SURPRISED BY GOD
Sometimes, God surprises us WITH LESSONS WE CAN NEVER FORGET.
Meditation for December 25, 2009
Matt 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." 22 Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, 25 and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. NASB
Introduction:
The world is full of frustrated people. Frustration in fact, seems to be frequent companion in our journey through life. The only people who will not be and cannot be frustrated are those who do not want anything in life and who do not dream of anything to achieve or acquire. They have full focus on what is important and completely detached from long-range dreams. You see, a bird does not dream of flying. It realizes it has the ability to fly so it flies to look for its food and to move from one place to the other. The fish does not dream of swimming. It swims to find its food and its not think of a warehouse where it can store its food for the next days. Some people are like the fish and like the birds and therefore, they cannot be frustrated and disappointed as birds and fish do not get disappointed. When people realize who they really are in the loving eyes of God and what He wants them to be in His omniscient plan, we will freed from our frustrations, fears, fidgetiness, and the like.
But, precisely because we are not fish nor birds, we develop dreams. We define (technical description) and describe (attractive definition) that which we long to have and long to see. We make plans. And precisely because we make plans, we dream, we define what we long to have and see, we become capable of being frustrated, but the other side of it, the good side of it, is that those who dream and make plans do have the possibility of experiencing the joy of achieving, the joy of fulfillment and the satisfaction brought about by accomplishment. Frustration is, in fact, unfulfilled expectation.
Let me tell you about the life of a typical Jew like Joseph, the man Mary was to take as her husband. In a Jewish society in those days, a man would be typically hardworking and would also be typically married. Many of the events in his life are dictated by rules and regulations but there is one period in his life where his personal decision is required. And here his dream develops.
When a boy is very young, his father will speak to another man, the father of a girl, and the fathers will agree to enter into an agreement about future of their son and daughter. This is the engagement. The boy is promised to be the husband of the girl and the girl is promised to be the wife of the boy. When they become of age, the fathers will meet again and this time both the former boy, now a man and the former child-girl, now a lady, are in attendance. Both will be asked if they wish to honor the engagement entered into by their parents. When they agree, they will be publicly introduced as betrothed or pledged to each other and they begin to be referred to as husband and wife. Here the dream develops and takes a definite form. The period of Betrothal, lasting for about a year, was used to make plans for the wedding which, by tradition has to be the grandest the couple can afford. The wedding can last for a week for those who can afford.
Joseph did have a dream. He was betrothed to Mary and the date of the wedding has been announced and preparations were underway. Then, disaster, or what seemed to have been a disaster, struck. The woman he was to marry was found to be with child and they have not yet lived together. In Tagalog, they would say: Nagbuntis ng hindi pa nahawakan. Natingnan lang, buntis na!
While we read this today and think about salvation as the main topic here, Joseph went through this event and I don’t think he was being doctrinal about it. I think his emotions were painfully high, his feelings severely wounded and his dreams shattered and splintered into many pieces. It was a big disappointment, a frustrating and unexpected hindrance to his dreams and happiness. He was not very prepared as we ourselves are not fully prepared for many of the frustrations we encounter along the way.
Since frustration can be a fairly challenging and overwhelming situation that some of us may go through at an unexpected phase of our life, let’s take a look at the frustrations of Joseph and learn from what he had to go through and what he was asked to do.
1. A LESSON ON HUMILITY: GOD’S PLAN BEFORE OUR PLAN . SURRENDER YOUR DREAMS. Mary, the wife to be, had become pregnant and must now be abandoned
Verse 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly.
• The dream of a grand wedding is shattered. There will not be a wedding. Joseph had opted for a divorce.
• The dream of having a first born- a dream of important for a typical Jewish man, is shattered. Mary was carrying HER first born which was not HIS firstborn. Ouch, array, masakit, kumikirot.
2. A LESSON ON OBEDIENCE: GOD’S CHOICE BEFORE OUR CHOICES.
He was torn between his kindness and his hurt as a man. And his frustration was aggravated by the choices available to him: Dalawa lang: Public Divorce or Private Divorce.
Verse 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
The options were either a PUBLIC DIVORCE or A PRIVATE DIVORCE. Either way, his pain will not be cured. When our choices are limited, life becomes a very frustrating experience. Choices become painfully pressing and demanding. Here is an important lesson: when our choices are so limited (because our choices are made out of our limitations and our pains), God adds a third choice. He told Joseph through the angel to take Mary as his wife. Of course, God can always expand our options, as what happened in this case. Yes we can actually run out of options but not God. And when our options are not only painful but also pain-inflicting, God adds another choice. Be sensitive. He may have an additional choice for you.
In our life, we go through these very difficult situations and what aggravates the difficulty is the absence of many options. Options are there but unpleasant and seemingly insufficient and limited. Remember again, God is not like us. He never runs out of options and what is even more wonderful is that as He considers these options, He will do it in such a way that all things will work together for our good as Paul says in Romans.
3. A LESSON ON TRUST: GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT SO I WILL TRUST HIM ALL THE MORE. Verse 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." 22 Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, 25 and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Joseph started with frustration but then he realized that God was carrying out His plan for the world and the part of that plan is the coming of the Savior. And for the Savior to be truly free from contamination, he must not have a biological father but he must have a father in the eyes of men so that he does not get to be considered as a child of sin. Joseph was the man who would help Mary bring the Savior into the world not as her sexual partner but as a faithful servant of God and a sacrificial companion for her.
Anybody who thinks only of his own life and his own happiness will be badly disappointed and frustrated. Once he aligns his life and his plans with the plan of God, the meaning comes out and the burdens can actually become blessings.
Today is an invitation to face your frustrations with faith and find out what God wants you to do for Him because when we find that out, we get the meaning and purpose of our lives. Then, even the worst of our nightmares can become pleasant dreams. Our defeats can turn out to be our deliverance. Our Burdens may become our blessings. Our Frustrations may become our first fruits. Our sadness can become our gladness. Our painful solitude can become a joyful gratitude. Our pains can become our gains. God is not limited in His options for us.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
God gifts to the Shepherds
God gifts to the Shepherds:
An outline based on Luke 2:1-20.
1. THE GIFT OF A GREAT EXPERIENCE- Visited by angels. Heard angelic singing. Then ushered into the very presence of the Savior. What a rare and glorious experience. Let us ask God for a wonderful, great and glorious experience of each of us this season and in the coming years.
2. THE GIFT OF A GREAT JOY- The good news. The Savior has come. The Shepherds understood that the Messiah will not only give eternal life but will change their life while in this world. Let us pray for the gift of a great joy to be given to us not only this Christmas season but throughout our entire life.
3. THE GIFT OF A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO GOD’S WORK IN THE WORLD- The Shepherds were the first human beings to proclaim the Good News that the Savior has been born. Imagine such a wonderful contribution to the work of God in the world. Let’s pray for the privilege of being given a meaningful contribution to the work of God in the world
An outline based on Luke 2:1-20.
1. THE GIFT OF A GREAT EXPERIENCE- Visited by angels. Heard angelic singing. Then ushered into the very presence of the Savior. What a rare and glorious experience. Let us ask God for a wonderful, great and glorious experience of each of us this season and in the coming years.
2. THE GIFT OF A GREAT JOY- The good news. The Savior has come. The Shepherds understood that the Messiah will not only give eternal life but will change their life while in this world. Let us pray for the gift of a great joy to be given to us not only this Christmas season but throughout our entire life.
3. THE GIFT OF A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO GOD’S WORK IN THE WORLD- The Shepherds were the first human beings to proclaim the Good News that the Savior has been born. Imagine such a wonderful contribution to the work of God in the world. Let’s pray for the privilege of being given a meaningful contribution to the work of God in the world
THE GOOD NEWS IS FOR YOU!
THE GOOD NEWS IS FOR YOU!
Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Charles Wesley- appeared in 1739)
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Jesus Is The Reason for The Music Of The Season
Luke 2:1-20
2:1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
INTRODUCTION:
The Greek word AGGELOS and the Hebrew word MALAK both mean MESSENGER. Angels are messengers. Whenever we speak of messengers, we naturally consider that there is a message , the source of the message (God), the Carrier or deliverer of the Message (Angel), and the Recipient of the Message (Human Beings). This is precisely the situation in Luke 2.
In the Bible, two angels are mentioned as ARCHANGELS: Michael and Gabriel. The word Arch in arch in archangel means Prince or ruler. Archangel therefore means prince angel of prince of angels. The number of angels is not known to us but we are told that they number thousands upon thousands’ simply put, it is not a feasible task for human beings to try to find out how many angels there are.
Angels are, in their natural sate, invisible to us. However they, as in this passage, become visible. The modern word for this is MATERIALIZATION. The text tells us that the angels SUDDENLY APPEARED indicating a materialization which terrified the shepherds as a result.
In our text one angel, presumably Gabriel, brought the MAIN MESSAGE which is summarized as follows: Luke 2:11 .. today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "
A big number of angels materialized and did two things: THEY PRAISED GOD (probably a song) and they MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT: Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men with who He is pleased. WE KNOW WHAT WAS ANNOUNCED BUT WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE SONG WAS!
Consider: THE ANGELS SANG BUT WE DO NOT WHAT THE SONG WAS! One thing is clear thought: JESUS CHRIST WAS THE REASON FOR MUSIC THAT NIGHT (Forever more). There was singing, rejoicing and praising that night for one reason: THE SAVIOR IS HERE. He was and He is still the reason for the music in our lives.
What can we learn about the song of the angels (the contents of which are not known to us)?
First: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT GLADNESS
REASON: THE LONG AWAITED CHRIST HAS BEEN BORN. He is here now. The waiting is over. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Explanation: To them, the phrase HAS BEEN BORN was of such great power since it immediately brings to mind all the stories about waiting for the Messiah. Every Jewish family must have heard about the Messiah, the Savior who will come and deliver His people. They have been waiting for Him and now He is here at last! It would be like hearing the words: YOUR LONG WAIT IS OVER!
APPLICATION: Some of you may have been waiting for something for a long time. The good news is that God can say to you: YOUR LONG WAIT IS OVER. Why don’t you ask God and say: MY FATHER IN HEAVEN, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY TO ME: YOUR LONG IS OVER.
Second: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT HOPE
10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Everyone knew that the Savior would bring deliverance, freedom and joy to His people.
Explanation: The Shepherds heard the starling news: The Messiah has been born for you. Then they heard the comforting part of the News: The Messiah has been born FOR YOU! The Great Shepherd Himself is here now and this news is FOR YOU! The shepherds, long familiar with the difficulties of life, now heard something new, something that inspires hope. They started rejoicing. Things will begin to change now. The shepherds have been placed by society at the lowest part- they did not enjoy the privileges other Jews enjoy because, by the nature of their job, they were constantly unable to wash their hands and the Jews required so much ceremonial washing. William Barclay tells us that like the tax collectors, they were not allowed to testify I the court of law because of their limited credibility! Now things will change. The messiah has come them.
APPLICATION: For some of us, life may not have been very kind. We have longed for a change to and that begins by hearing the news that brings hope. Some of us may have been waiting for a good news that brings hope. The shepherds heard the good news for THEM and the hope that cam along with it. Why don’t you ask God to give you your good news that is really FOR YOU and one that can bring hope?
PRAYER: Lord, make me hear the News that brings HOPE so I can be strong enough to stand and face all the challenges that life brings to me
Third: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT
The angel told them : I BRING YOU (they were the first recipients) good news of GREAT JOY.
Explanation: They were the recipient of the GOOD NEWS that brings great joy. That was the most encouraging news they have heard all their lives. They were shepherds, unwelcome in most parts of society- now they were to be ushered into the very presence of the Savior. The one who was born was one of them- the shepherds were familiar with mangers. The manger was a trough or an open box in which feed for livestock is placed. After all, their main job is to take care of animals and the manger is the feeding trough for animals.
Gladness, Hope and Encouragement. All these the shepherds received that night of nights. All these can be yours also. Ask Him who is our Father in heaven.
IN TAGALOG- tatapatan ng Diyos and iyong kabalisahan at kahinaan. No good news is really good enough if it is not FOR YOU! The good news of great joy is also FOR YOU!
Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Charles Wesley- appeared in 1739)
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Jesus Is The Reason for The Music Of The Season
Luke 2:1-20
2:1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
INTRODUCTION:
The Greek word AGGELOS and the Hebrew word MALAK both mean MESSENGER. Angels are messengers. Whenever we speak of messengers, we naturally consider that there is a message , the source of the message (God), the Carrier or deliverer of the Message (Angel), and the Recipient of the Message (Human Beings). This is precisely the situation in Luke 2.
In the Bible, two angels are mentioned as ARCHANGELS: Michael and Gabriel. The word Arch in arch in archangel means Prince or ruler. Archangel therefore means prince angel of prince of angels. The number of angels is not known to us but we are told that they number thousands upon thousands’ simply put, it is not a feasible task for human beings to try to find out how many angels there are.
Angels are, in their natural sate, invisible to us. However they, as in this passage, become visible. The modern word for this is MATERIALIZATION. The text tells us that the angels SUDDENLY APPEARED indicating a materialization which terrified the shepherds as a result.
In our text one angel, presumably Gabriel, brought the MAIN MESSAGE which is summarized as follows: Luke 2:11 .. today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "
A big number of angels materialized and did two things: THEY PRAISED GOD (probably a song) and they MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT: Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men with who He is pleased. WE KNOW WHAT WAS ANNOUNCED BUT WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE SONG WAS!
Consider: THE ANGELS SANG BUT WE DO NOT WHAT THE SONG WAS! One thing is clear thought: JESUS CHRIST WAS THE REASON FOR MUSIC THAT NIGHT (Forever more). There was singing, rejoicing and praising that night for one reason: THE SAVIOR IS HERE. He was and He is still the reason for the music in our lives.
What can we learn about the song of the angels (the contents of which are not known to us)?
First: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT GLADNESS
REASON: THE LONG AWAITED CHRIST HAS BEEN BORN. He is here now. The waiting is over. 10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Explanation: To them, the phrase HAS BEEN BORN was of such great power since it immediately brings to mind all the stories about waiting for the Messiah. Every Jewish family must have heard about the Messiah, the Savior who will come and deliver His people. They have been waiting for Him and now He is here at last! It would be like hearing the words: YOUR LONG WAIT IS OVER!
