Draw Me Close: Podcast: Recent Episodes
Draw Me Close - WhitestoneCF
Draw Me Close is the Bible Teaching Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, taught by Pastor Bob Lawrenz.
Hebrews chapter 8 continues the writer's explanation for why Jesus, and the new covenant He brings, is superior to the old covenant of Judaism.
The chapter begins by extending a bridge from prior ideas. The end of chapter 7 included a description of a priest who was perfect and sinless. This chapter explains that Jesus is this perfect priest.
Picking up at the last verse of 8, “…the old is ready to vanish away,” chapter 9 begins with a reality check. It is a most remarkable verse, and the Holy Spirit is directing His remarks to the Jews, specifically those who had become believers, but also to every Jew who reads this Epistle.
It is a reminder of what still lingers today . . .
The scribe of Hebrews takes a break in Chapter 8, reiterating and summarizing what the Holy Spirit has told him thus far. Not only do we read a summary, but we also get to see what and why the Lord had planned things out the way He did. This is a keen look at the workings of the mind of God! Following Him is often a challenge to someone not used to His ways. Expect to be surprised . . .
Our study takes us to Hebrews 7 this week and teaches that Jesus, a priest in the order of the mysterious King Melchizedek, has a superior, powerful and perfect eternal priesthood that surpasses the temporary, imperfect Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament.
In the Bible, the Melchizedek priesthood is an office that only applied to Christ. Melchizedek is introduced in Genesis 14:18 and is described as the king of Salem and “priest of God.” Abram (later Abraham) offers Melchizedek a tithe and is blessed. The name Melchizedek is the combination of the Hebrew words for “king” and “righteous,” making Melchizedek a righteous, kingly priest...
As the scribe of Hebrews continues, we are reminded that his identity does not have to be assigned to any Epistle. 2 Timothy 3: 16 tells us that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Peter 1: 20 says, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The inspired word of God is identified clearly as the source of these verses. We take it somewhat for granted, because “by two or three witnesses, a thing is established." As these two verses follow the standard of proof, what might more than a dozen cross references do for our belief that The Word written, or verbally shared, is inspired by God the Holy Spirit? While the Word is breathed into us, a dozen references should take our breath away . . .
The problem in this chapter is the desire of converted Jews to go back to the rites of the Old Testament. They put undue emphasis on type rather than antitype; they wanted to abandon the reality for the type. They needed to differentiate between the substance and the shadow. The readers had to grasp the difference between the temporary economy of Judaism and the permanence of Christianity.
The types, ordinances, and ceremonies of the Old Testament economy only foreshadowed the One and His work who was to come. Now that Christ has come and finished His work on the cross, the types have served their purpose. Now shadows are exchanged by substance. All reversion to types diminishes the exclusive sufficiency of Christ and His work.
The High Priest Melchizedek is back in the text this week, giving us a fuller view of not only him, but of the reasons why a new High Priest was necessarily needed! It was King David who wrote of a new High Priest coming in the future in Psalm 110. It speaks of harsh judgment to those who do not heed His admonishments and His simplified Commandments and Law of that coming high priest, who we worship today, as Jesus the Christ. . .
Our study is in Hebrews 5 this week. In this chapter, we learn more about Jesus' divine yet relatable High Priesthood. The chapter is a call to reflection upon Christ's unique role, His sacrifice, and His eternal priesthood.
The writer of Hebrews continues to upbraid the Hebrew believers. But are they not believers? In the last chapter, he scolded them for not being ready to teach others. Instead, they just sat around teachers and soaked up whatever words were spoken. It seemed to him that God’s Word (even in the Old Testament) had not taken root in their souls and hearts. . .
Hebrews 4 is a powerful chapter that delves into the concept of rest and its significance in the life of a believer. It’s a reminder that God has prepared a place of rest for His people, and it’s our responsibility to strive to enter that rest.
Coming into this world was just the first thing Jesus was called to do as the Word became flesh, prophesied of in Isaiah 7:14. Placing Himself below the angels, Jesus had been raised under the authority of His own creation, descendants of Adam and Eve. But all the things He endured pertained to God, and how He was to bless the world with sacrifices and gifts that He might pass down to His creation, and to their descendants.
As we continue in our study of the book of Hebrews, today we are in chapter 3. This chapter is a theologically rich passage that addresses several key themes essential for understanding the message of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The superiority of Christ over Moses, the importance of faithfulness, the peril of unbelief, the promise of God's rest, and the role of Christ as the faithful high priest are all intricately woven together to encourage and exhort believers to remain steadfast in their faith. . .
Most everyone that has been a Christian for a while, identifies Hebrews 11 as the chapter on Faith. But that chapter is the culmination of what these previous chapters have been alluding to. In chapter 2, it was mentioned that we should not let the Gift of Faith slip. That gift was received by us, but came from Him! Neglecting it would be a crime. Denying it would be a rejection of our Benefactor . . .
This week's teaching from Hebrews chapter 2 emphasizes the need to pay careful attention to the teachings of Jesus to avoid drifting away from faith, highlighting the severe consequences of neglecting the great salvation He brought. It contrasts the Old Testament law, communicated by angels, with the superior message of Jesus, the Son of God. The chapter explains that Jesus became human, suffering and dying to become a merciful, high priest who can sympathize with believers' weaknesses and ultimately defeat death and the devil.
The scribe to the Hebrews addresses his fellow Jews as he opens this third chapter, and to us who have been adopted into their inheritance: “…Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle, and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” These words reinforce the idea that in heaven there is neither Jew, nor Gentile, bond nor free in His Kingdom, for we are all one in Christ. . .
Hebrews 1 is an awe-inspiring reminder of the supremacy of Jesus Christ as God's Son. It underscores the uncontestable superiority of Jesus, not just over earthly creations, but celestial beings like angels as well. The chapter prompts us to reflect on the grandeur of Jesus' role, His divine nature, and His eternal rule. We are reminded to trust His authority, as He is the ultimate revelation of God's will and love for humanity.
From Hebrews chapter 2, today's title, "How Shall We Escape?" is an odd question, until we read the rest of what is being asked. The entire question is this: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great (a) salvation?" It's rhetorical, because the answer is obvious.
The angels were aware of it, though it did not apply to them. The Prophets spoke of it. Jesus taught about it, and it was affirmed by those that heard His teachings, as they shared it with others. The writer is saying, we cannot escape eternal condemnation, unless of course we ignore the witnesses of God: the Prophets, Jesus and the Angelic Heavenly Host. Now, THAT'S a cloud of witnesses . . .
We are in Galatians chapter 6 and finishing up this wonderful book. The focus of the chapter is on practical Christian living. Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to support and uplift our brothers and sisters in their times of need, showing compassion and mercy just as Christ has shown us. As we do good to all people, especially those in the family of believers (Galatians 6:10), we reflect God's love and bring glory to His name.
Sixty-six Books; Forty different scribes; one Author: this is what our Bible is, a collection of Books attributed to different writers, but authored by a single entity. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "all scripture is given by the inspiration of God" to these 40 writers. Literally, it is God-breathed unto them. . .
Amos 4 opens with a scathing address to the “cows of Bashan,” a metaphor for the arrogant and self-indulgent women who exploit the poor. Amos condemns their luxurious lifestyle built upon the suffering of others. He warns them that their wealth and comfort will be stripped away, and they will be carried off into exile.
The focus then shifts to the nation’s widespread idolatry. Amos criticizes their adherence to meaningless rituals and sacrifices while neglecting true justice and righteousness. He reminds them of God’s past interventions, such as famines and droughts, intended to bring them back to him, but all in vain.
The chapter concludes with a powerful call to repentance. Despite their past transgressions, God offers them an opportunity to return to him, but if they continue on their path of sin, they will face the inevitable consequences.
The word “kine” in the Bible are the cows and heifers of God which graze on a thousand hills. And Baw-shawn is the region east and north of the Sea of Galilee.
It brings to mind a pastoral scene of peace and tranquility. Today’s passage however brings a different image to mind from the peaceful country scene we might have imagined. While the cattle are grazing and getting fat on their diet, Amos speaks God’s word: “Listen up you cows!” Suddenly that picturesque image has changed. God’s upset is tangible in His words to the Jews of Jerusalem and Judah. Their behaviors were no better than the heathen nations surrounding them! Idol worship and ignoring God’s commands and laws was the order of each day among His people, especially those that lived nearest to the Temple itself.
Amos 3 stands as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with being chosen by God. It calls us to consider the consequences of our actions, the importance of obedience to God's word, and the value of heeding prophetic warnings. Although it highlights divine judgment, it also underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness.
God reminds the Israelites of their unique status as His chosen people. They alone, of all families on Earth, have been chosen by Him, but with this privilege comes accountability. Their wrongdoings will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to illustrate the cause-and-effect nature of God's actions. The prophet is called to warn when danger is imminent, and God is presented as the one who controls events, from the roaring of a lion to disaster striking a city.
Amos concludes the chapter with a vivid description of the imminent punishment Israel faces due to their transgressions. He prophesies that their strongholds will be destroyed, and their wealth taken away. Despite their present abundance, they will face severe losses as a result of their disobedience.
Amos 3 is a deeply compelling chapter within the Bible's minor prophetic books. It serves as a divine call to accountability for the nation of Israel, reminding them of their unique relationship with God and the accompanying responsibilities. The chapter also highlights the role of prophets and the consequences of disobedience.
In John 15:15, we read the words of Jesus to His Apostles: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
Amos 3 holds a surprise for us in verse 7 of today’s chapter. “… God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." These two passages are confirmation that the Lord does not want us ignorant concerning future events, for it is the same Spirit of the Lord that teaches us all things, as stated in John 14:26 and 2 Timothy 3:16.
This week, we are in chapter 2 in the book of Amos.
Amos chapter 2 continues the prophecies against the nations around God’s People, but God quickly turns His attention towards His own people who will not escape His wrath for their many horrific sins.
Notice that the language from Amos 1 continues… the metaphor about “three transgressions… for four” and the use of “fire” when speaking about God’s judgement. That language is applied to nations not aligned with God and with those who should have known better, His own. God is not a respecter of persons.
The judgments continue and come home to roost upon Judah in chapter 2 of Amos. But before we get there, the chapter begins with the three transgressions of Moab. . .
Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa when God calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Amos' mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of impending doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins are largely unpopular and unheeded, however, because not since the days of Solomon have times been so good in Israel. Amos' ministry takes place while Jeroboam II reigns over Israel, and Uzziah reigns over Judah.
Amos can see that beneath Israel’s external prosperity and power, internally the nation is corrupt to the core. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of God’s Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership, and oppression of the poor. Amos begins by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and finally the harshest judgment is given to Israel. His visions from God reveal the same emphatic message: judgment is near. The book ends with God’s promise to Amos of future restoration of the remnant.
