the joy of the Holy Spirit and walked in His power.  They had received the Gospel of Jesus Christ with full conviction.  People really notice when you live in joy and power.

       Paul used the words “so that” to begin 1 Thessalonians 1:7.  One important goal of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to make disciples of the nations, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20).  We form strong relationships in Jesus when we all become imitators of Him.  Our example influences the example of the other believers and together we become better imitators of Jesus.   Our fidelity to His teaching binds us together as friends in Christ.   Christ forms the center of our relationship with each other.  We reflect His joy and glory in our lives.

       I know of a church congregation that has one group that meets inside at 11:00 a.m. and another group that meets on the lawn of the church building at 11:00 a.m.  The two groups also have a lawsuit in circuit court against each other.  What kind of example does that set for the whole community?  Your community will get to know you, but what will they think about Jesus based upon your conduct?  Paul said that the Thessalonians had a great reputation, even with geographical regions that were traditionally the enemies of each other.  So, all kinds of people from all over the region had a great impression of the Thessalonians.

 Application for Today

        Today, I am going to thank God for the believers I know who have a great reputation for following Christ.  I will give serious attention to making Jesus the center of my life, and my friendships with other believers.  As Jesus becomes more and more the center of my life and activities, then the Holy Spirit will produce greater joy and unity with other faithful believers in my life.  Who will other people see in your life today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Sounding Forth │ 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Concept of Time

June 17, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Sounding Forth Today

“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”

1 Thessalonians 1:8

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Have you ever noticed that some groups really sound out on their personal views?  I often see on television spokesmen for one political party or another, eagerly putting forth their views.  I also see special interest groups buying air time to promote a new green initiative.  In most cases, those groups have little to fear in retaliation.  Unless, of course, you criticize an Islamic practice or Islamic leader.  In that case, the news media applies special rules they never apply to Christian organizations.  No one can sound out their views about Islamic activity if that would somehow jeopardize the safety of the station.  Do not miss my point: I am not saying anyone should take free shots at any religion.  I am only observing that the sounding out today in America has particular unwritten rules that must be followed.  When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he knew they lived in a place of intense persecution, particularly from the Jews who violently opposed the preaching of the Gospel in Thessalonica and the neighboring areas. 

       The Thessalonians knew about persecution, and the cost of spreading their faith.  Instead of shrinking back from sounding forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they spoke even more loudly.  Why would anyone risk so much to talk about Jesus?  Let us turn to Romans 10 for a few moments.

       In Romans 10:13, Paul stated that whoever will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved from eternal punishment.  He then starts asking a series of questions that focus upon the importance of sending forth missionaries who will preach the Good News of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14-15).  Paul concludes with this famous verse: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  Without a preacher, people will not hear about the salvation Jesus has already purchased and delights in giving to sinners without cost to them.  The point here is that the plan of God for spreading the Gospel depends upon people sounding forth their faith, even in the midst of opposition.  I also want to emphasize another passage.

        Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He left the disciples with very clear instructions to follow: once the Holy Spirit had filled them and empowered them, they were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem first, and then move out to the rest of the world (Acts 1:8).  They started in Jerusalem, where they lived.  In the case of the Thessalonians, they sounded forth first from where they lived, Thessalonica.  The whole region heard about the Thessalonians’ faith in Christ.  Can you imagine having a church testimony on that scale, that everyone knows about your testimony?  When people stand together and share their testimony together as one body for Christ, the witness spreads far and wide.  Who will you tell today about the forgiveness Jesus offers as a free gift to everyone who believes that He died to set sinners free from death and judgment?  Who will hear the Gospel today and believe in Jesus for eternal life?  What will you say today?

      In order to build strong relationships in Christ, we need to sound forth the Gospel together.  As a group of Christians, we should speak together of the glory of Christ forgiving sins and the Holy Spirit bring joy into our lives.  I am going to thank God for the great testimony of my fellow Christians uniting their voices to tell of the great things God has done for them.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to seek opportunities to sound forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone in my community.  I know God will be moving people’s hearts to let the Gospel ring forth from their lives.  What will people be hearing from you today?

 

Serving the Living and True God │ 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

June 18, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Serving the Living and True God Today

“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,”

1 Thessalonians 1:9

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Friendship means that people have formed a positive relationship with each other.  Jesus told His disciples that they were His friends, because all the things He had heard from His Father He had made known to them (John 15:15).  In 1 Thessalonians, Paul has been praying for the Thessalonians, and he had many positive memories of them.  He first complements the Thessalonians on their faith and their joy in the Holy Spirit.  Then he complements their faith and testimony, which has spread everywhere.  Now, Paul turns to their conversion.

       Paul commends the Thessalonians because they turned from idols to serving the living and true God.  Let me break this sentence into several parts.

       First, Paul talks about the complete turn the Thessalonians have made in their lives.  In order to form tight friendships and strong bonds in Christ with other believers, you must first have a strong relationship with God.  Until you are willing to turn your life to God, you will only have superficial relationships with people.  I have seen many wealthy fathers lose all contact with children they love because those kids want nothing to do with their parents.  Not one of the children had faith in Christ, and neither did their parents.  I often remind fathers of Deuteronomy 6:7.  Fathers must teach their sons diligently and talk with them when you sit and when you lie down and when you rise up.  The point is constant instruction to fear God and love God with all your heart.  In that context of loving God, people form strong bonds of divine love that keep them together for a lifetime.   Those relationships start with turning your life to God.

       Second, Paul mentions that the Thessalonians turned away from idols.  Popular idols today include the love of money, the love of power, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life.  All the things you put in front of God constitute an idol in your life.  For many people, their work defines their existence.  If they have done well at work, they have a good day.  If they lose their job, then they lose their entire identity.  We should all be very careful about idols in our lives.  We should be especially careful to turn away from our idols and leave them behind.  In order to have a strong relationship God, you must first forsake your idols.  Turn away from them and you will find your relationship with your spouse, your children, and your spiritual friends to be much stronger.  Turn off your television and spend more time with brothers and sisters in Christ.  Spend less overtime at work, and more time with the people around you who need to form a strong bond with you that will encourage both of you to walk with Jesus Christ.

       Third, Paul talked about service.   When you leave your idols behind, then you spend more time with Jesus.  You will want to serve Christ with your life.  Serving Christ means you no longer serve idols or demons, but rather look to live in the love of Jesus. 

        Fourth, notice that Paul describes God as living and true.  The God we serve lives within us, and remains forever true.  Jesus described Himself as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).  In order to have strong relationships in Christ, then we must serve the living and true God.  He must be the central feature of our lives, and His love must control us.  We will be the kind of people who have our friends’ best interest at heart.

       Finally, we see that the Thessalonians received the Gospel and formed a strong friendship with Paul and the other believers who share Christ with them.  Each of us needs to develop the qualities in this passage so that we can be better friends with the people around us.    

Application for Today

        Today, I will be turning away from idols, and turning to serve the living and true God.  I want to encourage every believer I see today to do the same thing.  Will you turn and serve the living and true God today and encourage your friends to do likewise?

 

Friendships in Christ: Waiting for Jesus │ 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Discipleship,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

June 19, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Waiting for Jesus Today

“and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       The Bible presents a very clear picture of Jesus coming to resurrect believers in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  The Bible shows us that when Jesus comes to the clouds of earth, and brings all the believers in Christ with Him, at that time He will raise from the dead the bodies of all the believers on earth.  Resurrection in the New Testament always means the transforming of the physical body into a body of glory.  So, when Jesus appears, He will descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first, then those believers who are alive when He comes in the clouds.  Notice that in this passage Christ never touches foot upon the earth, but resurrects the believers to the clouds to be with Him forever.  Many believers refer to the appearance of Jesus in the clouds as the Rapture. We should comfort one another with those words.

       Paul introduces Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 as the Rescuer of believers from the wrath to come.  If you read the Book of Revelation, you will see a very clear picture of God’s wrath poured out upon the earth over a seven year period (called the Tribulation), still future from today.  Before those days of wrath come, Jesus will come to the clouds to rescue believers from that time of intense wrath upon the earth.

       Paul also emphasizes that the Thessalonians were waiting for Jesus because He had been raised from the dead.  So, every believer should wait patiently,  while working diligently, for the appearance of Christ to rescue the believers.  He stands as the living promise of our resurrection to be with Him for ever.

       So, let us review in this verse the points it makes about forging strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Strong friendships share a common faith that Jesus has been raised from the dead.

      ●   Strong friendships share a hope of Christ coming again.

      ●   Strong friendships share a common view that the entire world sits under judgment from God for doing evil, and He will bring wrath upon everyone we know outside of Christ.

      ●   Strong friendships share a common faith that Jesus will rescue us from the wrath to come.

  Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my friends to think about Jesus.  I want to share with them that Jesus lives today, and He will come again to rescue all believers from the wrath to come.  Only Jesus can rescue people from the wrath to come, and we should look forward to the day when He appears in the clouds to resurrect our bodies to be with Him forever.  Who are you waiting for today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Coming to You │ 1 Thessalonians 2:1

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Christ Assembly Archive

June 20, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Coming to You Today

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,”

1 Thessalonians 2:1

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         My friend asked me to play basketball with him at a park recently.  Just a single basket on an asphalt parking lot provided a real challenge for me.  Before I went, I suspected that I could not really shoot a basketball any more.  Once upon a time I could shoot, dribble, and even dunk a basketball.  Let me tell you, no more.  My friend had knee surgery about a year ago and he still has mobility issues.  We played HORSE and he won.  I was sure the basket was higher than regulation ten feet, but no matter, I could not shoot.  I shot so many air balls that I had to chase the ball all over the place.  You know, however, that I played ball with my friend mainly to spend time with him.  We both knew that we needed exercise, but we also like friendship.  We read the Bible together at the beach, often in a small group.  At the park playing basketball, we just had some fun together, and maybe a little exercise.  I was so tired after few minutes of hoops (read: chasing the ball) that I had to get a chair and sit in the shade for a while.  I did not waste any time today playing a little basketball with my friend.  We both had a nice time.   Next, I want to return to surfing.  I bought a life vest and expect I will need it.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:1, Paul continues to talk about the Thessalonian believers.  Every believer you know needs to hear some positive things from you.  I have many friends who tell me that their spouse, father, child, or you name it only tells them all the things they are doing wrong.  I know we have all been there and feel so strongly that all we hear is negative messages from people we love.

       Paul built strong spiritual friendships wherever he went.  When you read his letters to the New Testament churches, he is always greeting people by name, and talking about the things going on at Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Colossae, and Rome.  In verse 2:1, Paul mentions that the Thessalonians know Paul did not come in vain to them.   Let us look at two things here.

       First, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of what they know.  In order to build strong spiritual friendships, you will need to share common spiritual experiences.  In this case, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they know within themselves that Paul came to them, and Paul implies that God sent Paul to them.  If you have believed that Jesus forgave you from all your sins, because He died for you and lives in you today, then God sent someone to you to share the good news (Romans 10:14-18).  Encouraging one another to look back at positive events in our lives (blessings from Jesus), including how you met your friends in Christ, often pays special blessings.

      Second, Paul uses the phrase “not in vain” to describe the results of Paul’s coming to the Thessalonians.  As Paul explained in 1 Thessalonians 1:3-10, the Thessalonians received the Gospel of Jesus Christ with joy in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction.  Paul’s preaching would have been in vain if the Thessalonians would not have received the Gospel by faith, or if they abandoned their profession of faith shortly after making their claim of faith (consider Matthew 13:20-21).  Instead, Paul reminds them of their great testimony all over the region and how they are examples of faith in Christ Jesus.

       If you find yourself saying too many negative things about life, and your friends, then you may want to strengthen your friendship by looking at how you came to meet your friends.  How did God arrange your getting together?  Were you the person who led your friend to Christ?  Paul clearly had  a purpose in coming to Thessalonica to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to teach the disciples to observe all that Jesus had commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Remind your friends how God drew you to one another.

      ●   Think about the purpose that God put you and your friend together.  God did not create your friendship in vain, but with a purpose, His greater glory as a result of your friendship.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to think about where God is sending me today.  Who will I meet today that I will be reminding tomorrow about how we first me?  A few days ago I shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a woman at the beach and she prayed to receive Christ.  I often give the person a Bible, and write the date and a few verses in the Bible so they can remember when they prayed and believed that Christ has forgiven their sins.  Today, I hope to see someone I can remind of the way God brought us to meet each other and that God never acts in vain.  Who will you remind today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Speaking Boldly for Jesus │ 1 Thessalonians 2:2

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Christ Assembly

June 21, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Speaking Boldly for Jesus Today

“but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”

1 Thessalonians 2:2

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Everyone reading the New Testament should take the trip to Philippi with Paul, as recorded in Acts 16:11-40.  Luke, the human author of Acts, introduces Philippi as the leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony.  Paul begins preaching at the river, to a group of women assembled there on the Sabbath day.  While preaching, he meets Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshipper of God, and a listener.  God opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.  She and her entire house were then baptized.  Paul also met a slave girl, who had the spirit of divination within her.  Paul cast out the spirit and her owners lost the livelihood they made from her demonic activities.  So, they stirred up the people of Philippi and put Paul in jail.

      While in jail at Philippi, Paul and his companion, Silas, experienced a great earthquake.  The prison doors were opened, and everyone’s chains unfastened.  The jailer was about to kill himself for fear of having the prisoners escape.  Paul and the others stayed, and the Philippian jailer, along with his household, received salvation from Jesus Christ.  Paul would not leave the jail until the magistrates who had beaten him and  incarcerated him without a trial lead him out personally.  You see, Paul was a Roman citizen, and Roman law required no beating or incarceration until a citizen had been tried in court first, and found guilty.  So, now you have some idea about the troubles Paul and his companions had at Philippi. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul talks about boldness in our God to speak the Gospel.  This term “boldness” describes how Paul spoke at Damascus (Acts 9:27) and Ephesus (Acts 19:8).  Undoubtedly, Paul spoke out boldly everywhere he went, but the emphasis here is that opposition did not stop him from speaking.  Notice in this verse how the boldness came from God.  Paul was not bold in himself, but rather was empowered by God to speak with boldness (compare 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). 

        As we have already seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians had received the Gospel of Jesus Christ among much opposition.  Paul did not let opposition stop him from speaking boldly for Christ.  As we speak out boldly for Christ, our testimony stirs up courage in other believers to speak out the word without fear (Philippians 1:14).  Remember too the words of Jesus: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven in great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●   Encourage your friends, as they encourage you, to share your faith with boldness in God.

       ●   Tell your friends in Christ about how God has helped you to endure persecution for sharing the Gospel. 

       ●   By God’s power, do not let persecution stop you, or your friends, from sharing your faith in Christ. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage someone who has been insulted or persecuted for sharing his/her faith in Christ.  I will share my experiences with being persecuted for speaking out for Jesus, and together we shall become better friends.  Who will you encourage to share Jesus today?

 

Exhortation Without Error, Impurity or Deceit │ 1 Thessalonians 2:3

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

June 22, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Exhortation without Error, Impurity, or Deceit Today

“For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;”

1 Thessalonians 2:3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I heard a television preacher say that it costs him $80,000.00 per day to keep his program on the air.  He was asking for more money.  Personally, I am not persuaded that spending that kind of money produces the best results for $80,000.00 per day, or $400,000.00 for one Monday through Friday week of programming, or $20,800,000.00 per year.  How much does it take for one person to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with one more person?  How many people could be fed with those funds, or how many missionaries sent and supported?  My real point is that each of us has a duty to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, personally and daily.  Most people who profess to know Christ have never shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone, and have never prayed with anyone else to receive forgiveness of sins.  Furthermore, they have heard numerous messages encouraging them to share their faith, but they adamantly refuse to do so.  Why do you receive the gift of salvation freely, but refuse to share it with others?  Do you not believe that everyone will go to hell for eternal punishment unless they pray and believe in the forgiveness that only Jesus provides?  My “Christian” friends tell me they visit their friends in the hospital, with death near.  I ask them if they shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their sick, unbelieving friends and they look at me like I have the plague.  The most common response I get is that they have invited the person to come to a meeting of believers, but do not want to make the sick person uncomfortable.  I guess they do not think that hell will be “uncomfortable” for an eternity.  With the dismal truth that most people professing to know Christ will never share their faith, let me now focus upon Paul, who not only shared his faith, but did it as an example for all of us to follow.  If you do not intend to share your faith, then why bother reading about Paul? Paul consistently shared the Good News of Jesus Christ, suffered persecution, and repeatedly acted to the glory of God in his ministry.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul talks about “exhortation.”  This word “exhortation” comes from the root meaning to call someone to stand beside me.  Depending upon the context, it means appeal, entreaty, encouragement, exhortation or comfort.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul was just talking about speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness in God, and amid much opposition.  Therefore, you can see that Paul was referring to the way he came to the Thessalonians and spoke of Christ to them.  Paul emphasizes the way he presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Thessalonians with three separate, but related, words: “error,” “impurity,” and “deceit.”

       Error stands opposite the truth.  So many people do not share the Gospel of Jesus Christ because deep in their hearts they do not believe the truth that all unbelievers have the wrath of God abiding upon them, even though they are physically alive (John 3:36).  They do not believe that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  The truth is that only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  To preach anything else for salvation constitutes error.

       Impurity means something that has become dirty, or unclean.  When I go ocean fishing in the morning, I wade in the shore break and cast my plug beyond the small waves.  Inevitably, a wave breaks and splashes me all over with sea water.  The water dries, but leaves me with salt spread thinly over both me and my clothing.  I feel messy, and sometimes a little itchy.  Paul never preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with any impurity.  He never left anyone with a thin coat of salt after speaking of Jesus to them.  Instead, when Paul exhorted people to receive Christ, and His forgiveness, the impurities began dropping out of their lives.  When I see television preachers begging for money, I wonder if they live in giant houses, fly on private jets, and have luxurious lifestyles, that have been generated from the ministry.  Impurity always means that the good has been mixed with the bad.  The clean has become smudged with the dirty.  Paul only preached in purity.

      Deceit means that you say one thing, but live another thing.  Deceit means that you tell people to live one way, but actually you intend for them to help you live in another way.  Deceit comes in many forms, but Paul never practiced any of them.  So many people get sick and tired of all the deceit on the Christian television channels.  You see men and women acting deceitfully, especially regarding finances.  How many times have you seen journalists expose the misdeeds and misapplications of funds by television preachers?  Paul made it a priority to call people to Christ, and only Christ.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Every believer should exhort people to come to know the forgiveness of Jesus Christ by sharing His Gospel regularly, without fear or shame.  Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bind you with others who share their faith.  Strong bonds of fellowship form from seeing new believers grow up in Christ.

     ●   Strong bonds of friendship will grow when you act and exhort without error, impurity or deceit.  Those things will rip friendships apart, especially when people learn that you only spoke to them for your own selfish, evil motives.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to exhort people to know Christ.  I want Jesus to remove any hint of error, impurity or deceit in the way I present the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Will you share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, without error, impurity or deceit, today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Speaking To Please God │ 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

June 23, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Speaking To Please God Today

“but just as we have been approved to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Have you entrusted someone to perform a very important task for you?  I think about that fact all the time as a lawyer.  My clients entrust to me a legal problem, and expect that I will use my best efforts to solve the problem.  In some cases, I advise my clients to pay the other side and settle the case.  In other matters, I advise my clients to seek to recover their losses.  In each case, I must review the law and facts and determine my best course of action.  I try to always act in the best interest of my client, as a matter of trust.

       Paul had a task entrusted to him far more important than practicing law.  In fact, the most important task on earth had been delivered to him as a steward of God.  God commissioned him to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  In 1 Corinthians 4:1-4, Paul explained how God entrusted the mysteries of God to Paul as a steward.  Paul then said: “it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2).  As Paul traveled around the Mediterranean world, he demonstrated his faithfulness as a steward of God’s mysteries.  The people at Thessalonica could testify to Paul’s faithfulness to the message.

       Paul links the message he preaches, and how he preaches the message, to God who examines the hearts.  This term “examines” may be rendered “examining” to convey its sense that as Paul speaks, God continuously examines every word Paul proclaims, and whether he is speaking in error, impurity, or deceit.  Because God entrusted Paul with His message, and then examines Paul as he spreads the Gospel, Paul does not focus upon pleasing men.  We should always keep this principle in our minds.

       You can be friends with the world by pleasing the men around you.  But you cannot be friends with the world and friends with God.  “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).  Jesus taught His disciples that the world would hate them, because they first hated Jesus without cause (John 15:18-25).  So, you can change your message of salvation to be friends with the world.  You can drop out all the parts of God’s message the world may find offensive.  For example, you could say that Jesus was not really divine, and be like other cults that deny His divinity and equality with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.  Or, you could never mention that unbelievers go to hell and suffer there for an eternity.  But in both cases, you would not be a faithful servant spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but rather you would have become someone who preaches your own gospel.

        Building strong friendships in Christ means that you will never speak to please men, but always speak the message of God because: (1) He entrusted you with His message; and (2) He examines your heart and words continually.  Jesus loves you every day, but demands that you speak faithfully for Him.  Spread His message, knowing that He will reward you for faithful service.  (Hebrews 11:6).  Make friends and disciples of Jesus who speak God’s message backed up with lives that God examines and finds faithful.  Together we can walk before Him by faith, living in His lovingkindness.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we speak to please God and not men.   We will never put our friendships with anyone before God.

    ●   Strong bonds of friendship will grow when we keep in mind that God examines our message and actions, all the time.  He really knows why we speak and how we speak.  As we speak together, and support others who speak for God and not men, we encourage each other to speak out boldly for Christ in His name and with His Gospel.

    ●   We break bonds of friendship when we speak to please men.  As friends in Christ, we must speak for Him and avoid speaking to please men.  Any friendship built upon speaking to please men will only lead to failure and further problems, but speaking to please God will lead to eternal rewards from Him.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to speak for Christ, knowing God examines my message and heart continuously.  I also want to encourage believers around me who speak out for Jesus Christ.  When God examines you today, what will He see and hear?

Friendships in Christ: No Flattery │ 1 Thessalonians 2:5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

June 24, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

No Flattery Today

“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness–“

1 Thessalonians 2:5    

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I went fishing recently and waded in the small waves casting my plug for fish.  I fished my plug for about fifteen minutes, casting between the sets of waves, hoping to entice some predator to attack my artificial plug.  Nothing happened.  But, I enjoyed the beauty of the sunrise, walking in the water, and loving  the morning.  I happened to look on the beach, over my shoulder, and saw a great blue heron.  With its striking long white plumes on its head, and pointed beak for spearing prey, I knew it was looking for a meal, and hoping I would bring it up on the beach for it.  You see, this great blue heron knew all about surf fishermen, and knew from experience where he could find a meal.  He had learned that I might just produce a meal for him that morning, and all he had to do was wait.  It turned out, however, that he waited in vain for me, because I caught nothing.  My plug, which looks like a fish, but is not really a fish, did not fool anything that morning.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:5, Paul talks about how he never used flattering speech to persuade the Thessalonians.  Before I select a lure to entice fish, I try to watch what works at the place I am fishing.  I learn from other fisherman, and from the fish in the water, what attracts predators to strike.  I want them so excited by my plug, and its action in the water, that they cannot resist it.  In fact, I prefer fairly calm water when I cast, so I can twitch my plug to imitate a fish in distress and persuade the predator to strike.  The plug and its presentation to the fish make all the difference.  You see, I am selling a fake to fish.

     Paul never sold a fake, never faked anyone out, and never faked any part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He never preached error, impurity, or deceit.  He never spoke to please men at the expense of pleasing God first and always.  He never used flattering speech.  Paul had been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by God’s power, the message of Jesus saved men from their sins.

       Sometimes I fish with live bait I castnet in the surf.  When I cast up a little fish, I put it in my bait bucket with an air pump to keep it alive.  Then I use special fluorocarbon leader, nearly invisible in the water, to connect my hook to my line on the fishing pole.  I then hook the fish to my leader, with a small hook.  I want the bait fish on my line to swim as naturally as possible.  It is natural, and needs nothing from me to attract fish.  I catch many fish in the daytime using live natural bait.  I do not need to fool the fish, or twitch the bait.  It swims by itself.  I do not need to flatter the predators, or entice them in any way.

      When you understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power of Jesus Christ, the living Lord, behind its message, and as the central Person of the message, then you will understand that you do not need to use flattering speech.  In the New Testament, the term “flattering” only occurs here in 1 Thessalonians 2:5.  In the book of Proverbs, flattery was used to describe the seductive words of the adulteress (Proverbs 2:16) and for the man who spreads a net for his neighbor’s steps (Proverbs 29:5). 

       The great blue heron that watched me fish left without a meal from me.  I had nothing to give him, and I was not about to toss my plug to him and entice him to bite it.  You see, I love those big birds, and understand their need to eat.  Why would I want to entice the bird to eat something fake, and only pierce himself with hooks?  The hooks in a fish’s rubbery lips cause no problems, but the heron would have serious problems eating.  Flattering speech, especially when used to present the Gospel, detracts from the message and only creates the wrong impression.  We never need to resort to flattery, because  we actually tell people the truth about their sin, and their need for the Savior, Jesus Christ, to save them.

      One other point about the great blue heron.  It just stood there watching me, all four feet of the bird.  It waited patiently, and kept its distance.  It had no pretext for greed, because we both knew why it had come to visit me.  If I just stand in the surf, the heron stays away.  When I fish, it comes and stands near.  It wants food, without pretext.  The gulls are the same way.  They only come to me when I have something to feed them.  They are very straightforward, without pretext.  They come to be fed.  Paul said he never offered the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a pretext for greed.  He came to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that people could be saved from their sins.  He did not come for personal gain, for money, for fame, or any other hidden motive.  He offered spiritual food from Jesus Christ, as a free gift.  God watches me fish for men, and knows my motives.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ without using any form of flattery about ourselves or the audience.  Spiritual friendships are not built upon a foundation of flattery.  People hear the message of salvation for sinners, presented by a sinner saved by grace.  When we share, we strengthen our friendships with other believers and make new friends in Christ through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by avoiding all flattery.

    ●   Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remove any pretext for greed from our presentation of the Gospel.  We do not need anyone’s money and do not seek earthly riches in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  By the power of God, the Lord Jesus Christ shines through His Gospel.

    ●   We undermine the power of the Gospel, and harm friendships, when we speak flattering words or use any pretext for greed, especially in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to avoid flattering speech and any pretext for greed in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What will your motives be today when you share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

 

Friendships in Christ: Seek No Glory from Men │ 1 Thessalonians 2:6

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

June 25, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

No Glory from Men Today

“nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.”

1 Thessalonians 2:6      

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Have you ever seen people seeking their own glory?  They dress a certain way, they wear their hair a certain way, they talk a certain way, and they have just the right friends.  If you look around today, you will see people all around you seeking their own glory.  They do so many things to gain glory from men.  I am not saying that taking care with clothes, hair, speech, and friendships is automatically wrong.  I am saying that seeking your own glory will pose a problem.  Consider your list of activities planned for today.  Anything on the list that just leaps out as you as aimed at your own glory?  No? Well, to see if you are actually seeking your own glory may require a little help from Paul.

       Paul linked seeking glory with exercising authority.  When you throw your own weight around, and draw attention to yourself, you can be sure that you are seeking your own glory.  Paul says avoid doing anything that seeks your own glory.   Paul continues his theme about how the ministry team came to Thessalonica, and how they exhorted them, even after suffering persecution, without error, impurity, or deceit.   They did not seek to please men, but only God.  They never flattered men, or did anything as a pretext for greed.  Now, Paul explains the ministry team did not seek glory from the Thessalonians or from others.

       Have you ever considered the authority of the apostles?  Paul had obvious financial authority to seek financial aid from the Thessalonians, as he did from other churches (1 Corinthians 9:3-18; Acts 11:27-30).  Paul performed many signs and wonders and miracles at Iconium (Acts 14:1-4), and Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:12), and apparently throughout his preaching from Jerusalem round about as far as Illyricum (Romans 15:18-19).  Even the handkerchiefs and aprons worn by Paul were carried to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out (Acts 19:11-12).  Paul directly demonstrated great power over demons (e.g., Acts 16:16-19), and even a bite from a viper had no effect upon him (Acts 28:3-6).  In Malta, people from all over the island came to Paul and he cured them of their diseases (Acts 28:7-10).  Paul not only spoke the revelation of Jesus Christ, but the power of the Holy Spirit confirmed the message with signs, wonders, and miracles.  Yet, Paul and the ministry team did not assert their authority.  They did not impose their apostolic authority, because they were not seeking their own glory.

       One note in passing concerning “apostles.”  In 1 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul refers to “apostles” plural.  We see here that the term includes both Paul and Silvanus (perhaps another name for “Silas”), and perhaps Timothy.  The New Testament speaks of “apostles” as a spiritual gift (Ephesians 4:11), but also a special group of men who spent time with Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:11-13).

So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we do not seek our own glory.  Notice how Paul keeps using the term “we” to describe how the ministry team acted as apostles and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When “we” act together, we build those strong bonds of friendship.

    ●   Strong bonds of friendship grow when we do not exercise our authority to enhance our personal positions.  We want God alone to get all the glory, because we serve at His pleasure constantly.

    ●   We harm our bonds of friendship when we seek our own glory and exercise our authority to make us look bigger.  Every employer, parent, friend and spouse should be very careful about avoiding the ungodly use of power to glorify yourself, and not the Master and His mission.

Application for Today

        Today, I want will avoid seeking glory from men.  I will not use any authority to build my glory, but rather always focus upon Jesus getting all the glory, because He alone deserves it.  Whose glory will you seek today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Gentle Among You │ 1 Thessalonians 2:7

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Christ Assembly

June 26, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Gentle among You Today

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

1 Thessalonians 2:7

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Do you think of yourself as gentle among your friends?  Well, how gentle do you see yourself?  Are you as gentle as a nursing mother treats her own children?  For most of us, especially most men, we have a very hard time imagining that we should treat fellow believers with the gentleness of a nursing mother.  Yet, Paul sets that as the standard for building strong friendships in Christ.

      Paul concluded the previous section by reminding the Thessalonians of all the things the ministry team did not do in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.  Now, Paul turns to the positive.  The word “proved” here drives home a special point.  In court, I often want to make a particular point to prove my case.  I sometimes need to show that a particular party breached the contract at a particular time and and particular place.  The best way to prove my point is often to call the opposing party as my witness and make that witness prove my point.  In the same way, Paul uses the Thessalonians themselves to prove his point.  You can only use this tactic in court if you are sure that the opposing party will make the right admissions, when asked the right questions.  So, often you take the deposition of the witness before court, ask the witness certain questions under oath, and then ask those same questions again in court.  If the answer changes, then you impeach the witness with their own deposition testimony where they gave different answers before.  Paul uses the Thessalonians to prove that the ministry team was, in fact, gentle among them.

       I am sure that you can come up with many examples of people, often Christians, being rough with you.  At times, Jesus was rough with unbelievers and called them “a brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7),  “an evil and adulterous generation” (Matthew 12:39), “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27), “hypocrites” (Matthew 23:25).  Even so, Isaiah prophesied of Jesus that He would not bread a bruised reed or extinguish a dimly burning wick (Isaiah 42:3).  In the Gospels, Jesus treated many people with great compassion.  Jesus did not treat new believers the same way He treated unbelievers, especially unbelieving leaders of Israel.  Here is the point: in building a strong relationship with other believers, you must master the skill, under the Holy Spirit’s influence, of being as tender as a nursing mother to the new believers.  Not only do you feed them the pure milk of the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2), but you also nurse them along with hugs and affection in Christ.  Every person on the team had the same reputation for dealing with new believers at Thessalonica. 

     So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we treat new believers with gentleness like a nursing mother treats her own children.

Application for Today

        Today, I want act with gentleness, especially toward new believers.  Who will you treat like your own child today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Imparting Your Life │ 1 Thessalonians 2:8

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Christ Assembly

June 27, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Imparting Your Life Today

“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         I am sitting down now and thinking about how I am going to spend my day today.  I have to prepare a sermon, write the daily encouragement, do some legal work, and meet some friends at the beach today for Bible Study and prayer.  I know I will enjoy all of those things.  Have you ever asked yourself why you are doing the things you are doing?  I sat down with a friend recently and he told me that I am the only person on earth that he wants to count as a friend.   He is not a believer, but he likes to talk about the Bible.  I tell my friends that I am happy to be their friend, but I am not happy to be their only friend.  Well, as my friend and I talked, I encouraged him to think about his relationships with people from a different perspective.  All of us need multiple friends in Christ.  I spend a lot of time with men over 60 years of age.  I found over time that many of those men would prefer to spend time with me one on one–praying, talking and reading the Bible.  I like for those men to meet in small groups, and get to know other people in Christ.  Many people, especially men, do not really want to share their lives with groups, even small groups.  Of course we all need time with our closest friends to share one one one, but we also need to have fellowship with groups of believers. 

       Think about the people you are acquainted with.  Of those people, from your perspective, who needs to have a relationship with you?  I am not asking you who you like, who will live up to your expectations, who has treated you fairly in the past, or any other criteria that depends upon the other person.  I am asking, from your perspective, who needs a relationship with you, without regarding what you will get out of the relationship.  Who needs you to impart your life to them?

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul talked about his affection for the Thessalonians.  Because of that affection, the ministry team imparted their lives to the Thessalonians.  This term “imparted” means to transfer something over, to give or to share.  Now let me link up that idea with the term “affection” in the same verse.  Paul states that the ministry team had a present, ongoing affection in their hearts for the Thessalonians.  This affection prompted the ministry team to share (1)  the Gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) their own lives.  You see, the Thessalonians had become very dear to the ministry team.  As you form strong bonds of friendship, you will see this pattern of growing affection and your friends becoming very dear to you.  As you impart more of your life into them, the bonds grow stronger and the emotions of affection and counting them dear rise and the relationship deepens in Christ.

      So, back to where I started.  What will you be doing today to impart your life in Christ to someone, along with imparting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them?  You really cannot share the Gospel of Jesus Christ without also imparting your life to them also.  Who will you spend time with today because they have become very dear to you?  So many people run from relationships because they have been burned so often in the past.  Learn from Paul.  Impart the life of Christ in you to them, along with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let Jesus form the strong bonds of affection, and promote greater love and sharing of your lives together in Christ.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we act out of affection for people with whom we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we impart our lives to believers, and they become more and more dear to us.  We do not grow tired of them, discouraged with them, or critical of them.  We grow in affection for them.

       ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we stop imparting our lives to our friends, and live only in the darkness of selfishness.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to impart my life in Christ to my friends in Christ.  I want to grow in affection for my Christian friends.  To whom will you impart your life in Christ to today?

Friendships in Christ: Not a Burden to Anyone │ 1 Thessalonians 2:9

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Blue Beach

June 28, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Not a Burden to Anyone Today

“For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of  you, we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:9 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         I understand that nearly half of the households in America do not pay federal income taxes.  Yet, most of the income tax the government collects comes from households, not businesses.  As a nation, Americans have chosen to tax only half of the households.  One half burdens the other half.  American politicians refuse to confront this problem by reducing the federal deficit, and paying down the national debt.  Social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Welfare Programs cannot be sustained under the present tax system.  Americans continue to elect people to office who have bankrupted the country.  The financial burden comes in two forms: (1) too much government spending; and (2) too few people paying taxes.  The people paying the taxes often resent the burden imposed by the half not paying taxes, especially by those who act illegally, or receive government benefits without citizenship or resident alien status.  Government does not impose the taxes, the population of America imposes the taxes through their votes.  Anytime America wanted to change the tax system, it could vote for change.  Yet, half the households want to continue the present tax and spending system, because they enjoy its benefits.

       Paul knew that the way to avoid being a financial burden upon the Thessalonians was to work “night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9).  According to Paul, the ministry team at Thessalonica endured hardship.  This term “hardship” includes suffering, like having sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, enduring cold and exposure (2 Corinthians 11:27).  Paul linked this term hardship with never eating anyone’s bread without paying for it (2 Thessalonians 3:8).  The ministry team did not come to Thessalonica looking for financial support.  Instead, it brought the Gospel of God to the people, and supported themselves by working night and day so that they would not burden anyone.

        Recently, a friend of mine told me that his girlfriend’s brother had moved into the place he lives with his girlfriend and their infant girl.  He made it very plain that he would not tolerate the other man’s presence in the home for more than a week or so.  The other man had to find work, and do it right away.  People resent supporting people who have the ability to work, but do not work.  Every believer understands the need to support the poor, especially those who are unable to work.  If we see our brother or sister without clothing or in need of daily food, we must feed them and clothe them (James 2:16).  Yet everyone who can work, should work at sharing the Gospel of God, and do it without burdening the people who receive it.

       Paul made it very plain that anyone who joined the ministry team would be expected to work.  Not only would they work, but they would also be required to labor night and day and experience hardship.  I am sure that no one was thinking it would be easy and financially profitable to join the ministry team and reap big financial rewards.  Instead, they would impart their very lives, and enjoy the spiritual rewards of friendships in Christ, building value both today and forever.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we do not place a financial burden on people with whom we share the Gospel of God.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we work night and day, and then remind people how we worked to avoid being a burden for them.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we place financial burdens on people which detract from the ministry.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to avoid being a financial burden to anyone with whom I share the Gospel of God.  I will work night and day to support myself as I spread the Gospel.  Are you a burden today?

Behave Devoutly, Uprightly and Blamelessly │ 1 Thessalonians 2:10

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Christ Assembly

June 29, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Behaving Devoutly, Uprightly, and Blamelessly Today

“You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;”

1 Thessalonians 2:10 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         At times, Paul sounds like a lawyer in this chapter.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:5, Paul calls upon God as his witness.  Now, he calls upon the Thessalonians and God as his witnesses in 1 Thessalonians 2:10.  Paul builds his case by the testimony of eye witnesses.  As a general rule, lawyers do not like asking questions in court that they did not ask before under oath, long before the witness appeared in court.  In many cases, the lawyer may depose a witness before court, where the witness has to answer questions under oath.  The court reporter records the answers.  Then, the lawyer asks those same questions again in court, and expects the same answers.  If they change, and both answers were under oath, the lawyer wants to know why.  He will also use the changed testimony against the witness.

       Theoretically, in court, the case should hinge upon the facts.  Those facts decide if someone has done something unlawful, or not.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:10, Paul focuses upon three facts: devout behavior, upright behavior, and blameless behavior.  If every ministry team could call God as witness, and God would testify that the team had behaved devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly, then every ministry team would have a perfect testimony.  Well, in this context, let us examine these three descriptions of the ministry team’s behavior at Thessalonica.

       Paul uses three adverbs to describe the way the team behaved.  Who cares about adverbs?  You should get used to adverbs because people will always use them to describe your behavior.  You will hear people say, “You acted strangely,” or “You surfed radically,” or “I love you dearly.”  You get the idea about adverbs describing behavior.  They often end in  “-ly”.  Well, adverbs here matter because they describe the verb, “behaved.”  Could you imagine that someone would actually be willing to testify that you acted devoutly?  This word devout means acting in a manner pleasing to God, and is related to the word for “holy” in the New Testament.  Holy behavior comes from God working through you and in you. 

       Paul then describes the team’s behavior with the term uprightly.  In American criminal courts, you are not generally given a verdict of innocent, but rather not guilty.  That verdict means the state failed to prove its burden that you violated a particular criminal law.  You may be a murderer, but the state failed to prove the elements of the crime in court. God describes this word “uprightly” as being just, correct, vindicated and acquitted.  In this context, it does not only mean you were not found guilty, but actually you were declared to be correct.  God knows if you committed murder, and will render a verdict consistent with your deeds.  God rendered the verdict about the ministry team at Thessalonica: uprightly they behaved.

      Paul finally describes the team’s behavior with the word ‘blamelessly’.  No one at Thessalonica, or God the perfect judge, could lay any claim against the ministry team.  They deserved no blame for anything they did at Thessalonica. 

       So, let us put these truths together.  You should never call a witness to the stand when the testimony will blow your case to little pieces.  Never expect that God will tell anything but the truth, and the whole truth about what happened.  In this case, Paul confidently asserts that both the Thessalonians and God will fully back his claim that the ministry team was blessed by God to act devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly.  It took supernatural power in the lives of the ministry team to live before the Thessalonians without any problems.  If we aspire to live in ministry like the ministry team sent to Thessalonica, then we will need God’s total power at work in our lives.  We not only work night and day, but we also spend our time acting in complete fidelity to God’s ministry plan. Our behavior really counts, not just the message we preach with our lips.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when we act devoutly, uprightly and blamelessly, and do that both individually and as a team. 

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage each other to behave devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly for the sake of our love for Jesus, and His commission to spread His message and love to all people.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to act devoutly, uprightly and blamelessly.  We harm ourselves, and our relationships with other believers. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to live devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly.  I know God will be witness, and I have faith He will help me achieve His goals for my life today.  What testimony will God render about your behavior today?

 

Like a Father Exhorts, Encourages and Implores │ 1 Thessalonians 2:11

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,June 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Forsaken

June 30, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Like a Father Exhorting, Encouraging and Imploring Each Child Today

“just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,”

1 Thessalonians 2:11

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         Every child raised by a father can certainly tell a lot of stories about their fathers.  In Jewish households, God commanded fathers to teach their sons the commandments of God and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7).  But, sadly, not all children knew their father, or had a father who obediently commanded his children and his household to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring blessings upon the family (Genesis 18:19).  For the fatherless, Paul acts as a spiritual father in Christ to each one of them.

       I meet grandparents all the time who are so happy that their adult children have moved out of the house.  Now they can enjoy their grandchildren at their leisure.  Yet, the spiritual bonds between Christians should eclipse the bonds of flesh and blood.  Remember that Jesus said: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).  Jesus emphasized there that we must follow Him and refuse to let anyone, even our families, lead us away from Himself.  In fact, Jesus taught that “whoever does the will of My Father who is heaven, he is My brother and and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50). 

     Therefore, when Paul calls himself a spiritual father, he certainly continues to employ the family members as examples.  Please recall that in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, he said the ministry team was as gentle as a nursing mother caring for her own children.  Now, in 1 Thessalonians 2:11, he likens the ministry team to a father caring for his own children.  Probably no one ever had a human parent as spiritually wonderful as the ministry team, except for the presence of God Himself in our lives.  At any rate, no matter how great your parents were to you, and how much you loved them, Paul still invokes the images of mother and father to describe how the ministry team acted in Thessalonica.  If you never knew your mother or father, then learn from Jesus in the Bible how to be the best parent possible, because He always sets the ultimate example.

       Paul describes the actions of the ministry team using three participles.  Again, you should care about participles because people will use them to describe your actions: “When you dropped into the wave, you were crouching down;”  “When you were walking home, I saw you;” “Wow, I heard you singing, and thought it was a dog in trouble.”  See those -ing words.  They are participles, that relate to the main action of the sentence.  Paul uses three participles to describe the fatherly actions of the ministry team. 

      First, Paul describes them as “exhorting.”  This word means to call along side, so that the two of you will be close together.  It can also mean that you exhort the other person, or encourage them.  Of course, in dealing with children, it can mean all of the above, at the same time.  My father loved me, and exhorted me to action.  He told me to do whatever I did with all my heart.  In this case, Paul emphasizes the ongoing process of exhortation.  He did it on a continuing basis.

       Second, Paul used the term “encouraging.”  In using this word, Paul means that as a father, he told each one of the Thessalonian believers to keep up the good work, to continue to use their spiritual gifts, to do some more good.  The word can also mean to comfort, and the idea here is that the father would promote desired activity in the child’s life.

       Third, Paul used the word “imploring.”  You implore someone when you urge them strongly.  For example, “Give me your hand, and I will pull you up to safety.”  Paul uses the term in matters of great importance.  In essence, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that, as a father, he was imploring them. 

      With all these words, Paul was focusing upon continuous action the ministry team took with the Thessalonians, with each one of them.  We must be careful to keep doing the fatherly things with each other, especially with young believers that really need a spiritual father looking after them, by exhorting, encouraging, and imploring them.  We show love for Jesus when we love our friends like the ministry team loved the Thessalonians.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●   Strong bonds of friendship form when act like a spiritual father, caring for each one, exhorting, encouraging, and imploring them to follow Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we take time to act like a father with love, strength, and commitment to Christ in the way we treat younger believers as beloved children.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer: (1) call other believers to stand beside us; or (2) encourage them by telling them something to promote further Godly behavior in them; or (3) implore them to act for Jesus.  Never give up on your spiritual friends, no matter what they do. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to act like a loving father to my spiritual friends, exhorting them, encouraging them, and imploring them.  Ready to act like a father today?  Know anyone who needs you to act like a father today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Walking Worthy of God │ 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

July 1, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Walking Worthy of God Today

“so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

1 Thessalonians 2:12

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         I did not perform particularly well in my classrooms at the University of South Florida, but I did work at dunking a basketball after classes.  In fact, I worked on my basketball skills almost every day, because I could no longer surf.  When I was growing up, I surfed almost every day, unless the waves were too big for me or too small to push me. At home, I surfed and surfed. Then, at college, I played basketball all the time.  In each sport, I often had specific things I wanted to accomplish.  I wanted to get better and better at the sport I played, although I was not particularly competitive.   I liked to have a good time, and did not thrive on winning.  Later, I developed academic goals and became a more serious student, but I always made time to play basketball, because I could not surf every day.  Now, I am old and heavy, and I do not make time to surf.  My priorities have changed, and I am more interested in people than sports.

       Paul knew about pursuing goals, and his goals concerned the spiritual growth and development of people.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Paul began with the words “so that.”  He now draws a conclusion about all the different things that the ministry team was doing at Thessalonica.  The ministry team had been acting with total dedication to one goal: doing what Jesus wanted.  Paul was telling the Thessalonians that all the ministry team did, it did with the singular purpose of helping the Thessalonians conduct their lives in a manner worthy of God. 

        Paul sets the highest standard of conduct by directing their attention to God.  Jesus gave His life so that we would give our lives to Him, and live in His love and power.  To walk worthy of God means that our lives conform to His standards and purposes, not our own. 

       Paul also mentions the kingdom of God.  He states that God calls us into His kingdom.  God does the calling, and we enjoy the reign of Christ in our lives right now.  We do not see the whole world subjected to the reign of Christ right now, but we submit ourselves to His reign right now.  We long for the day when He will appear, and establish His kingdom on earth, reigning from Jerusalem after He vanquishes His enemies.  Until then, we walk worthy of the one and only God who calls us into His kingdom and glory.  What a marvelous future!  What a wonderful goal for life today!

             So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we accept the word of God, as it really is, into our lives.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we use our lives to minister to people who receive the Word of God.  We should remember them constantly in our prayer lives, and impart our lives to them.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we treat the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the word of men, and neglect using our lives in prayer and service to the people who accept the Gospel as the Word of God. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will remember why we live as teammates with the ministry to live worthy of the God who calls us into His kingdom and glory.  What are you living for today?

 

Word of God Performs In You │ 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
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July 2, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

The Word of God Performing in You Today

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         I was talking with a friend of mine many years ago about spiritual things.  He mentioned to me that he had prayed to receive Christ with a family friend, but had never done anything more about it for years.  The family friend that told him about Christ never spent time imparting his life to my friend, so that my friend would grow up in Christ. I started spending time with my friend, and he developed an intense interest in reading the Bible, praying, and tremendous joy came into his life.  For several months, we spent a lot of time together, but then he got a new job and moved away.  Since then, we have lost touch with each other.  I often wonder how he is doing.

        In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul starts with the words “For this reason.”  Paul used these words to link his prayer life to the way the Thessalonians acted after the ministry team preached to them.  Let me state that as a general principle.  If you are serious about the ministry Christ has entrusted to you, then you need to focus your entire life upon believers who receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Word of God, with real faith and commitment on their part and yours.

        As you go through life sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some people will hear the message and not really give it a second thought.  They may pray a prayer, but they lack saving faith in their hearts.  They have received the word of God by hearing it, but they have treated it as the word of men.  Faith is a gift of God, and not from the will of man (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:13).  In other people, you will see in them a wonderful reception to the Word of God. 

       Let us focus for a minute upon the contrast that Paul draws in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 between the “word of men” and the “word of God.”  People can be persuaded by persuasive human arguments, or clever speech.  Paul determined he would never spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ using purely human powers of persuasion (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).  Are you living your life today as if you received the “word of men” or the “word of God?”

        Paul also emphasized the role of revelation here.  God reveals His purposes and plans for mankind through His messengers, the apostles and prophets, and more directly through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  When Paul talks about the Word of God, he echoes the words of the disciples when they said: “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).  Jesus did not commission His servants to go and spread the “word of men,” but rather the “word of God” (Matthew 28:18-19).  Revelation means that God has told us something we would not have known, except that God told us.  The content of the revelation, in this case, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the “word of God.”

       Finally, Paul also talked about the way the Thessalonians “accepted” the word of God.  This word “accepted” means to receive or welcome.  Paul said the Corinthians accepted the Gospel, and so also the Gentiles received the Gospel.  I love the picture of Simeon taking the baby Jesus in his arms, and holding Him, with the full knowledge from God that he was holding the Messiah of Israel (Luke 2:28).  Simeon “accepted” the Lord Jesus into his arms, and knew whom he held.  He was not holding just another baby, but the Savior of mankind.  We should all act like Simeon.

      Finally, Paul talks about the word of God performing its work in the Thessalonians.  When the word of God enters your life, with real faith that it came from God, and God has saved you and taken up residence in your life to stay forever, then you will begin to see the Word of God  performing His work in your life.  The Word of God comes into your life to change you into the image of Christ.  God said that He created good works beforehand that we should walk in them.  Our lives not only were saved by the Word of God, but also the Word of God continues to perform its work in us for a lifetime.

             So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we accept the word of God, as it really is, into our lives.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we use our lives to minister to people who receive the word of God.  We should remember them constantly in our prayer lives, and impart our entire lives to them.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we treat the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the word of men, and neglect using our lives in prayer and service to the people who accept the Gospel as the word of God. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will thank God for the people I know who have received the Gospel of Jesus Christ for what it really is, the word of God.  I want to encourage them, and spend time with them today.  How did you receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  What will you do to encourage true believers today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Imitators of Suffering │ 1 Thessalonians 2:14

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

July 3, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Imitators of Suffering Today

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,”

1 Thessalonians 2:14 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Imitating suffering seems like a really dumb thing to do.  Yet, Paul described the Thessalonians as a church that imitated the suffering of the churches in Judea (Israel).  You may recall that the people of Israel crucified their Messiah, Jesus Christ.  He was a Jew, perfect under the law in every respect.  Even Pilate found no guilt in Jesus under Roman law (John 19:6).  Paul reminded the Thessalonians that they were imitators of Christ and the ministry team, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:6). 

      Often people like to trace their ethnic background.  In fact, one friend of mine has commissioned a DNA study so she can learn about her genetic ancestors.  My wife, who holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, studied genetics.  She let me know that tracing back your DNA often results in big pools of genes, indicating that you have a large group of ancestors, rather than being able to identify particular individuals.  You can see your genetic relationships by group and geographical area, but you probably will not find your exact ancestor going back thousands of years.  Even so, people will pay large sums of money to learn about their ethnic identity, and their ancestors in general.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:14, Paul relates the fact that faith in Jesus Christ breaks through ethnic, religious, social and familial boundaries.  Jesus Himself let a “sinful” woman anoint Him with perfume (Luke 7:46), talked with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7ff.), pointed out the faith of the unclean woman who touched his cloak (Luke 8:43-48), and proclaimed that He came to bring a sword, not peace, to the earth (Matthew 10:34).  Jesus also declared that He “came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household” (Matthew 10:35-36). 

       As Christians, we must keep in mind that “religious” people, like the Jewish authorities of His day, will be violently opposed to us, just as they hated Christ (John 15:18-27).  Furthermore, not only will they hate us, they will afflict us and try to stop us from speaking for Christ.  In the sense that the Jews tried to stop Jesus from spreading His Gospel, so also Jews at Thessalonica afflicted the Christians.  Yet, Christ calls a remnant of Jews even today to faith in Christ, because we know that Paul himself was a Jew (Philippians 3:4-6).  One day, the promises to Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews, will be fulfilled with Christ reigning from Jerusalem and Israel inhabiting their promised land (Micah 4:7).  Paul reminded the Thessalonians that the suffering they experienced from their own countrymen at Thessalonica was not new or unusual.  In fact, this same pattern of persecution by friends, family, religious groups, etc. has been around since God sent the prophets to speak for Him in the Old Testament (Matthew 5:12).  The Thessalonians had become imitators of the believers who had suffered before them, and friends remind friends of how others have shared in similar suffering.  You never suffer without Christ, or without His care and concern.

             So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we know that we are imitating the suffering of others who have come before us in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we share with each other that we do not suffer alone, and our suffering for Christ is not unusual or unspiritual.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore the suffering of our friends, and fail to remind them that suffering also unites us in Christ Jesus and that we imitate those who have suffered before us.  

Application for Today

        Today, I will remind my suffering friends that our suffering makes us imitators of Christ and of His church.  We never suffer alone, and can always count upon opposition to Christ and His message of love.  Today, will you remind your suffering friends that they are imitating the suffering of the churches and Christ Himself? 

 

Driven Out, But Still Serving │ 1 Thessalonians 2:15

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly Archive

July 4, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Driven Out, But Still Serving Today

“who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out.  They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,”

1 Thessalonians 2:15

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]  

      Jesus was born of a Jewish mother, descended from Jewish forefathers according to the flesh, and fulfilled every element of the Jewish law.  Jesus was the best Jew who ever lived.  Yet the Jews crucified Him, because they hated Him without a cause.  Jesus predicted that the world would hate Christians just as the world hated Him, and the Jews killed the prophets who came before Him (Matthew 5:11-12).  Peter preached to the Jews in Jerusalem that they killed the Holy and Righteous One, putting to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead (Acts 3:14-16).  Paul firmly understood that God loved the Jews and would fulfill the promises and covenants He made with the Jews, but God also loved the Gentiles.  When Paul and the ministry team first visited Thessalonica, many Jews there fiercely attacked the team and drove them out of the city (Acts 17:1-15).

      Paul reminds the Thessalonians about the suffering they endured from the hands of their own countrymen (Jews also), just as the churches of Judea suffered attacks from the Jews there.  You may recall that Paul was the leader of attacks against Christians, until Jesus changed his life on the Damascus road and commissioned him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, after the Jews rejected the Gospel (Acts 9:1-9).  Sometimes, you must remember that the Gospel has powerful enemies, and even enemies from quarters where you would not necessarily expect attack.

        Remembering a common enemy strengthens your faith.  Paul reminded the Philippians that they should not be alarmed by opponents, because their very opposition to the Gospel is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God (Philippians 1:28).  As we suffer for the sake of the Gospel, we know spiritual enemies will always oppose the work of God.  We should not be taken by surprise, or alarmed.  Instead, we should remember that their opposition serves as a sign of our salvation, and the fact that God has chosen us to share in the same suffering that Jesus faced.    

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we expect and face spiritual opposition to the preaching of the Gospel and the ministry of His Word.

   ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we stand together against spiritual attacks, and remember that other believers all over the world share in that suffering.  We do not suffer alone.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not remember that many of our spiritual friends around the world suffer for their faith. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will pray for my spiritual friends that suffer for the sake of Christ and His Gospel.  I will remind my friends that we face strong spiritual opposition, and we should not be alarmed.  Instead, we should expect it, and see it as a sign of our salvation.  What will you remember today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Wrath Has Come Upon Them │ 1 Thessalonians 2:16

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

July 5, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Wrath Has Come Upon Them Today

“hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins.  But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.”

1 Thessalonians 2:16 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Evil men have always opposed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes, that opposition comes from religious leaders, even supposedly Christian religious leaders, who do not want anyone contradicting their heretical teaching.  They would prefer for men to live in spiritual darkness, rather than live in the glorious light of forgiveness of sins by faith in Jesus Christ.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:16, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that their own countrymen opposed the preaching of the Gospel to them.  As Jews, living in Thessalonica, they also tried to stop the ministry team from going to the Gentiles, after the Jews refused the Gospel.  Paul reminds the Thessalonians and us today that sinful men hate Jesus, and killed Him, and will do everything they can to hinder the preaching of the Gospel.  Paul and the Jews knew that the Gospel was the power of God for salvation, but the wicked Jews rejected the message of Jesus.  Remember, however, that Paul was a Jew, and some Jews would receive the Gospel and be saved.  In fact, thousands of Jews received Jesus by faith for the forgiveness of sins under Peter’s preaching at Pentecost (for example, Acts 4:4).

       Jesus taught the wrath of God abides upon every man who does not obey the Son of God, Jesus Christ (John 3:36, page 1659).  Paul points out that every person hindering the message of salvation fills up the measure of their sins.  God measures sins.  He knows the bad acts of each man, and will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, Jesus Christ the righteous (Acts 17:31).  When we see people hindering our work of spreading the Gospel, we should always recall the words of Paul to the Thessalonians, and know that God sees our opponents filling up the measure of their sins.  But God is not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance, by receiving the gift of eternal life from Jesus, by faith alone  (2 Peter 3:9).

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we know that opponents will always try to stop us from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are in Christ today because Christ overcame the opposition and sent someone to share the Gospel with each one of us.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we recognize that the opponents of the Gospel fill up the measure of their sins, and the wrath of God abides upon them.  Yet, God loves them too, because Paul himself was a chief opponent of the Gospel before Jesus turned Him to salvation.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not expect to encounter opposition, or fail to recognize that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). 

Application for Today

        Today, I will see people opposing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I will remind my friends that those opponents are filling up the measure of their sins, and wrath has come upon them to the utmost.  Together, we will stand and proclaim Christ, knowing Christ has overcome all opposition.  As you encounter opposition to the Gospel today, what will you be thinking?

 

 

Eager to See Your Face │ 1 Thessalonians 2:17

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
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July 6, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

More Eager To See Your Face Today

“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while–in person, not in spirit–were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.”

1 Thessalonians 2:17

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Believers share a spiritual bond in Christ that miles cannot separate.  Paul brings this bond of spirit before the Thessalonians and reminds them of how he has been separated from them physically, but not spiritually.  Strong friendships endure distances, but they also promote a desire to see each other face to face.

       I often meet people who have no interest in being friends with anyone.  One my friends explained to me recently that he just holds everyone in contempt. He relayed to me that after just a few minutes, he understands a person, and invariably sees their problems and weaknesses, and then dismisses them.  He has no interest in being friends with anyone, and barely tolerates people.  You probably know someone too who, for whatever reason, would prefer not to have friends.  So many times, having friends also means having heartache.  For many reasons, people often decide that friends, especially Christian friends, just are not worth the effort.  Of course, if you have been reading 1 Thessalonians, you know that the ministry team never felt that way.  In fact, just the opposite was true.

      For all my friends who tell me that friends are not worth having, I ask them if Jesus feels that way about them?  Do you count Jesus your friend?  Is Jesus your friend because you have no troubles or weaknesses?  He sees you in perfect clarity, down to the thoughts in your mind.  He still wants to be friends with you, and He loves you everyday.  Recently, my wife told me that she heard me praying in the shower.  I was stunned with surprise.  She told me that she could usually hear me quite clearly as I prayed, even in her bedroom.  She said maybe it was a resonance from the shower, but she could hear me even when I prayed in a normal voice.  I thought my shower was a quiet place to pray out loud.  Well, when she told me that news, I asked her for forgiveness if I had prayed things that may have upset her.  She said no, she had heard nothing like that.  When I found out she had heard many of my prayers, even my deepest thoughts expressed to God out loud, I was concerned when I knew she had heard them.  I think we all pray at times frankly with God.  When I pray in the shower, I am usually showering before going to work.  I pray about my day, and all the things I think need doing.  I always expect Jesus to guide me each day, but I express my cares and concerns from the solitude of my shower, or my supposed solitude.

       When we start to make real friends in Christ, sometimes distance separates us.  At the beach, I often meet people visiting from up north, or just in for a vacation at the beach.  Other people I meet live in the area, and we form strong friendships.  Even then, some of them move away.  Many times, even spiritual friends lose contact, but when you really love people you have led to faith in Christ, you really want to know they are prospering in Christ.  My wife and I never had children, but I really enjoy knowing the people Jesus has saved through my words speaking His message.  I rejoice in that fact almost every day, and really miss some of my friends.  Spiritually, we are united.  With e-mail, video Skype, and many other electronic tools, we can all stay in touch.  Paul made it a habit to stay in touch with the Thessalonians, and let them know just how much he cared for them, even when he could not be physically present.  He loved them and missed them dearly.  We should all have and be friends like that.