APPLICATION: Some of you may have been waiting for something for a long time. The good news is that God can say to you: YOUR LONG WAIT IS OVER. Why don’t you ask God and say: MY FATHER IN HEAVEN, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY TO ME: YOUR LONG IS OVER.
Second: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT HOPE
10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Everyone knew that the Savior would bring deliverance, freedom and joy to His people.
Explanation: The Shepherds heard the starling news: The Messiah has been born for you. Then they heard the comforting part of the News: The Messiah has been born FOR YOU! The Great Shepherd Himself is here now and this news is FOR YOU! The shepherds, long familiar with the difficulties of life, now heard something new, something that inspires hope. They started rejoicing. Things will begin to change now. The shepherds have been placed by society at the lowest part- they did not enjoy the privileges other Jews enjoy because, by the nature of their job, they were constantly unable to wash their hands and the Jews required so much ceremonial washing. William Barclay tells us that like the tax collectors, they were not allowed to testify I the court of law because of their limited credibility! Now things will change. The messiah has come them.
APPLICATION: For some of us, life may not have been very kind. We have longed for a change to and that begins by hearing the news that brings hope. Some of us may have been waiting for a good news that brings hope. The shepherds heard the good news for THEM and the hope that cam along with it. Why don’t you ask God to give you your good news that is really FOR YOU and one that can bring hope?
PRAYER: Lord, make me hear the News that brings HOPE so I can be strong enough to stand and face all the challenges that life brings to me
Third: IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SONG OF GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT
The angel told them : I BRING YOU (they were the first recipients) good news of GREAT JOY.
Explanation: They were the recipient of the GOOD NEWS that brings great joy. That was the most encouraging news they have heard all their lives. They were shepherds, unwelcome in most parts of society- now they were to be ushered into the very presence of the Savior. The one who was born was one of them- the shepherds were familiar with mangers. The manger was a trough or an open box in which feed for livestock is placed. After all, their main job is to take care of animals and the manger is the feeding trough for animals.
Gladness, Hope and Encouragement. All these the shepherds received that night of nights. All these can be yours also. Ask Him who is our Father in heaven.
IN TAGALOG- tatapatan ng Diyos and iyong kabalisahan at kahinaan. No good news is really good enough if it is not FOR YOU! The good news of great joy is also FOR YOU!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thoughts For the Day
Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship
Thoughts For the Day
December 7 to 13, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessing flow far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love,
and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was a nonconformist minister in England. This simply means that he was not a member of the Church Of England, the official church of the Empire. He is remembered as the Father of English Hymnody and he must have written more than 600 hymns. Some of his famous hymns are still with us today and still enjoyed by many: “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross; O God Our Help In Ages Past; Jesus Shall Reign.” His very famous contribution to the Christmas carols is the song JOY TO THE WORLD. We are told that the song was written not as a Christmas song but a Second Coming song but we enjoy it today as a Christmas song. It is also based on Psalm 98 instead of the New Testament. But, a careful study of Psalm 98 reveals that many of its verses were fulfilled in relation to the coming of the Savior. The music was supposedly based on Handel’s work.
MONDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a message of joy.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
The word translated as “afraid” is from the Greek word where we got our English word Phobia. It also refers to whatever it is that causes alarm. It can be disturbing news, event, anxiety, uncertainty and the like. The angel said: DO NOT BE AFRAID. Summing up his message, he says the reason is that the Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord. This is the message of joy.
Fear is not compatible with the presence of the Lord. The shepherds have not yet seen the Lord. They have only heard about His birth. But, that announcement, even before they went to see the Lord, was enough to bring joy, the kind that removes fear. Do you have Jesus Christ as Lord? Don’t be afraid. Talk to Him. Tell Him about whatever it is that is bothering you. He knows what to do and He will do something about it. Do not be afraid. He will, most likely, send you a message of joy.
TUESDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a messenger of joy.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
More likely, this angel was Gabriel, a prince among angels (archangel) who would usually deliver directly to a human recipient or recipients God message. Gabriel was not an ordinary messenger. In Luke 1, Gabriel told Zechariah that he came from God and that he was standing in the presence of God- a description of his highly favored and very powerful position even among angels.
Gabriel was the messenger of joy to the shepherds; the downtrodden and oppressed sector of society during those days. Even when days are dark with fear and the nights are frightening with its strange sounds and silence, God is awake and alert. He knows when to send His messenger of joy to you. Tell God about your concerns, even your uncertainties. He understands and most likely, He will send a messenger of joy to you.
WEDNESDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a message which has personal significance.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Good News is not just the content. In fact, the content is nothing to the one who is not going to be benefited by it. Good News is an announcement that has personal significance and personal benefit to the one who is listening to or receiving the news. The angel told the shepherds that while the good news is also for the people, the core issue of this good news – the birth of the Savior- is that the Savior has been born FOR THEM (born for you a Savior).
Of course, God helps the world (common grace) but He has a special concern for His people. The shepherds understood that God wanted them to know that the message about the Savior was a message for them and that they should feel significant because of it. Later, this is how they thought of what had happened to them: Luke 2:15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." Personal message for you this Christmas from God? Why not?
THURSDAY: “AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING,
AND HEAVEN, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING.” The Night Of All Nights.
Luke 2: 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
There is a question as to whether the angels sang or just declared God’s praises. We note first of all that their words were not directed at men (unlike the message of the angel) but for the hearing of men. The angels were praising God but they came down to let the shepherds hear the praises. Whether they sang or not we cannot know for sure, but certainly, many praises are expressed through singing.
It was one night that heaven had to speak and earth had to speak. Heaven and nature sing because the Savior has been born. The plan of God for His people was unfolding that night and the shepherds were there to hear it. Here is the point. God does have a plan and you are among those intended to benefit from it. Glory to God in the highest!
FRIDAY: “HE COMES TO MAKE HIS BLESSING FLOW.” No Christ, No Blessing. That Is A Spiritual Truth We All Must Remember.
Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Savior has been born. Is that significant? Yes because the blessings cannot come to us from God’s storehouse unless they come through the Lord Jesus Christ and only upon His sacrificial death. The Lord has come and He has done what is required for the blessings to come to us. The blessings will not just come. The blessings will FLOW.
Is this a new truth? Not really: From the book of Genesis (chapter 3) we already read that the serpent (Satan) would fall in defeat and be trampled underfoot by the promised Savior. Abraham himself (in the Old Testament) “saw” the Savior and was glad. Both in the Old and in the New Testament, the blessings have always been released through Christ. You have Jesus Christ in your heart. What does that say to you? Don’t be scared of the threats your problems are presenting. You have the Lord Jesus Christ and God will make His blessings flow…. to you.
SATURDAY: “HE COMES TO MAKE HIS BLESSING FLOW FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND, FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND, FAR AS, FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND.”
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" — 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Curse? What curse? The Bible records many kinds or curses but in Galatians the curse is specifically identified as the curse in relation to the works of the law. What are the works of the law? The other word for this is obedience but more specifically, obedience to the law to gain salvation or to be right with God. The curse is that if anyone is unable to do the works of the law completely (obey fully), he is under a curse! The curse is related with the punishment meted out to the offender for every act of disobedience. We can obey nine laws and fail in one still be guilty. That is the core issue in a curse. Now, Paul explains what happens: Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, " The righteous man shall live by faith. "
Joy to the world, there are no more curses for us. The Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the law completely for us so His record of obedience becomes OURS! Theologians have given this wonderful teaching a fancy name: IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. What it means is that the righteousness of the Lord Jesus is ours by reason of divine election and justification. There is no more curse! That should make us sing JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.
SUNDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME; LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING; LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM,…”
Rom 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."
Let every heart prepare Him room. To a modern user of the English language, the statement seems weak and actually, irreverent because it seems to imply that the heart cannot be surrendered fully. Only a room is to be reserved for the Lord. But, we are reminded that this statement does not imply that at all. The point of the statement is that having the Lord is a serious, deliberate and intelligent decision on the part of man. When we say today: I love you from the bottom of my heart- it does not imply that the upper chamber is for someone else. The hymn reminds us of the seriousness of the decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Romans 10 tells us of the importance of CONFESSING WITH OUR MOUTH THAT Jesus is Lord. This confession can only come from a conviction in our heart that such is the fact. It’s like saying: I know that Jesus Christ is Lord and He is my Lord and Savior. Paul says, we will not be disappointed. Jesus Christ is the one who erases OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS and prevents us from being swallowed these. Joy to the world, the LORD IS COME.
Thoughts For the Day
December 7 to 13, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessing flow far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love,
and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was a nonconformist minister in England. This simply means that he was not a member of the Church Of England, the official church of the Empire. He is remembered as the Father of English Hymnody and he must have written more than 600 hymns. Some of his famous hymns are still with us today and still enjoyed by many: “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross; O God Our Help In Ages Past; Jesus Shall Reign.” His very famous contribution to the Christmas carols is the song JOY TO THE WORLD. We are told that the song was written not as a Christmas song but a Second Coming song but we enjoy it today as a Christmas song. It is also based on Psalm 98 instead of the New Testament. But, a careful study of Psalm 98 reveals that many of its verses were fulfilled in relation to the coming of the Savior. The music was supposedly based on Handel’s work.
MONDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a message of joy.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
The word translated as “afraid” is from the Greek word where we got our English word Phobia. It also refers to whatever it is that causes alarm. It can be disturbing news, event, anxiety, uncertainty and the like. The angel said: DO NOT BE AFRAID. Summing up his message, he says the reason is that the Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord. This is the message of joy.
Fear is not compatible with the presence of the Lord. The shepherds have not yet seen the Lord. They have only heard about His birth. But, that announcement, even before they went to see the Lord, was enough to bring joy, the kind that removes fear. Do you have Jesus Christ as Lord? Don’t be afraid. Talk to Him. Tell Him about whatever it is that is bothering you. He knows what to do and He will do something about it. Do not be afraid. He will, most likely, send you a message of joy.
TUESDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a messenger of joy.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
More likely, this angel was Gabriel, a prince among angels (archangel) who would usually deliver directly to a human recipient or recipients God message. Gabriel was not an ordinary messenger. In Luke 1, Gabriel told Zechariah that he came from God and that he was standing in the presence of God- a description of his highly favored and very powerful position even among angels.
Gabriel was the messenger of joy to the shepherds; the downtrodden and oppressed sector of society during those days. Even when days are dark with fear and the nights are frightening with its strange sounds and silence, God is awake and alert. He knows when to send His messenger of joy to you. Tell God about your concerns, even your uncertainties. He understands and most likely, He will send a messenger of joy to you.
WEDNESDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.” He removes our fear by sending a message which has personal significance.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Good News is not just the content. In fact, the content is nothing to the one who is not going to be benefited by it. Good News is an announcement that has personal significance and personal benefit to the one who is listening to or receiving the news. The angel told the shepherds that while the good news is also for the people, the core issue of this good news – the birth of the Savior- is that the Savior has been born FOR THEM (born for you a Savior).
Of course, God helps the world (common grace) but He has a special concern for His people. The shepherds understood that God wanted them to know that the message about the Savior was a message for them and that they should feel significant because of it. Later, this is how they thought of what had happened to them: Luke 2:15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." Personal message for you this Christmas from God? Why not?
THURSDAY: “AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING,
AND HEAVEN, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING.” The Night Of All Nights.
Luke 2: 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
There is a question as to whether the angels sang or just declared God’s praises. We note first of all that their words were not directed at men (unlike the message of the angel) but for the hearing of men. The angels were praising God but they came down to let the shepherds hear the praises. Whether they sang or not we cannot know for sure, but certainly, many praises are expressed through singing.
It was one night that heaven had to speak and earth had to speak. Heaven and nature sing because the Savior has been born. The plan of God for His people was unfolding that night and the shepherds were there to hear it. Here is the point. God does have a plan and you are among those intended to benefit from it. Glory to God in the highest!
FRIDAY: “HE COMES TO MAKE HIS BLESSING FLOW.” No Christ, No Blessing. That Is A Spiritual Truth We All Must Remember.
Gal 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Savior has been born. Is that significant? Yes because the blessings cannot come to us from God’s storehouse unless they come through the Lord Jesus Christ and only upon His sacrificial death. The Lord has come and He has done what is required for the blessings to come to us. The blessings will not just come. The blessings will FLOW.
Is this a new truth? Not really: From the book of Genesis (chapter 3) we already read that the serpent (Satan) would fall in defeat and be trampled underfoot by the promised Savior. Abraham himself (in the Old Testament) “saw” the Savior and was glad. Both in the Old and in the New Testament, the blessings have always been released through Christ. You have Jesus Christ in your heart. What does that say to you? Don’t be scared of the threats your problems are presenting. You have the Lord Jesus Christ and God will make His blessings flow…. to you.
SATURDAY: “HE COMES TO MAKE HIS BLESSING FLOW FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND, FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND, FAR AS, FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND.”
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" — 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Curse? What curse? The Bible records many kinds or curses but in Galatians the curse is specifically identified as the curse in relation to the works of the law. What are the works of the law? The other word for this is obedience but more specifically, obedience to the law to gain salvation or to be right with God. The curse is that if anyone is unable to do the works of the law completely (obey fully), he is under a curse! The curse is related with the punishment meted out to the offender for every act of disobedience. We can obey nine laws and fail in one still be guilty. That is the core issue in a curse. Now, Paul explains what happens: Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, " The righteous man shall live by faith. "
Joy to the world, there are no more curses for us. The Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the law completely for us so His record of obedience becomes OURS! Theologians have given this wonderful teaching a fancy name: IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. What it means is that the righteousness of the Lord Jesus is ours by reason of divine election and justification. There is no more curse! That should make us sing JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.
SUNDAY: “JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME; LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING; LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM,…”
Rom 10: 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."
Let every heart prepare Him room. To a modern user of the English language, the statement seems weak and actually, irreverent because it seems to imply that the heart cannot be surrendered fully. Only a room is to be reserved for the Lord. But, we are reminded that this statement does not imply that at all. The point of the statement is that having the Lord is a serious, deliberate and intelligent decision on the part of man. When we say today: I love you from the bottom of my heart- it does not imply that the upper chamber is for someone else. The hymn reminds us of the seriousness of the decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Romans 10 tells us of the importance of CONFESSING WITH OUR MOUTH THAT Jesus is Lord. This confession can only come from a conviction in our heart that such is the fact. It’s like saying: I know that Jesus Christ is Lord and He is my Lord and Savior. Paul says, we will not be disappointed. Jesus Christ is the one who erases OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS and prevents us from being swallowed these. Joy to the world, the LORD IS COME.