The Book of Amos ends with a glorious promise for the future. “’I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says the LORD your God” (9:15). The ultimate fulfillment of God’s land promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:7; 17:8) will occur during Christ’s millennial reign on earth (see Joel 2:26,27). Revelation 20 describes the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth, a time of peace and joy under the perfect government of the Savior Himself. At that time, believing Israel and the Gentile Christians will be combined in the Church and will live and reign with Christ.
Amos’ prophecy is addressed to the Northern Tribes.
In Israel’s west bank, we find a town named Balata, a suburb of Nablus in the disputed Palestinian territory. It is in Balata that we find the Well of Jacob. It has been a Holy Site since the days of Constantine, protected under the walls and ceiling of a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Only Christians and Jews refer to it as Jacob’s Well, for the Palestinians do not acknowledge God’s blessings upon Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. And, Palestinians tend to ignore the well because it is within the walls of a Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
As in the days of Jesus and before, during the days of the Kings of Israel and Jerusalem...
Joel 3 begins with a promise of restoration and then proceeds to a legal scene in which God produces evidence against the nations which will result in their judgment. As you read, keep in mind that this climactic judgment scene describes events that will take place in the last days. The Messiah will reign from Mount Zion in Jerusalem. As someone has well said, "Israel is God's timepiece." God's plan for the ages includes the little nation of Israel. He will work out His perfect plan of redemption and will restore "the apple of His eye."In this last chapter, Joel describes the day of the Lord, a day of judgment that is to be proclaimed to all nations. If you ask the question, “What will the day of judgment be like? What will it be like to be there when all nations will be gathered together in one place?” It seems unimaginable. Joel uses words to paint pictures. He portrays the day of the Lord so you can taste, see, and picture what this day will be like, and so that we may heed His warnings."Restore" is the key word of this whole book. God works to restore the broken relationship between His people and Himself. He works to restore all that was lost, and He breathes new life into His own and begins to bless once again. The restoration of Judah and Jerusalem in Joel 3:1, happens through the gathering for judgment in verse 2.
All of Joel is prophetic. Some have been fulfilled already, lending to God’s plans revealed through Joel’s writings. He is a true prophet. The parallels to current events are many, and Joel’s prophetic Word is fulfilled now.
“Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither you have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head.” - Joel 3:7
We all live in a world that is becoming more and more anti-God and it is ripe for judgement. If you haven't noticed you haven't been paying attention! Joel's message to Judah (and to us) is reaching its conclusion. For the past few weeks, we've been looking at the prophecies of Joel, and have examined the conditions of the 'day of the Lord' that are described in some detail in this book. Joel chapter 2 took us to the very end of this period of wrath. Joel chapter 3 continues and shows us the basis for the coming judgement of the nations.
"For the Day of the Lord is near upon all the earth." (Obadiah 15).
With Israel’s ultimatum being laid out in last week’s text, Israel must decide FOR the Lord God Jehovah if they are to receive of God’s favor.
In the passage we are studying today (2:14-29), we see God reversing the pain and misery that he earlier brought upon the disobedient children of Israel, and warned would be worse if there were no repentance.
Even in the midst of judgment, the opportunity to repent was given. If the people would demonstrate genuine repentance, the Lord stood ready to forgive and bless.
As Joel warns of an invading enemy coming to conquer His people, God lays out an ultimatum for the Jews in the passage today: “Deliverance for obedience.” It is a call for them to return unto Him, if they are to survive and remain in good standing with God. His agape’ is not at risk; it’s because of His agape’ that He makes this offer to them.
As we finish up chapter one and begin chapter two in the book of Joel this week, we find the prophet Joel, who was as a spiritual watchman over Judah, pleading with the nation to repent. In Joel 2:12–19, he pleaded with the nation to turn to the Lord in genuine repentance as the only way to avoid the devastating destruction of the coming “day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15).
It’s important to notice that while the prophet Joel is calling the nations and Israel to repentance, he’s not simply encouraging them to repent with lofty religious words; he’s calling them to repent by fully surrendering to the Lord and changing their actions. Notice what the Lord says through the prophet Joel:
“...turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." — Joel 2:12-13
What a beautiful picture of how genuine heart change (repentance), from the inside out, leads to God being eager to demonstrate His love and mercy despite the obvious reality that none deserve it. Now that’s good news! This will lead us to the last part of Joel as he elaborates on what a future hope can look like for those who repent, turn to the Lord, and fully embrace His ways.
The prophet Joel functioned as a spiritual watchman over Judah. In Joel 2:12–19, he pleaded with the nation to turn to the Lord in genuine repentance as the only way to avoid the devastating destruction of the coming “day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15). The prophet’s call began like so: “‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:12–13).
We are beginning our study from the book of Joel.
The overriding theme of the Book of Joel is the Day of the Lord, a day of God’s wrath and judgment. It's importance to the canon of Scripture stems from its being the first to develop this oft-mentioned biblical theme. While Obadiah mentioned the terrifying event first (Obadiah 15), Joel’s book gives some of the most striking and specific details in all of Scripture about the day of the Lord—days cloaked in darkness, armies that conquer like consuming fire, and the moon turning to blood. Rooted in such vibrant and physical imagery, this time of ultimate judgment, still future for us today (2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10), makes clear the seriousness of God’s judgment on sin.
The prophet Joel delivers a message about a horrific locust infestation that has descended upon Judah, stripping the land bare and causing widespread famine. He describes the complete destruction of crops and vineyards, leaving the people with nothing to harvest or offer as sacrifices.
The chapter progresses into a call for mourning and lament, urging the priests, farmers, and drunkards alike to acknowledge the severity of the situation and plead for God’s mercy. Joel concludes by calling for a solemn assembly and a time of fasting to appease God’s wrath.
As we embark on a study of the Prophet Joel, Judah, the setting for the book, is devastated by a vast horde of locusts. This invasion of locusts destroys everything—the fields of grain, the vineyards, the gardens and the trees. Joel symbolically describes the locusts as a marching human army and views all of this as divine judgment coming against the nation for her sins.
This week's study is from the third epistle of John.
Third John was one of five New Testament books written by the apostle John. This is the last of his three letters in the New Testament. It was written to a man called "the wellbeloved Gaius," a believer who was an early church leader (3 John 1:1).While Gaius was dealing with certain troubles in his area, John wanted to direct him, not only in how to respond to the trials but also how to relate to those who proclaim the truth. John’s three epistles are largely concerned with the issue of fellowship—with God, with enemies of the gospel and, in the case of 3 John, with those who proclaim the truth. John wanted to ensure a warm welcome from the churches to those who traveled around preaching the gospel, offering them hospitality and a send-off “in a manner worthy of God” (3 John 1:6).
How do you show hospitality to other Christians, particularly those who serve you and others in your local church and at churches around the world? Showing hospitality to others—particularly strangers—requires a level of trust and acceptance that is not necessarily required of us in our everyday lives. It forces us to rely on a common bond in Jesus Christ.
Today we study a most personal letter from John to a fellow believer. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon, regarding Onesimus; full of love, and hope for personal and spiritual growth for both of them.
John’s well-beloved Gaius received this personal letter that was deemed important enough to be included in the Cannon of the Bible. The theme is the walk of believers, and to a lesser degree the need for Christians to be discerning about whom they spend time with, even within the Church.
This week we are in the second epistle of John, sort of a continuation of the overall theme of 1 John, a "recall to the fundamentals of the faith," adherence to the truth (v. 4), love (v. 5), and obedience (v. 6).John continues to remind believers of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while warning them of the dangers of deception. In his second epistle, John is writing to a lady and her children, someone he seems to be very familiar with. He is giving her the biblical guidelines of the gracious hospitality that Christians are commanded to (Romans 12:13).
Remember, John is still warning these believers of the false prophets and teachers threatening the church. Their false doctrine was the beginnings of Gnostic thought and had been making its way into the ears of naive Christians, gaining influence over them, and destroying the foundation of the Church. False teachers seek to make converts who will follow after them, and they will take advantage Christian hospitality in order to advance their cause. The apostle warns his readers against showing hospitality to such deceivers. True believers must walk in truth, and love within the limits that truth allows. Love must be discerning. It is extremely important that we check everything we see, hear, and read that claims to be “Christian” with the Scriptures. This cannot be too strongly emphasized because one of Satan’s greatest weapons is deceit. It is very easy to be taken in by a new and exciting doctrine that appears to be based on Scripture but which, if examined closely, is in fact a departure from the Word of God. If what appears to be happening does not line up explicitly with Scripture, then this is false and not of the Spirit, and we should have nothing to do with it.
In Galatians 1:6-9 we learn how to test the teachings of others. It is a test to the authenticity of any “new” doctrine. If it is not already in the Bible, believers are to be suspicious of it, and search the scriptures like a Berean (Acts 17:10-11).
This week we are picking up our study of 1 John 5 from verse 10.
In this final section of 1 John (5:13-21), John the things every believer can and should know. Seven times the word know appears. Christianity is not an “I hope so” or “I think so” faith. It is an “I know so” faith because what has been revealed in the Bible was given to us by God, a God who speaks and a God who speaks only truth. As he brings his letter to close, what is it, in particular, that John wants, that God wants, every child of His to know?
- We can know we have eternal life
- We can know that God answers prayer
- We can know victory over sin
- We can know we belong to God
- We can know what is true
The Apostle John began making his point in the beginning of this Epistle, and now he drives the point home for us in this second half of 1 John 5. From “whosoever” meaning me, to an “assurance” of salvation if we believe.
1 John chapter 5 emphasizes the believer's ability to "overcome" the world (1 John 5:1–5) through the power of Christ. Overcomers are those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The term witness is the theme of verses (6-12). The passage concerns the witness or testimony of God and the Spirit to the world regarding the great truth of the deity of Jesus Christ. He gives two kinds of testimony: external (6-9) which we will cover today, and internal (vs. 10-12) which we will cover next week.
Genesis 12:1–3 introduces the beginning of God's relationship with Abram; this is the earliest history of the nation of Israel. Without any recorded preamble, God shows up in Abram's life with a command to go away from where he is to an unnamed place. In the going, God promises to make Abram a great nation, to bless him, to give him a great name, and to make him a blessing.
Now God continues these promises: God will bless those who bless Abram. God will curse those who dishonor Abram. In Abram, God will bless all the families, or "peoples," of the earth.
Knowing what we know now about the history of God's relationship with Israel, it's clear that God does indeed keep these promises (Deuteronomy 34:1–4; Joshua 1:1–9). Of course, Abram currently has no way of knowing that for sure. Instead, he will have to trust God to keep his vows (Hebrews 6:13–18).