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we realize God has united us spiritually with our friends in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we let our friends know how much we miss them and want to see them face to face.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we lose interest in friends, and no longer want to see our friends in Christ.  Our love grows cold, but Christ can use our friends to kindle afresh His love in us. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will let my friends know that I miss them.  For some of my friends, I need to see them again, face to face when possible.  For others, I need to remind them that we are spiritually united, although physically separated.  Who do you long to see and need to contact today? 

 

Overcoming Satan’s Hinderances │ 1 Thessalonians 2:18

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

July 7, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Overcoming Satan’s Hindrances Today

“For we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, more than once–and yet Satan hindered us.”

1 Thessalonians 2:18 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I met a man recently who told me that he had made a deal with the devil, and slept with his wife.  He loved to drink heavily, and planned on going down in a blaze of glory.  He seemed proud of his evil behavior, and saw no reason to repent of his sins.  He also did not take seriously the power of satan.  But Paul understood the power of satan and how satan moves to hinder the plans of God.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul talked about his plans, in Christ, to come to the Thessalonians to visit them.  More than once, Paul wanted to come.  While many Christians understand intellectually that satan exists, and takes action today, they fail to appreciate just how active he is to work against God’s plans.  Before we examine more closely the hindering work of satan in Paul’s life and ours, let us review three key points about satan.

        First, satan has limited power over the believer.  In James 4:7, satan, also called the devil, can be resisted by the believer submitting to God.  As the believer submits to God, and resists the devil, the devil will flee from the believer.  Therefore, we understand that God’s power in our lives allows us to resist the devil and overcome his evil plans for us.  We do not need to fear the devil, and in fact, God commands us to fear only God (Matthew 10:28).  By putting on the full armor of God, we stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10).

       Second, satan loves to accuse the believer before God.  In Job 1:6-12, satan stands before God and tells God that Job would fold under pressure.  God tells satan that satan can attack Job through his circumstances, but not by hurting Job’s body.  Job did not give up, but remained faithful to God.  Later, God allowed satan to increase his attacks upon Job, but Job remained faithful.  In Revelation 12:10, satan is described as the creature that accuses Christians before God day and night.  But, Jesus Christ the Righteous, stands as the Christian’s Advocate with the Father, and wins every case (1 John 2:1).

       Third, Jesus has already bound satan, and restrained his power, so that Jesus and His disciples can plunder the domain of satan’s darkness upon earth.  Jesus explained that He cast out demons by the power of God, and so He first had to bind the strong man (satan), before plundering the strong man’s house (Matthew 12:22-29).  After Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and to cast out demons, they reported that “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  Jesus replied that He saw satan fall from heaven like lightning.  Jesus meant that satan and his power were no match for the power of Jesus Christ.  The demons recognized Jesus and knew about His great power over them (Luke 4:31-37).  He had the power to destroy them.

       Therefore, with those points about satan in mind, we know that Paul would face opposition by satan, but ultimately satan cannot frustrate the plans of God.  God allows satan to test believers, to accuse believers, and to hinder believers, but God will always be in full control of all events. 

       Paul uses the term “hinder” which carries the idea of cutting a road, or to make a road impassable.  In Galatians 5:7, Paul asked the Galatians who had hindered them from obeying the truth.  Paul meant that some actions of satan had delayed his intention to visit the Thessalonians.  Those actions could be Paul’s health, the opposition of Judaizers attacking saints who needed strengthening (as in Galatians), or some other work of opposition to the plans of Paul.  Notice that the whole ministry team wanted to see the Thessalonians.

       Paul may never have made it back to Thessalonica, but that was not his point.  Paul told the Thessalonians why he had not yet come to see them.  He really wanted to come, but the schemes of the devil were hindering him.  Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know his heart and intentions were motivated by love for them.

            So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we stand together against satan and submit ourselves to God.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we understand that satan intends to accuse us, hinder us, and divide us because we live for Christ, according to His plans.  Take the time to tell other Christians about your desires to see them, and let them know if satan hinders you.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore satan, and allow him to separate us from God’s plan and never say a word about it.  Ultimately, God always triumphs. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will draw near to God and He will draw near to me.  I will resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from me.  I will encourage other Christians to stand firm against the devil, and walk in the power of God.  Will you resist the devil today?

 

Hope, Joy and Crown of Exaltation │ 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

July 8, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Our Hope, Joy and Crown of Exaltation Today

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?”

1 Thessalonians 2:19

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      My friend came up to me recently and apologized for being mean to me.  He has apologized every day for something he had done previously, for the last three days.  He said his other friends had told him he had been too hard on me.  I told him that I did not even notice that he was mean to me.  Indeed, I assured him our friendship remained strong.    You see, my friend has not yet found the forgiveness that only Christ provides.  Therefore, I expect my friend to act like an unbeliever every time I see him.  In contrast, I expect very different behavior from my believing friends. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Paul pays the Thessalonians another major compliment, straight from his heart.  Paul was not flattering the Thessalonians, but rather truly expressing his hope, joy and exultation.  Paul had formed bonds of friendship so strong that they had become his hope.  Hope always looks to the future, and he had a particular future in mind.  Paul expected that Jesus would come again to the clouds of earth in bodily form, and extract believers from the world.  When Jesus appeared, Paul would see the crown of exultation glowing with glory.

       How do you think about your friends in Christ?  Do you have anyone that you could say to them: “You know, you are my hope, joy and crown of exaltation at the appearing of Christ”?  If so, why not tell them how you feel about them.  If not, why not start making such friends in Christ right now.  How we think about our friends makes a big difference in how we treat our friends in Christ.  You see, I expect things from my Christian friends that I never expect from unbelievers.  Only my Christian friends will truly be my hope, joy and crown of exultation.

            So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we view our Christian friends as people we will stand with when Christ comes again.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we see our Christian friends as our hope, joy and crown of exultation when Christ appears.  They also grow when we tell our friends in Christ how we truly feel about them.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we never think positive thoughts about our friends in Christ, and never see them in relation to Christ appearing to take us all home to be with Him forever.  Silence about our friends is not always golden.

Application for Today

        Today, I will let my friends in Christ know that I see them as my joy, hope and crown of exultation at the appearing of Christ.  What will you let your friends know today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Joy and Glory │ 1 Thessalonians 2:20 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

July 9, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Joy and Glory Today

“For you are our glory and joy.”

1 Thessalonians 2:20

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

         I watched my friend cast a lure toward a large, dark school of bait fish swimming about 50 yards off the beach.  Every now and then, a large silver tarpon, weighing about one hundred pounds, would rip through the surface, with bait showering all around him.  In the center of the dark cloud of bait, a bright green patch of water appeared, because all the bait got out of the way of that big, hungry tarpon.  Although Bill cast for about half an hour, he never hooked a single fish.  You see, tarpon at times can be very particular about what they eat.  When Bill walked up the the table today, I told him he was my glory and joy.  I also told my wife today that she was my glory and joy.  Why was I saying that today?

       A few years ago, I was studying the Bible every day with a friend of mine.  She said that she had no reason for living, and she did not feel good about losing her job.  She never wanted to return to her workplace, or see any of the people she had worked with for many years.  I read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, with her, and then told her that  she was my glory and joy.  I doubt that anyone has ever told you that you are their glory and joy.  You may want to consider telling some believer, whom you know well, that they he/she is your glory and joy and watch them look at you very strangely.  But, they may ask you why you would say such a thing.

       In 1 Thessalonians 2:20, Paul has just finished telling the Thessalonians how much they meant to him and the rest of the ministry team.  He concluded his remarks by letting them know that they were the team’s hope, joy and crown of exultation.  People in Christ need to hear these same words from you, because Jesus feels that way about you too.  We should not be friends that drag our friends down, but friends that lift each other to Jesus with words like hope, joy, crown of exultation, and glory.  Not only do we need to say such words, often, but we need to have those feelings in our hearts for other believers and develop relationships with other believers that nourish them on such language frequently.

             So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we view our friends in Christ as our joy and glory.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we tell our friends in Christ that they are our joy and glory, and we mean it right from our hearts.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we neglect to communicate the joy and glory we feel for our friends in Christ, and instead, only focus upon faults, fears, and foibles in our friends in Christ. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will thank God for the people I know who have received the Gospel of Jesus Christ and let them know that they are my joy and glory in Christ. Are you ready to tell someone today that they are your joy and glory in Christ today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Left Behind │ 1 Thessalonians 3:1 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Sky

July 10, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Left Behind Today

“Therefore when we could no endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone.”

1 Thessalonians 3:1  

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       Paul had several friends that helped him minister to the Gentiles.  You may recall that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy greeted the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1:1.  At times, Paul sent Timothy on important missions, where they each labored in different cities for a while.  In this case, the ministry team showed great flexibility, and confidence in Timothy serving as a messenger for the team.  Today I want to focus upon the way the team felt about the Thessalonians.

       In 1 Thessalonians 3:1, Paul used the phrase: “could endure it no longer.”  Paul had just concluded his testimony about the Thessalonians holding a dear place in the heart of the ministry team.  The team eagerly looked forward to seeing them again.  Within their hearts, they had to endure the strong desire to go to Thessalonica, but it was not possible for all the team to go. 

       In most lives, people do not have bonds of love with other believers, and often, with anyone.  Most believers could not truthfully say that they are eager to see anyone.  Yet, the ministry team had formed those strong bonds by imparting their lives and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Thessalonians.  The ministry team made a deliberate effort to plan their lives, as the Lord Jesus lead them, in keeping with their relationships with other believers, and according to the ministry entrusted to them.

       Another important point about team ministry surfaced right here.  If you build a single-person ministry, and not  a team ministry, you will not have the benefit of greater flexibility.  Jesus built the ministry team here so that it would have no problem splitting up, for a time, so that each member could go where needed.  The team did not always have to stay together, and each team member could go where needed, as Jesus lead them. 

       Ultimately, as believers, we only have one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-7).  Within that essential unity, Jesus leads a diversity of believers, individually gifted by the Holy Spirit, to maintain the bonds of unity, and function together as one body of Christ, the church, knit together in love.  In Christ, we will never be left behind spiritually, because we can never be separated from Jesus or His love.  Facing the cross, Jesus Himself said He was not alone, even after all the disciples had left Him, because the Father was with Him (John 16:32), who would forsake Him, by delivering Him to death.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

         ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we labor together in Christ, and go where Christ leads us.

        ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage team members to go see other believers we love, so that we all may be strengthened together in Christ.

       ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we refuse to follow Christ’s leading, even if it means separating the ministry team for a while.  Sometimes our desire to learn more about our absent friends overcomes our desire to pursue other ministry goals.  We lose our way in Christ when we ignore His efforts to use the ministry team at different places at the same time. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will watch Jesus use His worldwide ministry team to encourage believers around the world, but especially in my area of the world.  For some of my friends, I know Jesus will lead them to form new ministry teams, and visit new places.  Who will you encourage today to visit people you love together?

 

Friendships in Christ: Strengthen and Encourage Your Faith │ 1 Thessalonians 3:2 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Beach

July 11, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Strengthening and Encouraging Your Faith Today

“and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,”

1 Thessalonians 3:2 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Now and then people walk up to me at the beach and start to talk with me.  Sometimes I mention to them that God sent them to talk with me.  I actually know that all the people I meet were sent by God to see me, and to hear from God through the Bible.  I love to help people read and understand the Bible, and, in so doing, get to know God and love Him.  Loving God starts always with accepting God’s free gift of salvation.  We accept His gift by faith.  In 1 Peter 2:24,  we read: “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”  In this brief verse, God explains that my sins were laid upon Jesus as He died on that cross.  He died in my place for my sins.  Now I have died to sin and live to righteousness. 

       The ministry team sent Timothy to see how the Thessalonians were doing.  I recall the proverb that says “He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a fool” (Proverbs 26:6).  Timothy was no fool, but rather a very able servant of God and dependable messenger.  He often served Paul by visiting churches, and encouraging believers.  The New Testament books of 1 and 2 Timothy reveal Paul’s love for Timothy, just as the Book of Acts chronicles the travels of Paul and Timothy.   Timothy had given his life to serving God by ministering to Paul, and being part of God’s ministry team to the young churches spread across the Mediterranean world.  Paul describes Timothy as a brother and a fellow-worker in the Gospel of Christ.

       Part of forming strong bonds of ministry includes developing proper relationships among the team members.   Jesus taught us that He alone would be our teacher, and no man should use that title.  Furthermore, all titles such as rabbi, father, teacher, and leader should be forbidden, because we are all brothers in Christ (Matthew 23:6-12).  The principle of equality among believers controls the relationships among the team members, because each of them has been uniquely gifted by God to carry out the different ministries assigned by God to each member of the body of Christ.

      Finally, notice that Paul counted upon Timothy to strengthen and encourage the faith of the Thessalonians.  Every day in ministry I try to strengthen and encourage the faith of believers.  Recently I met with a friend of mine just before sunrise at the beach.  We prayed together, talked together, and read the word together.  He strengthened my faith for the day, and I encouraged him to walk with Jesus today and love people Jesus brought into his life today.  God loves to use believers to be messengers of strength and encouragement.

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we act as brothers and fellow-servants of the Gospel of Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we strengthen and encourage the faith of our friends in Christ. 

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we isolate ourselves and refuse to visit friends, especially young believers who need our friendship, and the strength and encouragement that spending time with them will bring.     

Application for Today

        Today, I want to be a messenger of strength and encouragement to believers, so that they will love Jesus more today.  Who will God send you to speak to today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Destined for Afflictions │ 1 Thessalonians 3:3 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly Archive

July 12, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Destined for Afflictions Today

“so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.”

1 Thessalonians 3:3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Have you ever thought that you experience your destiny on earth one day at a time?  Does it run through your mind that today will be a part of your destiny?  People use the word destiny in many different ways, meaning good and bad things.  Paul spoke of his destiny because the Lord Jesus had revealed to him that afflictions lay in his future (Acts 9:16).  People who joined with Paul would soon understand that Jesus had created a destiny for Paul which included afflictions. 

     Paul uses the term “afflictions” here to describe the problems he encountered.  It means trouble, distress, hard circumstances, suffering.  Paul used the term “afflictions” elsewhere to describe how no one should lose heart because he was suffering tribulations, because his sufferings were for the glory of the churches (Ephesians 3:13).  Afflictions were part of the destiny of servants of God, and commended them as such servants (2 Corinthians 6:4).

       Paul was keenly aware of the impact of “afflictions” upon loving relationships.  Paul was concerned over the way his sufferings would affect the Thessalonians.  Jesus never designed us to ignore the concerns of other believers, but rather to be very concerned for how others felt, especially when we watch people we love suffer for the Name of Jesus Christ.  Once we form strong bonds of spiritual friendship, we live within a community of spiritual concern, and must never forget it.  Our spiritual friends will want to know how we are doing, and what we are suffering.  But Paul also used the opportunity to reinforce the Thessalonians’ knowledge of the love and wisdom of God.

      The Lord Jesus Christ calls his people to endure afflictions for the sake of the Gospel.  We struggle against rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).  Because of the overwhelming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and its eternal benefits, satan opposes it with all he can muster against believers.  Yet, God constrains us as we have seen previously (1 Corinthians 10:13).  We should expect to be afflicted in this world as we labor for Christ, because it is a part of our destiny too.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we suffer together in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we send friends like Timothy to let people know we care about them, and want them to know about our afflictions.  Instead of going it alone, we triumph through our afflictions with the prayers, love and concern of our spiritual friends.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we give up under the weight of affliction, never allow anyone to share and support us in Christ as we suffer afflictions for Him.  

Application for Today

        Today, I will watch Jesus use His worldwide ministry team to encourage believers around the world, but especially in my area of the world.  For some of my friends, I know Jesus will lead them to form new ministry teams, and visit new places.  Who will you encourage today to visit people you love together?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Telling of Affliction │ 1 Thessalonians 3:4 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

July 13, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Telling of Affliction Today

“For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.”

 1 Thessalonians 3:4

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       I was fishing a few days ago with a friend of mine.  We saw tarpon jumping through schools of bait near the beach.  My friend castnet a live bait fish, hooked it up, and waited.  He caught nothing, but he came with a friend too, and his friend hooked up something very big.  His friend fought and fought that monster for about an hour.  As I watched the fight, I mentioned to my friend that the fish never jumped.  You see, tarpon almost always jump and jump and jump when hooked.  The monster never jumped.  Well, I am not a prophet, but I do have some experience with tarpon.  I was very concerned they had hooked a shark, and they are very dangerous to land, unhook (if possible), and release.  After about an hour of fighting the monster, they saw it was a stingray, about four feet across the wings.  Needless to say, they were disappointed.

      Paul did not rely just on experience to know that he would suffer affliction.  He had the revelation from the Lord Jesus that told him about suffering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The strong emphasis here in 1 Thessalonians 3:4 is upon preparing younger believers for the suffering of the ministry team.

       As we have seen in the previous verses, Paul told the Thessalonians all about his life, and imparted it to them.  Suffering would be a part of serving Jesus Christ.  Believers will be called upon to suffer for Christ in many ways.  But, suffering should never take the believer by surprise.  We prosper through suffering and persecution.  Our friends in Christ need us to remember that Jesus told all of us that we would have afflictions in this life, and we should prepare our friends, especially young believers, for seeing us go through suffering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ,  and to encourage them as they go through afflictions for the Lord Jesus Christ.  We need to let them know beforehand that afflictions will be a part of our lives in Christ, and it should not surprise us or cause us to doubt Jesus. 

      Jesus gave His life on the cross to bear all the wrath of God, and experience the full punishment for sin demanded by the justice of God.  In His holiness and righteousness, God judged sin, particularly my sin and your sin.  For all eternity, Jesus died once and for all, paying the complete price for sin.  By faith, we believe that Christ paid the price for my sin.  He died for me.  He has the power to forgive sins, and loves to forgive every person who comes to Him as a child, asking for His forgiveness by faith alone.  You can express your faith in Jesus by accepting His gift of forgiveness today.  The only way to face affliction triumphantly involves knowing that Jesus has forgiven you.  Life starts with Christ in your heart and living by faith.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we tell our friends that normally all Christians will suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we share our suffering with other believers, and let them know that more sufferings will come.  Living in Christ together means that we experience the same kind of life that Jesus lived on earth, which included suffering for the Gospel.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore suffering and imagine that true believers do not suffer affliction for the sake of Jesus.  We should expect affliction, tell others to expect it, and endure it together.   

Application for Today

        Today, I will let my friends in Christ know that God brings affliction into the lives of believers.  I want to prepare them for my future afflictions, and theirs, so no one will be surprised, and we may endure and triumph through them when they come by the power of Jesus Christ.  Will you be talking about affliction and triumph today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Finding out about Your Faith │ 1 Thessalonians 3:5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

July 14, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Finding out about Your Faith Today

“For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.”

 1 Thessalonians 3:5

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I heard a story about a man who received the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great joy.  He talked like a Christian, walked like a Christian, and acted like a Christian for about five days.  At the end of five days, he went back to his old ways because he loved money more than he loved Jesus.  Each of us has to make very serious choices about how we will live each day.  The five-day-believer did not have anyone looking after him after he received Christ, and the tempter came to him and snared him.

       Today you will be making a decision about staying close with your spiritual friends.  Do you have someone on your mind that may be suffering temptation today?  If not, are you even thinking about your spiritual friends?  One key to standing firm with Christ is to hold the spiritual hands of as many friends as you can hold at once.  Because they are spiritual hands, you are not limited to just two hands.  As you suffer temptation, do you have friends seeking you out, praying for you, and being concerned enough about the tempter coming after you that they send a friend to see how you are doing?  Welcome to the Thessalonian ministry team. 

       Paul used the phrase “find out about your faith.”  Are you staying in touch with any friend about their faith?  Paul made it a point to stay in touch with his friends who made professions of faith.  Paul linked this desire to stay in touch with his concern about the spiritual welfare of the Thessalonians.  If no one cares about your spiritual welfare, then you have no friends.  If the people around you purposefully hinder you from growing in Christ, then those people are not your friends.  You need to seek out friends who will seek out your spiritual welfare and promote spiritual friendship with you.

        Now, let us look a this teaching about the tempter.  We know that the tempter, the devil, tempts believers to stray away from Christ.  In some cases, people become shipwrecked in their faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20), so that they stop acting like Christians.  Paul expressed his concern that he had labored night and day, but did it all in vain if the Thessalonians had fallen away.  Do not misunderstand.  Once a believer trusts in Jesus for salvation, then nothing can ever undo the salvation.  Once saved means always saved (Romans 8:29-30; John 5:24; John 6:37-44; 1 Corinthians 3:15; Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 4:30).  You cannot lose your salvation, no matter what you do.  But, you can live like you are not saved.  If you live without concern for your friends, then you are not really their friend.  Anytime you think about temptation, remember that God tempts no one (James 1:13), and always limits the temptation to what you can endure, and also provides a way out of each temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).      

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we have an intense concern for our spiritual friends, especially as they face temptation.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we take steps to find out how our spiritual friends are withstanding temptation.  We need to pray for them, communicate with them, and spend time with them.  Our friends should never face temptation without our spiritual concern and support.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer care about how our spiritual friends are doing.  Do you know anyone who is looking after you, and praying for you as you face temptation?  If you fall, will anyone care?  Time to stay in touch and stay close to our spiritual friends.   

Application for Today

        Today, I will find out about my spiritual friends and see how they are facing temptation.  I want them to know that I will pray with them, stand with them, and love them as they face temptation.  I expect the same from my friends.  Will you be finding out about someone’s faith today, especially in light of temptation overtaking them?

 

Good News of Faith and Love │ 1 Thessalonians 3:6

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series,Studies | Comments Disabled
Welcome To Christ Asssembly

July 15, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Good News of Faith and Love Today

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you,”

 1 Thessalonians 3:6

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Good news can come in many forms.  I love to hear stories from my friends about how God has been working in their lives.  I love to hear about marriages growing together, instead of apart.  My heart rejoices when alcoholics turn to sobriety, or drug addicts leave their addiction.  I especially love to hear that someone has accepted the gift of salvation from Jesus.  The better I know the people involved, the better I like hearing the stories.

      I like to tell new Christians that Sunday morning services should be a gathering of missionaries.  Each of us works in a mission field all week–at work, at home, away from home, you name it.  We all should be encouraging believers and making disciples in our communities.  We are all missionaries, all the time.

       In this case, the Thessalonian ministry team had just received Timothy back from his visit to Thessalonica.  Timothy had left the team and went from Athens to Thessalonica to learn how they were doing in Christ.  Now, he has returned, and tells a great story.  Timothy reported three great things about the Thessalonians.

      First, Timothy said that the Thessalonians still had faith and love.  Paul had already commended the Thessalonians for their faith and love, and now Timothy confirmed it again.  Do you have anyone that you know who stands in faith and love? 

      Second, Timothy reported that the Thessalonians were always thinking kindly toward the ministry team.  When you are away from people, what do they say about you?  Do you care what they say?  The ministry team certainly cared what the Thessalonians were thinking.  When your friends stop thinking kindly about you when you are not there, you should ask them what is up with them?  What changed?

      Third, Timothy related that the Thessalonians were longing to see the ministry team, and the feelings were mutual.  Do you see the pattern here?  These people loved each other, and time and geography could not break their spiritual concern and unity.  With e-mail, telephones, Facebook, Twitter, and so many other modes of communication, we should have every opportunity to stay in touch.  If you think kindly about one another, why not tell someone today how much you long to see them.

       Jesus spends every day in our hearts for all eternity.  From the moment we believed that He forgave all our sins, because He loved us and gave Himself for us, He has taken up permanent residence in our lives.  Plus, the Father abides with us and the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Each of them loves for us to talk to them, worship them, and spend time thinking about them and seeing them face to face in heaven.  We should all long for that day, together, as one church.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we think kindly about our spiritual friends, and long to see them.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we hear good news about our spiritual friends standing in love and faith, and they still like us, just as we like them.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer care what anyone thinks about us, and we have no interest in having spiritual friends.  If we become uninterested in hearing about our friends, then we all start to dissolve our spiritual friendships. 

Application for Today

        Today, I hope to hear from Timothy about how you are doing, because I still care what you think about me.  I hope to hear good news about you, and I want you to know we still long to see you.  What good news do you expect to hear from your spiritual friends today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Comforted by Your Faith │ 1 Thessalonians 3:7 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled

July 16, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Comforted by Your Faith Today

“for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;”

 1 Thessalonians 3:7

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    My friend purchased a condominium recently.  He put tile flooring in, and painted it, before he moved in.  He then hired movers to help him move into the condo.  Weeks before the move, he went to the condo and received a key for the elevator and told them the day he was moving in.  As he arrived with the movers on the appointed day, he noticed that the rugs near the elevator were being replaced, and signs were up regarding the rugs.  My friend faced a real problem.  He was paying the movers by the hour to sit because they could not unload.  He contacted the condo and they said he could not move in that day.  In fact, one person used very harsh language to tell him he could not move in because of the rugs.  He moved just his bed in that day, and left the rest of his belongings on the moving truck.  Before he left, he told the person who spoke harshly to him that he was leaving, to go and pray for the person who had spoken so harshly.  He prayed, we prayed, and the next day apologies were made, and he moved right in.  His faith prevailed in the way he handled a very difficult situation.  At the beach table, we have talked a lot about how kindness overcomes harshness.  The story of my friend’s faith in responding to angry, harsh words encouraged us all.

     In 1 Thessalonians 3:7, Paul talks about the comfort the ministry team experienced when Timothy brought word to them of the Thessalonians’ faith.  You see, hearing about the continuing faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ encourages us to continue in our faith.  More particularly, Paul says that as the ministry team experienced their own distress and affliction, the steadfast faith of the Thessalonians provided comfort for the team.      

       This word “comfort” means generally encouraged, cheered up, consoled.  It has a variety of meanings, depending upon the context.  In this verse, it carries the idea of being separated physically, but brought near spiritually and emotionally, resulting in cheerful lifting and settling of the troubles caused by distress and affliction.

      We should take a strong lesson from this verse.  We need to stay in touch with other believers, with whom we have shared our lives, so that we may be encouraged by their faith.  Not only do we live together in a world-wide community of faith, but we also need the strength of faith shared among us to be comforted by the faith of others.  One source of comfort will be the faith of our friends in Christ.

       Notice in this passage that the ministry team sent Timothy to learn how the Thessalonians were doing spiritually.  Sometimes, you have to take the initiative, like sending a person, an e-mail, a telephone call, or whatever, to learn how your friends in Christ are doing when you are not there physically.  Receiving good news can help you face distress and affliction, so sometimes you have to reach out for that news.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we hear that our friends in Christ continue in their faith.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we face distress and affliction while hearing about the continuing faith of our friends in Christ.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we walk away from our faith.  When we sin, we affect not only our own lives, but also everyone else connected to our lives by faith in Christ.  Furthermore, we grieve the Holy Spirit, and displease the Father and Son.  So, we should all live together in faith, encouraging one another by our continued faith.  It will really encourage those who are suffering distress and affliction when they hear from us that we are doing well in Christ by faith.    

Application for Today

        Today, I want to hear from my friends that they are standing firm in their faith, so it will encourage me today.  I also want my friends to know that I am standing in my faith, so it will comfort them as they face distress and affliction.  What will your friends hear from you today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Really Living │ 1 Thessalonians 3:8 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

July 17, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Really Living Today

“For now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.”

 1 Thessalonians 3:8

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Living.  In some ways, a fairly simple idea.  I saw a physician this week.  He did not look especially good, and mentioned he had his own health problems.  His job helps people live longer and better by treating their physical bodies.  As far as real living goes, that depends upon your spiritual life, not your physical life.  Paul linked the life of the ministry team to the Thessalonians’ standing firm in the Lord.

      In 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Paul talked about the idea of “standing firm” in the Lord.  I noticed the term “Lord” too implies that we are obedient to Jesus as Lord.  Paul tells the Thessalonians here that he knows from Timothy that they are right now “standing firm” in Jesus.  He was concerned that the tempter may have shaken their faith, but he heard they were standing firm in Christ.  The emphasis in the text lies between the present, active standing and the living.  Let me put it this way.  The ministry team is having a great life when they know the churches are presently, actively, and continuously standing in their faith in Jesus. 

      Let me plumb some of the implications of that thought.  Some parents only hear from their older children when the children need money, a place to live, or some other benefit from their parents.  Some children even steal from their parents around the house, and you have to hide the valuables, or your medication, or your cash.  When your children have problems, they often bring those problems home.  The point is that your life will depend in some measure upon the problems your children are currently facing.  Paul took the idea and said the ministry team had formed such a strong bond with the Thessalonians, that he wanted them to know that his life depended upon their life.  They had become intertwined spiritually. 

       For each of us, we must have an interest in our friends in Christ standing firm.  You must take active steps to be sure that your friends are right now standing firm in Christ.  If they are not, they must become your intense concern.  I have watched waves at the beach pull the legs out from under adults and children.  By God’s grace, someone often catches the child, and in some cases the adult, from being swept out with the wave into deeper water.  Usually, someone grabs the hand and holds on tightly while the wave sucks at the legs of the person.  Each of us needs to be keenly aware of how are friends are standing in Christ, and be ready to help.  Furthermore, we need to stay linked up to our friends to help each other stand firmly in Christ.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we link our lives spiritually together in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we take steps to encourage and sustain our friends in Christ, so that they stand firm in Jesus.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer care if our friends stand firm in Christ, or do nothing to help them stand in Christ.  Sometimes, we must grab their hands and lift them up, so that they again stand firm in Christ.  

Application for Today

        Today, I hope to hear that all my friends are standing firm in the Lord.  If I hear otherwise, I want to reach out to them in love and help them stand firm today.  Are you standing firm in the Lord today?  Need help?  Giving help?

Friendships in Christ: Rejoicing Over You │ 1 Thessalonians 3:9 │ Christ Assembly

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Morning

July 18, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Rejoicing over You Today

“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,”

1 Thessalonians 3:9

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      What makes you happy?  Many people spend time each day thinking about their own happiness, or lack of it.  Sometimes, people sink so low they cannot even imagine being happy.  You know those people.  No joy, no smiles, no fun, no love.  At the other end of the spectrum, you the see the incurably happy.  Nothing will distract them from thoughts of nothing is wrong, nothing can go wrong, and everything is perfect.  Those folks will not be confused by facts to the contrary, because they never want to anything but positive news.  Paul and the ministry team dealt with real people, living real lives, every day, and found great joy in helping people grow up in Christ by imparting their lives to them.  Do you remember Jesus saying: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it” (Luke 9:24).  Paul lost his life one day at a time, by imparting it to the Thessalonians, and found his life of joy in Christ by doing so.

       The ministry team found joy in the lives and faith of the Thessalonian believers.  The ministry team did not know how to render adequate thanks to God for them.  God had blessed the ministry team with so much joy over the Thessalonians that the team just had no way of returning thanks equal to the blessing of God.  We can see several great lessons about joy right here.  As you read 1 Thessalonians 3:9, think about these seven things (perhaps you would create your list from the verse):

        1.  Joy flows from thankful hearts.

        2.  Joy comes from God pouring His love through our lives into the lives of other people, particularly believers.

        3.  Joy deserves expression in our prayer lives by the measure God has made us rejoice.

        4.  Joy energizes our lives by the grace of God working within us.

        5.  Joy returns to us from our imparting our lives to other believers.

        6.  Joy should cover our prayer lives before God and He should hear it in our silent voices before Him.

        7.  Joy in our hearts should be shared with our spiritual friends who put it there.

      So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we rejoice over the faith of our friends in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we let God and our friends know how much joy they bring into our lives.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer rejoice over the faith of our friends, or let God know how much we rejoice over His loving actions in our lives that produce so much joy.   

Application for Today

        Today, I will be praying with joy in my heart in return for all the joy that my friends in Christ bring to my life.  What will you be rejoicing about today?

Friendships in Christ: Praying to See Your Face │ 1 Thessalonians 3:10 │ Christ Assembly

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RIVER.CUMULUS

July 19, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Praying To See Your Face Today

“as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

 1 Thessalonians 3:10

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I have a friend facing surgery for a suspicious growth this week.  I have spent considerable time praying for my friend, because I know he has a history of cancer.  I have another friend that prayed and expressed faith that Jesus had forgiven her sins by faith, but I have not seen her at the beach lately.  I find it easy and compelling to pray for my friends that I hear about, know about, and think about.  When I stay in touch with friends, I like to pray for my friends.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the ministry team prays for them night and day.  Paul makes several important points about praying, all in one verse.

      First.  Purposefully.  Pray with purpose, so that your mind does not drift and wander, and that you might not fall asleep. 

      Second.  Rally.  Rally together to pray.  The word “we” speaks to both collective and personal prayers, by all the ministry team.

      Third.  Always.  Always pray both night and day for the people you love in Christ.  If you keep them on your mind, you will pray for them more often.

      Fourth. Yearn.  Yearn to see the people face to face you pray for. 

      Fifth.  Earnestly.  Earnestly pray for the people Jesus lays on your heart and mind.

      Sixth.  Rejoice.  Rejoice over your friends in Christ as you pray for them.

      Seventh.  Seek.  Seek the spiritual maturity of your friends in Christ as you pray for them.

Paul really wanted the Thessalonians to know the depths of the ministry team’s love for them.  They prayed night and day to see the Thessalonians again, and to complete what was lacking in their faith.

     So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we pray seriously for our friends in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we let our friends know that we pray night and day for them, with the aim that they will be fully complete in Christ.  

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to pray earnestly and often for our friends, seeking their benefit and maturity.    

Application for Today

        Today, I will pray night and day for my friends in Christ, and I intend to pray with other people as a team, lifting up our friends so that all of us will stand spiritually complete before Jesus.

Friendships in Christ: Directing Our Way to You │ 1 Thessalonians 3:11 │ Christ Assembly

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Christ Assembly

July 20, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Directing Our Way to You Today

“Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;”

 1 Thessalonians 3:11

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I have a friend who seeks direction in his life.  He never went straight from high school to college, and in his mid twenties, has only completed a few college courses.  He lives at home and does not have a full-time job.  I have another friend seeking direction in life.  He will graduate from college in December, but has already decided that he dislikes the work he has trained for.  Both of my friends face the same question, what will I do with my life?  What direction shall I take?

        You see, one of my friends will be seeking direction from His Father God, and Jesus His Lord.  The other friend will be looking in the mirror and deciding what to do.  In our lives, we have to make many different decisions, and some of them make real differences for the rest of our lives.  We need direction and we need it from God.

       In 1 Thessalonians 3:11, Paul describes how he finds direction.  He has been telling the Thessalonians for nearly three chapters how much he loves them, how much he longs to see them, and his plans for visiting them.  Now, he shares how the ministry team wants to go and visit them, but only under the direction of the Father and Lord Jesus.  For Paul, he counted upon God providing guidance at the right time and the right way.  Let us take a look at how God guides us, using Paul as an example.

       First, God guides us by developing relationships for His glory.  Paul was always choosing between (1) making new friends, and sharing the Gospel in new places, and (2) returning to see friends in places where he had already witnessed God planting churches.  The ministry team sought direction from God, and they understood that God would lead them along the lines God had already started in their lives.  Paul had a calling to be the apostle to the Gentiles, and gifted by God for that purpose.  God will always use your life by using your spiritual gifts for His purposes.

       Second, faith in God supports all of our decisions.  We must really believe that God has a plan for our lives, and He really will direct our plans.  He does not leave us looking in the mirror at ourselves, but rather looking at God our Father and the Lord Jesus for guidance. 

       Third, notice for a moment the terms Paul used here.  He looks for guidance from his Father, a term of power and endearment.  I heard a man say once, “Why should I ask for my father’s guidance? I am twenty-five years old.”  Of course his father was sitting right next to him, and he still lived with his father, and ate his father’s food.  The other term Paul used was Lord Jesus.  The term Lord has special comfort and meaning in the context of seeking guidance.  While we happily acknowledge Jesus as Lord in many contexts, we should follow Paul’s lead here in realizing that the sovereignty of Jesus Christ certainly extends to planning our lives with supernatural power, love and vision.  In one sense, our future amounts to obeying the commands of Jesus.  We will not give Jesus commands about our future, but listen to His commands about our future.

       Fourth, often we have our own hopes and desires about our lives.  The Father and the Lord Jesus listen to us in prayer, and we let them know our hopes and desires.  Ultimately, however, we invite our spiritual friends to pray for us too, that we might follow the leading of our Father and the Lord Jesus.

      Fifth, God has a purpose for your life.  As we live for God, we begin to understand that purpose for our lives, and how our lives become intertwined with other lives.  God uses us for His purposes.  We will not see our purpose in a mirror, but in the Word of God.  We learn it in prayer, both alone and in groups.  We hear it in the wise counsel of our friends.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we pray that God will lead our lives as Father and under the direction of the Lord Jesus.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we watch God build relationships under His leading to meet new people and develop their faith and ours under His loving care and grace.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we only look in the mirror for directions.  Spiritual friendships depend upon everyone walking under the guidance of God the Father and the Lord Jesus.  On a worldwide basis, we walk together in Christ. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my friends seeking direction from God.  God wants them to know their Father and the Lord Jesus both love them, and want to direct their lives for God’s glory.  Who will you be seeking direction from today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Praying for More Love │ 1 Thessalonians 3:12 │ Christ Assembly

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Blue Sky

July 21, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Praying for More Love Today

“and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;”

 1 Thessalonians 3:12

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      When is the last time someone told you that you were doing something very well, and then followed it up with encouragement to do even more?  Most of us hear a lot more about our failures than our successes.  When it comes to love, we all need to love more and more and more. 

       In 1 John 4:7, we read: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”  We should notice several important points from this verse.  First, only born-again Christians love with God’s love.  Non-Christians may do many nice things, but they will never love with God’s love, because they have not been born of God and they do not know God.  Second, all love comes from God.  While our capacity to love with God’s love starts at the moment we receive the gift of salvation by faith from Jesus, we only exercise our capacity to love under the direction of God.  The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of love in our lives (Galatians 5:22), and the first and greatest commandment requires us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and with all our mind (Matthew 22:36-40). 

       When we put these ideas together, we see that Paul commends the Thessalonians for their great love, but also commands them to love even more.  Paul looks to the Lord Jesus to increase their love for one another, and for all men.  Just as only born-again Christians can love with God’s love, Jesus causes us to love more and more.  He empowers us to keep His commandments, for without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:1-7).

       Finally, Paul emphasizes that the ministry team loves the Thessalonians, and trusts Jesus to increase their love for them.  Part of having spiritual friends involves watching Jesus develop greater love among His family members.  He builds greater and greater love for each other, so that we all thrive on God’s love.  Notice that our prayer lives should be focused, in part, upon praying for God to increase our love more and more for the brethren.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we pray that God will fill our lives with love for God and each other.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we actually love each other more and more, with the love that only God provides.

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to pray for love and implement love among our friends. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want Jesus to cause me to love my friends in Christ more and more.  Who will you love today? Will you show them your love?  Are you praying for love today?

Friendships in Christ: Establishing Blameless Hearts │ 1 Thessalonians 3:13 │ Christ Assembly

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Christ Assembly

July 22, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Establishing Blameless Hearts Today

“so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

1 Thessalonians 3:13 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       One day Jesus will appear with all His saints, and we will rise to meet Him.  As we look forward to that day, what will our hearts be like then?  Jesus works right now to establish our hears without blame in holiness for the day Jesus appears.

        In 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Paul has just explained to the Thessalonians how much the ministry team misses them, and how they all long to see each other.  Paul focuses upon their love for one another.  Then Paul links that love to their holiness.  Let me emphasize this huge point again.  Holiness without blame comes, in part, from having more and more love for the your spiritual friends.

       Paul uses the term “establish” here, and it means to strengthen, make firm, or fix.  In 1 Thessalonians 3:2, Paul used the same term to describe the ministry team sending Timothy to Thessalonica to strengthen their faith.  In 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Jesus strengthens the faith of the Thessalonians so that they will be blameless before Christ when He appears with His saints.  Paul will develop this great promise of the coming of Christ in the clouds where the saints alive on earth will be caught up into the air to meet Jesus, who is coming with all the believers who have already died in Christ.

       So, Jesus tells the Thessalonians that when He increases their love for one another, He also prepares them to be blameless in holiness.  As we love more, we become more holy, that is, more like God.  As we saw yesterday, only those born of God and who know God truly love with God’s love.  Blameless also implies that we have not missed opportunities to love and to share God’s love upon earth as His ministers.  Therefore, if you long for more holiness in your life, then love more.

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we love each other with the love of God, and let Jesus strengthen our hearts in love.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we believe that Jesus will cause us to love more and more, so that we will stand before Him without blame when He comes with all His saints.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not love one another, and do not let Jesus strengthen us to love more, so that we will miss opportunities to love one another before He returns with all His saints. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will see Jesus strengthening me to love people more and more, so that He will strengthen me to be without blame in holiness when He appears with all His saints.  Will you let Jesus strengthen your heart in blameless holiness today?

Friendships in Christ: Excelling Still More │ 1 Thessalonians 4:1 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Beach

July 23, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Excelling Still More Today

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”

1 Thessalonians 4:1 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Receiving instruction can often make a huge difference in our lives.   When I was a child, I liked to watch people surf.  In many ways, I learned to surf watching the best surfers, and understanding how they moved their surfboards across the waves.  I also learned at school, and at home, about how to think and how to live.  Some of the things I learned at school, I frankly could not care less about.  But the things I learned about surfing, I was eager to put into practice.  I really enjoyed surfing, and wanted to surf with greater and greater skill.  I wanted to do many maneuvers on the waves.  I was willing to receive instruction about surfing, although I could not care less about art history being taught at school.  One thing I received well, and the other thing–you know.

       The word “received” in 1 Thessalonians 4:1, means take, take along, accept, learn.  It points in this case to completely accepted.  It joins together the hearing of the truth with the proper application in our lives of the truth.  We not only hear the truth, but we live the truth.  Often when I try to learn something, I know to employ a mental and spiritual filter to see if I should be learning this new thing.  Does it please God?  Will it edify me?  When I read the Bible, however, I know that God’s Word never needs filtering, because I know that every word of Scripture has been breathed by God and will profit my life and soul (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The Thessalonians completely accepted the God’s instructions about how to walk to please Him.  Even with this complete acceptance and application of the truth,  the ministry team requested and exhorted them to excel still more.

       In this sense, God will always urge us to more and more spiritual growth in our lives.  He will continually be sending us people to promote more spiritual growth, where we excel still more.  In some case, God will be sending people to us to confront us about our sin, and cause us to seek repentance, confession, and the return to righteous living.  In other cases, God will send us “excel still more” people.  He plans for us to grow constantly in His grace, every day.

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

   ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we receive the instruction the Lord Jesus Christ delivers to us through His Word.

   ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we excel still more in obedience and application of the Word of God, particularly in loving one another more and more.

  ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we stop growing in Christ, and refuse to follow His commandment to excel still more.   

Application for Today

        Today, I want to excel still more and more in following Jesus and doing what He wants with my life.  Will you encourage your friends to excel in Christ more and more today?

 

Friendships in Christ: The Authority of Christ │ 1 Thessalonians 4:2 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Gold.Blak.1600.1200

July 24, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

The Authority of Christ Today

“For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:2 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Why should anyone believe what you tell them?  Why do you believe some people, and not others?  For most people, they tend to believe in a person.  For example, many people in the United States focus upon Barack Obama, and because they like him, they believe what he says.  Jesus completely rejects such trust in men.  We should not believe the Republican, Democrat, Independent, or any other politician based upon who said it.  Who said it means nothing, what they said makes all the difference.  Furthermore, just saying something does not make it true.  A vast gulf can separate words spoken from truth lived.  The issue will always be truth.  Are people telling the truth?  Christians must not be caught up in a cult of personality, but rather focus upon the truth of God.

      Jesus taught the truth, lived the truth, and referred to Himself as the only truth by which people may know God the Father (John 14:6).  Rather than placing trust in fallible people, our faith should be placed only in God and His truth.  In this case, God gave commandments by the authority of the Lord Jesus.  We must pattern our lives on the basis of God’s commandments for living, not upon some man’s ideas or beliefs.  Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His day for exalting the traditions of men above the commandments of God (Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:5).  Jesus said: “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”  He further explained: “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition” (Mark 7:8-9).

     The ministry team delivered the commandments of God to the Thessalonians, and they received them as what they truly were, not the words of men, but the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13, page 1847).  Only Jesus had the words of life (John 6:68, page 1667), and His disciples will always follow His commandments because they love Him (John 14:15, page 1685).  By God’s grace, He gave us the words of life, so that we would live to righteousness with Him eternally.  The authority of Jesus Christ as God, with all His perfections, stands behind the message of the Gospel.  He speaks the truth, in love, for love, and with love, so that we may live in love with Him.

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we receive the Word of God, and keep His commandments.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage each other by the authority of Christ to live in His truth and love.   

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we place men, or the traditions of men, above the Word of God.       

Application for Today

        Today, I want to be put the Word of God above every other authority in my life.  I want to stop following any tradition of man that conflicts with the commandments of God.  Who will command your life today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Abstaining from Sexual Immorality │ 1 Thessalonians 4:3 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly Archive

July 25, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Abstaining from Sexual Immorality Today

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

1 Thessalonians 4:3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       I hear guys at the beach constantly telling each other to look at some bikini-clad babe.  One day I spoke with several of the men who claimed to be Christians.  I read them the passage: “but everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).  The guys then tried to justify their behavior by saying that they only appreciated the beauty of the woman, just as you would appreciate a beautiful sunrise.  I reminded them that I had heard that excuse many times, and their remarks did not seem in keeping with an appreciation of pure beauty, but rather a profound pattern of lust.  Like all men, I struggle with lust, but I also remember that God created me for holiness.  Remember, Paul had just told the Thessalonians that they were to appear blameless in holiness when Christ appears.  Now, Paul will be developing the theme of sanctification, that is, how to become more and more holy, particularly holy in our sexuality.

        God created sexual beings.  We have a sexual desire that profoundly influences each one of us.  For some of us, particularly males, we have a strong sex drive that lends itself to all kinds of temptations.  Our lust entices us to sin which leads to death (James 1:14-15).  One of the things I love most about God is that He knows what I am like, and His Word directly instructs me about my great problems in life.  His Word lifts me up with His power to live a holy life in Him. 

        In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Paul addresses sexual immorality.  He uses a broad term for sexual immorality (“πορνείας“).  This word covers all improper sexual acts, including adultery, homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, lusting, and coveting your neighbor’s spouse.  God’s will for our lives means that we completely abstain from all forms of sexual immorality.  Many people do not realize that abstaining requires the power of God in our lives.  The advertising and programming on television and the internet promote all forms of sexual immorality.  They give the impression that all forms of sexual expression are widely accepted and to oppose them amounts to bigotry.  Such lies!  God sets the standards for holiness and prosperous living.  He bases His commandments on love for us, and His desire for us to flourish in holiness.  He has commanded us to keep sex of all forms within marriage and no where else.  Lusting will never be acceptable to God.

       Jesus keeps the focus upon sanctification.  We become more holy as God becomes more and more in our lives.  He cleanses our lives for His service of love to our friends by removing from our lives the things that pollute our lives with sin.  You will never be the friend you ought to be until God sanctifies your life.  In passing, we should keep in mind that sanctification in the Bible has several aspects.  In one sense, every believer was sanctified at the moment of salvation.  God completely forgave your sins and eternally cleansed your life from sin.  I will call this salvation sanctification (Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 6:11).  The Bible also contains passages about progressive sanctification.  These passages show us that God works in our lives to make us more holy, a process that lasts a lifetime.  I will call this growth sanctification.  As we grow in our Christian lives, God wants us to grow in holiness, and often the Holy Spirit works in our lives to make us more holy in our behavior (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Peter 3:15).

    So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we focus our lives upon doing the will of God.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we abstain from sexual immorality, and live under the guidance of God’s grace in our lives.   

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fall into sexual immorality, and destroy the work of God by engaging in sexual acts or thoughts displeasing to God and dangerous to our spiritual friends.       

Application for Today

        Today, I want to be sanctified in all my life.  I want to abstain from all sexual immorality, and live only for Jesus Christ.  Will you abstain today from every form of sexual immorality?  How about tomorrow?  Even in  your thoughts? 

 

 

Friendships in Christ: No Lustful Passion │ 1 Thessalonians 4:5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,July 2010,Series | Comments Disabled

July 27, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

No Lustful Passion Today

“not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God,”

1 Thessalonians 4:5 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Jesus really knows all about advertising today.  Just about anywhere I turn on television, I see advertising using sex to sell products.  Lustful passion lives within everyone, and can pop out to produce sin and death.  Jesus never gave in to lust or passion when it came to His body.  He used His body for the glory of God every moment of every day for a lifetime.  He gives us hope, power and joy to live holy lives before Him.  Jesus knows the hearts of people, and He knows that we need His power to control our minds, hearts and bodies to glorify Him.

       In Galatians 5:24,  we read: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Notice the two words “passions” and “desires.”  Paul uses those same two words here in 1 Thessalonians 4:5.  Paul never teaches that sexual desire in itself is evil.  Instead, Paul makes the point that uncontrolled sexual desire and passion lead to sin, and specifically the dishonoring of our bodies.  Paul teaches us that we control our bodies by the power of Jesus Christ who sanctifies our lives.  When we consider the Galatians passage, we see that our flesh with its sinful passions has been completely crucified with Christ.  In other words, our bodies do not control us, but Christ has already won the victory over our flesh by crucifying it on the cross.  Powerful theology here leads to powerful living.  I have heard many people talk about how natural sex outside of marriage is, and how it is now normal to live together before marriage, and even have children by multiple people, all outside of marriage.  Television promotes all of those “lifestyles,” while Jesus commands us to sanctify our bodies for His use.  He has already done the hard work by crucifying our flesh, and its passions and desires, on the cross.  We could never have gained the victory ourselves, and people are often powerless outside of Christ to change their sexual behavior.  But in Christ, with His power, our sexual passions and lusts no longer have to rule us.  Now each of us makes a choice about overcoming our strong sexual desires, and living instead for Christ.  We see Christ making very serious changes in our lives, as He sanctifies our bodies and lives for His use.  God created sex, and gave married people a wonderful gift to share between spouses.  Paul does not teach us to forsake sex in marriage, but rather to have sanctified bodies, whether married or single.

        Finally, notice in 1 Thessalonians 4:5, that Paul does not want Christians acting like Gentiles who know all about sexual lustful passion, but they do not know God.  Sure, unbelievers know all about licentious behavior, but they do not know God.  They know nothing and care nothing about sanctification.  They want to have great sex as often as possible.  They love to indulge the desires of the flesh and of the mind, while walking under the control of satan (Ephesians 2:2-3).  Because we know God, we know we have been freed from our crucified bodies with its uncontrolled passions.  Now Christ controls us, and wants to make our entire lives holy to Him.  For some of us, this freedom from sexual lustful desires stands as a great deliverance from slavery to the flesh, the devil and his deeds.  In Christ, we know His power. 

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we honor our bodies and promote sanctification with all our friends.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we see our friends leaving lustful passions behind, and having Christ control all our lives to His glory.   

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let our lustful passions burn within us, and never ask our friends for prayer and accountability.        

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage you to consider your body crucified with Christ, and its lusts and desires crucified forever.  By the power of Christ, He will sanctify your body for His glory.  Will you put away all lustful passion today and live in sanctification with Jesus?

 

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Jesus the Avenger │ 1 Thessalonians 4:6 │ Christ Assembly

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Gold.Blak.1600.1200

July 28, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Jesus the Avenger Today

“and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      At times, some men treat women as sexual objects, even inside the church.  Paul has discussed the need to abstain from sexual immorality, and now extends the commandments against sexual sin with reasons to avoid lustful passion.  Paul uses the terms “transgress” and “defraud.”

      Transgress means that you exceed the clear boundaries of acceptable behavior.  You know you should not have sex with anyone outside of marriage, but you will go ahead and do what you please.  You step over the sexual boundaries set by Jesus Christ.  Not only will you be tempted to transgress sexually, but the effect of your lustful passion will result in defrauding your brother.  To defraud means that you take something that does not belong to you by using false words and false promises.  You take something by stealth without paying for it.

       Notice that Paul talks about defrauding the brother.  When you have sex with a woman who is not your wife, you are defrauding your Christian brother.  How will this woman ever explain to her husband what she has done with you?  Your lustful passions not only destroy your life, but they also devastate the lives of others.  Instead of presenting every female as a pure bride, you have now defrauded the future husband by taking something for your pleasure that never belonged to you and you could never obtain in righteousness.  Needless to say, the woman herself suffers and will never view you in the same light again.  God, however, focuses the spiritual attention upon the man here.

       God also pictures Jesus as the avenger of the people suffering from transgression, fraud, and sexual sin.  While every believer can rest assured that Jesus will not condemn you so that you lose your salvation (Romans 8:1), yet, in this life your sin will bring forth heartache and problems for you and  your sexual partner in sin.  Furthermore, when you appear before the judgment seat of Christ in eternity, to receive your reward (2 Corinthians 5:10), your works will be tried with fire and you will suffer loss of reward (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

       Finally, we should remember that Paul had already warned the Thessalonians about the problems associated with sexual sins.  Today, with sexual sin so prevalent inside and outside the church, we should all heed the solemn warning.  We should remove from among ourselves every unrepentant brother involved in sexual immorality, until that person repents and turns back to God (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).  Our love for everyone should never fail, but we should be vigilant in our application of church discipline to encourage the unrepentant to turn back to a loving Father and the fellowship of the congregation.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we do not transgress and defraud our brethren.  We must abstain from all sexual sin.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remind our friends that Jesus is the avenger in matters of lustful passion, but also a gracious and compassionate God.   

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we transgress and defraud our brethren by letting loose our lustful passions, and so defraud and transgress against our brothers in Christ, and harm our sexual partners in sin.  Ignoring the problems does not make them go away, but rather promotes them through silence and disobedience to God’s Word.        

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remind my friends of Christ the avenger.  He warns us not to transgress and defraud our brothers by committing sexual sin springing from our lustful passions.  Today, I want to encourage my friends to heed the solemn warnings of Christ against sexual sin.  Will you be walking away from sexual sin today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Excel Still More │ 1 Thessalonians 4:10 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Concept of Time

August 1, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Excel Still More in Love Today

“for indeed you do practice it toward the brethren who are in all Macedonia.  But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,”

1 Thessalonians 4:10 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Some of my friends attend church regularly, but have never been forgiven of their sins.  Recently, I spoke with a man who attends a local church, with a seminary preacher.   I asked him a simple question: “If you were to die tonight, and stand before Jesus, and Jesus asked you, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven, what would you say?'”  He responded that he tried to live by the golden rule.  I read to him certain passages in the Bible that explained that we are all sinners, and the wages of sin is death.  Therefore, being good and doing good will never deliver us from the death penalty of sin.  I read him other verses that explain that Jesus died, and took our sins upon Himself when He died upon the cross.  He paid the death penalty for my sins.  By faith, I believe that Jesus died in my place for my sins, and by His death and resurrection I go free.  By His wounds, I now am healed.  You see, I had been praying how to reach this very man with the message of the Gospel, because I love him and the other people I meet at the beach.  Like we read about yesterday, I need to learn one person at a time how to love each person with God’s love.  The Thessalonians were known for loving people with God’s love, and Paul encouraged them to love still more.

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:10, Paul emphasized that the Thessalonians had been taught to love by God, and the testimony of their love to all the people in their area was well known among the other churches.  You see, they just loved to love people around them.  Notice that Paul not only praised them for their love and testimony of love, but he also told them to love even more.  Do you have anyone in your life that encourages you to love still more?  Do you praise your friends for their love of people?  Do you encourage your friends to develop a reputation for loving people that glorifies God?  You see, Paul wanted everyone to know the testimony of love coming from the Thessalonian church.  This group of believers had been persecuted for their faith, and yet they had learned directly from God how to love people. 

       People watch not only what believers say, but also what you practice.  The original text here indicates that the Thessalonians were continually practicing their love, and people noticed their continuous behavior.  They not only talked about love, they showed their love for people.  Paul knows that you cannot love people too much.  You also cannot exhaust God’s supply of love for people on this earth. 

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we practice love towards people all around us.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when praise our friends for their love in Christ, and encourage them to love all the more.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to love people, or fail to encourage people to excel still more in love. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to love people more and more.  I also want to encourage my Christian friends to excel still more in their love for people.  Will you encourage your friends to love people more and more today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Ambitions for Today │ 1 Thessalonians 4:11 │ Christ Assembly

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Welcome To Christ Asssembly

August 2, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Ambitions for Today

“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,”

1 Thessalonians 4:11

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       I really enjoy meeting all kinds of people at the beach every day.  I sometimes go to a table, sit down, and expect to have time to read my Bible quietly.  Frequently, however, the Lord Jesus has other plans and He sends someone to talk with me.  Recently, I went to my usual table and a man I had met a few times was sitting there reading a book.  I left my Bible on the table, and went to the railing to watch the beautiful evening on the ocean.  Soon he came over to the railing and asked if we could pray for our mutual friend in the hospital.  He told me about a man who had broken his neck while riding his bike.  He was now paralyzed on the left side of his body, and had been in the hospital for over a month.  Our friend was just learning to move his left hand some, but he could not even begin to walk.  He was working on moving with physical therapy.  As I stood at that railing, I thought how blessed I am to walk, talk, and move as I wish.  I was also very happy my friend had asked me to pray with him, because I also shared with him how he could receive forgiveness of sins by simply believing that Christ died for him on the cross, and now lives as the risen Lord. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul talks all about ambition.  My injured friend now has the ambition to regain the use of his hand and arm, and to learn to walk again.  You see, he had broken his neck, and had a plate installed to join his neck vertebrae together.  We all have ambitions in life.  Paul describes three ambitions that every Christian should hold dear in his or her heart.

      First, our ambition should be to lead a quiet life.  This term quiet (“ἡσυχάζειν“) means to be silent, or to quiet down and give your attention to someone speaking (Acts 22:2).  In our case, we need to quiet down and listen to the Lord Jesus speaking to us.

       Second, we must attend to our own business.  The literal phrase (“πράσσειν τὰ ἴδια“) means to do your own things, or to mind your own business.  The idea means that you take care of your own issues first, before you take on someone else’s problems or concerns. 

       Third, we must work with our own hands.  The emphasis falls upon being self sufficient by earning your own living.  I see many men who do not have regular work, nor actually seek work.  Paul commands the Thessalonians to be self-sufficient and not rely upon charity from others.  Working forms an important part of the Christian life for every able-bodied person.

       Finally, Paul repeats that he has already commanded the Thessalonians to live according to these ambitions.  Christ gives every believer tremendous freedom in pursuing so many areas of life, but He also provides commands that guide us in our lives.  With every command, Christ also makes available the spiritual power to carry out each command.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we follow the commands of Christ regarding our ambitions for life.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we make it our ambition to lead a quiet life, attend to our own business, and work with our own hands.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we lose control of our lives and live wantonly, become busybodies poking our noses into other people’s business where our noses do not belong, and we start depending upon the charity of others when we should be working with our own hands. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to follow the ambitions that Jesus Christ has for me in my life.  What ambitions will you be following today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Behaving Properly Toward Outsiders │ 1 Thessalonians 4:12 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
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August 3, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Behaving Properly Toward Outsiders Today

“so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”

1 Thessalonians 4:12

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I see homeless men nearly every day.  I often talk with them, and learn many things from them.  Recently, a man shared with me how he was in an automobile accident, had his hip smashed, and had to undergo serious surgery.  It left him unable to walk for months.  After the hospital, he went to a rehab facility for about two weeks or so.  He arrived in a wheel chair, and then was discharged in a wheel chair with about twenty dollars and a bus ticket.  He was homeless when he went in and homeless when he came out.  This man wheeled his chair into church nearly every Sunday and made friends with the congregation.  Over time, he regained the ability to walk and work.  He performed work around the building and the people took care of him.  This man wanted to work, but was unable to work for a long time.  Although he can walk now, he cannot run.  Perhaps someday he will.  In the present economy in Florida, many homeless men actually seek work, but cannot find it.  While some men physically cannot work, and other men cannot find work which they are able to do, other people use Christianity as an excuse not to  work.

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:12, Paul talks about how we should live toward non-Christians, whom he calls “outsiders.”  We need to be careful how we live so that we will be good witnesses.  In a courtroom, the witness sits and talks from a chair.  The judge often looks carefully at the witness, and the attorneys look at the witness, and the jury looks at the witness.  In a non-jury trial, the judge often takes a longer look at the witness.  The judge will have to make a final decision about who is telling the truth, and that often depends upon the entire communication from the witness.  The judge evaluates the words, emotions, tone, posture and everything about the witness.  Furthermore, you can count upon cross-examination from the other attorney about your testimony.