SON OF A GOD, HIGHEST PRIEST, WORTHY OF REVERENCE?
SON OF A GOD, HIGHEST PRIEST, WORTHY OF REVERENCE?
“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Luke 2:1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
CAESAR AUGUSTUS.
The titles above were used in reference to the man who introduced PAX ROMANA – Roman Peace- to the world during his time. Pax Romana was a strange concept for a world that had thought of war as a way of life. The Romans thought of peace not so much as the absence of war but of the absence of able enemies. Peace, to the Romans, was achieved by defeating every possible opponent to the point that waging a war against the Romans becomes impossible.
Caesar Augustus is considered as the greatest of all the Roman Emperors. He achieved PAX ROMANA by using the old method of defeating his opponents but he added something that was not known to many during those times: He established a coalition (they may not have used the word but the concept is the same) of powerful and able warlords/rulers with him as the absolute sovereign. He was not PRIMUS INTER PARES (first among equals) for no one was his equal. He was the ruler with the highest and final authority. Pax Romana was important to the life of the early church.
Jesus the Christ was born when the world’s most powerful man ruled the world’s most powerful empire. His name? Gaius Octavius but most popularly known as Caesar Augustus. Who was he and how did he become the most powerful man of his time and a man whose rule was greatly significant in relation to the birth of the Savior?
Julius Caesar was the general who made the Roman Empire the great Empire that it once was. However, it was Caesar Augustus who made the Roman Empire the greatest and the most powerful of all. The two were relatives and their lives were intertwined to such a degree that one cannot speak of the other without talking about the other one.
Julius Caesar had a sister named Julia who became the mother of Atia, who, in turn, gave birth to her son named GAIUS OCTAVIUS. Gaius’ father died when he was very young and it was Julius Caesar, his Grand Uncle who provided him with fatherly attention and protection. Under Caesar’s guidance and influence, Gaius studied and started rising in power. At the age of 16, he became a member of the very important Board of Priests. Later, he would become the Highest Priest, the chief of the religious life of the Empire. He was soon sent to what is now Albania where he did his Academic and military studies.
When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, most people probably thought of General Marc Anthony, Julius Caesar’s closest ally among the Roman Generals, as the next ruler. However, when Caesar’s will was opened, it became known that Caesar had designated Gaius, his grandnephew as his heir. Only 18 years old, Octavius went back to Rome and learned that Julius Caesar had declared him as his son and had appointed him as principal heir. Hearing of this, Brutus and Cassius, the killers of Julius withdrew from Rome and Octavius soon won the loyalty of many of the troops.
His prestige grew that in 42 BC, he was acknowledged as the divi filius or son of a god`, Julius Caesar being already considered a god. This title was apparently important for him because when his power grew, more and more, he would identify himself as “CAESAR, SON OF A GOD”.
Octavius had many enemies for control of the great Roman Empire. His greatest challenger was Marcus Antonius (Mark Anthony), who was Julius Caesar’s chief lieutenant. By sheer cunning and excellent political as well as military strategy, Octavius defeated all his enemies. The last major conflict was with the combined forces of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra of Egypt. By 31 BC, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra had lost and in 30 BC, both Cleopatra and Mark Anthony ended their lives after Caesar Augustus captured Egypt.
When Caesar Augustus, the son of a god, was finally in complete control of the empire, he ordered a number of censuses to be taken. In one of those censuses- where he required everyone to return to the village of his ancestors, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born, fulfilling with precision the prophecy made about the Christ. Without realizing it, Caesar Augustus became God’s instrument in the fulfillment of this prophecy. Let’s make a comparison of the titles of the two kings, one earthly and another heavenly but both having to do with the lives of people on earth.
Caesar Augustus Jesus the Christ
Son of a god Son of God
Pontifex Maximus The High Priest. Heb 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Worthy of reverence (Augustus) Holy One. John 6:69 "And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
Emperor King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Rev 17:14
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
Wants to know who his people really are thus the Census Already knows his people quite well even before they come to know Him. John 10:14-16 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 "And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.
Gave his people PAX ROMANA- Roman peace Gives His people heavenly peace or the peace that the world cannot give. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Died in 14 AD Died in 33 AD
Remained dead Resurrected and went back to heaven
There are several important lessons we can learn from this article. The most important one is from and in this story we see that GOD IS FIRMLY IN CONTROL even when men seem to be control. Even when people rise to prominence in this world, they may be doing something to fulfill God’s plans even if they themselves do not know anything about it. God is still in control.
Mary became pregnant at that the time the Census was being taken and Joseph had to take Mary to Bethlehem for the Census – not for the birth of the Lord- but it was there that Jesus was born. This was a fulfillment of the prophecy. God is in control.
Caesar Augustus had a favorite vassal king in Palestine by the name of Herod the Great. Herod was so disturbed about the coming of the Magi who told him about a King of the Jews and he ordered the baby to be located and failing in that task, he ordered babies to be slaughtered. This series of events prompted Joseph to bring his family to Egypt, to come back later after Herod had died. This was also a fulfillment of the prophecy. Matt 2:14 And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call My Son." God is in control.
Another important lesson in this story is how God uses both believers and unbelievers and how God arranges events to generate the fulfillment of His plans for His people. Gaius Octavius grew up as a frail and seemingly weak man. He was not very promising. But he turned out to be the greatest of all the Roman Rulers and it was that position of power that allowed him to order a global census. The census became the direct instrument for the fulfillment of the prophecy about where the Messiah was to be born. God is in control and He will see to it that His plan for His people is fulfilled to the full.
“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Luke 2:1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
CAESAR AUGUSTUS.
The titles above were used in reference to the man who introduced PAX ROMANA – Roman Peace- to the world during his time. Pax Romana was a strange concept for a world that had thought of war as a way of life. The Romans thought of peace not so much as the absence of war but of the absence of able enemies. Peace, to the Romans, was achieved by defeating every possible opponent to the point that waging a war against the Romans becomes impossible.
Caesar Augustus is considered as the greatest of all the Roman Emperors. He achieved PAX ROMANA by using the old method of defeating his opponents but he added something that was not known to many during those times: He established a coalition (they may not have used the word but the concept is the same) of powerful and able warlords/rulers with him as the absolute sovereign. He was not PRIMUS INTER PARES (first among equals) for no one was his equal. He was the ruler with the highest and final authority. Pax Romana was important to the life of the early church.
Jesus the Christ was born when the world’s most powerful man ruled the world’s most powerful empire. His name? Gaius Octavius but most popularly known as Caesar Augustus. Who was he and how did he become the most powerful man of his time and a man whose rule was greatly significant in relation to the birth of the Savior?
Julius Caesar was the general who made the Roman Empire the great Empire that it once was. However, it was Caesar Augustus who made the Roman Empire the greatest and the most powerful of all. The two were relatives and their lives were intertwined to such a degree that one cannot speak of the other without talking about the other one.
Julius Caesar had a sister named Julia who became the mother of Atia, who, in turn, gave birth to her son named GAIUS OCTAVIUS. Gaius’ father died when he was very young and it was Julius Caesar, his Grand Uncle who provided him with fatherly attention and protection. Under Caesar’s guidance and influence, Gaius studied and started rising in power. At the age of 16, he became a member of the very important Board of Priests. Later, he would become the Highest Priest, the chief of the religious life of the Empire. He was soon sent to what is now Albania where he did his Academic and military studies.
When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, most people probably thought of General Marc Anthony, Julius Caesar’s closest ally among the Roman Generals, as the next ruler. However, when Caesar’s will was opened, it became known that Caesar had designated Gaius, his grandnephew as his heir. Only 18 years old, Octavius went back to Rome and learned that Julius Caesar had declared him as his son and had appointed him as principal heir. Hearing of this, Brutus and Cassius, the killers of Julius withdrew from Rome and Octavius soon won the loyalty of many of the troops.
His prestige grew that in 42 BC, he was acknowledged as the divi filius or son of a god`, Julius Caesar being already considered a god. This title was apparently important for him because when his power grew, more and more, he would identify himself as “CAESAR, SON OF A GOD”.
Octavius had many enemies for control of the great Roman Empire. His greatest challenger was Marcus Antonius (Mark Anthony), who was Julius Caesar’s chief lieutenant. By sheer cunning and excellent political as well as military strategy, Octavius defeated all his enemies. The last major conflict was with the combined forces of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra of Egypt. By 31 BC, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra had lost and in 30 BC, both Cleopatra and Mark Anthony ended their lives after Caesar Augustus captured Egypt.
When Caesar Augustus, the son of a god, was finally in complete control of the empire, he ordered a number of censuses to be taken. In one of those censuses- where he required everyone to return to the village of his ancestors, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born, fulfilling with precision the prophecy made about the Christ. Without realizing it, Caesar Augustus became God’s instrument in the fulfillment of this prophecy. Let’s make a comparison of the titles of the two kings, one earthly and another heavenly but both having to do with the lives of people on earth.
Caesar Augustus Jesus the Christ
Son of a god Son of God
Pontifex Maximus The High Priest. Heb 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Worthy of reverence (Augustus) Holy One. John 6:69 "And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
Emperor King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Rev 17:14
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
Wants to know who his people really are thus the Census Already knows his people quite well even before they come to know Him. John 10:14-16 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 "And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.
Gave his people PAX ROMANA- Roman peace Gives His people heavenly peace or the peace that the world cannot give. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Died in 14 AD Died in 33 AD
Remained dead Resurrected and went back to heaven
There are several important lessons we can learn from this article. The most important one is from and in this story we see that GOD IS FIRMLY IN CONTROL even when men seem to be control. Even when people rise to prominence in this world, they may be doing something to fulfill God’s plans even if they themselves do not know anything about it. God is still in control.
Mary became pregnant at that the time the Census was being taken and Joseph had to take Mary to Bethlehem for the Census – not for the birth of the Lord- but it was there that Jesus was born. This was a fulfillment of the prophecy. God is in control.
Caesar Augustus had a favorite vassal king in Palestine by the name of Herod the Great. Herod was so disturbed about the coming of the Magi who told him about a King of the Jews and he ordered the baby to be located and failing in that task, he ordered babies to be slaughtered. This series of events prompted Joseph to bring his family to Egypt, to come back later after Herod had died. This was also a fulfillment of the prophecy. Matt 2:14 And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call My Son." God is in control.
Another important lesson in this story is how God uses both believers and unbelievers and how God arranges events to generate the fulfillment of His plans for His people. Gaius Octavius grew up as a frail and seemingly weak man. He was not very promising. But he turned out to be the greatest of all the Roman Rulers and it was that position of power that allowed him to order a global census. The census became the direct instrument for the fulfillment of the prophecy about where the Messiah was to be born. God is in control and He will see to it that His plan for His people is fulfilled to the full.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
LOVELINESS WITH LONELINESS IS LIFELESSNESS
LOVELINESS WITH LONELINESS IS LIFELESSNESS
A WOMAN NEEDS MORE THAN BEAUTY TO BE TRULY HAPPY
“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
John 4:1-42
4:1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. " 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw." 16 He said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. " 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." 27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He had been speaking with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city, and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. 31 In the meanwhile the disciples were requesting Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 The disciples therefore were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. 35 "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 "Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 "For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
39 And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." NASB
Introduction:
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS ATTRACTIVE
SHE HAS HAD 5 HUSBANDS. The language indicates that she got divorced by all of them since the right to divorce was the right of a man and not of a woman. John 4:17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. " 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "
We don’t know why she was divorced by the men. But one thing we know is that the men found something in her that they did not like. Even poor cooking was a reason for a divorce.
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: The Samaritan woman was lovely but lonely
Every divorce proceeding brings some kind of a public disgrace upon a woman especially after five divorces and in a community where everyone knows what is happening in the lives of others in their community. You remember why Joseph wanted to divorce Mary in a private manner when he discovered that she was pregnant? Matthew explains that it was not Joseph’s intention to disgrace her. In the case of the Samaritan woman, men wanted her but men left her with her self-esteem lower than before.
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: The Samaritan woman was desperate for fulfillment
Abandoned by 5 men, she decided that the sixth one would not be her husband but a temporary cure for loneliness. The Lord said that the man she was living with at that time was not her husband.
Maybe this is people how people have treated you. When you were useful, you were their friend. When you suffered losses, you lost your friends. People do this to us, they make us feel wonderful and then they make us wondering what really happened.
Let’s face the issue:
Maybe in many ways, you are like the Samaritan woman. People liked you then but they have abandoned you now. Your happiness was replaced by loneliness and your loneliness was replaced by emptiness. There really is no certainty for the future.
THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA WAS DESTROYED BY 3 SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES IN HER LIFE
Like the woman of Samaria, your life can also be destroyed by your own weakness. We don’t have to. We ask this question then:
WHAT 3 WEAKNESSES WERE PRESENT IN THE LIFE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AND HOW WAS SHE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THESE?
I- SHE ALLOWED OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER
John 4:18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
One man took advantage of her; then another one, then another one, then another one, then another one and finally this one with no commitment at all as indicated by the fact he was not married to her.
II- SHE ALLOWED HERSELF TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN AND AGAIN
John 4:18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.“
Every divorce is a painful event for a woman. The certificate of divorce was also a social certificate that something was wrong with her. She has had 5 certificates of divorce.
III- SHE WAS NEVER IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BEFORE
John 4:10. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
She was never in the presence of Jesus and she does not even know Him; “If you knew who it is that asks you for a drink…”
Let’s Summarize: She was destroyed by 3 weaknesses:
I- SHE ALLOWED OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER
II- SHE ALLOWED HERSELF TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN AND AGAIN
III- SHE WAS NEVER IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BEFORE
You know how she got out of these weaknesses?
She was in the presence of the Lord
She was reminded about the problem of her life.
She was instructed about the prescription for her doctrinal error which led to the change in her life. (God is a Spirit…)
She clearly received the “water of eternal life” because she became a powerful witness for the Lord
TRY TO UNDERSTAND HER UNUSUAL BLESSEDNESS
Very few people actually became believers through a personal (one on one) and prolonged witnessing by the Lord. On record, the Samaritan woman was one of those very privileged few.
Broken and burdened, she got blessed.
HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND TO THIS?
In the presence of Jesus, you will find the answer and meaning to life.
In the presence of Jesus, the burden becomes a blessing.