This week we come to the fourth chapter of John's first epistle. Pastor Bob shares some insight from the writing of the epistles to first couple of chapters in the book of Revelation. It was written about 6 years after John's epistles. When looking at John's epistles, we can easily see why there was a need for Revelation 2 and 3. The Holy Spirit had been showing John exactly what needed to take place, what needed to be done, and what needed to be written in order to restore true faith to the Christian churches, the churches of Jesus Christ.
John turns from the importance of love to the importance of belief in god's truth in the previous chapters.
In this epistle here in chapter 4, John commands believers to test the spirits. This is necessary if you’re going to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. You have to know whatever information is coming to you by its source. Error is not benign; it is malignant. It is not human; it is demonic. Spiritual truth comes from the Holy Spirit and it is life-giving, life-sustaining, life-producing, God-glorifying, or it comes from demons. It is either the doctrine of God or the doctrine of demons. It is either that word which is sent and energized by the Holy Spirit, or it is that which comes from seducing spirits. And teachers are either the true teachers of God or hypocritical liars, espousing the doctrine of demons fostered by seducing spirits. We must know the difference because of the malignancy of error, because of the power of truth. The truth gives life; error kills.In the second division of this chapter (4:7-21), John is true to his pattern of developing the same subjects, each time broadening, expanding, and expounding their significance. John returns once again to the moral test of love. These verses constitute one long unit describing what perfect love is and that it is available to us.
Since God's nature is love, whoever is born of God loves. John makes the point that in the new birth, this aspect of the divine nature becomes part of who you are. The new birth is the imparting to you of divine life, and an indispensable part of that life is love. God’s nature is love, and in the new birth that nature becomes part of who you are. Love is, and love starts with God. Any love that we have is because we are connected with God by the new birth. We are born again into His family, as sons and daughters, and we have been given the Holy Spirit's abiding presence in our lives.
In the Book of Revelation, John proved to us that he was an obedient servant in chapter 1:19. When told to “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” that is what he did, and with precision. He had seen all of Jesus’ Earthly ministry, and the first century of church history. He recorded all of it: the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the blessings of Christian brotherhood to the errors of doctrine that gained a foothold in one church or another, John made sure he wrote of it.But because of what John had seen during that first century, his First Epistle introduces the need for Revelation 2 & 3. False doctrines, false teachers, and false prophets had quietly snuck into Jesus’ Church, lest any forget Whose Churches these are!
Hence the subject matter of the Epistle we are going through now.
This week we'll finish up 1 John 3, from verses 10-24.
Throughout his letter, John has been giving us tests to see if we’ve been truly changed by Jesus, tests of a true Christian.
As we finish chapter three, here’s another one: do you love the brethren? If you don’t love others, there’s a problem.
Christians are to be people of love. Love is a gift from God, love is who God is, and love is who we are to be as followers of God.
This message is foundational and fundamental. It’s one of the oldest messages for the followers of God.
John focuses on love for one another (1 John 3:11). This passage consists of three main parts. Verses 11 through 15 focus on the love believers should have for one another. Verses 16 through 18 describe loving one another by our actions. Verses 19 through 24 discuss whether our hearts condemn us or not. First John 3:21 notes, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." When we have confessed our sins and abide (remain) in Christ, we can ask for anything according to His will and receive it (1 John 3:22).
The final two verses also offer an important reminder. John again focuses on love for God through Jesus as well as loving one another, offering teaching closely similar to the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37–40.
These verses also highlight the triune nature of God. John mentions God twice in verse 24, the Son Jesus Christ in verse 23, and the Spirit in verse 24. All three persons of the triune Godhead are distinct, yet serve in perfect community as the one true God.
True Christians are to Love One Another because in Christ we have been given the capacity to love. It is the characteristic of God, and therefore because we have been born of His Spirit, and have His abiding presence in our lives, we bear the same characteristics as our Savior. Loving others is evidence of a true believer.
As we begin our study today, starting in 1 John 2:26, John continues to contrast the differences between false and true Christians, false and true teachers, the spirit of antichrists, and the Holy Spirit. For the young believer, some who have not yet been taught much, it is many times difficult for them to sort out the differences. John wants to make those distinctions clear, to know the truth from lies, true believers from heretics. As he has already given them several doctrinal and moral tests of a true believer. John then builds up their faith, by defining the Spirit that indwells every believer.This section also deals with the "purifying hope" of every Christian--the return of Christ. John uses this hope to elaborate on the love and obedience of the believer. The hope of Christ's return has a sanctifying effect on our behavior.
Conviction is for the Holy Spirit to bring through the Word, and teachers are to supply encouragement from the scriptures.God’s program of “Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) never includes humiliation but is uplifting to the goal of a closer walk with Jesus.
1 John chapter 2 acts as a guide for all believers, reminding us that our relationship with God is reflected in our actions and love for others. In a world filled with distractions and false teachings, we are encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, abiding in His truth, and continually growing in spiritual maturity. As we walk in obedience and love, we can be assured of our place in His eternal kingdom.
John's focus on right fellowship with God, includes a lifestyle of overcoming sin.
This episode is based on 1 John chapter 2, John's focus is on fellowship with God, and that those who abide in Christ must also walk as He walked.
One of the purposes of this Epistle was to stress the full though sinless humanity of Jesus and to assure believers of the certainty of their gift of salvation. A further purpose was to refute those in the church who were seeking to accommodate Gnostic philosophies and practices into their Christian faith and life.
You can almost hear John's pastoral heart shining through as he appeals to believers, warning them not to give in to those who teach things contrary to the gospel. Don't deny Jesus. Jesus and the message of the gospel are the only sources of everlasting joy.
As believers we must walk in the light.
There are two distinct groups in Scripture, those who Walk in the Light, and those who Walk in Darkness They are the Saved and the Unsaved. It is the separation of believers from non-believers. 1 Thessalonians 5 succinctly describes this contrast: Believers Walk in Light, not Darkness; we are Children of the Day, not Night; Believers are Alert, not Asleep; they are Sober, Not Drunk. To walk in the light, is to follow Jesus. We are no more children of darkness. Ephesians 5:8 says, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." To “walk” is, in short, to live one’s life. One’s lifestyle or way of life can be considered a “walk.” The word also indicates progress. Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity. “Light” in the Bible can be a metaphor for life, happiness, righteousness, or understanding. The Bible is clear that light comes from the Lord God, the “Father of the lights” (James 1:17). He is the opposite of evil. Putting it all together, walking in the light means growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow Jesus.
First John is one of five New Testament books written by the apostle John. The others are the Gospel of John, 2 John, 3 John, and the book of Revelation. This is the first of his three letters in the New Testament. Its recipients were clearly believers, but no specific audience is mentioned. Since John traditionally ministered among churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in his later years, this letter was most likely written to one or more of these congregations.
This letter’s audience was clearly dealing with problems related to false teachers. John warns against them throughout this entire writing. John also develops themes of fellowship, Christ-like love, forgiveness of sins, and assurance of salvation. It has been suggested that John’s audience was already well aware of the basics of the gospel message, since these are not included in this letter. Instead, John focuses on specific needs related to the congregation.
Jesus speaks in verse 7, "Behold, I come quickly..." Then you see it in verse 12, “Behold, I come quickly.” And you get over in verse 20, and you read, “Surely I come quickly.” There’s a kind of urgency here it’s pressing the Christian to respond and take care of some very important things. It's also pressed with the urgency of warning to the unbeliever.
Revelation then ends its description of the future and returns to more immediate commands from Jesus. The angel commends what John has seen as accurate and worthy of trust. This is followed by a statement reiterating the idea that "I am" is coming soon. This might have confused John, seeing as the words are those of Jesus, but it had been the angel speaking up to that point. Perhaps in confusion, John starts to worship the angel, but is immediately corrected (Revelation 22:6–9).
Chapter 22 takes us beyond those things that must take place (vv. 1–5). God’s redeemed people will find eternal rest and refreshment in and with Him. But the language used by John in this splendid word picture is comprehensive and provides a healing and glorious glimpse of what has been accomplished by the redeeming work of Christ. John speaks of the Tree of Life and its healing effects for the redeemed.
To grasp the significance of this scene we must go back to Genesis 3 and the aftermath of the fall of Adam and Eve.
In Revelation 22:1–5, three elements of Christ’s redeeming work experienced in this life but consummated in His return are on display. First, there is restoration. The earth is restored. Second, there is a reversal of the curses and consequences of sin introduced in Genesis 3. John says the leaves of the Tree of Life are good for the healing of the nations. Third, John’s mention of restored access to the Tree of Life includes complete reconciliation with God and a renewed intimacy with Him. This is set forth in verses 3–5. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the midst of His people. They shall see His face, His name shall be on their forehead, and God shall be their light.
Revelation then ends its description of the future and returns to more immediate commands from Jesus. The angel commends what John has seen as accurate and worthy of trust. This is followed by a statement reiterating the idea that "I am" is coming soon. This might have confused John, seeing as the words are those of Jesus, but it had been the angel speaking up to that point. Perhaps in confusion, John starts to worship the angel, but is immediately corrected. "And" beginning verse 7 marks a change in speakers. The speaker is no longer the angel who spoke in verse 6, but Jesus Christ, the One who is coming quickly. (Revelation 22:6–9).
“He is risen!” These are 3 words that have changed the very outlook and trajectory of all humankind. These 3 words are the key to the Christian faith.
Today in our study of God’s Word we come to Matthew’s text on the resurrection of Jesus. In this wonderful chapter, Matthew gives His account of the greatest event in the history of the world, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the great cornerstone of the Christian faith, and what truly sets Jesus apart as completely unique. Everything that we are and have and ever hope to be, all that we believe in is predicated on the reality of the resurrection. There would be no Christianity if there were no resurrection. Conversely because there is a resurrection, all elements of our faith are affirmed as true in every sense. The resurrection then is the cornerstone of our faith.
After the darkness and agony of the previous chapter, Matthew 28 is filled with life and worship and dismay. It also sets the stage for the birth of the church and the mission to follow. Jesus had died on the cross and was buried before sundown in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The chief priests and elders received permission from Pilate to post a guard of Roman soldiers at the tomb to keep the body from being stolen. They did not want Jesus' followers to be able to claim He had been resurrected (Matthew 27:57–66).
“He is risen!” These are 3 words that have changed the very outlook and trajectory of all humankind. These 3 words are the key to the Christian faith.
Today in our study of God’s Word we come to Matthew’s text on the resurrection of Jesus. In this wonderful chapter, Matthew gives His account of the greatest event in the history of the world, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the great cornerstone of the Christian faith, and what truly sets Jesus apart as completely unique. Everything that we are and have and ever hope to be, all that we believe in is predicated on the reality of the resurrection. There would be no Christianity if there were no resurrection. Conversely because there is a resurrection, all elements of our faith are affirmed as true in every sense. The resurrection then is the cornerstone of our faith.