       As Christians, we should expect cross-examination from outsiders.  They will look at us and see if we live unruly lives, or if we are busybodies, or if we depend upon charity because we refuse to work.   Let me be clear.  If you have worked for many years, and have paid into the unemployment compensation fund, and then were laid off, you have every right to seek unemployment compensation while you look for other work.  Likewise, if you worked and become disabled, you have every right to seek assistance from the government because you are no longer able to work.  Paul means that those Christians who are able to work, but do not seek work, cause unbelievers to lose respect for Christians.  With our mouths we proclaim Christ, but with our lives we proclaim laziness, if we refuse to work and are able to do so.  Paul links our ambitions to our testimony for Christ in the community.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we remain careful to work and provide for ourselves, and encourage one another to work. 

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we provide work for other Christians, and preserve our testimony toward outsiders by not being in any need.  Christ provides for us every day. 

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we become needy people in the community of outsiders because we refuse to work and live in need of government or social services.   

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my Christian friends who can work, but refuse to work, to consider their testimony toward outsiders.  Will you work today and so behave properly toward outsiders?

 

Friendships in Christ: Hoping for Resurrection │ 1 Thessalonians 4:13 │ Christ Assembly

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Morning

August 4, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Hoping for Resurrection Today

“But we do not want you to be uniformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today. 

Eternal Life [4]

     This passage forms the basis for comforting one another regarding the death of believers in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes referred to as the Rapture, Jesus will return in the clouds with those dead in Christ.  With the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will be raised.  Paul also describes the order of resurrection: (1) all those believers who have died in Christ before the moment of the Rapture; and (2) those believers who are alive on the day of the Rapture. Friendships in Christ: Hoping for Resurrection

      In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul turns to the subject of teaching hope.  Every Christian should be hoping based upon revelation from God concerning the future of those who have died.  Jesus wants us to know and to hope in Him.  Paul makes three important points here. Friendships in Christ: Hoping for Resurrection

      First, God wants you to know about all the believers who “are asleep.”  Jesus used this same symbolic speech to describe Lazarus: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep” (John 11:11).  John explained that Jesus meant: “Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they [His disciples] thought He was speaking of literal sleep” (John 11:13).  In front of His disciples, and others, Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb, and Lazarus came out still bound hand and foot with wrappings, and a cloth wrapped over his face (John 11:44).  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and, in the same way, Jesus will awaken every person in Christ at the Rapture.  I have met many people who tell me that they either died or had a near death experience, and now they have seen the other side.  They said it was nothing to fear, but peaceful.  The only reliable source of knowledge about the after-life is the revelation of God contained in the Bible.  I have never met anyone who had the power to resurrect the dead.  I am sure many people are quite sincere in telling me what they saw, or felt, when they were near death, but often they were hearing Satan comfort them, and not Jesus.  Believers do not rely upon our own experience to know the future, but rather upon the Word of God.  He wants you to learn from Him about the future, and He has a lot to say about the future.  Jesus holds the future, and controls the whole universe to follow His pre-ordained plans.  We must listen to Him, and not the experience of people who have no real view of the future.  Remember, that Jesus called Himself the first fruits of the resurrection, because He was the first person to have a glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:20).  When He raised Lazarus and others during His earthly ministry, they did not get a new glorified body, that would never decay, but they were restored to their old body, destined to die again and undergo decay.  Friendships in Christ: Hoping for Resurrection. When Christ returns at the Rapture, He will raise His own children, and give them glorified bodies that will never decay.

      Second, Jesus does not want you to grieve hopelessly over your deceased Christian friends.  They are only sleeping in the sense that their bodies have been placed in a tomb, to undergo decay.  At the moment a believer dies, they are “absent from the body,” but immediately “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8).  Remember that resurrection always refers to bodily resurrection, because your spirit has been present with Jesus in Paradise from the moment you die (Luke 23:43).  Friendships in Christ: Hoping for Resurrection. Therefore, you leave your body on earth, but your spirit goes home immediately to be with Jesus.  Spiritually, you are present and at home with Jesus from the moment you die.  We do not grieve over them because we know they are with Jesus, and nothing could be better than that assurance and fact. 

       Third, like Jesus, Christians grieve over their dead loved ones.  Our grieving, however, will never be with the sense of permanent loss, or complete desolation, felt by unbelievers.  They have no assurance, but in fact, have lived in fear of death for a lifetime (Hebrews 2:14).  Jesus has freed us from the fear of death, and has broken the bondage of sinful slavery.

        Therefore, we do not grieve as unbelievers, but live in freedom and knowledge coming from Jesus alone.

         So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we know that Jesus lives forever, and our Christian friends have only fallen asleep in their bodies.  Spiritually, they live with Christ today. 

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage each other to know and remember that we do not grieve as Gentiles over those who sleep in Christ.   

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to remind our friends that bodily death only means our Christian friends are at home with Jesus.   

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my Christian friends to avoid grieving for dead Christians, because death only refers to being absent from the body, and present with the Lord.  Who will you lift up with the knowledge of death and resurrection today?

Friendships in Christ: Asleep in Christ │ 1 Thessalonians 4:14 │ Christ Assembly

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Christ Assembly

August 5, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Asleep in Jesus Today

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:14

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ dominates the entire New Testament, and the destiny of every believer.  Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, everything about Christianity would be a lie (1 Corinthians 15:15-18).  In the same way, however, the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers the believer’s present life, and provides hope for the future.

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Paul reveals two critical points to guide our lives.  Both of those points rest squarely upon the fact of the death and resurrection of Christ.  Jesus by the grace of God tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9).  Now, Jesus has been crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering for us.  Because He was raised with an imperishable, immortal, glorified body, He stands ready to raise the bodies of all believers from decay and destruction.  Please recall that spiritually, every believer is at home with Jesus from the moment they die.  The Bible knows nothing of purgatory or soul sleep.  Man invented those traditions for sinful reasons.

       First, because Christ died and was resurrected, He returned to heaven to live eternally with the God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.  God raised Jesus, “putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24).  The moment we die physically, we go to be with Jesus.  When Jesus was explaining life after death to the Sadducees, He told them that He was the God of Abraham, the God Isaac (Abraham’s son), and the God of Jacob (Isaac’s  son).  Jesus proclaimed that He was the God of the living, not of the dead (Matthew 22:32).  Jesus meant that even though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had died physically nearly two thousand years previously, they were alive today spiritually and with God.  He was still their God after their bodies died, and they were with God even before their bodies were resurrected.  We should always remember that death never separates believers from God, because it only separates us from our earthly bodies (Romans 8:38-39). 

       Second, Jesus will bring every believer with Him to the Rapture for resurrection.  Because death only affects our physical bodies, believers remain forever joined to Christ.  When Jesus comes back to the clouds of earth to resurrect the bodies of believers, He comes back with the believers who have been at home with Him in heaven ever since they fell asleep (physical death).  I can see my future right now.  If I have died before the Rapture, then I will be coming with Jesus from heaven to the clouds of earth.  He will resurrect my body in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, with the sound of a trumpet, and I will be changed instantly (1 Corinthians 15:52).  But I will have been with Him ever since the day that I died.

         So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we remind each other of the resurrection of our bodies, and the eternal spiritual union we have with Jesus.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we look forward together to the day when we be “home with Jesus” and coming back with Him to see our bodies resurrected in glory.  

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we neglect the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our lives and forget about the Rapture of the saints.   

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remind my friends that Jesus will resurrect the saints, and every believer already asleep in Jesus will be coming with Him at the Rapture.  Will you be looking for Jesus today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Resurrected First or Second │ 1 Thessalonians 4:15 │ Christ Assembly

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Angel of Yahweh

August 6, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Resurrected First or Second Today

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     Why should anyone believe what you say?  For many people, they rely upon their past experience to guide them.  They may have had experience with illegal drugs, alcoholism, infidelity, homosexuality, or other sinful actions.  The Bible, however, does not present human experience as a reliable guide.  In fact, the wisdom of this world never lead anyone to faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 1:21).  Instead, God gave us His Word through His messengers to reveal His ways, which are not our ways, and His thoughts, which are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, Paul boldly proclaims that he is speaking the word of the Lord.  As the Holy Spirit of God moves men, they speak for God (2 Peter 1:20-21).  We can rely always upon the Bible, for it records for us the inerrant revelation of God.  It does not contain any errors, and, properly interpreted, presents to us all that we need for life.  So, when Paul tells us that he is speaking the word of the Lord, we know God is revealing something very important to us that we would not have known otherwise.  In this case, Paul reveals to us the order of resurrection for the saints at the Rapture.

      First, all the saints who have died before the Rapture will be resurrected before all the saints who are still alive when Jesus returns in the clouds to resurrect the saints.  If the Rapture happened right now, I know my believing mother, who died years ago, would come with Jesus to the clouds, and she would receive her resurrected body before me.  In the same twinkling of an eye, I would then join Jesus in the clouds and receive a resurrected body.

       Second, some believers will remain and be alive when the Lord Jesus returns in the clouds to resurrect the saints.  Christianity is not some passing fad that time will defeat.  The Creator of this world, who became flesh and dwelt among men, suffered death on a cross and then took His life up again, and resurrected His body in glory, will return to earth.  The certainty of the enduring legacy of Christ’s promises to His own disciples thousands of years ago still warms our hearts with the knowledge that He will return to resurrect His saints.  We know that our loved ones in Christ live with Him right now, and they have first place in line for the day of resurrection.  Of course, all of us living will have the second spot.

         So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we listen to the Word of God leading us to love and live in Jesus Christ and His forgiveness.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remember that the saints who have died before us are only asleep with Jesus, and live with Him even now.  He will resurrect them at the Rapture, and then all of us who remain alive in Christ.  

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore the word of the Lord, and fail to live according to His promises of resurrection and eternal life.   

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remind my friends that the Word of the Lord tells us about the order of resurrection: asleep in Christ first, then those alive at the Rapture.  Are you ready for the Rapture today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Listening for Resurrection: │ 1 Thessalonians 4:16 │ Christ Assembly

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Morning

August 7, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Listening for Resurrection Today

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     Jesus will resurrect the body of every believer.  Think about that fact for a minute.  No believer will be left out, and every believer will receive a glorified body.  One day, Jesus will resurrect you, if you are in Christ.  Jesus loves to provide details of that resurrection day, so we can see how this particular moment of resurrection fits into His total plan for the future of believers and the entire world. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:16,  we see that the Lord Jesus comes to resurrect the bodies of His saints.  The Lord Jesus Himself comes to the resurrection with a shout of command.  The word used here for “shout” means to shout a command, or issue a command with loud authority.  In John 11:43, Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth from the tomb, and back to life.  Lazarus did not have a resurrected body, but his old body was revived.

       Next, we read that Jesus will come with the voice of the archangel.  The only other mention in Scripture of the word “archangel” occurs in Jude 1:9, and refers to “Michael the archangel.”  Therefore, probably Michael will shout as Jesus descends from heaven.

       Finally, the trumpet of God will sound forth.  In 1 Corinthians 15:52,  we know that the dead will be raised imperishable at the sound of the last trumpet, in the twinkling of an eye.  Again, Jesus emphasizes that the dead in Christ shall be raised first.

      As a whole, this verse adds details to the picture of the resurrection of the bodies of the saints.  Each believer looks forward to hearing the Savior’s voice.  In John 5:28-29, Jesus explained that all the dead would hear His voice, and the believers would be resurrected to life, and the unbelievers to a resurrection of judgment.  As believers, we know that when we die, we depart our physical bodies and go home to be with Jesus.  At the Rapture, Jesus will bring us back with Him, and He will resurrect our bodies.  We shall forever be with Him, in our glorified and imperishable bodies.

         So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we expect to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus, commanding the resurrection of the bodies of believers from all over the world.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we comfort and encourage each other by looking to the  future, and listening for the commanding shout of Christ, the voice of the archangel, and the last trumpet.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer care about the future, and lose our hope of seeing Jesus face to face, with resurrected bodies, to dwell with Him forever.   

Application for Today

        Today, I will be listening for resurrection.  I know Jesus may come with His shout at any moment.  What will you hear today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Be with the Lord │ 1 Thessalonians 4:17 │ Christ Assembly

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Christ Assembly

August 8, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Be with the Lord Today

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   Jesus wants you to know about the future, including specific events and very precise details.  Our hope for the future rests upon revelation from Jesus about our eternal destiny.  Jesus wants us to know that we, as believers, will always be with Him.  We will not drift about the air, or linger around grave yards, or be reincarnated.  No, the New Testament presents a very clear picture that we will be with Jesus, and live in glorified bodies.  Jesus will gather His children around Himself, and keep them there forever.

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Jesus lays down the order of resurrection for believers.  In the previous verse, we learned that every believer who died before the Rapture will have their bodies raised first.  Then, in verse 17, we see that every believer alive when Jesus returns in the clouds will have their bodies resurrected.  Jesus described resurrection in John 11:36 as “he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”  So after physical death, our bodies go into a grave.  As believers, we go immediately to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven.  Later, at the Rapture, Jesus brings us with Him to the clouds of earth and resurrects our bodies.  In the next instant, He raises the believers who are alive, and resurrects their bodies to be with Him too.

       Notice that we rise to meet Jesus in the clouds.  Many pictures in the Bible present Jesus returning to earth.  In particular, Zechariah 14:4 tells us that Jesus will set foot upon the Mount of Olives.  The Second Coming of Jesus refers then to the time Jesus returns to earth to reign and establish His earthly kingdom rule.  He will then set up His millennial kingdom, after destroying all of His enemies (Revelation 19:11-19).  The details matter here.  The Rapture of the church, described in 1 Thessalonians 3:13-18, precedes the Second Coming of Jesus by seven years (Daniel 9:27).  His return to stand on the Mount of Olives ends the period of the great tribulation upon the earth, lasting a total of seven years.  So, the Rapture pictures Christ coming in the clouds (but not touching the earth) to gather believers to Himself just before the seven year tribulation period begins.  During those seven years, God pours His judgments of wrath and destruction upon an evil earth.  At the end of the seven years of Tribulation, Jesus comes back to earth and sets foot on the Mount of Olives.

       The point that Jesus makes about the future is that we should be fully aware of what happens to believers when they depart at death from their physical bodies.  Immediately at death, the moment a believer dies, the believer goes home to be with the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8).  We gain hope and comfort regarding our loved ones who have died.  We know that one day, at the Rapture, Jesus will come to the clouds of earth, and bring with Him all believers who have died before the Rapture.  He will resurrect their bodies as the first thing He does at the Rapture.  In the next instant, all the believers who are alive at the Rapture will be caught up to meet Him, and their bodies resurrected.  We will travel with Jesus to heaven for the next seven years, and then return to earth with Jesus to reign with Him on earth (2 Timothy 2:12).  Because we know about our final and complete relationship with Jesus, we rest in Him for an eternity, because we will always be with Him.

         So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we expect to be at home with Christ for an eternity, and have our physical bodies transformed and resurrected into glorified bodies.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remind each other of being with Jesus forever, and the promise of glorified bodies.  In this life our bodies decay and cause us pain, but one day we will be leaving them behind, and living forever with Jesus. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not hope to see Jesus and live with the certainty that one day we will be at home with Him, living in glorified bodies.   

Application for Today

        Today, I will be meditating upon resurrection.  Will I be alive when Jesus calls me to the clouds or will I be with Him returning to the clouds from heaven?  Have you pondered your future today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Comforting One Another │ 1 Thessalonians 4:18 │ Christ Assembly

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RIVER.CUMULUS

August 9, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Comforting One Another Today

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:18

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      When is the last time someone tried to comfort you?  Many people have no one who cares enough about them to comfort them.  When you last tried to comfort someone about death and dying, what did you tell them?  For many people, they have no idea what to say and feel awkward just talking about the subject.  Apparently, lots of people have never really given much thought to the command of Christ regarding comforting people about death and dying.

       In 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Paul commands us to comfort other believers with very specific instructions.  I have heard believers say a lot of things about death and dying that stand absolutely contrary to the Bible.  For example, how many times have you heard someone say that Joe or Mary is now in heaven, when you know that person adamantly refused to accept Jesus as Savior?  If we believe the Bible, then we should use it as our guide.  Jesus wanted each of us to rest in comfort regarding our eternal future with Him.  Let me summarize the basics of how we comfort one another regarding death and dying.

        First, we grieve for our loved ones who have died, but we do not grieve as those unbelievers who have no hope.  We have the revelation of God that our believing friends are already spiritually at home with Jesus now, and will receive a glorified body when He returns with them in the clouds.

       Second, we know that if we are alive and remain until the Clouds Resurrection, then we will be caught up to the clouds to join Jesus there, with all the saints who have gone home before us.  In that same twinkling of an eye, we will receive our glorified bodies by resurrection.

      From these great promises and revelations of the future, we should all rejoice that we will be at home with the Lord for an eternity.  We will not have a moment of separation from our Lord Jesus.  Absent from the body means at home with the Lord.  Furthermore, Jesus will return to the clouds to resurrect our bodies so that we will all have glorified bodies, like His.  Those bodies will be imperishable, and immortal.

       Our comfort comes directly from God.  He cares for us and wants us to know about death and dying.  We will always be with Jesus, forever and ever.  Our bodies may decay and finally fail, but Jesus will resurrect us and we will forever be with Him.  Even now, every saint who has died now lives with Jesus forever.  Jesus said each of us has a ministry of comfort based upon His words.  Notice that He commanded us to comfort one another.  Now you know what to say and what passage to read to your grieving friends, who mourn the loss of their loved one in Christ.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we trust Jesus to provide comfort to our grieving friends.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we comfort our friends with the knowledge that we do not have to grieve like the Gentiles who have no hope; we know that our loved ones in Christ are with Him immediately after death, and we shall all receive new bodies at the Clouds Resurrection.  

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to comfort our grieving and ignorant friends with the words of Jesus concerning the death of our loved ones in Christ.     

Application for Today

        Today, I want to comfort my friends with the words of Jesus regarding death and resurrection.  What will you use to comfort grieving friends today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Times and Epochs │ 1 Thessalonians 5:1 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Forsaken

August 10, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Times and Epochs Today

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   The church at Thessalonica knew about the times and epochs of the future.  Paul uses the word “times” (“χρόνων“) to describe the particular date or time when certain events would take place.  The term “epochs” (“καιρῶν”) refers to the quality or circumstances of a particular event, and so means what signs would be present (see Acts 3:19-20, for the same use of the same terms “times of refreshing” (“καιροὶ“)and “period of restoration” (“χρόνων“); also compare Acts 1:7)). Therefore, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they know not only about the course of events, but also the particular events that will come in the future.

          Paul also refers to the Thessalonians as brethren.  I always like the way Paul considers himself a believer with the Thessalonians, and he does not lord it over them.  Just as the messenger Timothy had reported about the condition of the Thessalonians, so also Paul acknowledges their understanding the future, notwithstanding their ignorance about the specific events associated with the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  Paul now will focus upon both the sweep of the future, and certain special events in the future.  In America today, many believers rarely read their Bible, and pay little attention to understanding the future as God revealed it the Bible.  Compared to most Americans, the Thessalonians were far advanced concerning their knowledge of the future.

       Paul says that the Thessalonians had “no need” for further instruction regarding the future times and epochs.  Paul, will, however make applications in the next verses about how we ought to live as believers in light of the knowledge we have about the future.  So often, we read the Bible, but fail to grasp how it impacts our lives.  We do not see applications of how the prophetic aspects of the Bible influence our daily activities, like working, exercising, thinking, paying bills, and doing all the normal things we do.  Furthermore, we rarely think about how the future should impact our present friendships and other relationships.  But, you can count on Paul to bring out the connection about knowledge of the future and present living.  In fact, Paul has already moved past his discussion of the Rapture, and now says the Thessalonians have a very good handle on the future.  They do not need further information about “times” and “epochs,” but rather they need to know how to use their knowledge.  Revelation from God should also impact our relationships with God and our neighbors.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we relate to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and recognize the knowledge of our friends.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we allow our knowledge of the future impact how we live together today.  The “times” and “epochs” of tomorrow directly impact what we do today, especially with our friends in Christ.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to recognize that some of friends already have plenty of knowledge about “times” and “epochs,” but need further help in applying revelation to our lives today.  Remember, Paul discussed the Rapture from the standpoint of comforting believers today.     

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remember that some of my friends know about “times” and “epochs.”  I want to encourage them in their knowledge, and let that knowledge impact our lives today.  Will your knowledge of times and epochs influence your life today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Expecting Jesus │ 1 Thessalonians 5:2 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

August 11, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Expecting Jesus Today

“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      Thieves often try to come when you least expect it.  They do not want you to get ready for them, and often look for unlocked and unattended valuables.  Jesus taught His disciples to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man, because He would come in an hour they do not expect (Luke 12:39-40).  Throughout the New Testament, God emphasizes the need to live ready to meet the Savior.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they already know about the “day of the Lord.”  The Old Testament prophets used this term “day of the Lord” to describe a period of time when Jesus would come to earth.  In Acts 2:16-21, Peter was preaching at Pentecost.  He explained and applied the prophecy of Joel to the supernatural events taking place in Jerusalem after Jesus had ascended to heaven.  During “the last days,” a series of events will precede the coming of the “great and glorious day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20). 

       Paul emphasizes that Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly.  After focusing upon the details of the order of resurrection at the end of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul now focuses upon the manner of the coming of Christ.  Because no one can predict the time of His coming, everyone should live expecting it at any moment.  The Rapture will come like a thief in the night.  So often  today we hear about some preacher, prophet, or teacher setting the exact date that Jesus will come.  Be sure to mark down that person as untrustworthy because they ignore the Bible, the Word of God.  Sure, they may claim some angel told them new revelation from God, but do not believe them.  God wrote that we will not know when to expect the coming of Jesus, and it will be sudden.  He will appear when no one expects Him.  He intends that we live now as if He were coming right now.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we expect Jesus to come at any moment.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage each other to live today as if it were our last day on earth.  Who would you share the Gospel with today if you knew the tribulation starts later today?  Who would you repair the friendship with if you knew you were meeting Christ in the air later this hour?

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not live today as if Christ were coming right now.       

Application for Today

        Today, I want to live as if Jesus were coming right now.  I want to expect Him today, and live with friends and neighbors all day as if it were my last day on earth.  Are you expecting Jesus to come today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Understand Peace and Safety │ 1 Thessalonians 5:3 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

August 12, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Understanding “Peace and Safety” Today

“While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

1 Thessalonians 5:3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     Every word in the original autographs of the Bible is breathed by God, and is completely true and trustworthy.  So often I hear Christians say that the Bible has errors, or contradictions, or does not really apply to today’s situations because the culture back then was so different.  Those Christians need to review what God said about the Bible being His divine revelation, and it will not pass away before all of it will be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).  So often, words in the text help us understand the complete revelation of God about a particular subject.

     In 1 Thessalonians 5:3, God describes people making their own prophecies about their own future, and the present state of affairs.  Folks proclaim “peace and safety” because they do not know their own immediate future.  I have a friend who never likes to hear anything negative.  My friend disdains all sorts of bad news, and likes to think positive thoughts.  A positive outlook on life, focused upon Jesus and His power in our lives is one thing.  Focusing upon our own thoughts and hoping for the best is something else entirely.

      Notice the connection between “peace and safety” and “sudden destruction.”  Only God knows what will happen next.  Humans have been notorious for wishing one thing, but completely ignoring the facts staring them in the face.  Especially in the spiritual realm people deceive themselves every day.  Instead of confronting their own sin with Godly repentance, they close their eyes and hope it will all turn out o.k.  In this case, unbelievers will probably not be reading the Bible, so this passage primarily helps believers to understand the world around them.  In this passage God wants us to understand that His judgment of destruction will come upon unbelievers when they least expect it. 

        Kindly observe that the destruction comes “suddenly.”  This term suddenly (“αἰφνίδιος“) speaks to how quickly the problems erupt, like a trap springing suddenly (Luke 21:34).  Your unbelieving friends around you will hear from all the news media that things are going well, peace and safety, but the real problems are just around the corner and they will come suddenly.

       God describes the coming problem as labor pains.  Those pains will be intense, with real profound pain.  You cannot ignore them, and your own attempts to get around them will not help.  Many women say that labor pains can be sudden, and hurt more than any other pain. 

        Finally, God tells us that unbelievers will not escape destruction and judgment from His hand.  He intends to pour out upon the earth and its inhabitants His divine and perfect wrath for their sinful behavior.  Unbelievers may run from God, but they cannot hide from His power or judgment upon them.

       Stand back for a moment and ponder what Jesus tells you here.  People will be thinking peace and safety, but sudden, intense judgment will be just around the corner.  Jesus particularly wants believers to know about the future, and these particular details count.  They have not yet been fulfilled, and culture has nothing to do with His prophecies of the future.  Jesus tell us about the future to motivate us to live for Him in the present.  Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will develop how this knowledge of sudden, intense judgment should influence our lives today. 

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we understand that unbelievers focus upon their own dreams of peace and safety while believers focus upon Jesus and His love.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we understand the connection between proclamations of “peace and safety” and sudden destruction coming upon unbelievers.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we start believing that peace and safety will come to this world without Jesus first bringing sudden destruction upon unbelievers.       

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my friends to understand that proclamations of peace and safety really mean that sudden and intense destruction awaits the world of unbelievers.  Are you ready for Jesus to start His program of sudden and intense destruction today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Not in Darkness │ 1 Thessalonians 5:4 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Beach

August 13, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

“Not in Darkness” Today

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;”

1 Thessalonians 5:4

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I love to fish at Sebastian Inlet after dark, and, if it rains and blows, I often catch more fish.  I remember, however, the first time my friend took me fishing at night down there.  I stood on some rocks, and cast my lure into black, still night.  I could not see where my lure went, and I was completely uneasy fishing at night.  Over time, with experience, you learn how to fish at night, how to wear a light on your head, and land fish in the dark.  I even discovered how beautiful the ocean can be on a dark, stormy night, provided you are standing on land.  One thing I remember, however: always lock my car and hide all my valuables.  Like the fish, thieves often come out at night, even in a nice state park.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:4, Paul has already described how the world will be proclaiming “Peace and safety!” when, in fact, tribulation awaits them right around the corner.  In contrast, however, the believers at Thessalonica already knew that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).  Paul reinforces that fact by letting them know they were not in darkness.

      In Scripture, darkness often describes evil, and also spiritual ignorance (Luke 22:53; Ephesians 6:12; Acts 26:18).  In the present verse, Paul knows the Thessalonians do not live in darkness, because Jesus has brought them into the light.  In 1 John 1:5, John tells us that “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”  Furthermore, God said He has “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).  Therefore, we know that all true believers continually live in the light of salvation, but sometimes they ignore the light and become blind in their conduct (2 Peter 1:9).

       Paul links spiritual darkness in this case with the coming of the thief.  Because the Thessalonians have been rescued from the domain of darkness, they now will be ready for the day of the Lord.  The day of the Lord will not come upon them like a thief in the night because they will be spiritually prepared, because they are spiritually alive.  As we will see, however, you may be spiritually alive, but still not ready for the day of the Lord, because you are asleep.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we know we are children of the light, and live accordingly.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remind each other that every Christian has become a child of the light, and Jesus has overcome the darkness.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we stop living in the light of Jesus, and fail to remind our friends that the day of the Lord is coming.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remind my friends in Christ that we live in the light of Jesus Christ and we are not in darkness.  Are you living in darkness today?  Have you fallen asleep today, even though you are still alive in Christ? 

 

Friendships in Christ: Sons of Light │ 1 Thessalonians 5:5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

August 14, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Sons of Light Today

“for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness;”

1 Thessalonians 5:5

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  Yesterday, I talked about night fishing.  Over time, I have learned how much fun it is to fish at night, but only if you have the right equipment.  Without the right equipment, you generally cannot see how to tie on your lure, hook a live bait, cast your rod, retrieve your lure, or do so many other routine tasks that are a part of fishing.  My eyes work o.k. in the daylight, because I was created to see in sunlight.  The darker it gets, the less I see.  Some creatures have shiny cells in the back of their eyes.  Cats, dogs and other creatures appear to have eyes that sort of glow in different colors when you shine light in their eyes after dark.  They were created to hunt and see at night, but not me.  I need to pack a flashlight, spare batteries, and also spare lights in case one breaks or I lose it.  So much of night fishing involves careful preparation.  Because I know my limitations on seeing after dark, I have to get ready to fish after dark.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:5, Paul makes a wonderful declaration about every person forgiven by faith in Jesus.  Paul said were are all “sons of light and sons of day.”  Did you catch the way that God now sees you?  Because God has “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13), we have become sons of light and sons of day.  Paul emphasizes what we are in Christ.  In this case, Paul emphasizes we are sons of light, and sons of day, to make a spiritual point.  By our very spiritual nature, we have become God’s children, and remember that in God there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

        God loves to remind His children that who they are shapes what they do.  People act according to their spiritual nature.  Believers act like sons of light and sons of day because God abides in them.  Likewise, unbelievers are not sons of light and sons of day, and evil dominates their lives.  We need to keep in mind who we are so we will act like who we are in Christ.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we love each other in Christ as children of the light.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we live according the declarations of God in the Bible.  In this case, we grow closer as friends in Christ when we stand upon God’s declaration that we are children of the light and children of the day.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore or forget the fact that each believer in Christ will always be a child of the light and a child of the day. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remember that I and all my friends in Christ are children of the light and children of the day.  God will always see us that way in Christ.  Do you see yourself today as a child of the light and a child of the day?  

 

Friendships in Christ: Alert and Sober │ 1 Thessalonians 5:6 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
gold sunrise

August 15, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Alert and Sober Today

“so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

1 Thessalonians 5:6

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  For several years, I watched cardiac monitors at a hospital.  I worked the night shift, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.  My basic job was to keep patients from dying from lethal heart rhythms.  I had to know the difference between irregular heart beats that meant nothing important, and those other beats that signaled death could come soon.  I would notify the nurses who would go to the patient’s room and check on the patient.  Did I mention I had to watch up to thirty two monitors at a time?  At times, I either got sleepy, or involved in one monitor, or started thinking about other things.  Fortunately, I had computer back up with alarms.  I noticed that the computer did not always catch all the bad heart rhythms, but it was nice to know it was watching also.  In that job, I had to be sober and alert every night, and press a button on the computer monitor to record any unusual heart activity I saw.   At any moment, I had to be ready to identify a lethal heart rhythm.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul draws a conclusion with the words “so that.”  Often, God wants us to understand how certain facts must determine our behavior.  For example, when we see a red traffic light, we stop the car.  We understand the fact that the light is red.  We then draw a conclusion that we must stop to be safe.  God teaches us facts in Scripture so that we might understand the commands of Scripture, and His will for our lives.  So many people do not read their Bible, and so have great ignorance about God’s will for their lives.  In this verse, God wants us to live according to His will, and He spells out that will for our lives.

       Paul commands that we should not sleep as others do.  Paul does not mean, obviously, that we are never to close our eyes and rest from our labors.  No, he means that spiritually, we should not lose sight of the day of the Lord in the future, including the return of the Lord Jesus to this earth.  As believers, we must not imitate the world.  So often, Jesus warned the crowds to be ready for the appearing of the kingdom of God, and used the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Only the prudent virgins were ready when the bridegroom appeared.  Jesus warned the people not to be drowsy and fall asleep.  Likewise, Jesus reminds believers today to be ready for the day of the Lord, and Son of Man coming in glory.

       God commands us to be sober (“γρηγορῶμεν“) and alert (“νήφωμεν“).  Paul uses the term sober in the same way Jesus used the same term in Mark 13:34.  Jesus told the story of the man who took a journey, and put his slaves in charge of his house.  Jesus warned that the slaves should not be asleep when the master returned, because he may return at evening,  midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.   Paul also used the term alert.  He meant that we should be spiritually alert to the coming of the day of the Lord.  In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter uses this same root word to remind us to be alert so that we will be ready to face our adversary, the devil, who prowls around seeking someone to devour.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we live for Jesus every day, expecting Him to come to the clouds.

    ● Strong bonds of friendship grow when we remain sober and alert, never falling asleep spiritually.  Sometimes, we need our friends to wake us up spiritually.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we watch ourselves and our friends grow drowsy, and finally fall fast asleep spiritually.  Together we can stay awake, ready for Christ to appear. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to be alert and sober, and keep my friends in Christ awake also.  Are you awake, alert and sober today?  

 

Friendships in Christ: Drunk and Asleep │ 1 Thessalonians 5:7 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

August 16, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Drunk and Asleep Today

“For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.”

1 Thessalonians 5:7

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  At the beach, I talk with men who have been drinking too much for many years.  Several of my friends love to drink any kind of beer they can get their hands on, and others prefer stronger drinks, like vodka or whisky.  They often like to drink for hours at a time, but they are homeless, or nearly homeless.  Others of my friends hold down normal jobs, but they drink at night.  They come home from work, and look forward to drinking enough so that they can “unwind” or “go to sleep.”  They rely upon getting enough alcohol into their system at night so that they can relax.  I notice one thing about some of my friends who drink too much: they often look forward to drinking more on the weekends, especially at night.  Friday night means drinking and then sleeping it off.

     In 1 Thessalonians 5:7, Paul draws attention to the people who sleep and get drunk at night.  Please recall that Paul has already made the point in this passage that the children of God by faith in Christ are all children of the light, and children of the day.  The opposite of being alert and sober is to be asleep and drunk.  When you read the word “For” starting a sentence in Pauline literature, you may often expect that Paul is linking together two verses, and often expanding upon the previous verse.  Paul follows that pattern here.  Paul expands upon the “others” mentioned in verse 6, and explains that the others sleep and get drunk.  We know that believers must be alert and sober, expecting the day of the Lord and the return of Christ to the clouds.

       Let me highlight three characteristics of the “others” that every believer must avoid.  First, every believer must avoid being spiritually asleep, especially at night.  Because we are children of light and children of day, the night should never overtake us so that we are asleep spiritually, and not actively waiting for Christ.  Second, every believer must avoid being drunk, especially at night.   Being drunk means that you have lost control of yourself, and alcohol now controls you.  God’s children, as children of the day, must never allow themselves to put anyone in control of their lives, except God.  At night, people tend to get drunk more, and think because the sun has passed over the yardarm, then it is o.k. to get drunk.  Yet, we know as believers that getting drunk at night only leads to being unprepared to meet Jesus.  Third, every believer must avoid a “night” lifestyle.  We are not children of the night, but God has delivered us into the kingdom of light.  By nature, we have become in Christ children of light.  We live the life of Christ, and He was never asleep when it counted, and never drunk in His entire life.  Please keep in mind that Paul primarily has in mind the contrast between spiritually prepared to meet Christ right now, and others who are not prepared to meet Christ at any time.  He uses the symbolism of drinking and sleeping and night to contrast the spiritual states of being alert, sober and light.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we avoid sleeping and getting drunk at night.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we wake up our friends, and remind them to avoid getting drunk, because we are children of the light, and Christ commands us to be alert and sober.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let our friends act like children of the night.  They no longer care about the coming of Jesus, and we no longer care about them. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to be avoid being asleep or drunk at night.  Are you living a “night” lifestyle today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Sober and Armored │ 1 Thessalonians 5:8 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

August 17, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Sober and Armored Today

“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   Paul loves to describe the Christian life in terms of symbols.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, he uses the symbolism of armor worn by a soldier.  Paul spent time under arrest, and he must have encountered many soldiers during his lifetime traveling through the world.  Paul apparently spent time thinking about the reasons soldiers wear their armor.  Stressing that every believer must remain sober and alert, because the day of the Lord may come at any time, Paul now describes how we prepare ourselves for daily life, using a soldier’s armor.  He uses this same concept of armor in Romans 13:12 (“armor of light”) and a more extensive passage in Ephesians 6:10-17. 

Paul ties the command to be “sober” with having put on the armor.  You make the choice daily to live a sober life, and part of that sobriety is to put on your armor.  The entire image of a soldier wearing armor brings to mind the picture of combat, and being ready to defend yourself. 

     Paul first speaks of the breastplate of faith and love.  When you think about faith, it allows us to guard our spiritual hearts as a breastplate guards our physicals hearts from flaming arrows, or the piercing blows of the enemy.  But think further about the breastplate of love.  Paul uses this image of a defensive breastplate as a symbol of love.  As believers, Christ overcomes the world and has conquered all spiritual foes.  Yet, He has not yet subjected all things to His rule.  By His love, we protect ourselves from the onslaught of the enemy and attacks of the world.

      Paul also refers to the helmet of salvation.  God designed our skulls to be made of bone, that protects our brains from blows.  We can be very grateful for thick skulls, because it takes a fairly strong blow to the head to cause severe injury, although we all know examples of fairly light blows under the right circumstances that cause problems.  Therefore, we appreciate the need for a helmet.  In this case, Paul again emphasizes the need for our daily sobriety to be linked to our salvation.  Salvation only comes by faith that Jesus died on the cross for my sins.  He bore my sins in His body on the cross, so that I may live forever in His righteousness.  The helmet of salvation reminds me constantly that God has saved me already and eternally from every attack in the spiritual realm against my head and my life.  In the physical realm, I wear it every day to remind me of the constant protection of God to keep me saved from the penalty of my sins.   

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we live sober lives, expecting the day of the Lord at any time.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of salvation.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let our friends in Christ live without armor, and suffer the spiritual consequences. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to wear my breastplate of love and faith, and feel the helmet of salvation protecting me.  Will you feel the weight of God’s armor today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Living God’s Destiny │ 1 Thessalonians 5:9 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

August 18, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Living God’s Destiny Today

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

1 Thessalonians 5:9

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

          I talk with homeless men at the beach almost every day.  One man I met told me that he planned on going to hell, and he could not change his destiny.  He thought of himself as a good man, who helped others often.  He said he did not have much himself, but he got along with his friends and did the best he could in life.  Everything about this man personifies the spiritual blindness that so many unbelievers use to view the future.  As believers, we must understand our destiny in Christ and how it must influence our daily life.  Jesus as Savior offers salvation to all men, and does not wish for any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

       Every unbeliever lives under the wrath of God (John 3:36) and the judgment of God (John 3:18).  Believers have the assurance that God does not pour His wrath out upon them, because we have salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul has just finished detailing how wrath will come upon the world for their unbelief.  While they proclaim “Peace and safety,” destruction will come suddenly upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

        Notice the words “God destined.”  This word destined (“ἔθετο“) means a deliberate act of God, with the idea of placing, setting, or positioning something.  In this case, God positions us for salvation, not wrath.  The verb emphasizes that God does it Himself, and the work has been completed already.  In other words, God has already fixed your destiny, and it is to obtain salvation when everyone else suffers from His wrath.  All humanity looks forward to just two destinies: (1) the wrath of God for eternity; or (2) deliverance from the wrath of God by receiving forgiveness from Jesus Christ, resulting in eternal life and eternal salvation.

       When you become concerned that no one looks after your personal welfare, think again.  God has fixed your life by His power.  He keeps you in the palm of His hand and knows how everything will turn out.  While the earth suffers wrath at the day of the Lord, you will be obtaining the salvation you have longed for.  The Lord Jesus Christ will exercise His full regal authority to save you from destruction, and keep you in His love forever.

       As a passing note, one of the reasons we hope in the coming of Christ to the clouds centers upon this verse.  God has not determined that His Church should go through the tribulation period, when God pours out His wrath upon the earth.  Instead, God gathers believers in Christ to Himself first, and then then He begins the earnest judgment of the earth for its unbelief and other evil actions.  But for the believers, he destined us for obtaining salvation.  What a great blessing for us.   

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we live according to our destiny of salvation. 

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage our friends in Christ to realize our unbelieving friends and families are destined for wrath and so we should speak to them now. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let live in denial of our destiny in Christ: salvation and deliverance from wrath.    

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remember my destiny, and the destiny of all my friends in Christ.  Together, we will escape God’s wrath and enjoy His salvation for eternity.  God has destined each man to eternal salvation or eternal wrath.  I want to live before my friends according to the destiny of salvation, showing everyone the long-ball picture of life and hope.  Will your destiny influence your actions in Christ today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Together with Jesus │ 1 Thessalonians 5:10 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Sky

August 19, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Together with Jesus Today

“who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:10

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   I often go to bed much later than my wife, and I love to read books in bed.  I often have four or five books on my bed.  Sometimes, my wife gets in bed with me after I have fallen asleep.  I love to feel her presence beside me.  We have been married over 33 years, and I still love being with her every day.  I like going to work with her, talking with her, eating with her, and hanging out with her.  She no longer works full time because of her illnesses, but it just means I get to see more of her.  I truly enjoy living with her.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:10, Jesus wants us to know that we will live with Him forever.  You see that word forever.  It means everything to me.  I will live with my Savior without end.  Nothing will ever separate me from Him and His love (Romans 8:38-39).  Not even physical death will separate me from the love and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

       Notice the word asleep.  As we have seen previously regarding 1 Thessalonians 4:13, sleep in this passage means the death of our physical bodies.  It does not mean that we are separated from Christ.  Spiritually, we continue to live with Christ.  When Christ comes to the clouds to resurrect the bodies of believers, we know that Christ will bring with Him those believers who have fallen asleep. Therefore, they are alive with Him spiritually from the time their physical bodies die.  At the Rapture, they will receive a resurrected body, and continue to live with Christ for eternity.

     I always love the basic theology of salvation. Christ died for us, so that we might live with Him forever.  He took my sins in His body on the cross, so that I may die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds we were healed (1 Peter 2:24).  He now lives in resurrected glory with all the children adopted into His family by faith.  Not only do we escape the wrath to come, but we also live with Jesus forever.  From the moment I asked Jesus to forgive my sins because He died for me, and believed that He heard me and forgave me, I have had eternal life.  I will live with Jesus forever.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we know that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Jesus for eternity. 

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we share with each other how wonderful it is to know the unending, eternal love of Jesus Christ, and to recall that He died so that we will live with Him forever.  

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship in Christ when we imagine that anything can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, or treat someone as if Jesus no longer loved them.      

Application for Today

        Today, I want to live another day of eternity with Jesus my Friend and Savior.  He died so that I may live with Him forever.  How many people can I encourage with that truth today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Encourage and Build Up │ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

August 20, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Encouraging and Building Up Today

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  As a lawyer, I often deal with people who are in a terrible legal struggle that threatens their entire business life, and sometimes their whole way of life.  During this Great Recession, I have seen family businesses close after forty years in the same location, and new, promising business fail for lack of financing.  I also see people devastated by cancer, heart problems, and strokes face financial turmoil.  I try to care for my clients as friends.  Not only do I enjoy praying with them, but I also send them e-mails from time to time designed to encourage them keep up their trust in the Lord Jesus.  You see, going through legal troubles often mimics life, because you simply must trust God to help you through the struggles, and also to enjoy the good times.  We need encouragement every day and we need our friends to build us up every day.  We also need to be people who build up and encourage our friends, every day.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul starts his thought with the word “Therefore.”  I was taught in legal writing classes that the term “therefore” meant that we were using logical arguments and drawing conclusions.  In this verse, Paul is drawing a conclusion based upon the supernatural revelation from God concerning our future of being with Christ forever, whether we are asleep or awake.  Because of God’s love for us, we will always be with Jesus.  Based upon that revelation of the future from God, and His eternal love for us, we should be using the revealed truths from God to encourage and build up saints.  We do not say just: “Have a nice day!”  As believers, we say: “We live together with Jesus forever.”  Or we might say, “We do not grieve as those who have no hope, but know that our loved ones will be present with the Lord, even if they die today.”

       Paul also tells us here that we need this encouragement all the time.  The Christian life means that we are always looking to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).  We use our spiritual gifts for the building up and the growth of the body of Christ in love (Ephesians 4:16).  In all ways, in action and speech, we need Christ within us to spread His loving encouragement to every believer around us.  Tell your friends how much you need and appreciate their encouragement in Christ.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we build up and encourage one another in Christ. 

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we keep on encouraging one another and building up one another.  

   ●  We harm our bonds of friendship in Christ when we stop encouraging one another and start tearing down one another.       

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my friends in Christ and build them up using my spiritual gifts.  What will you do to encourage your Christian friends today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Appreciate Diligent Laborers │ 1 Thessalonians 5:12 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
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August 21, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Appreciating Diligent Laborers Today

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,”

1 Thessalonians 5:12

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      I hear about Pastor-led churches today, and every time I cringe a little inside.  The New Testament never describes a single person as the leader of any local assembly, except the Person of Jesus Christ, Who alone is the Head of the Church.  People so often confuse the spiritual gift of “pastor” with a church office recognized in the New Testament.  Let me highlight this distinction. 

       In Ephesians 4:11-12, God describes various spiritual gifts He has given to the church, one of which is pastor, and perhaps even pastor-teacher.  These people use their spiritual gift of pastor-teacher for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.  Notice the saints, not pastors, do the work of service in the body of Christ.  Spiritual gifts come in many varieties with a variety of ministries (1 Corinthians 12:5).  A spiritual gift of administration (“κυβερνήσεις“–1 Corinthians 12:28) or leadership (“προϊστάμενος“–Romans 12:8) stands separately from the gift of pastor-teacher (1 Corinthians 12:28).  Therefore, God uses spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.  The elders of the church have very specific functions described in the New Testament, and they have the spiritual oversight in the church.

       In 1 Timothy 5:17,  we read about the office of elders (“πρεσβύτεροι“).  Elders are subject to appointment by men (Titus 1:5), whereas spiritual gifts are always given by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1).  Elders shepherd the church of God as overseers (“ἐπισκόπους“).  The elders have their own spiritual qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), that assist in their identification for selection as elders.  Please take notice that all elders rule the church as overseers and do the work of an under-shepherd of Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Peter 5:1-4), but not all elders preach and teach the word, because not all elders are given the spiritual gifts for teaching and preaching.  Instead, one of the qualifications of an elder requires him to be able to teach the Word of God (1 Timothy 3:2).

       Therefore, when we come to a passage like 1 Thessalonians 5:12,  we understand that the people who have charge over (“προϊσταμένους“) us in the Lord are the elders, and they give instruction.  Sometimes a pastor may be an elder, but God does not call all elders to preach and teach the word, for those are separate spiritual gifts distinct from the office of elder (1 Timothy 5:17).  Those elders who do preach and teach the Word of God diligently should be appreciated (“εἰδέναι“) by all believers.  The term “appreciate” also carries with it the idea of learn, know, and understand.  We should be aware and grateful for the work of elders who labor among us. 

        Let me also take a moment and focus upon the last phrase of the verse.  The word for instruct (“νουθετοῦντας“) means to admonish, teach, or confront.  Later in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, this same root word will be translated “admonish,” and it should call to our mind this work of elders, who lead the church in many ways, one of which involves keeping the church walking together in harmony in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25–“στοιχῶμεν“)

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we appreciate believers who labor diligently in Christ to build us up and have charge over us. 

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we live in harmony with everyone, especially the spiritual leaders who have charge over us, and teach us to walk with Christ, and confront us when necessary.   

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship in Christ when we no longer respect and appreciate those who serve Christ by leading the church.      

Application for Today

        Today, I want to appreciate the spiritual leaders I know who work diligently for Christ.  I want them to know I appreciate their hard work.  Who will you appreciate today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Love and Peace │ 1 Thessalonians 5:13 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

August 22, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Love and Peace Today

“and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  Live in peace with one another.”

1 Thessalonians 5:13

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

       In America, people esteem sports heroes, music stars, television personalities, radio talk show hosts, and many other types of people.  They often show their pleasure by buying products those stars endorse.  People often look up to other people, with esteem in their eyes.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Paul continues his thoughts of appreciation for the local servants of Christ, the elders of the church.  Speaking under the spiritual influence of God, Paul commands us to esteem (“ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ“) them.  This term for esteem means the highest form of comparison: surpassingly, extremely, immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20).  In this case, when you think about loving people in the local assembly, you must love your elders extremely and surpassingly.

        The disciples of Jesus spent time arguing among themselves who was the greatest disciple.  In Luke 9:46-48, Jesus, knowing what they were each thinking about his own greatness, placed a child before them.  He then told them that “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is the least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”  Notice that Jesus emphasized being least to being great, and receiving children in His name.  We love elders not for their office, but because we recognize true elders who do the works of Christ.  Because of their work, we love them extremely.

       Paul also links this idea of extreme love with peace (“εἰρηνεύετε“).  This word derives from the common root word for peace in the New Testament, and the links back to the Hebrew idea of peace (“shalom”) in the Old Testament.  As we live together in love in the local assembly, we must also take steps to live in peace with one another.  In 2 Corinthians 13:11, Paul wrote: “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”  For some believers, it is time for you to make peace with other believers today.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we esteem our elders highly in love and live in peace with one another.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we stop hating elders, but start loving them.  Jesus commands us to live in peace with each other, and His love and peace will prevail.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we no longer love elders who work for Christ, and when we no longer make it a point to live in peace with fellow believers in the local assembly. 

Application for Today

        Today, I will esteem elders who work for Christ diligently in the local assembly.  I will live in peace with my fellow believers.  Who will you let know today that you love them with the surpassingly perfect love of Christ for their good work?

 

Friendships in Christ: Urging You │ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 │ Christ Assembly

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August 23, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Urging You Today

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I often pray that the Lord Jesus would help me understand how to love different people.  Not everyone needs the same actions from me.  I know that God commands me to love everyone, but I know that God tailors His wonderful love just for me.  He provides me with things that I need, and helps me in a variety of ways.  In one sense, love from God always fits me just perfectly.  God loves you too, in just the perfect way.

      In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul issues one command that controls four other commands.  The controlling command comes from the word “urge.”  This simple command applies to the entire group at Thessalonica.  The whole assembly at Thessalonica will have the pleasure of watching God work among the believers as they minister to one another.  Now let us look at what the assembly should be doing for one another.  Each need requires a different form of love from God.  So many believers never feel the urge to help their friends, and then follow the commands and do it.

        First, you must admonish the unruly believers.  This term admonish (“νουθετεῖτε“) means also to warn and exhort.  It carries with it the idea of personal confrontation.  So often believers see behavior that conflicts with the commandments of Scripture.  We are not talking about personal preferences here, but the unruly (“ἀτάκτους“) behavior directly that conflicts with the commands of Christ for living.  For example, a believer you know is living in immorality.  You must confront that believer because Jesus told us not to live in immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18).  Admonish here means that you read the Bible to the unruly person, and invite them to repent and change their behavior, starting with seeking forgiveness from God, and then living in harmony with God and His Word.

       Second, encourage the fainthearted.  I love the whole idea of encouragement.  In this case, you are to encourage the fainthearted.  The term encourage (“παραμυθεῖσθε“) means to call alongside, and then speak in a friendly manner, for the purpose of calling up and strengthening.  In this case, you speak words of hope from the Word of God to the fainthearted.  This term fainthearted (“ὀλιγοψύχους“) literally means little soul.  In my mind, some people have shrunk down in size and feel small.  They have lost the sense of strength for living in Christ.  In the spiritual realm, pressures or problems have pushed them down and they feel very small inside.  You, through God’s love, can call them up, or better yet, visit that believer and let them know that God remains stronger and more powerful than anything facing them, no matter how grim life may be from the human perspective.

       Third, help the weak.  So many people I know have weakness of one type or another.  This term for weak (“ἀσθενῶν“) refers to the physically sick (John 11:1), the spiritually helpless (Romans 5:6, and the weak in faith (Romans 14:2).  Therefore, we must be sensitive to the needs of the weak who need to be touched with the strength of Jesus Christ.  I often hold the hand of people in bed with physical sickness, or give a hug to someone weak spiritually. 

        Fourth, be patient with everyone.  While the previous commands pertained to specific groups, this last command covers everyone.  Every believer needs to show patience, and receive patience.  Because we all sin, we all need patience.  Because we all have our own preferences and patterns, we need patience from others.  All the commands in this passage require patience in their practice.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we understand that different people have different needs for loving attention. 

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let do not recognize the needs in our friends’ lives, or imagine that all our friends in Christ need the all same things all the time.  

Application for Today

        Today, I want to encourage my friends to recognize the needs of their believing friends.  Why not allow God to use you to minister to those needs: admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.   Will you look at your friends today through the loving eyes of Jesus and His Word?

 

Friendships in Christ: Seeking After Good │ 1 Thessalonians 5:15 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Gold.Blak.1600.1200

August 24, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Seeking after Good Today

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  I just finished reading a novel about the Old West in America.  A single woman had to defend her home and large ranch against evil men who wanted to take it away from her.  Some of her relatives, and eventually her sons, returned to the ranch and they were tough men.  They repaid evil with violence.  They did not start a fight, but they sure tried to end it with fists or guns.  In many ways, this tough pioneer spirit makes mean people stand up, oppose evil and enforce righteousness.  Yet, according to Jesus, believers in Him should be very careful about how we treat our friends in Christ, and all other people.

         In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Paul issues a stern warning against retaliation, and repaying evil with evil.  So often, we think first of retaliation, and we burn with anger when people visit unprovoked evil upon us.  All of our natural instincts come out, and we want to get at least even, and maybe prove that we are not people to be messed with.  Paul, however, cautioned us that such evil repaying evil will only lead to a cycle of evil.

        In Matthew 5:38, Jesus said that we are no longer to live under the law of an “eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”  Instead, Jesus taught us not to resist an evil person; whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also (Matthew 5:39).  Jesus imposed a much higher standard here by commanding His servants to love your neighbor and your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

       Take a moment and ponder the whole concept of evil.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, we must know first that some believers will do evil to their fellow believers.  You can count on it.  Your friend in Christ will do something completely evil to you.  You may not have started the fight, but the temptation for you to repay with evil flares up within you.  Stop.  Remember what Jesus said and Paul reiterated.  When we face evil, even from our friends in Christ, we never repay evil with evil, even though our first instinct says get them back, double if possible.  Jesus never did anything evil in His entire life.  We must be like Him all the time.

       Following Jesus not only means we avoid doing evil, but we have an affirmative obligation to do good as well.  The term good (“ἀγαθὸν“) speaks of the tree that bears good fruit (Matthew 7:17), the good that only God possesses (Mark 10:18), and the good man who brings forth good treasure from his heart (Luke 6:45).  We have a duty as believers to counter evil with doing good, because we love Jesus and act like Him.  Love means we never repay evil with evil, but we lay down our lives to do good, just as Jesus did.

       For some of you reading this note, you know you have repaid evil for evil.  Now is the time that you repent, call the person you have done evil to, and set the matter right.  Determine from here on out to do good, and make your love in Christ known to your friends.

        So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we never repay evil with evil, but do good to everyone.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we overcome the evil desire to repay evil with evil, but always do good for our friends in Christ, even when they do evil to us.  As friends, we stop our friends from repaying evil with evil, but encourage them to repay evil with good.

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let let evil rule our lives and destroy our friendships.  We build and encourage one another with good, especially when it meets evil head on.

Application for Today

        Today, I will do good, and avoid paying evil with evil.  The love of Jesus Christ will overcome all evil, and we want to follow Him, doing good.  Will you repay evil or do good today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Rejoice │ 1 Thessalonians 5:16 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

August 25, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Rejoicing Today

“Rejoice Always;”

1 Thessalonians 5:16

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   Some very small verses carry really huge messages.  In light of all Paul has taught and preached in 1 Thessalonians, he begins to wind up the book with a series of commands.  He starts the last series in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, and now we read “Rejoice always.”  If you like to memorize verses, here is a great, short verse.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Paul commands us to rejoice (“χαίρετε“).  So often I meet people who think they cannot have any command over their emotions.  Many people I know live under the tyranny of their emotions.  Frequently people live under such a volcano of sinful anger that ashes of anger sit upon their lives, with very toxic effect.  It tends to choke off joy, and makes you unpleasant to be around.  It often stems from evil festering in your heart.  Paul has great news for you!

      God demands that He alone controls your emotions.  Can you imagine that God demands that you rejoice today.  Let me say that again.  God demands that  you rejoice today.  Consider for a moment Hebrews 12:2, page 1884: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy [“χαρᾶς“] set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Jesus had joy, even as He looked forward to the cross.  He had real human emotions, completely controlled by God.  Can you imagine how often you let your emotions go?  We sin so often when we no longer let God control our emotional lives.  So many people never even consider that God demands to be in full control of how you feel every day.  He said rejoice always.  We never have an excuse to give up our joy.  Your friends all around you need someone to rejoice over God’s activity in your life.  Do you feel His love today?  Why not rejoice in His love?  Have you seen His kindness and grace?  Why not rejoice in His kindness and grace today?  You get the idea. 

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when God takes control of how I feel towards my friends and how I feel about God.   

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when I rejoice over the friends in Christ God has given me.  All my friends need to see a some rejoicing in me today. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we let our emotions hurt our friends without cause.  When God controls our lives, we feel His emotions and rejoice over the truth, focus upon the joy set before us, and share the joy of Jesus Christ with our friends. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to rejoice in Christ and encourage my friends with joy.  Will you rejoice with your friends today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Pray Without Ceasing │ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled

August 26, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Pray Without Ceasing Today

“Pray without Ceasing;”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      One of my friends tells me: “I pray twice a day.  When I wake up, and when I go to sleep.”  I rejoice that my friend prays.  I also recall a missionary who came home from Africa after twenty plus years.  He said one day he got all the way to noon before he prayed.  He felt ashamed and astonished.  Prayer reflects your fellowship with God, as you see it.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul focuses upon just one aspect of prayer: frequency.  Well, how often should we pray?  God leaves no doubt: all the time.  You must be kidding.  No.  The Bible right here records the command that we must pray all the time.  Every day, all day.  Every night, well, as long as you are awake.  Are you getting the point here?  We must pray all the time.  Our entire life should be with a view of prayer, as if we were praying all the time.  We should be in constant prayer fellowship with God.  We continuously stay in touch with God, consciously, during the day.  We take every thought and every emotion to God.

      Now, let us go back to the previous verse: God commanded us to rejoice always.  Here God commands us to pray without ceasing.  From God’s perspective, our prayers should be filled with rejoicing and our rejoicing should be filled with prayer.  The two concepts go hand in hand.  You want more prayer, rejoice more.  You want more rejoicing, pray more.

       O.k., realistically, how do you pray without ceasing?  Go back to the basics of prayer.  You do not have to repeat any prayer over and over again.  In fact, the New Testament has many prayers, and they generally indicate that prayer means that we express to God our failures, triumphs, sins, petitions, praise, thanksgiving, worship, emotions, hopes, and plans–in short, everything in our lives.  When you understand that prayer means that you will be talking continuously with God about everything that comes up, you will suddenly understand how to pray better.  Everything you feel, everything you plan, everything you want to do, everything you do not want to do, everything you need God’s help with–all those things require prayer.

       I often hear people say they do not have enough things to pray about so that they could pray without ceasing.  Go back and think about the previous paragraph.  If you get into the habit of praying about everything you are thinking, and what to think or do next, or what to feel next, and on and on, then Jesus will become more and more the center of your life.  Practice will help.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we pray without ceasing.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when I pray for friends, and we each encourage each other to pray without ceasing. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we stop praying for each other and ourselves.  When we no longer care about prayer, we can be sure that God always listens to His children with a heart tuned to love. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to rejoice in Christ and pray without ceasing.  Will you pray without ceasing today today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Give Thanks in Everything │ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

August 27, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Give Thanks in Everything Today

“in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:18

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    When you sit down and give some serious thought to what the architecture of your mind should look like, most people realize they have never really give much thought to a floor plan.  They just build their life adding on a little space here, and then remodeling the space there, and moving furniture around over in that room, and maybe repainting here and there.  Our minds can become very cluttered, messy, and weird.  Our weird minds can have dramatic impacts upon how we interact with our friends, family, and everyone else.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul adds to his list of commands God has for us.  He now commands us to give thanks in everything, because giving thanks in everything is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  We have a lot to talk about in this verse, and so let me take it in sections.

       First, giving thanks in everything fits with all the commands already laid down in this passage, particularly rejoice always and pray without ceasing.  Now Paul adds the third command: in everything, give thanks today.  Paul emphasizes “in everything.”  No matter what is going on in your life today, give thanks.  Right in the middle of the heartache, triumph, failure, or whatever, give thanks right in the middle of it.  Do you give thanks every day?  I love to ask people: “What is the best thing Jesus has done for you  lately?”  I know the greatest thing Jesus does for anyone is always salvation.  He bore my sins in His body on the cross so that I may die to sin and live to righteous, all by faith alone.  But Paul really meant in everything we must give thanks.  Want a new perspective on prayer?  Give thanks every time you pray and for the things happening in your life–good, bad or indifferent.