In the presence of Jesus, the loveliness is given a new and a true meaning. Lovely because loved by God. Important because accepted by God.
NOTE THIS:
THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING IS IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
OBEDIENCE AND A PRAYERFUL LIFE WILL BRING TO THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
IN HIS PRESENCE THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE
A WOMAN NEEDS MORE THAN BEAUTY TO BE TRULY HAPPY
“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
John 4:1-42
4:1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. " 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw." 16 He said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. " 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." 27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He had been speaking with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city, and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. 31 In the meanwhile the disciples were requesting Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 The disciples therefore were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. 35 "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 "Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 "For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
39 And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." NASB
Introduction:
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WAS ATTRACTIVE
SHE HAS HAD 5 HUSBANDS. The language indicates that she got divorced by all of them since the right to divorce was the right of a man and not of a woman. John 4:17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. " 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "
We don’t know why she was divorced by the men. But one thing we know is that the men found something in her that they did not like. Even poor cooking was a reason for a divorce.
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: The Samaritan woman was lovely but lonely
Every divorce proceeding brings some kind of a public disgrace upon a woman especially after five divorces and in a community where everyone knows what is happening in the lives of others in their community. You remember why Joseph wanted to divorce Mary in a private manner when he discovered that she was pregnant? Matthew explains that it was not Joseph’s intention to disgrace her. In the case of the Samaritan woman, men wanted her but men left her with her self-esteem lower than before.
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT: The Samaritan woman was desperate for fulfillment
Abandoned by 5 men, she decided that the sixth one would not be her husband but a temporary cure for loneliness. The Lord said that the man she was living with at that time was not her husband.
Maybe this is people how people have treated you. When you were useful, you were their friend. When you suffered losses, you lost your friends. People do this to us, they make us feel wonderful and then they make us wondering what really happened.
Let’s face the issue:
Maybe in many ways, you are like the Samaritan woman. People liked you then but they have abandoned you now. Your happiness was replaced by loneliness and your loneliness was replaced by emptiness. There really is no certainty for the future.
THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA WAS DESTROYED BY 3 SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES IN HER LIFE
Like the woman of Samaria, your life can also be destroyed by your own weakness. We don’t have to. We ask this question then:
WHAT 3 WEAKNESSES WERE PRESENT IN THE LIFE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AND HOW WAS SHE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THESE?
I- SHE ALLOWED OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER
John 4:18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
One man took advantage of her; then another one, then another one, then another one, then another one and finally this one with no commitment at all as indicated by the fact he was not married to her.
II- SHE ALLOWED HERSELF TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN AND AGAIN
John 4:18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.“
Every divorce is a painful event for a woman. The certificate of divorce was also a social certificate that something was wrong with her. She has had 5 certificates of divorce.
III- SHE WAS NEVER IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BEFORE
John 4:10. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
She was never in the presence of Jesus and she does not even know Him; “If you knew who it is that asks you for a drink…”
Let’s Summarize: She was destroyed by 3 weaknesses:
I- SHE ALLOWED OTHERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER
II- SHE ALLOWED HERSELF TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN AND AGAIN
III- SHE WAS NEVER IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BEFORE
You know how she got out of these weaknesses?
She was in the presence of the Lord
She was reminded about the problem of her life.
She was instructed about the prescription for her doctrinal error which led to the change in her life. (God is a Spirit…)
She clearly received the “water of eternal life” because she became a powerful witness for the Lord
TRY TO UNDERSTAND HER UNUSUAL BLESSEDNESS
Very few people actually became believers through a personal (one on one) and prolonged witnessing by the Lord. On record, the Samaritan woman was one of those very privileged few.
Broken and burdened, she got blessed.
HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND TO THIS?
In the presence of Jesus, you will find the answer and meaning to life.
In the presence of Jesus, the burden becomes a blessing.
In the presence of Jesus, the loveliness is given a new and a true meaning. Lovely because loved by God. Important because accepted by God.
NOTE THIS:
THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING IS IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
OBEDIENCE AND A PRAYERFUL LIFE WILL BRING TO THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
IN HIS PRESENCE THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE
Friday, November 27, 2009
There Is A Mountain Of A Difference Between Helplessness And Hopelessness. Do Not Confuse One With The Other.
Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship
Thoughts For the Day
November 30 to December 6, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
John 4:46-5:17
There Is A Mountain Of A Difference Between Helplessness And Hopelessness.
Do Not Confuse One With The Other.
Instruction:
For the first day (Monday), read the entire passage (John 4:46 to 5:18). Pray for wisdom to understand and courage to obey. Everyday thereafter, read the assigned passage carefully. Reading it twice would be good. As you read the passage, note the issues having to do with helplessness and how it got resolved.
Introduction:
The devotional reading this week is from John 4:46 to chapter 5 verse 17. There are two major characters in this passage. The first is a man who was apparently a high official in the court of King Herod whose son was sick and was probably beyond the ability of the Doctors to do anything about. The second is a man who was afflicted with some kind of a serious form disability. He had been an invalid for 38 years. The first man faced with something new and urgent situation: the threat to his son’s life. The other one may have acquired some kind of an ability to cope with his disability but he was not seeing any answer to his problem. Remember to distinguish the distinction between helplessness and hopelessness.
Monday: Read John 4:46-54. THE URGENCY ASSOCIATED WITH OUR PROBLEM GENERATES HELPLESSNESS, A DIFFICULT FOE TO FIGHT BUT HELPLESSNESS IS NOT HOPELESSNESS.
John 4:49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
Helplessness is a reality we are confronted with from time to time. One common reason for our helplessness is the urgency that comes with running out of time in relation to our problem. In the Bible passage for this day, the man’s son was sick and, we are told, he was dying. When somebody is dying, time is so short and if an answer can still be found, it must be found very, very soon. The man’s son was dying and to save him, the father must find the answer soon. His helplessness was transformed into victory when he met the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the urgency of finding a solution weighing you down into a helpless and battered burden-bearer? The man found his answer in the Lord Jesus. You too can find your answer in Him
Tuesday: Read John 4:46-54. THE ABSENCE OF OUR USUAL SOURCES WHEN WE FACE OUR PROBLEMS IS ONE REASON FOR THE SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS THAT SOMETIMES GRIPS OUR ENTIRE BEING. BUT, HELPLESSNESS IS NOT HOPELESSNESS.
John 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
Here was the situation. The man possessed power and money. But his power and money were instruments of zero value in relation to his dying son. In his position, he must have access to good doctors and the best of medical care. We can safely assume that he tapped into these resources but nothing and no one can provide the answer he needed. He refused to be hopeless and so he approached the Lord Jesus.
When our usual sources of help, comfort and assurance in life are absent, helplessness naturally comes in and grips our hearts. Helplessness is a difficult foe. But, in the story of this man’s problem, we note the wonderful reality that when nothing else can help, the Lord Jesus is there to provide what others cannot. That is why the Lord Jesus is called THE ANSWER.
Wednesday: Read John 4:46-54. THE LORD DEALS WITH OUR HELPLESSNESS IN A BEAUTIFUL MANNER. INSTEAD OF JUST REMOVING OUR FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS, THE LORD REMOVES THE REASON FOR OUR HELPLESSNESS.
John 4:49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
What was the man’s problem? His son was dying. What was the reason for the man’s helplessness? His son was dying and there was nothing in his power that could save the son’s life. The sickness itself may not have made the man feel helpless but the approaching death was something else. There are two ways of removing our feeling helplessness. One was is to change our feelings and make us feel joyful. The better way is really to remove the cause and reason for our helplessness and the helplessness naturally fades away as a result.
Changing the feelings is not the answer that removes helplessness. Changing the situation and removing the problem is still the best way to deal with our helplessness. That is what the Lord can do for you today.
Thursday: Read John 5:1-17. A HARD AND OPPRESSING REALITY: HELPLESSNESS SOMETIMES MEANS TOTAL INABILITY BUT IT STILL DOES NOT MEAN HOPELESSNESS
John 5:5 And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness.
Thirty Eight years of being disabled is a long time by any standard. The man had total physical disability to carry out the usual requirements for the life of a person. Sure, he was able to move from one corner to the other – probably by crawling or some other slow and difficult method- but that was about all. Total inability is a harsh description but it seems to describe the man correctly. He was helpless in the true sense of the word but he was never hopeless.
This is important to note: Helplessness refers to our lack of ability. Hopelessness refers to the absence of God’s love and care. The man was helpless in relation to his ability but he was not hopeless because God is love and God provided the way out of his helplessness. Say this aloud: I may be unable but God is always able. Helplessness simply means to I need God’s help.
Friday: Read John 5:1-17. HELPLESSNESS CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE ABSENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. STILL IT DOES NOT MEAN HOPELESSNESS.
John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
The man believed a story that was probably popular in those days: an angel comes from time to time to stir up the water. Anyone who gets into the pool first gets healed. The man had no one to help him so he believed it was the reason why he was not healed. He was alone with no one else by his side to help him. It must have been a lonely life. He was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He waited and waited and one day, somebody came and removed his problem and his helplessness. People may abandon us or refuse to help us but God knows what to do. The absence of a social support system can make us helpless but no hopeless. God is our hope and with Him, there is no hopelessness at all. Say this aloud: Lord, friends may fail me but You will always be faithful and You will never abandon me.
Saturday: Read John 5:1-17. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD HELPS US OVERCOME OUR HELPLESSNESS WITHOUT LETTING US KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO HELP US.
John 5:12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" 13 But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
The Lord Jesus asked the disabled man a very simple question: do you want to get well? The Lord did not introduce Himself so the man did not even get to know who it was who was talking to him. He got healed and everything but he walked away with his pallet- long the symbol of his disability and helplessness- without asking who it was who was talking to him.
Amazing but it is not really strange. It tells us a fantastic truth: God can help us even through persons not known to us at the time the help was extended. The man was helpless and the One who alone can remove his helplessness was there. He got his miracle. This is life. God knows our needs and He may decide to help us even without us knowing the identities of the appointed blessing giver.
Sunday: Read the entire passage- John 4:46 to 5:17: THE HIGH OFFICIAL AND THE DISABLED MAN WERE BOTH HELPLESS BUT BOTH REFUSED TO BE HELPLESS.
Reality is that problem comes our way and for some the visitation seems to be as regular the weekdays of the week. For some it may be a burden that is mitigated by the long period between visitations. It does not change the picture: we face problems and some of these problems can awaken us rudely with the reality that at sometimes, we are helpless and helplessness is a difficult enemy to contend with.
The powerful official was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He found his answer in the Lord Jesus. The disabled man was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He found his answer in the Lord Jesus although he was not even aware at first that it was the Lord Jesus. The point is that we are sometimes helpless but we can refuse to be cornered into hopelessness. We have the Lord Jesus and that is really what matters and the final keep to our victory. Rejoice, He loves you.
Thoughts For the Day
November 30 to December 6, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
John 4:46-5:17
There Is A Mountain Of A Difference Between Helplessness And Hopelessness.
Do Not Confuse One With The Other.
Instruction:
For the first day (Monday), read the entire passage (John 4:46 to 5:18). Pray for wisdom to understand and courage to obey. Everyday thereafter, read the assigned passage carefully. Reading it twice would be good. As you read the passage, note the issues having to do with helplessness and how it got resolved.
Introduction:
The devotional reading this week is from John 4:46 to chapter 5 verse 17. There are two major characters in this passage. The first is a man who was apparently a high official in the court of King Herod whose son was sick and was probably beyond the ability of the Doctors to do anything about. The second is a man who was afflicted with some kind of a serious form disability. He had been an invalid for 38 years. The first man faced with something new and urgent situation: the threat to his son’s life. The other one may have acquired some kind of an ability to cope with his disability but he was not seeing any answer to his problem. Remember to distinguish the distinction between helplessness and hopelessness.
Monday: Read John 4:46-54. THE URGENCY ASSOCIATED WITH OUR PROBLEM GENERATES HELPLESSNESS, A DIFFICULT FOE TO FIGHT BUT HELPLESSNESS IS NOT HOPELESSNESS.
John 4:49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
Helplessness is a reality we are confronted with from time to time. One common reason for our helplessness is the urgency that comes with running out of time in relation to our problem. In the Bible passage for this day, the man’s son was sick and, we are told, he was dying. When somebody is dying, time is so short and if an answer can still be found, it must be found very, very soon. The man’s son was dying and to save him, the father must find the answer soon. His helplessness was transformed into victory when he met the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the urgency of finding a solution weighing you down into a helpless and battered burden-bearer? The man found his answer in the Lord Jesus. You too can find your answer in Him
Tuesday: Read John 4:46-54. THE ABSENCE OF OUR USUAL SOURCES WHEN WE FACE OUR PROBLEMS IS ONE REASON FOR THE SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS THAT SOMETIMES GRIPS OUR ENTIRE BEING. BUT, HELPLESSNESS IS NOT HOPELESSNESS.
John 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
Here was the situation. The man possessed power and money. But his power and money were instruments of zero value in relation to his dying son. In his position, he must have access to good doctors and the best of medical care. We can safely assume that he tapped into these resources but nothing and no one can provide the answer he needed. He refused to be hopeless and so he approached the Lord Jesus.
When our usual sources of help, comfort and assurance in life are absent, helplessness naturally comes in and grips our hearts. Helplessness is a difficult foe. But, in the story of this man’s problem, we note the wonderful reality that when nothing else can help, the Lord Jesus is there to provide what others cannot. That is why the Lord Jesus is called THE ANSWER.
Wednesday: Read John 4:46-54. THE LORD DEALS WITH OUR HELPLESSNESS IN A BEAUTIFUL MANNER. INSTEAD OF JUST REMOVING OUR FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS, THE LORD REMOVES THE REASON FOR OUR HELPLESSNESS.
John 4:49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.
What was the man’s problem? His son was dying. What was the reason for the man’s helplessness? His son was dying and there was nothing in his power that could save the son’s life. The sickness itself may not have made the man feel helpless but the approaching death was something else. There are two ways of removing our feeling helplessness. One was is to change our feelings and make us feel joyful. The better way is really to remove the cause and reason for our helplessness and the helplessness naturally fades away as a result.
Changing the feelings is not the answer that removes helplessness. Changing the situation and removing the problem is still the best way to deal with our helplessness. That is what the Lord can do for you today.
Thursday: Read John 5:1-17. A HARD AND OPPRESSING REALITY: HELPLESSNESS SOMETIMES MEANS TOTAL INABILITY BUT IT STILL DOES NOT MEAN HOPELESSNESS
John 5:5 And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness.