Jesus and the disciples have nearly completed their long journey from the region of Galilee in the north to Jerusalem. They have now travelled the last leg from Jericho to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, not far from Jerusalem's gates.
Before entering Jerusalem, though, Jesus directs two of His disciples to go into a village where they will find a donkey and its colt tied up. Jesus has arranged to ride the colt into Jerusalem to intentionally fulfill a prophecy about the Messiah. Zechariah predicted the King would come humbly and riding a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). The symbolism of this is easy to miss. Donkeys are common work animals and unsuited for battle. Victorious conquerors of that era would parade on horses, much as a modern general might ride into a city on the back of a tank. Riding a donkey, rather than a warhorse, is more like a modern person sitting in a pickup truck. In the future, Christ will come in power and judgment (Revelation 19:11–16). This time, His arrival is consistent with His role as a sacrificial Savior (Matthew 21:1–7).
As Jesus rides toward the gates, the large crowd following Him is joined by even more people coming out of Jerusalem, who have heard He is arriving. They put their outer garments and branches on the road in front of Him as symbols of submission and Jewish victory. They also shout out lines from Psalm 118 that are meant for the Messiah: "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Jerusalem is stirred up. People who don't know ask who Jesus is. Some reply that He is a prophet from Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 21:8–11).
Jesus later enters the massive temple in Jerusalem. He drives out those selling and buying animals. He overthrows the tables and benches of the moneychangers. This seems to be a second, separate incident from the one recorded in the gospel of John (John 2:13–22). Jesus' anger is not about business or money, itself, but the crass way in which these men are profiting from the spiritual needs of the people (Matthew 21:12–13).
While at the temple, Jesus heals some blind and lame people who come to Him for help. Some children see this and begin to repeat the praises of the crowds as Jesus rode into town. Jesus defends the children to some chief priests and scribes who question Him. He does this, once again, by citing Old Testament Scripture (Matthew 21:14–17).
In Matthew 21, we come to a monumental moment in the history of our Lord. This is the event we call the triumphal entry, or Palm Sunday. Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem to all of the praise and hosannas of the people who are acclaiming Him as the King and the Messiah. In this triumphant day of acclamation, what looked like the most hopeful moment in the life of our Lord, with many thousands of people crying Hosanna to their conquering hero. Palm Sunday is a day for Hallelujahs, a day for Hosannas. As King Jesus enters Jerusalem to the praise of His people, the waving of palm branches, the casting of their garments at His feet. This is the day when the people of Jerusalem and of all Israel gathered to the Passover. People who were even gentile proselytes to Judaism, were all in a massive mob hailing Him as Son of David, King of Israel. A day in which the anticipation of the long awaited Messiah seemed to have met its fruition, its fulfillment. Finally He had come. Finally the one they had prayed for and longed for had arrived. Tragically, by Friday He was dead; really, at the hands of the very people who had hailed Him on Sunday.The death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross was no accident. It was not a bad ending to a noble effort by a good man. In fact, Jesus’ death on the cross was not the ending of His story; it was really the beginning of our salvation. The death of Jesus Christ was not even the end of His life. It was the goal of His life, and the beginning of our eternal lives.
Jesus’ death on the cross was not the triumph of Satan. It was the triumph of God. When the Romans nailed Jesus to the cross and raised it into the Judean sky, on that Friday afternoon, Christ had won. He had won the victory over sin and Satan and death and hell. God’s lamb was dying triumphantly over all the forces of evil he had conquered, and provided salvation for his people.He came to offer Himself as the only sacrifice for sin that could satisfy the wrath of God. In His death is the only payment for sin by which God can forgive sinners.
John attempts to describe the New Jerusalem in terms others can understand. In doing so, he mentions precious materials such as gold and jasper, but associates them with properties those materials don't normally have. Gold, for instance, is not normally "clear," and neither is jasper. This is John's struggle in explaining what he sees; a modern person might say they saw smoke that looked like "transparent lead," and those hearing it would understand the mixture of two separate ideas. Here, John does something similar in his effort to describe the indescribable (Revelation 21:9–21). Describing the effect of God's glory radiating from the New Jerusalem, the city appeared to the apostle like one gigantic precious stone. It was crystal-clear and unblemished. Heaven's capital city is thus pictured as a huge, flawless diamond, refracting the brilliant, blazing glory of God throughout the new heaven and the new earth.
John also points out that there is no temple in this new city, since there is no need for a temple. Temples, priests, and rituals are all necessary when man is somehow separated from God. Two people speaking face-to-face don't need telephones or letters; those living in direct communion with God won't need a temple. This description also re-emphasizes the perfect holiness of this New Jerusalem, and the fact that only those who put their faith in Christ will be found there (Revelation 21:22–27). Revelation 22 is the final chapter of the New Testament. There, John will complete his description of the New Jerusalem and give some final words to those who read this text.
The most distinguishing characteristic of the capital city of eternity is that it is the throne of the eternal, Almighty One, and therefore had the glory of God in it. Radiating from the New Jerusalem will be the brilliance of the full manifestation of God's glory, so much so that "the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.The chapter concludes revealing that this great glory, security, and fellowship are available for all people. The nations walk by its light and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. They will bring the glory and the honor of the nations (21:26). Isaiah also prophesied of this moment.
Those who do not submit to God will not be allowed to enter through the gates. Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter into this glorious fellowship with God and receive the eternal blessings and rewards. These images portray the glory and blessings we will enjoy in full fellowship with God in the age to come after Christ returns.
At the end of Revelation chapter 21, John described the beauty of New Jerusalem. This depiction briefly concludes in chapter 22.
John sees a river of the water of life. This contrasts with the pollution and decay seen during the tribulation. It also echoes the original state of the garden of Eden. Water and life are often intertwined in Scripture, especially in the writings of John (John 4:14; 7:37–38). This city also contains a tree of life, something from which fallen man was specifically barred after the fall (Genesis 3:22–24). The reference to the leaves being used for "healing" leads some to suggest that New Jerusalem will exist somewhere above earth prior to the end of the millennium, others see this as a symbolic reference to permanent, eternal health and life. Light, as well, is a crucial metaphor in the Bible, representing truth and knowledge (John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Matthew 4:16). John also notes that all evil, darkness, and night are gone from this holy city (Revelation 22:1–5).
Following the great white throne judgment of chapter 20, John sees a new heaven and a new earth. Scholars debate whether this means that all of creation will be destroyed and re-made, or that God will re-condition creation. The terminology used seems to suggest a new creation. John sees the new city of Jerusalem descending onto the earth, and voices celebrating the restored relationship between God and man. In particular, John hears the voice from the throne declare an end to suffering, pain, and death for all of eternity. At the same time, John hears a reminder that sin, and those who chose it over God, are condemned to the "second death" of hell (Revelation 21:1–8).
From the time described midway through Genesis chapter 3 until the events of Revelation 20, earth experienced—is experiencing—the presence of sin and death. At the end of chapter 20, John sees God delivering the final and ultimate judgment on Satan, casting all evil into the lake of fire. At that point, creation will finally be free from everything wicked, and what follows is a description of a remade, restored earth.
Following the great white throne judgment of chapter 20, John sees a new heaven and a new earth. Scholars debate whether this means that all of creation will be destroyed and re-made, or that God will re-condition creation. The terminology used seems to suggest a renewal. John sees the new city of Jerusalem descending onto the earth, and voices celebrating the restored relationship between God and man. In particular, John hears the voice from the throne declare an end to suffering, pain, and death for all of eternity. At the same time, John hears a reminder that sin, and those who chose it over God, are condemned to the "second death" of hell (Revelation 21:1–8).
After the final defeat and punishment of Satan, the rest of mankind is resurrected. These are the non-believers, brought back to life in the second resurrection. This brings them to a great white throne, symbolic of purity and justice. Unlike the rainbow throne described in earlier chapters, this one is austere. Those who died in Christ are judged on the basis of His life, rather than their own—those are the persons whose names were written in the book of life (John 3:16–18). In contrast, here at the great white throne judgment, unbelievers are judged on their own deeds, which means damnation (Romans 6:23). Every person who did not follow Christ is consigned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15).
At this point in Revelation, victory over death and evil is complete. Every harm, every wrong, and every sin has been punished. Every person who followed God has been restored and rescued. Satan is gone forever. All wrongs have been made right. What follows in the next chapters are John's visions of the eternity believers will share with Christ.
Unique among all books ever written, the Bible accurately foretells specific events-in detail-many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur.
The acid test for identifying a true prophet of God is recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:21-22. According to this Bible passage (and others), God’s prophets, as distinct from Satan’s spokesmen, are 100 percent accurate in their predictions. There is no room for error.
The faithfulness of God is seen in His faithfulness to His Word. Every promise is fulfilled, every word true.
After the final defeat and punishment of Satan, the rest of mankind is resurrected. These are the non-believers, brought back to life in the second resurrection. This brings them to a great white throne, symbolic of purity and justice. Those who died in Christ are judged on the basis of His life, rather than their own—those are the persons whose names were written in the book of life (John 3:16–18). In contrast, here at the great white throne judgment, unbelievers are judged on their own deeds, which means damnation (Romans 6:23). Every person who did not follow Christ is consigned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15).
As we get into chapter 20 of the book of Revelation, we are now in the Millennial kingdom, the goal toward which all of redemptive history progresses.
When Christ returns, He will establish a literal kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years.
In this chapter we will see the binding of Satan for a thousand-year duration. Christ's thousand-year earthly kingdom, Satan's final rebellion, and the Great White Throne Judgment. In the end, Jesus Christ will make all things right. Alleluia!
John sees an angel binding Satan with a great chain and confining him to the bottomless pit for a thousand years. During this time, it seems Satan is not allowed to exert his normal influence on the world. Part of this binding, and eventual releasing, seems to be to prove that mankind is desperately wicked—even after a millennium of peace, some people will still choose to reject God, as seen later in the chapter. During this time, those who were saved during the tribulation are brought back to life: the first resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6).
Satan's release at the end of the thousand years results in a rebellion. This is a sad commentary on man's limitless ability to reject God and follow his own stubborn pride. Even after ten centuries of peace and righteousness, led by Christ Himself, so many people will be willing to follow Satan that "their number is like the sand of the sea." Once again, those who oppose God will be soundly defeated—this time, however, Satan is cast forever into the lake of fire. There will be no escape or temptation from the Devil anymore (Revelation 20:7–11).