       Second, notice the word “today.”  We give thanks today for everything that happened today.  In other words, before the day ends, be sure that you have given thanks for everything God has done for you today.  He is quite explicit here.  Give thanks not only in everything, but do it today.  Before you close your eyes, make an inventory of all the good things God has done for you today.  Take the time to give Him thanks from the bottom of your heart.

       Third, the will of God for me in Christ Jesus means that I give thanks in everything today.  Notice the part about “the will of God for me in Christ Jesus.”  If you are serious about being a follower of Christ, then do the things that He said to do.  It is just that simple in many ways.  Doing His will remains different from talking about doing His will.  If you want to know God’s will, so that you can do God’s will, then give thanks today in everything.        

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we give thanks today right in the middle of everything that is going on today.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when I give thanks knowing that God wills me to give thanks today.  I should be encouraging my friends to give thanks with me today, no matter how I feel today, or what happened today.  You see, the habit of giving thanks in every circumstance of life, will carry us through the really difficult days, and also help us rejoice during the great days.  In fact, it will lift all our days closer to Jesus.

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we fail to give thanks today, or we let any circumstance in our life stop us from giving thanks today.  We need to thank God for our friends in Christ today, no matter what they are like today. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to give thanks in everything.  Before you close your eyes today, will you be sure to thank God for all He has done for your today?  The only way to do that will be thank Him all day long for all He does, as He does it in your life.  Praying yet?

 

Friendships in Christ: Quench Not the Holy Spirit │ 1 Thessalonians 5:19 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

August 28, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Quench Not the Holy Spirit Today

“Do not quench the Spirit;”

 1 Thessalonians 5:19

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

  One God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  For the Christian, we serve one triune God, and strive by His power to love God will all of our heart, strength and mind.  Many Christians know very little about the Trinity, and do not know many verses about the Holy Spirit.  In the list of short commands that close 1 Thessalonians, Paul directs our attention to the Holy Spirit.  He is a person, separate and distinct from the person of the Father, and separate and distinct from the person of the Son.  Yet, He is a part of the Godhead, and one with the Father and Son.  He shares the same attributes with the Father and Son: He knows everything, He has all power, He has always been present everywhere, and He never changes.  The Holy Spirit can be grieved, showing He has emotions (Ephesians 4:30), and can be lied to (Acts 5:3).  The Holy Spirit produces His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), and God commands us to walk in the Holy Spirit as believers (Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:25). Furthermore, God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  The Holy Spirit also distributes spiritual gifts for various ministries (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11), and everyone has a spiritual gift to be used in spiritual ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7).  Indeed, at the moment of salvation, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). You see, from the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in your new life in Christ (Romans 8:9).  Based upon all these truths about the Holy Spirit, we can see what a great role He intends to play in the daily life of the believer in Christ. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul directs our attention to a command concerning the Holy Spirit.  We must not “quench” (“σβέννυτε“) the Holy Spirit.  When you think about the word “quench” in the New Testament, consider these examples.  The fires of hell are never quenched (Mark 9:48), the lack of oil quenches burning lamps (Matthew 25:8), and the shield of faith quenches the flaming arrows of the devil (Ephesians 6:16).  Finally, the Lord Jesus will not quench a smoldering wick (Matthew 12:20).  These graphic pictures help us understand that we have the power to quench the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The idea of quench in this passage means that we halt, stop, restrain, or inhibit the activity of the Holy Spirit.  He will not leave you, but you can stop His work in areas of your life, and grieve Him in doing so.

       Let us remember the context again.  In this list of commands, we see that God demands that we rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything today.  Now, if we keep those commands, then we will avoid quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in areas of our lives.  Because He constantly works to make our lives holy, and He always abides in us because we have been sealed by Him in Christ (Ephesians 4:30).  The order of the commands here makes a difference, with one building upon the others.  In fact, we could see that all the commands in the entire book interlace so that we see how to glorify God and become better friends in Christ.  God gives us direction in how to live with other friends in relationships, and with Him, but also how we organize our minds.  Let me emphasize one more thing about the command “do not quench.”  Paul used the plural of you.  All of you do not quench the Holy Spirit.  Just like the other commands, all of us have this same duty to God, and to one another.  When I make the individual decision to sin, or stop praying, or stop rejoicing, I have a direct impact upon all my friends in Christ.    

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, and live in His power all the time, especially with our friends in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when I do not quench the Holy Spirit in my life, and help my friends to avoid quenching His power.  I am staggered that I can grieve the Holy Spirit, and quench His activity in areas of my life. 

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we allow our friends to fade off and fade out of our lives because they have quenched the Holy Spirit.  We need to encourage each other to walk in the Spirit, and be filled with the Spirit.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to avoid quenching the Holy Spirit in my life.  He seeks to produce His fruit in my life all the time, and I want Jesus to be Lord of all my life, all the time.  Have you quenched the work of the Holy Spirit in your life today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Prophetic Utterances │ 1 Thessalonians 5:20 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

August 29, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Prophetic Utterances Today

“Do not despise prophetic utterances;”

1 Thessalonians 5:20

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I hear many people talking as if they were prophets.  They tell me that they died, saw a great light, or felt a warm feeling, or spoke with loved ones who have died.  They tell me they no longer fear death, because of what they have seen and experienced.  Among Christians, I hear that a person had a word of prophecy for another Christian.  So many people claiming to be prophets, both within the church and outside the church.  Who do you believe and why are so many people claiming, on way or another, to be prophets?

     In 1 Thessalonians 5:20, Paul writes to the Thessalonians not to despise prophetic utterances.  Some people argue today that the New Testament gift of prophecy comes in two types: an authoritative type, where the prophet always speaks the truth.  The other type of prophecy, according to this group, only contains some truth, mixed with error.  If you read the Bible carefully, you will see that the entire Bible only contains information about one type of spiritual gift of prophecy, and God only speaks the truth.  True prophets prophesy truthfully, and false prophets mix some truth with some error.  In the last times, many false prophets will arise that will deceive many people (Matthew 24:11). Those false prophets will even perform signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect (Mark 13:22).  Every prophet should be tested against the Scriptures.  Deuteronomy 13:1-5 provides the death penalty for every dreamer or false prophet that entices people to serve any God but the true and living God of the Bible.  Furthermore, the Bible says: “You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him and cling to Him.”  Therefore, every person who claims to have a prophecy from God should be examined by the other prophets to test whether their claim to have revelation from God agrees with Scripture, God’s complete revelation for all men (1 Corinthians 14:28-33; 1 John 4:1-6).

      Therefore, in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, we know from the early church practice that two or three prophets may arise with their claim of a revelation from God.  Remember, at that time, the New Testament had not been completely written and circulated among the churches.  The churches relied upon God teaching them directly, with revelations through the twelve apostles, and also from prophets within the church.  The issue, however, would always be whether the prophet was truly speaking a revelation from God.  The others in the church, and particularly the prophets and elders, would evaluate the content of the prophet’s message.  The rule from Deuteronomy would still apply in the minds of many people, and so prophets may be more reluctant to speak.  The main point, however, seems to be that the Thessalonians should not grow tired of hearing prophecies to the point where they despise any further prophetic utterances.  Revelation from God opens the mysteries of God to the people, and expands the knowledge of God and His plans in the assembly of believers.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we allow our spiritual gifts to edify other believers.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we do not despise prophetic utterance, or any other proper use of spiritual gifts. 

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we inhibit the proper display of spiritual gifts.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to use my spiritual gifts to the glory of God, and encourage each of my friends in Christ to use their spiritual gifts.  What are your spiritual gifts and are you using them to the glory of God today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Examine and Hold Fast │ 1 Thessalonians 5:21 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
gold sunrise

August 30, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Examine and Hold Fast Today

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

1 Thessalonians 5:21

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

          Most people I know tend to believe everything they hear or see.  They love Barak Obama, or Sarah Palin, or Rush Limbaugh, or some other political figure.  For many professing believers, they spend more time on politics than they do reading their Bible, praying, or making disciples.  They never take time to evaluate what the popular person has said.  Instead, they tend to believe it because of who said it.  Likewise, when you hear a preacher on television or at church on Sunday, do you examine carefully everything the preacher says against the what Jesus said in the Bible?  No, most people just accept whatever they hear, because they trust the speaker. 

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul commands you to examine everything that comes your way in life.  How do we examine something?  The term “examine” (“δοκιμάζετε“) means that you prove it, test it, demonstrate it, or discern its meaning.  When prophets spoke in Thessalonica, the content of their prophecy must be examined.  We must examine all things.  Consider even the interpretation of the Bible.  The vast majority of passages in the Bible do not pose any problem of interpretation.  Usually, the passages standing against popular opinions pose more of a challenge for some believers and they find some obscure interpretation to make the Bible match their current, popular view of some subject.  For example, the Bible clearly labels homosexual behavior as sinful behavior.  Likewise, being drunk is sinful behavior.  Furthermore, in the church, women should never exercise authority over men, or teach men; rather they should remain silent (1 Timothy 2:12).  Popular ideas try to change the Bible, but God’s word will never change (Matthew 24:35).  Only some interpretations of the Bible will change, but no Scripture is a matter of private interpretation, because it was inspired by God alone (2 Peter 1:20-21).

       Having examined everything, Paul commands us to hold fast to that which is good (“καλὸν “).  Paul gives us very clear directions for thinking.  I recently replaced a fuel line in my gas trimmer.  The fuel line starts in the fuel tank and takes fuel to the carburetor.  The carburetor has very fine holes in it that allow fuel to pass through in very small quantities, so it will burn properly in the engine.  Those small holes can be clogged very easily.  Therefore, the fuel line in the tank has a very fine filter, that prevents dirt or other impurities from ever getting to the rest of the fuel system.  You see, carburetors must be treated with care, because they get clogged up with dirt very easily.  Our lives are like that carburetor.  Impurities tend to clog up our lives, especially our thinking, which often controls our acting.  Paul warns us to filter everything that comes into our lives.  We must examine everything, identify the good, and then hold fast to the good things.  I often see my friends in Christ allowing all kinds of junk into their minds, because they do not know the Bible, and never read the Bible.  They prefer to hear their trusted source tell them the truth.  They trust CNN or Fox News to tell them the truth.  Stop it!  Only Jesus tells the truth all the time.  You must evaluate everything you read on this website against the Bible itself.  Hold on to the truth of God’s word.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

        ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we examine everything and hold fast the good.

       ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage our friends to examine everything, hold on to the good, and stop believing something just because someone they respect said it.  You do not have to believe everything your parents taught you, or that your pastor said.  Compare what everyone said to the Word of God, the Bible, and hold on to the good.

       ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we allow our friends in Christ to think whatever they wish and clog their minds and hearts with lies.  

Application for Today

        Today, I want to examine everything and hold fast to that which is good.  I will encourage my friends to examine everything today, and let go of the bad, and unclog their hearts and minds.  Ready to start examining everything today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Abstain from Evil │ 1 Thessalonians 5:22 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,August 2010,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Beach

August 31, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Abstain from Evil Today

“abstain from every form of evil.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:22

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I know a group of people who love to drink beer, vodka, and strong drink whenever they can afford it.  Some of them work some every day, but most of them either have no jobs or very meager, part-time employment.  Evil comes in many forms for them.  If any one of them wants to stop drinking, their companions are always there with a drink for them.  Evil holds them in habits that their entire environment sustains.

     In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Paul issues another simple command, linked as we have seen to the entire list of commands preceding it.  The command directs us to stop evil in our lives: “abstain from every form of evil.”  Paul makes two points here we need to understand and apply to our lives.

       First, the term “abstain” emphasizes your personal choice.  You actually have the power in Christ to stop doing evil.  As a believer, you will never be overwhelmed with temptation to the point where you cannot resist it (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Will you in fact live a sinless life? No, you will always have a sin problem until you die (1 John 1:8-10).  God, however, demands that you abstain from evil and use the power He gives you to abstain from every evil work.  Unbelievers struggle under the burden of slavery to sin (Romans 6:6).  As believers in the forgiveness of Christ, we died to sin so that we now live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 1:15-16).  While we may never completely escape all sin in our lives before death, we can grow in holiness by the power of God working daily in our lives.  The choices we make about evil control the direction our lives will take.  We can either walk in the Holy Spirit, or we can walk away from God.  Any specific sin plaguing our lives can be eliminated, right now by the power of Jesus Christ.

       Second, Paul uses the phrase “every form of evil.”  I am so happy to see the words “every form” (“παντὸς εἴδους“) of evil.  Jesus did not say, “Well, I can help you with some forms of evil, but other forms are just so bad, no one can help you.”  Instead, the promise here is that every form of evil Jesus has already triumphed over, and now, by His power, you can abstain from every form of evil.  So, drugs, alcohol, adultery, fornication, immorality, homosexuality, drug addictions, depression, discouragement, and every other form of evil we face can be eliminated by Jesus Christ.  He provides the power for overcoming every form of evil.

       So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we abstain from every form of evil.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage our friends in Christ to trust the power of Jesus Christ to abstain from every form of evil. 

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we allow our friends in Christ to think Jesus Christ cannot remove every form of evil from their lives.  In Christ, He will use friends to help His children triumph over every from of evil, one decision at a time.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to abstain from every form of evil and encourage my friends to know the triumph of the power of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Will you abstain from every form of evil today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Sanctify Today │ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,September 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

September 1, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Sanctify Today

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:23

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   Have you ever taken time to think about your spiritual life?  How about your spiritual being?  So many people teach that we are nothing more than molecules.  So many people do not believe in a resurrection or after-life of any type.  So many people do not understand what God wants to do for them, and to bring more joy to them than they could ever know apart from the Lord Jesus.  So many people do not want the God of peace working to produce holiness in their lives.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul has provided a list of commands to change your life.  As he concludes his letter to the Thessalonians, he now invokes the blessing of God upon them.  I often like to look at the particular title of God used in a particular verse.  Please recall always that every word of the Bible has been chosen by God, without errors of any kind.  Therefore, when Paul describes God as “the God of peace,” I take those words as a title of God in this passage.  In Romans 5:1, we read that believers have been justified by faith, and therefore, they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Without Jesus Christ, you will never know God and you will never know His peace (John 14:6; John 14:27).  Notice too the word “Himself” in our passage today.  God will be doing His work in your life.

        Now we turn to the work God will be doing in your life: “sanctify.”  This word sanctify (“ἁγιάσαι“) means to make holy, fit and separated for God’s use and purposes.  God seeks to work directly in your life to make you perfect before Him.  He will do the work in your life.  You turn your life over to Him by faith and He will work.  Notice here the word “entirely.”  This word entirely (“ὁλόκληρον“) means that God intends to change every part of who you are.  In Christ, the moment you believed that Jesus Christ died in your place on the cross, and you accept His gift of forgiveness, then you became a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

       Jesus teaches us about several types of sanctification in the Bible.  At least three related types of sanctification exist in the Bible.     

  1.  From the standpoint of salvation, you have been completely sanctified in Christ, because the penalty of your sins has been completely removed by the blood atonement of Jesus Christ and you no longer live under the wrath and judgment of God (Hebrews 10:10).

  2. From the standpoint of  daily experience, you still sin after salvation and need daily help with sin.  In that sense, God continues to sanctify you over the course of your lifetime, and to produce His holiness in you and He works to remove sinful patterns and habits from your life by His sanctifying power (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  As a new creature in Christ, you no longer live under the slavery of sin, and you now live to righteousness.  Jesus also prays for the Father to sanctify His children in the truth of the Word of God (John 17:17).

  3. Finally, we also sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts, ready to make a defense of the hope that is within us, with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15).

        Paul also refers to the body, soul and spirit.  Many Bible scholars have researched the question of what makes up a man.  Do we have a body? Yes, that question does not pose a problem for anyone except gnostics and docetists, who both deny the Bible and the true divinity of Jesus Christ because they both deny that Jesus had real human flesh (Hebrews 2:14; John 1:14).  Now we get to the harder questions.  Does the Bible show that man has only a soul (“ψυχὴ“) and spirit (“πνεῦμα“)?  Many people use this passage in 1 Thessalonians to prove that man has only body, soul and spirit.  They teach a tri-partite view of man.  In contrast, others see the Bible as teaching an immaterial part of man (spirit, soul, mind of Christ, heart, conscience, etc.) and a material part of man (body).  You may learn many things from studying passages related to who you are in Christ, but for today, I simply want to focus upon the text before us.  God wants to sanctify every part of you, for His glory and use right now and throughout eternity.

       Finally, notice that the purpose of God’s sanctifying work centers upon presenting us blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God never agrees to let believers continue to sin.  He seeks to sanctify our lives continuously.  I take great hope and feel tremendously blessed when I ponder God’s game plan for my life.  He wants to make me blameless when Christ comes for me.  I will not have to take special self-help courses, or make my own efforts to change my life, or join some new fad or program for better living.  No, God Himself has already committed to sanctifying me so that I would be blameless before Him.  My task hinges upon obedience to His work, keeping His commandments, taking up my cross, and following Jesus every day–all done by His power alone.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we understand that God sanctifies our lives and every part of us in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we encourage others to have faith in the sanctifying work of God in every part of their lives.   

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we resist the sanctifying work of God in our lives, and fail to recognize the progressive work of God among us.  None of us are perfect yet and without sin.  Love covers a multitude of unsanctified behaviors.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to receive God’s sanctifying work in every part of my life.  Supernaturally,  I want to see it, feel it, and enjoy it.  Will you be trusting God to continue His work of sanctification today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Faithful Lord Jesus │ 1 Thessalonians 5:24 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,September 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

September 2, 2010

Praying with Jesus

The Faithful Lord Jesus Today

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:24

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     I love so many things about Jesus.  He provides me with love every moment of my life, friendship, power for living, assurance, strength, and compassion.  I absolutely rely upon Him to take care of my life, because I so frequently mess it up.  As I grow older, I know that without Jesus controlling my life, sin abounds.  I also know something else.  Jesus wants to bring about all the commands He has promised me in 1 Thessalonians 5, because He has has called me, and He will keep me secure in His calling for eternity.  Jesus Christ the Faithful holds me in His calling every day.  He will do it.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Jesus describes Himself as “Faithful,” and then shortly closes the epistle.  This term faithful (“πιστὸς“) means trustworthy, reliable, sure, true, and unfailing.  All of those qualities always apply to Jesus, but in this context they relate to God who “calls” (“καλῶν“).  Paul emphasizes here that the call of God for you stands as a completed act.  He has called us and that settles it.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Paul wrote: “so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”  In this latter verse, God emphasizes the continuous aspects of His calling, and relates it our daily, ongoing walk with Christ. 

       Paul also teaches that Jesus will do it.  Because of Jesus being always faithful, He will bring your call to pass.  Again, Jesus teaches me here that my entire salvation and sanctification rest squarely upon His shoulders.  I should never get confused about the activity of God in my life.  On an eternal scale, He called me to salvation (Romans 8:28-30) and adoption into His family (Galatians 4:5). 

       Paul leaves the Thessalonians with all the focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  As Paul shines the spotlight of revelation upon Jesus, faithfulness radiates from Jesus.  We should always see Jesus shining in faithfulness, always keeping His word, always making our lives wonderful in Him.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we see Jesus faithfully working our lives, and the lives of our friends in Christ, called by His grace.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we have faith in the faithfulness of Christ Jesus, shining in our lives through the work He performs, and the love He provides every day.   

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we doubt the faithfulness of Christ in our lives, or allow our friends to forget His faithfulness.

Application for Today

        Today, I want the faithfulness of Jesus to be on my mind, in my heart, and on my lips.  My friends in Christ need to know about His faithfulness to me today.  Will you dwell upon the faithful Lord Jesus today?

 

Friendships in Christ: Pray for Us │ 1 Thessalonians 5:25 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,September 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
bright.sunrise.blue

September 3, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Pray for Us Today

“Brethren, pray for us.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:25

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    Have you ever said to your friends seeking prayer requests, “I don’t like to pray for myself and what I need because that is selfish”?  I have heard many people utter those words.  People who say that do not understand the basic concepts of prayer, and their view of God reflects their own ignorance of Him.

     In 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Paul not only invites prayer for himself, he commands it.  In fact, he commands the Thessalonians to pray for the entire ministry team.  When is the last time you asked for anyone to pray for you or your ministry team?  Are you even a part of a small group of men or women pursuing ministry together?  Paul knew the value of prayer and he knew that God loves to hear from His children and lead them in triumphant grace.

    In 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Paul again asks the Thessalonians to pray for himself and the ministry team.  He specifically seeks prayer for the spread of the word of the Lord, and rescue from perverse and evil men.  Paul’s prayer request here lets his friends in Christ share in God’s plans for the ministry team.

    Prayer also recognizes the need for God’s power in your life.  Without God working, your ministry will go nowhere.  You will not see people asking Christ to forgive them.  You will not see disciples being made in Christ.  You will not be forming new friendships in Christ and you will not watch the Body of Christ growing and being edified.  Everything that happens for good upon this earth, and in the universe, depends upon God as the source of that spiritual activity.  I praise God that Jesus said: “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

       If you are reluctant to ask other people to pray for you, not only are you thinking that you run your life without God’s help, or at least conveying that impression to others, but you are also teaching others not to seek the prayer support of others.  In John 17:1, Jesus prayed for Himself.  He asked God the Father to glorify God the Son (Himself).  Of course Jesus prayed for Himself, and so should we.  In fact, we need to ask for our friends in Christ to pray for us.  Remember the words of God: “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2).  Your prayer requests for yourself should be one way you share God’s purposes for your life and ministry with your friends in Christ.  Furthermore, Jesus commanded His disciples to pray for themselves (Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 26:41).

       Consider also the claim that: “I do not ask other people to pray for me because that would be selfish.”  We have already seen that Jesus prayed for Himself, and Paul commanded other people to pray for him and the ministry team.  I recall an illustration from a famous preacher.  He talked about a small fish taking water in a huge river through his mouth to breathe.  He breathed slowly, for fear he would exhaust all the oxygen in the water.  He had no idea of the tremendous, limitless supply of water and oxygen available to him.  People who never request prayer support for themselves must lack a sense of God’s power, His care for them individually, and His great personal love.  People somehow think that God must be too busy to listen to their prayers about themselves, and so live in ignorance of God.  God hears all things, knows all things, is present everywhere, has all power, and never changes.  He knows every thought you have, and knows all the future and all the past of your life.  In fact, he knows the number of hairs on your head at any given time, past, present and future (Matthew 10:30).  So, never let your small, fishy view of God hamper you from praying for yourself, and from sharing your prayer requests with other believers.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we ask our friends in Christ to pray for us.

    ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we pray for one anther, and share from the heart our prayer requests with each other.   

    ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not share our spiritual needs, purposes, and desires with our friends, and ask for their prayer support for our lives.

Application for Today

        Today, I want to share my prayer requests with my friends in Christ.  I love to pray for my friends, and frequently pray with friends in person and on the telephone.  Will you share your personal prayer requests with anyone today?

 

Encouragement

Friendships in Christ: A Holy Kiss │ 1 Thessalonians 5:26 │ Christ Assembly

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Concept of Time

September 4, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

A Holy Kiss Today

“Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:26

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

      A holy kiss can be a very precious greeting, and in some circles today, people do it all the time.  For other people, especially men in America, a holy kiss has become culturally disfavored.  Instead, a handshake, hug, or other gesture may be enough.  The point, however, is the holy greeting.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:26,  we read about the command to greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.  Please notice first that Paul extends the greeting to all the brethren, not just some.  Do you have people you know in Christ who you do not want to greet?  Why do you not want to greet them?  Paul made it plain that he wanted to be on good terms with everyone at Thessalonica, and all were to be greeted.

      This greeting with a kiss seems to be a regular custom in the New Testament world.  In Romans 16:16,  we read the same expression: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 16:20: “All the brethren greet you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  Again in 2 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 Peter 5:14,  we read about greeting one another with a holy kiss.  The common custom among those people and churches involved a holy kiss.

       We touch here upon a question of “culture” versus “absolute command.”  You could certainly argue that Paul commanded these people to kiss one another with a holy kiss.  So must we greet one another with a holy kiss?  You would be doing nothing wrong to do so, provided you made it holy and the other guy knew what was coming.  But, Paul does not use any theological reasons for supporting this command to kiss the brethren, so you could also argue it was culturally appropriate back then, but in America today, it would often be culturally inappropriate.  The bottom line here is that anytime you do what the Bible commands, such as greet each other with a holy kiss, you should not face grief from anyone, provided it is a holy kiss.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

       ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we greet one another with a holy kiss.

     ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we use our greetings to let the other person know that we love them in the holiness of Jesus Christ.   

     ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we ignore believers and separate ourselves from other believers without a Scriptural reason to do so. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to greet my friends in the holiness of Jesus Christ.  I have never been comfortable giving kisses to everyone I know, but I will certainly give them some holy hugs in Christ Jesus.  I want them to know I love them in Christ.  Who will greet today in the holiness of Jesus Christ?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Read the Letter │ 1 Thessalonians 5:27 │ Christ Assembly

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Blue Beach

September 5, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Read the Letter Today

“I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:27

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

     Reading the letters in the Bible makes a huge difference in your life.  In fact, when you read the Bible, God speaks to everyone who has ears to hear.  He reveals Himself spiritually to every open heart, filled with faith, hope and love.  Peter recognized that his “beloved brother Paul, according to the grace given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures . . . .”  Peter understood that Paul wrote Scripture, of the same inspired quality as the Old Testament. 

    In Colossians 4:16, Paul wrote that the Epistle to the Colossians should also be read in the church of Laodicea.  Paul understood that he was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).  The value of the Word of God cannot be understated.  During the New Testament times, the gifts of tongues and prophecy brought the inspired Word of God to the individual churches, but God determined that some of His apostles and other writers would produce the enduring legacy of the New Testament as we know it.

     Paul knew that the spiritual principles he wrote to the Thessalonians would be an enduring benefit to all Christians.  God had revealed His message for the particular church of Thessalonica, but the words of the letter were, from the beginning, intended for a wider audience of all Christians.  The power of the Word of God put into the Epistles of the New Testament shows how God intended to circulate His word throughout the churches of that age, and even further through the centuries.  Please recall that Jesus said His word would endure and not pass away until all of it had been fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).

       Paul emphasizes two final points here.  First, he adjured (“Ἐνορκίζω“) the Thessalonians to read the epistle to everyone.  Notice that Paul used this strong word to make sure that they did as he asked.  Second, Paul also said everyone should hear it read.  For so many centuries, people did not have the access to the Bible that we have today.  We no longer have to go to a church to touch a Bible, but most of us have a Bible in our homes, and some of us have several Bibles.  Owning a Bible is nothing like reading a Bible.  The command remains the same: Paul “adjures” us to read it.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we read the Word of God, and know that God has preserved it through the centuries for our benefit.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we follow the teaching of the Word of God, and encourage our friends in Christ to read the Word of God with us, and live it together.   

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we do not read the Bible with our friends, and encourage each other from the Word of God. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to read the Bible with my friends in Christ.  I want to encourage them from the great love letters of the New Testament with God’s grace and goodness to each one of us.  I want to read from the Prophets of the Old Testament, and see God bring His plans to completion.  All the Bible, over a lifetime, will occupy my time with my friends in Christ.  What will you do with your friends today?

 

 

Friendships in Christ: Grace be with You │ 1 Thessalonians 5:28 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 1 Thessalonians,2010 Encouragement,Bible Books,Bible Studies,Daily Encouragement Archive,Friendships in Christ,September 2010,Series | Comments Disabled
Forsaken

September 6, 2010

Building Strong Friendships in Christ

Grace Be with You Today

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:28

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    Grace means that God gives me something good that I do not deserve.  Mercy means that God withholds punishment that I do deserve.  When Paul bids people grace, he uses it as both an opening greeting and also a closing blessing.  The doctrine of grace covers so many wonderful blessings from God that it floods my heart with joy to think about how good and gracious the Lord Jesus is to me every single day.

       In 1 Thessalonians 5:28, Paul ends the epistle with those famous words: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”  He calls to mind three separate points in this one verse.

      First, grace provides everything we have from God, because the only thing we truly earn as wages is death, as a result of our sin.  Salvation, and all the blessings we have from God, come through grace, because we never earned them, or deserved them.  When we keep in mind that all of our friends in Christ came through grace alone, then we value them all the more.

     Second, the grace comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Notice this title for Jesus.  Paul emphasizes here the Lordship of Christ, as the provider of all grace to us.  Jesus is the source of grace, the result of grace, the beginning of grace, the perfection of grace, and so on.  Without Jesus, we have no grace.  With Jesus, we have all grace.  But keep in mind that Paul uses the term Lord to describe Jesus.  Grace never provides a license to sin, but rather the means of obedience to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

    Third, Paul sends the grace to all of us.  So often, I enjoy knowing that in Christ Jesus, we all stand before the same Lord.  He pours His grace upon each believer, and each one of us knows the grace of God.  We live and move in His grace.  We came to know Him by grace alone.  His grace covers each one of us, and Paul closes the letter without playing favorites at Thessalonica, but using words of unity in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

           So, we learn some more about building strong friendships in Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship form when we stand together as friends in Christ in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      ●  Strong bonds of friendship grow when we live in the grace given to us, and encourage one another to live in that grace from the Lord Jesus Christ.   

      ●  We harm our bonds of friendship when we forget about grace, and do not do the things that our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to do. 

Application for Today

        Today, I want to remind my friends in Christ to live in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I want to encourage them to see His grace ever present in our lives, and to see Jesus living with us as friends in grace.  Will you be living in grace, and know it, today?

 

Preparing the Way │ Mark 1:1-3 │ Christ Assembly

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Welcome To Christ Asssembly

October 4, 2011

Preparing the Way

Mark 1:1-3

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today. Eternal Life [3]

      I really enjoy meeting new people at the beach.  Some of the people at the beach do not like to talk much, but others will sit down and talk with you about a variety of subjects.  As you talk with people, you often get a keen sense of how they are doing, by watching their expressions, their body language, and many other things that they do.  Spiritually, however, you can gauge how a person stands with Christ by listening to the things they bring forth from their heart.  Sometimes I meet someone who wants to discuss spiritual things with me immediately.  A few weeks ago I went to the park and a man came up to me to ask a question about the Bible.  As soon as I arrived, he asked me: “Are you the preacher?” I said I am just a man, and suggested we talk.  A few days later, a friend of mine was talking with a woman, and mentioned to her that she should talk with me.  She asked when I come to the park, and my friend said: “There he is now” and I walked up.    God has a wonderful way of having people meet each other every day.  In Mark 1:1-3,  we read about God beginning the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we will learn about how God brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to earth through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1

        The Beginning.  You may recall that Genesis 1:1 reads: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  God began with the creation of both heaven and earth.  Likewise, John 1:1 reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  From the Gospel of John, we learn about the Word who became flesh, and dwelt among us–Jesus Christ (John 1:14).  In the Gospel of Mark, we read about the Son of God.  We see a wonderful picture of the deity of Christ, and see His divine love and power at work among the children of Israel.

       The Gospel of Jesus Christ Also in Mark 1:1,  we read about the gospel (“εὐαγγελίου”) of Jesus Christ.  In the New Testament, we have four “Gospels” (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), and each one of them presents a different view of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Scholars noticed that Matthew, Mark, and Luke cover many of the same parts of the life of the Lord Jesus, but each writer emphasizes different aspects of the Lord Jesus and His ministry.  Scholars call Matthew, Mark and Luke the “Synoptic Gospels” because they share a similar viewpoint of Christ and memorialize many of the same events in the life of Jesus Christ on earth.  The Gospel of John starts in eternity past, and presents a very different view of the Lord Jesus.  The term “Gospel” means literally “good news” and in the New Testament the term has several different meanings.  In Mark 1:1, the term Gospel certainly means good news, but it also carries with it the idea of the good news presented in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.  For a succinct understanding the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, consider 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”  God prepares the way for the life of Jesus Christ, and outlined in the Old Testament the specific ways He would prepare the people of Israel to meet the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, “MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.”‘

Mark 1:2-3

       The Prophetic Calendar.  Recently I heard a preacher talk about the “probability” that some man could fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ.  He likened the probability to finding a single quarter in a field the size of Texas stacked chin-deep with quarters.  Actually, the preacher was completely mistaken because no one, except the Son of God, could fulfill the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ.  For example, Isaiah, the Old Testament Prophet, did not speak in terms of probability that someone would come and prepare the way for Christ.  Isaiah prophesied of certainty that Christ would come, at the appointed time and place, and that the “messenger” would prepare the way of Christ by crying out in the wilderness.  Whenever someone talks about probabilities and the Bible, they generally have no idea what they are talking about.  Consider further that only the Son of God could fulfill the prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a child, who would be known as Immanuel, God with Us.  God only came in the flesh through the person of Jesus Christ.  In Mark 1: 2-3,  we read about the prophecy of Isaiah, and the precision of the revelation from God about the messenger and his preparation for the coming Messiah of Israel, Jesus Christ from Nazareth.

        Sending the Messenger.  Notice too that God had predicted that He would send the messenger before the Christ.  This divinely sent messenger would have a specific task: prepare the way for Christ (Mark 1:2-3).  Every believer, every day, can rest assured that God has a special task for you to perform.  God does not want to waste your time, or leave you without something to do.  Could you imagine John the Baptist saying, well, I think I will ignore God’s call to prepare the way for Christ?  So often, God uses our lives to prepare the way for Christ to come to someone, and we see how God used us to prepare the way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  God loves for us to see how He works in history, and prophesies His actions centuries before, to bring the fine details to pass as part of His great plan of salvation and glory. 

       Crying in the Wilderness.  God calls men to preach in very unusual places.  In Mark 1:3,  we see that God called John the Baptist, the messenger (John 1:23), to preach in the wilderness.  Perhaps you do not like where God has sent you to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Perhaps you are just preparing the way for someone else to follow you with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I recall Paul telling the Corinthians that Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  He added that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).  God specifically sent the messenger to prepare the way of Christ by speaking in the wilderness.  The people had to leave their towns and cities and go out into the wilderness to hear the messenger.  The very setting of the place where the messenger spoke would certainly have garnered the attention of those coming to see him.

       Making Ready for the Christ.  In Mark 1:3,  we see that the messenger had a specific task assigned by God and also a specific purpose.  The messenger was to make the way of the LORD ready, and to make His paths straight.  This messenger had a great honor bestowed upon Him by God.  He was making ready the way of the Lord.  When Jesus appeared, the paths and the way spiritually had been prepared by the messenger.  You may also recall that the people held John the Baptist in high esteem (Matthew 21:23-27).  John preached a specific message of the coming kingdom, and of repentance (Mark 1:4; Acts 19:4).

        So we learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ today.

     ●  God plans the future, including the details of the message, the messenger, and his location. 

     ●  In God’s plans, nothing happens by accident or probability.

    ●  God loves for us to know all about Jesus, and how God planned for the life of Jesus Christ, even before Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem.  Of course, we know that Jesus existed as God long before His birth on earth. 

Application for Today

     As I live today, I am thrilled to think about all the planning God does for every day of my life.  He has a perfect plan for my life, and my life will fit perfectly into the master plan for everyone else seeking to do the will of God around me.  God was well-pleased to use the life of the messenger to prepare the way for Jesus in a unique way, but God still uses people to share the message of Jesus.  In a sense, God uses our lives and testimony to prepare people to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  You may be a planter, a waterer, or a harvester, but in every case, God gets all the glory.  He alone saves people from their sins.  Will you be lifting your voice today to tell people about Jesus who loves them today?

Confessing Sins │ Mark 1:4-5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

October 7, 2011

Confessing Sins

Mark 1:4-5

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

     Have you ever met people who have never apologized for anything they have ever done?  Some people go through life so consumed with themselves that they cannot imagine that they have a problem with sin, causing them to fall short of the glory of God.  The Lord Jesus taught us that everyone has sinned, and everyone falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:9-18).  What does God expect sinners to do with their sins?  What does God expect you to do with your sins?  We will study the ministry of John the Baptist today and we will learn what God expects us to do with our sins.

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Mark 1:4-5

      John the Baptist.  We have read about the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet describing the one who would come to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah of Israel.  He would prepare the way of the LORD, and cry in the wilderness.  In Mark 1:4, John the Baptist ministered to prepare the people of Israel to receive their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

      Baptism of Repentance.  In Mark 1:4,  we see the work of John the Baptist described in more detail: he was preaching.  Out in the wilderness, a prophet appears with a specific message that captivated crowds of people to venture into the wilderness for baptism.  We should always keep in mind that no form of baptism ever saved anyone.  Water touching your skin will not change the spiritual person within you.  Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ will anyone be saved.  Some denominations, like the Church of Christ in the United States, teach that baptism saves you, and even quote verses from Acts.  As in this passage, when you look more closely at the preaching and the context of the verses, you will see that the baptism was only an outward sign of repentance in the heart.  If John the Baptist brought salvation, then Jesus did not have to come and die for our sins.  But, as we have seen, John the Baptist only prepared the way for Jesus to come as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  John the Baptist focused upon preparing the hearts of the people of Israel to receive their Messiah by showing them how sinful they were, how much the needed a Savior, and that Jesus Christ was coming to save them from their sins.  Repentance for sin was closely linked to being prepared for the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, to come after John the Baptist.  Repentance has nothing to do with water, but everything to do with your heart. 

       The Meaning of Repentance.  In Mark 1:4,  we see that “repentance” (“μετανοίας“) related to the forgiveness of sins.  Literally, the word “repentance” means a changing of your mind, related to a new decision or purpose.  In this case, the preaching of John the Baptist urged them to confront their sin, change their mind regarding their sins, and seek God’s forgiveness for sins.  As an outward statement of their inward repentance, John the Baptist baptized them in the Jordan River.  God prepares hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ by first convincing you of your own sinfulness and need to seek the forgiveness of God.  Unless you know you are sinner, you will never seek God’s forgiveness.

      The People Came to John the Baptist.  In contrast to so much modern preaching, true prosperity in the preaching of Jesus Christ always focused upon spiritual salvation from the penalty of sin, and a life of walking with Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The inner person, and not material possessions, dominated the message of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist did not invite people to see him in the wilderness to gain material prosperity, but to repent and confess their sins.  Those people came in droves from the region of Judea and the city of Jerusalem.  John the Baptist baptized them in the Jordan River.

       Confessing Their Sins.  In Mark 1:5, the last words of the verse tell about the people confessing their sins.  While repentance means to change your mind, confessing (“ἐξομολογούμενοι“) means here to speak out the same words.  John the Baptist preached a message about repentance and confession.  Repentance means you change your mind, and confession means that you speak and believe in your heart the same words God would use to describe you and your actions.  When God works through the preaching of His servants, God’s word penetrates our inner person, so that, when mixed with faith, it changes our perspective on who we are and what we have done–with our mind, we realize that we are sinners and we sin.  After we come to that new awareness, we realize spiritually that we need to confess and speak out our sins to the God who already knows every sin in our lives–past, present and future.  John the Baptist made straight the paths of the Lord Jesus Christ by bringing the people to repentance for sin (changing their minds) and then confessing their sins (saying the same words as God about themselves and their actions) resulting in a frank recognition of sin, creating a longing for the forgiveness of God.  God invites you today to repent, confess your sins, and turn to Jesus Christ for new life.  Jesus Himself bore our sins on the cross, so that we would die to sin, and live to righteousness.  He offers you a gift today.  Will you accept by faith His gift of salvation?  Ask Jesus to forgive you because He died on the cross for you, and rose from the dead to be your Lord and Master forever.  If you ask and believe, you will be forgiven today.

        So we learn more about repentance and confession today.

    ●  Repentance means that you change your mind about your behavior, and purpose in your heart to leave your sin behind. 

    ●  Confession means that you agree with God about your sin, and tell God that you accept His verdict: you are guilty of sinning before God.

    ●  Forgiveness for sins comes only through Jesus Christ as a free gift from God.  God loves you, and Jesus came to forgive sinners by dying on the cross for all sins.  He offers you the gift of salvation today. 

Application for Today

        As I live today, I will be thinking about repentance, confession, and forgiveness of sins.  Am I still hiding my sins, and walking in darkness?  The only cure for sin requires confession and accepting forgiveness from Christ.  Will you walk in that forgiveness today?

 

Baptism and the Holy Spirit │ Mark 1:6-8 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Baptism,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Holy Spirit,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
gold sunrise

October 8, 2011

Baptism and the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:6-8

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

     If you saw John the Baptist in the wilderness, you likely would have noticed his clothing right away.  From the world’s point of view, he was not dressed to look just like everyone else.  In fact, I imagine many people would have found his appearance startling.  God intended that John the Baptist have a special appearance, and draw special attention to his message from God.  Today, we will look more closely at the message of John the Baptist, but first we shall see his clothing and understand his diet.

John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:6

        Camel’s Hair and a Leather Belt.  In Mark 1:6,  we see that John the Baptist clothed himself with items from the wilderness.  We see no indication that John the Baptist wore a tunic and other garments that Jesus wore, but rather John the Baptist wore very simple clothing–just camel’s hair and a leather belt.  These clothes resembled the trademark clothing of Elijah the prophet: “‘What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?'”  They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” And he said, ‘It is Elijah the Tishbite'” (2 Kings 1:7-8).  Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14), who fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi concerning Elijah’s return: “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:10). 

        Locusts and Wild Honey.  We also learn about the diet of John the Baptist.  Notice that we already know he lived a fairly isolated existence in the wilderness, without much human contact before his baptismal ministry began.  We also know that his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.  How would you like a diet of locusts and wild honey?  John lived from the items he found in the wilderness.  Jesus specifically focused upon the social aspects of John the Baptist’s life, along with his unusual diet, when Jesus confronted His generation.  Jesus compared the life of John the Baptist with Himself.  His generation charged John the Baptist with having a demon, and John the Baptist did not come eating and drinking.  In contrast, the same generation observed Jesus eating and drinking, and charged Jesus with being a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19).  By using this contrast, Jesus pointed out to His generation how they had failed to respond to the good news of salvation from God Himself and rejected the messengers from God for obviously untrue reasons.  Always keep in mind that Jesus was God in the flesh, and when that generation rejected Jesus, they were rejecting God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

And he was preaching, and saying, ‘After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.’

Mark 1:7

       Mightier than I.  Jesus declared of John the Baptist that no one greater has been born among women (Luke 7:28).  In Mark 1:7,  we learn that John the Baptist had a very clear understanding of his position relative to Christ who would come.  Christ was mightier (“ἰσχυρότερός“) than John the Baptist.  This root word meaning strength and power also describes the strong force of mighty peals of thunder (Revelation 19:6).  Jesus possessed total spiritual power, far greater than any mere human.  Jesus was both fully man and fully God in the flesh.  People following him reported that: “the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5).  We also know that Jesus calmed the storm on the sea (Mark 4:35-41) and fed thousands from a few loaves and fish (Mark 8:1-21).  John told us that all the wonderful things Jesus did were never recorded (John 21:25).  Jesus said that “for all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John” (Matthew 11:13).  Jesus now proclaims that Jesus Himself would perform great miracles, but the people would not repent.  Jesus signaled that He was indeed stronger and greater than John the Baptist, and all the Law and prophets.  He alone invited men to come to Him, because He would give them rest for their weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30).  The Mightiest Man invites you today to learn from Him, and take His yoke upon you, for He is gentle and His yoke is easy and His burden light.

I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:8

 

       Baptism with Water.  As we have already seen, John the Baptist baptized people with water because they were confessing their sins.  The water itself never cleansed anyone from sin, because salvation only comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ dying for you on the cross, and being resurrected to live as Lord in your life (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9).  John would later baptize Jesus with water, not as an act of repentance by Jesus (for Jesus was sinless), but to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).  You may want to review the First Step concerning 

       Baptism with the Holy Spirit.  In Mark 1:8,  we see that Jesus will baptize believers with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus alone baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-33), and if a person does not have the Holy Spirit, that person has not received Jesus Christ as Savior (Romans 8:9).  John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb, and he was great in the sight of the Lord.  He would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God (Luke 1:15-16).  The Holy Spirit was with the believers in the New Testament before Pentecost, but the Holy Spirit was not permanently indwelling them (John 14:17; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-13).  This new indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit transforms the lives of the disciples in the New Testament, and only Jesus would baptize believers with the Holy Spirit.  One powerful evidence of the baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit is the power and boldness to proclaim the Word of God (Act 4:31).  The very men who had deserted Jesus at His arrest days earlier, now acted with boldness in proclaiming salvation in Jesus Christ alone to the very people who had put Jesus Christ, their Master, to death.  We see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives to transform them from runners and hiders to powerful proclaimers.  Today, will you proclaim the power of Jesus Christ with boldness and the power of the Holy Spirit?

        So we learn more about the ministry of John the Baptist.

   ●  The clothes definitely do not make the man.  John the Baptist dressed simply, but preached mightily about repentance. 

    ●  The diet does not make the man either.  As Jesus pointed out, John’s diet did not stop His generation from calling John the Baptist demon possessed, and then turning around and rejecting Jesus because Jesus was a friend of sinners, who was a drunkard and glutton according to them.

    ●  Jesus baptizes every believer in the Holy Spirit.  John said: He will baptize you.  That statement constituted one of the most powerful promises ever given to each believer in Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit brings the full power of God into our lives, by His presence, the moment we believe in Christ.

Application for Today

        As I live today, I will be thinking about Jesus being mightier that I will ever be.  Jesus must increase, and I must decrease.  He has baptized me with the Holy Spirit, and today I want to proclaim the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  Will you be walking in the power of the Holy Spirit today?

The Baptism of Jesus │ Mark 1:9-11 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Baptism,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
RIVER.CUMULUS

October 14, 2011

The Baptism of Jesus

Mark 1:9-11

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      Why should you be baptized?  The simple answer is that the Lord Jesus Christ commanded believers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19).  I meet many people who claim to be Christians, but have never been baptized.  Quakers and some in the Salvation Army reject baptism for believers.  Other people say they have never gotten around to being baptized.  Baptism in the New Testament means that you are immersed in water, so that the water covers you and then you arise from the water (compare the analogy of baptism in Romans 6:1-7; see also Colossians 2:12).  The New Testament contains words for sprinkled (“ῥεραντισμένοι”) (Hebrews 10:22), washing (“λελουσμένοι”) (Hebrews 10:22), and pour (“ὑπερεκχυννόμενον”) (Luke 6:38).  God could have used those words to describe baptism, but instead Mark used the word “baptized” (“ἐβαπτίσθη”) (Mark 1:9).  Several passages indicate that baptism means immersion.  First, John the Baptist baptized near Salim, because much water was there (John 3:23).  Apparently John needed enough water to immerse people, not just pour water upon them. Second, Philip went down into the water with the Ethiopian Eunuch to baptize him (Acts 8:38).  If pouring water on the head of the eunuch would have been enough, then surely the eunuch would have had water in a pouch nearby, even as he travelled on a desert road.  Third, coming up out of the water indicates the baptism occurred in the water (Acts 8:39; Matthew 3:16).  People got into the water to be baptized.  Traditions from the early centuries of the church picture other means of baptism.  We should always be careful to follow the Bible, and do what Jesus commanded in the Bible (Matthew 28:19), and not rely upon traditions outside the Bible.  Remember, as always, baptism is not required for salvation and it does not confer any special grace or blessing upon you.  The New Testament never speaks about sacraments that confer some grace upon you, but rather it indicates we observe “commands” of God.  Baptism is a public and visible declaration of your faith and an identification with Christ.  Salvation only comes by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Today, we shall look at the baptism of Jesus Christ.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:9

        Jesus Came for Baptism.  In the life of Jesus Christ in the flesh, nothing happened by accident.  We see that same pattern of deliberate activity here at the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9).  Jesus had a purpose in being baptized.  While everyone else came to John the Baptist confessing their sins, Jesus had never sinned and had nothing to confess (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  John the Baptist did not immediately recognize Jesus (John 1:29-34).  Jesus received baptism to set an example for all of His followers.  In Matthew 3:15,  we read that Jesus told John the Baptist that “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  I notice that Jesus used the word “us,” referring to John the Baptist and Jesus Himself.  Obviously, the baptism by John the Baptist would link the two forever and validate and confirm the ministry of John the Baptist.  It would also show that righteousness, now in the person of Jesus Christ, had arrived and the time of righteousness would be fulfilled in Christ, who would proclaim the gift of righteousness by faith alone to all who received Christ as Savior.  Now, Jesus has arrived and He Himself will finally and fully satisfy everyone who hungers for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).  In Christ, people will no longer and mistakenly look to Law for righteousness (Romans 10:4; Philippians 3:9), because true righteousness only comes by faith in the heart of the person who believes that Jesus Christ died for his or her sins and was raised from the dead for our salvation (Romans 10:9-10).  Jesus deliberately came to John the Baptist for baptism, and each believer should be baptized by immersion in water.  Infants do not have faith in Christ, so infant baptism achieves nothing for the small child who has no faith and no conception of the significance of baptism.  Baptism remains forever only for believers who have saving faith in Christ.

Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;

Mark 1:10

       The Spirit Like a Dove.  In Mark 1:10,  we read about the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and coming upon Jesus as He came out of the waters of baptism.  I often use this story to illustrate the Trinity of God.  Jesus, God the Son, was coming out of the Jordan River.  God the Holy Spirit was descending from heaven to Jesus, and God the Father spoke about God the Son.  We see three divine Persons, acting in perfect harmony as one God.  In this case, the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father always existed together as one being and one God from eternity past.  When Jesus came up from the water of baptism, the Holy Spirit descended as a testimony to everyone of His presence in the life of Jesus, and also signaled that Jesus was about to begin His ministry of power, proclamation, and blessing for all men.  When the Holy Spirit descended and remained upon Jesus, John the Baptist knew for sure that Jesus was the Christ (John 1:29-34).

and a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.

Mark 1:11

       My Beloved Son.  Some human sons have gone their entire lives without hearing positive words like these from their human fathers.  Perhaps your father never spoke about you as “beloved” or said he was “well-pleased” with you.  Perhaps you have never told your children those same words.  God the Father told the entire world, for all generations, that He was “well-pleased” with His beloved son, Jesus Christ.  The Father makes three clear declarations here.  First, by describing Jesus as His son, He proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God.  As a separate and independent witness, the Father now offers His testimony that His only Son, Jesus Christ, was now present and living among men.  Second, by call Jesus “beloved,” we gain insight into the wonderful and close relationship the Son of God enjoyed with God the Father.  Love characterizes their relationship.  When we stand by faith in Jesus Christ, the Father loves us just like the Father loves Jesus (John 14:20-23).  Third, the Father declared He was “well-pleased” with Jesus.  This term “well-pleased” (“εὐδόκησα”) means to take pleasure, to delight in, to approve.  Everything Jesus ever did pleased His Father in heaven.  In fact, Isaiah the prophet had proclaimed that Jesus would fulfill the role of the beloved Servant of Yahweh, in whom God would be well pleased (Matthew 12:17-21; Isaiah 42:1-3).  As we live in Jesus today, by faith in Him, our heavenly Father proclaims His love for us, and looks with joy upon us just like He looks at Jesus.  What blessings we have in Christ every day of our lives.

        So we learn more about the baptism of Jesus.

     ●  Jesus came for baptism so that John the Baptist and Jesus could fulfill all righteousness.  Jesus never sinned, so He had no sins to confess.  He received baptism in water to fulfill the will of God. 

     ●  At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and remained upon Him. 

   ●  At the baptism of Jesus, God the Father declared Jesus to be His beloved Son (the Son of God title formally declared to everyone) and also declared He was “well-pleased” with Jesus.

Application for Today

        As I live today, I want to remember the great blessing Jesus has bestowed upon me.  I live by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Father calls me His beloved.  If I meet people who call themselves believers, but have never been baptized after they have received Christ as Savior, then I will encourage them to read the Scriptures concerning their need for baptism.  I will also proclaim with my life the great Savior and His love not only for me, but for everyone.  The Father sent His Son to die for everyone, because He loves everyone.  Will you share the love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit today?

 

The Temptation of Jesus │ Mark 1:12-13 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
STORM.WAVES

October 15, 2011

The Temptation of Jesus

Mark 1:12-13

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      Have you ever given much thought to temptation, or do you try to ignore it?  When we face temptation, which comes to us every day, we should be very careful to have our defenses up and our armor on.  Only through the power of Jesus Christ can we withstand temptation.  Never think for a moment that God tempts you to do evil because God cannot be tempted by evil and God tempts no one with evil (James 1:13).  You may then say, “If God cannot be tempted by evil, then how was it possible for the Lord Jesus to be tempted, since He was God in the flesh?”  When you face questions like this one, keep two important points in mind: (1) Jesus was fully God and fully man; and (2) the Bible will always provide the best answers to our questions.  Now, when we read about the brief mention of the temptation below, Jesus the man suffered temptation.  While the divine nature in Jesus could not be tempted to sin, the human nature in Jesus was just like ours, without sin.  Therefore, Jesus as man was tempted to sin, just like we are tempted to sin.  Second, we know that Jesus never sinned, although He was tempted to sin just like we are (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15).  So, let us begin our study today of the temptation of Jesus as recorded in Mark.

Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.

Mark 1:12

       The Spirit Impelled Jesus.  We see the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus Christ.  Here, the Holy Spirit impels (“ἐκβάλλει“) JesusThis same root word described the action of the Father sending out workers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38).  Jesus also used this root word to describe the shepherd’s work of leading the sheep (John 10:4).  The point here is that the Holy Spirit actively moved Jesus to go into the wilderness.  He provided direct leading in the life of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit works in the same way in our lives.

      The Wilderness.  We have already seen that the wilderness played an important role in the life of John the Baptist.  He lived and ministered in the wilderness.  You may also recall that Moses saw the burning bush in the wilderness at Horeb, the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1-9).  Jesus also went into the wilderness later in life to pray by Himself (Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:13).  He also took His disciples to a wilderness for rest (Mark 6:31-32).  Although Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, it was a place God used in His life for rest, prayer, and seclusion from the crowds pressing upon Himself and His disciples.  At times, we all may need a little wilderness, to grow closer to God.  In a greater sense, we may compare the people of Israel travelling through the wilderness for forty years both as punishment for their unbelief, and also as a period of testing before they entered the promised land and began the conquest under God’s leading and power (Deuteronomy 8:1-20, and particularly verses 2-3). 

And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Mark 1:13 

        Forty Days of Temptation by Satan.  Satan tempted Jesus in a place of isolation from the rest of the world, but notice that Jesus was in the animal world.  They posed no actual threat to Him (remember Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:22; compare Psalm 91:11-13)).  Furthermore, the text here gives fairly little attention to the types of temptations Jesus experienced.  The Gospel of Matthew gives us much more detail of the various temptations (Matthew 4:1-11).  Mark simply wants to show that Jesus experienced temptation for 40 days.  Mark also wants us to understand that wild beasts were present and finally that the angels ministered to Jesus.

       The Angels Ministered to Jesus.  I meet people who seem totally wrapped up in angels.  Why not be wrapped up with Jesus?  We see here that the angels were ministering spirits to Jesus (compare Hebrews 1:14).  Instead of focusing great attention upon the angels, Mark focuses the primary attention upon the Lord Jesus.  He suffered temptation, in a wilderness, for forty days, with wild beasts around Him.  During the millennial reign of Christ, Jesus will tame the wild beasts, but that time has not yet arrived (Isaiah 11:6-9).  For now, the image suggests that angels ministered their protection to Jesus, even from the wild beasts by the power of God.  We see here a great picture of how God provided for Jesus, even during times of temptation.  Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, so that Satan could tempt Jesus there.  Remember, God tempts no one ever.  We should also remember that God controls every temptation, and provides a way of escape from the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).  As we resist Satan, he will flee from us (James 4:7).

        So we learn more about the Temptation of Jesus.

     ●  The Holy Spirit impelled Jesus into the wilderness, a place of wild beasts. 

     ●  Satan, not God, tempted Jesus in the wilderness, and Jesus never sinned. 

    ●  Angels ministered to Jesus during that time, and Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted in all ways, just like we are.  Jesus rescues us from temptation, and knows firsthand what it is like to be tempted by Satan.

Application for Today

        As I live today, I want to resist Satan and his temptations.  I will have faith in God that He will never overwhelm me with temptation, and will always provide a means of escape.  I will recall Jesus being tempted by Satan, and rely totally upon Jesus to rescue me from all temptations.  As I draw near to Jesus today, He will draw near to me.  Do you plan on facing temptation alone or will you remember Jesus today and draw near to Him as Satan tempts you today?

 

The Kingdom of God │ Mark 1:14-15 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

 

October 18, 2011

The Kingdom of God

Mark 1:14-15

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      The Kingdom of God dominates the Bible.  Some people say that it is one of the central themes of the entire Bible.  We hear about the Kingdom of God in the preaching of Jesus Christ.  As we study the Bible today, we see that Jesus was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and linked it to the Kingdom of God.

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,

Mark 1:14

        John the Baptist Taken into Custody.  We have read already about the wonderful ministry of John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus.  Now we read in very short terms that John the Baptist has been imprisoned.  Mark does not focus upon the details of the imprisonment, but uses that event as a time marker in the life of Jesus (see the fuller details at Matthew 14:1-12).  Jesus moved out of Judea and Jerusalem to Galilee in the north. 

       Preaching the Gospel of God.  Preaching (“κηρύσσων”) formed an essential part of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth (Luke 4:43).  After leaving Judea, Jesus came preaching into Galilee.  When we read about all the fantastic miracles that Jesus performed, we should never lose sight of the central point that Jesus came to save sinners, by giving His life a ransom for many sinners, and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus preached all the time, going place to place.  He commissioned His disciples to go an preach: “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand'” (Matthew 10:7; Mark 3:14).  I have a concern today that people have far more interest in seeing miracles happen on a stage, than hearing the word of God preached from the Scriptures.  Jesus came preaching the Gospel of God that saves men and women, boys and girls, old and young, from their sins by faith in Him alone.  Jesus identified the substance of His message as the Gospel of God.  As we have seen, Jesus particularly identified the poor as people who have the Gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:5).  We see the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ includes His death, burial and resurrection, notice that Jesus was preaching here the Gospel of God.  This Gospel of God, offered to the people of Israel during the preaching ministry of Jesus on earth, has significant blessings for the people of Israel, who did not receive Messiah, but ultimately crucified Him.

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Mark 1:15

        The Time Is Fulfilled.  Throughout the Bible, God teaches us that He alone controls history on earth.  He created the earth and everything living in connection with it (John 1:2-3).  In Mark 1:15,  we see that God followed s specific timetable for the appearing of Jesus Christ.  Jesus knew Himself to be the Messiah, and knew His time for preaching and offering the kingdom had arrived.  He proclaimed the time had come for repentance and belief.

       The Kingdom Is at Hand.  Early in the preaching of Jesus, He proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  What did Jesus mean?  Several texts point to the fact that the Kingdom of God was still future: (1) Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:10); (2) the kingdom will be entered on the judgment day (Matthew 7:21-22), when the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43).  Only born-again believers may see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) and only born-again believers may enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).  We see other passages that indicate the people hearing Jesus conceived of the kingdom of God as still future, even at the time of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mark 11:10).  The parable of the nobleman illustrates how the nobleman went away, received the kingdom, and then returned to rule at a later date (Luke 19:11-27).  Notice in Luke 19:11, the crowds were expecting the kingdom of God to appear immediately, and so Jesus told the parable of the nobleman to correct their expectations.  Jesus also describes the coming of the kingdom of God as yet future in Matthew 24:33.  Jesus makes the point that He is the King of Israel, and because the King is present, the kingdom of God is very near.  Jesus offers Himself as King of Israel to His people, but His own did not receive Him and rejected His offer of the Kingdom (John 1:11).  Jesus also taught that, in some sense, the kingdom of God has come upon the people in His audience, who witnessed His miracles of casting out demons (Matthew 12:28).  After the people of Israel rejected the message and ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, then Jesus began preaching about the future kingdom  (Matthew 12:22-50).  After the people rejected His offer of the Kingdom of God, Jesus then began to emphasize the future kingdom (Matthew 13:10-58).  As Jesus stood before Pilate, Jesus declared that His kingdom was not of this world, but He also emphasized that He Himself was surely a King (John 18:36).  We should keep in mind that while Jesus was speaking of His spiritual kingdom to Pilate, the physical kingdom of God would come to earth in the future, at the same time that the nobleman returned to rule over his kingdom which he received while on a distant journey.  All the promises of Jesus returning to earth, fulfilling the Old and New Testament prophecies about Jesus ruling on earth, will yet be fulfilled in the future.  As believers, we long for the return of Christ to inaugurate His rule upon earth.

       Repent and Believe in the Gospel.  In Mark 1:15, Jesus described His invitation as “repent and believe.”  Just as John the Baptist came before Jesus preaching the need for repentance, so also Jesus preached repentance and belief.  Notice that Jesus used two commands here: (1) repent and (2) believe.  Jesus commanded people in His preaching to make decisions and act upon His words.  Today, as we share the Gospel, people must obey Jesus.  They too must repent and believe.  Jesus delivered to us this Gospel of Jesus Christ, to turn away from sin and turn to Him by faith through grace.