Thirty Eight years of being disabled is a long time by any standard. The man had total physical disability to carry out the usual requirements for the life of a person. Sure, he was able to move from one corner to the other – probably by crawling or some other slow and difficult method- but that was about all. Total inability is a harsh description but it seems to describe the man correctly. He was helpless in the true sense of the word but he was never hopeless.
This is important to note: Helplessness refers to our lack of ability. Hopelessness refers to the absence of God’s love and care. The man was helpless in relation to his ability but he was not hopeless because God is love and God provided the way out of his helplessness. Say this aloud: I may be unable but God is always able. Helplessness simply means to I need God’s help.
Friday: Read John 5:1-17. HELPLESSNESS CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE ABSENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. STILL IT DOES NOT MEAN HOPELESSNESS.
John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
The man believed a story that was probably popular in those days: an angel comes from time to time to stir up the water. Anyone who gets into the pool first gets healed. The man had no one to help him so he believed it was the reason why he was not healed. He was alone with no one else by his side to help him. It must have been a lonely life. He was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He waited and waited and one day, somebody came and removed his problem and his helplessness. People may abandon us or refuse to help us but God knows what to do. The absence of a social support system can make us helpless but no hopeless. God is our hope and with Him, there is no hopelessness at all. Say this aloud: Lord, friends may fail me but You will always be faithful and You will never abandon me.
Saturday: Read John 5:1-17. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD HELPS US OVERCOME OUR HELPLESSNESS WITHOUT LETTING US KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO HELP US.
John 5:12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" 13 But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
The Lord Jesus asked the disabled man a very simple question: do you want to get well? The Lord did not introduce Himself so the man did not even get to know who it was who was talking to him. He got healed and everything but he walked away with his pallet- long the symbol of his disability and helplessness- without asking who it was who was talking to him.
Amazing but it is not really strange. It tells us a fantastic truth: God can help us even through persons not known to us at the time the help was extended. The man was helpless and the One who alone can remove his helplessness was there. He got his miracle. This is life. God knows our needs and He may decide to help us even without us knowing the identities of the appointed blessing giver.
Sunday: Read the entire passage- John 4:46 to 5:17: THE HIGH OFFICIAL AND THE DISABLED MAN WERE BOTH HELPLESS BUT BOTH REFUSED TO BE HELPLESS.
Reality is that problem comes our way and for some the visitation seems to be as regular the weekdays of the week. For some it may be a burden that is mitigated by the long period between visitations. It does not change the picture: we face problems and some of these problems can awaken us rudely with the reality that at sometimes, we are helpless and helplessness is a difficult enemy to contend with.
The powerful official was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He found his answer in the Lord Jesus. The disabled man was helpless but he refused to be hopeless. He found his answer in the Lord Jesus although he was not even aware at first that it was the Lord Jesus. The point is that we are sometimes helpless but we can refuse to be cornered into hopelessness. We have the Lord Jesus and that is really what matters and the final keep to our victory. Rejoice, He loves you.
Marvelous Grace
MARVELOUS GRACE
Words: Julia H. Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi¬ca¬go, Il¬li¬nois: The Bi¬ble In¬sti¬tute Col¬port¬age As¬so¬ci¬a¬tion, 1911), num¬ber 2. Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910
I
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.
II
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
III
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.
Χαρισ (charis) is the New Testament (Greek) word which is now translated into English as GRACE. It would not be easy- in fact, futile- to try to really understand and appreciate our salvation without understanding the word GRACE. Christians generally agree that Grace describes unmerited divine favor. That’s how the technical and older English puts it. To put it in modern English, grace is the gift from God that I do not deserve but God gives it anyway. It is the good that we do not deserve and there really is nothing that we can do to acquire it. It is free and so undeserved. It is not a reward for a reward is given in relation to an accomplishment. It would not be technically correct to limit the description of Grace as God’s free gift. Yes, Grace is free but to limit its meaning to its being free is to miss the point. It is free but the core idea of this free gift is that it is something that we do no deserve. The agreement among Christians about the meaning of grace is not absolute and does not appear to be reaching a point of absolute unanimity.
It is a good idea and certainly helpful for our understanding if we do not separate Grace from Mercy and Justice. Using modern English phraseology, Grace is the good that we do not deserve but is nevertheless given to us. Mercy is the opposite. It is the punishment that we deserve but is not applied against us. Justice has two (2 ) components: Reward for good behavior (obedience) and punishment for disobedience.
The Bible makes it plain that the chosen believers are recipients of both Grace and Mercy. Both are also exercised in relation to God’s absolute freedom to choose the recipients of both Grace and Mercy. Ex 33:19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (NIV) Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,… (NASB). Our salvation finds its root in divine election or the sovereign act of God in determining that some of us would be saved. That we were not a party to our salvation is clear in the fact that our salvation was decided before the creation of the world. God alone made the decision. The passage explains this as a matter of grace.
COMMON GRACE:
Among Christians, especially among those who are considered as Calvinists and Reformed, there is a type of grace called COMMON GRACE. The dominant word is GRACE and the classifying label is COMMON. Grace is the good we do not deserve but God gives it to us as His free gift. Why is this grace called common? Does it imply an inferior kind or quality? The word COMMON does not in any way imply an inferior quality but the scope of its operation and targeted recipients.
This is the favor of God that is given to everyone for the benefit of everyone. It is common because its recipients are not selected on the basis of religion or nationality. How does this Common Grace operate in the lives of people? Louis Berkhof (every Reformed Pastor has gone through Systematic Theology with his works as the textbooks) explains the function of Common Grace this way: “… curbs the destructive power of sin, maintains in a measure the moral order of the universe, thus making an orderly life possible, distributes in varying degrees gifts and talents among men, promotes the development of science and art, and showers untold blessings upon the children of men,” The specific operation of Common Grace are in the following areas:
PROVIDENCE: (God’s care for His creation).
All Christians believe that God is the Creator and that God continues to sustain and care for His creation. This is called providence and the fact that it is undeserved and applies to all justifies the use of the label Common Grace. The Bible tells us that Divine Providence – the expression of which is called Common Grace- is the ongoing task of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 1: 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Col 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. The manifestations of Providence are the rain, sunshine and other gifts that are beneficial to humanity as a whole (Matthew 5:45).
THE PREVENTION OF EVIL AND THE PROMOTION OF WHAT IS GOOD.
Romans 13 tells us that those in authority are tasked with dealing with evil and promoting what is good. Areas such as Peace and Order, governance, social rules (including tribal rules) enjoy God’s approval in the task of protecting human life and promoting what is good, beneficial social structures and the like.
THE POWER OF CONSCIENCE:
Romans 2 presents an interesting discussion about those who do not have the law (as the Jewish do) but do what the law requires. Paul explains that this is because the “law” is written in their hearts. Man, whether he is a believer or not, knows the distinction between what is right and wrong. Theologically, the explanation for this is the fact that the image of God in man did not disappear completely when man fell into sin. Total depravity refers to total inability to be saved not total inability to do any good.
THE POWER OF THE CREATIVE MIND.
If you look at the advances in science and technology, you would note that the minds that created and generated these scientific and technological advances belong to both believers and unbelievers. The image of God includes intelligence and this enabled man to discover something new for the benefit of everyone.
SPECIAL GRACE: THE OPPOSITE OF COMMON GRACE.
In Reformed Theology, Special Grace the grace is applied for our redemption or salvation. Specifically, in relation to the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting us of our sin, it is called IRRESISTIBLE GRACE sometimes referred to as EFFICACIOUS GRACE. This is a topic for another article.
John 1:14 (NASB)
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
Words: Julia H. Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi¬ca¬go, Il¬li¬nois: The Bi¬ble In¬sti¬tute Col¬port¬age As¬so¬ci¬a¬tion, 1911), num¬ber 2. Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910
I
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.
II
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
III
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.
Χαρισ (charis) is the New Testament (Greek) word which is now translated into English as GRACE. It would not be easy- in fact, futile- to try to really understand and appreciate our salvation without understanding the word GRACE. Christians generally agree that Grace describes unmerited divine favor. That’s how the technical and older English puts it. To put it in modern English, grace is the gift from God that I do not deserve but God gives it anyway. It is the good that we do not deserve and there really is nothing that we can do to acquire it. It is free and so undeserved. It is not a reward for a reward is given in relation to an accomplishment. It would not be technically correct to limit the description of Grace as God’s free gift. Yes, Grace is free but to limit its meaning to its being free is to miss the point. It is free but the core idea of this free gift is that it is something that we do no deserve. The agreement among Christians about the meaning of grace is not absolute and does not appear to be reaching a point of absolute unanimity.
It is a good idea and certainly helpful for our understanding if we do not separate Grace from Mercy and Justice. Using modern English phraseology, Grace is the good that we do not deserve but is nevertheless given to us. Mercy is the opposite. It is the punishment that we deserve but is not applied against us. Justice has two (2 ) components: Reward for good behavior (obedience) and punishment for disobedience.
The Bible makes it plain that the chosen believers are recipients of both Grace and Mercy. Both are also exercised in relation to God’s absolute freedom to choose the recipients of both Grace and Mercy. Ex 33:19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (NIV) Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,… (NASB). Our salvation finds its root in divine election or the sovereign act of God in determining that some of us would be saved. That we were not a party to our salvation is clear in the fact that our salvation was decided before the creation of the world. God alone made the decision. The passage explains this as a matter of grace.
COMMON GRACE:
Among Christians, especially among those who are considered as Calvinists and Reformed, there is a type of grace called COMMON GRACE. The dominant word is GRACE and the classifying label is COMMON. Grace is the good we do not deserve but God gives it to us as His free gift. Why is this grace called common? Does it imply an inferior kind or quality? The word COMMON does not in any way imply an inferior quality but the scope of its operation and targeted recipients.
This is the favor of God that is given to everyone for the benefit of everyone. It is common because its recipients are not selected on the basis of religion or nationality. How does this Common Grace operate in the lives of people? Louis Berkhof (every Reformed Pastor has gone through Systematic Theology with his works as the textbooks) explains the function of Common Grace this way: “… curbs the destructive power of sin, maintains in a measure the moral order of the universe, thus making an orderly life possible, distributes in varying degrees gifts and talents among men, promotes the development of science and art, and showers untold blessings upon the children of men,” The specific operation of Common Grace are in the following areas:
PROVIDENCE: (God’s care for His creation).
All Christians believe that God is the Creator and that God continues to sustain and care for His creation. This is called providence and the fact that it is undeserved and applies to all justifies the use of the label Common Grace. The Bible tells us that Divine Providence – the expression of which is called Common Grace- is the ongoing task of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 1: 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Col 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. The manifestations of Providence are the rain, sunshine and other gifts that are beneficial to humanity as a whole (Matthew 5:45).
THE PREVENTION OF EVIL AND THE PROMOTION OF WHAT IS GOOD.
Romans 13 tells us that those in authority are tasked with dealing with evil and promoting what is good. Areas such as Peace and Order, governance, social rules (including tribal rules) enjoy God’s approval in the task of protecting human life and promoting what is good, beneficial social structures and the like.
THE POWER OF CONSCIENCE:
Romans 2 presents an interesting discussion about those who do not have the law (as the Jewish do) but do what the law requires. Paul explains that this is because the “law” is written in their hearts. Man, whether he is a believer or not, knows the distinction between what is right and wrong. Theologically, the explanation for this is the fact that the image of God in man did not disappear completely when man fell into sin. Total depravity refers to total inability to be saved not total inability to do any good.
THE POWER OF THE CREATIVE MIND.
If you look at the advances in science and technology, you would note that the minds that created and generated these scientific and technological advances belong to both believers and unbelievers. The image of God includes intelligence and this enabled man to discover something new for the benefit of everyone.
SPECIAL GRACE: THE OPPOSITE OF COMMON GRACE.
In Reformed Theology, Special Grace the grace is applied for our redemption or salvation. Specifically, in relation to the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting us of our sin, it is called IRRESISTIBLE GRACE sometimes referred to as EFFICACIOUS GRACE. This is a topic for another article.
John 1:14 (NASB)
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Preventing Arguriolatry: The Idolatry common to both believers and unbelievers
IDOLATRY: Gods Of Our Making
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Arguriolatry: The Idolatry common to both believers and unbelievers
November 22, 2009- 2 Timothy 3
2 Tim 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
Last 3 weeks: BIBLIOLATRY – Book-service.COSMOLATRY: World –service. Autolatry
PHILAUTOS - .Lover of Self.
Today: ARGURIOLATRY- Phileo (love) Argurion (silver),
Money is not evil- love of money is. 1 Tim 6: 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. NASB
What do we need to understand to prevent money from becoming an idol?
ARGURIOLATRY or IDOLATRY involving money ….
I- ARGURIOLATRY TAKES PLACE WHEN THE MONEY EARNER LIVES A LIFE OF ARROGANCE .
Verses 1 to 5….
II- ARGURIOLATRY TAKES PLACE WHEN THE MONEY IN OUR HAND IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY GOOD FAMILY RELATIONSHIP
Verses 1 to 5
III- ARGURIOLATRY BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE WHEN GOD IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED IN OUR LIVES.
Verses 1 to 5
The answer to the problem of Arguriolatry is clear to us:
First: The money earner must outgrow arrogance
Second: The money in our hand must be accompanied by wonderful family relationship
Third: the money in our hand must be handled with deep love for God and for His People.
No other way is more powerful than FAITHFUL TITHING in defeating ARGURIOLATRY.
Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Eccl 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Eccl 7:12 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
Prov 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
MONEY CAN EITHER BE A BLESSING OR A MASTER
As a blessing, it’s good, as a master it’s terribly oppressing.
Roman Proverb: money is like seawater. The more you drink, the thirstier you get.
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Arguriolatry: The Idolatry common to both believers and unbelievers
November 22, 2009- 2 Timothy 3
2 Tim 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
Last 3 weeks: BIBLIOLATRY – Book-service.COSMOLATRY: World –service. Autolatry
PHILAUTOS - .Lover of Self.
Today: ARGURIOLATRY- Phileo (love) Argurion (silver),
Money is not evil- love of money is. 1 Tim 6: 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. NASB
What do we need to understand to prevent money from becoming an idol?
ARGURIOLATRY or IDOLATRY involving money ….
I- ARGURIOLATRY TAKES PLACE WHEN THE MONEY EARNER LIVES A LIFE OF ARROGANCE .