John sees an angel binding Satan with a great chain and confining him to the bottomless pit for a thousand years. During this time, it seems Satan is not allowed to exert his normal influence on the world. Part of this binding, and eventual releasing, seems to be to prove that mankind is desperately wicked—even after a millennium of peace, some people will still choose to reject God, as seen later in the chapter. During this time, those who were saved during the tribulation are brought back to life: the first resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6).
Satan's release at the end of the thousand years results in a rebellion. This is a sad commentary on man's limitless ability to reject God and follow his own stubborn pride. Even after ten centuries of peace and righteousness, led by Christ Himself, so many people will be willing to follow Satan that "their number is like the sand of the sea." Once again, those who oppose God will be soundly defeated—this time, however, Satan is cast forever into the lake of fire. There will be no escape or temptation from the Devil any more (Revelation 20:7–11).
In part 2 of Revelation 19, John's amazing vision in this section also includes the long-awaited second coming of Jesus Christ. This is a moment of incredible triumph. Jesus' first arrival on earth was humble (Luke 2:7) and involved His sacrificial death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). His return is neither humble nor meek. Christ is described as a royal conqueror, wearing a robe dipped in the blood of His enemies, at the helm of the armies of heaven. Now displayed as the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus will single-handedly obliterate the earthly armies which have amassed against Him (Isaiah 63:3). This results in the damnation of the Antichrist and False Prophet, who become the first two beings cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 19:11–21).
These events mark the end of the tribulation, and the beginning of the millennial kingdom: a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.
Is the world really celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord?
Don’t be fooled, the world doesn’t pay any homage to Jesus Christ, but we must, because the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the cornerstone of all Christian truth. It is the thing upon which our eternal destiny hinges. Spurgeon said, “Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die, I rest my eternity.” And may I add, the resurrection is the why.
The first sermon ever preached in the true church of Jesus Christ was when it was born on the Day of Pentecost, and it was a resurrection sermon. And as you follow the life of the church through the book of Acts, the resurrection is the theme. In chapter 2, Peter preaches resurrection. In chapter 4, he preaches it again. In chapter 10, he preaches it again. In chapter 7, Stephen preaches the resurrection. In chapter 8, Philip preaches the resurrection. In chapters 9, 13 and so forth on through 28, Paul preaches the resurrection.
And then you enter into the epistles and the theme is always the resurrection. In Romans, Christ is raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. In 1 Corinthians, He rose again the third day according to the Scripture. In 2 Corinthians, He who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also. In Galatians, by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. In Ephesians, He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. In Phillipians, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. In Colossians, it is God who raised Him from the dead. In Thessalonians, His Son whom He raised from the dead. In 1 Peter, Peter says, “He has begotten us to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
And the last book of the New Testament echoes the theme of the resurrection as Christ Himself initiates the book in the great statement, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I am He that was dead and am alive forevermore and have the keys of hell and death.” And so it is from the resurrection to the close of the New Testament, the theme is always that He rose from the dead. We must not be fooled by Satan’s efforts to hide the resurrection in the foolishness of the world.
As we begin chapter 19 of Revelation, the scene shifts from earth to heaven. John describes rejoicing and praise. History, literally, "His story," is finally reaching its culmination and Christ will establish His kingdom on earth. From the beginning God is. He is eternal. He is Creator. He is the beginning and the end. He is sovereign over the events of the world. He is true to His Word, and His Word will come to pass. When Jesus returns, He will reward His followers, and punish His enemies.
As we begin Revelation 19, to this point, the earth has been subjected to a series of judgments by God. These were first described as seal judgments (Revelation 5—8), then through the trumpet judgments (Revelation 8—11), and finally the bowl judgments (Revelation 12—16).
The last two chapters gave a poetic description of the fall of "Babylon," both as a corrupt religious system and as the political empire of the Antichrist (Revelation 17—18).
Here, John witnesses prayers from heaven which precede a great celebration, followed by the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth.
Here, John witnesses prayers from heaven which precede a great celebration, followed by the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth.
John now hears a great number of voices praising God. This includes the voices of the twenty-four elders mentioned in earlier passages (Revelation 4:4). Their song proclaims God's justice and once again celebrates the defeat of the "great prostitute" of prior verses. These songs thank God for avenging those who have been martyred for the sake of their faith (Revelation 19:1–5).
Last week we looked at the judgment of God on the physical city of Babylon which will be the political and economic capital of the Antichrist’s world empire. We went through the first 18 verses where we looked at several aspects of judgment. As we finish up this chapter, we will look at a few more aspects of judgment... judgment that is mourned by the unrepentant yet celebrated by the saints. It is a judgment that is finished and justified.
This is the final and absolute destruction of the beast's vast economic and political system.
The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is the hub of commerce and power, and of pervasive wickedness, sinfulness, idolatry and sensual perversions (Revelation 18:1–3).
The sins of Babylon are enormous, and her judgment from God will be in proportion to that sin. The rapid nature of this judgment is revealed. Babylon is fallen, is fallen! In one hour, she’s been laid waste. This was the city, the great city. No city like the great city, and it went down in one hour – not literally, but in one great hour of immediate judgment. Babylon falls completely and forever!
In verse 20, "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her" heaven rejoices. There is rejoicing because righteousness triumphs, because Christ is exalted, because the kingdom comes, and the people damned to hell with all their power and all their will, and all the expression of their heart made their choice against every conceivable warning. This is the rejoicing that heaven waits for, beloved, even today, when sin is crushed, when sinners are destroyed, when the cursed earth is burned and a restored earth is made, and Jesus comes and sets up His kingdom, and peace and righteousness reign. And if you’re a Christian you understand that, because the Lord has endured humiliation long enough, and so have His people. And righteousness and justice and truth and purity have had enough abuse.
Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
In one hour she’s been laid waste. This was the city, the great city. No city like the great city, and it went down in one hour – whether literally in 60 minutes, or not, in one great hour of immediate judgment, Babylon falls completely and forever! Judgment lamented.
In the previous chapter God's judgment was upon the evil "religious" system of Babylon and the false prophet. This week we learn of the absolute destruction of the beast's vast economic and political system.An angel proclaims the destruction of Babylon, specifically making mention of her pervasive wickedness. The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is not only a hub of commerce and power, but of sin, idolatry and sensuality, as well (Revelation 18:1–3).
The sins of Babylon are enormous, and her judgment from God will be in proportion to that sin. The rapid nature of this judgment is first mentioned here, then further noted in later verses (Revelation 18:4–8).
John hears another voice warning "my people" to flee the city. This parallels the Old Testament warning given to Lot to evacuate Sodom in advance of God's judgment (Genesis 19:12–13). Not only does God want "His people" to avoid being caught up in the sins of Babylon, but He also warns them that tangible judgment is coming, and they need to flee.
In the previous chapter God's judgment was upon the evil "religious" system of Babylon and the false prophet. This week we learn of the absolute destruction of the beast's vast economic and political system.An angel proclaims the destruction of Babylon, specifically making mention of her pervasive wickedness. The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is not only a hub of commerce and power, but of sin, idolatry and sensuality, as well (Revelation 18:1–3).
The sins of Babylon are enormous, and her judgment from God will be in proportion to that sin. The rapid nature of this judgment is first mentioned here, then further noted in later verses (Revelation 18:4–8).
John hears another voice warning "my people" to flee the city. This parallels the Old Testament warning given to Lot to evacuate Sodom in advance of God's judgment (Genesis 19:12–13). Not only does God want "His people" to avoid being caught up in the sins of Babylon, but He also warns them that tangible judgment is coming, and they need to flee.
John is shown a vision which symbolizes two additional judgments which are spread out over the tribulation. Chapter 17 focuses on the ruin of "religious Babylon," an ungodly spiritual system which is at first supported, then ruined by the efforts of the beast. Chapter 18 will describe the fall of Babylon in a political or economic sense.In Revelation, Babylon refers to the entire worldwide political, economic and religious kingdom of the Antichrist. Throughout history, Babylon has been the center of rebellion and false religion. It was the birthplace of idolatry. In Genesis 10:8-10, the devil seduced and deceived Nimrod, who was the leader in building the city of Babel and the Tower of Babel to worship false gods rather than the true and living God. Nimrod established a system of idol worship that detested God and worshiped Satan which launched false religion all over the earth after God confounded their language and thus they were scattered all around the world (Genesis 11:1-9). In the end, it will be the same deception, there is nothing new under the sun. The final world religion is depicted as a harlot in Revelation 17, and pictures Babylon as causing the entire world to become intoxicated with her pleasures, her whoredom, and unbridled indulgence in all manner of fornication, rebellion, hatred and idolatry toward God. "Fornication" means spiritual prostitution to the Antichrist's false system.
At this point in Revelation, the bowl judgments have been described, and all that remains of the tribulation is the second coming of Christ. Before this is explained, John is shown a vision which symbolizes two additional judgments which are spread out over the tribulation. Chapter 17 focuses on the ruin of "religious Babylon," an ungodly spiritual system which is at first supported, then ruined by the efforts of the beast. Chapter 18 will describe the fall of Babylon in a political or economic sense.
Today we are finishing up the sixteenth chapter of Revelation describing the last three bowl judgments. They are God's judgments that will be poured out upon the earth because of the willful rejection of God, and His means of salvation through Jesus Christ. These are called "the last" judgments and will take place just before the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the ushering in of His Millennial Kingdom. Each of these seven judgments come in rapid succession, each one stronger and more furious as they are emptied out.
Last week we covered the first four judgments, today we begin with the fifth bowl judgment as it plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness. The wicked, those who have aligned themselves with the beast, having taken his mark will by no means repent and turn to God, they respond by gnawing their tongues in anguish and by cursing God. It is incredibly sad those who face God's wrath do so by their own choice. It is sad that anyone would choose hell over heaven; Satan over God; lies over truth; death over life; judgment over salvation, but they do, and they will.
The sixth judgment dries up the Euphrates to prepare the way for the kings of the east. Next, demons assemble the kings (leaders) of the whole earth to battle against God at a location referred to as Armageddon, meaning the hill—or mountain—of Megiddo (Revelation 16:8–16).
The seventh bowl judgment brings about an earthquake that splits Jerusalem into three parts. Also, as a result of this earthquake, cities worldwide fall, Babylon feels God's wrath, islands flee, mountains crumble, and hailstones weighing about 100 pounds bombard people. Still, the wicked refuse to repent. Instead, they curse God (Revelation 16:17–21).
Revelation 16 resumes the account of God's judgments on the wicked. It describes the bowl judgments, the third seven-part series of God's wrath described in the book of Revelation. Prior to this were seven seal judgments, the last of which were the trumpets. The trumpet judgments totaled seven, the last of which were these bowls of the wrath of God.