        So we learn more about the preaching of Jesus.

   ●  Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of God. 

    ●  Jesus preached that the time had been fulfilled.

    ●  Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand, and the time had come to repent and believe.

Application for Today

       As I live today, I intend to listen to Jesus preaching to me and everyone else about the Kingdom of God.  I have been born again, and by faith alone, I see the kingdom of God and have entered into the spiritual kingdom of God.  Yet, I look forward to Jesus returning to earth, standing on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, and beginning His physical reign upon the earth.  Unit that day, we will all be sharing the message of Jesus Christ, that the time has come to repent and believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.  Will you be spiritually walking in the Kingdom of God?  Are you waiting for the King to return, and living today in the joyful expectation?

 

Fishers of Men │ Mark 1:16-18 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Evangelism,Mark,October 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Blue Beach

October 28, 2011

Fishers of Men

Mark 1:16-17

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      Jesus profoundly changed people around Him.  He would like to change your life too, starting today.  As I talk with people at the beach, I often see that they do not have much interest in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In fact, most of the people I see at the beach never mention the name of the Jesus Christ in my presence.  They can be very friendly people, but they do not know Jesus Christ.  Jesus changed His disciples so that they would spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world with their words and their love.  Jesus called this process becoming fishers of men.  Jesus transformed men who threw their nets into the sea trying to catch fish into disciples who fished constantly for men.  What does it mean to become fishers of men?  We will study this passage and gain some insight today.

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Mark 1:16

        Going by the Sea of Galilee.   Do you think that Jesus has stopped walking by the sea today?  Of course, we do not see Jesus walking in the flesh by the sea, but He remains present spiritually.  I can often see Him in my mind, walking, talking, and helping people.  In Mark 1:16, I have this picture of Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee.  I also see His love poured upon all kinds of people.  Jesus walked where He would be meeting people.  In contrast to the ministry of John the Baptist who ministered in the wilderness, Jesus walked among crowds and drew multitudes.  Jesus never walked aimlessly, but always with purpose to do the Father’s will (Mark 1:38).  As you walk along today, remember to look for Jesus walking among the people all around you, even if they do not recognize Him or speak about Him.

       Jesus Saw Simon and Andrew.  Jesus always notices people, and knows the name of everyone.  At the beach recently, a fellow walked up to a few of us sitting at the table, and brought his dog.  I have never seen this man without that dog.  I can hardly ever remember the name of the man or the dog, but yesterday I did, by the grace of God.  This guy, like so many others, seems interested in people who will spend time talking with him.  Some people just like to talk and have someone take an interest in them.  Jesus always takes an interest in you, and He knows your name.  When Jesus calls you to follow Him, He does so on a first name basis (Mark 1:16).

       Fishermen Casting Nets.  Jesus called ordinary people to be His disciples.  He found these men fishing, hard at work casting a net (Mark 1:16).  Jesus still calls people to follow Him.  In fact, have you ever considered how Jesus brought the good news of salvation to you?  Where were you at the time?  What were you doing?  Jesus goes looking for disciples every day and finds them fishing, walking, working–well, you get the idea.  I remember well the day that Jesus called me, impressed upon me that I was a sinner, and even so, He loved me and gave His life to pay for all my sins.  He promised to forgive me, if I would only ask in faith, believing He died for me and rose again from the dead.  I recall how wonderful I felt for months afterward that all my sins were gone forever.  Jesus calls people to walk with Him everyday, and He uses people just like you to spread His love and speak for Him.

And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.

Mark 1:17

       Jesus Said to Them.  Do you still expect Jesus to speak to you?  Do you think He still talks with people today?  I can tell you that I hear Jesus right now speaking to me through this passage, even as I study this passage with you.  I hear His voice, feel His kindness and love, and watch Him work right in Mark 1:17.  Jesus speaks to me through His active and living word.   We must keep our ears and hearts open to listen to Jesus every day, and read His word to love Him more.  Not only does Jesus walk among us every day, but He also speaks to us every day.

       Follow Me.  Jesus issued lots of commands, and expected us to follow them.  In this case, Jesus commanded Simon and Andrew to follow Him.  Just drop the net, leave your job, and start walking with Him (Mark 1:17).  If you intend to find real joy and purpose for living, then start following Jesus.  For some of you, that means start following Jesus again.  For others, it means you will hear His voice calling you today for the first time.  For others, it means that you will continue to follow Him, just like you have been doing.  But all of us need to listen to the voice of Jesus every day.  All of us need to follow Him–all day, every day.  By following Him, we walk in His love and blessings.

       I Will Make.  Have you ever seen people who try to recreate themselves?  They hope to become something new?  Jesus has a plan for Simon and Andrew, Bert and Beverly, you, and every disciple.  You will no longer be making yourself, but Jesus will now be making you.  Jesus used a word “I will make” (“ποιήσω“) which means here that He would be making them into something new (Mark 1:17).  They would no longer be in charge of making themselves, but their Creator God has now come to make their lives new.  He would do it directly, and He would do it Himself.  As the disciples follow Jesus, Jesus Himself would be making them into something new.  Do you feel the power of Jesus Christ at work in your life?  Do you realize today that Jesus will be making something new of your life, by His power, with His love, and according to His purpose?  Jesus has that kind of personal and powerful interest in you today. 

       Become Fishers of Men.  Jesus also described the goal of His call to Simon and Andrew: they were to become fishers of men.  This term for “become” (“γενέσθαι“) tells us that Jesus does not create random lives, but lives of plan and purpose–His plans and His purpose (Mark 1:17).  Jesus calls all of us to become fishers of men.  We “become” fishers of men and Jesus Himself transforms us.  This process of transformation takes a lifetime, although we become a fisher of men immediately.  In my life, I become an attorney on the day I affirmed I would abide by rules of the Florida Bar.  Yet, over my lifetime, I have become an attorney in the sense that I learn more, grow and develop, and move forward in my practice.  In the same way, Jesus makes us to become fishers of men, and the first thing we learn is to follow Him like Elisha followed Elijah the prophet (1 Kings 19:19-21).  Simon would say later that only Jesus had the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Mark 1:18

       Leaving Your Net.  Jesus called Simon and Andrew to leave their entire family business and follow Him (Mark 1:18).  You may recall that Simon and Andrew partnered with James and John in a fishing business (Luke 5:7-11).  They even had boats and hired servants.  Zebedee, the father of James and John, apparently continued the fishing business, even after these four disciples left (Matthew 4:22; John 21:1-11).  In our lives, Jesus expects full-time following.  For some disciples, they leave their family business.  Others leave their government jobs, like tax collecting (Mark 2:14-17).  In all cases, Jesus said we must be totally committed to following Him, and leave everything behind.  I remember the Psalm: “and besides you, I desire nothing on earth” (Psalm 73:25).  Jesus does not call everyone to leave their job, but He does call all of us to follow Him. 

       Follow Him.  Today you will make the same choice Simon and Andrew made by the Sea of Galilee millennia ago.  Will you listen to Jesus and follow Him today?  Notice the word follow.  Jesus did not call us to lead Him.  He commanded us to follow Him.  You will enjoy today far more if you see your life not as blazing new trails for Christianity, but simply following Jesus were He leads you.  Your life becomes all about following, and not leading God.  We leave our business, our plans, our hopes and dreams behind–all in favor of following Jesus as our sole purpose in life.  As we follow Him, He alone makes us to become fishers of men.  He transforms us and profoundly changes our entire lives to be like Him.

  So we learn more about fishers of men today.

    ●  Jesus calls people by their names and deals with each of us personally. 

    ●  Jesus calls us to follow Him today and He will make us fishers of men.

    ●  Jesus loves you and commands you to become a fisher of men today.

Application for Today

        As I live today, I intend to follow Jesus.  I want to hear His voice, delight in His love, and open myself to His power to make me a fisher of men today.  He will make me into this new person with this mission.  I love to fish every day.  He prepares me and sends me, all as I follow Him.  Will you be and become a fisher of men today?

Following Jesus Today │ Mark 1:19-20 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

 

November 8, 2011

Following Jesus Today

Mark 1:19-20

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      Jesus has called Simon and Andrew to be His disciples, and He promised to make them fishers of men.  Now, Jesus walks a little further, and calls James the son of Zebedee and John his brother.  Today we will look more closely at the call of these two disciples and try to understand what Jesus wants from our lives.

Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.

Mark 1:19

        Going on a Little Farther.  Jesus did not stop with calling just Simon and Andrew to be disciples.  Jesus knew He would call other disciples to follow Him.  He later reminded His disciples that they did not choose Him, but He chose them (John 15:16).  Jesus picks the disciples He desires, and He wants everyone on earth to follow Him.  He does not desire that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).  But the choice remains for each one of us: will you follow Jesus today?  Personally, I am thrilled that Jesus went farther, found two more disciples, and called them by name (Mark 1:19).  As we saw in our last study, Jesus always knows your name, and calls you to follow Him.  Maybe you have been wandering lately.  Perhaps you have realized you need to walk more closely with Jesus.  As we read through these simple verses, consider what James and John left behind to follow Jesus.

       Jesus Saw James and John.  In Mark 1:19,  we see the mission of Jesus Christ unfolding before our eyes.  We might think it was a small thing to walk by the seashore, watching people mend their nets, or cast them into the sea.  Actually, Jesus was shaping the course of human history to fulfill the plan of God for the salvation of the world.  We see people mending nets, Jesus sees disciples to be called to serve God all of their lives.  I long to see the world around me like Jesus saw it.  I pray that God would let me share His vision of the people around me.  Jesus loved James and John, and had great plans for their lives.  Those plans included serious pain and suffering (Mark 10:35-40), but also times of great glory and service to God (Mark 9:2-13).  When we see the world as Jesus saw it, we see the love of God manifested among men, and God calling men to glorify Him all of their lives, and then be received into glory (Psalm 73:24).

       Mending the Nets.  Jesus called men hard at work (Mark 1:19).  Jesus did not call the indolent, the lazy, and the useless.  James and John were busy, working with their hands, mending nets they used for making a living.  I have repaired castnets, sewing them together so that I can catch more fish.  In fact, I have several nets.  One net had so many repairs to it that I knew it was good for throwing around rocks or other obstructions, which rip the net when I retrieved it.  Fish know about rocks too, and often hide from predators around the rocks.  Mending my net was just a part of having a castnet.  Consider James and John on a different level for a moment.  Apparently, James and John were fishermen with Simon and Andrew, and partners in the fishing business (Luke 5:7-10).  They were mending their nets, getting ready to fish some more.  Jesus had different plans, and He called them from the daily routine of fishing and getting ready to fish.  You may be reading this passage today, even while you are at work.  Jesus calls us to work for Him.  Not everyone quits their regular job to follow Jesus, but everyone finds a new Master and Boss when they follow Him.  Work will never be the same when we work for Jesus every day.  Do not think that you have to go to some isolated place to become holy or devoted to Jesus.  Jesus calls people at work to follow Him.  Perhaps you are mending nets right now–listen for the voice of Jesus calling you to follow Him with all your heart, mind, and spirit.

Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Mark 1:20

       Immediately He Called Them.  In the Gospel of Mark, we read repeatedly about fast-paced action.  “Immediately” Jesus called the disciples (Mark 1:20).  Mark emphasizes that Jesus acted quickly and with purpose.  In this case, Jesus called (“ἐκάλεσεν“) James and John.  Perhaps you have experienced the call of God in your life.  You have heard Jesus telling you to go and do something, following Him as you go.  Jesus still calls people every day to follow Him, in just the same way He made disciples of James and John.  Jesus first calls you to salvation by faith alone, and then He continues His call upon your life to follow Him all of your days.  

     They Left Zebedee.  James and John did not consult Zebedee their father, because it did not matter what he would say.  They were leaving to follow Jesus (Mark 1:20).  In His later ministry, Jesus explained that everyone who left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms for His sake or the gospel’s sake would receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, and in the age to come, eternal life (Mark 10:28-31).  When James and John left Zebedee, they began to follow Jesus without reserve.  They committed themselves entirely to the purpose of following Jesus all day, every day.  We need that same obedient listening and following attitude in our lives today.  Our lives will prosper as we follow Jesus and leave behind everything and everyone.  Notice that Jesus did not teach His men to disregard people, but Jesus changed the focus of His disciples to following Him, and learning how to love people with the love of Jesus Christ.

       They Left the Boat and Hired Hands.  Jesus called James and John to leave the family business, right in the middle of work (Mark 1:20).  As far as we know from the text, they did not explain anything to Zebedee, or the hired hands.  They left right away.  Notice that they left a fishing business that employed hired servants.  Jesus calls men and women to leave the family business, and at times takes several people at once.  Notice that Simon, Andrew, James and John all the left the business right away.  Can you imagine your business losing four critical employees at the same time?  Jesus called these men and they left to follow Him.

       They Left To Follow Jesus.  In Mark 1:20, the text emphasizes that James and John left with Jesus.  Symbolically, they completely and totally left their father and the business behind, recognizing the higher call of Jesus Christ upon their lives.  The term “went away” (“ἀπῆλθον“) describes the fact and totality of their decision to leave.  They departed, but they did not leave alone.  They did not abandon the family business, but left with a purpose and a calling–to follow Jesus.

        So we learn more about following Jesus today.

    ●  Jesus calls people hard at work to follow Him. 

    ●  Following Jesus means you leave your job, your family, and everything else behind and place Jesus first in your life.

    ●  Following Jesus means that you follow Him wherever He goes, and He sets the new agenda for each day, and not your family, your work, or anything else on earth.

Application for Today

       As I live today, I want to be sure I am following Jesus.  He called me to put Him first in my life, as my Leader.  I walk behind Him.  As you walk today, are you following Him?  Are you close enough to Jesus to hear Him speaking words directed just to you?  Will you stop mending nets and follow Jesus to new places today?

 

Teaching with Authority │ Mark 1:21-22 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

November 9, 2011

Teaching with Authority

Mark 1:21-22

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.  Eternal Life [3]

      Jesus amazed people with His teaching.  He illustrated His teaching with miracles, spoke with authority, revealed the plans and purposes of God, communicated love, and commanded everyone to respond to His message, forcing people to confront the spiritual reality surrounding them, and to make decisions about eternity.  Today, we shall study a passage about Jesus training His disciples through His teaching in Capernaum. 

They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.

Mark 1:21

        Capernaum.  Jesus did not spend all of His time in Jerusalem, the chief city of the spiritual world.  Instead, He ministered in Galilee, and particularly in the area around Capernaum (Mark 1:21).  In Galilee of the Gentiles, a great light dawned upon both the Gentiles and Jews sitting in darkness (Matthew 4:12-17; Isaiah 9:1-2).

       Teaching in the Synagogue.  In Mark 1:21, Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.  We know from the Old Testament that God commanded His children to rest on the seventh day, just as He had rested from His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:8).  Notice too that the people met together not in a temple, but in the synagogue.  Jesus customarily entered synagogues on the Sabbath, to read, preach and teach the Scriptures (Luke 4:16-22).  The synagogue at Capernaum provided just such a place for Jesus to enter and begin teaching on the Sabbath.  You may recall that a centurion in the Roman army built the synagogue for the Jews in Capernaum (Luke 7:5). 

They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:22

         Amazed at His Teaching.  The disciples and the other people gathered in the Capernaum synagogue were amazed at the teaching of Jesus (Mark 1:22).  This word “amazed” (“ἐξεπλήσσοντο“) means to be astonished, and conveys a sense of awe and difference by way of contrast.  Jesus amazed people with His miracles as well–healing the deaf and making the mute to speak (Mark 7:37).  Jesus will draw sharp distinctions between the actual commandments of God in the Old Testament, and the traditions of men trying to interpret those passages. 

       Teaching with Authority.  Jesus taught as the author of the Bible, the Creator of the world, the King of all creation, and He knew the thoughts and intentions of every heart in His audience.  He not only knew the Old Testament, He wrote the Old Testament.  Therefore, when He taught, Jesus taught with the full authority of God, for He was God in the flesh.  In contrast, the scribes studied the Old Testament and the traditions of men.  In Mark 9:11, the disciples recognized the scribes as authorities on the Old Testament.  Likewise, in Mark 12:35, Jesus refers to the saying of the scribes concerning Christ being the son of David.  The scribes studied the Old Testament, but Jesus had to correct their teaching which substituted the traditions of men for the commandments of God (Mark 2:23-3:6; Mark 7:1-23; Mark 10:2-12).  Notice too that the scribes, despite their careful study of Scripture, rejected Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:31).  Jesus prophesied that He would be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, who would condemn Him to death (Mark 10:33).  During His preaching ministry, the scribes were afraid of Jesus and His teaching, which astonished the crowds, so that the scribes and chief priests plotted to destroy Jesus (Mark 11:18).  The scribes came to Jesus while He walked in the temple and questioned Him about His authority (Mark 11:27-33).  The chief priests and scribes sought to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him, but they feared the crowds might riot during the festival (Mark 14:1).  The scribes (along with the chief priests and elders) sent people to arrest Jesus (Mark 14:43) and participated in the religious proceedings against Jesus (Mark 14:53).  Ultimately, the scribes consulted with the chief priests, elders and the entire Council, and delivered Jesus to Pilate, who ordered His crucifixion (Mark 15:1).  During the crucifixion of Jesus, the scribes came with the chief priests to mock Jesus (Mark 15:31).  With the scribes, we see that men may devote their lives to the study of Scripture, and still never know Christ, but furiously reject Him and lead many people astray.  Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit, who teaches us the words of Christ Jesus, so that we may hold fast to our Savior, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

        So we learn more about the amazing teaching of Jesus today.

    ●  Jesus taught in the synagogues. 

    ●  When Jesus taught, people were amazed at His teaching.

    ●  Jesus taught with authority, unlike the scribes who never knew God and failed to recognize Jesus as the the Son of God, Immanuel, and the Savior of the World. 

Application for Today

        As I read my Bible today, I will remember that Jesus taught with authority.  He amazed the crowds with His teachings, because He did not teach like the scribes.  He taught God’s truth, as God in the flesh.  When I read the Word of God today, I pray the I will be astonished afresh with the words of Jesus, and live just as wants me to live.  Will you be amazed by Jesus today?

Jesus and Unclean Spirits │ Mark 1:23-24 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

November 10, 2011

Jesus and Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:23-24

 

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      As you read through the Gospels, you begin to see that the evil spirits recognized Jesus right away and feared Him because of His power over them.  We will read today about an unclean spirit and its words to Jesus.  

Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Mark 1:23

        The Unclean Spirit.  In Mark 1:23,  we read about a man with an unclean spirit (“ἐν πνεύματι ἀκαθάρτῳ“).  We see in the Gospel of Mark that a human being can have a separate and distinct spiritual being take up residence within his or her physical body.  In Mark 5:2,  we observe the same phrase used to describe the unclean spirit in the Gerasene demoniac.  Mark used the term “unclean spirit” synonymously with “demon” (compare Mark 6:7, “unclean spirits” (“τῶν πνευμάτων τῶν ἀκαθάρτων“) with Mark 6:13, “demons” (“δαιμόνια“) and, likewise, Mark 7:25, with Mark 7:26).  The relationship between the unclean spirit and the human host is that of master and servant.  Mark describes the unclean spirit as “in” (“ἐν“) the man, or that the man has (“ἔχοντα“) the unclean spirit within him (Mark 7:25 and Mark 9:17).  The unclean spirit gains physical control of the body (rendering the host mute in Mark 9:17, for example).  In Mark 1:23,  we will also see the unclean spirit use the vocal chords of the host to speak.  The unclean spirit cried out (“ἀνέκραξεν“) to Jesus in the synagogue.  Mark recorded several of these loud outbursts from unclean spirits in Mark 3:11 (“shout” (“ἔκραζον“)), Mark 5:7 (“shouting with a loud voice” (“κράξας φωνῇ μεγάλῃ“)), and Mark 9:26,  (“crying out” (“κράξας“)).  When you deal with people making loud outbursts, and acting spiritually strange, you may want to consider that you are dealing with an unclean spirit.  Mark carefully distinguished mental illness which Jesus healed from the ministry of exorcism, where Jesus cast out the demons.  In Mark 1:32,  we see that people brought the “sick” (“τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας“) and also those people demon-possessed (“τοὺς δαιμονιζομένους“).  Do not imagine that demons do not exist and the New Testament writers mistook mental illness for demon possession.  The demons in the Bible confronted Jesus and Jesus overpowered them.  He gave that same authority over demons to His disciples (Mark 6:7).  In passing, notice in Mark 1:23, that the man with the unclean spirit may have been a visitor in the synagogue and not a member, because the verse states it was “their” synagogue, and not the synagogue of the demon-possessed man.  People with unclean spirits may also appear in our churches, as members or visitors.  So, keep in mind that we still have demons in the world today, and they still seek to possess men.  As believers, we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). 

saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” 

Mark 1:24

     What Business?  When unclean spirits encountered Jesus, they immediately  recognized Him spiritually (Mark 1:24).  In this case, the unclean spirit spoke to Jesus and questioned Him.  The humans in the room had already been amazed at the teaching with authority of Jesus.  The unclean spirit in the room, within the man, had a greater understanding of Jesus from the spiritual perspective.  The phrase “What business do we have” (“Τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί“) loosely translates the phrase “what to me and to you?,” meaning, what do we have to do with each other now?  The demon gives words to its great concern over the presence of Jesus. 

       Have You Come To Destroy Us Please take note that the demon recognized Jesus as the human coming from Nazareth, the place where Jesus was raised.  In other words, the demon recognized Jesus of Nazareth in the flesh.  Just because the Son of God wore flesh, the demon had acute spiritual perception in recognizing Jesus not only according to the flesh, but also as the Holy One of God, as we will see below.  Notice that the top concern of the demon was destruction.  The demon implied that it knew that Jesus had complete power when it said: “Have you come to destroy (“ἀπολέσαι“) us?”.  Did you notice the term “us” here?  The demon voiced concern over the destruction of “us.”  Jesus certainly had the power to destroy all demons at any time.  Perhaps this single demon meant that it was concerned about the destruction of all demons by Jesus in that instant.  It certainly knew that Jesus could have destroyed all of them, but it did not know how and when that destruction might take place.  When you think about demons, remember that the demons lived in fear of Jesus, and His power to destroy them at will.  While they may influence human lives, and take up residence in humans, we know that the power of Jesus Christ reigns supreme over all demons.

       The Holy One of God.  The unclean spirits not only recognized Jesus as Jesus the Nazarene, but they also knew Him as the Holy One of God, possessing all the power needed to destroy them at His will (Mark 1:24).  So often we look at people and do not see them spiritually at all.  The Lord Jesus looked beyond the skin of people, and saw their hearts, minds and spirits.  He saw all of them instantly, and knew all about them.  When He looks at us today, He knows all about us.  Unclean spirits also look into our lives and seek a place to inhabit.  They roam about,  passing through waterless places, seeking rest, but not finding it (Matthew 12:43).  A single unclean spirit may leave a person, and then return with seven spirits more wicked than itself, so that the last state of the person may be worse than being possessed by only one wicked spirit (Matthew 12:43-45).  We should take courage that Jesus has all power over all evil spirits, and offers us words of encouragement: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).

  So we learn more about Jesus and unclean spirits today.

     ●  Unclean spirits recognized the Son of God as both Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy One of God. 

     ●  Unclean spirits feared that Jesus would destroy them by His supreme power.

    ●  Jesus intended for His disciples to understand the reality of unclean spirits, and part of their education included dealing with unclean spirits. 

 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I am aware that unclean spirits still confront us and we struggle against them.  We resist the devil and his demons through the power of Christ who triumphs over them.  Demons fear Christ Jesus, and we love Him because He saved us from the wrath to come and transforms our lives right now by leading us by our hands.  He delivers us from evil every day.  Will you walk without fear of unclean spirits by the power of Christ working within you today? 

Jesus and Exorcism │ Mark 1:25-26 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

November 11, 2011

Jesus and Exorcism

Mark 1:25-26

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

   We saw yesterday that Jesus threw fear into the demon before him.  Today, we will see Jesus exercise His power over the demon.  This picture of Jesus casting out the demon should bring hope and comfort to our lives because Jesus loves everyone, even demon-possessed people.  Jesus proclaims liberty to captives, so that they may return to the Shepherd and Guardian of their souls. 

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’

Mark 1:25

        Jesus Rebuked Him.   In Mark 1:25, Jesus rebuked the demon within the man.  Jesus commanded the demon directly, and completely comprehended the spiritual presence of the demon within the man.  In our lives, we must likewise depend upon Jesus and His power to resist the devil and his demons.  This term “rebuked” describes the action of Jesus in opposing and restraining the storming wind and sea (Mark 4:39), to warn the disciples to tell no one about Him (Mark 8:30), to rebuke Peter for setting his mind on man’s interest and not God’s interest (Mark 8:33), and to rebuke a deaf and mute spirit (Mark 9:25).  As believers, we should be careful not to pronounce a railing judgment against the devil and his demons, but to say “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 8-10).

       Be Quiet and Come Out of Him.  Jesus gives very specific commands to the demon: (1) be quiet and (2) come out of him (Mark 1:25).  In the first command, we see Jesus silencing this demon who had already identified Him.  Jesus did not seek the testimony of demons, but carefully selected who would speak for Him and what message they would bring (remember the call of James, John, Simon and Andrew to be fishers of men–they were in training to speak the Gospel of the Kingdom of God).  The second command requires the demon to leave the host.  Now the demon would begin looking for a new home, traveling through waterless places (Matthew 12:43).  Notice that Jesus did not argue with the demon or question the demon.  He knew all about the demon and only commanded silence and deliverance.  Jesus exercised absolute power over demons, and they could not stand against His will.

Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.

Mark 1:26

       Throwing Him into Convulsions.   The phrase “throwing into convulsions” (“σπαράξαν“) arises from a single word in the original text.  New Testament writers used that single Greek term in two ways: (1) to describe the convulsions caused by a demon exiting a human host by the command and power of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:26; Mark 9:26) and (2) to picture the demon mauling a boy and causing convulsions in him (Luke 9:39).  This term for convulsions always appears in connection with demonic activity.  Demons do not cause all convulsions.  But demons can cause convulsions, as we see when Jesus cast them out.  In Mark 1:26, when the demon exits the body, it caused an extreme physical reaction, plainly visible to everyone around.  Everyone there in the synagogue witnessing Jesus displaying His power had proof that Jesus commanded the demons and they obeyed him (compare Matthew 9:34; Mark 3:22-30).  As we saw yesterday, demons often cried out with a loud voice, using the vocal chords of the host.

       The Demon Came out of Him.   As the absolute Creator and Almighty God, Jesus has the power to enforce His commands and no one may resist that power.  In this case, Jesus issued a command to the demon and the demon obeyed Jesus.  We read that the demon came out of the man (Mark 1:26).  As we live every day of our lives, we need to remember that we struggle against spiritual forces of wickedness, but Jesus has the power to deliver us from all types of evil and protect our lives by His power.  Jesus also encourages us to help people suffering from demon possession to turn to Him for salvation and deliverance from satanic oppression.

        So we learn more about Jesus and exorcism today.

     ●  Jesus rebuked unclean spirits and commanded them to leave immediately, and they complied immediately.

     ● Jesus did not allow unclean spirits to speak for Him, although they recognized Him as the Holy One of God.

     ●  Unclean spirits threw people into convulsions when they departed the body at the command of Jesus Christ. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, Jesus will be watching over me with His supreme spiritual power.  I intend to be more spiritually aware of the environment around me, and the people surrounding me.  I also intend to count upon the power of Jesus Christ in my life to resist the devil and his demons, while reaching out in the name of Jesus to people controlled by evil and demons.  Will you be relying upon Jesus to protect you from the power of demons and their evil at work in people today?

The New Teaching of Jesus │ Mark 1:27-28 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

November 17, 2011

The New Teaching of Jesus

Mark 1:27-28

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

   Jesus changed people by His power and teaching.  Today we will read a few verses that show the link between His power and His teaching.  He had concluded His teaching and His exorcism in the synagogue, and then Mark focused upon the reaction of the audience in the synagogue. 

They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’

Mark 1:27

        Debated among Themselves.   In Mark 1:27,  we read that the audience in the synagogue were all amazed.  We have seen this same reaction in Mark 1:22, where the audience was amazed at His teaching, because Jesus taught with authority, and not as the scribes.  As believers, we should always understand that the ultimate authority in all matters is Jesus Christ.  In the New Testament, we have a record of the words spoken by Jesus, and those words have been faithfully recorded for us.  Those words reveal the authority of Christ to us.  I meet many people who constantly search for truth regarding Islam, Buddhism, and other religions, but do not consult what Jesus said.  For example, Jesus plainly taught that He alone was the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).  As believers in Christ, we follow the teaching of Jesus, and Jesus proclaimed that all religions that add to or subtract from the teachings of Jesus are false religions.  Therefore, Islam, Buddhism, and every other religion that contradicts that Jesus is the only way to heaven are false religions.  Because of the truth Jesus taught with His own authority, the people were amazed.  We should keep in mind the admonition that, as believers, we are to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints (Jude 3).  Notice that our faith rests upon revelation delivered in the first century A.D., plus the Old Testament.  We must rely upon that faith handed down to the saints then, and not some revelation by a man wearing special eyeglasses provided by some angel, or a man who had a vision from God in the last few centuries.  If you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, then remember Jude 3, and contend for the faith once and for all handed down to the saints.  While others debate among themselves what Jesus meant or who Jesus was, we know Him as the God-Man who died on the cross for our sins, so that by faith He promised to forgive as many as received Him and His gift of forgiveness.  We live because He rose from the grave triumphant, never to taste death for us again.

       A New Teaching with Authority.  In Mark 1:27,  we read about the audience’s perception of authority.  This term “authority” (“ἐξουσίαν“) describes in this case the absolute power to command demons.  Previously, the audience had seen His authority in the substance and delivery of His teaching.  Jesus welded together in the mind of the audience the power of His teaching and the power of command over the unclean spirits.  Because the audience was amazed, we see here that such exorcisms were as uncommon as the new teaching of Jesus.  As Jesus intended, one reinforced the power of the other.  Consider too the role of the unclean spirit speaking out: Jesus used the unclean spirit to magnify His authority and His power over demons, and demonstrated it for everyone in the synagogue.  We should not overlook the main beneficiary of the exorcism: the man who was now free from that unclean spirit.  Not only did Jesus manifest His authority, but He also demonstrated His compassion and loving-kindness for the man.  That man would be living proof of the message and power of Jesus Christ to change lives, and bring deliverance.  Even the unclean spirits obeyed Him, and every one in the audience had now witnessed the King of the Kingdom of God exercise His power in ways they could not grasp.  The evidence was standing right in front of them: the unclean spirit left the man at the command of Jesus.

Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

Mark 1:28

       The News about Jesus Spread Everywhere.   Jesus did not permit the unclean spirit to speak (Mark 1:25).  Jesus used His actions and the obedience of the unclean spirit to proclaim a far more powerful message of triumph than the lies demons speak (John 8:44).  Jesus knew how to spread His teachings by demonstrating the power of God over demons and the devil himself.  Jesus came to preach to those synagogues in Galilee, and to give His life ultimately as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  Jesus takes deliberate steps to spread news about Him even today.  Through His disciples, Jesus spreads the good news of salvation all over the world.  He wants you to talk about the great things He is doing in your life (Psalm 145:6), and letting people know He still loves people today, and His teachings can change lives when coupled with His power working in your life.

   So we learn more about Jesus and exorcism today.

     ●  Jesus silenced the demon, but His power over the demons made news all over Galilee.

    ● Jesus demonstrated His love for the man with the unclean spirit, and amazed the crowd not only with His teaching, but also with His authority over unclean spirits.

    ●  Jesus wants everyone to hear about His teaching with authority, and His divine love for everyone.  He wants to use your life and your words to spread the good news of salvation and eternal life in Him today. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, Jesus will be spreading His message of authority and power today.  He will be speaking through His Bible, the Word of God, and through the lips of men and women, boys and girls, who testify to His power working in our lives today.  In us, I trust everyone around us will see Jesus and His powerful love in action today.  Will you be spreading the news of Jesus today?

Serving Jesus after Sickness │ Mark 1:29-31 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

November 24, 2011

Serving Jesus after Sickness

Mark 1:29-31

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.  Eternal Life [3]

     In America, today we celebrate Thanksgiving.  Most of the country thinks about sales tomorrow, but some Christians focus upon the blessings they have received from Jesus this year.  Many of us have experienced illness of one type or another, some severe and some very mild.  Jesus recorded a short story of healing for us and it reminds me to be very thankful today. 

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mark 1:29

        Simon and Andrew Living at Home.   Apparently, Simon and Andrew had a nice home, provided by the fishing business they ran with Zebedee, James and John.  We also learn that Simon was married, because his mother-in-law was there in the house (Mark 1:29-30).  Let me list a few reasons in Mark 1:29-30 why we should be grateful today for returning to service after Jesus heals us.  We can thank God for our family members in Christ who walk with Jesus.  Simon, Andrew, James and John had been called to walk with Jesus and they were all blessed by God to be called by God into the family of God.  Notice too that they had a home.  My wife and I lived in apartments for over twenty years after we were married, and now we really enjoy owning a small home.  Later today we plan on spending some time with my father, sister and her family.  We count it a blessing to have friends in Christ and to be thankful together.

Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.

Mark 1:30

       Sick with Fever.  When Jesus arrived in Simon’s and Andrew’s home, He saw Simon’s mother-in-law suffering from a fever.  In Luke 4:38, Dr. Luke tells us that she had a high fever (“πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ“), causing her to suffer.  Jesus loved to help people out of their suffering.  In this case, Jesus rebuked the fever (“ἐπετίμησεν τῷ πυρετῷ“), while standing over her (Luke 4:39).  Immediately the high fever left her.  As you ponder your blessings this year, have you had a cold this year?  Had a more serious illness?  You may have taken medicine, but Jesus healed you.  As Creator, He gave you an immune system to attack and remove disease from our body.  He knows all the chemical pathways in our bodies, and every intricacy of the many complex systems He designed to keep us healthy, and repel infections, viruses, germs, parasites, fungi, and all types of invaders.  Our medicines may help, but Jesus allowed us to discover and develop them.  For every illness we have had this year, we should be very thankful that Jesus raised us up and removed them from us.

       They Spoke to Jesus about Her.  Before we overlook this key phrase, let us take a moment and consider the ministry of friends telling Jesus about the illness attacking our friends.  In Mark 1:30,  we read that Simon and Andrew, and perhaps James and John also, spoke to Jesus about the mother-in-law sick with fever.  Today, we should give thanks for all the people who pray for us and talk to Jesus about our physical afflictions.  We should also thank God for the intercessory ministry of all of our friends who pray for us all the time.

And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.

Mark 1:31

       Raised Her Up.  Jesus raised up the mother-in-law by His power.  He rebuked the fever, and she rose from her bed (Mark 1:31).  Notice too the very personal touch of Jesus.  He took her by the hand.  Jesus promised to be with me continually, and holds my right hand continually (Psalm 73:23).  His grip holds me even when I stumble, so that I am not hurled headlong (Psalm 37:24).   People knew that the hands of Jesus healed people with all types of diseases (Mark 1:41; Mark 7:32; Mark 8:23; Mark 9:27; Luke 5:13) and even resurrected the dead by taking the hand to raise them (Matthew 9:18).  We should be constantly grateful for His loving grip and His power over disease.

       She Waited on Them.  Jesus healed the woman and she immediately waited on the disciples (Mark 1:31).  The term “waited” (“διηκόνει“) may also be translated “served” them.  We should keep in mind that Jesus heals us so that we may continue to serve Him.  He delivers us from our sickness to be of further value to Him by serving other people.  The disciples here benefitted from the ministry of Simon’s mother-in-law.  We should give thanks today for all the times Jesus has restored our health to the point where we can be of service to Him.  We should never minimize the gifts of service that people rendered to Jesus and His disciples.  Today, we all have different spiritual gifts, distributed by the Holy Spirit, to each believer.  Those various spiritual gifts allow us to pursue a variety of ministries, such as service, to other believers and edify them in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Keep in mind that the New Testament never described a “clergy,” but rather officers in the church (apostles, elders and deacons), who served the church through their spiritual ministries.  Today, just like then, God ministers to people through the use of spiritual gifts bestowed upon each member of the body of Christ, and not just through men who preach, teach or evangelize from a pulpit.  They have their own spiritual gifts, but each believer has a spiritual gift bestowed by God for priceless service to Jesus.  We are all priests called to special, individual ministries to the body of Christ, just as Simon’s mother-in-law had a special ministry to Jesus and the disciples.  That ministry was so important that Jesus healed the high fever, and lifted her up by the hand, so that she could continue her ministry.  Jesus thought that miracle was so important that He recorded it for all believers to remember and so be thankful.

        So we learn more about service to Jesus today.

     ●  True disciples tell Jesus about the illnesses of the people they love and seek His healing touch for their loved ones.

     ●  Jesus healed all kinds of illness by touching people, and He holds our hands continuously.

     ●  Jesus heals us so that we can continue our service to Him.  We each have important ministries to perform for Jesus every day as we use our spiritual gifts to His glory. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, Jesus will be holding my hand, and allowing me to serve Him.  I intend to be thankful for all the ways He has restored me to health this year, and allowed me to serve Him.  Will you be thanking Jesus for restoring you to health this year, and also bringing health to people you love today?

Demons and Diseases │ Mark 1:32-34 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly Archive

November 25, 2011

Demons and Diseases

Mark 1:32-34

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

     Some people confuse demons with disease, but Jesus carefully distinguished between them.  Diseases Jesus healed, and demons He cast out, not permitting them to speak.  As we have already seen in a previous study about demons, Jesus exercised absolute power over them.  In our study today, we will see that we should not confuse spiritual demons with physical disease.

When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.

Mark 1:32

        Bringing to Jesus.  Throughout the Gospels, we read about people bringing other people to Jesus for help.  In this passage, we see that people recognized in Jesus the power to heal disease and also the power to cast out demons (Mark 1:32).  Jesus had absolute authority over all disease and healed everyone who came to Him for help with physical sickness.  As we saw yesterday, we need to be sure to bring the people we love to Jesus when they are sick.  His power works today in the same way He worked on earth touching the sick.  Jesus never promised to heal us from every physical affliction–as we saw with Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10); Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27); and Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23).  He did promise to love us always and to make His power known through our physical weaknesses, helping us to endure them and shine for Him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). 

       Demon-Possessed.  Because we have treated this subject previously, we can spend less time here.  But, let me emphasize that the text clearly distinguishes between physical illness and demonic possession.  Jesus did not confuse the two problems, and we should not either.  I am struck by how little people think about the demonic world in which we live.  Jesus called satan the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and described him further as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), who has demons to serve him, as satan rules this world (John 12:31-32).  We should never underestimate the evil and destructive power of this present darkness (Ephesians 6:12).  Through Christ, by faith in Him alone, we have been transferred out of the domain of darkness, ruled by satan, and into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ, and His rule in our lives (Colossians 1:13).  When we encounter people controlled by demons, then we should bring them to Jesus, for His power to remove the demon and transfer them into His kingdom by faith alone.

And the whole city had gathered at the door.

Mark 1:33

       The Whole City.  Jesus performed such miracles that everyone wanted to be healed or freed from demons.  The whole city apparently did not gain salvation, because they did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, who would give His life as a ransom for their sins.  I love to read the Gospels and see how Jesus had such a tremendous and powerful effect upon every place that He visited.  Wherever He went, things got better.  The same principle applies today. When we live closely with Jesus, then our lives dramatically improve.  Jesus promised to bring us abundant life, filled with joy over His presence in our lives.  I love feeling the presence of Jesus in my life, and I know that even when I slip in sin, He still loves me and abides with me forever.  Recently, a woman at the beach told me that Jesus had saved her and promised her eternal life.  She said she was going to heaven because “He can’t take it back!”  She said it so emphatically that I just loved hearing it.  The whole city came to Jesus because He healed them and cast out demons.  But Jesus offered them eternal life and forgiveness of sins, which most of them rejected.

And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

Mark 1:34

       Jesus Healed Various Diseases.  Jesus healed many diseases (Mark 1:34).  When patients visit their doctors today, doctors have to diagnose your disease from an array of more than five thousand diseases.  Jesus knew every disease, and His power worked on all of them.  Lepers, paralytics, hands, legs, eyes, ears, and every part of the human body He knew completely as God.  He made the body, and understands it at the sub-atomic level.  His power heals all diseases and everyone in town had a great day that day.  We should never underestimate the power of Jesus to heal.  He does not have to use the gift of healing in a man to heal anyone today.  He can still do it directly, through His power.

      Jesus Cast out Many Demons. Did you notice that this town had many demons living in people of that town?  Many demons.  Today, we never really hear much about demons, but they still fight against believers every day and control people all the time.  Jesus cast those many demons out by His power, and we should be careful to wear the full armor of God every day (Ephesians 6:10-17; Romans 13:12).

      Jesus Did Not Permit Them To Speak.  Jesus did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him (Mark 1:34).  As we have seen before, Jesus was very careful to silence the demons, because they would identify Him as the Son of God to the crowd.  Jesus did not intend that demons should speak of Him, because they were known liars, and servants of the father of lies (John 8:44).  Jesus would choose His own words and appoint His own men and women to spread the good news of salvation, but satan and his minions had no part in the truth or in Jesus and His ministry.

        So we learn more about service to demons and disease today.

     ●  Jesus healed diseases, but cast out demons.  They were not the same problem, and no one should ever confuse them.

     ●   Jesus had an entire city show up for healing and exorcism.

     ●  Jesus cast out demons, but never permitted them to speak, because they knew Him. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I may see people with diseases and demons.  Jesus can take care of both of those issues, but I need to bring people with those problems to Jesus, for His divine help.  Will you be bringing people to Jesus for His help today?

 

Praying and Preaching │ Mark 1:35-39 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Mark,November 2011,Series | Comments Disabled
gold sunrise

November 26, 2011

Praying and Preaching

Mark 1:35-39

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

   I hope you notice the link we have seen between the new teaching of Jesus and the power of Jesus over diseases and demons.  The miracles Jesus worked served to confirm His authority and His teaching.  They also demonstrated His love for the people He healed and exorcised.  Today, we will see the link between the prayers of Jesus and preaching of Jesus.

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Mark 1:35

       Early Morning.   Jesus had been very busy with all the people of the city coming to Him for healing and exorcism.  Before dawn, while it was still dark, Jesus went out to pray (Mark 1:35).  Jesus prayed at other times also, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross, so we do not have to pray only in the early morning.  We can pray anytime.  Jesus set the example of early morning prayer, before He started His day.  Praying is more important than praying early.  We must take the time to pray every day, and to set aside a quiet time to pray away from everyone else.  For some people, at some times, praying in the early morning darkness may be the best time.  I recall learning Hebrew in seminary, and I would get up at 4:00 a.m. to study Hebrew, because I found it a wonderful time to read God’s word in the original language, and study it more carefully, often praying for His help and guidance as I learned.

       Left the House.  Jesus left the house where the other folks and His disciples were staying (Mark 1:35).  We see that Jesus wanted to go to a secluded (“ἔρημον”) place.  He spent time alone with the Father, filled with the Holy Spirit, as God the Son prayed and listened to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

       Praying There.  Jesus was praying in the wilderness (Mark 1:35).  The term “was praying” (“προσηύχετο”) indicates it was a continuing act of prayer.  If you sit down and get prayed out in thirty seconds, I recommend you stop there and let God direct your thoughts.  The Holy Spirit will help you pray, because we do not know how to pray without His prayer ministry in our lives (Romans 8:26).  You can pray for things, give thanks, worship, adore, praise, intercede, and do so many things as you sit in a quiet place before God.  Let Him control your time, so you will feel refreshed and equipped by God for the day.

Simon and his companions searched for Him;

Mark 1:36

       Searched for Him.  Simon and his companions searched for Jesus (Mark 1:36).  Apparently, Jesus has not told anyone where He was going, or how long He would be gone.  Jesus never felt compelled to tell His disciples all of His plans, although He certainly told them about many things He intended to do.  In this case, remember Jesus wanted to spend time praying alone.  Everyone needs time away from others to pray.

they found Him, and said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’

Mark 1:37

       They Found Him.  The disciples found Jesus, so He did not go that far away from them (Mark 1:37).  As disciples, we should always be seeking to stay close to Jesus.  Today, He never leaves, but remains spiritually present with us at all times.

       Everyone Is Looking for You.  The disciples told Jesus that everyone was looking for Him (Mark 1:37).  Notice that only the disciples found Him.  Because Jesus had healed so many people, and cast out demons, the whole city had come to see Him the day before.  Jesus did not come for the sole purpose of healing the sick and casting out demons (although they were important aspects of His ministry), but to bring salvation from sin and eternal life by giving His life a ransom for many.  Jesus focused upon His purpose, and not upon the immediate demands of other people looking for Him.  Do you have times in your life where you live under the pressure of the expectations and demands of other people?  If so, then be like Jesus, and take time to pray to sort out your priorities before God, and gain His power and direction for daily living.  You will never be ready to talk to other people until you have first talked to God.

He said to them, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.’

Mark 1:38

        Let Us Go Somewhere Else.  Jesus did not respond to the demands of “everyone” looking for Him, or even His disciples.  Instead, He taught the disciples a very valuable lesson, as Jesus always did.  Take time every day to be sure that you do not respond to everyone as they wish.  Put God first, and follow His plans for you, and not the plans of everyone.  Jesus explained to the disciples that it was time to go somewhere else, even though the crowds were clamoring for Him (Mark 1:38).  He had been to their synagogue, and healed their diseases and cast out many demons.  But the time had come to move on.  I meet many people who have never learned the lesson of ignoring everyone in favor of following only One God.  We follow Jesus, and not everyone else.  We follow Jesus every day, and get our daily bread and direction directly from Him, in the quiet and secluded times.  Jesus told them it was time to go to the other towns nearby.

       I Came to Preach There.  Have you ever had a single day in your life where you knew you were going to the place God had selected for you that day, to speak the words He had prepared, and to do the things He had ordained for you, and take along disciples with you?  Jesus did that every day.  Can you imagine that kind of purpose in your life?  Consider the disciples for a moment.  They were aware crowds were looking for Jesus, but they knew they should follow Jesus that day.  He would set the course, preach the words, and go where He must go.  The same plan holds today.  God has created us for good works, that  we should walk in them daily (Ephesians 2:10).  Notice too that Jesus emphasized His preaching ministry.  He came to spread the good news of salvation, that those sitting in the darkness of sin might see a great light.  Jesus not only offered them the kingdom of God, but also the presence of the King in their midst.  He came to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, to preach the Gospel to the poor, to proclaim release to captives, the recovery of sight to the blind, and to set free those who are oppressed (Luke 4:17-21).  In essence, we simply follow Jesus every day, walking in the Holy Spirit, and doing the works the Father has prepared for us. 

And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Mark 1:39

       Jesus Preached in Their Synagogues throughout All Galilee.  We have seen Jesus preaching in the synagogue, and performing His miracles.  Now we see the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah regarding the dawning of the great light upon Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-16).  Jesus was the great light, and the light of salvation dawned upon them through His preaching.  He came to preach to them the Gospel.  Jesus went into their synagogues, and read from the Scriptures and preached the fulfillment of those Scriptures to them (Luke 4:17-21).  Jesus preached throughout all of Galilee, fulfilling the mission of His heavenly Father (Mark 1:39; John 17:4).

       Casting Out Demons.  We also read that Jesus was casting out demons (Mark 1:39).  As part of His compassionate demonstration of His new teaching with authority, Jesus also demonstrated absolute power over demons, and that power astonished the people in the synagogues.  Jesus used His power over the demons, whom He did not permit to speak, to bring their attention to His teachings and to God in the flesh standing before them.  Jesus emphasized here that demons were real, inhabited people in many synagogues, and that His ministry including releasing the demon-oppressed.  Those freed from demons should always remember to follow Jesus closely, so that other demons might not come back to take up residence in the body now swept and put in order (Matthew 12:43-45).

        So we learn more about prayer and preaching today.

    ●  Jesus prayed in a secluded place, away from everyone looking for Him.

     ●   Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, spreading the light of salvation and casting out demons.

     ●  Jesus prayed before He preached, and we should pray before we go out to follow Jesus every day. 

Application for Today

      As I walk through life today, I want to follow Jesus after I pray first.  I want to fulfill all the works my Father in Heaven has prepared for me today.  The Holy Spirit will guide me and fill me, that I may walk in Him today.  Jesus will be holding my hand, and guiding me along the way.  At the end of today, I intend to pray and thank Him for all the things He did through me today.  What will you be praying about tonight and today?

 

The Compassion of Jesus │ Mark 1:40-42 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2011 Encouragement,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,December 2011,Mark,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

December 1, 2011

The Compassion of Jesus

Mark 1:40-42

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      In the Old Testament, leprosy separated a person from the entire congregation of Israel.  In Leviticus, chapters 13 and 14, we read about the diagnosis of leprosy by the priest, and also the exclusion of the person with leprosy from the congregation.  Furthermore, the garments and the home of the leper may also require action by the priest to destroy the item or cleanse it.  A leper may only return to the congregation if the leprosy has left him.  He is subject to inspection by the priest, and then after a period of time, if he remains free from leprosy, then he may offer prescribed sacrifices and return to the congregation.  Until the leper has been inspected and found clean, he must remain outside the camp, and warn others that he is unclean, and everyone should stay away from him.  The leper must wear torn clothes, keep the hair of his head uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, “Unclean, unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45).  No one could approach him, or he would be unclean also.  In our passage today, we will see Jesus heal the leper, because He loved the unclean man.

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, ‘If you are willing, You can make me clean.’

Mark 1:40

       A Leper Came to Jesus.  In Mark 1:40, the unclean leper, removed from the congregation of Israel, approached Jesus.  We have already seen many sick and demon-possessed people come to Jesus, and now we see a leper.  In some sense, we are all lepers before Christ.  Our sin has made us unholy before God, and only God can help us remove our sin.  Jesus died on the cross in my place, for my sin.  A Jewish friend of mine was talking with me recently about whether the Jews killed Jesus.  I read him some passages from the Bible concerning the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, but I also explained that I was personally responsible for the death of Jesus.  I caused Jesus to die on the cross, because He died for may sins.  I was the spiritual leper who required the cleansing blood of Jesus to remove my sins.

       Falling on His Knees.  We also see the details of the narrative that portray the leper kneeling and beseeching (Mark 1:40).  This leper humbled himself before Jesus, by kneeling before Him.  When we ask Jesus for help, humility will always be a great attitude.  Like the old saying, we never stand taller than when we kneel before Jesus.  In this case, the leper was beseeching (“παρακαλῶν“) Jesus.  He earnestly sought help from Jesus.

         You Can Make Me Clean.  The leper had evidently heard of the fame of Jesus, and perhaps had seen the power of Jesus firsthand.  The leper knew that Jesus had the power to heal him of his leprosy.  Today, I often see people who do not believe that Jesus has the power to do anything, much less heal someone.  This leper knew about the power of Jesus.  Notice too that the leper began his request with “if you are willing” (Mark 1:40).  Jesus came to bring healing to people, and He was willing to help the leper.  If you want a better day today, then make sure you believe that Jesus can help you with every problem you face today.  Perhaps some time on your knees today will help bring your problems into better focus, as you tell Jesus all about them and ask for His help, believing that He will help you.

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Mark 1:41

       Moved with Compassion.  As you approach your day today, do you count upon the compassion of Jesus Christ?  Do you pray for Him to exercise His compassion upon people you love today?  Our God not only loves us, but He loves to demonstrate His compassion upon people rejected and distanced by everyone around them.  In this case, Jesus responded to the leper’s pleading for cleansing (Mark 1:41).

       Jesus Touched Him.  Notice the distance here.  The leper was close enough that Jesus could reach out and touch him.  Remember that lepers were to stay away from other people.  In this case, this leper came right up to Jesus and knelt before Him, seeking His help.  I see here another picture of how Jesus wants us to be with Him.  He always wants us to be close to Him, so close He can reach out and touch us.  Do you feel like you are praying up close and personal, or do you perceive a great distance between you and God?  With Jesus, up close, within arms length, allows you to feel His power and experience His compassionate touch (Mark 1:41).

       Be Cleansed.  In Mark 1:41,  we read about the willingness of Jesus.  Jesus did not look at the leper and say something like sin has caused this problem, and you will die in your sins with leprosy.  Rather than pass judgment upon the leper right then, He merely said “I am willing.”  Jesus felt compassion, and healed the man.  By nature, God loves people, with a supernatural love that sent Jesus to the cross to die for each of us, being sinners and unclean before Him.  With the leper, we see the heart of Jesus matched up with the power over leprosy.  This man would know the power of God and the compassionate love of Jesus just for him.  While Jesus may have performed many miracles that day, the leper knew about the personal love of Jesus Christ for him.

Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Mark 1:42

       He Was Cleansed.  Jesus has demonstrated His power over demons, illness and all people.  Jesus cleansed the leper “immediately” (Mark 1:42).  Jesus merely spoke the words, and the leprosy left.  We should always count upon the words of Jesus to bring power and healing into our lives.  We should live with the assurance of the compassion of Jesus in our lives, every day. 

        So we learn more about the compassion of Jesus today.

     ●  Jesus loved lepers, event though they were required to stay away from people, and cry out “Unclean! Unclean!”

     ●  Jesus had compassion upon the leper, because God is love.

     ●  Jesus healed the leper and demonstrated His absolute power over all disease. 

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, I want to spend some time kneeling before Jesus and asking for His compassionate help with my day and my life.  I want to embody His compassion for people, especially people that everyone else does not want to be around or associate with.  Jesus loves lepers of all kinds.  Will you share the compassion of Jesus with outcasts today?

Back to Basics: Gifted for Purpose │ Galatians 1:1-2 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Galatians,January 2012,Series | Comments Disabled
gold sunrise

January 18, 2012

Back to Basics

Part One

Gifted for Purpose

Galatians 1:1-2

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

   As we all launch into the new year, I suggest we take some time and go back to basics.  I have mentioned to some of my friends that I want the year 2012 to be the best year ever, after salvation.  I mean that I look forward to the Lord Jesus making me more usable for His service.  I want to be rooted and grounded in only Christ, and to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  As the proverb proclaims, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).  I look forward too to my path growing brighter and brighter each year, until the full light of day, because Jesus has given to me all of His righteousness by faith alone (Romans 3:21-22).  So, we will begin our study of the Book of Galatians today, looking for a great new year in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

Galatians 1:1

        You and Your Spiritual Gift.   I had a dear friend who lost her job several years ago.  For the first few moths, she needed to adjust to the reality that she was not going to work at her old job.  She had done hospital work for decades, and now the time had come due to health reasons where she could no longer work in the hospital, or really for any other employer.  She had developed a seizure disorder, which did not cause grand mal seizures, but seizures in her brain that were not obvious to others or herself.  Over time, medicine began to help her recover her mental bearings, but the disorder still takes its toll on her.  Not only that, but she also has other serious health problems that persist.  For her, life changed when she lost her job after decades of seeing herself as a laboratory scientist.  In some ways, it was the best thing that ever happened to her.  She started to read her Bible more, and see herself the way that God sees her every day.  When we talk about going back to basics, let us start with how you see yourself and describe yourself to others.  For Paul, he considered himself an apostle.

       Paul the Apostle.  Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians, and identified himself right in the first verse.  If you look at the epistles in the New Testament, many of the epistles start just the same way.  Today, we often sign our names at the end of the letter, but as a lawyer, I often identify myself and the purpose of my letter right at the beginning.  Paul described himself in terms of his spiritual gift: apostle.  An apostle means one sent for a purpose.  Jesus trained twelve apostles, and He knew from the beginning that Judas Iscariot was a “son of perdition” (John 17:12).  After Judas Iscariot had died and Jesus was resurrected, the eleven apostles sought a man who could serve as a witness with them of the resurrection of Jesus Christ: the man must “have accompanied us from the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us” (Acts 1:21-22). The eleven apostles cast lots and Matthias was appointed to occupy the ministry and apostleship vacated by Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:19-26).  In contrast to this method of selecting an apostle, Paul received his apostleship directly from God, without any immediate recognition from the other apostles.  In Galatians 1:1, Paul states flatly that he received his apostleship directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, and not through the agency of men.  Paul also stated that other men in Jerusalem (Peter, John, and others) were “apostles” before him (Galatians 1:17).  Likewise, Paul mentions that James, the brother of the Lord, was also an apostle (Galatians 1:19).  James, the brother of the Lord, was not one of the twelve apostles.  Paul never considered himself in “the least inferior to the most eminent apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5), even if Paul was unskilled in speech, but not in knowledge (2 Corinthians 11:6).  In summary, we see that the twelve apostles met a special criteria of being with the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.  Those type of apostles have left the earth with the death of the last of the twelve apostles.  The Holy Spirit bestowed the spiritual gift of apostleship upon other men, and they often planted churches.  Some of those men also received special revelations from God.  Today, anyone who claims to be have the spiritual gift of “apostle” should be carefully tested, and see if they have been sent from God for a special ministry.  If they claim to have new revelation from God, we should remember that God said His Bible is complete.

and all the brethren who are with me, . . .

Galatians 1:2

       All the Brethren.  In Galatians 1:2,  we read about brethren being with Paul.  Paul also addressed the Galatians as brethren (for examples, Galatians 3:15 and Galatians 6:1).  Paul’s entire ministry was about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16).  Paul did not labor alone, and as God converted people to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, they formed in local assemblies (churches), and some of the converts travelled with Paul. 

       With Me.  In Galatians 1:2,  we also read that Paul had men with him.  Paul describes Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke as fellow workers with him (Philemon 24).  Paul often mentions in his letters the people who travelled with him.  Some served as messengers (for example, Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21) to the churches they came from (for example, Epaphroditus from Philippi (Philippians 2:25).  Paul always took men with him so that they could work as a ministry team, ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ and forming and strengthening local assemblies.  Some people had special ministry to Paul in his imprisonment (for example, Onesimus (Philemon 10-13).  I remember a friend of mine telling me that I should always consider taking a new believer with me, even when I went to the hardware store or did some other errand.  I have found that spending time with young believers, to encourage them in Christ, has been very profitable.

        So we learn more about Paul and basic Christianity.

   ●  Paul the apostle based his entire life upon using the spiritual gifts the Lord Jesus and God the Father had bestowed upon Paul.

    ●   Paul emphasized that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and so we should live with that truth in mind all day, every day. 

     ●   Paul had other Christians around him as part of a ministry team all the time. 

Application for Today

      As I walk through life today, I want to use the spiritual gifts that God has placed into my life by His power and for His purpose.  I intend to use His gifts in my life to emphasize to people that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and Jesus now lives to give eternal life to everyone who turns to Him alone for salvation by faith.  I want to encourage every believer I know to be a part of a ministry team for Jesus Christ this year.  With these basics in mind, I look forward to the greatest year of my life, after salvation.  Will God be making this the best year of your life, starting today?

Back to Basics: Rescued from the Present Evil Age │ Galatians 1:3-5 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Galatians,January 2012,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

January 26, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Two

Rescued from the Present Evil Age

Galatians 1:3-5

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

   In the United States this year, we are having a presidential election.  We see and hear many advertisements on television about the basic needs of the country, and what each politician will do to set things right.  Polls in the United States indicate that the citizens believe the country is on the wrong track, with people losing their homes to foreclosure, and many people looking for work unable to find it.  Among the politicians, however, I have not heard anyone say that the Lord Jesus Christ alone provides the only hope for the United States, the only hope for its people, and the only hope for you.  Nothing could be more basic than the need for each person, just like you and me, to keep in mind that only Jesus can solve our problems and make things right.  Politicians can never solve our biggest problems in life, and only God can help a nation to prosper.  But, as you look at your own country, realize that God taught us that we live in a very evil age, and we need to be rescued from it.  Today we shall move back to basics and study the environment we live in today.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 1:3

     Grace to You.  The term “grace” (“χάρις”) has a very particular range of meanings in the New Testament.  It always relates to God’s activity in our lives, and speaks of the unmerited favor of God.  In other words, God gives us gifts which we do not deserve, and those gifts bring supernatural blessings into our lives.  Here, in Galatians 1:3, Paul greets the Galatians with his typical greeting he uses often in his other letters.  So, Paul greets the Galatians with a declaration of blessings from God upon them.  They do not deserve the blessings, and cannot earn the blessings.  God bestows His blessings upon believers because He loves us, and not because we deserve His blessings.  You may recall Ephesians 2:8-9, where God teaches us that He saves us from our sins by grace through faith, and not from works, so that no one may boast.  That doctrine means that we believe our way into heaven, and we do not work our way in to heaven.  We believe in our hearts that Jesus died on the cross for us, and paid the death penalty for our sins.  Because of the grace from God, we have peace with God.