Verses 1 to 5….
II- ARGURIOLATRY TAKES PLACE WHEN THE MONEY IN OUR HAND IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY GOOD FAMILY RELATIONSHIP
Verses 1 to 5
III- ARGURIOLATRY BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE WHEN GOD IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED IN OUR LIVES.
Verses 1 to 5
The answer to the problem of Arguriolatry is clear to us:
First: The money earner must outgrow arrogance
Second: The money in our hand must be accompanied by wonderful family relationship
Third: the money in our hand must be handled with deep love for God and for His People.
No other way is more powerful than FAITHFUL TITHING in defeating ARGURIOLATRY.
Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Eccl 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Eccl 7:12 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
Prov 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
MONEY CAN EITHER BE A BLESSING OR A MASTER
As a blessing, it’s good, as a master it’s terribly oppressing.
Roman Proverb: money is like seawater. The more you drink, the thirstier you get.
Preventing Autolatry: A very common type of Idolatry inside the home
IDOLATRY: Gods Of Our Making
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Autolatry: A very common type of Idolatry inside the home
November 15, 2009- 2 Timothy 3
2 Tim 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.
IDOLATRY:
EIDOLON (idol)
LATREIA (service- worship)
IDOLATRY happens when….
We love, adore, respect, or even fear someone or something in the same manner of degree we love, adore,etc. God.:
Last 2 weeks: BIBLIOLATRY – Book-service
COSMOLATRY:World -service
Today: Autolatry
PHILAUTOS - .Lover of Self
Autolatry is dangerous and destructive but it is Preventable. How?
Understand What it is and what its common symptoms are then renounce it. 3 Questions to ask:
I- What is a good description of Autolatry?
Philautos - I am important, I must not be hurt, my needs are my priorities, If I want it, it must be mine…. My life the most important and deserving of all attention. Everything I do and allow to be done is for me importance. Everything because of men and for me. This was the sin of Adam and Eve. We can and we should love the self. But, it becomes wrong when the self becomes the center of our life. To love the self outside of our higher and greater love of God, we go into the wrong path. Remember what Jesus has said in Mt. 22, You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, the second is like to it “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
II- What are the usual Symptoms of Autolatry?
Boastful- Alazon. Originally, the Alazon referred to quack doctors. People who move from one city to another convincing people of their unusual powers and skills and of the unusual power of their medicines. Often times, their claims are something they cannot back-up. This is the person who promises to do what he cannot do, speaks of a quality that he does not have.
Arrogant- Huperaphanos is someone who is “believe sa sarili.” He may not be noisy like the boastful person. But, he treats other people with contempt. In his heart he cannot accept of something or someone having a bigger and greater ability.
Reviler- When you combine boastfulness and pride or arrogance, you will naturally end up being abusive of the rights of others. The word literally means blasphemy and refers to someone who loves to insult God and in this case, loves to insult people.
Conceited- Puts too much importance on self.
disobedient to parents- clear enough?
ungrateful- thank you is no longer a part of vocabulary
unloving – not unable to love but not willing to make others feel loved
irreconcilable- nurtures anger, does not want to be reconciled
malicious gossips- enjoys talking about and against other people
haters of good- is not happy when good things happen
treacherous- cannot be trusted
reckless- no sense of safety or wisdom in his activities
III- What is the best way to deal with Autolatry?
Love God above – God’s approval and he must be pleased in everything
Love others- consider their feelings and welfare
Love self in the context of..
What have we learned? (Summary)
What is the description of autolatry?
What are the usual symptoms of autolatry?
What is the best way to deal with autolatry?
How is this related with us? (Application)
We are all capable of becoming autolatrous
Autolatry can destroy our family life and the lives of those we love
Autolatry is the enemy in the home
How Should we respond? (Challenge)
Detect the presence of autolatry
Gather as a family and ask to be forgiven for autolatry
Ask God for deliverance from autolatry
If necessary, ask a Pastor to pray for you in your home
How Should We Respond Right Now? (Altar Call)
We can ask God right now for freedom from the power of autolatry in our home- let’s break it right now
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Autolatry: A very common type of Idolatry inside the home
November 15, 2009- 2 Timothy 3
2 Tim 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.
IDOLATRY:
EIDOLON (idol)
LATREIA (service- worship)
IDOLATRY happens when….
We love, adore, respect, or even fear someone or something in the same manner of degree we love, adore,etc. God.:
Last 2 weeks: BIBLIOLATRY – Book-service
COSMOLATRY:World -service
Today: Autolatry
PHILAUTOS - .Lover of Self
Autolatry is dangerous and destructive but it is Preventable. How?
Understand What it is and what its common symptoms are then renounce it. 3 Questions to ask:
I- What is a good description of Autolatry?
Philautos - I am important, I must not be hurt, my needs are my priorities, If I want it, it must be mine…. My life the most important and deserving of all attention. Everything I do and allow to be done is for me importance. Everything because of men and for me. This was the sin of Adam and Eve. We can and we should love the self. But, it becomes wrong when the self becomes the center of our life. To love the self outside of our higher and greater love of God, we go into the wrong path. Remember what Jesus has said in Mt. 22, You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, the second is like to it “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
II- What are the usual Symptoms of Autolatry?
Boastful- Alazon. Originally, the Alazon referred to quack doctors. People who move from one city to another convincing people of their unusual powers and skills and of the unusual power of their medicines. Often times, their claims are something they cannot back-up. This is the person who promises to do what he cannot do, speaks of a quality that he does not have.
Arrogant- Huperaphanos is someone who is “believe sa sarili.” He may not be noisy like the boastful person. But, he treats other people with contempt. In his heart he cannot accept of something or someone having a bigger and greater ability.
Reviler- When you combine boastfulness and pride or arrogance, you will naturally end up being abusive of the rights of others. The word literally means blasphemy and refers to someone who loves to insult God and in this case, loves to insult people.
Conceited- Puts too much importance on self.
disobedient to parents- clear enough?
ungrateful- thank you is no longer a part of vocabulary
unloving – not unable to love but not willing to make others feel loved
irreconcilable- nurtures anger, does not want to be reconciled
malicious gossips- enjoys talking about and against other people
haters of good- is not happy when good things happen
treacherous- cannot be trusted
reckless- no sense of safety or wisdom in his activities
III- What is the best way to deal with Autolatry?
Love God above – God’s approval and he must be pleased in everything
Love others- consider their feelings and welfare
Love self in the context of..
What have we learned? (Summary)
What is the description of autolatry?
What are the usual symptoms of autolatry?
What is the best way to deal with autolatry?
How is this related with us? (Application)
We are all capable of becoming autolatrous
Autolatry can destroy our family life and the lives of those we love
Autolatry is the enemy in the home
How Should we respond? (Challenge)
Detect the presence of autolatry
Gather as a family and ask to be forgiven for autolatry
Ask God for deliverance from autolatry
If necessary, ask a Pastor to pray for you in your home
How Should We Respond Right Now? (Altar Call)
We can ask God right now for freedom from the power of autolatry in our home- let’s break it right now
Preventing Bibliolatry: A Strange Kind Of Idolatry
IDOLS: Fake And False Gods Of Our Making
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Bibliolatry: A Strange Kind Of Idolatry
November 1, 2009
******************************
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." 2 And Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
*******************************
3 And Abram said, "Since Thou hast given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." 4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."
*****************
5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
******************************
Distinguishing between:
FAKE GOD- A fake claim is one that has no truth of any kind at all. A fake prophet is one who neither a prophet of God or of Satan. God has His prophets and Satan has his Prophets but the one who is neither God’s prophet nor Satan’s prophet is a fake prophet. History has known of many fake gods, human beings who claimed to have divinity but they were purely humans.
FALSE GOD A false claim is a claim that says he is someone when he is not that someone. A false prophet is one who claims to be a prophet of God when he is not.
Satan is, technically , neither a false god (he is the god of this world), nor a fake god (because he has spiritual and supernatural powers).
******************************
IDOLATRY:
EIDOLON (idol)- anything carved by hand or by the mind and given an importance that only God should have.
LATREIA (service- worship)-
IDOLATRY: We make our gods to worship or to serve, either as carved images or ideas and concepts in our minds.
******************************
BIBLIOLATRY:
Biblos (Book). Latreia (service or worship). Worshiping the book.
BIBLIOLATRY: (not Bibliophile- which is a good term)
Making the Bible what it is not: equal with God or God’s rival. Example: bible as pillow, as Anting-anting, as quotations in Oraciones. Pasting verses on windows to ward off evil. Wrapping the dead body with blankets printed with verses.
We take our joy in learning the Word but not relating with God. The joy of discovery of the Word’s teachings replaces the Joy of personally fellowshipping with God.
******************************
Bibliolatry Is Preventable. How?
Understand What the Bible Is Meant To Do In Our Lives:
Which is?
******************************
I- The Word Of God Points Out The Wonderful Reality Of Our Relationship With God. (Gen. 15:1)
He is our God
He is our Shield
He is our Great Reward
******************************
II- The Word Of God Points Out The Right Response To God And His Word: Conversation With God. (Gen. 15:1-6)
God spoke
Abraham Spoke
God spoke Again
Abraham spoke again
******************************
III- The Word Of God Points Out Our Zero Ability And God’s Absolute Ability In Our Favor. (Gen. 15:2-6)
Abram was childless
Abram would be gifted with countless covenantal children
******************************
What have we learned? (Summary)
I- The Word Of God Points Out The Wonderful Reality Of Our Relationship With God.
II- The Word Of God Points Out The Right Response To God And His Word: Conversation With God.
III- The Word Of God Points Out Our Zero Ability And God’s Absolute Ability In Our Favor.
******************************
How is this related with us? (Application)
Idolatry is in our heart as sinners.
We can easily make the Bible a substitute for God in our lives.
We all need to deal with Bibliolatry- enjoying the word without the corresponding holiness. Mastering the word without mastering the holy life.
******************************
How Should we respond? (Challenge)
Read the Bible to know who God is and how He wants us to relate with Him. Read the Bible and find out who he is to us and who we are to Him. Study the Bible to increase our knowledge of God’s identity, instructions and intentions. Get to know Him through the Bible.
Converse with Him for prayer with bible-reading stifles and defeats Bibliolatry. Prayer as a consequence of Bible-reading is not only proper, it is also powerful to ward off the old nature.
******************************
How Should We Respond Right Now? (Altar Call)
We ask God to forgive us for neglecting the Word or making the Word another god in our life
We will express gratitude to God for the Word He has given us.
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Bibliolatry: A Strange Kind Of Idolatry
November 1, 2009
******************************
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." 2 And Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
*******************************
3 And Abram said, "Since Thou hast given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." 4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."
*****************
5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
******************************
Distinguishing between:
FAKE GOD- A fake claim is one that has no truth of any kind at all. A fake prophet is one who neither a prophet of God or of Satan. God has His prophets and Satan has his Prophets but the one who is neither God’s prophet nor Satan’s prophet is a fake prophet. History has known of many fake gods, human beings who claimed to have divinity but they were purely humans.
FALSE GOD A false claim is a claim that says he is someone when he is not that someone. A false prophet is one who claims to be a prophet of God when he is not.
Satan is, technically , neither a false god (he is the god of this world), nor a fake god (because he has spiritual and supernatural powers).
******************************
IDOLATRY:
EIDOLON (idol)- anything carved by hand or by the mind and given an importance that only God should have.
LATREIA (service- worship)-
IDOLATRY: We make our gods to worship or to serve, either as carved images or ideas and concepts in our minds.
******************************
BIBLIOLATRY:
Biblos (Book). Latreia (service or worship). Worshiping the book.
BIBLIOLATRY: (not Bibliophile- which is a good term)
Making the Bible what it is not: equal with God or God’s rival. Example: bible as pillow, as Anting-anting, as quotations in Oraciones. Pasting verses on windows to ward off evil. Wrapping the dead body with blankets printed with verses.
We take our joy in learning the Word but not relating with God. The joy of discovery of the Word’s teachings replaces the Joy of personally fellowshipping with God.
******************************
Bibliolatry Is Preventable. How?
Understand What the Bible Is Meant To Do In Our Lives:
Which is?
******************************
I- The Word Of God Points Out The Wonderful Reality Of Our Relationship With God. (Gen. 15:1)
He is our God
He is our Shield
He is our Great Reward
******************************
II- The Word Of God Points Out The Right Response To God And His Word: Conversation With God. (Gen. 15:1-6)
God spoke
Abraham Spoke
God spoke Again
Abraham spoke again
******************************
III- The Word Of God Points Out Our Zero Ability And God’s Absolute Ability In Our Favor. (Gen. 15:2-6)
Abram was childless
Abram would be gifted with countless covenantal children
******************************
What have we learned? (Summary)
I- The Word Of God Points Out The Wonderful Reality Of Our Relationship With God.
II- The Word Of God Points Out The Right Response To God And His Word: Conversation With God.
III- The Word Of God Points Out Our Zero Ability And God’s Absolute Ability In Our Favor.
******************************
How is this related with us? (Application)
Idolatry is in our heart as sinners.
We can easily make the Bible a substitute for God in our lives.
We all need to deal with Bibliolatry- enjoying the word without the corresponding holiness. Mastering the word without mastering the holy life.
******************************
How Should we respond? (Challenge)
Read the Bible to know who God is and how He wants us to relate with Him. Read the Bible and find out who he is to us and who we are to Him. Study the Bible to increase our knowledge of God’s identity, instructions and intentions. Get to know Him through the Bible.
Converse with Him for prayer with bible-reading stifles and defeats Bibliolatry. Prayer as a consequence of Bible-reading is not only proper, it is also powerful to ward off the old nature.
******************************
How Should We Respond Right Now? (Altar Call)
We ask God to forgive us for neglecting the Word or making the Word another god in our life
We will express gratitude to God for the Word He has given us.
Prayer Devotional November 23 to 29, 2009
Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship
Thoughts For the Day
November 23 to 29, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
A PRAYER-BASED DEVOTIONAL
Read Acts 1
Acts 1:1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. " 6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
MONDAY: Acts 1:7 He(The Lord) said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Lord Jesus, I hear many rumors, stories, prophesies and predictions about what will happen in the near and distant future. I hear a lot about the feared global disaster expected to take place in 2012. Like others, I sometimes want to find out. But Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder that events in the future have been set by the Father by His own authority. I understand that to mean that what will happen in the future is not for us to know because it is THE FATHER’S SECRET. I don’t have to be worried. Whatever may happen will not change your promise to us: Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' How foolish of me to be worried about the future. I will not seek to know what will happen. I will just enjoy the thought that You will always be with us to protect us. Thank You Lord Jesus.