The fifth bowl judgment plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness. The wicked respond by gnawing their tongues in anguish and by cursing God. The sixth judgment dries up the Euphrates to prepare the way for the kings of the east. Next, demons assemble the kings of the whole earth to battle against God at a location referred to as Armageddon, meaning thehill—or mountain—of Megiddo (Revelation 16:8-16)).
The seventh bowl judgment brings about an earthquake that splits Jerusalem into three parts. Also, as a result of this earthquake, cities worldwide fall, Babylon feels God's wrath, islands flee, mountains crumble, and hailstones weighing about 100 pounds bombard people. Still, the wicked refuse to repent. Instead, they curse God (Revelation 16:17-21).
The events in this chapter are God's judgments upon a rejecting world. They are horrifying, and heartbreaking as you realize that God has been calling and pleading with mankind to repent and return to Him since the beginning, and that man in His sin will willfully and stubbornly reject Him, thus bearing the consequences of their sin.
This chapter covers, "The Vials of God's Wrath." These judgments, are also known as the "Bowl" judgments, or the "last judgments." This is the last half of the seven-year tribulation period. Mankind, that is, those still alive on the earth, are still able to avail themselves of God's saving grace, but as we will see, few if any will do so. The Jewish remnant has fled to the wilderness where they are protected by God, as the beast's fierce rage is ravishing those refusing to receive his mark. Multitudes are being hunted down and executed. Survivors of the previous judgments are still reeling from the effects, and now we have come to the "last judgements." These are God's vials of wrath, and they are about to be poured out upon the earth. In light of these catastrophic events, which by the way, are not natural, or man-made, they are the judgements of God being poured out upon sinful, rebellious, God rejecting mankind.
These bowl judgements come in rapid succession leaving no time to recover. Each judgement, stronger than the previous, is more intense as they are being poured out.
Understand, that the Church, that is, believers in Christ, those who have by faith received forgiveness of sins, and salvation through Jesus Christ, are not on the earth during this period. The church is already with the Lord and will not face God's wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
The Vial Judgments, otherwise known as the "Bowl" judgments are described in chapter 16. These judgments are called "the last" judgments. They will come in rapid succession, each one stronger and more intense as they are emptied out. The Seven Golden Vials symbolize God's judgment. They are shallow saucers, familiar items associated with various functions of the temple worship. Their flat shallowness pictures how the divine judgments will be emptied instantly rather than slowly poured, upon all who refused to drink the cup of salvation.
As we study this chapter of God’s Word, to be honest, just reading these verses will rip and tear at your heart, the sheer terror of these judgments should invoke prayer for the lost. It should awaken believers to fulfilling our mission of bringing them to Christ before judgment comes. It should awaken those who call themselves "believers" who are sitting on the fence, neither hot, nor cold, one foot in the world and one foot in the church, to get serious about their condition, their faith, and their eternal destiny. This is it! This is the end! Chapter sixteen is the culmination, the final wrath of God filled up and poured out on the ungodly earth.
The writer, Luke, has recorded his divinely inspired account of the birth of the Savior, the Son of the Most High God, the Lord Christ. And with that birth, redemptive action, redemptive purpose, redemptive accomplishment is initiated because the Savior of the world, the Messiah, the Lord, the King has arrived.
From verse 21 down to verse 39, brings into his account the testimony of three witnesses: The parents of Jesus, an old man named Simeon and an old woman named Anna.
On the eighth day, according to the Mosaic Law, Mary and Joseph presented the infant for “circumcision.” At that time He was named “JESUS” as the “angel” had instructed Mary and Joseph.
The presentation of Jesus in the Temple took place after Mary’s purification according to the Law of Moses.
The passage is a clear example of the devotion of Jesus’ parents. They obeyed God’s instructions regarding circumcision. They obeyed God’s instructions regarding purification and dedication. They obeyed God’s instruction regarding the offerings.
A man named Simeon is introduced in this account. His testimony, along with Anna’s testimony, appear in the narrative to give Spirit-led testimony to Jesus Christ.
In the gospel of Luke, the writer, Luke, has recorded his divinely inspired account of the birth of the Savior, the Son of the Most High God, the Lord Christ. And with that birth, redemptive action, redemptive purpose, redemptive accomplishment is initiated because the Savior of the world, the Messiah, the Lord, the King has arrived.
From verse 21 down to verse 39, brings into his account the testimony of three witnesses: The parents of Jesus, an old man named Simeon and an old woman named Anna. The testimonies these would bear great weight on the credibility of Luke's gospel.
Beginning in verse 21, eight days after Jesus was born, Luke presents the scene of circumcision.
Jesus underwent the covenantal custom of circumcision (v. 21; cf. Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:1–3).
**Circumcision of the Flesh - Circumcision of the HeartIn Romans 2:29, Paul discusses the idea of the circumcision of the heart and the role of the Old Testament Law as it relates to Christianity. He argues that Jewish circumcision is only an outward sign of being set apart to God. However, if the heart is sinful, then physical circumcision is of no avail. A circumcised body and a sinful heart are at odds with each other. Rather than focus on external rites, Paul focuses on the condition of the heart. Using circumcision as a metaphor, he says that only the Holy Spirit can purify a heart and set us apart to God. Ultimately, circumcision cannot make a person right with God; the Law is not enough. A person’s heart must change. Paul calls this change “circumcision of the heart.”
Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is the Christian remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as foretold in dozens of prophecies concerning Him in scripture. While modern society has removed themselves from the Christ of Christmas, believers today, still celebrate the coming of the promised Savior. He is the reason of our hope, of our joy, and our salvation, and without Him we would surely be lost.
The true meaning of Christmas is God's love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.
The real Christmas story is the story of God’s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. While many focus on the babe in the manger, Christmas is not about His infancy, it's about His deity. It is about the Person and the Work of God for mankind. Yes, Jesus was born into our world as a tiny infant, so while He was yet fully human, with all the needs and emotions that are common to us all, He was also fully God -- all wise and all powerful. The biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). That lovely night 2,000 years ago, one star lit the heaven and marked the spot where the Christ was born, where God was made flesh.
Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! we celebrate the fact that God so loved the world, that He gave us His only begotten Son. His life is the life He imparts to us and is the greatest gift of all. Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us.
The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
While there is a certain chronology of the announcements of the coming Savior, the emphasis is found in Luke 2:11, the angel says, "There has been born for YOU a Savior." That is the heart of Christmas. It is the heart of the Gospel. It is the heart of the entire Bible. It is the heart of everything! It's the pinnacle of redemption. There has been born for YOU a Savior. That's the Christian message. That's the Christ of Christmas!!
Go share the message of the Savior with someone today!
Christmas Eve Service -
We invite you to join us as we celebrate the reason of our hope, of our joy, and our salvation. We celebrate Jesus, the Reason for the Season. While the world removes the Christ of Christmas - we celebrate the fact that God so loved the world, that He gave us His only begotten Son. His life is the life He imparts to us and is the greatest gift of all.
In Luke 2:11, the angel says, "There has been born for YOU a Savior." That is the heart of Christmas. It is the heart of the Gospel. It is the heart of the entire Bible. It is the heart of everything! It's the pinnacle of redemption. There has been born for YOU a Savior. That's the Christian message. That's the Christ of Christmas!! Yet many will miss it.
Year after year the message is proclaimed, and still millions miss it. Whether out of ignorant preoccupation, ritual, idolatry, and over-familiarity, the bottom line is unbelief. Many people simply refuse to believe in Jesus Christ. The apostle John said, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 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" (John 1:10-12). If you've been missing the reality of Christmas in your life, know that if you receive the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in His name, Christmas will become real to you. It can happen today; and it's between you and God (2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Romans 10:8-11).
While the whole world focuses Santa Claus, materialism or even the babe in the manger, Christmas is not about the Savior's infancy; it is about His deity. The reality of humble birth of Jesus Christ is that God was being born into the world to save us.
The momentous intervention of God into human affairs (especially after such a long period of prophetic silence) should cause awe, amazement, and rejoicing. The events surrounding the coming of the Messiah (who will bring Redemption and Salvation and Everlasting Life) are anything but ordinary and typical. But what we easily forget is that God’s intervention in our own lives to draw us to Himself in saving faith is no less an awe-inspiring wonder of His mercy and grace. His visitation rescues us out of the domain of darkness into His glorious light, and we serve Him in that glorious light of holiness, righteousness and truth. When the Lord “visits” his people, that means he comes down and gets personally involved in their welfare. And when he “redeems” his people, that means he takes action to set them free. That the Lord has visited and redeemed his people is certainly something to praise God for.As we look at Matthew 1 this morning, the genealogy, or what we call a descending record leading through Joseph to Jesus. It comes right on down from Abraham and David, descending down through Joseph to Jesus.Now, as we go through the lineage in Matthew's account, this would be the lineage of Joseph, we find some in the royal bloodline whose wickedness not only disqualified them from the being seated on the throne of David, but God commanded that they should not enter into the congregation of God's people for 10 generations. This curse included their offspring for 10 generations. So, from Phares on down to Boaz (10 generations), and Jechonias down to Jacob (10 generations).
God in His sovereignty devised a plan, which was fulfilled perfectly. Not only that, but is able to use our sordid history and sinful past as part of his seamless plan. With all the sinful failures in Joseph's family tree, these 10-generation punishments did not interfere with God's timeline. In fact, the virgin birth carried the royal right to reign through the bloodline of Mary. God has every aspect covered.
In Luke 1 beginning at verse 26, Gabriel is sent by God to pronounce the most important birth announcement in the history of mankind -
The momentous intervention of God into human affairs (especially after such a long period of prophetic silence) should cause awe, amazement, and rejoicing. The events surrounding the coming of the Messiah (who will bring Redemption and Salvation and Everlasting Life) are anything but ordinary and typical. But what we easily forget is that God’s intervention in our own lives to draw us to Himself in saving faith is no less an awe-inspiring wonder of His mercy and grace. His visitation rescues us out of the domain of darkness into His glorious light, and we serve Him in that glorious light of holiness, righteousness and truth. When the Lord “visits” his people, that means he comes down and gets personally involved in their welfare. And when he “redeems” his people, that means he takes action to set them free. That the Lord has visited and redeemed his people is certainly something to praise God for.
Revelation 15 and 16 present the specific facts of the final outpouring of God's wrath before Christ's return. That wrath is expressed by the effects of the seventh trumpet that we read about in chapter eleven, from verse 15. These are the seven bowl judgments described in Revelation 16.
We must remember that God's nature encompasses not only righteousness and holiness, but also grace and mercy. Even during the devastating judgments of the tribulation, God will continue to call sinners to salvation.
Never doubt the love, mercy and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Anyone who ends up in hell, does so by their own willful choice.