       Peace from God Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace comes before peace in Galatians 1:3.  The term “peace” (“εἰρήνη”)  means that we are on perfect terms with God in our relationship with Him.  All of God’s anger against my sin has been poured out upon the Lord Jesus when He died on the cross, and all the righteousness of Christ Jesus has been transferred to me by faith alone.  Remember that grace comes before peace.  By God’s grace, I believe that Jesus died for me while I was a sinner.  Because of my faith, I believe that Jesus took all the condemnation for my sins, which I deserved, and gave His life for mine on the cross.  Because there is now no condemnation for me, because of my faith in the death of Jesus Christ, I have peace with God.  God and I live in total harmony and I have confidence that God loves me and accepts me.  In this verse, Paul ties grace and peace to “our Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ.”  So let me review the basics of the Trinity of God for a moment.  God eternally exists as three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  In Galatians 1:3, page 1819, Paul reminds us that God the Father is not the same person as God the Son (Jesus Christ).  Both the Father and Son are truly God, but they are not the same Person.  The Father did not die on the cross, but Jesus died on the cross.  The Father was not resurrected from the dead, but Jesus arose.  We know, however, that Jesus was truly God, just like the Father and the Holy Spirit.  We serve only one God, who eternally exists as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  For further study, you may want to review First Steps, Step Seven, Trinity. [5]

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Galatians 1:4-5

        Gave Himself for Our Sins.  At the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we see that Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins.  Jesus died for my sins.  Jesus never sinned, and so He never needed anyone to take care of His sins (Hebrews 4:15).  Notice the word “gave” (“δόντος”).  Jesus made an absolute, complete gift.  Jesus gave Himself as the perfect offering for my sin and your sin.  He laid down His life willingly, and no one forced Him to die (John 10:17-18).  When you think about gifts, the greatest gift ever given anywhere was the gift of Jesus Christ to die for the world, because the Father loved the world and gave His only Son (John 3:16).  Without the gift of Jesus dying for us, we would be forever guilty and condemned for our sins.  By faith, I believe that Jesus paid the death penalty for my sins, and now I walk free from all condemnation for sin.  But, not only did Jesus remove from me all condemnation for sin, He also rescued me.

       Rescue Us from this Present Evil Age.  In Galatians 1:4, we read that Jesus gave His life so that He might rescue (“ἐξέληται”) us from this present evil age.  You may recall that Herod arrested Peter and imprisoned him.  God sent an angel to lead him out of the jail.  Peter reflected upon his deliverance by God from the prison and used the same root word for rescue there (Acts 12:11).  We see that rescue means that God led Peter out of prison and confinement.  Peter did not go to heaven immediately after the rescue, but went back to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ on earth.  Evil rulers like Herod may cause us tremendous problems, but one day Jesus will return and establish His kingdom upon earth.  When Jesus is not ruling upon His earthly throne, then Satan will exercise dominion over this world.  We live in an evil age today, because Satan exercises his great power over everyone on earth (Ephesians 2:2).  Satan tempts believers, and creates clever schemes to deceive believers and lead them away from Christ (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11). By the power of Christ, Satan does not touch believers (1 John 5:18-19).  In fact, when believers submit themselves to God and resist the devil, the devil flees from them (James 4:7).  Notice something very important here for living every day.  When Jesus told us here that He has rescued us from this present evil age, He did not mean that we no longer have to live on earth.  He meant that spiritually, we no longer live under the power of Satan.  God has delivered us from the dungeon of the devil. By the power of God, God the Father has rescued (“ἐρρύσατο”) us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).  God rescued us according to His own will and helped us like a loving Father. 

      To Whom Be the Glory Forevermore.  In Galatians 1:5, God reminds us that He gives us grace and peace, and imbues our lives with His purpose for living.  He does not remove us out of the world, but empowers us to live for Him in this world.  Spiritually, we have been rescued from the power of the devil to rule our lives.  Physically, we wake up and go to work each day, while living in a very evil age.  As believers, we see the plan of God working in our lives to make our lives shine for Christ in this spiritually dark and evil world.  This present age does not control us, but God by His will and power has already rescued us from it.  We live here now to glorify God.  God deserves all the glory, because He has given us all that we have, and empowers us to love Him and live for Him every day.  He deserves all the glory, everyday, forever.

        So we learn more about Grace, Peace and Rescue.

     ●  God blesses us with grace and peace every day, and always wants us to have more of His grace and peace in our daily lives.

     ●   We live in an evil age, but God has rescued us from that evil by His loving power. 

     ●   God deserves all the glory, forever. 

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, I will count upon God’s grace and peace in my life.  I may even greet some Christian friend today with those words “grace and peace.”  I will keep in mind today that I have been rescued from this evil age, so I will expect people to live evil lives apart from Christ.  For those of us in Christ, by faith alone, we will live and walk in the power of Jesus Christ.  Will your life glorify God today?

Back to Basics: Deserting Christ │ Galatians 1:6 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,Galatians,January 2012,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly Archive

January 26, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Three

Deserting Christ

Galatians 1:6

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    Have you ever thought about giving up and quitting?  I have met many people who have made a conscious decision to quit, sit down, and let life go by without them.  I have met other people who have deserted their friends, family, and their assembly, because they had begun walking in darkness and spiritual lies.  People who give up often started their decline by walking away from the truth of Jesus Christ.  Today, we will study a single verse about deserting Christ Jesus.

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

Galatians 1:6

      I Am Amazed.  My wife often looks at me and says: “Why are you amazed at the way those people act?  You know what people are like.”  I believe the Bible accurately describes man’s heart: “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).   I watch people act from their hearts, and do very terrible things.  A friend of mine told me recently that he had reconciled with another friend of mine, and I was very happy for both of them, until my friend told me that they had both been in the park all day for the last three days drinking beer together all day until they were completely drunk all day.  I know that one of them tells his wife that he had stopped drinking, and was trying to take care of his body.  Later I learned that he had spent several nights lately on the beach, because his wife had thrown him out of the house.  I was amazed at the bad behavior of my friend.  What happened that caused such tragic events in the life of someone who claims to know Christ? In short, when you desert Christ, and abandon His teachings, terrible things may happen in your life.

       In Galatians 1:6, Paul talks about being “amazed” (“Θαυμάζω”) by the Galatians.  In this case, the Galatians amazed Paul by their change in doctrine.  For so many believers, they think that doctrine makes little or no difference and what you believe does not really make much difference, so long as you have truly been born again.  In this verse, Paul described to the Galatians how bad doctrine, even among believers, leads to bad lives.  As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul’s life centered around spreading the Word of God to new places and watching Jesus Christ build His church.  Now Paul sees the Galatians moving away from Christ.

      So Quickly Deserting Him.  Paul describes the Galatians as “so quickly deserting” (“οὕτως ταχέως μετατίθεσθε”) Christ.  As a believer, you should remember the Galatians because they were deserting Christ so quickly.  Notice the emphasis here upon speed.  You can have major spiritual problems in your life very quickly.  You may be o.k. one day, and drinking in the park, separated from your spouse, the next day.  Paul also used the term “deserting.”  This same root word for deserting occurs in Jude 4, to describe that activity of evil men creeping in to churches, and turning the grace of God into licentiousness and so denying our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.  In Galatians 1:6, the force of the action comes from within the believer, and acts upon the believer himself.  Let me summarize the action for you.  Paul described the Galatians as people who had turned away from Christ.  He emphasized that they had done it to themselves, as a product of their own decisions.  They chose to desert Christ.  Before we leave the verse, keep in mind that they had not deserted the doctrine only, but the Person of Jesus Christ.  If you start believing bad doctrine, then you will be deserting Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him.  It really does matter what you believe, because your doctrine affects your relationship with Christ, who loves you every day of your life.  You are deserting Jesus Christ, the Person who called (“καλέσαντος”) you.  When you ponder the “call” of Jesus Christ in your life, you may recall that you were dead in your trespasses and sins, without hope in the world, and living in this present evil age.  But Jesus Christ reached out to you, gave you new spiritual life, and you were born again by the power and love of God.  Why did you desert Him and His loving call in your life?  Why would anyone do that?

      A Different Gospel.  We have a candidate running for the office of President in America who describes himself as a Mormon.  Mormons teach that Jesus Christ was not divine or equal to the Father, but rather is the brother of Satan as they were both a “son of the morning,” created by God (Joseph Smith, Mormon Prophet, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, Pg. 218-219; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 6:207).  In contrast, the Bible teaches that Jesus was never created, but eternally existed as God before Jesus took flesh and God dwelt among men.  Jesus was fully God and fully man at the same time (John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-11).  Mormons have embraced a different gospel, which is not really a gospel at all.  Joseph Smith, the first prophet of Mormons in America, crept into the lives of many Americans, and promoted licentious living, having sex and children with many woman, and falling into the error of Jude 4 described above.  While we can quickly see that Mormonism denies the deity of Christ, and rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ, other cults move more subtly into Christianity.  Mormons always try to claim they are Christians, but Christ would never embrace Mormon teaching, and has already condemned Mormons to hell because they reject Christ and His Gospel, substituting another gospel that denies the deity of Christ.  Because they claim Christ is not divine like God the Father, then they do not believe that Christ is truly God. Only God can save you from your sins.  But for every Mormon who turns away from their evil doctrines, and receives Christ Jesus as God the Savior, by the grace and calling of God they too can be saved and leave Mormonism.

      In Galatians 1:6, Paul described a “different Gospel” (“ἕτερον εὐαγγέλιον”).  Paul could have called that gospel a different kind of gospel, but the same kind of gospel.  Instead, however, Paul chose a different Greek word to emphasize the difference between the Galatians’ gospel and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul wrote that the gospel they believed now was a totally different gospel, not at all like the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In the next verse Paul will clearly state that their gospel is no Gospel at all, period.  Paul makes the point here that we must be very careful not to be swept away by a different Gospel.  These Galatians have deserted Christ, because they have made a decision within themselves to believe a totally different Gospel.  We will see that this different Gospel requires men to work for their salvation, and must do certain acts to go to heaven.  Without those certain acts, they cannot go to heaven.  In contrast, Paul will remind them that God saves people from the penalty of their sins by His grace through faith, and never saves people by their works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Notice too that the Galatians had deserted God, who had called them by the grace of Christ.  So many religions, like Mormonism, emphasize that man must work to obtain salvation, but God in the Bible declares that only the grace of God saves man.  Man believes, and God saves.  But even that faith is a gift of God, so that no man may boast. 

        So we learn more deserting Christ today.

      ●  God warns each believer about adopting a different gospel, that results in us deserting Christ.

     ●  Paul was amazed at how quickly people desert the Gospel of Christ, which should remind us that we can fall quickly away from correct doctrine. 

    ●  Jesus called us by His grace, and once saved by His grace through faith, we can never lose our salvation, but we can desert Him in favor of bad doctrine, so that we too may be drinking in the park every day.

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I will be careful to read my Bible, and be sure my doctrine follows the doctrine of Christ.  I do not want to desert God for a different gospel, and move away from the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Will you be careful not to desert Christ for a different gospel today?

Back to Basics: Let Him Be Accursed │ Galatians 1:8-9 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,February 2012,Galatians,Series | Comments Disabled
best storm

February 4, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Five

Let Him Be Accursed!

Galatians 1:8-9

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

    Paul defended the doctrinal basis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ against all attacks by false teachers.  Evil men with evil motives attacked the Galatians, trying to teach them a new gospel, that was not really a gospel at all.  The Galatians were deserting Christ, by adopting this false gospel.  So many believers think that doctrine does not really matter.  In Galatians, Paul described the close link between the Gospel that saved you from sin by faith, and the same Gospel that keeps you safely in Christ, without doctrinal distortion, so that you are not disturbed.  If you find that you have been wandering away from close fellowship with Christ, or if you are disturbed in your faith, read with me today and consider whether you have been disturbed in your basic understanding of the Gospel.  Truth from God will always shape our lives in Christ, and the absence of that truth from God in our lives will always disturb every true believer.  So, today, we will study the danger of false teachers wearing sheep’s clothing, who come into the fellowship, spreading their false teachings.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Galatians 1:8

      We or an Angel from Heaven.   In Galatians 1:8, Paul identified a problem I see among people all the time.  Most people I know, including many Christians, tend to believe what someone they trust told them, rather than rely upon reading the Bible to understand the truth of God.  You see, the truth of God stands independently of what men say, and the truth will always be the truth.  Remember that Jesus proclaimed: “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).  Jesus personified truth, and He represented the truth of God in bodily form.  In John 14:6, Jesus emphasized when it comes to salvation, He alone was and is the only true way of salvation.  He alone provided the way of salvation, but notice too that Jesus was telling us that He alone was the life of salvation.  We continue to live in the strength of our salvation for eternity, because we live with Jesus abiding within us for eternity.  Once He saves us, He keeps us in Him and He abides in us forever.  He lives in us and we are in Christ.  So, my point from the texts is that we should not think of the Gospel as something that only saved us, but it also continues to keep us close to Jesus for eternity.  The Gospel embodies the relationship we have with Jesus Christ every day, not only as a Savior who died once and for all, but also the Savior who lives within us moment by moment, and who will return to earth to reign.  So, in Galatians 1:8, Paul separates the messenger from the message.  If any messenger brings a different gospel, reject that messenger and his message.  Paul included himself in that warning.  Paul did not consider himself as the fount of knowledge and biblical doctrine.  He recognized that all his understanding of the Gospel came by means of direct revelation from Christ Jesus.  He was not imparting his own cleverly devised tales about Christ, but rather the truth of an eyewitness who had seen Christ after His resurrection (compare 2 Peter 1:16-21).  So even if an angel from heaven comes to you with another Gospel, do not imagine even for a moment that angel has been sent by God.  Consider the claims of Joseph Smith, the founder of the cult of Mormonism.  According to the writings of Joseph Smith, the angel Moroni came to him first on September 21, 1823.  That angel told Joseph Smith about “golden plates” buried near his home in western New York in the United States of America.  Later, Mormons became confused about whether the angel appearing to Joseph Smith was Moroni, or Nephi.  In either case, we see that Joseph Smith listened to an angel, and a cult completely opposed to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ began to distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Although like many cults, Mormons use language similar to Christianity, Mormons do not believe that Christ is divine, just like God the Father.  Instead, they view Christ as created by the Father, just like the Father created satan, so that satan and Christ are brothers in that sense.  In contrast, the Bible teaches us that Christ was never created, but always has been God, without beginning or creation (John 1:1; John 1:14).  As fully God and fully man, Christ died on the cross, to forgive sins as only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:1-13).

       Let Him Be Accursed.  In Galatians 1:8, Paul used very stern language.  He describes the false teacher as one who should be “accursed” (“ἀνάθεμα”).  Paul used this same word in 1 Corinthians 16:22, to describe anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus.  Paul did not distinguish ultimately between men or angels when he inveighed against everyone who preaches a false gospel.  Such angels and men must be accursed, and rejected by believers just as God rejected them and their evil teachings.

As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Galatians 1:9

        Let Him Be Accursed.  In Galatians 1:9, Paul drove home his point again regarding false teachers.  No matter who comes, listen to the message of the preacher.  If that message does not match the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached by Paul, and received previously by the Galatians, that man must be accursed.  The message always trumps the messenger.  I frequently tell people at the beach that I do not care what your preacher said.  I do not care what your priest said.  I do not care what your church said.  I often add that I do not expect my friends to care about what I said.  The sole authority for the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Bible itself.  It contains the revelation of Jesus Christ, and it is complete and without error of any kind in the original autographs.  As you read this study, do not focus upon my words, but consider the Bible verses we are reading.  My words should help you understand the Word of God.  Jesus must always be the focus of our study, and never the messenger.  If the messenger speaks a different Gospel, then that messenger, even me, must be accursed.  Paul warns us never to get caught up in the cult of personality, but look beyond the messenger to the message.  See if the doctrine comes from the Bible, or if it contradicts the Bible.  God will always help us know the truth when we rely upon Him and His word.

        So we learn more about false teachers who must be accursed today.

    ●  You must carefully examine the message of every preacher, and compare the message with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    ●   If any apostle, angel, or person comes to you with a gospel different from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let that one be accursed.

    ●   Never imagine, even for moment, that every gospel leads people to heaven or promotes a better life among believers.  False teachers spread false doctrine among believers, and in local assemblies, to corrupt the life of believers, so that we are disturbed by the distorted gospel they peddle.  Paul repeated himself to warn us that a new or improved gospel is no gospel at all, but rather evil news trying to replace the good news.  Be very careful to see the message, and examine it carefully.  Listen carefully to the pastor, elder, teacher, and everyone else in your local assembly.  Examine the message they preach and teach and compare it with Scripture.

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, by the power of Jesus Christ I intend to examine the message of people who talk with me about God.  No matter who they are, I will examine carefully what they say.  I will stay on guard against everyone who distorts the Gospel of Jesus Christ, knowing that God says they must be accursed.  Will you be examining the message of everyone today?

Back to Basics: Bond-Servant of Christ │ Galatians 1:10 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,February 2012,Galatians,Series | Comments Disabled
Christ Assembly

February 6, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Six

Bond-Servant of Christ

Galatians 1:10

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

      Paul has challenged the Galatians regarding their desertion from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the disturbing influences of false teachers proclaiming false doctrine.  Paul warned the Galatians that even an angel from God, who preaches a gospel different from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which Paul delivered to the them, must be accursed.  Paul clearly demarcated the line between truth and error, and said the message always trumps the messenger.   Today we will study the Bible and see that Paul did not strive to please men, but always considered himself a bond-servant of Jesus Christ.

For am I now seeking to the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

       The Favor of Men.   In Galatians 1:10, Paul contrasted the favor of men with the favor of God.  Paul talked about his motives.  Was he motivated to seek the favor (“πείθω”) of men, or of God?  In this context, Paul has discussed the false teachers who have distorted the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and disturbed the Galatians with their false gospel, which was really no gospel at all.  Paul then turned to his own motives, and by implication, the motives of the false teachers.  Paul reminded the Galatians that while some teachers may depend upon the approval of other men for their teaching, Paul was not seeking the approval of any man.  Paul also implied that some teachers chose the favor of men over the favor of God.  Remember the basics: in Galatians 1:1, Paul identified himself first and foremost as an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God.  We always need to keep in mind who we are and what we are like.  First and foremost, we are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.  Our faith in Christ not only saved us in a moment of time, but our faith also provides the foundation and means for daily living in Christ.  By faith we live in Jesus.  While the false teachers add other requirements to faith for salvation, Paul always rejected such additions.  Paul used the spiritual gift of apostleship to promote the purposes of God.  Because every single believer received a spiritual gift at the moment of salvation, each believer has a life long duty to use that spiritual gift for the glory of God each day.  Basic Christianity means we use our gifts to His glory, and we seek to implement God’s will each day, regardless of where that decision may lead us relative to the favor of men.  In other words, when it comes to the choice between seeking the favor of men, especially religious leaders, or, in the alternative, seeking the favor of God, we must always seek the favor of God, and ignore the religious leaders who would lead us away from God.  Consider the example of Jesus.  In Matthew 22:16,  we read that Jesus had the reputation of: (1) being truthful; (2) teaching the way of God; (3) not being partial to anyone; and (4) deferring to no one (of course, we recognize that some enemies ingratiate themselves with their words, which they do not mean).  Likewise, in James 2:1-6,  we read that Christians should not hold their faith with personal favoritism.  Believers must not give special attention to the rich, but must honor the poor men.  Paul understood that basically he was an apostle, sent to the Gentiles, to preach salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Like Paul, we need to stick to our basic calling, keeping our attention upon seeking the favor of God, and not men, no matter how rich or powerful they may be.  We use our spiritual gifts to the glory of God not men.  We stick to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and add nothing to it, even if an angel of God were to appear and encourage us to adopt another gospel.

     Striving To Please Men.  In Galatians 1:10, Paul continued his examination of motives.  He moved the focus to striving “to please” men.  This term “to please” (“ἀρέσκειν”) means to please in the sense of giving satisfaction, or acting to receive approval from another person.  In this case, we know that God always tests the motives of our actions (1 Corinthians 4:5).  If we are acting out of fear because of religious leaders (see, for example, Joseph of Arimathea, John 19:38; see also John 9:22), then we are not putting God first in our lives.  We are succumbing to fear (see Peter’s hypocrisy and fear, Galatians  2:12).  When we start to strive to please men, and not God, then we have moved away from basic Christianity.  Paul always taught believers to avoid being merely “men pleasers,” but we must be slaves who do the will of God from the heart (Ephesians 6:6).

       Bond-Servant of Jesus Christ.  In Galatians 1:10, Paul described himself as a bond-servant of Jesus Christ.  In other words, Paul used a common word for slave and applied it to himself.  He considered himself enslaved to Christ, but with absolutely pure motives to please God from the heart.  When we return to basics, we must keep in mind that we are all slaves of Jesus Christ.  He bought us by His precious blood, and we belong to Him alone (1 Peter 1:17-19).  So, in this context, we learn that Paul had a Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He constantly strove to please God alone, and not men.  Paul remained immune, like Jesus, to the pressures of other men, and did not concern himself with seeking their approval.  He lived in fear of God, and no one else.

        So we learn more about being a bond-servant of Christ today.

        ● Never seek the favor of men over the favor of God.

        ● Never strive to please men, when you must always please God first and foremost.

        ● Always remember that you are a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, who uses your spiritual gifts by the will of God. 

Application for Today

      As I walk through life today, I am a bond-servant of Jesus Christ.  I will make decisions today based upon pleasing Jesus, not to gain favor with men or submit to their pressures.  Will you be striving to please the Lord Jesus Christ, and not men, today?

 

Back to Basics: Gospel as Revelation │ Galatians 1:1-12 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,February 2012,Galatians,Series | Comments Disabled
Angel of Yahweh

February 6, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Seven

Gospel as Revelation

Galatians 1:11-12

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

    Paul has reviewed the spiritual problems plaguing the Galatian assemblies.  He declared that he preached to please God alone, and not men.   Paul focused upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who rescued us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom belongs all the glory forever.  Paul approached the entire discussion based upon his personal relationship with the Galatians.  He brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.  He knows their background, and now he compares the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with all the fake teachings.  Paul never rested his preaching upon the wisdom of man, but squarely upon the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he received directly from God.  Today we will study the Bible, and see that the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to us, through the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, as a direct revelation from God.

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

Galatians 1:11

      Not according to Man.   In Galatians 1:11, Paul explained the origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  By origin, he meant the source of the truth he preached to them.  Please keep in mind that false teachers were pointing to the Old Testament, and claimed that one must keep the Old Testament laws to go to heaven.  Paul’s opponents claimed the authority of God in the Old Testament to impose those requirements.  On a deeper level, however, Paul also showed that the false teachers were preaching a gospel different from the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented by Paul.  Paul preached that only salvation by faith in Christ Jesus would save a person from their sins.  Never think that this salvation by faith alone was a new idea, unknown in the Old Testament.  In Romans 4:1-25, Paul explained that both Abraham and David were saved from their sins by faith alone, and Abraham lived before the law was given to Moses.  The mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was known in the Old Testament, but the full details of that mystery were not revealed through the prophets and apostles until after Christ took flesh, was crucified, resurrected, and ascended (Romans 16:25-27).  In keeping with Paul’s emphasis upon his apostleship as sent by God, and not by man, Paul told the Galatians that the Gospel of Jesus Christ did not come from any man, but from God.  Paul did not receive this Gospel of Jesus Christ from the apostles in Jerusalem, but directly from God.  This claim shows that God, in His infinite wisdom, revealed the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a Jewish man, born again by the power of God.  As a Jew, Paul hated Christ and His church, but Paul did not know Christ until Christ revealed Himself to Paul on the Damascus road.  This direct contact with the risen Christ characterized Paul’s life and his message.

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:12

       Not from Man.  In Galatians 1:12, Paul plainly stated that the Gospel of Jesus Christ did not come from man.  No man delivered the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Paul.  Think about this claim and compare it to your life.  Each of us received the Gospel from some preacher, friend, relative, missionary, or other person.  Of course, as we have just seen, we know the Gospel of Jesus Christ came originally from God, but some messenger preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us, and so faith came by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:16-17).  Paul proclaimed here that the he did not receive the Gospel from any man, and the implications of that turns out to be enormous.  Because Paul did not walk through Israel and Judah with Jesus, and travel those long dusty roads in the company of the twelve disciples, Paul did not feel a drop of peer pressure from them, or anyone else.  Paul knew that the Gospel of Jesus Christ came directly from Jesus, after His resurrection.  In His deep wisdom, God had the twelve apostles proclaiming to the Jews the message of salvation, but God chose another man, a devout Jew, at first a persecutor of the church, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. 

      Not Taught It.  As Paul continued to describe the origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul told the Galatians that he was not taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Again, Paul makes a dramatic point about the relationship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all other false teachings and false gospels.  All false teachings and false gospels were taught by men and come from men.  No man taught Paul the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  For each of us, we received the Gospel of Jesus Christ after some believer told us about the facts of the Gospel: Jesus Christ lived, died for sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  Neither the twelve apostles, nor any other man, taught Paul those truths.  Paul received direct revelation from God about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am struck by the power and wisdom of the plan of God.  Jesus chose twelve disciples to be with Him as He travelled all over Israel and Judah, but Paul was not among that group.  God had other plans.  Because of the problems with the theological temptation to base salvation upon keeping the Old Testament law, God chose to use Paul, more Jewish than most or all other Jews, to proclaim the one and only Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At first, Paul did not know Peter, James and the other apostles.  He did not receive teaching from them about salvation.  Paul received the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from God, without any human instruments in between.  This direct connection made all the difference in the way Paul received the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even when Paul would oppose the hypocrisy of Peter, as Paul described later in Galatians.

      A Revelation of Jesus Christ.  Literally, the  word revelation (“ἀποκαλύψεως”) means to appear, to manifest, to display something previously hidden.  In this case, Jesus Christ revealed the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly to Paul.  When Paul confronted the Galatians with their desertion of Christ, Paul did so on the basis that he knew supernaturally the origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul did not get the Gospel from studying the Old Testament, or listening to the apostles, or hearing from a missionary.  On the contrary, Paul received revelation directly from Christ.  Our faith rests upon revelation alone.  Our faith resides in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Paul will develop this theme of direct revelation from God in the following passage, and how his direct revelation from Jesus Christ became the basis for preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Today, we do not need further revelation of God concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because He has already provided the complete revelation to Paul and the other authors of Scripture (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Paul knew that the Galatians had deserted Jesus, by following false teachings about a fake gospel, which was no gospel at all.  Paul knew about the problems because he knew the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and anyone appearing and proclaiming a different gospel must  be accursed.

        So we learn more about the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ today.

    ●  The Gospel of Jesus Christ rests upon revelation, not clever teaching or the traditions of men.

    ●  Today, we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed directly by Jesus Christ.

    ●  God intended for us to know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to us by revelation from Him, and it does not come from man.   

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ came by revelation directly to Paul.  He proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by the power of Jesus Christ, so that I may have continuing faith in Jesus Christ for every aspect of my life.  Will you be living in the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?

 

Back to Basics: My Former Manner of Life │ Galatians 1:13-14 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,February 2012,Galatians,Series | Comments Disabled
STORM.WAVES

February 10, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Eight

My Former Manner of Life

Galatians 1:13-14

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.  Eternal Life [3]

    Many people I know spend time thinking about the past, and the way they have lived life.  Some people have glowing thoughts of the way they were before being born again in the Spirit, while others regret their former manner of life.  Today we will read about Paul reviewing his former manner of life, and why he reviewed his past with the Galatians.  I often hear people preoccupied with their past, and never focusing upon the present and the future.  As a believer, your past should be under the control of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  In this passage today, watch how Paul uses his past life before salvation as part of his message to the Galatians.  So, today we will focus upon a  passage in the Bible that teaches us about how we should look at our past.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;

Galatians 1:13

      Former Manner of Life.  In Galatians 1:13, Paul looked back at his “former manner of life” (“ἀναστροφήν ποτε”).  The first lesson we should learn concerns looking back and how we look back and why we look back.  For every believer, we should discern a former manner of life that we turned away from to follow Christ.  Personally, I received Christ as young child of five years old, but I still remember the great joy of having my sins forgiven and living in new life with God.  I had not yet committed great sins which plagued me later in life, but I do recall the joy of forgiveness.  For Paul, he saw a sharp contrast between his present life and his former life.  Second, Paul did not try to hide his former manner of life.  He discussed it freely with the Galatians, and his old reputation had spread to many areas.  You see, God loves to use your former manner of life to His glory.  We cannot always anticipate how God will use our former lives, but we know that His plans will glorify Himself in one way or another.  Third, no matter what your former manner of life was like before you came to Christ for salvation, you cannot change the past, but you can gain perspective and appreciation for the way Christ brought change into your life by His salvation and the abiding presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in your life.  In Paul’s case, he emphasized a change in his religious outlook and practice.

       Judaism.  In Galatians 1:13, Paul recognized the role that “Judaism” played in his former manner of life.  Never forget that Jesus was a Jew, sent by God first to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles.  “Judaism” means something particular to Paul.  He described “Judaism” as people who “persecute the Church of God beyond measure and try to destroy it.”  In Acts 9:21,  we read that the disciples in Damascus called Paul the “persecutor” (“πορθήσας”) of the church.  In Acts 9:21, the term for persecute describes the entirety and completeness of the persecution.  Paul was the “one who has persecuted,” and the term means to sack, destroy, kill and lay waste.  Under the power of Jesus Christ, Paul went from being the one binding Christians for persecution and death, to the bond-servant of Christ bound to His service.  We should learn from Paul the depth and totality of Christ creating us as new spiritual beings at the moment of salvation.  We become new creatures in Christ, with the old things passed away and new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We not only see our past before we came to Christ, but we see a different creature of evil.  Paul was still a Jew before and after his salvation.  Individually, God chose Paul, a Jew from Tarsus, to serve Him, but God did not immediately bring salvation to all the Jews.  The Jews as a nation, will always be part of the people of God in terms of national destiny.  God has made promises to Abraham and David which God will fulfill in the future.  God made national, geographic, and royal promises and that the nation of Israel will look upon Christ whom they have pierced, mourn and repent (Zechariah 12:10).  The people of Israel will one day return to the land of Israel, and live under the reign of Jesus Christ in the millennium.  In Galatians 1:13, Paul focused upon “Judaism” as the group of unbelievers who sought to destroy the church, and persecute its members, just for their faith in Christ Jesus.  As we look at our past, we may see great atrocities, but we should remember Paul.  Paul used his past, including its great evil, to glorify God.  Because Paul lived in Judaism, he could speak against the evils of Judaism based upon first-hand experience and eye-witness testimony.  Paul personified “Judaism” before he came to faith in Christ Jesus.

and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.

Galatians 1:14

      Advancing in Judaism.  In Galatians 1:14, Paul claimed to be advancing in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries.  Paul meant that he excelled in Judaism, and persecuted the church more than his friends and colleagues.  As Paul used the term in this verse, Paul meant that “Judaism” was not the true faith of the Old Testament, but a perversion of the Old Testament teaching, which resulted in the Jews not knowing the Messiah when He came.  Furthermore, the Jews’ determination to have a righteousness based upon their own works under the Law of the Old Testament only led them into unrighteousness before God, because the Law condemned them as sinners, unable to keep the Law.  So, Paul compared himself to the other men of Judaism, and said he excelled beyond them.

      More Extremely Zealous for My Ancestral Traditions.  In Galatians 1:14, Paul looked at the root of “Judaism.”  He traced his behavior to zealous devotion to “ancestral traditions” (“παραδόσεων”).  This term for ancestral traditions highlights the problem with supplanting the text of Scripture with the teachings of men.  Some Jews held that Moses not only wrote the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah or Pentateuch, but he also delivered oral traditions which were handed down from generation to generation.  Judging from the content of those traditions at the time of Paul, they lead people away from God, so that they were opposed to Christ when He came.  Remember that Jesus came to His own people of Israel, and they did not receive Him (John 1:11), because they did not know the God of the Old Testament, His Father and Himself, as the Yahweh of the Old Testament (John 8:19).  Today, we see all kinds of false teachers adding material to the Bible, because they claim God revealed something to them.  All such teaching contradicts the Bible itself, and leads away from Christ and knowledge of God.

       When we truly know the power of Christ in our salvation, we gain a whole new perspective upon our entire lives.  Instead of living in guilt and shame for past sins, we delight in the power of Christ transforming our lives from sinners to holy ones in Him.  We see His power working in our lives each day, delivering us from sin and sinful practices, and enjoying His love day by day.  We do not fear our past, but know we have no condemnation from God, and live in peace with Him for eternity.  Our past becomes our testimony for Christ and His power.  We must always see ourselves as the Bible describes us, and abandon our own sinful images of who we were and are now in Christ.  The truth of our lives shines with the glory of God at work in us, when we open our eyes and see the great things Jesus has been doing within us.

  So we learn more about evaluating our past from God’s perspective today.

    ●  When we look at our days before salvation, we see a picture of evil in our lives, controlling us and leading us to sin against God.

    ●   When we look at our salvation, we see God delivering us from the power of evil, and creating a new spiritual being. 

    ●   When we look at Jesus today, we see Him who has always loved us, and transformed us so that everyone will know about the wonderful change from evil to good in our lives, and how we left the darkness and came into His marvelous light, to live with Him forever as His bond-slave. 

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, I want to see my past through the eyes of Jesus, and not from my own perspective of guilt, shame, or longing for the old days.  Instead, I know that Christ works in me, and His power will shine from me today.  Will you see your past through the eyes of Christ today?

 

Back to Basics: Reveal His Son │ Galatians 1:15-17 │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In 2012 Encouragement,Back to Basics,Bible Books,Daily Encouragement Archive,February 2012,Galatians,Series | Comments Disabled
Morning

February 15, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Nine

Reveal His Son

Galatians 1:15-17

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

    My wife and two of my friends have a birthday today.  Whenever we have birthdays, we tend to look back at our lives and also ponder our future.  In Galatians 1,  we have seen Paul talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his personal work as an apostle, serving Jesus as a bond-servant.  In this passage today, Paul focused upon God revealing Jesus Christ in the life of Paul.  God called Paul to such service from his mother’s womb.  Maybe you will start thinking about your birthday in  a different light today. 

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased

Galatians 1:15

      Set Apart from My Mother’s Womb.  In Galatians 1:15,  we learn about the purposes of God at work in our lives from our mother’s womb.  Paul plainly stated that God set Paul apart even before he was born.  We should not be amazed at such a statement, because we know that God cares for children in the womb of their mother.  Paul emphasized here that God has great plans and purposes for our lives.  Because God loves us, he seeks the best use of our lives for Him.  Paul said that God “set me apart” (“ὁ ἀφορίσας με”).  This action of God reveals God’s predetermined plans for our lives.  In Paul’s life, we read about the confrontation Paul had from Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).  Paul tells us that incident did not begin the change in his life, because he later knew that God had set him apart for God’s service from the womb of his mother.  Paul did not know about the true purposes of God until later in life when God revealed those purposes to him.  We should remember that God has already laid plans for our lives, that we will not know or appreciate, until He reveals them to us, often after they have taken place in our lives.

      Called Me through His Grace.  In Galatians 1:15,  we also read about the grace of God in action, before birth.  Our salvation always starts with God calling us to Himself.  We respond to God calling us.  In this case, we see that God called Paul by “grace” (“χάριτος”).  We know from our previous studies that grace means that God gives us a gift we cannot earn or deserve.  He gives this gift because He loves us.  Therefore, Paul stressed here that God called him before he was born.  Using His grace, God calls believers to Himself.  At some point in every believer’s life, we hear the voice of Jesus calling to us, and we respond to the call of God, which begins in us a life of service to Christ.  We live out the calling of God in our lives, as part of His service, where God has set us apart for His own particular use.  Every life has an individual and unique ministry, purposed and planned by God from the womb of our mothers.  No believer should ever think for a moment that life has no meaning or purpose.  Our entire purpose and meaning rest upon the calling of God in our lives.  We may forsake God at times, but His calling and purpose will always remain sure and steady.  He seeks to use our spiritual gifts to His glory every day, as part of a unified plan for our lives to serve Him in concert with other believers.

to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,

Galatians 1:16

      Pleased To Reveal His Son in Me.  In Galatians 1:16, Paul continued his thought from the previous verse.  The verse division here in our English Bible does not follow the original text well.  Please remember that God wrote the autographs of the Bible without division into verses; they were added later and are not inspired.  When we follow the original text, the message becomes: “God was well pleased to reveal His Son in me . . . .”  Paul meant that God intended all along to reveal Jesus Christ in the life of Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor in chief of the church of Jesus Christ.  God loves to change lives by His grace and calling, so that Christ may be revealed in our lives, according to His predetermined purposes.  Can you imagine that God planned all along to use your life to reveal Jesus Christ to the people who come into contact with your life?  Think about that fact on your next birthday.  Consider that fact for the birthday of your offspring.  For every mother, God has plans for the offspring of your womb, according to His calling upon the life of every believer.  Notice too that Paul understood that God focused upon revelation.  God not only reveals Jesus through the Scriptures, but also through our lives.  We must be sure that the love of God flows through us and controls us, so that we shine for Jesus every day.

     Preach Him.  In Galatians 1:16,  we see that everyone will reveal Christ, but we will not all be preachers like Paul.  Paul received the spiritual gift of apostle.  As an apostle, Paul preached Christ all over the Mediterranean world.  God called Paul to reveal Christ, and Paul used the spiritual gift of apostleship to do that mission.  God reveals Christ in all of our lives, but each of us have different spiritual gifts.   Different spiritual gifts result in a variety of ministries and a variety of spiritual effects (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).  Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and discipled people to grow up in Christ.  After receiving the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul did not immediately consult with flesh and blood.  Remember that Paul received his understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Jesus as a special revelation.  Paul did not receive it from men, and no man taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12).  Paul intended that the Galatians comprehend the direct revelation he received from God, and it did not depend upon any human being, not even the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem or elsewhere.   Likewise, our faith does not depend upon the approval of men, but our faith rests solely upon the power of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

Galatians 1:17

        Apostles before Me.  In Galatians 1:17, Paul spoke about the men who were apostles before him.  In this context, Paul meant that he came to know Christ later in time than the apostles in Jerusalem.  Paul went from persecuting the church of God to revealing Jesus Christ, but that conversion occurred after the resurrection of Christ and His ascension to heaven.  While the other apostles ministered primarily in Jerusalem, we see that they also reached out to Samaria and to the Gentiles ultimately (Acts 8:1 to Acts 15:29).  Paul makes the point that he received the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Christ, and not from the apostles or any other men.  He did not seek the approval of any man, because Paul knew Jesus had revealed the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly to him.

     Arabia and Damascus.  In Galatians 1:17, Paul stated that he travelled to Arabia and then Damascus.  You may recall that Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-9, and then Paul preached Christ in Damascus, amazing the Christians there (Acts 9:19-25).  After escaping from persecution in Damascus, Paul then returned to Jerusalem where Barnabas took hold of Paul and introduced Paul to some of the apostles there (Acts 9:27).  Because of threats against his life, Paul left his bold preaching for Christ in Jerusalem, and went down to Caesarea and then on to Tarsus (Acts 9:30).  Later, we see Paul brought to the revival in Antioch by Barnabas, and from there Paul began his missionary activity with Barnabas (Acts 11:19-30; Acts 13:1 to Acts 14:28).  Paul recounted in Galatians that he spent years in Arabia, before going up to Jerusalem.  From Galatians, we glean that Paul did not immediately go up to Jerusalem after his first preaching in Damascus, but spent time in Arabia, which term may include the Nabatean region as far as Mount Sinai (Galatians 4:25).  Paul pointedly emphasized that his gospel did not come from the apostles in Jerusalem, or from any other secondhand source, but from a direct and special revelation from Christ Himself.

     So we learn more about Jesus revealing Himself in our lives.

    ●  Jesus set apart Paul for service to Christ while Paul was in his mother’s womb.

    ●   Jesus revealed Himself in the life of Paul, by using the spiritual gifts imparted to Paul. 

    ●   Jesus revealed the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly to Paul, and Paul did not consult with flesh and blood immediately about that revelation directly from Jesus, but went and preached Christ immediately. 

Application for Today

     As I walk through life today, I will remember that God set me apart for His service, even from my mother’s womb.  Jesus seeks to reveal Himself in me today, so that I will shine for Him and reflect His love to people around me by using the spiritual gifts He has bestowed upon me.  Will your life reveal Christ today?

 

Back to Basics: I Am Not Lying │ Galatians 1:18-20 │ Christ Assembly

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Forsaken

February 20, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Ten

I Am Not Lying

Galatians 1:18-21

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

     Paul related his travels after his conversion to prove, among other things, that he did not immediately consult with flesh and blood concerning the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Jesus Himself.  As we study a few verses today, we will see that Paul spent a little time with the apostle Cephas, and also met the apostle James, the brother of the Lord Jesus.  Paul emphasized that he received a revelation from Christ, directly, and was not taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Cephas, James, or any other person on earth.   

Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.

Galatians 1:18

      Fifteen Days with Cephas.  In Galatians 1:18,  we learn that Paul spent fifteen days with Cephas.  This visit to Jerusalem occurred three years after his conversion, and only lasted fifteen days.  Paul implied that, in such a short period of time, he could not have been taught everything he knew about Jesus from Cephas or the other apostles.  On the other hand, Paul did want to meet Cephas in Jerusalem.  You may recall that upon his conversion, Paul went to Damascus and began to preach Christ there (Act 9:19-21).  We see that after many days, Paul left Damascus, being let down through an opening in the wall, lowered in a basket (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33).  We read also that after leaving Damascus, Paul went to Jerusalem and began to preach Christ there, but the disciples were afraid of him at first, until Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles.  Paul moved freely about Jerusalem, until the Hellenistic Jews attempted to put him to death.  Then, the brethren sent Paul down to Caesarea, and then on to Tarsus, his hometown (Acts 9:23-30).  This visit to Jerusalem seems to correspond to Paul’s visit to Cephas, lasting 15 days (Galatians 1:18).  Paul visited Cephas for a meeting among equals.  In no way did Cephas, or any other human being, confer apostleship upon Paul.  Paul always described his apostleship as a spiritual gift (Ephesians 4:11) and a calling directly from God, and by the will of God (Galatians 1:1).

But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Galatians 1:19

      Apostle James, the Lord’s Brother.  In Galatians 1:19, Paul recounted his visit with the apostle James, the Lord’s brother.  Do not confuse James, the son of Zebedee, with this James, the apostle in Galatians 1:19.  James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve disciples, who travelled with Jesus throughout Palestine.  Although some false religions today teach that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had no other babies, the Bible teaches that Mary had James, Joseph, Simon and Judas after bearing Jesus, plus unnamed sisters (Matthew 13:56).  You probably recall that Mary was a virgin when the Holy Spirit came upon her, and she became pregnant with the Lord Jesus (Matthew 1:18).  We know that during the earthly ministry of Jesus, before His resurrection, James and his brothers were not believing in Christ (Mark 3:20-21; John 7:5).  Later, however, after the resurrection of Jesus, and before His ascension to heaven, we see them and their mother Mary, gathered together in the upper room in Jerusalem, with the apostles, continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with other women (Acts 1:14).  In Galatians 1:19,  we learn that years later, Paul met James who functioned as an apostle, and evidently continued in the faith to the glory of God.  Paul clearly identifies this James as one of the apostles.  We know that this James was not one of the twelve apostles, so we may deduce that the term “apostles” in the New Testament described more than just the twelve apostles.

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)

Galatians 1:20

       Not Lying.  In Galatians 1:20,  we read this unusual statement that Paul declared he was not lying about his own biography, and more particularly about his own visit to Jerusalem.   It seems as if a charge had been laid against Paul that his spiritual knowledge was secondary, because he learned it from the apostles in Jerusalem.  Paul’s opponents must have argued that the apostles in Jerusalem spent time directly with the Lord Jesus, and they really knew the Gospel of Jesus Christ better than anyone else, especially Paul.  According to the false argument, the apostles in Jerusalem were the real authority on all matters pertaining to Christ, and not Paul.  Paul combated that argument by showing that he actually received a revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Jesus Himself, and did not receive it from any human being, including, without limitation, any apostle in Jerusalem or elsewhere (Galatians 1:12).  For all the false teachers in Galatia, Paul undercut their arguments about authority by reaffirming, with his own biography, that he taught the direct revelation of Jesus Christ, and not from traditions received from the apostles.

        So we learn more about Paul and his relationship to the apostles in Jerusalem.

    ●  Paul did not learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Cephas, but Paul visited Cephas in Jerusalem after Paul received the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Jesus Himself.

   ●  Paul also visited with the apostle James in Jerusalem, and stayed approximately 15 days in Jerusalem. 

   ●  Paul spent time with other believers, and visited with them.  We should likewise spend time with believers, and be encouraged by our visits with them. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I will remember that God revealed the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly to Paul, and not through the apostles and then to Paul.  Our faith rests upon direct revelation from God.  God used a variety of men to write the New Testament, and today, he uses a variety of people to perform His will upon earth.  We labor together on the same team, for God only has one team, spread across the entire world.  We have only one God, One Savior, and He directs our paths in His ministry.  Will you be laboring for Christ, united with Christ on one team, today?

Back to Basics: Glorifying God Because of Me │ Galatians 1:21-24 │ Christ Assembly

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Blue Sky

March 1, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Eleven

Glorifying God Because of Me

Galatians 1:21-24

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

    Paul declared that God had radically and completely changed his life.  In the passage we will read today, Paul reviewed his biography, and drew wonderful conclusions about the activity of God in his life.  We need to see how God works in our lives every day, so that we can share with others how God has changed us, so that they will glorify God along with us.  In our passage today, we will learn that God loves to glorify Himself, and not us, by using His power to change lives. 

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.  I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;

Galatians 1:21-22

      Syria and Cilicia.  In Galatians 1:21, Paul told us that when he left Jerusalem, he did not stay in Israel, but went completely out of the country to Syria and Cilicia.  In Acts 15:23, the apostles and the brethren who were elders wrote a letter to the brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, who were converts from the Gentiles.  Evidently, this area of Syria and Cilicia had many Gentile converts, apparently from the ministry of Paul and others, although people from Syria brought sick people and demoniacs to Jesus after hearing the news about Him (Matthew 4:24).  Notice that Jesus used different men to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world.

       Unknown to the Churches of Judea in Christ.  In Galatians 1:22, Paul also informed us that he was unknown by sight to the churches in Judea, the area around Jerusalem.  As part of his defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul drew upon the witness of many churches.  Paul argued here that he received the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly from Jesus Himself by direct revelation.  Paul bolstered that argument by showing that he was not a well-known figure in the the churches of Judea, as if he attended them and learned the Gospel in the churches in that area, which included Jerusalem.  Paul instead argued that he was completely unknown by sight to those churches.  No witness could come forward with truthful testimony that Paul received the Gospel of Jesus Christ from anyone in those churches.  The separateness of Paul’s revelation shines brightly here.

but only, they kept hearing, ‘He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.’

Galatians 1:23

      Kept Hearing.  In Galatians 1:23, Paul described the testimony of the churches in Judea.  Those churches in Christ kept hearing that Paul had an active and continuing ministry of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but not among them.  So, in terms of testimony at trial, Paul wrote that if asked, the churches of Judea knew about Paul, even though they had never seen Paul in person.  Furthermore, their testimony would support Paul’s claim that he received the Gospel directly from Christ, because even his once most ardent enemies would testify that Paul was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he had not learned it from them.  In their mind, Paul, the persecutor of the church had become the preacher of Christ Jesus.  Paul now preached the faith he once tried to destroy.  They knew firsthand about that persecution from Paul, because the Judean churches experienced it firsthand.  God did not send Paul to those people he had persecuted in Judea, but instead, sent him to the Gentiles in other lands.  His fame in the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread even back to Judea.  Christ has this wonderful plan to spread His gospel all over the world.  He loves to change lives so profoundly that we gain a new reputation for Christ.  Notice too that Paul preached the faith.  Salvation always focuses upon faith, not works.  God gives us the gift of faith for salvation, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

And they were glorifying God because of me.’

Galatians 1:24

      Glorifying God.  In Galatians 1:23-24,  we read that the churches in Christ in Judea were glorifying God because of the work of God in Paul preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.  God changes our lives to bring glory to Himself.  Paul did not recount his conversion and ministry to bring attention to himself, but to exalt God.  In Galatians 1:23, Paul used that testimony to show that he was preaching outside of Judea, but saints were glorifying God because of Him.  This same model, of God changing our lives and using our lives, should always characterize our lives.  If you asked people who knew you before your conversion to Christ to testify about you now, what would they say about you?  Perhaps your friends today would not offer glowing testimony to Christ working in you.  Why not take this passage to heart, and allow God to begin working powerfully in you, just like He used Paul to glorify Himself?  God wants to use your life, right now, today, to glorify Himself.  Perhaps even your worst enemies will begin to see you in a new light, as transformed by the power of God in your life.

        So we learn more about God glorifying Himself in our lives.

    ●   Jesus sent Paul to Syria and Cilicia to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and He may send you to other lands.  Be ready.

    ●   Jesus changed Paul from persecutor to preacher of the faith.  Jesus always seeks to change your life, to be more like Him every day. 

   ●  God glorifies Himself by changing our lives, so that people can see the activity of God in our lives.  Our lives should shine with His glory today, because people are watching and talking as the news spreads. 

Application for Today

As I walk through life today, I intend to let God change my life to be more like Jesus.  I want people to talk about God’s marvelous activity in my life, so God will get all the glory.  Will your people be glorifying God because of your life today?

Back to Basics: Never Running in Vain │ Galatians 2:1-2 │ Christ Assembly

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Christ Assembly

March 29, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Twelve

Never Running in Vain

Galatians 2:1-2

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

     In the letter to the Galatians, Paul has explained that God revealed truth to him directly.  Paul emphatically asserts that no man on earth taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but God revealed it to him without human instrumentality.  As believers, we can rest confidently in the revelation of God because it speaks to our needs, wants and desires today.  The Scriptures provide direct communications from God to our lives, if we open our ears to hear Him speak to us today.  Our study today will focus upon Paul’s second trip to Jerusalem. 

Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.

Galatians 2:1

     Up again to Jerusalem.  In Galatians 2:1, Paul described his second visit to Jerusalem.  In Galatians 1:18-20,  we read that Paul had previously been to Jerusalem, and met Cephas (Peter) and the Lord’s brother and apostle, James.  On this second trip to Jerusalem, Paul explained that he took Barnabas and Titus along with him. 

     Barnabas and Titus.  We first met Barnabas in Acts 4:36, as a Cypriot, who sold land and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet.  The apostles named him “Barnabas” meaning son of encouragement.  As you read through Acts, you will see Barnabas play a critical role in the life and development of Paul.  Barnabas sought out Paul on more than one occasion, and introduced him to believers and others.  He also accompanied Paul on missionary projects.  Barnabas greatly encouraged Paul in his early ministry.  Notice here that Paul went up with Barnabas, describing them as equals.  You may recall that in Acts 13:1-2, the Holy Spirit directed the church at Antioch to send Barnabas and Saul (“Paul”) to the work which the Holy Spirit had called them.  On their first missionary journey together, Barnabas and Paul went back to Cyprus, the home country of Barnabas.  As they travelled further, Paul and Barnabas ministered to people shoulder to shoulder.  So, naturally, Paul went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas (“μετὰ Βαρναβᾶ”).  Notice too, however, that Paul describes Titus as someone they took (“συμπαραλαβὼν”) along.  This phrasing implies that Barnabas and Paul went up as long-standing fellow workers, with Titus coming along as the companion.  Paul worked with other men constantly.  He lived the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and trained men in the spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2.  Barnabas had a great role in training Paul, not on matters of revelation, but by introducing him to people in Jerusalem, bringing him from his home in Tarsus to the revival in Antioch, and joining him on missionary travels.  We all need a son of encouragement in our lives, and to be an encouragement to every other believer.  Titus must have had a great time working with Paul and Barnabas, and truly enjoying the time under these great men of God discipling him.  All of us need to review our lives today to see what disciples we are making.  Are you a part of a ministry team, working daily to make disciples who will in turn make disciples of other believers, to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world and to encourage believers to live for Christ all day, every day?  When you look around your life, do you see a Barnabas and a Titus?  God loves to make ministry teams, and He will help you join one if you desire to do His will.

It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Galatians 2:2

       Because of Revelation.  In Galatians 2:2, Paul isolated the reason he went up to Jerusalem: a revelation.  When comparing Galatians 2:2 with the visit of Paul to Jerusalem described in Acts 11:27-30,  we see that Paul and Barnabas took a contribution from Antioch to Jerusalem, following the prophecy of Agabus concerning a famine.  Galatians 2:2 may correspond with that visit from Antioch to Jerusalem.  Of course, we cannot discount that the Galatians 2:2 visit may have been related to the Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15:1-35.  In either event, the content of the visit seems more important.  Paul pointed to revelation (“κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν”) as the reason he went up to Jerusalem.  Paul does not clarify whether he meant a revelation told him to go up, or because he wanted to discuss his previous revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the men in Jerusalem.  The original language, according to some scholars, indicated that Paul received a revelation directing him to go up to Jerusalem.  At any rate, Paul went up to Jerusalem for the purpose of discussing the revelation he had already received concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

       Submitted the Gospel.  In Galatians 2:2, Paul submitted (“ἀνεθέμην”) the Gospel which he preached among the Gentiles (compare Acts 15:4).  The only other use of this root term occurs with Festus laying the case of Paul before King Agrippa.  One official explained the facts to another official.  In this case, Paul laid the facts of the Gospel he preached to the Gentiles before the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  I am not fond of the translation “submitted” here because it may convey the idea that gospel Paul preached was somehow lower, inferior or different from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we have seen in Galatians and elsewhere, Jesus only proclaimed one gospel of salvation for the entire world, and Jesus revealed it directly to Paul, and Paul preached it all over the world. 

       In Private.  In Galatians 2:2, Paul laid the facts of the Gospel before the men of reputation (“τοῖς δοκοῦσιν”) in private (“κατ’ ἰδίαν”).  We should notice that Paul spoke again about the men of reputation in Galatians 2:6.  There, Paul mentioned that God did not show partiality (“πρόσωπον . . . οὐ λαμβάνει”) to these men of “reputation.”   Therefore, we may gain some insight into the full meaning of Paul’s communications with them.  First, based upon all that Paul has described in Galatians so far about his direct revelation from God, Paul was not “submitting” the Gospel he received by direct revelation from God for the approval of the men of reputation in Jerusalem.  Second, Paul communicated the Gospel to them in private, perhaps because Paul did not want to stir up a general controversy among the people, without first going to the leadership.  Third, Paul sought a review of his actions and Gospel for the purpose of checking his own actions. 

       Never Running in Vain.  In Galatians 2:2, Paul exposed his worry that he may have been “running, or had run, in vain” (“εἰς κενὸν τρέχω ἢ ἔδραμον”).  We may gather from this phrase that Paul consulted with the men of reputation in Jerusalem to be sure he was not running in vain.  Without their support, his ministry would be separate and focused only upon the Gentiles.  With their support, the body of Jesus Christ would not be divided in message, ministry, or spirit.  Paul did not seem ready to abandon the gospel revealed to him directly by Christ, but rather he did seek to establish a working relationship with the church leaders in Jerusalem.  For all of us, we need to seek ways to minister in concert with other believers, and to be united in doctrine and ministry.  Just because we are convinced that we hold the revealed truth from God in our hands does not commission us to ignore the other believers.  As Paul spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, many areas of conflict with the Jews would arise, and certain Judaizers were already at work in the Galatian churches trying to impose the Old Testament law upon new Christians.  Paul knew he was not running in vain concerning the substance of the Gospel, but he sought the fellowship of the brethren, and their communion with the Gospel of Jesus Christ he preached to the Gentiles.

        So we learn more about never running in vain today.

   ●  Jesus revealed the Gospel directly to Paul, and Paul never doubted that revelation, but preached it to both Gentiles and Jews around the world.  We should be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, without doubts, every day.

   ● Paul labored on a ministry team, working with Barnabas and taking Titus along for the journey to Jerusalem.  We should all be on such teams every day. 

   ●  Paul sought the fellowship and communion of the saints in Jerusalem, and particularly the Jewish saints, because he wanted the Galatians to know that God provided only one Gospel, for all people.  We should live in fellowship and communion with all faithful believers every day.   

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I love to minister with other believers, and disciple other believers.  Together, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, we live and breathe the spiritual life of Jesus Christ to a dark and dying world.  Will you be running with the ministry team of Jesus Christ, or running in vain today?

 

Back to Basics: Spy Out Our Liberty │ Galatians 2:3-4 │ Christ Assembly

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March 31, 2012

Back to Basics

Part Thirteen

Spy Out Our Liberty

Galatians 2:3-4

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [4]

    In chapter 2 of Galatians, Paul recalled a visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus.  Apparently, a faction of false brethren in Jerusalem, calling themselves Christians in the church, tried to impose the Old Testament Law of Moses upon Christians.  As we have seen in Chapter 1 of Galatians, Paul refuted every attempt to impose the Law of Moses upon any believer, whether Jew or Gentile.  In our study today, we will look at the methods and motives of men who sought to impose the Law of Moses upon Christians.

But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Galatians 2:3

        Titus the Greek.   In Galatians 2:3, we read that Titus was a Greek.  In 2 Corinthians 8:23, we read that Paul considered Titus his partner  (“κοινωνὸς”) and fellow worker (“συνεργός”) among the Corinthians.  Paul addressed Titus as his true child in a common faith (“γνησίῳ τέκνῳ κατὰ κοινὴν πίστιν”).  Paul sent Titus on missions, and Titus had an earnestness (“σπουδὴν”) for God (2 Corinthians 8:16), and whose coming to Paul produced comfort (2 Corinthians 7:6) and joy (2 Corinthians 7:13).  Titus served Christ on the ministry team with Paul.  As a Greek, Titus had not been circumcised. 

       Compelled To Be Circumcised.  In Galatians 2:3, Paul explained that no one in Jerusalem compelled (“ἠναγκάσθη”) Titus to be circumcised.  In the Old Testament, way back in the Book of Genesis, God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision, the cutting of the foreskin of the man’s penis.  Although the mere cutting of foreskin produced no spiritual result by itself, God intended this physical mark to be a spiritual reminder of God’s covenant relationship with man, particularly the descendants of Abraham by  promise  (Genesis 17:9-14; compare Romans 4:9-13).  The physical cutting of skin only made an outward statement of the inner faith of the man in the Covenant God of Israel.  As a Jew, Paul himself had been circumcised the eighth day (Philippians 3:5).  Notice that God commanded in Genesis 17:13, that circumcision would be an everlasting covenant (“לִבְרִית עוֹלָם”).  According to the Law of Moses, anyone who did not receive this circumcision must be cut off from his people for breaking the covenant with God (Genesis 17:14; compare Romans 2:25-29).  Therefore, you can see how the false brethren in Paul’s time seeking to impose circumcision upon Christians had a powerful argument from the Old Testament to require Christians to be circumcised, whether Greek, Gentile, or Jew.  Yet, Paul noted that no one of reputation required Titus, the Greek, to be circumcised while they visited Jerusalem.  At this point, we ought to stop and think about the great changes that have taken place with the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.  Through His redemptive death, Jesus Christ freed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13), and brought the full righteous of God into our lives for eternity.  As we see in Galatians Chapter 3, God completely fulfilled His plan to take care of the sins committed before the death of Christ, and with the appearing of Christ, a new era began in the program of God upon earth. 

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

Galatians 2:4

       False Brethren Secretly Brought In.  In Galatians 2:4, Paul identified certain false brethren (“ψευδαδέλφους”).  Paul used this same term “false brethren” in 2 Corinthians 11:26, to describe people putting him in danger.  In the context of Galatians, Paul identifies these false brethren as accursed, for preaching a doctrine different from the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:6-9).  Notice too that a group, apparently distinct from the apostles, brought in (“παρεισῆλθον”) these false brethren.  Yet, the initiative for the destructive action of the false brethren lies within the false brethren themselves and their false teaching.  These false teachers themselves came to “spy out” (“κατασκοπῆσαι”) the liberty of the believers with Paul.  As we read in 2 Peter 2:1, false teachers (“ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι”) will secretly introduce (“παρεισάξουσιν”) destructive heresies into the church.  The false teachers, like the false brethren, ply their trade of sin and destruction in the church secretly, and not openly.  We must remain ever vigilant to oppose them from the Bible, by the power of Christ working through the Holy Spirit to resist them and remove them from the fellowship.  Part of basic Christianity means that not every doctrine must be accepted in the church.  Some false brethren teach heresy that must be stopped and expelled, along with the false teachers themselves who must be identified as false brethren.