TUESDAY: Acts 1:3 To these He ( the Lord Jesus) also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Lord Jesus, there are so many things to worry about while in this world, I confess that there times when I lose heart. I sometimes lose sight of the truth that You are alive forever more and are working all things for out good. You gave Your disciples convincing proof that came back to life again. Lord, I see something more than just Your resurrection. Your disciples were convinced You have resurrected but that also means to me that they were convinced that actually died at one time. You died for me and came back to life. Why should I be worried about the future? Help me Lord to remember this truth. You are alive and You will not abandon me. Thank You Lord Jesus.
WEDNESDAY: Acts 1:4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;,
Lord Jesus, from the accounts in the Gospels, I do not think that your disciples were members of one social group. They came from different social backgrounds and it seems to be that there was no other reason to be grouped together except that THEY WERE ALL YOUR DISCIPLES. Thank You Lord for the reminder to gather together with other believers. You word tells us not to neglect our gathering but there are times when I am simply too tired to go to church to be with other believers. Forgive me Lord. Help me to be willing and active attendee in our gatherings as Your people. I know that I will be blessed abundantly in and through these gatherings. Thank You Lord Jesus.
THURSDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. "
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the reminder that there are two baptisms in my life as a Christian. I know that water baptism is not a requirement to be saved but to show that I already belong to You and a member of the Church. I now also know that there is another baptism that I must go through- the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, help me to understand what that is and to desire it as an important experience and event in my life. Thank You Lord Jesus.
FRIDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I now know that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the power to witness for You in my life and in the world. I will obey. I Will become Your witness and I will tell others about You and Your goodness. But Lord, frankly, that is not an easy task for me. I may not have the courage or the ability. I know the answer: Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I desire to be baptized by the Holy Spirit to become a powerful witness for You in this world. Thank You Lord.
SATURDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I know I have received the Holy Spirit when I became a believer according to the teaching of Ephesians 1:13. But Lord, I also know that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit to seal my salvation; to guarantee that I will never be separated from you is different from the power to witness for You. I have the SEALING presence of the Holy Spirit. I now desire to have the BAPTISM or WITNESSING presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord Jesus.
SUNDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, the disciples obeyed and became Your witnesses in Jerusalem, then in Judea and their work expanded as guided by the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I have my own Jerusalem,; my family, my relatives, my friends. Help me Lord to testify about You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to have the courage to tell my Jerusalem about You and to invite them to church to join us in worship. Lord Jesus, my life would be nothing If I do not live out my life as Your witness. Here I am Lord, I am joining Your team of witnesses, for Your Honor and glory. Thank You Lord.
Thoughts For the Day
November 23 to 29, 2009
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
A PRAYER-BASED DEVOTIONAL
Read Acts 1
Acts 1:1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. " 6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
MONDAY: Acts 1:7 He(The Lord) said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
Lord Jesus, I hear many rumors, stories, prophesies and predictions about what will happen in the near and distant future. I hear a lot about the feared global disaster expected to take place in 2012. Like others, I sometimes want to find out. But Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder that events in the future have been set by the Father by His own authority. I understand that to mean that what will happen in the future is not for us to know because it is THE FATHER’S SECRET. I don’t have to be worried. Whatever may happen will not change your promise to us: Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' How foolish of me to be worried about the future. I will not seek to know what will happen. I will just enjoy the thought that You will always be with us to protect us. Thank You Lord Jesus.
TUESDAY: Acts 1:3 To these He ( the Lord Jesus) also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Lord Jesus, there are so many things to worry about while in this world, I confess that there times when I lose heart. I sometimes lose sight of the truth that You are alive forever more and are working all things for out good. You gave Your disciples convincing proof that came back to life again. Lord, I see something more than just Your resurrection. Your disciples were convinced You have resurrected but that also means to me that they were convinced that actually died at one time. You died for me and came back to life. Why should I be worried about the future? Help me Lord to remember this truth. You are alive and You will not abandon me. Thank You Lord Jesus.
WEDNESDAY: Acts 1:4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;,
Lord Jesus, from the accounts in the Gospels, I do not think that your disciples were members of one social group. They came from different social backgrounds and it seems to be that there was no other reason to be grouped together except that THEY WERE ALL YOUR DISCIPLES. Thank You Lord for the reminder to gather together with other believers. You word tells us not to neglect our gathering but there are times when I am simply too tired to go to church to be with other believers. Forgive me Lord. Help me to be willing and active attendee in our gatherings as Your people. I know that I will be blessed abundantly in and through these gatherings. Thank You Lord Jesus.
THURSDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. "
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the reminder that there are two baptisms in my life as a Christian. I know that water baptism is not a requirement to be saved but to show that I already belong to You and a member of the Church. I now also know that there is another baptism that I must go through- the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, help me to understand what that is and to desire it as an important experience and event in my life. Thank You Lord Jesus.
FRIDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I now know that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the power to witness for You in my life and in the world. I will obey. I Will become Your witness and I will tell others about You and Your goodness. But Lord, frankly, that is not an easy task for me. I may not have the courage or the ability. I know the answer: Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I desire to be baptized by the Holy Spirit to become a powerful witness for You in this world. Thank You Lord.
SATURDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, I know I have received the Holy Spirit when I became a believer according to the teaching of Ephesians 1:13. But Lord, I also know that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit to seal my salvation; to guarantee that I will never be separated from you is different from the power to witness for You. I have the SEALING presence of the Holy Spirit. I now desire to have the BAPTISM or WITNESSING presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord Jesus.
SUNDAY: Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…. 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. "
Lord Jesus, the disciples obeyed and became Your witnesses in Jerusalem, then in Judea and their work expanded as guided by the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I have my own Jerusalem,; my family, my relatives, my friends. Help me Lord to testify about You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to have the courage to tell my Jerusalem about You and to invite them to church to join us in worship. Lord Jesus, my life would be nothing If I do not live out my life as Your witness. Here I am Lord, I am joining Your team of witnesses, for Your Honor and glory. Thank You Lord.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
PREACHING THEME
For November: THE PERILS OF IDOLATRY
A form of Idolatry will be discussed in preaching for each Sunday of the Month.
November 1: Bibliolatry
November 8: Cosmolatry
November 15: Autolatry
November 22: Arguriolatry
November 29: Donolatry
A form of Idolatry will be discussed in preaching for each Sunday of the Month.
November 1: Bibliolatry
November 8: Cosmolatry
November 15: Autolatry
November 22: Arguriolatry
November 29: Donolatry
Saturday, November 14, 2009
He Is More Than A Burden-bearer
2009 Sept. 27 Ten30 AM
Come To Me- all who are weary and heavy-laden
He Is More Than A Burden-bearer Matthew 11:25-30
Matt 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. 26 "Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. 27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
The Background events.
Jesus says people call Him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
He rebuked the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because they saw great miracles but they would not believe His claims.
What was the main issue?
People wanted to be on their own and the result is that they ended up carrying their own problems and burdens.
This is the background for the invitation of the Lord.
THE INVITATION:
28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Summarizing the Invitation
Come and Get rested
Take my yoke upon you and find rest for your soul
I- THE INVITATION TO REST CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT WE ARE INADEQUATE BY OURSELVES
Come to me all who are WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN.
Weariness assumes carrying a burden that you are no longer able to sustain-
II- THE INVITATION CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT WE NEED THE LORD JESUS BY OUR SIDE
Take My Yoke Upon You And Learn From Me
Yoking describes fellowship and learning during a journey of two persons traveling together
III- THE INVITATION CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT REST FROM OUR BURDENS IS A LIFELONG PRIVILEGE FOR US
29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
The promise of rest is premised on a lifelong yoking with and learning from the Lord
3 very important reminders
The weight of the burden increases because we carry it too long
The uncertainty persists when we walk without our teacher by our side
The difficulty deepens when we walk without our guide
Come To Me- all who are weary and heavy-laden
He Is More Than A Burden-bearer Matthew 11:25-30
Matt 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. 26 "Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. 27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
The Background events.
Jesus says people call Him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
He rebuked the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because they saw great miracles but they would not believe His claims.
What was the main issue?
People wanted to be on their own and the result is that they ended up carrying their own problems and burdens.
This is the background for the invitation of the Lord.
THE INVITATION:
28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Summarizing the Invitation
Come and Get rested
Take my yoke upon you and find rest for your soul
I- THE INVITATION TO REST CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT WE ARE INADEQUATE BY OURSELVES
Come to me all who are WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN.
Weariness assumes carrying a burden that you are no longer able to sustain-
II- THE INVITATION CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT WE NEED THE LORD JESUS BY OUR SIDE
Take My Yoke Upon You And Learn From Me
Yoking describes fellowship and learning during a journey of two persons traveling together
III- THE INVITATION CONFIRMS THE TRUTH THAT REST FROM OUR BURDENS IS A LIFELONG PRIVILEGE FOR US
29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
The promise of rest is premised on a lifelong yoking with and learning from the Lord
3 very important reminders
The weight of the burden increases because we carry it too long
The uncertainty persists when we walk without our teacher by our side
The difficulty deepens when we walk without our guide
What's In a name and Title? YOU CANNOT WORSHIP JESUS BY HIS NAME ALONE.
2009 September 14
YOU CANNOT WORSHIP JESUS BY HIS NAME ALONE.
Most people miss this very important truth that you cannot worship Jesus just by that name because it is a common name. You worship Him by His NAME and TITLES. John 1
What’s in a NAME and TITLE?
Name: This your identity as distinguished from everyone else.
Your name may also be the name of many others so you need another name (except the Indonesians)
Title
This is your identity with regards to your relationships, positions, duties, profession, importance in society or lack of it
Who do you say the Son of Man is?
The name Jesus was a common name. He had to be identified with a place to distinguish him from others of the same name: He was Jesus of Nazareth
The titles of Jesus are something else. They not only tell us who He really is but they also tell us who we are.
John 1 (NASB)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. 9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ .
John 1: One Name with 10 Titles
NAME: Jesus of Nazareth
TITLES: Word, Christ, Lord, only begotten from the Father, True Light, Lamb of God, Son of God, Son of Man, Rabbi, King of Israel,
THE ONE TITLE OF THE LORD JESUS THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS CLAIMED IS: THE WORD- ό λογος
The Greek New Testament uses several words that are translated as Word or saying in the English: Logos, Rhema (when the word of God penetrates your heart- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (Rhema of God), Epos, Chrestologia. By God’s choice, of these words, only ONE is used to refer to the PERSON OF THE Lord Jesus: HO LOGOS or the WORD.
THE WORD: HO LOGOS
What does the Title
LOGOS
tell Us?
I- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHO HE REALLY IS:
His equality with the Father- The Word was With God and the Word was God. John 1:1
His personal title in relation to everything that God does- He is the Word of God – Rev. 19:13
His personal title in relation to God’s eternal gift to us: Eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12
II- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHERE HE CAME FROM
John 1:1-2,14.
Philippians 2:5-8
The Arian heresy has plagued Christianity for so long, it refuses to die and it even enters many Church Councils or Boards
III- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHAT HIS GIFTS ARE:
1. He is the WORD that grants us God’s Favor or grace. John 1:6/ Eph. 4:7
2. He is the WORD that grants us God’s Freedom or Truth. John 1:17/John 8:32
3. He is the WORD that gives us God’s Family or sonship. John 1:12-3
Two Kinds of sonship- 2 kinds of birth
Born of blood, born of man’s will, born of the will of flesh, born of a sinful woman and sinful man as parents: This the FIRST BIRTH and the first sonship. This makes you a citizen of the world
Born of God by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Not the will of man, not the will of the flesh, not of blood. This is the SECOND BIRTH and Second sonship. This makes us citizens of heaven
With Him, we can have:
I- With Him, We Can Have God’s Favor Even If We Do Not Deserve It: It’s Called God’s Grace.
II- With Him We Can Have God’s Freedom Even If We Are Totally Sinful: It Is Called God’s TRUTH.
III- With Him We Can Join God’s Family Even If We Were His Enemies: It’s called God’s Gift Of Sonship.
HO LOGOS, The Word:
OF GOD’S FAVOR BY HIS GRACE
OF GOD’S FREEDOM BY HIS TRUTH
OF GOD’S FAMILY BY BEING BORN OF GOD OR BEING BORN AGAIN.
SINCE JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S LOGOS FOR YOU, WHAT IS YOUR WORD FOR GOD NOW?
YOU CANNOT WORSHIP JESUS BY HIS NAME ALONE.
Most people miss this very important truth that you cannot worship Jesus just by that name because it is a common name. You worship Him by His NAME and TITLES. John 1
What’s in a NAME and TITLE?
Name: This your identity as distinguished from everyone else.
Your name may also be the name of many others so you need another name (except the Indonesians)
Title
This is your identity with regards to your relationships, positions, duties, profession, importance in society or lack of it
Who do you say the Son of Man is?
The name Jesus was a common name. He had to be identified with a place to distinguish him from others of the same name: He was Jesus of Nazareth
The titles of Jesus are something else. They not only tell us who He really is but they also tell us who we are.
John 1 (NASB)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. 9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ .
John 1: One Name with 10 Titles
NAME: Jesus of Nazareth
TITLES: Word, Christ, Lord, only begotten from the Father, True Light, Lamb of God, Son of God, Son of Man, Rabbi, King of Israel,
THE ONE TITLE OF THE LORD JESUS THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS CLAIMED IS: THE WORD- ό λογος
The Greek New Testament uses several words that are translated as Word or saying in the English: Logos, Rhema (when the word of God penetrates your heart- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word (Rhema of God), Epos, Chrestologia. By God’s choice, of these words, only ONE is used to refer to the PERSON OF THE Lord Jesus: HO LOGOS or the WORD.
THE WORD: HO LOGOS
What does the Title
LOGOS
tell Us?
I- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHO HE REALLY IS:
His equality with the Father- The Word was With God and the Word was God. John 1:1
His personal title in relation to everything that God does- He is the Word of God – Rev. 19:13
His personal title in relation to God’s eternal gift to us: Eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12
II- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHERE HE CAME FROM
John 1:1-2,14.