Revelation 15 is a short chapter, bridging two sections in John's series of visions. After the trumpet judgments, the focus of Revelation changed from a more-or-less chronological account to a description of certain people and events. Among these are infamous concepts such as the woman clothed with the sun, the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and the mark of the beast. Here, John will see one final vision before he is shown the rest of the tribulation judgments, represented by bowls.
Today we will be finishing up the rest of chapter 14, verses 7-20 in the book of Revelation.
John’s attention now points to three angels who deliver urgent messages from the Lord. The three angels deliver messages of warning and prophecy, predicting God's impending judgment on sin and evil. There is a specific warning to those who take the mark of the beast described in chapter 13. They are not ignorant of what they do, they know they are rejecting God by doing so. They have rejected Christ the Savior, the only means of their salvation and will face eternal damnation for doing so. This passage ends with a word of encouragement for Christians who suffer persecution for their faith (Revelation 14:6–13).
In John's vision, he sees three angels who deliver messages of warning and prophecy, Predicting God's impending judgment on sin and evil. To those who accept the mark of the beast, the judgment is clear, they will face eternal damnation because they have rejected the Savior and His provision for eternal life. Those who take the mark will know they are rejecting God by doing so. This passage ends with a word of encouragement for Christians who suffer persecution for their faith (Revelation 14:6–13).
The last section of chapter 14 depicts Jesus holding a sickle—a farming tool used to cut plants during the harvest. This passage symbolizes the return of Jesus, and the subsequent battle, in terms of a grape harvest. Just as mature grapes are fat and full of juice, the wickedness of unbelievers on earth will have reached a peak at this moment. Just as a winepress crushes and shreds grapes to make wine, the wrath of God will tear apart those who fight against Christ at the end of the tribulation (Revelation 14:14–20).
Today we will be looking at Revelation chapter 14. It's important to recognize that the events described between chapters 11-16 are not in chronological order. John's is introducing certain key figures and future events towards the end of the Great Tribulation.
As we begin today's study, we notice that John is again writing about a group of believers we've read about before. They are the 144,000, sealed by God, and emerge triumphant at the end surviving Satan's wrath, and God's judgments upon this sinful world. Along with them are a group of others, both Jews and Gentiles who are saved and survive the tribulation. Jesus, along with the 144,000 sealed believers sing a song of praise to God standing upon Mount Zion. What a picture of contrast between these sealed, spiritually pure believers with those who bear the mark of the Antichrist and worship the beast.
These sealed saints sing a song of praise for their protection and triumph, it is the song of redemption. The angels will join in along with the Old Testament saints, the raptured church and the redeemed tribulation martyrs. All of heaven praising God for His redemptive work and the return of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament prophets and the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of a coming harvest of divine wrath when the Messiah will execute final judgment. The wrath of God is described as harvests. The grape harvest and the grain harvest. The grain harvest symbolizes the seven bowl judgments, and the grape harvest symbolizes the judgment of Armageddon.
This week, just as the false christs who have plagued mankind will culminate in the final Antichrist, so also will the false prophets culminate in a final false prophet. He will be Satan's last and most powerful lying deceiver. Along with Satan, the counterfeit of the Father, and Antichrist, the counterfeit of Jesus Christ, the False Prophet will form the satanic false trinity. He will be the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. The false prophet will be Antichrist's partner in Satan's massive final deception of the world. The False Prophet, like Antichrist, will be Satan's mouthpiece, speaking his words. He will speak winsome, deceiving words of praise about the Antichrist, luring the world to worship the satanic dictator.
The second beast in Revelation chapter 13 represents the False Prophet. The first beast represented the Antichrist whose focus will be politics, while the second beast, the False Prophet, will emphasis religion. In the absence of the Church and the Holy Spirit, the unholy trinity will commit blasphemy against the Lord continuously and will establish the Antichrist's system, a one world system that will raise up the Antichrist as the false Messiah. The False Prophet will lead people to worship the Antichrist and to accept the Mark of the Beast. This blasphemous trio, Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet, will control every aspect of the world, but only for a limited time.
The title of the message may throw you off a bit, as today's message is about the coming Antichrist (the beast out of the sea). The reason for the title comes from 2 Peter 1:19-21, and it is to remind ourselves that God's Word came to us by His prophets of old, His witnesses, those who experienced a supernatural relationship with Him, and who were also given supernatural revelation. God, by means of the Holy Spirit, superintended the recording of all of their experiences and all of their writings so that they, in effect, were the revelation of God Himself.
The nature of the Book of Revelation is very important, it is the unveiling of God and His ultimate redemptive plan for all of His Creation. So, as we plow through the unimaginable visions, and new information about the ultimate battle between God and Satan, and how it relates to future events, remember God's Word is sure and it can be trusted.
During the tribulation period, the world will be ruled by a godless man presiding over an evil governmental and religious system. This chapter associates this ruler with the terrible beast in Revelation and Daniel. This chapter reveals two "beasts" often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The symbol mandated for all followers of Antichrist, administered by the False Prophet, is the mark of the beast, which is revealed as the number 666.
The opening verses (1-10) of Revelation 13 feature several features of the Antichrist. This man will be indwelled by the spirit of Satan. His family likeness to Satan is striking, having 10 horns and seven heads with ten crowns on his horns. He will be powerful, deceptive, beguiling, wily, delusive. He is a counterfeit Christ. The world will adore and worship him and no political, military or religious force upon earth will challenge him. He will seek to destroy all who refuse their allegiance and worship of him. His mouth is full of blasphemy against God, and God allows it.
The very thing Satan has always wanted, is to be like God, to be adored like God, worshiped like God and considered high and lofty as God. And in verses 5-6, it reveals something important. It says twice there “there was given to him.” There was given to him a mouth that spoke arrogant words and blasphemies, and there was given to him forty-two months to function. In both these cases, it was given by God, and He has established the limits. And so, it is God who gives him the authority to act during this period of time, the last three and a half years of the time of the tribulation. Literally, God steps out of the way and lets him say whatever he wants to say, and Satan is primarily an arrogant blasphemer. It will be characteristic, then, of the unhindered antichrist who will be free to do whatever he wants and say whatever he wants for this period of time to blaspheme continually.
Often when we read the Bible, new information comes along, and we can be left with more questions than answers. This is why the nature of the Book of Revelation is so important. The Book of Revelation is the unveiling of God and His ultimate plan for all of Creation. We not only see God’s handiwork a little at a time, but His purpose(s) for everything in the history of His Creation: the whole world and its universe.
During the tribulation period, the world will be ruled by a godless man presiding over an evil governmental and religious system. This chapter associates this ruler with the terrible beast in Revelation and Daniel. This chapter reveals two "beasts" often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The symbol mandated for all followers of Antichrist, administered by the False Prophet, is the mark of the beast, which is further related to the number 666.
Since Satan's fall (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 2:11-18), Satan is actively battling with the angelic host, and with believers (Daniel 10:12-13; 1 Peter 5:8). Believers must be Aware and Alert to all of his schemes, giving him no opportunity to weaken our faith and testimony to the world (Ephesians 4:27). We are to resist him (James 4:7). The future battle finds Michael and the angels waging war with the dragon. This ultimate battle may be triggered by the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Michael and Satan, having known each other since they were created, Michael an archangel, defender of God's people; and Satan, the archenemy of God and His people.
Evicted from heaven, Satan's full fury will explode on humanity when he is cast to the earth for the last time. Once, the most glorious, created being (Isaiah 14:12), is forever known as Satan, or "the Adversary." He is the deceiver of the whole world, enemy of God, enemy of man.
In verses 10-12, there is another celebration, Satan and his demons have been defeated, and his presence has been removed from heaven. The Saints in heaven rejoice with an outpouring of praise, the accuser of the brethren has been cast down. They rejoice in the salvation, the power and the kingdom of our God... and in the authority of His Christ.
The joyous praise of triumph is followed by a sober warning to the earth (vs. 12). The Greek word for "wrath" refers to a violent outburst of rage. Satan's rage now becomes more violent because he knows his time is short.
Satan is the great enemy of the church. He fights against God and His people on different fronts and his tactics of warfare many. He accuses, lies, he intimidates and as we’ll see also goes to whatever length he can to be the victor. However, Christ has overcome – and in the end, brings the victory.For us, as believers, Jesus stands between us and our mutual enemy with absolute authority. Christ is inseparable from his faithful sons and daughters. Though Satan tries everything in his power to destroy the church, Jesus promises that even the gates of Hell will not prevail. This is a promise that spoke clearly to the early church and it should encourage us today as well!
Revelation 12 moves from describing Satan, the Devil, that Great Dragon as an accuser, to the praise and worship of Jesus Christ, and finally, to the victory we have as believers through the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony.
Satan is overcome by Michael and his angels but also by the faithful believers who put their trust in the Lamb.
Now that Satan is thrown down, his furious rage turns to the woman (Israel).
In chapter 12, Revelation takes a bit of a detour from the step-by-step narrative of the end times. The events described occur throughout the history of mankind, past, present, and future. In the course of the visions given to John, seven main figures are described. Five of those appear in this chapter. The next two chapters will continue to fill in the details. Chapter 15 adds another vision of heaven, and chapter 16 will return to a more chronological depiction of the last days.
This world that God created is very much the theater in which the story of redemption is played out. From the beginning, Satan and his demonic hosts have done everything imaginable to stop God's redemptive plan for mankind. From Adam and Eve to the final battle in Revelation, Satan will not give up. However, Israel brought forth a Son, the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. Satan was unable to stop Him. Satan's efforts to destroy the chosen bloodline of our Lord failed. His efforts to persecute and stop the spread of the gospel through the Church will continue until the rapture. Even after the Church is raptured, the gospel will go forth and multitudes will be saved. His plans to destroy the Jewish people and God's plan to redeem Israel will continue until Christ's return.
The woman in Revelation 12 represents Israel, and that holy bloodline. God chose Abram and his descendants to bring Messiah into the world. But the bloodline was the focus of multiple Satanic attacks through the ages to end it. That old serpent, Satan, knows that God's Anointed will be his end.
Now in Revelation (the omega of the Bible's Books) we find "the woman" and her seed opening the chapter, a fulfillment of God's prophecy in Genesis 3:15 (the alpha book of the bible). The several other characters made mention of in Revelation 12 all play their parts, but the second of them is "Satan," who is rearing his ugly head again against the blood lineage chosen by God to bring redemption to all mankind. Jesus isn't called the Alpha and Omega for naught!
Humanity is entranced by any theme of Good vs. Evil. Satan could not bring God's Chosen Bloodline to a halt, but his new target has been acquired: Followers of the Messiah - Jesus!