       Liberty Which We Have in Christ Jesus.  In Galatians 2:4, Paul explained that the false brethren have a particular target of their spying.  They look directly at the liberty (“ἐλευθερίαν”) Christ Jesus gives to His true children.  In this case, Paul and Titus had liberty from the requirements of the Law of Moses, because Christ had come and freed them from the bondage of the Law of Moses.  False brethren will always spy out your freedom in Christ Jesus.  They are walking around your local assembly today, seeking to quash any freedom you have in Christ.  They hate freedom and love bondage.  In Jerusalem, the false brethren sought to persuade true believers that they must all keep the Law of Moses, and keep its commandments like circumcision.  Paul, as we will see, firmly opposed all such efforts to impose bondage.  The motives of all false brethren and false teachers is simple: they want you to live in bondage to sin and forsake your freedom in Christ.

      Bondage.  In Galatians 2:4, Paul penetrated the secrecy of the false brethren and highlighted their intent to “bring us into bondage.”  This term “bring into bondage” (“καταδουλώσουσιν”) indicates that the false brethren tried to move Paul and his companions away from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The false brethren secretly and deliberately sought to impose bondage.  In 2 Corinthians 11:20, Paul identified the Corinthians as people who had become enslaved (“καταδουλοῖ”), referring to the fact that they had tolerated the foolish gladly, and been hit in the face, taken advantage of, and devoured by ungodly men.  Whenever we allow anyone to enslave us, we act like slaves, instead of believers living in the freedom of Christ Jesus.  Are you living in bondage today, having been chained in the bondage by false brethren in your local assembly?  Check out the Word of God and see if the false teaching in your local assembly actually squares with what Jesus said and taught in the Bible.  We avoid bondage by rejecting and removing false brethren and false teachers in the church.  Otherwise, we end up enslaved, devoured, hit in the face, and living in sin.  We thank God, however, that He gives freedom to all who ask, and restores believers to freedom in Christ every day.

        So we learn more about avoiding bondage today.

    ●  False believers love to spy out our freedom in Christ Jesus, and secretly introduce false teaching in local assemblies.

      ●  False believers come in secretly, and try to bring you into bondage. 

     ●  Christ Jesus  will always oppose false brethren, and seek to expose them and expel them from the local assembly, so that every believer will live in His freedom for eternity, starting right here on earth, right now. 

Application for Today

        As I walk through life today, I will be on my guard against false brethren spying out liberty and trying to enslave believers.  In Christ, we will expose them and expel them, so that all of us will not live in bondage to sinful practices, but to live in the freedom of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Hebrews 6 │ Eternal Security │ Expository Bible Studies

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 Hebrews 6 

Eternal Security 

Expository Bible Studies

Hebrews 6:1-8

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Hebrews 6 often poses problems for many people. Some readers have concluded that it teaches the loss of salvation. Others consider it merely a hypothetical discussion about a non-existent possibility. Let us take a closer look at several specific points in the text that will help us clear up the matter. In order to understand Hebrews 6,  we may begin in Hebrews 1:1 to follow the message of Hebrews, and, in particular, to gain insight into the audience the writer labeled “Hebrews.” Several features of the Hebrews influence the interpretation of Hebrews 6.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

The Audience. The Book of Hebrews began with God speaking first to the fathers in the prophets and in these last days speaking to us through Jesus, His Son. After proclaiming the supremacy of Jesus to all created things, the writer of Hebrews began to describe the audience in more detail. In Hebrews 2:1,  he urged the Hebrews to “pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” If the Hebrews neglect so great a salvation, then such disobedience will result in a just penalty. That great salvation involved God taking flesh and dwelling among men. All things have been subjected to Jesus, Who is now crowned with glory and honor after He suffered in the flesh. Jesus rendered powerless the devil, who had the power of death. Jesus freed the slaves held by the fear of death. Jesus became like His brethren, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Because Jesus was tempted, He is able to come to the aid of those who are now tempted. 1The Greek phrase for “He is able to come to the aid of those who are now tempted” (“δύναται τοῖς πειραζομένοις βοηθῆσαι“) in Hebrews 2:18 described the omnipotence of Christ as supreme helper of people, and to deliver them from temptation. We must remember the writer of Hebrews included both believers and unbelievers as his audience, the Hebrews. Therefore, because the writer of Hebrews spoke to ethnic Hebrews, and not just born-again Hebrews, we should take that mixed audience into account in Hebrews 6 and every other chapter of Hebrews. Now, turning to Hebrews 6,  we may begin with a review of key terms in that passage. The question remains: Does Hebrews 6 demonstrate that a born-again believer can lose eternal salvation?  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 6:4

Hebrews 6:4

1. In the Case of. Keeping in mind that the writer of Hebrews wrote to all Hebrews (including unsaved Hebrews), we should not jump to the conclusion that this passage only speaks to born-again believers. In fact, the immediate context concerns a group of Hebrews who have not made progress in their practice of Christianity (Hebrews 6:1-3). They may not have progressed because they had unsaving faith, like the demons who believe that God is one, but have never been born again. In Hebrews 6:4, the phrase “In the case of” isolates a particular group of people. 2The Greek text does not contain the words “In the case of,” but starts with the word “impossible” (“Ἀδύνατον”), followed by the word “for” (“γὰρ”) and it is post-positive, meaning it never occurs first in the sentence, although it often ties the present idea to the previous idea. The use of the phrase “In the case of” suggests to me that the editors of the New American Standard Bible prefer one view over another view. The addition of the phrase helps smooth out the “for impossible” followed by the characteristics of the people who fall away. The best source for understanding the meaning of the different words and phrases used in Hebrews 6 will be the entire Book of Hebrews written by the same author.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

2. Those. This word “those” has an important function in the passage. 3The Greek text used the word “those” (“τοὺς”) to identify the group of people possessing certain characteristics. The writer of the Book of Hebrews used a particular phrase several times. The phrase appears as the article “τοὺς” followed by a participle or an infinitive. The writer of Hebrews used a fairly common pattern of using the article followed by a participle to identify a particular group of people. Those groups included both believers and unbelievers. See Hebrews 1:14, “those who will inherit salvation (“τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν;”); Hebrews 7:25, “those who draw near to God through Him” (“τοὺς προσερχομένους δι’ αὐτοῦ τῷ θεῷ”); Hebrews 9:13, “those who have been defiled” (“τοὺς κεκοινωμένους“); Hebrews 10:1, “those who draw near” (“τοὺς προσερχομένους“); Hebrews 10:2, “the worshipers” (“τοὺς λατρεύοντας”); Hebrews 10:14, “those who are sanctified” (“τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους”); Hebrews 11:31, “those who were disobedient” (“τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν“). Therefore, when we read in Hebrews 6:4,  about “those who have been enlightened and those who have tasted”, we know that the writer of Hebrews follows a common pattern to identify a particular group. This group shared in both of those characteristics, identified by the particular participles, “enlightened” and “tasted.” It may be translated as the ones who “have once been enlightened, . . . .” Those people have experienced a group of spiritual events in their lives. The group shares certain spiritual commonalities. Questions arise: “Are those people saved now? Where they ever saved? Did they lose their salvation?” We can find very good answers to those questions in the Book of Hebrews.

3. Once Been Enlightened. The phrase “who have once been enlightened” has several interesting features. 4The Greek phrase here for “once been enlightened”(“φωτισθέντας”) joins the word for “once” (“ἅπαξ”) with the aorist perfect passive participle, masculine plural, matching the gender and number of “those” (“τοὺς”). The participle used indicates those people were enlightened in the past. We may benefit for examining other uses of the term “enlightened” in Hebrews and elsewhere in the New Testament.  

3.1 The Hebrews Were Enlightened. In Hebrews 10:32,  we read that the Hebrews were enlightened. 5The Greek term in Hebrews 10:32 for “enlightened” (“φωτίσαντος“) (aorist passive participle) means that the Hebrews were enlightened after salvation and then suffered a great conflict of sufferings. So, from this usage, we know that as a group, the Hebrews were “enlightened” in the past, and it appears to be a completed act. The question, however, remains: If a person has been “enlightened,” does that mean that person has been saved? In other words, can we equate “enlightened” with salvation in Hebrews or elsewhere in the New Testament? In Hebrews 10:32, the writer indicated that all the audience of Hebrews has been enlightened, and  we know from other passages that they were not all believers. Therefore, the only other use of the root term “enlightened” in Hebrews does not equate “enlightened” with salvation. Therefore, if the word “enlightened” does not mean “saved,” then what does “enlightened” mean? Other passages help us understand the meaning of the term “enlightened.”  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

3.2 The True Light Enlightens Every Man. The true light, Jesus, came into the world and enlightens 6The Greek phrase in John 1:9, “which enlightens” (“ φωτίζει“) emphasized the continuous beaming effect of the Light (Jesus) shining among all men. every man (John 1:9). Therefore, we see that the term “enlighten” applies to the work of Jesus shining upon all people, not just believers. In fact, John 1:9 demonstrates that Jesus “enlightens every man,” but not every man will be born-again. In a similar sense, Jesus brought to light life and immortality through the Gospel. 7The Greek term in 2 Timothy 1:10, for “to light” (“φωτίσαντος“) here stands as an aorist active participle. It means that Jesus Christ Himself actively brought to light life and immortality through the gospel. Not everyone received the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but He brought those things to the light. Therefore, we see that other uses of the root term for “enlightens” does not mean salvation. The Hebrews, like everyone else, have been “enlightened” by Christ who came into the world.

3.3 Ephesians 1:18–Eyes of Your Heart. This word “enlightened” occurs in Ephesians 1:18, where Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened, so that they would know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. We may glean from that use of the term “enlightened” that it speaks of God illuminating something to believers. Apparently, not all believers had the eyes of their hearts opened to these things, but it was a special work of God, after salvation. So, even when applied to believers only (Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus), we see that not all believers were “enlightened,” but what Paul prayed only applies to believers having the eyes of their hearts opened. We must keep looking. 

4. Have Tasted of the Heavenly Gift. In Hebrews 6:4, the second characteristic of the Hebrews at issue was that they “have tasted of the heavenly gift.” Let us start with this word “have tasted.” 8The Greek term “have tasted” (“γευσαμένους”) appears in both Hebrews 6:4 and Hebrews 6:5. It means to taste, eat, or even experience. As a mixed group of believers and unbelievers, the Hebrews all had tasted of the heavenly gift. Before we look at the “heavenly gift,” we can look briefly at the use of the term “tasted.”  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

4.1 Jesus Tasted the Drink. On the cross, people gave Jesus wine mixed with gall. Having tasted it, Jesus was unwilling to drink it (Matthew 27:33). We may observe from this use of the root term for “tasted” that it means you have a brief taste, but you do not drink it all. In the context of Hebrews 6:4,  we may understand that the Hebrews “tasted” of the heavenly gift, but apparently have not drunk deeply of it. They never fully ingested the heavenly gift, but only had taken a taste. While some uses of the basic term for “taste” may also mean to eat, this verse and others indicates that it does not always mean eat, and so in Hebrews 6:4, the semantic range of the term includes “taste” as well as “eat.”

4.2 Taste Nothing until We Have Killed Paul. A group of Jews bound themselves with an oath not to taste anything until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:14). In fact, the Roman military protected Paul and Paul survived. The oath to “taste nothing” amounted to nothing. 9The Greek phrase “taste nothing” (“μηδενὸς γεύσασθαι“) means in Acts 23:14, that they were intending to act quickly, and taste or eat nothing. In the context, it seems more likely me to me they meant taste, to heighten the force of the oath. Therefore, we see another use of the root word “taste” where it may mean taste, and not to eat.

4.3 The Heavenly Gift. The phrase “heavenly gift” only occurs here in Hebrews 6:4. 10The Greek phrase for “heavenly gift” (“τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου“) in this context means a special gift from heaven. The semantic range of the basic Greek term “gift” (“δωρεᾶς“) includes the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:20; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17), the gift of justification, the gift of righteousness, and the gift of eternal life in Romans (e.g., Romans 3:24; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:23, respectively), spiritual gifts in Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:2; see also 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10), and the gift of faith in Ephesians (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, turning to the use of the term “gift” in other places in the New Testament, we find that the term “gift” occurs with such a wide range of meanings, it may be difficult to decide the exact meaning in Hebrews 6:4.

4.3.1 The Gift of Salvation. In Hebrews 2:1-4,  we see that the Hebrews must pay much closer attention to what they have heard, so that they do not drift away from it. If they drift away and neglect so great a salvation, then they will not escape the judgment of the Lord. In the context, this salvation appears as the heavenly gift of God to the Hebrews, but it is a gift that must be individually received.  In keeping with the theme of the Book of Hebrews, the writer warns the Hebrews about neglecting salvation. Jesus took flesh and dwelt among men, so that He Himself would become the faithful High Priest, Who would intercede for the Hebrews, and come to the aid of those who are tempted. Therefore, Jesus offers the free gift of salvation as the author and finisher of faith which brings salvation (Hebrews 12:1-2).  

4.3.2 The Heavenly Calling. In Hebrews 3:1,  we read about the “holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling.” 11The Greek phrase here for “holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling” (“ἀδελφοὶ ἅγιοι, κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου μέτοχοι“) employs the phrase “holy brethren”; the exact phrase “holy brethren” only occurs here in the New Testament.  At first impression, we may conclude that such language must describe believers and only believers. As we continue reading down the passage in Hebrews 3,  we observe Jesus being the Son over the house. The Hebrews were that house, if they hold fast their “confidence and boast of our hope firm until the end”  (Hebrews 3:6). 12The Greek phrase contains “if” (“ἐάν“) with the subjunctive verb (“κατάσχωμεν“), indicating a probable future where the Hebrews hold on to their confidence and boast until the end. Within that group identified as “”holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling,” some of them may not hold fast their confidence and the boast of their hope until the end. Furthermore, in Hebrews 3:12, some of the group of “brethren” may have an unbelieving heart that “falls away from the living God.” That verse particularly reveals that the term “brethren” described a group of people consisting of both believers and unbelievers. Moreover, the writer of Hebrews used the term “brethren” as he quoted from the Old Testament to describe Jesus calling the congregation of Israel (including both believers and unbelievers) His brethren (Hebrews 2:12); such usage confirms our understanding that the audience of Hebrews was composed of brethren according to the flesh, because they were all children of Abraham according to the flesh, but not all of them were spiritual descendants of Abraham (Romans 9:8-13).

5. Partakers of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews 6:4, the Hebrews group includes the people who have become “partakers of the Holy Spirit.” 13The Greek phrase for “partakers of the Holy Spirit” (“μετόχους γενηθέντας πνεύματος ἁγίου“) bears close and particular examination. The word for “partakers” (“μετόχους”) means to be a companion, partner, or partaker. The term “γενηθέντας” (a verbal aorist participle) describes the act of becoming a partaker, indicating a past event). Other uses of the term “partakers” in Hebrews helps us understand the range of meaning within that term “partakers.”  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

5.1 Partakers of a Heavenly Calling. In Hebrews 3:1, the writer of Hebrews addressed the group described as “partakers of a heavenly calling.” 14The Greek phrase for “partakers of a heavenly calling” (“κλήσεως ἐπουρανίου μέτοχοι“) uses the same root term “partakers” (“μέτοχοι“) used in Hebrews 6:4. The term can have a wide range of meanings, including companion, fellow, and partaker. In 2 Peter 1:10, Peter warned the “brethren” to be sure of their calling (“κλῆσιν“). In 1 Corinthians 1:26, not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble were part of God’s “calling” (“κλῆσιν“). In several other instances, the brethren described as “called” of God were all born-again. Therefore, this phrase in Hebrews presumptively means the Hebrews were born-again, based upon other uses of the term “calling” which normally means born-again believers. As we have seen, however, the phrase in Hebrews 3:1, seems best interpreted as referring to the nation of Israel, chosen by God to be a holy people for His own possession. Notice the Old Testament usage of the idea of calling by God in Deuteronomy 7:6: “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the people who are on the face of the earth.” God spoke there of choosing a nation for Himself, but not everyone in that nation of Israel was a true believer. Therefore, the Hebrews audience in Hebrews 6:4, likely understood the phrase “partakers of of a heavenly calling” in the Old Testament sense, not necessarily in the New Testament sense of saved individuals.  

5.2 Partakers of Christ. In Hebrews 3:14, the Hebrews have become partakers with Christ, “if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end”. 15The Greek word for partakers (“μέτοχοι”) in Hebrews 3:14, is linked with another conditional clause: “if we hold fast the beginning our our assurance firm until the end.” This phrase follows the pattern of an “if” (“ἐάνπερ”) followed by a subjunctive verb “hold fast” (“κατάσχωμεν”), indicating a probable future event. Even here, in the chapter that began with the description of “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,” we have seen that those Hebrews consisted of believers and unbelievers.

5.3 Partakers of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews 3:7-8, the Holy Spirit says: TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS.” The Holy Spirit then concluded that section with, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, ‘THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'” This passage presents important information about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Here, the message of the Holy Spirit targeted the Hebrews and warned them of unbelief and disobedience. This passage proves that the Hebrews were “partakers” of the Holy Spirit in the sense that the Holy Spirit provided specific communication and warning to the Hebrews, particularly the Hebrew unbelievers. 

5.4 Partakers of Discipline. In Hebrews 12:8, the Hebrews have all been disciplined by God; if they had not received such discipline, then they were not children of God. Be careful in Hebrews 12:8 to avoid the illogical conclusion that all Hebrews were saved; the only thing Hebrews 12:8 proves is that God disciplines His children. 16The Greek term for “discipline” (“παιδείας”) means instruction, training, discipline. If you are not disciplined by God, you are not His child; the opposite, however, is not true: if you are disciplined, you are necessarily His child. Therefore, we may understand that God disciplines all of His children, but not everyone who partakes of His discipline is necessarily a child of God. So, we must be careful not to conclude from the use of “have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit” in Hebrews 6:4, that only believers have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit.

and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

Hebrews 6:5

Hebrews 6:5

6. Have Tasted of the Good Word of God. In Hebrews 6:5, the Hebrews group was also identified as people who have tasted of the good word of God. 17The Greek phrase for “have tasted of the good word of God (“καλὸν γευσαμένους θεοῦ ῥῆμα“) again used the same word for “have tasted” (“γευσαμένους“). As described above, a fair translation of the word “have tasted” would include a taste only, and not eating. What is the good word of God? 

6.1 Hearing the Voice of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews 3:7,  we read “the Holy Spirit says” followed by quotations from Psalm 95. The important point is that the Holy Spirit quotes the Bible about hardened hearts and unbelief. The unbelievers were never going to enter the rest of God. The Hebrews group in view in Hebrews 3:12 included people having “an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.” The writer of Hebrews described that group as “brethren.” Therefore, the main point is that the word of God was brought to people who heard a warning from the Holy Spirit about the problem of an evil, unbelieving heart. Some of the people who heard the good word of God as the Holy Spirit quoted the Bible to them appeared to be unbelievers, and were considered brethren by the Hebrews, but were never born-again. They had heard the good word of God, but it was never united in their hearts with faith.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

6.2 Coming Short. In Hebrews 4:1-2, God talked about the good news being preached to the Hebrews. God commanded them to fear, if any one of them, while the promise of entering His rest remains, may come short of entering the rest of God. All the Hebrews heard the good word of God, but some of them did not unite faith with the good word of God and so were never born-again.

6.3 Neglect So Great a Salvation? In Hebrews 2:3-4, God wrote that the gospel was first spoken through the Lord, and confirmed to the Hebrews by those who heard. God testified with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirt according to His own will. Notice that God spoke His word, the gospel, and it was confirmed by those who heard. Therefore, we may conclude that merely tasting the good word of God means that the Hebrews heard the Holy Spirit speaking Psalm 85 to them, and they also heard the gospel spoken through the Lord and confirmed by the apostles with signs, wonders, spiritual gifts, and miracles. Yet, merely hearing the good word of God does not equate to salvation, unless the word of God is united by faith in the individual heart. So having reviewed Hebrews 3:7-19, and likewise in Hebrews 4:1-4,  we understand that the meaning of the phrase “the word of God” includes: (a) the the Holy Spirit quoting the Bible; and (b) the Lord speaking the gospel of salvation. In all cases, only faith united with the word of God saves a person. In this case, some of the Hebrews had only tasted of the word of God, but it was never united by faith in their hearts, resulting in salvation. 

7. The Powers of the Age to Come. In Hebrews 6:5, the Hebrews group had also tasted of the power of the age to come. 18The Greek phrase for “tasted of the power of the age to come” (“τε αἰῶνος”) used the term “power” (“δυνάμεις”), which only occurs here in Hebrews. In other places, the root term “power” was translated as miracles (e.g. Galatians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:29; Acts 19:11). As we observed above, the term “tasted” means a figurative description of tasting something, but not necessarily eating it, or believing it with saving faith. In Hebrews 2:3-4, God performed “miracles” according to His own will to confirm the word of God delivered to the Hebrews. Notice there that all the Hebrews witnessed the power of God, and some of them may have personally experienced a healing, or an exorcism, or another miracle. But merely receiving a miracle does not prove salvation. The text indicates the “miracles” confirmed the message, not that the recipient had been saved. Only the word of God united with faith in the person’s heart ever saved anyone.

and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Hebrews 6:6

Hebrews 6:6

8. Then Have Fallen Away. After tasting and hearing, but never believing, some Hebrews looked like brethren, although they acted like immature brethren (Hebrews 5:11-14). Throughout the first five chapters of Hebrews, God emphasized that the Hebrews are “holy brethren,” “partakers of a holy calling,” and have tasted of the Holy Spirit, the word of God, and the miracles. Yet, repeatedly God warned the Hebrews that they have people among them who have a hard, unbelieving heart, and who have heard the gospel of God, but never was that word of God united with faith in their hearts. Unbelievers will never enter the rest of God, but today is the day of salvation for everyone with a hard heart. Today people may believe the word of God, and enter His rest. Some of the Hebrews “have fallen away.” 19The Greek term “have fallen away” (“παραπεσόντας”) occurs as an aorist participle. The totality and finality of this falling away, after they have hardened their heart and acted in final disobedience, means they are truly lost forever. Notice they were only tasters and partakers, but never born-again believers. We should never forget the significance of the list of things the Hebrews had fallen away from. The writer of Hebrews could have plainly and simply stated the Hebrews fell away from eternal salvation, but instead he listed the specific spiritual blessings they have experienced, but never derived a saving benefit from such exposure.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

9. Impossible to Renew Them again to Repentance. The characteristics of the Hebrews 6 group may be summarized briefly. The Hebrews 6 group has:

       A. been enlightened;

       B. tasted of the heavenly;

       C. been partakers of the Holy Spirit;

       D. tasted of the good word of God; 

       E. tasted of the power of the age to come; and

       F.  fallen away.

In Hebrews 6:6, after so many good things from God have come into their lives, the Hebrews 6 group has failed to believe with saving faith. In the sovereignty of God, at some point, they have become impossible to renew again to repentance. 20The Greek phrase “renew them again to repentance” (“πάλιν ἀνακαινίζειν εἰς μετάνοιαν“) ties in with “impossible” (“Ἀδύνατον“) not translated in Hebrews 6:4, but now translated in Hebrews 6:6. In contrast to the impossibility of saving the Hebrews 6 unbelievers, Christ is able (“δύναται“) to save forever those who draw near to God by making intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25); and Christ is able (“δύναται“) to come to the aid of those tempted and rescue them.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

9.1 Renew Them Again. The phrase “to renew again” conveys the idea of repetition. 21The Greek phrase for “to renew again” (“ἀνακαινίζειν”) occurs in Colossians 3:10, referencing there the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge of God. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, though the outer man decays, the inner man of the believer is being renewed (“ἀνακαινοῦται“) day by day. In Romans 12:2, believers must be transformed by the “renewing” (“ἀνακαινώσει”) of their minds. In Titus 3:5, believers have been saved by the “renewing” (“ἀνακαινώσεως”) by the Holy Spirit. At first the related uses of “renew” seem to support the view that only believers undergo continual renewing in their lives, and so believers must be in view in the Hebrews 6 group and they are losing their salvation. In fact, the opposite is true. The other uses of the term “renew” all apply to believers, but they never undergo a renewing of repentance that leads to salvation. The other passages limit the renewing in view in those passages to saved people only; such usage shows how the true believer undergoes continual renewing. Unbelievers may have some form of “repentance,” not leading to salvation, but they can never be renewed after they have hardened their hearts (Hebrews 3:7-14) and failed to believe the good news of God preached to them (Hebrews 4:1-3). If you think this passage describes the loss of salvation, then it must also teach once lost, forever lost. Apparently, the Hebrews 6 group was repentant at least once before, but the previous repentance did not yield sorrow leading to salvation. Perhaps like the multitudes confessing their sins and being baptized by John the Baptist (Mark 1:5), many people went through a form of repentance, but never united faith in their hearts with the word of God preached to them.  In the case of the Hebrews 6 group, they apparently had a form of repentance, professing Christ, but were never truly believing in their hearts.

9.2 Repentance. In Hebrews 6:1,  we know the foundation for believers rests upon repentance from dead works and faith toward God. Repentance formed part of the elementary teaching about the Christ (Hebrews 6:1). The basic concept of “repentance” means to change your mind, and Godly repentance produces deeds in keeping with repentance. 22The Greek term for “repentance” (“μετάνοιαν”) means to change your mind.

9.2.1 Granting Repentance. God granted repentance leading to forgiveness of sins to both Jews (Acts 5:31) and Gentiles (Acts 11:18; see also Acts 17:30). 23The Greek term for “granted” (“ἔδωκεν“) means to give, grant, allow, permit. As an aorist here, the tense indicates that the repentance operates in totality, brings true remorse over sins, that leads the individual to awareness of falling short of the glory of God, and the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, God used the same root word “give” in the same aorist tense to describe the fact that God has given (“ἔδωκεν“) the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. God “grants” repentance that leads to salvation; like faith, repentance is a gift of God, not based upon works.

9.2.2 Time for Repentance. Jesus wrote to the church of Thyatira concerning the woman Jezebel (Revelation 2:18-29). She called herself a prophetess and led the bond-servants of God astray. God “gave her time to repent and she does not want to repent (Revelation 2:21). Notice the elements of repentance here. God gave Jezebel time to repent (see 2 Peter 3:9). 24Just as God gives repentance, here in Revelation 2:21, God gave her time (“ἔδωκα αὐτῇ χρόνον“) that she may repent (“μετανοήσῃ“–notice the aorist subjunctive, matching the aorist of gave (“ἔδωκα “) her time). Yet, she was unwilling to repent. 25The Greek phrase for “unwilling to repent” (“οὐ θέλει μετανοῆσαι”) means a continuous, determined decision not to repent, of her immorality. This willingness expresses the human responsibility to repent. In essence, similar to salvation, we accept God’s free gift of salvation, and His calling to repentance.

9.2.3 The Gospel and Repentance. Jesus Himself emphasized that He came to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). Jesus also intended for His disciples to proclaim in His name to all nations repentance for forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47). This “calling” of Jesus to repentance becomes part of the path to salvation. 26The Greek term “to call” (“καλέσαι”) in Luke 5:32, occurs as an aorist infinitive. The point Jesus made was that His mission was not to call “the righteous” to heaven, but rather to call sinners to repentance. In keeping with that mission, Jesus ate with the tax collectors and sinners. Unless sinners repent, they will certainly perish (Luke 13:1-5).

9.2.4 Godly Sorrow and Repentance. Godly sorrow over your sin produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:9). 27The Greek term  for “you were made sorrowful” (“ἐλυπήθητε“) ties into the will of God (“κατὰ θεόν“).) God intended for the Corinthians to experience sorrow over their sinful behavior. Because God loves His children, He reproves them and disciplines them, so that they would be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19). All discipline seems to be sorrowful, but it trains the believer and yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). 28In Hebrews 12:11, the Greek term for “sorrowful” (“λύπης”) describes the emotional aspect of discipline and repentance. God explicitly states that discipline is not “joyful” (“χαρᾶς”) in the moment of discipline.

9.2.5 Deeds in Keeping with Repentance. In the New Testament, John the Baptist preached that the Pharisees and Sadducees must bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8; see also Revelation 2:5). Therefore, we see that an act of repentance must lead to the fruit of repentance in the way we act after the act of repentance.  Elders work to correct with gentleness those who oppose the work of Christ, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). Notice how repentance leads to the knowledge of the truth. Ultimately, God does not wish for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

9.3 Summary of Repentance. In Hebrews 6:5, the writer indicates that for some apparent Hebrews believers, they repented in the past, and have experienced both national Hebrew blessings and tasted individually some of the blessings of God, but have never repented leading to salvation. They have had time to repent, but yet they never had faith united with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their hearts, producing salvation.

10. They Again Crucify to Themselves the Son of God. The word “since” links the phrase “they again crucify to themselves the Son of God” to the preceding phrase. 29The Greek term for “since” appears as an attempt to help in the translation of the Greek verb “again crucify” (“ἀνασταυροῦντας”), which stands as a present active participle, connected to the verb to renew (“ἀνακαινίζειν“) in the context of repentance. Putting all that material together, Hebrews 6:4 provides two reasons it is impossible (“Ἀδύνατον”) to renew again to repentance the group of Hebrews who have fallen away, despite all their blessings: (1) the group presently crucifies to themselves the Son of God; and (2) the group presently puts the Son of God to open shame. The phrase means that by falling away, the unbelieving Hebrews were actively crucifying the Son of God to themselves and doing so continually. 30Compare the phrase of Paul in Galatians 6:14, where Paul revealed: through the cross of Christ “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Paul used the Greek term “crucified” (“ἐσταύρωται”) to describe the past action with present results. In contrast, the Hebrews group was constantly crucifying to themselves the Son of God by their falling away.  Therefore, until they repented and received the gift of eternal life by faith alone, they had not yet accepted the completed work of Christ Jesus. 

11. Put Him to Open Shame. As we have seen in the previous verse, this phrase “put Him to open shame” conveys the second reason that those Hebrews who have fallen away from the blessings of God cannot be renewed to repentance. 31The Greek phrase “put Him to open shame” (“παραδειγματίζοντας”) only occurs here in the New Testament and means in this context to shame Christ continually in public, for all the world to see, by their lack of repentance and belief. The Hebrew group who have fallen away continually put the Son of God to open shame by their unbelief and lack repentance. 32Some people believe that Hebrews 6 teaches that a truly saved person can lose their salvation. To be consistent with the passage, that same group would have to also believe that Hebrews 6 teaches once a believer loses salvation, it can never be regained.  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Hebrews 6:7-8

Hebrews 6:7-8

12. The Ground and the Rain. The writer of Hebrews clearly summarized his teaching in verses 7 and 8 with a simple illustration. Rain falls on the ground and the ground drinks in the rain.

12.1 The Vegetation Ground. Some ground receives rain and brings forth vegetation, useful to the owners and workers, and the ground receives a blessing. This ground produces useful vegetation and describes the Hebrews with saving faith. They (the people) have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the rain) and it was united with faith in their hearts to produce salvation (vegetation). Those saved believers receive the blessings of God. 

12.2 The Thorns-and-Thistles Ground. Other ground (the other group of people) receives the same rain (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) and it brings forth thorns and thistles (the products of unbelief). That ground is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. This thorns-and-thistles ground described the Hebrew group that were professing believers, but never were true believers. They tasted of many of the benefits of God, continue in their hardness of heart (close to being cursed), and never have the Gospel of Jesus Christ united with faith in their hearts to produce salvation (and so they are burned). 

12.3 Summary of the Illustration. Notice the ground and rain illustration does not speak about some ground changing from vegetation ground to thorns-and-thistles ground. Instead, the writer of Hebrews describes two different kinds of ground: one saved forever and one never saved.

But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.

Hebrews 6:9

Hebrews 6:9

13. Better Things. Finally, the writer of Hebrews separates the group he has been discussing in Hebrews 6:4-6 from true believers. Hebrews 6:9 begins with the word “But.” 33The Greek term  for “but” (“δὲ”). This conjunction signals the shift from one hand to the other hand, meaning here that the writer has a different group (“περὶ ὑμῶν“) in mind. The writer changes from the never saved thorns-and-thistles ground to the good vegetation ground. Notice the group in view in Hebrews 6:9 is a saved group of Hebrews, because the writer identified them as “beloved,” and he was convinced of better things concerning them, and he was convinced that the things of salvation applied to them. In essence, Hebrews 6:9 begins a new section of the epistle directed to believers, having dealt with the unbelieving Hebrew group in Hebrews 6:4-6. 34The Greek term for “better things” (“κρείσσονα”) involves a comparison of two things. The first thing is the group in Hebrews 6:4-6 (unbelievers never saved) and the second thing is the group of saved Hebrews (always saved) in Hebrews 6:9. Notice that the writer does not contrast one group with salvation that falls away from salvation, but rather one group that never had salvation with the group that has salvation. The better things pertain to the ones having salvation (“σωτηρίας”).  Hebrew 6 │ Eternal Security │ Christ Assembly

Conclusion

The audience of the Book of Hebrews consisted of a mixed group of saved and unsaved ethnic Hebrews. All Hebrews had received many blessings from God, and some of the Hebrews in the audience had tasted of many good things from God, but they never had faith united with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. Instead, they lived in a false profession of faith, but actually were crucifying Christ continually and putting Christ to open shame. They once experienced some repentance, but that repentance never lead them to salvation. They were like unproductive soil, receiving the rain from God, but not bringing forth useful vegetation, but only thorns and thistles. As such worthless ground, they were close to being cursed, and would soon be burned up for their unbelief, despite all the rain of God’s blessings (particularly the Gospel of Jesus Christ) that had been poured upon Israel, the people of God. The writer concludes, however, that his audience also had people who were truly believers, and so were better than the unbelievers who had only tasted of the good things of God, because the true believers had faith in God resulting in salvation. The rain made a saving difference in their lives.

Reference [+]

The Miracle of Inspiration │ The Harmony of the Gospels │ Christ Assembly

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 The Miracle of Inspiration

Part Five     

The Harmony of the Gospels

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

Eternal Life [3]

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) often present parallel accounts of the life of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes the parallel accounts do not contain word for word similarities.  Some people jump to the conclusion that when the words do not match, the Bible writers did not accurately report the very words of Jesus, but rather only communicated the meaning of His message.  Consider the following example.

                 Passage One                                                  Parallel Passage

Matthew 12:49 “And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ‘Behold My mother and My brothers!”

Mark 3:34 “Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!”

Matthew 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father who is heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

      The “Gist” Theory of Inspiration. As you can see from this comparison, most of the wording is very similar.  Even so, one Sunday School teacher used this passage to proclaim the gist theory of inspiration.  He said that the two passages differ, so that one report did not contain the very words of Jesus, but rather the “gist” of His remarks.  If you believe that God always tells the truth, and that the Bible writers reported facts truthfully, then you can rely upon the truthfulness of God to report the exact words Jesus spoke.  The “gist” theory of inspiration cannot be true, because God communicated not the “gist” of the words of Jesus, but the exact words of Jesus.  So also here in both of these passages Jesus spoke the exact words recorded in both passages. 

      The Audiences. Notice in the Matthew 12:49 Jesus was stretching His hand out towards His disciples.  With them, Jesus referred to “My Father who is heaven.”  In Mark 3:34, Jesus was looking about at those sitting around Him, and referred simply to “God.”  Numerous explanations can account for the different terms: “My Father in heaven” and “God.”  We know that the Bible does not record every word spoken by Jesus: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).  Jesus often spoke for hours at a time, and even kept His audience for more than a day (Matthew 15:32).  During His message, Jesus could have spoken both phrases, one to His disciples and another to the group at large sitting before Him.  Think about this verse (Luke 12:41): Peter said, “Lord, are you addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?”  The disciples knew that Jesus was speaking at times to multitudes, and at other times only to them.  Consider also two other verses (Matthew 13:10-11): “And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’  Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.'”  Jesus directed His remarks to different audiences, and told and taught His disciples things He did not speak to the multitudes.  In the Mark passage about His family, Jesus said for disciples, “My Father in heaven.”  For those sitting around Him, He refers to “God.”

      My Father in Heaven and God. The gist theory of Inspiration glosses over the differences with words because it seeks only the “gist.”  Yet, the “gisters” deny that inspiration means that the Bible accurately reports the exact words of Jesus.  For them, the doctrine of inspiration only means that God approved the written product, and it did not always report the exact words Jesus used.  In other words, for the “gisters,” God approved the final product because it contained the “gist” of the message and meaning of Jesus.  Such thinking, however, undermines every word in the Bible because the gist theory of inspiration relegates words to a category of truth mixed with lies.  For the “gisters,” the words of Jesus have been lost forever.  They maintain that the Bible writers accurately reported some of the words Jesus said, but those same writers also placed words into the mouth of Jesus which He never said.  Although attorneys today often try to place words into the mouth of a witness, we should recognize the “gisters” use the same artifice.  They opine that Jesus never said some words attributed to Him as direct, verbatim discourse.  When two similar passages contain different words, how can the “gister” know which words were actually spoken by Jesus, and which words were merely attributed to Jesus by the writer?  In fact, the “gister” cannot really know which were original and which were merely attributions without a factual basis.  They have truly lost the actual words of Jesus forever.  In contrast to the “gist” view, the Bible actually causes us to praise God that His Word has been recorded miraculously and the Bible writers accurately reported every fact, including the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ.

My Father. Consider how radically the “gisters” miss the message of Jesus in the passages above.  When Jesus used the term “My Father in heaven,” He described a particular relationship He enjoyed with God as His Father.  The word “Father” means something very different from “God” and using the term “My Father” means a very special relationship with God.  At another time, Jesus elaborated upon His relationship to God as His Father and also claimed the title of God for Himself.  The Jews listening to Jesus discuss His relationship with the Father took up stones to kill Him when they understood He claimed to be Yahweh of the Old Testament (John 8:48-59).  No one can seriously maintain that Jesus, in this passage above, meant the term “God” to communicate the same meaning as the term “My Father.”  In this comparison of family relationships, Jesus emphasized: (1) His divinity and (2) His family relationship with both His heavenly Father and His earthly spiritual relatives.  Jesus spoke both phrases, and revealed something different with each phrase.  We should always keep in mind that when we read parallel passages, and the words do not match exactly, we should recall that differences in words mean that God was making different points in each passage.  Both passages are true, and need to be examined to understand how they harmonize with each other.

      So we learn about the inspiration of the Word of God today.

        ●  The Word of God means that God spoke His very words through the Bible, and God inspired every word.

      ●  The Word of God means that when we see apparent discrepancies in parallel passages, we need to look more closely at the audience, and seek to harmonize the passages, before we dismiss differences as errors.  Both passages may contain the actual words of Jesus, spoken at different times to the same audience.

       ●  The Word of God means that when two passages contain different information, we should not immediately dismiss one passage as untrue.  In fact, it may be impossible, following this theory, to know which passage actually contains the truth.  The best approach will always be to analyze both passages, and consider every possibility that both passages contain the truth of God.  Jesus declared every word of His Bible to be true, and we should follow the teaching of Jesus. 

Application for Today

     When we read the Bible, we should hear what Jesus says to us.  We should believe that Jesus only tells us the truth, and rely upon His Word as truthful.  Will you be reading God’s Word and expecting to read His truth today?

Christ Assembly │ The Harmony of the Gospels

The Books of Life │ Expository Bible Studies │ Christ Assembly

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Books of Life and Deeds

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The Bible contains many statements about various books concerning mankind.  In some cases, when a particular book was written may make a big difference in distinguishing one book from another book. Therefore, the footnotes below contain some discussion of more technical issues. 1Because verbs alone in the original languages of the Bible (Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew) often do not express time, the context of each verse and the verbs used there must be examined carefully to determine time references. So, throughout this study, timing can be a very big issue. This study will not look at all the books mentioned in the Bible, but only those related to eternal life. 2The books mentioned about men include: (1) The Book of the Living. Psalm 69:28; Exodus 32:32; contains the names of those alive on earth during any time period; apparently updated as people are born and die. (2) The Book of Wanderings. Psalm 56:8; contains the account of the wanderings of man; unknown when written, but perhaps before the man was alive. (3) The Book of the Righteous. Psalm 69:28; contains only the names of the righteous; written during the lifetime of the believer; perhaps the name entered at the moment of salvation; (4) The Book of Days. Psalm 139:16; contains all the days ordained for man; written before man lived. (5) The Book of Turning Away. Jeremiah 17:13; contains the names of the people who turn away from the LORD, the fountain of living water. (6) The Book of Rescue, Daniel 12:1; contains the names of the people of Israel rescued from great distress. (7) The Book of Remembrance. Malachi 3:16-18; contains the names of people who fear God and esteem Him; used at the judgment to distinguish the righteous from the wicked; written during the physical life of the righteous and wicked; (8) The Book of Life. Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:15; contains the names of only born-again believers; written before the foundation of the world; probably the same as the Book of Life of the Lamb; and (9) The Book of Life of the Lamb. Revelation 13:8; Revelation 21:27; contains the name of born-again believers; written before the foundation of the world. See chart of Books in Appendix A. Although God knows all things, including all the secrets of men, 3See Romans 2:16. He still makes written records contained in books.  In this study, we will look in Scripture at the books related to the life on earth and eternal life. The Books of Life │ Expository Bible Studies │ Christ Assembly

Book of Living Ones

In the Old Testament, we read about the story of Moses as he led the people of God out of Egypt and through the wilderness. During that journey, Moses often spoke with God about the rebellion of the people of Israel.

But now, if You will, forgive their sin–and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written! The LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.’ 

Exodus 32:32-33

In Exodus 32:32,  we learn about Moses interceding for the people of Israel after they made a golden calf and worshiped it.  Moses made God an offer to blot the name of Moses out of God’s book, if God would not forgive the great sin of the people of Israel. What book was Moses talking about when he offered to have his name blotted out of it? In order to answer that question, we must first look at Psalm 69:28. 4David had great insight into many matters. 

May they be blotted out of the book of living ones and may they not be recorded with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28

King David wrote Psalm 69:28.  In that verse, we observe the only instance in the Old Testament of the Hebrew phrase “the Book of Living Ones.” 5The Hebrew phrase for “book of Living Ones” (“מִסֵּפֶר חַיִּים”) occurs in only Psalm 69:28. The Hebrew word for “Living Ones” in Psalm 69:28 helps us understand the Old Testament meaning of this book of life. 6The Bible contains several different meanings of the word “living ones.” The Hebrew word “living ones” found in Psalm 69:28 predominantly refers to people physically alive on earth. 7The usage of the Hebrew word “living ones” (“חַיִּים”) in the Old Testament usually means a person physically alive on the earth. We can review a few categories of that usage of the term “living ones.” In Genesis 2:7,  we read there that God breathed into Adam’s nose the breath of living ones (“נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים”) and so Adam became soul life (“לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה”). Similarly, in Genesis 6:17, God used the flood to destroy all flesh in which was the “spirit of living ones” (“רוּחַ חַיִּים”). In Exodus 4:18, Moses wanted to see if his brothers, who were in Egypt, were still alive (“הַעוֹדָם חַיִּים”) . Also, in Numbers 16:30, the evil men in the rebellion of Korah descend alive (“וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים”) into Sheol.  In Deuteronomy 4:10, the Lord called upon Israel to fear Him all the days of living ones on earth(“חַיִּים עַל-הָאֲדָמָה”). In Ezekiel, the term “living ones” (“חַיִּים”) frequently occurs in the phrase “in [the] land of the living ones” (“בְּאֶרֶץ חַיִּים”), meaning those people alive on earth. At times, however, the term “life” (“חַיִּים”) can mean something other than physical life on earth. In Psalm 133:3, the Psalmist speaks of the blessings of the LORD as  “living ones, to the age” (“חַיִּים,  עַד-הָעוֹלָם”); even there, the Psalmist explicitly indicated he was speaking of “eternal” living ones and so the verse actually supports the claim that the term “living ones” (“חַיִּים”), outside of Proverbs, predominantly means people physically alive, when used without an adjective. Likewise, in Proverbs, the Hebrew term “living ones” (“חַיִּים”) frequently means spiritual life, and not physical life. Of course, in other contexts, the word for “living ones” (“חַיִּים”) can refer to flowing water, among other referents. In 1 Samuel 17:26, the term “living ones” (“חַיִּים”) occurs where David proclaimed that Goliath taunted the armies of the living God  (“מַעַרְכוֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים”). Therefore, it appears that the Book of Life mentioned in Psalm 69:28 refers to the Book of Living Ones (people physically alive on the earth at any given time). In this case, one’s name would be written in the book at conception and blotted out at physical death. 

We must also take notice of the term “blotted out” from the Book of Life in Psalm 69:28. In Psalm 69, David experienced deep distress caused by his enemies. In that Psalm, David prayed for two related things concerning his enemies: (1) that his enemies would be blotted out of the Book of Life; and (2) that his enemies would not be recorded with the righteous. Therefore, we may understand that someone’s name may be “blotted out” of the Book of Life. Also, as a separate act, a person’s name may be recorded with the righteous, and this verse indicates that record of the righteous may be in a separate book.

This term “blotted out” has special meaning in the Old Testament. 8The Hebrew term here for “blot out me” (“אֶמְחֶנּו”) means to wipe clean, to remove completely. This same root word is used to wipe clean a mouth (Proverbs 30:20), or to remove tears from a face (Isaiah 25:8). Likewise, the LORD brings judgment upon the stubborn individual idolater so that the LORD will “blot out” his name from under heaven (Deuteronomy 29:20). God used this root term “blot out” to mean He would kill every living person on the earth at the time of the flood, because they were evil. 9The Hebrew term in Genesis 6:7, for “blot out” (“אֶמְחֶה”) refers to God Himself saying, “I will blot out man . . . from the face of the earth  . . . .” Likewise, in Exodus 17:14, God proclaims that He will utterly blot out (“כִּי-מָחֹה אֶמְחֶה”) the memory of Amalek from under heaven. This same judgment of removing their name from under heaven appears also in Deuteronomy 9:14, where God intends to destroy the people of Israel and blot out their names under heaven (“וְאֶמְחֶה אֶת-שְׁמָם, מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם”); see also similar verses at Deuteronomy 29:20; 2 Kings 14:27; Nehemiah also asked God to remember and not blot out Nehemiah’s loyal deeds (“וְאַל-תֶּמַח חֲסָדַי”) performed for the house of God (Nehemiah 13:14). David prayed for God to blot out his transgressions (“מְחֵה פְשָׁעָי”) in Psalm 51:1; see also Psalm 51:9 and Jeremiah 18:23. In all these passages, whenever the verb “blot out” is used regarding people or their names, it always refers to killing them on earth, or causing them to be remembered no more on earth. Likewise, in Genesis 7:23, God flooded the world and blotted out (“וַיִּמַח”) every living thing from the face of the earth. Even then, God spared some people by providing an ark to save them from the flood. Likewise, God also spoke of raising up offspring for a deceased male of Israel so that the deceased male’s name would not be blotted out from Israel. 10The Hebrew phrase for “blotted out from Israel” (“וְלֹא-יִמָּחֶה שְׁמוֹ, מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל” focused upon the living on earth; see also Judges 21:17, where wives must be provided to Benjamites so that the tribe would not be blotted out from Israel. Again, the usage of the term “blotted out” means that a family may cease to be physically alive on earth, because the family has no more male descendants. Therefore, God commands kinsmen to raise up children to carry on the family name, so that family name will not be blotted out and permanently be removed from the earth. We see that the term “blotted out” means to undergo physical death, and it does not refer to spiritual death. Therefore, we know that to be “blotted out” of the Book of the Living means to suffer physical death on earth, and the Book of Life itself must mean a book containing the names of people physically alive on earth at any given time. 11In Psalm 56:8, David wrote that God has taken account (“סָפַרְתָּה-אָתָּה”) of David’s wanderings, and put David’s tears in the bottle of God, and put them into “Your book’ (“בְּסִפְרָתֶךָ”). David continues on and knows he will triumph over his enemies and walk before God in the light of the living (“בְּאוֹר, הַחַיִּים”). Therefore, because of the reference to living on earth before his enemies, and the record of his wanderings and tears on earth, the book described here may be the Book of the Living also, indicating it also records all the wanderings of men and their tears on earth. In the alternative, God may also have another book which I will label the Book of Wanderings. 

Moses spoke of a book about the people of the Exodus. According to Moses, God personally wrote down the names of people in a book and God personally blots names out of that book. 12The Hebrew term “from your book” (“מִסִּפְרְך”) indicates a scroll. Yahweh personally wrote in the book. 13The Hebrew term for “You have written” (“כָּתָבְתָּ”–Qal perfect) indicates God did the writing. Based upon our study of the term “Book of Life” in Psalm 69:28,  we may now try to identify the book Moses mentioned in Exodus 32:32.  Moses used the term “blot out” in reference to that book. The only other instance where the term “blot out” occurs in connection with a book in the Old Testament was in Psalm 69:28.  Therefore, we have strong reason to link the book Moses referred to and the Book of Life described by David. Moses meant that he wanted God to blot out the name of Moses, if God would not forgive the people of their great idolatry with the golden calf. As we have seen above, the term “blot out” means to end his physical life on earth. The context of Exodus 32:32  also fits well with Moses having his physical life ended by his name being blotted out of the Book of Life. God did not accept Moses’ offer to be blotted out of God’s book. Instead, God responded that whoever sinned against God, God would blot him out of His book. 14See Exodus 32:33. Furthermore, God promised to punish the people who sinned against Him. 15See Exodus 32:34. Finally, we read that God “smote” the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made. 16See Exodus 32:35. Therefore, the context shows that God blotted people out by killing them, so that their physical lives on earth ended. So, the context fits well with identifying the book Moses described with the same book David mentioned as the Book of Life. We also learn from Exodus 32:33  that sin can cause God to blot people out of His Book of Life. Because this Book of Life refers to the living on earth, I will refer to it as the Book of the Living, to convey the meaning that it deals with those physically alive on earth.

We may also learn more about the Book of the Living in Exodus 32. Notice that Yahweh 17Yahweh personally wrote in the book. The Hebrew term for “You have written” (“כָּתָבְתָּ”–Qal perfect) indicates God did the writing. did the writing in the Book of the Living. 18The Hebrew term “from Your book” (“מִסִּפְרְך”) indicates a scroll. Moses asked Yahweh personally to blot out his name. 19The Hebrew term for “blot out me” (“מְחֵנִי”–Qal imperative) from that book. This request by Moses shows that Moses expected Yahweh Himself had the power to blot out names from the book. Notice also their sin 20The Hebrew term for “sin” (“חַטָּאתָם”) conveys the idea of idolatry and rebellion in this context. caused God to blot out the name of the sinner from the Book of the Living, which contained the names of all people living on earth. 21The Hebrew construct used for “sinned against Me” (“חָטָא-לִי”) in Exodus 32:33 means to fall short of a mark, to be wrong morally, and to be guilty before God. Therefore, we see that Moses offered his physical life to God, if God would not forgive the people. Moses did not offer to forsake his eternal salvation, because the book Moses referred to was the Book of the Living, that is, the book of the people physically alive on earth at that time. The Books of Life │ Expository Bible Studies │ Christ Assembly

Therefore, we see that God apparently has a book containing all the names of every person born on earth. God Himself makes choices about blotting out the names of the living upon the earth from that Book of the Living. Although Moses certainly sinned, God never threatened Moses with having his name blotted out of the Book of the Living. In Exodus 32, the people of Israel had worshiped a golden calf while Moses received the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments.  Moses then sought to make atonement 22In Exodus 32:30, Moses spoke to the people of Israel after they sinned with the idol of the golden calf. In that verse, Moses told them “perhaps I can make atonement for your sins” (“אוּלַי אֲכַפְּרָה בְּעַד חַטַּאתְכֶם”). The Hebrew text indicates the uncertainty in the mind of Moses about God’s willingness to withhold punishment from His people for their great sin of idolatry. Moses understood the flagrant, corporate sin of Israel, and sought to give his own physical life in exchange for the nation’s survival, illuminating the great love of Moses to lay down his life for his brethren.  Yet, God did not allow one sinful human (Moses) to atone for the sin of the nation of Israel. Yahweh reserved that role of Savior exclusively for Jesus as the God-Man, the final and perfect sacrifice for sin. for the sins of the nation of Israel.  Moses had great concern that God may destroy the entire nation for the entire nation’s sin of idolatry with the golden calf. God responded, however, that He would judge each individual for sin, and not blot out the entire nation for this sinful disaster. 23This concept of God ending the physical life of people also appears in the New Testament. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:28-30, where God speaks about people “sleeping” (they died) because of their sin at the Lord’s table. Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 5:5,  Paul decided to “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” Notice that sin can produce physical death. Compare also the sin leading to death in 1 John 5:16, where the believer may sin and die physically as a result.

Book of the Living–Summary

1. Every Birth.  At the time of birth, God Himself apparently records in the Book of the Living every live birth on earth. 

2. God Himself Records and Removes.  God Himself wrote down every individual born under heaven into the Book of the Living.  We know this fact because every individual name of the people of Israel could be removed individually from the Book of the Living

3. Individual Sin.  One single sin can cause God to blot out that sinner’s name from the Book of the Living, but God decides which sin may cause a sinner’s name to be blotted out.

4. Not Every Sin.  God exercises perfect, loving judgment in the decision to blot out a name from the Book of the Living.  Not every sin requires that sinner’s name to be removed from the Book of the Living, because Moses sinned, and his name was not blotted out in Exodus 32. 

5. Distinction.  The Book of the Living may be distinguished from other books because this Book of the Living has every name written in it, and only God records births and blots out names as a judgment for individual, not corporate, sin.

Book of Wanderings

King David received great revelations from God about his royal life and enjoyed a very close relationship with God. In Psalm 56:8, David disclosed that God has counted all of his “wanderings” on earth and they were recorded in a particular book. 24The Hebrew phrase “You have counted” (“סָפַרְתָּה-אָתָּה”) explains David’s confidence here. The total term “have counted” (“סָפַרְתָּה”–“qal perfect for “have taken account”) and the “You” (“אָתָּה”–may be emphatic here) combined with “are they not in Your book” (“הֲלֹא, בְּסִפְרָתֶךָ”) implies that God knows the sum of David’s wanderings and has written them down before they occurred, because David took comfort from these thoughts, as he relied upon God for deliverance. Even so, he wept, and God placed the tears of David in God’s bottle. David knew Yahweh as a personal, loving God, concerned about all of his wanderings and tears. God knew all about them, and was always ready to help. Wherever David fled before Saul and later his own children in rebellion, David counted upon Yahweh for deliverance.

You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 56:8

Samuel the prophet anointed David king, because his predecessor, King Saul, rejected the word of the LORD and so Yahweh rejected Saul from being king over Israel. 25See 1 Samuel 15:26 and the entire story in that chapter. Shortly after God rejected King Saul, Samuel anointed the young shepherd boy David as king of Israel in a private ceremony at Bethlehem, the hometown of Jesse, the father of David. 26See 1 Samuel 16:12-13. Later, King Saul watched young David kill Goliath the giant, the champion of the Philistines who taunted the armies of the living God. 27See 1 Samuel 17:31-58. King Saul soon grew jealous of David after the people sang that Saul had killed his thousands, but David had killed his ten thousands. 28See 1 Samuel 18:7. King Saul eventually tried to kill David, but David’s wife Michal (King Saul’s daughter) helped him escape from King Saul. David fled to Gath, the hometown of Goliath. There, David pretended to be insane, because he feared Achish, the king of Gath. In Psalm 56:8, David wrote about his time in Gath.  He felt oppressed and trampled upon by his enemies, but David trusted in God alone. David knew that God was for him. In this context, David wrote that God had taken account of all his wanderings, put his tears into God’s bottle, and recorded all his wanderings in God’s book. 29The Hebrew term for “wandering” (“נֹדִי”) means the wanderings, particularly the wanderings of an outcast or fugitive. God used this root word to describe the wanderings of Cain, after he killed Abel, and described a land of wanderings where Cain went (Genesis 4:12-16). God also knows all the “wanderings” of Israel through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:7). Therefore, this book, which I shall call the Book of Wanderings, contains all the wanderings of David during his lifetime on earth, and appears to have been written before David wandered. David apparently took comfort and courage that God had a complete record of his wanderings on earth, apparently giving David confidence that one day he would be king, because God had already anointed David for that purpose. 30See 1 Samuel 15:12-13. The Books of Life │ Expository Bible Studies │ Christ Assembly

Book of Wanderings–Summary

1. Account. God has taken account of the wanderings of David.

2. Written. Apparently all the days of David’s life are recorded in the Book of Wanderings.

3. Comfort. David took comfort knowing that all his wanderings were recorded by God in the Book of Wanderings.

Book of the Righteous

In Psalm 69:28, King David wrote about his enemies, who hate him without cause. They were more numerous than the hairs of his head. We have discussed the Book of the Living mentioned in Psalm 69:28  above. Now we will focus upon the record of the righteous in the same verse. This verse helps us with timing issues regarding when the two books were written.

May they be blotted out of the book of life and may they not be recorded with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28

David petitioned God that his enemies would not be “recorded with the righteous.” As we have seen above, at the same time David prayed for his enemies to be blotted out of the Book of the Living, David also prayed for  his enemies not be written in the Book of the Righteous. Therefore, we know that his enemies had not yet been recorded in the Book of the Righteous. The timing here helps us distinguish this book from New Testament books written before the foundation of the world.

Book of the Righteous–Summary

1. Evil People. David prayed that God would not include his enemies in the Book of the Righteous.

2. Written. The Book of the Righteous was apparently written during the lifetime of the righteous, or perhaps later. 

3. Book of the Living Contrasted. David prayed that his enemies would be blotted out of the Book of the Living, meaning he wanted God to take their physical life. He also wanted God not to write their names in the Book of the Righteous. Notice that evil names had not been written previously in the Book of the Righteous, because David knew they had not been written there as of the date he prayed for their names to be blotted out of the Book of the Living. Therefore, the Book of the Righteous overlaps the Book of the Living with names written in both during the lifetime of the believer. David does not pray the names would be blotted out of the Book of the Righteous. 

Book of Days

In Psalm 139:16,  we learn that all the days of each individual’s life on earth are recorded in a particular book.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

Psalm 139:16

David wrote about a special book written before he was born. In fact, David knows that the eyes of God have seen his unformed substance. 31The Hebrew term here for “unformed substance” (“גָּלְמִי”) does not appear elsewhere in the Old Testament in that form. The root may mean “embryo.” The point is that God sees the development of human life. The Book of the Living appears to be a book that has your name written at conception and then blotted out at death. This book mentioned in Psalm 139:16  was written before conception or birth. 32See Psalm 139:14. Therefore, it does not seem to fit with the Book of the Living because it was written at a different time. Therefore, I will label it the Book of Days. The number of days of our lives are “ordained” by God. 33The Hebrew term “ordained” (“יֻצָּרוּ”) means created, formed, or fashioned. In Isaiah 45:9, God used the same term to describe earthenware created by a potter; God symbolized humans talking back to God, their Creator, as a pot talking back to the Potter. Notice here that all our days were ordained by God and a record of all those days were written in the Book of Days before there was one of those days, that is, before we were even born and had our first day.

Book of Days–Summary

1. Unformed Substance. David knew that God’s eyes have seen his unformed substance.

2. Written. The Book of Days was written before David was conceived, that is, when there was not yet one of his days. 

3. Content. The Book of Days contains a complete record of all the days David lived on earth. As he wept and went through difficult times, he knew that all his days were already recorded in the Book of Days, which displays God’s omniscience.

4. Book of the Living Contrasted. The Book of the Living contains the names of everyone alive on earth at any given time. The Book of Days, in contrast, was written before the first day of David’s life on earth. So, we know that this Book of Days could not be the same book as the Book of the Living because they were written at different times. Furthermore, because the Book of the Righteous was written during the lifetime of David or later, the Book of Days could not be the same as the Book of the Righteous.