Philippians 2:5-8
The Arian heresy has plagued Christianity for so long, it refuses to die and it even enters many Church Councils or Boards
III- THE TITLE WORD TELLS US WHAT HIS GIFTS ARE:
1. He is the WORD that grants us God’s Favor or grace. John 1:6/ Eph. 4:7
2. He is the WORD that grants us God’s Freedom or Truth. John 1:17/John 8:32
3. He is the WORD that gives us God’s Family or sonship. John 1:12-3
Two Kinds of sonship- 2 kinds of birth
Born of blood, born of man’s will, born of the will of flesh, born of a sinful woman and sinful man as parents: This the FIRST BIRTH and the first sonship. This makes you a citizen of the world
Born of God by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Not the will of man, not the will of the flesh, not of blood. This is the SECOND BIRTH and Second sonship. This makes us citizens of heaven
With Him, we can have:
I- With Him, We Can Have God’s Favor Even If We Do Not Deserve It: It’s Called God’s Grace.
II- With Him We Can Have God’s Freedom Even If We Are Totally Sinful: It Is Called God’s TRUTH.
III- With Him We Can Join God’s Family Even If We Were His Enemies: It’s called God’s Gift Of Sonship.
HO LOGOS, The Word:
OF GOD’S FAVOR BY HIS GRACE
OF GOD’S FREEDOM BY HIS TRUTH
OF GOD’S FAMILY BY BEING BORN OF GOD OR BEING BORN AGAIN.
SINCE JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S LOGOS FOR YOU, WHAT IS YOUR WORD FOR GOD NOW?
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus (Based on Psalm 23)
Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship
Thoughts For the Day
November 16 to 22, 2009
Read Psalm 23
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus (1918)
(Words and Music by Haldor Lillenas)
Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free;
O the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me!
Unmistakably assuring, powerfully comforting, faith-building, mind-opening, heart-warming: All these describe Psalm 23, the chapter which is timeless in its power and relevance and one of the best presentation of the Grace of God in our lives. We will do something different this week. We will have a prayer-devotional. Read the passage and pray through the entire chapter using our suggested prayers.
Psalm 23:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Monday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. PRAISE THE LORD!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Lord, I have people I call my friends. There are very special people in my life. But You are my Shepherd. I cannot reverse the truth and say that that You are among those who are special to me. I did no make You special to me. You made me special to You! You are my Shepherd; I am special to You! I belong to You. You are the Boss of my life, my Guide, Provider, Protector and blessing-giver. You own me; You have complete control of my life. Hallelujah, I belong to You.
Lord, I now know why David said: “ I shall not want.” One version I read translates this sentence as: “ I have everything I need.” “Everything I need”, I know, does not mean :I have already received all that I need.” I know Lord that it simply means that with You as my Shepherd and Provider, I do not have to worry about anything. You are my Shepherd and provider. The Lord is my shepherd. I will count my blessings and those that have not arrived and I am still waiting for, I will praise God for them. Your blessings to me are on the way for one reason: You are my Shepherd. Thank You Lord.
Tuesday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: HE FINDS FOR ME THE GREEN PASTURES!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Lord, when I did not understand this, sometimes, I wondered: what has this green pastures have to do with my daily fight to earn a living and provide for my needs and the needs of my loves ones? I now know that the green pasture is where the sheep will find sufficiency of food. It speaks of guaranteed and actually available provisions. I now understand that the Shepherd, not the sheep, locates the Green pastures. The sheep is unable but the Shepherd is able. The sheep is beset with limitations but the Shepherd is not. I am unable and beset with limitations, You are not.
There were times Lord when I was too tired to think about where to go for the answers to my questions in life. There were times when I became tired for one reason or the other. I may have been relying on my own knowledge, intelligence and strength to find the green pastures. So I got tired. Forgive Lord. Lord I want to put myself completely under your care. You are my shepherd. Guide me to the Green Pastures. Save me from the foolishness of trying to make it in life everyday on my own. I can’t but I have you so I will make it.
Wednesday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: He leads me beside quiet waters!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Lord, there are many things that I am worried about; things that I fear. I am spending too much time looking at the noisy waters. I listen too much to scary sounds. I easily miss the truth that I have You by my side GUIDING AND LEADING ME. Why do I spend so much time being afraid? I now know why. I keep on counting the reasons for my fear. I count all my worries, the problems that have not been solved and even the imaginary problems. I keep on listening to noisy waters. Please forgive me. I shall not be afraid. I have You and You do not only make me lie down in green pastures.; You also lead me beside quiet waters. How foolish of me to be afraid when I have You. Thank You Lord for being my Shepherd.
Thursday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: He Restores My Soul.
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Lord, I must confess that there were times when my soul had become very tired and the hurt was too deep to understand. I can’t buy anything from the drugstore to heal the pains in my soul. And, often Lord, the reason for my pain and tiredness is that I cannot walk in righteousness and so I judge myself, sometimes too harshly that I end up losing my strength.
Lord, thank you for reminding me that when I become too tired, sometimes too tired to even think of life, You are there, ready and able to lift me up, to restore my soul, to restore my joy, to restore confidence. I am grateful for the reminder that You do not only restore my soul but that You also lead me in the paths of righteousness. Since that is the path that You have chosen for me and You’re there to guide me, how can I go astray? Thank You Lord for being there, as MY SHEPHERD, my Provider, the Restorer of my soul and my Guide.
Friday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I cannot fear anything!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Lord, in this life, I sometimes go through the valleys that I would rather not go through. Sometimes I encounter threatening shadows in the valley. Sometimes, I get a hint of death. Sometimes, I sense evil lurking around. When this happens, I find walking forward in life a bit difficult to do. Forgive me for being so foolish.
With you by my side, why do I even have to worry about or fear evil, threatening shadows, and all those things that normally inject fear in the hearts of people? I have You and Your rod and Your staff and these certainly comfort me for I have the assurance that I am under Your protection and You won’t even allow me to walk away from You. Oh Lord, renew my courage. I have You and in the end, I know that is the main issue. Thank You Lord.
Saturday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I cannot miss the feasting table!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Lord, I must confess. Some situations irritate me. Some people can bother me by their presence. Sometimes, I have enemies. I must also confess that there were times when I punished myself by entertaining worries, fear, discouragements and all those strength-sapping, heart-melting and fear-inducing thoughts. I’m so sorry Lord. Please forgive me.
Thank your for the reminder that even if my enemies come rushing forward to attack me, they really cannot disturb me because they will see you busy preparing the table for me; in our modern Language Lord, we call that setting the table. That is not easy to imagine but it is as glorious as anything can be. The enemy is halted in their tracks by the sight of the My Lord who is the Lord of the entire universe, My shepherd, provider, protector and guide, preparing the table for me. Forgive me Lord for focusing on the enemies and not on the prepared table and the goodies on the table that You have prepared for me.
Sunday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I have a prepared table and the anointing with God’s oil.
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Lord, sometimes I wonder, why would you prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies? Now I know and I am overjoyed by this discovery. The table is a FEASTING table. I know I am supposed to sit at that table and enjoy the bounty of your goodness. It is also a FELLOWSHIP table. You will allow me to have a special place with you around that table because I belong to you. You have chosen me from eternity and my life in Your hand. It is a wonderful fellowship Lord and I am grateful. I know it is also a table of FEARLESSNESS for it is being prepared in the presence of my enemies and my enemies can only look with utter helplessness because they cannot do anything! I do not have to fear at all! Why do I keep on looking at the enemies? I must look at the table, Your table for me.
Lord, many times, I feel small, insignificant, so unimportant. And yet, I read that You are anointing my head with oil. When I did not understand that I was wondering what that was all about. Now, I know and I am overwhelmed and filled with joy. Anointing my head with is Your PUBLIC DECLARATION that I am important in your courts. What could be greater than to be publicly, (and in fact Lord, I know this to be true, it is also a universal declaration,) seen by both good angels and fallen angels as well, that I am Yours by reason of divine election. I am provided for and sustained through Divine Provisions described here as Good and mercy or goodness and lovingkindness. How foolish of me to feel small and insignificant when I have You as my Shepherd.
Thoughts For the Day
November 16 to 22, 2009
Read Psalm 23
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus (1918)
(Words and Music by Haldor Lillenas)
Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free;
O the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me!
Unmistakably assuring, powerfully comforting, faith-building, mind-opening, heart-warming: All these describe Psalm 23, the chapter which is timeless in its power and relevance and one of the best presentation of the Grace of God in our lives. We will do something different this week. We will have a prayer-devotional. Read the passage and pray through the entire chapter using our suggested prayers.
Psalm 23:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Monday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. PRAISE THE LORD!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Lord, I have people I call my friends. There are very special people in my life. But You are my Shepherd. I cannot reverse the truth and say that that You are among those who are special to me. I did no make You special to me. You made me special to You! You are my Shepherd; I am special to You! I belong to You. You are the Boss of my life, my Guide, Provider, Protector and blessing-giver. You own me; You have complete control of my life. Hallelujah, I belong to You.
Lord, I now know why David said: “ I shall not want.” One version I read translates this sentence as: “ I have everything I need.” “Everything I need”, I know, does not mean :I have already received all that I need.” I know Lord that it simply means that with You as my Shepherd and Provider, I do not have to worry about anything. You are my Shepherd and provider. The Lord is my shepherd. I will count my blessings and those that have not arrived and I am still waiting for, I will praise God for them. Your blessings to me are on the way for one reason: You are my Shepherd. Thank You Lord.
Tuesday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: HE FINDS FOR ME THE GREEN PASTURES!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Lord, when I did not understand this, sometimes, I wondered: what has this green pastures have to do with my daily fight to earn a living and provide for my needs and the needs of my loves ones? I now know that the green pasture is where the sheep will find sufficiency of food. It speaks of guaranteed and actually available provisions. I now understand that the Shepherd, not the sheep, locates the Green pastures. The sheep is unable but the Shepherd is able. The sheep is beset with limitations but the Shepherd is not. I am unable and beset with limitations, You are not.
There were times Lord when I was too tired to think about where to go for the answers to my questions in life. There were times when I became tired for one reason or the other. I may have been relying on my own knowledge, intelligence and strength to find the green pastures. So I got tired. Forgive Lord. Lord I want to put myself completely under your care. You are my shepherd. Guide me to the Green Pastures. Save me from the foolishness of trying to make it in life everyday on my own. I can’t but I have you so I will make it.
Wednesday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: He leads me beside quiet waters!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Lord, there are many things that I am worried about; things that I fear. I am spending too much time looking at the noisy waters. I listen too much to scary sounds. I easily miss the truth that I have You by my side GUIDING AND LEADING ME. Why do I spend so much time being afraid? I now know why. I keep on counting the reasons for my fear. I count all my worries, the problems that have not been solved and even the imaginary problems. I keep on listening to noisy waters. Please forgive me. I shall not be afraid. I have You and You do not only make me lie down in green pastures.; You also lead me beside quiet waters. How foolish of me to be afraid when I have You. Thank You Lord for being my Shepherd.
Thursday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: He Restores My Soul.
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Lord, I must confess that there were times when my soul had become very tired and the hurt was too deep to understand. I can’t buy anything from the drugstore to heal the pains in my soul. And, often Lord, the reason for my pain and tiredness is that I cannot walk in righteousness and so I judge myself, sometimes too harshly that I end up losing my strength.
Lord, thank you for reminding me that when I become too tired, sometimes too tired to even think of life, You are there, ready and able to lift me up, to restore my soul, to restore my joy, to restore confidence. I am grateful for the reminder that You do not only restore my soul but that You also lead me in the paths of righteousness. Since that is the path that You have chosen for me and You’re there to guide me, how can I go astray? Thank You Lord for being there, as MY SHEPHERD, my Provider, the Restorer of my soul and my Guide.
Friday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I cannot fear anything!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Lord, in this life, I sometimes go through the valleys that I would rather not go through. Sometimes I encounter threatening shadows in the valley. Sometimes, I get a hint of death. Sometimes, I sense evil lurking around. When this happens, I find walking forward in life a bit difficult to do. Forgive me for being so foolish.
With you by my side, why do I even have to worry about or fear evil, threatening shadows, and all those things that normally inject fear in the hearts of people? I have You and Your rod and Your staff and these certainly comfort me for I have the assurance that I am under Your protection and You won’t even allow me to walk away from You. Oh Lord, renew my courage. I have You and in the end, I know that is the main issue. Thank You Lord.
Saturday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I cannot miss the feasting table!
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Lord, I must confess. Some situations irritate me. Some people can bother me by their presence. Sometimes, I have enemies. I must also confess that there were times when I punished myself by entertaining worries, fear, discouragements and all those strength-sapping, heart-melting and fear-inducing thoughts. I’m so sorry Lord. Please forgive me.
Thank your for the reminder that even if my enemies come rushing forward to attack me, they really cannot disturb me because they will see you busy preparing the table for me; in our modern Language Lord, we call that setting the table. That is not easy to imagine but it is as glorious as anything can be. The enemy is halted in their tracks by the sight of the My Lord who is the Lord of the entire universe, My shepherd, provider, protector and guide, preparing the table for me. Forgive me Lord for focusing on the enemies and not on the prepared table and the goodies on the table that You have prepared for me.
Sunday: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: I have a prepared table and the anointing with God’s oil.
Ps 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Lord, sometimes I wonder, why would you prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies? Now I know and I am overjoyed by this discovery. The table is a FEASTING table. I know I am supposed to sit at that table and enjoy the bounty of your goodness. It is also a FELLOWSHIP table. You will allow me to have a special place with you around that table because I belong to you. You have chosen me from eternity and my life in Your hand. It is a wonderful fellowship Lord and I am grateful. I know it is also a table of FEARLESSNESS for it is being prepared in the presence of my enemies and my enemies can only look with utter helplessness because they cannot do anything! I do not have to fear at all! Why do I keep on looking at the enemies? I must look at the table, Your table for me.
Lord, many times, I feel small, insignificant, so unimportant. And yet, I read that You are anointing my head with oil. When I did not understand that I was wondering what that was all about. Now, I know and I am overwhelmed and filled with joy. Anointing my head with is Your PUBLIC DECLARATION that I am important in your courts. What could be greater than to be publicly, (and in fact Lord, I know this to be true, it is also a universal declaration,) seen by both good angels and fallen angels as well, that I am Yours by reason of divine election. I am provided for and sustained through Divine Provisions described here as Good and mercy or goodness and lovingkindness. How foolish of me to feel small and insignificant when I have You as my Shepherd.
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