Book of Turning Away

In Jeremiah 17:13,  we read about the people of Judah turning away from the LORD. 34See also Jeremiah 2:13  about the two errors of Israel: (1) they have forsaken the fountain of living waters; and (2) they have hewn out broken cisterns that can hold no water.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:13

God proclaimed that the sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus; with a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart and on the horns of their altars. 35See Jeremiah 17:1.  God described the effect of Judah’s idolatry upon their hearts and their idolatrous altars of worship. The people of Judah had become utterly corrupt. Their hearts were so hardened that it took an iron stylus with a diamond point to engrave those stony hearts. God then confronted Jeremiah and spoke to him concerning human hearts. God declared the heart more deceitful than all else and desperately wicked; who can understand it? 36See Jeremiah 17:9. Jeremiah then responded to God and recognized the LORD on His glorious throne on high from the beginning. In Him alone resides the hope of Israel. Yet, all who forsake the LORD will be put to shame. 37The Hebrew phrase “who forsake You will be put to shame” (“ כָּל-עֹזְבֶיךָ יֵבֹשׁוּ; יסורי”) refers to: (1) the date when people were forsaking the LORD; and (2) a later date when the idolaters will be put to shame. Likewise, those same people were presently turning away on earth from the LORD (I understand that placing time restraints upon individual verbs in Hebrew may be problematic. In this case, the verb “they will be put to shame” (“שוֹ בֵי”) occurs as a Qal imperfect. As an imperfect, in this context it apparently refers to a future event. The juxtaposition of perfect with imperfect forms in this verse distinguishes present events from future events. They will be put to shame in the future, but not necessarily at the moment they forsake or turn away from the LORD. Likewise, the verb “they shall be written” (“יִכָּתֵבוּ“) also occurs as a Niphal imperfect, indicating that, in the future, their names will be written down, because they have turned away from the LORD, and in the future they will be put to shame. So, the order of events appears to be: (1) the people committed idolatry; (2) they forsook and turned away from the LORD; (3) their names will be written down; and (4) they will be put to shame. Psalm 69:28 also has the same Hebrew word for “written” (“בוֵ תָ כִ י“). In Psalm 69:28, the Hebrew Niphal form has a jussive force, indicating that the Psalmist does not want the names of the wicked recorded with the righteous. I pondered whether Jeremiah 17:13 referred back to writing upon the hearts of the people in Jeremiah 17:1. I noticed that Jeremiah 17:13 referred to writing down “names,” and not “sins.” 38Psalm 69:28 also has the same Hebrew word for “written” (“אַל-יִכָּתֵבוּ“–not written”) concerning a book. In Psalm 69:28, the Hebrew Niphal form has a jussive force, indicating that David, the Psalmist, does not want the names of the wicked recorded with the righteous. The names of the wicked shall be blotted out of the Book of Life. Psalm 69:28 supports the interpretation that a separate book is in view in Jeremiah 17:13 because the same Niphal verb is used in both places. So, rather than a reflexive meaning of the Niphal (written by themselves or in their own hearts) in Jeremiah 17:13, it seems better to go with a meaning of writing in a book, as described in Psalm 69:28. In Jeremiah 17:1, the “sins” of the people of Judah were written upon their hearts and their altars. In Jeremiah 17:13, God wrote down the “names” of the people who turn away from the LORD. Therefore, I concluded that God wrote a book containing the names of the people who turn away from the LORD, the fountain of living water. I also noticed in Jeremiah 17:13 that the people who forsook and turned away on earth 39The Hebrew term “on earth” (“בָּאָרֶץ“) may be taken to mean that their names were written in the earth (loose soil), but it seems better to me to take the word to mean they forsook the LORD while living on the earth (or in the land of Judah). Symbolically, he referred to their earthly lifetimes. The term occurs in the Hebrew text of Jeremiah 17:13 between the term for “turned away” and “will be written down.” Jeremiah used the same term “on earth” (“בָּאָרֶץ“) to describe not only the land of Benjamin in Judah, but also the desert in Jeremiah 2:6, and the land of exile in Jeremiah 17:4; Jeremiah used the term “in the land” (“בָּאָרֶץ”) more than sixty times, and only in Jeremiah 32:41, does that term seem to mean that God planted the people in the land, perhaps like you would plant a tree. All other uses in Jeremiah seem to support the meaning of describing a geographical place, where people lived or could walk upon the land. Also in Jeremiah 17:1, Jeremiah described writing “upon” (“עַל-לוּחַ“) the tablet of the heart, not “in” the tablet of the heart (see Deuteronomy 6:6, “upon their heart” (“עַל-לְבָבֶךָ“).  Therefore, I prefer the meaning of “on earth” to describe the entire realm of the earth, and to emphasize that these people were living upon the earth at that time, although I understand the primary referent in Jeremiah 17:13 must be the people of God living in Jerusalem and Judah. from the LORD opposed those people, like Jeremiah, who called upon the LORD to heal them and save them. The people who turned away from the LORD said to Jeremiah: “Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now!” Jeremiah prayed that his opponents would be put to shame and dismayed and finally destroyed. Therefore, I concluded further that those who turn away from the LORD are not merely people backsliding for just a while, but they adamantly oppose everyone who seeks healing and salvation from the LORD and deserve eternal destruction. The opponents love their idolatry. God writes down the names of people who forsake Him and turn away from Him, the fountain of living waters.

Book of Turning Away–Summary

1. Forsake the LORD, Turn Away. The defining characteristic of the people written in this Book of Turning Away is that they have forsaken the LORD and turned away from the LORD.
2. Written Down. The Book of Turning Away will be written down at the time (or after) people turn away from the LORD.
3. Content. The Book of Turning Away contains a complete record of all the people who have turned away from the LORD on earth, and forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD. This book lists the names of the people of Judah who forsook the LORD during the days of Jeremiah, and perhaps the names of all people on earth who have forsaken the LORD.
4. Book of Turning Away Contrasted. The Book of the Living contains the names of everyone alive on earth at any given time. The Book of Turning Away was written down as (or after) each person turned away from the LORD. So, we know that this Book of the Living could not be the same book as the Book of the Turning Away because they were written at different times. Furthermore, the Book of the Living concerns blotting out names and removing names from the Book of the Living. In contrast, the names of people are added to the Book of the Turning Away at or after they fully and finally turn away from God (see the contrast to the names of the righteous added to the Book of the Righteous). Although the Book of the Living bears similarities to the Book of Turning Away, they are not the same. God blots out from the Book of the Living the names of each person who sins, and then that person’s life on earth ends in death. The Book of Turning Away does not indicate that each person turning away immediately died. Of course, their destruction was not far away with the invading army coming soon.

Book of Rescue

In Daniel 12:1, Daniel received a revelation from God about a future time of unprecedented distress. Daniel prophesied that at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the people of Israel, will arise. 

Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.

Daniel 12:1

Daniel described the time of distress such as never occurred since the nation until that time. But Daniel also provided good news: everyone who is written in the book will be rescued. 40The Hebrew term for “in [the] book” (“בַּסֵּפֶר”) is a common term for book in the Old Testament. This time of rescue appears linked to the time when these believers rescued from distress will be awakened and raised to eternal life. Others will awaken to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 41The Hebrew phrase for “disgrace and everlasting contempt” (“לַחֲרָפוֹת לְדִרְאוֹן עוֹלָם”) describes the resurrection to judgment, followed by eternal shame and suffering. See the discussion of Gehenna and the Lake of Fire below. The rescue may include the physical deliverance pictured in Zechariah 14, or a spiritual rescue to eternal life. For unbelievers, Jesus described a time of judgment (with disgrace and everlasting contempt). 42In Zechariah 12:10, God pours out the Spirit of grace and supplication, which causes the living Jews to look upon Jesus whom they have pierced, and mourn for their rejection of Messiah. Then, God will bring eternal life to those Jews so that from the least of them to the greatest of them, they will all know the Lord. See Jeremiah 31:34 for the New Covenant promise with the house of Israel and the house of Jacob. Also, only one third of the Jews in the land of Israel will survive the tribulation period (Zechariah 13:8).  We know that this Book of Rescue had the names written in it sometime before the time of distress; the exact time remains unclear. Only born-again believers have their names written in the Book of Rescue. The Book of Rescue only has names from the nation of Israel written in it.

Book of Rescue–Summary

1. Distress. Daniel prophesied concerning a time of distress never before experienced in Israel, and he had lived through the total conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Everyone having their names written in the Book of Rescue will be rescued.

2. Rescue. The Book of Rescue contains the names of everyone who will be rescued from the time of great distress, but those names will only be born-again believers. 

3. Content. The names recorded in the Book of Rescue contain only Jews from the nation of Israel, and those Jews were apparently alive at the time of the unprecedented distress. 

4. Book of the Living Contrasted. The Book of the Living contains the names of everyone alive on earth at any given time. The Book of Rescue, in contrast, was written before the time of great distress coming upon Israel in the future. Furthermore, the Book of Rescue only contains the names of Jews from the nation of Israel. Therefore, the Book of the Living is not the same book as the Book of Rescue.

Book of Remembrance

In Malachi 3:16,  we read about a Book of Remembrance. 43The Hebrew phrase there for “book of remembrance” (“סֵפֶר זִכָּרוֹן”) means a book used to remind the reader. Malachi described a book concerning people who feared the LORD.

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.

Malachi 3:16

In the same verse, we also learn about the exclusive nature of that book. Only those who “fear the LORD” and “esteem Him” will have their names written in the Book of Remembrance. 44The Hebrew phrase for “fear the LORD” (“לְיִרְאֵי יְהוָה”) (notice the masculine noun for “fear” in construct with Yahweh) used a common word for “fear” and here it stands directly related to “esteem Him” (“לְחֹשְׁבֵי שְׁמוֹ”–qal participle).  Taken together, only those who have an abiding “fear” of Yahweh and “esteem” Yahweh will have their names recorded in the Book of Remembrance Yahweh directed that those names be written down in the Book of Remembrance before Him. 45The Hebrew term for “before Him” (“לְפָנָיו”) means literally before His face, and in this context indicated that Yahweh had the Book of Remembrance written down before Him, apparently at the time the living men “feared” and “esteemed” Yahweh. Notice in Malachi 3:16, that the book appears to be written after the people on earth speak to one another as people who fear Yahweh; they speak and then Yahweh gave attention and heard it, and then the book was written. The sequence of events here distinguishes this Book of Remembrance from the Book of Life mentioned in the New Testament. The Book of Life in the New Testament was written before the foundation of the world. Therefore, this Book of Remembrance may focus more upon the works of those people who fear and esteem Yahweh.  The purpose behind the Book of Remembrance may be seen clearly in Malachi 3:17.

In Malachi 3:17,  we read: “They will be Mine.” This phrase summarized well the purpose for memorializing the people who “feared” and “esteemed” Yahweh. When Yahweh prepares His possession, He will spare the people named in His Book of Remembrance as a man spares his son who serves him. 

Notice that we learn further in Malachi 3:18  that Yahweh will rely upon this Book of Remembrance when He “again will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”  This time of judgment seems very similar to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46.   At that time of judgment, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, while the goats will be cast into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Likewise, the sheep gained favor with Jesus when they helped the foreigner, hungry, naked, thirsty and imprisoned.  To honor those people was the same as honoring Jesus.  Likewise, to ignore those people, would be to dishonor Jesus.  The righteous enter eternal life, and the wicked enter eternal punishment. 46In Revelation 20:12, Jesus sits upon a great white throne for judgment. Only unbelievers appear for judgment at the great white throne (see discussion below concerning the Book of Life). Books will be opened, including the Book of Life, which was written before the foundation of the world, and contains the names of the righteous (Philippians 4:3; compare Psalm 69:28). Therefore, it seems likely that the Book of Remembrance will also be opened at that time, because God will use it to judge the unsaved, as He said in Malachi 3:18.

Book of Remembrance–Summary

1. Yahweh Heard. Yahweh heard those who feared Yahweh speaking to one another and Yahweh wrote a book of remembrance.

2. Yahweh Had the Book of Remembrance Written in the Presence of God.  The Book of Remembrance was written in the presence of Yahweh.

3. Written for Them.  Yahweh wrote the Book of Remembrance for those people who fear Yahweh.

4. Content.  The Book of Remembrance concerns the people who fear Yahweh and esteem Him.

Book of Life

We also read about a Book of Life in the New Testament. Born-again believers have their names written in the New Testament Book of Life. In Philippians 4:3,  we read about Clement and the rest of Paul’s fellow workers, whose names are written the Book of Life. 47The Greek phrase for “book of life” (“βίβλῳ ζωῆς“) here refers to believers who already have their names written the “book of life.” In the Johannine literature of the New Testament, John used the word “life” (“ζωῆς”) exclusively for spiritual, eternal life; compare the usage of the Old Testament term for “life” (“חַיִּים”) which meant physical, earthly life. For example, Jesus called himself the bread of life (” ἄρτος τῆς ζωῆς“) in John 6:35.  In John 8:12, Jesus called Himself the Light of life (“τὸ φῶςτῆς ζωῆς“).

Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:3

Therefore, we know that Paul’s fellow believers had their names written in the Book of Life. Although Euodia and Syntyche may not have been living in harmony when Paul wrote Philippians, he certainly understood that their names were written in the Book of Life. In this context, it does not seem likely that Paul was only talking about physical life here on earth, but rather eternal life with Christ Jesus. Because Clement and the rest of the Paul’s fellow workers had struggled with Paul in sharing the gospel, they will also receive the benefit of the gospel, eternal life signified here by having their names written in the Book of Life.

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:5

In Revelation 3:5,  we also read that God will not 48The Greek phrase for not (“οὐ μὴ”–with the indicative following) emphasizes the absolute promise, under all possible circumstances, that God will not erase. “erase” 49The Greek term for “erase” (“ἐξαλείψω”) has an interesting usage in the New Testament. In Colossians 2:14, the term “having cancelled out” (“ἐξαλείψας–notice the aorist participle) indicates the total and complete act of having cancelled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us. In Revelation 7:17, the same root term means that Jesus “will wipe away” (“ἐξαλείψει”) every tear from the eyes of every soul under the altar. Likewise, in Revelation 21:4, God will wipe away (“ἐξαλείψει”) every tear from the eye of every believer in the new Jerusalem. In Acts 3:19, Peter urged the crowd to repent and return to God, so that your sins “may be wiped away” (“ἐξαλειφθῆναι”). the name of an overcomer from the Book of Life. Some interpreters try to suggest that the opposite must also be true. Namely, they teach that God can erase the names of some people out of this Book of Life. Yet, in Revelation 3:5, John emphasized the exact opposite of that teaching: God never erases an overcomer’s name from the Book of Life. 50See https://bible.org/seriespage/revelation-appendix-3-who-are-overcomers for a discussion of the various views on the identity of “overcomers” in the New Testament. Furthermore, throughout his writings in the New Testament, and particularly here in Revelation 3:5, John used the term “life” to describe the Book of Life, which contains only the names of born-again believers. 51See footnote 2 above. Therefore, we know that the Book of Life records the names of everyone who has spiritual, eternal life. In contrast, we noted above that the Old Testament Book of the Living contains a record of everyone physically alive on earth at any given time. So, from Revelation 3:5  alone, we know that: (1) God clothes overcomers in white garments; and (2) Jesus will confess their names before His Father and before the Father’s angels; and (3) the names of the overcomers are written in the Book of Life; and (4) God will never erase the name of an overcomer from the Book of Life. All of those characteristics of the overcomers all pertain to spiritual, eternal life, and fully support the conclusion that the Book of Life only contains the names of born-again believers, and their names will never be erased from the Book of Life.

Book of Life (New Testament)–Summary

1. The Names of Believers. The names of born-again believers are recorded in the Book of Life.

2. The Names of Overcomers Will Never Be Blotted Out.  God promised He would never blot out the names of overcomers from the Book of Life. Every born-again believer is an overcomer.

3. Jesus Will Confess the Names of Overcomers before the Father.  Jesus promised He would confess the names of overcomers before His Father in heaven.

Book of Life of the Lamb

In Revelation 13:8,  we read about the Book of Life of the Lamb who has been slain. 52The Greek phrase for “book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (“τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου τοῦἐσφαγμένου“) ties this Book of Life with the Lamb.

All who dwell on earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Revelation 13:8

Throughout the book of Revelation, the Lamb alone is worthy to open the book with seven seals and to judge the living and the dead, because the Lamb was slain, and came back to life, and the Lamb alone purchased with His blood people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation on earth. 53Revelation 5:9. This singular connection between the Lamb and the people He purchased with His blood underlies the Book of Life of the Lamb. A question also arises about the whether the phrase “before the foundation of the world” describes the timing of: (1) the death of the Lamb or (2) the writing of the names in the Book of Life of the Lamb. The best explanation seems to be that the names were written in the Book of Life of the Lamb before the foundation of the world. 54The question of whether the phrase “before the foundation of the world” describes: (1) when the Lamb was slain; or (2) when the names were written in the book depends upon several technical factors. In the end, the technical arguments based upon a finite verb plus a participle, and the intervening words between the clauses, do not seem to outweigh the similar usage by the same author in the same book at Revelation 17:8, where the names were written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world. Therefore, the best conclusion seems to be that the names were written in the Book of Life of the Lamb before the foundation of the world. 

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.

Revelation 17:8

In Revelation 17:8,  we learn that “those who dwell on earth 55Notice the limitation here: only people alive on earth at that time. The focus here is not upon spiritual acts in heaven, but rather physical acts of spiritual worship on earth. and “whose name had not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world 56The Greek phrase “had not been written” (“οὐ γέγραπται”–perfect tense) describes an act in the past with continuing results. The significance of the perfect tense here emphasizes those names were not written in the past and then removed from the Lamb’s Book of Life. Therefore, the verse indicates that those names, before the foundation of the world, were never written the Book of Life of the Lamb, and they have not been written since then in the Lamb’s Book of Life. will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.” This verse ties in closely with Revelation 13:8 because we see there very similar descriptions of people who worship the beast: (1) they dwell upon earth; and (2) their names have not been written in either the Book of Life of the Lamb or the Book of Life; and (3) they will worship or wonder at the beast. 57Two Greek phrases need attention here: (1) “whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain” (“οὗ οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου τοῦ ἐσφαγμένου ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου“) (Revelation 13:8); and (2) “whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world” (“ὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα ἐπὶ τὸ βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου“) (Revelation 17:8). Notice several similarities: “not written,” “before the foundation of the world,” “book of life” (dative and accusative cases, both with the definite article)–all of these phrases are nearly identical in the Greek text. Based upon these similar descriptions, these verses may refer to the same book, using the short name Book of Life (Revelation 17:8) or the longer name Book of Life of the Lamb.

The question arises: is the Book of Life the same as the Book of Life of the Lamb? We certainly have evidence here that both books were written before the foundation of the world, and that anyone who worships or wonders at the beast never had their names written in the Book of Life or the Book of Life of the Lamb. Based upon the substantial similarities between the two verses, a strong claim can be made that the Book of Life in Revelation 13:8 is the same as the Book of Life of the Lamb in Revelation 17:8.  In both contexts, born-again believers distinguish themselves by their reaction to the beast. Those people do not worship the beast or wonder at the beast, like all the unsaved people. The other uses of the term “book” in Revelation also support the conclusion they are the same book. Only the names of born-again believers have their names written in the Book of Life and the Book of Life of the Lamb. Only those born-again believers will not worship the beast (Revelation 13:8).  Only those born-again believers will not wonder when they see the beast. Therefore, the born-again believers are linked to being in the Book of Life, and the Book of Life was written before the foundation of the world, just like the Book of Life of the Lamb was written before the foundation of the world. Because of these similarities between the two books, they appear to be the same book with similar names.

Apparently, in Revelation 13:8,  the names were written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world (and not emphasizing that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world).  In that verse, we read that the people there worship the beast because their names were not written in the “book of life of the Lamb.”  God emphasized in that verse that all unbelievers will worship the beast. God identified these people as people whose names were never written in “book of life of the Lamb.” 58Notice the words “had not been written.” The Greek phrase for “had not been written” (“οὐ γέγραπται”) is a perfect, passive indicative. The use of the perfect tense here means that those names were not written in the past and then removed, but rather they were never written in the Book of Life of the Lamb. Please remember that the Book of Life of the Lamb was written before the foundation of the world. Therefore, this verse shows that those names of the unbelievers were never written in eternity past, before the foundation of the world. Please recall that the names of the people written in the Lamb’s Book of Life were written into that book before the foundation of the world. God knows all things and by His sovereign power He ultimately controls all things, so that He can reveal the future without error.

Revelation 20 presents the solemn scene of the great white throne judgment. Heaven and earth have fled away at the presence of Him who sat on the throne, and no place was found for them.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.

Revelation 20:11

Only non-believers will appear before the great white throne for judgment, because at the moment of salvation by faith alone, believers have passed out of judgment and into life. 59Jesus taught in John 5:24, that everyone who hears the word of Jesus and believes the Father Who sent Jesus, has passed out of death and into eternal life. They do not come into judgment, because they already have passed out of death into life. Notice that believers never face judgment concerning eternal life, because they already have it. Furthermore, Jesus continued His teaching by noting that in the future, all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; believers go to a resurrection of life and unbelievers go to a resurrection of judgment. The unbelievers will be judged according to their works, which were evil (John 5:28-29). See also the judgment of unbelievers, according to the Gospel of Paul. Paul taught that God has fixed a day when God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16); compare Acts 17:31, where God will judge the world in righteousness through a Man, Whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Salvation by faith alone only happens on earth, at the moment a person trusts Jesus for salvation by hearing and believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel means that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead, all according to the Scriptures. 601 Corinthians 15:1-5.

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

Revelation 20:12

As the dead, the great and the small, stood before the great white throne, books were opened. 61The Greek text for the phrase “books were opened” (“βιβλία ἠνοίχθησαν“) used the same word for books as we observed in every other New Testament passage concerning books. Therefore, we know that different books play a role in judgment, and particularly at least one book must have a record of evil deeds. Notice the plural for books. More than one book will be opened at the great white throne judgment. In this study, we have seen several books written for different purposes. Now we know that some of those books were written to condemn the unbelievers by their own deeds. People fall greatly and sin profoundly when they fail to seek God, preferring instead their own wicked ways. They have no fear of God before their eyes. 62See Romans 3:9-18; see also Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 10:7; Psalm 36:1-4.

In Revelation 20:12, the content of the book of life determines the judgment at the great white throne. 63 The Greek text here for “book of life” (“τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς“–dative case)  is very similar to the term for Book of Life studied above. All the dead standing before the throne have come from all ages and from all over the world. They will all be judged based upon the names in certain books opened before Jesus sitting on His great white throne. 64God ordained Isaiah to write a book that would later be used as a witness against transgressors (Isaiah 30:8). God also instructed Isaiah to seek from the Book of the Lord and read it that none of the wild animals will be missing as they inhabit the lands judged by God (Isaiah 34:16).

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

Notice here that if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, 65The Greek term phrase for “was not found written” (“οὐχ εὑρέθη . . . γεγραμμένος“) indicates that the name was not in the Book of Life. Taking the phrase in two parts, the “not found” (“οὐχ εὑρέθη“–aorist indicative) shows the person was completely missing from the book. The Greek term for written (“γεγραμμένος”–perfect passive participle) indicates, in conjunction with the verbal phrase “was not written,” that the name of the person was never written in the book, and the name of the person has not appeared in the Book of Life since then, and remains absent from the Book of Life at the time of judgment at the great white throne. he was thrown into the lake of fire. The Holy Spirit in the Bible teaches that unbelievers go to a temporary place of torture at the moment of death. 66Jesus taught that “the hell” (“τὴν γέενναν“) was a place of fire (Matthew 5:22), which is unquenchable (Mark 9:43), and the place where God is able to destroy (“ἀπολέσαι“) both the body and soul (“ψυχὴν καὶ σῶμα“) (Matthew 10:28). God throws unbelievers into hell after He has killed them, and so people should fear God, and not satan or any man (Luke 12:5). Jesus also denounced the Pharisees and scribes because they made their proselytes “twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (“υἱὸν γεέννης διπλότερον ὑμῶν”). James tells us that hell (“τῆς γεέννης“) sets the tongue on fire which, in turn, sets on fire the course of our lives (James 3:6). In passing, we should also note that God did not spare evil spirits who sinned, but cast them into hell (“ταρταρώσας”) kept for judgment; tartarosas there means the place of pits of darkness (“σειραῖς ζόφου“) where the evil spirits are kept (“τηρουμένους”), awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4); this passage provides the only time the word tartarosas appears in any form in the New Testament. At the great white throne, Jesus judges unbelievers based upon the names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Because they are guilty of unbelief in the gospel and person of Jesus Christ, their names were never written in the Book of Life. Therefore, Jesus condemns them to eternal death, and they are cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Based upon the entire context, this Book of Life in Revelation 20:12, 15  contains only the names of people who are going to heaven, because they have eternal life. We know the Book of Life (also called the Book of Life of the Lamb) only contains the names of believers, and it was written before the foundation of the world. No believer’s name will ever be erased from that book. 67See the discussion of Revelation 13:8  above. As Jesus told His disciples, they should not rejoice that even the spirits are subject to them, but they should rejoice 68The Greek term for “rejoice” (“χαίρετε”–imperfect tense indicates a continuous action) has an interesting usage as a command in the New Testament. In Matthew 5:12, believers should rejoice because their reward in heaven is great, because they endured persecution upon earth. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, Paul commanded the believers to rejoice as part of his final greeting to that church. In Philippians 2:18, Paul commanded the Philippians to rejoice with Paul because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached, whether in pretense or in truth. In Philippians 3:1, Paul commanded the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord as Paul turns to warnings about the life, in light of the goal of life, which is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. In Philippians 4:4, Paul commanded the Philippians to rejoice always, because the Lord is near. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Paul commanded the Thessalonians to rejoice always. In 1 Peter 4:13, Peter commanded the believers living as aliens scattered abroad to keep on rejoicing as they share in the sufferings of Christ, so that they may rejoice in great exultation at His appearing. We understand that in all these passages, God commands rejoicing as a continuous activity (imperfect tense). This command of continuous rejoicing God directed only to believers, because only believers have the Holy Spirit living within them, Who can produce joy even in difficult circumstance.  Only in Matthew 28:9, Jesus “greeted” His disciples after His resurrection with the term for “rejoice” (“Χαίρετε”). As we have seen, everywhere else in the New Testament that particular term means “rejoice.” because their names are recorded in heaven. 69The Greek phrase “your names are recorded in heaven” (“ἐγγέγραπται” perfect passive indicative) means here that their names were written in the past and their names continue into the present to be recorded. Therefore, in this passage, Jesus encourages His disciples to rejoice in their everlasting life built upon faith alone, so that their names are recorded forever in heaven. Jesus taught His disciples that it was far greater to have your name written in heaven, than having demons subject to you on earth. The phrase “recorded in heaven” means here that their names were written in the Book of Life, because of the contrast between earthly spiritual power on earth and eternal spiritual life in heaven. Jesus meant that their names were written in the Book of Life, because it contains the names of every born-again believer. If Jesus was only talking about an earthly Book of the Living, the blessing would not fit this context of rejoicing over temporal earthly powers granted to the disciples. According to Jesus, and the words of His apostles, we should rejoice every day, especially knowing that our names are recorded forever in the Book of Life. This promise of living with Jesus forever appears also in Revelation 21:27. 

In Revelation 21:27, the tribulation has ended, heaven and earth have passed away, and a new heaven and new earth have been created. Within that wonderful closing of the New Testament, Jesus contrasted life with Him in the New Jerusalem, and life outside of Christ. Only those people whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall ever come into the new Jerusalem.

and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 21:27

The difference between life with Jesus Christ and the death of the wicked remains in brilliant contrast. Inside the new Jerusalem, God has gathered all the believers to live with Him. Jesus identifies those believers as everyone whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. 70The Greek phrase here for “written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (“o γεγραμμένοι ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου“) follows the same format we have seen previously in the New Testament. Only the names of born-again believers are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The Lamb’s Book of Life contains the names of every person who has eternal life, from all ages. After heaven and earth have been destroyed, the believers remain with Jesus Christ, while the unbelievers have been resurrected to judgment and eternal punishment, outside the new Jerusalem. Jesus made the new Jerusalem very exclusive, because only believers enter into it. 71The Greek phrase “but only” (“εἰ μὴ“) occurs frequently in the New Testament to mean exclusion. See, for example, Matthew 12:39, “only the sign of Jonah the prophet,” and no other sign; Revelation 13:17, only the one with the mark of the beast may buy or sell during the tribulation; Revelation 14:3, only the 144,000 could learn the new song; Revelation 19:12, only Jesus knows the name written on Him as He rides the white horse at the end of the tribulation. Because a believer’s name can never be removed from the Book of Life, we remain eternally secure in the love of Jesus Christ. 72In Revelation 22:19,  we read about a person having his part taken from the tree of life. The King James Version used incorrect Latin (not Greek) manuscripts here and has “book of life” instead of the correct manuscripts reading “tree of life.” See the article by Jan Krans, Erasmus and the Text of Revelation 22:19: a Critique of Thomas Holland’s Crowned with Glory at http://bibletranslation.ws/down/krans-refutation-of-holland.pdf. As the Bible ends, Jesus promises to return quickly. What a wonderful Savior. He commanded us to rejoice that our names, as born-again believers, have been forever written in the Book of Life. Amen.

Book of Life of the Lamb–Summary

1. Content. The Book of Life of the Lamb records the names of born-again believers, who will never worship the beast and his image.

2. Date. The Book of Life of the Lamb was written before the foundation of the world.

3. Promise. God promised that born-again believers will never worship the beast. God also promised that having your name recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb means you will be with Jesus forever and live in the new Jerusalem.

Conclusion

God wrote several different books concerning the life and times of mankind. Some were written before the first man lived, and others were written during the lifetime of men. We know that God will blot out the names of people for their sin, indicating their physical death. Other books contain matters of eternal life, and the basis for condemnation at the great white throne. With all these books, we know that God knows all things and remembers all things, but even so, He revealed to us that He writes books about mankind, for several different reasons. The ultimate sovereignty and glory of God shine through all the books.

Appendix A
The Books Related to Life in the Bible

NameVersesContentsDate WrittenComments
Book of Living OnesPsalm 69:28; Exodus 32:32Names of People Physically Alive on Earth at Any Given TimeNames Written at Life and Blotted out upon Death
Book of WanderingsPsalm 56:8The Wanderings of Man during His LifetimePerhaps Written before Man was AlivePerhaps the Same as the Book of Days
Book of the RighteousPsalm 69:28The Names of RighteousWritten during or after the Lifetime of the BelieverPerhaps the Same as the Book of Rememberance
Book of DaysPsalm 139:16All the Days Ordained for Particular MenWritten before the Particular Man Was BornPerhaps the Same as the Book of Wanderings
Book of RescueDaniel 12:1The Names of the People of Israel Rescued from Great DistressWritten No Later than the Time of DistressPerhaps the Same as the Book of the Righteous
Book of RemembranceMalachi 3:16-18The Names of the People Who Fear God and Esteem HimWritten During the Lifetime of the People Fearing and Esteeming GodPerhaps the Same as the Book of the Righteous
Book of LifePhilippians 4;3; Revelation 3:5; 17:8; 20:15The Names of Born-Again Believers Written before the Foundation of the EarthProbably the Same as the Book of Life
Lamb’s Book of LifeRevelation 13:8; 21:27The Names of Born-Again BelieversWritten before the Foundation of the WorldProbably the Same as the Book of Life

The Bible contains references to other books not necessarily contained in the canon of Scripture. 73The Bible mentions books apparently not in the Bible, such as the book of Jashar (2 Samuel 1:18); the spies wrote a book about the promised land, and divided the book into seven sections (Joshua 18:9); in the future, probably in the millennium, the deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see (Isaiah 29:18); these books do not appear to relate directly to the topic of eternal life.

Reference [+]

Jonah:The Rebellious Evangelist │ Christ Assembly

Posted By sundouloi On In Bible Books,Evangelism,Jonah | Comments Disabled
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Jonah: The Rebellious Evangelist

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today.

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About 760 B.C., God sent the prophet Jonah to preach against the evil of Nineveh. Located on the Tigris river, Nineveh was the capital of a vast empire located in present Iraq, near the city of Mosul. Israel hated Nineveh because they had been at war. In His infinite compassion, God called Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, to preach repentance to Israel’s enemies in Nineveh. The Book of Jonah records the ministry of Jonah, a very reluctant and rebellious evangelist.

The Call of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2)

In all of our lives, God calls to us with His plan and purpose for our lives. If we will listen, the Lord Jesus Christ will speak to us through His word, the Bible. Listen to Jesus, read the Bible, and learn from Jesus. Jonah had a lot to learn about listening to Jesus.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah, the son of  Amittai, saying,

Jonah 1:1

God called Jonah to deliver His message in person (verse 1). God sent special messages to the prophets of the Old Testament. God commissioned them to bring the message of salvation by faith alone to all the nations. God used human messengers to bring God’s message of divine love to many people in many places.

“Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

Jonah 1:2

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, the Wicked City (verse 2). Imagine yourself as an American walking into Berlin, Germany during Hitler’s reign of terror. Such was Jonah called to Nineveh, the land of Israel’s enemy. Jonah was from Gath Hepher, a town in Zebulun in Northern Israel. During this period, the land was divided into two parts: Israel (ten northern tribes) and Judah (two southern tribes). Jeroboam II was King of the Northern Kingdom from 786-746 B.C., and reigned from its capital, Samaria. Jeroboam II was very evil, but God used Jeroboam II to deliver Israel from the Syrians who had greatly oppressed them (2 Kings 14:23-29). God delivered them because He was faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3) to preserve the land for His people (2 Kings 14:23-27), even though the people of Israel rebelled against God. God used Jonah to prophesy to Jeroboam II that he would restore the border of Israel from the “entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah” (2 Kings 14:25). The story of Jonah portrays God’s great love for evil enemies and how He quells the rebellion of His own messenger. in this case, God had heard the cries against Nineveh, because Nineveh was a very evil city. God devised a wonderful plan of grace for that city and so He sent Jonah to speak of repentance to the evil city.

If you have found forgiveness by faith in Jesus Christ, then someone probably shared with you the good news that Christ died for you on the cross. You can receive forgiveness from Him only if you ask, and believe that He died for you and rose again. In this case, Jonah had heard the call of God in his life, and knew the living God. He had personally experienced God’s forgiveness, but Jonah absolutely refused to bring the good news of forgiveness to his enemies.

 The Calamity of Jonah (1:3-11)

If you decide to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ, then you can expect that He will reach out to you, grab you, and call you to follow Him in love. You may still rebel against His call upon your life, but doing so will lead to calamity. Jonah learned about rebellion against the Lord Jesus and the calamity which follows rebellion.

But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3

Jonah fled to Tarshish, instead of going to Nineveh. Picture a map in your mind and you are standing in Israel. To the right (east), lies Nineveh. To the left (west), about 2,500 miles away in the south of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, lies Tarshish.

Jonah intended to flee from the presence of the LORD (verse 3). Jonah thought that he could hide from God because he did not want to obey God’s command. I think you could name several times in your life when you knew exactly what God wanted you to do, but you deliberately chose to go the other way. Maybe you are still running from God.

Jonah went down to Joppa, a seaport in Israel, and embarked on a ship to Tarshish. Twice in verse three God emphasized that Jonah thought he could run from the presence of the LORD. If you learn nothing else from the story of Jonah, learn how stupid it is to run from God’s presence, because God is everywhere.

 The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up.

Jonah 1:4

The LORD will take all appropriate steps to conform you to His calling (verse 4). The LORD sent a violent wind on the sea and the ship began to break up in the great storm. When the storms rise in your life, and you are wondering why things are going so badly, ask yourself about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you trying to run from Him regarding His call in your life? If so, you can expect a very negative weather forecast in your future.

Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep.

Jonah 1:5

Your rebellion will not only cause you trouble, but it may also imperil the people around you (verse 5). Jonah had to learn a very important lesson in the middle of that storm. You may think you can hide from God, and it will be no big deal. But God will always be very concerned about every disobedient sheep from His fold. If you are truly in Christ, and forgiven, then you can count upon a loving heavenly Father tracking you down and sending storms to change your course. In this case, everyone on that ship with Jonah knew they were in mortal jeopardy. They began crying out to their gods, and they threw valuable cargo overboard to lighten the load. Jonah, however, went below and fell sound asleep.

So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”

Jonah 1:6

Count upon God to send all kinds of people to you to end your rebellion (verse 6). Almost ironically God sent a pagan captain to rouse Jonah and command him to pray. The last thing Jonah wanted to do was to pray to the God he was fleeing. The captain knew that only God could save the boat. You may recall that the disciples of Jesus awakened Jesus in the middle of a storm and told Him they were perishing and He did not even care. Jesus rose and stilled the wind and waves (Matthew 8:18-28). In this case, we have no record that Jonah ever lifted his voice in prayer on that ship.

Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

Jonah 1:7

Count upon God to make your rebellion known to everyone (verse 7). God stirred the shipmates of Jonah to draw lots to find out why the great storm had come upon them. When they cast lots, the lot fell to Jonah. Remember Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” No surprise there! Jonah knew exactly what the problem was: his rebellion. He flatly denied the call of God and he persisted in the hardness of his heart. But God was not through with Jonah.

Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”

Jonah 1:8

Count upon the people around asking you very hard questions (verse 8). Have you ever noticed how disobedient children do not like to answer questions and often will do their best to change the subject or blame someone else? Well, Jonah heard many questions from his shipmates in the middle of that storm. They asked: “On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” Jonah knew these men meant business and he would have to answer.

He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”

Jonah 1:9

Count upon your answers to hard questions focusing more attention upon you (verse 9). Jonah put his finger right on the problem with his answer. “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” With this one sentence, Jonah declared that he served the ocean God who also ruled the dry land. His shipmates immediately understood that they had found the man with the problem, and the reason God had sent the storm upon them. Remember the lot had already fallen to Jonah. Now the men knew why.

Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Jonah 1:10

Expect that people around you will wonder why you cause everyone such big problems (verse 10). When his shipmates heard the answers, and saw more of the storm, they took Jonah to account for fleeing from the presence of the LORD. Jonah had told the truth, and now even pagans were extremely frightened. They asked a simple question to Jonah: “How could you do this?” They had keen insight into Jonah and the calamity he had brought upon them.

So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”-for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy.

Jonah 1:11

As the storm gets bigger, get ready for people around you to ask what they should do with you (verse 11). The storm increased, and the shipmates brought another question: “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?” When people understand that your rebellion has brought disaster upon them, they will want you to take care of their problem.

The Casting Down of Jonah (1:12-17)

Jonah’s shipmates had now learned that he was the problem, because he was trying to flee from the presence of the LORD. They had cast lots and that lot fell to Jonah. He confessed and they wanted an answer from him about what to do with him.

He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.”

Jonah 1:12

God will cast you down in the middle of your rebellion (verse 12). Jonah directed the sailors to throw him into the roiling sea. He promised them that the sea would become calm, because he knew that on account of him the great storm had come upon them. You too may even consider suicidal acts in the midst of your rebellion.

However, the men rowed desperately to return to the land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them.  

Jonah 1:13

The people around you will not always be ready to adopt your plans, at first (verse 13). The shipmates decided to try their own rescue by rowing back to land. But the storm increased even more, and their efforts produced nothing good. You may notice that some of the people around you will try to use their own methods to help you. Those efforts will not achieve God’s ends unless you end your rebellion. Notice in this story they tried to get to land. On land, they were no longer heading to Tarshish, but would be out of the storm. God had already decided that Jonah must be thrown overboard and His will would control everything. God will use people, waves, storms and everything else He desires to move you to repentance. He loves you and wants you to heed His calling.

Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O LORD, have done as You have pleased.”

Jonah 1:14

Even pagans will call upon the LORD for deliverance as they watch your rebellion (verse 14). Jonah told these men the truth, and now they were talking to Jonah’s God. They asked to be relieved of his blood, because they believed that throwing Jonah overboard in the storm would be tantamount to a death sentence. The sailors recognized that the LORD had done as He pleased. These men had clarity regarding the rebellion of Jonah.

So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.

Jonah 1:15

You can expect people around you finally to throw you overboard (verse 15). The sailors had finally had enough of the storm and the sinner, Jonah. After praying, they threw Jonah overboard. You can expect that your friends, family, and others will finally throw you overboard if you persistently cause them trouble with your rebellious sin.

Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

Jonah 1:16

Your sin can still lead other people to call upon Yahweh for deliverance (verse 16). After they threw Jonah overboard, the sailors offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. Have you ever made a vow when you were under tremendous pressure? God will always expect us to keep our vows. In fact, God expects you to love Him every day. Consider how strange God’s plan of evangelism was for this group of sailors. He would send a prophet to them, take them into a tremendous storm, see the lot cast, hear the message during the storm of God’s rebellious prophet running from God’s presence, throw the prophet overboard, the storm would subside, and now they would sacrifice and make vows to God. Well, God uses many different people in many different ways to spread His message of love–even rebellious prophets and fantastic storms.

And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17

You can expect things to swallow you whole when you rebel against God (verse 17). Jonah was in for a little Fish Time. God “appointed” (“יְמַן”) a great fish to swallow Jonah. The text indicates a special act of God in sending that giant fish. In the book of Jonah, God “appointed” four things: the great fish (Jonah 1:17), a plant (Jonah 4:6), a worm (Jonah 4:7) and a scorching east wind (Jonah 4:8). God acts deliberately in performing His plans in our lives. The Hebrew word for fish (“דָּג”; compare Matthew 12:40, “belly of the sea monster” (“τῇ κοιλίᾳ τοῦ κήτου”)) includes the possibility of a whale, a regular fish, or even some enormous sea monster. In any case, God used this fish for His miraculous purpose for Jonah and the people of Nineveh. Jesus specifically called this event a miraculous sign (Matthew 12:39).

The Cry of Jonah (2:1-10)

After Jonah rebelled against God, and in utter futility tried to flee from the presence of the LORD, Jonah cried out to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish. Jonah knew that God listened to him, and now we gain instruction from the LORD about what we should do when we pray.

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish,

Jonah 2:1

When you rebel against God, you can expect at some point you will be inclined to pray (verse 1). Jonah began to pray to God from the stomach of the fish. Remember that we have no record that Jonah prayed while on the ship during the storm. When he finally prayed, we read he prayed to the LORD his God (יהוה אֱלֹהָיו). You can always count upon God to move you to prayer, even in the middle of your rebellion, no matter how low you have sunk. He loves you forever, no matter what.

and he said, “I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.

Jonah 2:2

After a time of rebellion, distress will motivate you to pray (verse 2). From the stomach of the fish, Jonah began to pray and the first thing he told God was that he was praying from his distress (“מִצָּרָה”). The word comes from a root associated with narrowness, and I find that image of praying from the confines of a stomach very narrow indeed. God answers prayer, all kinds of prayer, from all kinds of places. Consider Psalm 66:18:  “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the LORD will not hear.” This fact means that Jonah had turned a spiritual corner because God heard him. Jonah no longer regarded wickedness in his heart. Jonah described himself as being in Sheol. The term Sheol has a very broad meaning, and includes a dark, gloomy place for the dead. We must not conclude that Jonah died because he called upon God from Sheol. David likewise called to God after he had been rescued from Sheol in Psalm 30:3:  “O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; you have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.” The sense here is that Jonah had descended to a dark and gloomy place, a place of evil. But even in Sheol, God hears the righteous, for He is there (Psalm 139:8).

The issue of three days and three nights that Jonah spent inside the fish bears upon the crucifixion of Jesus Christ because He used this passage in the New Testament to describe His time in the tomb (e.g., Matthew 12:39-40). As Harold Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1974), p. 72-73, has demonstrated, Jesus used two phrases to describe the day of His resurrection: “after three days” and “the third day” (compare Mark 8:31 = Matthew 12:40 / Luke 9:22; Mark 9:31 = Matthew 17:23; Mark 10:34 = Matthew 20:19/Luke 18:33). Those phrases mean a period of time extending to the third, and not a fourth, day. Also note that the Pharisees petitioned Pilate for a guard “until the third day” because they were concerned about Jesus saying He would rise again “after three days” (Matthew 27:63-64). The Old Testament also provides examples of Hebrew expressions regarding a period of days and nights. In Esther 4:16, Esther beseeched the Jews of Susa “not to eat or drink for three days, night or day.” On the third day, Esther went before the king (Esther 5:1). In 1 Samuel 30:12, David found an Egyptian who had not “eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.” Yet, he told David he had fallen sick only “three days ago.” Although there are other similar passages (1 Kings 20:29; 2 Chronicles 10:5) regarding the reckoning of time, these two passages show that “three days and three nights” means the same period of time as three days. It does not always mean a period of seventy-two hours. Therefore, Jesus could have been crucified on Friday, and resurrected on Sunday, within the meaning of “three days and three nights.”

“For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All your breakers and billows passed over me.

Jonah 2:3

When you pray, acknowledge to God how He has driven you to Himself (verse 3). Jonah recognized that God had “cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me.” Prayer often means that you take time to speak out loud your perception of the world and God’s activity in your life. Jonah continued that “all your breakers and billows have passed over me.” The belly of the fish provided a place of prayer for Jonah, but it also represented a deep, sheltered place.

“So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’

Jonah 2:4

When you are down in your rebellion, but looking up to God in prayer, know that God always sees you, no matter how you feel (verse 4). Jonah told God that he felt “expelled” from God’s sight, but even so he would look again towards God’s holy temple. Shifting his sight signaled a change in the heart and attitude of Jonah. Running away from God’s presence no longer appealed to him.

“Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me. Weeds were wrapped around my head.

Jonah 2:5

Expect that rebellion will lead you near death, and keep you wrapped up in problems (verse 5). Jonah described his plight as encompassed to the point of death, with weeds wrapped around his head. This picture so perfectly describes how messed up people can become as they persist in their rebellion. Even when God sent the fish to Jonah, he still came near death, and that stomach was not a pleasant place. Recovery from your problems, even under God’s guidance, may not always be easy.

“I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.

Jonah 2:6

God delivers the rebellious from the deepest pits of life (verse 6). Jonah said he descended to the roots of the mountains and the bars of the earth imprisoned him, but God brought his life up from the pit. Jonah again acknowledged God as LORD and his God.

“While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple.

Jonah 2:7

God revives the fainting as they remember Him, and your prayers for deliverance, offered in faith, will reach God (verse 7). Jonah began to faint away, but remembered God, and prayed. His prayer reached the temple of God because time and space never pose any obstacle to prayers. When you feel yourself near the end, pray for deliverance, just like Jonah.

“Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness,

Jonah 2:8

Rebellious people regard vain idols and forsake their faithfulness (verse 8). Jonah had this principle crystallized in his mind: trusting in vain idols caused people like him to forsake their faithfulness. Jonah had idolized his own hatred for the people of Nineveh to the point where he forsook his faithfulness to God.

“But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.”

Jonah 2:9

When rebellion ends, thanksgiving begins and salvation reigns (verse 9). All of chapter 2 forms one prayer. As far as we know, it was the only prayer offered from the deep ocean, within the stomach of a great fish. Jonah’s prayer concluded with thanksgiving, and a commitment to keep his vow to the LORD. He would go to Nineveh and preach the Gospel of God to them. Jonah knew that his salvation came from God, and that same God wanted the people of Nineveh to hear His words of life.

Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.

Jonah 2:10

When you come to your spiritual senses, you can expect God to deliver you to dry land (verse 10). Jonah was still under the control of God, and God still had a mission for Jonah. God commanded the fish to “vomit” Jonah onto dry land. God will always deliver you to the right place at the right time when you trust in Him. Jonah had certainly taken the long and rebellious route to God’s destination, but once the rebellion ended, and prayer began from a repentant heart, God moved Jonah right back to God’s mission. God loves to pour His kindness upon His children and send them back to His work. We should always remember that God never gave up on Jonah and He will always love you too.

The Conversion of Nineveh (3:1-10)

God called Jonah again, telling him to go to Nineveh. Jonah had already been through a time of rebellion against the call of God, but now he had to make a decision again about obedience to God’s will. Having prayed from the bottom of the ocean, inside the stomach of the fish, how would Jonah now respond to the loving call of God to preach repentance to Jonah’s enemies?

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,

Jonah 3:1

You can count upon God to bring you back to the same spiritual place where you decided to rebel in the first place (verse 1). God will faithfully bring you back to His service when you turn your heart to Him. Remember that Jonah had prayed that he would keep his vows to God which he made from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:9). Now God had graciously extended His call again, and Jonah had to make a decision: to go to Nineveh or not.

“Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.”

Jonah 3:2

You can count upon God to give you the words to say at the right time (verse 2). I meet many people who worry about what they would say if they had to share their faith with someone else. They fear rejection, ridicule, and rebuff. God promised Jonah the words to say at the right time. Jonah knew he was just a mouthpiece for God. In the New Testament, Jesus said that He did not speak on His own initiative, but the Father Himself gave Him a commandment as to what to say and what to speak (John 12:49). Jesus promised His disciples that they did not have to worry about how or what to say before kings and governors, because the Spirit of their Father would be speaking in them (Matthew 10:19-20). We never have to doubt that God will provide everything we need, right down to the words, when we share His message. God desires for His Spirit to speak through us. We only have to yield in faith to His will. Satan and our flesh distract us by making us think we have to speak, when in fact God wants to use us to His glory.

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk.

Jonah 3:3

Obeying God means that you actually get up and get going (verse 3). How many times have you heard people in rebellion promise you that they would do something, but then never seem to do it. Jonah did it, he got up and got going. Rebellion ends when you do God’s will, not just talk about doing it. Notice too that Nineveh was a huge city. Archeologists tell us the capital complex extended about sixty miles in circumference. In the early part of the eighth century B.C., King Jehoahaz (814-798 B.C.) pleaded with God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Syrians. God sent a deliverer (2 Kings 13:5), probably King Adad-nirari of Assyria (810–783 B.C.).  According to the ancient Eponym Chronicle, which recorded the woes and fortunes of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, it had fallen on hard times in the middle of the eighth century B.C. Famines struck in 765 B.C. and 759 B.C. and the empire had fragmented into separate provinces rebelling against the central authority of Nineveh. During this time, Jonah arrived to speak the words of God.

Then Jonah began to go through the city one days’ walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Jonah 3:4

God will use you for His glory after you end your rebellion (verse 4). Jonah had been called to preach to Nineveh. He walked into their great city preaching a message of impending doom. This part of his message now explains why he was running from the presence of God. Apparently, Jonah knew that God was about to overthrow Nineveh, and if he just delayed his message, then perhaps Nineveh would be destroyed. Jonah thought time was on his side.

Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.

Jonah 3:5

God desires that everyone, including your worst enemies, believe in Him for forgiveness of sins (verse 5). Jonah had a very difficult time understanding God’s forgiveness. He loved it for himself, but hated it for his enemies. Yet God loved his enemies, and sent Jonah to offer life and peace with God. In this case, the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least of them, began to fast and dress in sackcloth. Sackcloth is scratchy to the skin, and makes you feel uncomfortable. It symbolized the new spiritual attitude of repentance in Nineveh. The people immediately believed Jonah and his message from God.

When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.

Jonah 3:6

God touches the hearts of some kings with His love and leads them to repentance (verse 6). You never know where God will lead you to proclaim His good news of salvation. God let the king hear the message and he took off his royal robes and exchanged them for scratchy sackcloth. He even sat on ashes, another symbol of repentance and sorrow for sin.

He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.

Jonah 3:7

God can use government leaders to turn nations back to Himself (verse 7). This king not only changed his own behavior, but he also issued a proclamation to everyone, including animals, in his kingdom to fast without food or water. The king intended his entire kingdom to repent of their sin before God.

“But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.

Jonah 3:8

God can use government leaders to lead people in prayer (verse 8). Prayer plays an important part in repentance and salvation. The king commanded earnest prayer by all men that God would turn each man from his wicked way and from violence. This remarkable prayer shows how God can move an entire nation of warriors to leave violence and seek God. The very thing Jonah hated about Nineveh was its aggression toward Israel. Now, God would abate that violence and call these pagans to Himself.

“Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”

Jonah 3:9

God can use government leaders to move people to seek God’s mercy and grace (verse 9). The king commanded the people to pray even though he had not been promised that God would relent from His plan to overthrow Nineveh. In Christ, we have much better promises that God will never condemn us (Romans 8:1), never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and that God works all things for the good of believers called to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even without knowing the final will of God, this king prayed along with his people. He did know, however, that God was very angry with them, and they were in danger of perishing for their deeds. Compare John 3:16, to the king’s prayer.

When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

Jonah 3:10

God listens to prayer and responds in love to every sinner that calls upon Him for deliverance (verse 10). When this whole nation prayed for deliverance, God chose to withhold the calamity. Repentance with faith had brought salvation. God does not always save every nation from destruction for its evil ways, but in this case God has a special plan for Nineveh. He wanted to show the world, and particularly Israel, how He loves everyone on earth and desires their salvation by faith. He is not willing that anyone should ever perish (2 Peter 3:9). God promises you, and every single person, that He will forgive every sinner that seeks forgiveness by faith in Christ. He has not made the same promise to every nation on earth, but does extend it to every individual. Do not misunderstand: He still wants nations to serve Him, and live in faith before Him. Only to the nation of Israel has He sovereignly promised to bring to national repentance in the future, when Christ the Messiah comes to rule the earth (e.g., Jeremiah 31:27-40).

The Contempt of Jonah (4:1-11)

Jonah preached repentance in Nineveh and they repented and turned to God for forgiveness. With such a marvelous display of God’s grace and mercy, everyone should have been happy. Jonah, however, held the plan of God to bring salvation to the enemies of Jonah in contempt, because he despised his enemies, and refused to forgive them, even when God had poured His mercy upon them. We should all avoid the contempt of Jonah and learn to forgive our enemies, just like Jesus does. Without the forgiveness of Jesus, we would all be the enemies of God forever.

But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.

Jonah 4:1

Until you learn to love like God loves, your emotions will rule you (verse 1). Jonah had not learned how to control his thoughts or his emotions. When he saw the people of Nineveh repent, and how God spared them, he grew angry because his pleasure was not God’s pleasure. Your pleasure grows out of your desires. When your desires are blocked, then you react emotionally. Jonah had repented from the belly of the whale and decided to do God’s will. But, he had only conformed his outward behavior, and not his heart. Inside, rebellion still boiled away. In your life, you can do many “religious” things, but God looks at your heart. You must let God shape the things that please you. If God delights in showing grace to your enemies, then you should delight in showing grace to your enemies. We must get to the point in our lives where we love everyone that God loves, with all our heart. Jonah lacked compassion because he was out of touch with God in his heart. He still hated his enemies.

He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.

Jonah 4:2

Just because you know the compassion of God does not mean you will let that compassion control you (verse 2). Jonah had demonstrated outward compassion and preached to the people of Nineveh. Now we see that Jonah had known all along that God was full of compassion, gracious and abundant in loving-kindness. As children of God, we must be very careful never to separate ourselves from God’s feelings. God feels love for His enemies, and loves to forgive everyone who calls upon Him for salvation. We must never let our feelings overpower our desires. Jonah had a very clear picture and intimate knowledge of God’s character. But he clung to his hatred for his enemies above his love for God. He remained in idolatry inside.

“Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.”

Jonah 4:3

Rebellion in your heart can lead to thoughts of suicide (verse 3). Jonah was so upset that God spared the people of Nineveh that he asked God to kill him. When hatred fills your heart, then you can despair of life to the point of suicide. Even believers think about suicide. Be careful of your anger and your own emotions controlling you. When you find yourself telling God that you resent His compassion and His plans of goodness for your enemies, then you will think crazy thoughts too.

The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

Jonah 4:4

God will examine your rebellious heart by asking you to confront your anger before Him (verse 4). God will not be o.k. with your anger. He will not accept your sin, even while He loves you and will not condemn you. But, He will be faithful to make you look at your sin from His point of view. When God asked Jonah about “good reason (“הַהֵיטֵב “), he used a word with the root “good.” This same root word described God’s pronouncement that His creation of the earth was good, His creation of the plants and animals was good, and His creation of man was very good. God in essence told Jonah that his anger stood in rebellion against God’s love and that rebellion was not good. You never have a “good” reason to oppose God’s plans. But on a deeper level, God opposed Jonah’s anger. God does hold us responsible for our emotions. We can control them because they flow from our thoughts.  As we let God control our thoughts, He will control our feelings. The way we change our emotions starts with listening to God tell us that He cares how we feel, and we must bring every thought captive to Him. Emotional control starts with the question: “Do I have good reason to feel ___________.” Plug your emotion that disturbs you into that blank. Let God talk to you about your love and see if you have replaced your feelings with God’s feelings. If not, then you remain in rebellion inside, just like Jonah. God commands us to love our neighbors, who turn out to be Samaritans for the Jews of the New Testament and Ninevites in the Old Testament. In both cases, the Jews had human reasons to hate the people who killed the people of Israel. Just remember that God has reason to hate you because you killed His only Son, Jesus Christ, with your sins. Instead, He loves you and offered the death gift of His Son to demonstrate His love by removing your sins so He could adopt you into His family and spend eternity with you. I should be very glad that God does not love me like Jonah loved the people of Nineveh. Jonah did the right thing, but he never loved the people of Nineveh. In fact, hatred and human emotion dominated him. Obedience without love means very little.

Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city.

Jonah 4:5

Pouting in anger before God does not produce happiness or Godliness (verse 5). Do you remember the story of the prodigal son in the New Testament (Luke 15:11-32)? When the wayward son returned home, and the loving father killed the fattened calf and threw a party, the older son became very angry. Self-righteous people tend to forget the grace of God in which they stand and get angry with people who repent. God loves repentance, and says that people who have been forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47). Pouting because God has demonstrated His loving-kindness always points to lingering rebellion in your heart. Confess and forsake it now. Jonah sat under his own shelter and watched the city to see what would happen. From the context, it appears he wanted these people to fall back into sin so God would judge them.

So the LORD appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant.

Jonah 4:6

God provides shade for the hot and weary and He expects us to remember that fact (verse 6). As Jonah sat in anger under his shelter, God provided a plant to remove his discomfort by shading him. Jonah became extremely happy about the plant. You see, Jonah loved God’s benefits in his life, but he became angry when God bestowed those same benefits upon his enemies. God raised up the plant for physical comfort, but God raised up Jonah for the spiritual comfort of a nation.

But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered.

Jonah 4:7

God removes your comfort to emphasize your rebellion (verse 7). God appointed a worm to eat the plant and remove Jonah’s comfort. That little plant had made angry Jonah extremely happy. God will always remove things from you to get your attention and remove your rebellion.

When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”

Jonah 4:8

God appoints natural elements to move you out of your comfort zone of rebellion (verse 8). God not only appointed and removed the plant, but He also appointed (like the fish) a scorching east wind to make Jonah faint (“וִּתְעַלָּף”). Notice in Jonah 2:7, Jonah was fainting away (“הִתְעַטֵּף”) in the belly of the fish and called for help. Now Jonah fainted from heat and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.” Jonah persisted in his rebellion of the heart. He stubbornly refused to let God rule his emotions.

Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.”

Jonah 4:9

God will confront you with object lessons to remove your rebellion (verse 9). God appointed the plant to teach Jonah an object lesson. God used the same language “Do you have reason to be angry about the plant. . . ?”  that He used about His compassion for Nineveh. God wants you to look beyond your emotions and understand His character. Jonah still justified himself before God: “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” Jonah was so taken in sin, and immersed in himself, that he would prefer to die than to have to watch Nineveh repent while he had a scorching wind torment him in the desert without shade. The plant serves as an object lesson from God.

Then the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight.

Jonah 4:10

God will show you how your compassion does not match His compassion (verse 10). God told Jonah that he had compassion on the plant, but not people. The plant, appointed by God, lived only one day, but Jonah loved it because it provided relief to him. Jonah loved things that helped him and he loved people who loved him. But that kind of love does not measure up to God’s love. God loves sinners. In this case, God pointed out to Jonah that he did not cause the plant to grow, and he did not work on the plant. Yet he loved it. God appointed the plant, just like he appointed the great fish. God destroyed the plant, and turned the heat up on Jonah. Jonah resented God’s choices, but God wanted to teach Jonah about compassion. God loves people while they are still sinners (Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:1-10).

“Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

Jonah 4:11

God gives compassion to people who do not deserve it, and so should we (verse 11). God ends the story of Jonah with a simple statement: Nineveh had 120,000 children, and many animals, not to mention adults. Certainly the children and animals would not be guilty of willful sin and should be spared judgment upon sin. He poses His lesson as a question with an obvious answer. Of course God should have compassion on such people, no matter how much we dislike it. But if we do not like what God is doing with our enemies, then we have a problem with rebellion. Jonah serves to remind us that mere outward obedience without inward submission to God’s love will never be acceptable to God. He leaves that question hanging before us: why do we oppose His compassion on our enemies?