In chapter 12, Revelation takes a detour from the step-by-step narrative of the end times. The events described occur over a wide variety of eras, including past, present, and future. In the course of these visions, seven main figures are described. Five of those appear in this chapter. The next two chapters will continue to fill in the details. Chapter 15 adds another vision of heaven, and chapter 16 will return to a more chronological depiction of the last days.
This world that God created is very much the theater in which the story of redemption is played out. From the beginning, Satan and his demonic hosts have done everything imaginable to stop God's redemptive plan for mankind. From Adam and Eve to the final battle in Revelation, Satan will not give up. However, Israel brought forth a Son, the Messiah, which is Jesus Christ. Satan was unable to stop Him, but his efforts to destroy the Jewish people and God's plan to redeem Israel will continue until Christ's return.
Obadiah is a prophet of God who uses this opportunity to condemn Edom for sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A quarrel between the brothers has affected their descendants for over 1,000 years. This division caused the Edomites to forbid Israel to cross their land during the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. Edom’s sins of pride now require a strong word of judgment from the Lord. Obadiah prophesies judgment against Edom in context with the Day of the Lord when God will judge all nations (v15), and then restore the remnants of Israel and Judah, allowing them to take possession of the territories of their enemies (v17-21). At the end of it all, the Lord reigns as king from Mount Zion, and those who have been delivered by him rule with him over Esau's mountain (v21). Esau's mountain has a double meaning in that Edom was originally the region around Mount Seir, between the Dead Sea and Aqaba. But mountains metaphorically represent kingdoms, so the Lord is portrayed as ruling over Esau's kingdom. By the 6th century BC, Edom was considered to extend southward into what is now Saudi Arabia, as far as Dedan (modern-day Al-Ula) - (see Ezekiel 25:13 and Jeremiah 49:8).
As we have seen the terrorist attacks against Israel this week, and Israel declaring war, Obadiah sheds light on these enemies of Israel, God's warning against the nations, and promise to Israel.
Obadiah is a prophet of God who uses this opportunity to condemn Edom for sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A quarrel between the brothers has affected their descendants for over 1,000 years. This division caused the Edomites to forbid Israel to cross their land during the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. Edom’s sins of pride now require a strong word of judgment from the Lord. Obadiah prophesies judgment against Edom in context with the Day of the Lord when God will judge all nations (v15), and then restore the remnants of Israel and Judah, allowing them to take possession of the territories of their enemies (v17-21). At the end of it all, the Lord reigns as king from Mount Zion, and those who have been delivered by him rule with him over Esau's mountain (v21). Esau's mountain has a double meaning in that Edom was originally the region around Mount Seir, between the Dead Sea and Aqaba. But mountains metaphorically represent kingdoms, so the Lord is portrayed as ruling over Esau's kingdom. By the 6th century BC, Edom was considered to extend southward into what is now Saudi Arabia, as far as Dedan (modern-day Al-Ula) - (see Ezekiel 25:13 and Jeremiah 49:8).
This chapter introduces two prophets referred to as the "two witnesses." Their message, supernatural power, death, and resurrection are dramatic moments in the story of the end times. Their influence precedes the end of the trumpet judgments, and sets the stage for the final series: the seven "bowl" judgments.
This chapter introduces two prophets referred to as the "two witnesses." Their message, supernatural power, death, and resurrection are dramatic moments in the story of the end times. Their influence precedes the end of the trumpet judgments, and sets the stage for the final series: the seven "bowl" judgments.
John is first given a measuring device and told to measure the temple, altar, and worshippers. Measuring, in that era, was symbolic of ownership. Only those who had rights to something—land, a building, or people—were allowed to measure them. As part of this task, John is told that the outer court of the temple is not to be measured. This area, occupied by "the nations," which is a term for Gentiles, is part of a "trampling" experienced by Jerusalem in the end times (Revelation 11:1–2).
How many people through the years have asked why God allows sin to run wild, why God allows sinners to prosper and succeed, why God allows Satan and his demons to deceive and to destroy. If God is there and He is holy, why doesn’t He stop all the chaos and corruption? If God loves His people, why does He allow them to suffer?
When will God destroy the wicked? When will God halt Satan’s enterprise? When will Jesus come and restore all things back to himself? When will the righteous be avenged and the wicked punished? To put it in the words of the prophet, “How long, O Lord, how long?”
These are age-old questions asked since the very beginning.
The people have rejected God, rejected His authority, rejected His word, rejected His Son, the gospel of salvation, forgiveness. They will not recognize Him as their Creator. They do not want Him as their Lord. They will not abandon their sin, nor will they repent and seek the Lord.
All the pain and all the horror and all the disease, the destruction, the lies, the deceptions of the world; they are accumulating and getting worse. When will God break His silence and speak?
The Lord who is faithful to His promises will come when the mystery of His silence will be broken; and that day is connected to the seventh trumpet.
At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, His silence will end, and Christ will come. His kingdom will be established on earth. Satan will be halted, bound in chains, and delivered to a prison; and with him, the demons of hell and those who have rejected His gift of salvation. Righteousness will rule, knowledge will fill the earth, Christ will be King, and God will speak.
But before that seventh trumpet is blown, an interlude takes place, and that interlude is chapter 10. John sees a mighty angel (a messenger). From His description we conclude that it is the Lord Jesus Himself and He's claiming possession of the land and sea. The little book He holds is open, it is the title deed to the universe. As John tries to grasp what is being revealed to him. When the seven thunders had uttered their voices, John is trying to write what he hears, and is told not to. Before the blowing of the last trumpet, more judgments come, but when the last trumpet sounds, there will be no more delay. Jesus is Coming!
Before the seventh trumpet sounds there is an interlude described in chapter 10. In the midst of divine judgment, God comforts His people with the assurance of victory.
This passage reminds us that God, in the present day, is restraining the influence of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7) and holding back on judgment (Revelation 7:1–3). He exhibits patience for the sake of our salvation (2 Peter 3:9). At some point during the end times, however, God will no longer hold back. There will be no more delay, and the catastrophes of the great tribulation will happen according to their own "natural" timeline. God's merciful restriction of evil, and loving hindrance of judgment, will end (Revelation 10:5–7).
In Revelation 8:13, before the other three trumpets are sounded, solemn warning is given to those still alive on the earth. “Woe, woe, woe” introduces one threat for each of the remaining three Trumpets about to sound (9:1-21; 11:15). Woe is an expression of God’s judgment, destruction, and condemnation. God’s wrath and judgment will come upon “those who dwell on the earth,” those who have rejected the gospel. Although they will acknowledge that the disasters have come from God, scripture reveals that they will not repent.
This week in chapter 9 of Revelation, Pastor Bob asks a pressing question, “What will it take for the unbeliever to repent and accept Christ? What are you willing to endure?” God has revealed what is coming, and has given every single soul ample time to seriously consider their eternal destination. Pay attention to these questions as we read these difficult verses.
John's Revelation from Jesus has shown God's judgment on the earth, first symbolized as the opening of seven seals, and now as the blowing of seven trumpets. Chapter 8 described the last seal, which inaugurated the trumpets. The first four resulted in catastrophic destruction to trees and grasses, the seas, fresh waters, and even natural light. Even so, the prior verses warned that the impending judgments would be even worse.
The Trumpets which have been given to the angels have been raised to their lips – the cosmic blows that pierce the air will affect large fractions of the planet. Each are more extensive and devastating than the seals. With the sounding of the Fifth Trumpet, each judgment is aimed at those who still defy the rule of the Lord Jesus. The 5th trumpet releases a key to open the abyss. Many scholars believe this is the same abyss that the demons begged Jesus not to throw them in. It may be the same place where God locked up the spiritual beings who sinned by choosing to reproduce with human women.
The key unlocks a disobedient demonic plague that sweeps over the Earth. Similar to the book of Job, God allows for these demonic forces to have their way with the people. However, the major difference is that it is not the righteous who will suffer from this plague but “the inhabitants of the Earth” which are the non-believers.
We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation. This morning we are in the eighth chapter of Revelation.
To this point in Revelation, John has witnessed Jesus open six of the seven seals of judgment seen on the scroll in heaven (Revelation 5:1–5). After the opening of the sixth seal and its consequences, John described the sealing of 144,000 Jewish believers, listed by their tribe. This was followed by a vision of an enormous crowd of people, of every possible race and language, worshipping God (Revelation 7).
The reprieve of the picture from chapter 7, this magnificent worship, changes as Revelation 8 opens with the 7th and final seal breaking open. And what it brings is silence for half an hour. All of the angelic adoration ceases; the scene of great worship becomes mute; silence envelops the command center of the universe.
When the Lamb breaks opens the seventh and last seal on the scroll to the title deed to the earth, the judgments of the "Day of the Lord" intensify dramatically. The final seal contains within it all of the remaining judgments of the Great Tribulation.
In preparing for this week's study in Revelation 8, Pastor Bob offers insight about Bible translations, and why modern versions fall short.
We are studying the book of Revelation, and this week John describes the things that take place when the Lamb breaks opens the seventh and last seal on the scroll. The scroll is the title deed to the earth. From this point on the judgments of the "Day of the Lord" intensify dramatically. The final seal contains within it all of the remaining judgments of the Great Tribulation.
We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation. This morning we are in the seventh chapter of Revelation.
We read in Revelation 7, that after the sealing of the 144 thousand Jews who come from every tribe of Israel, a great multitude which no one could number, will come to faith in Christ. They will be saved out of every nation and people-group in the world... and from every tribe of Israel.
We do not have to speculate about this great company, because we are told in the following verses: "These people are the ones who come out of Great Tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white, in the blood of the Lamb."
This great multitude are those that have been forgiven of their sin, by faith in Christ. However, from reading the book of Revelation, we discover that their faith will be severely tested, for about three quarters of the entire world's population will be slain during this period.
The first vision includes angels being commanded to hold back the winds at every point on earth. Symbolically, this refers to God suspending His judgment on the earth. Scriptures such as Jeremiah 49:36 describe the judgment of God by referring to wind. The purpose of this delay, it seems, is to allow for a "sealing" of 144,000 servants of God. As seen later (Revelation 13:15–18), the "mark of the beast" stands in stark contrast to the sealing seen in this chapter (Revelation 7:1–3).
These 144,000 are specifically named by their respective tribes of Israel. Twelve thousand from each tribe are indicated. Jacob had twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel originated. In the Promised Land, each of the tribes received an inheritance except for the tribe of Levi, whose inheritance was the Lord. Joseph's tribe was split into two, one for each of his sons (Manasseh and Ephraim), and each received an inheritance. In the list of those sealed in Revelation, the tribe of Levi is listed. The tribe of Manasseh and that of Joseph (which is what the tribe of Ephraim was also referred to) are also listed. The tribe of Dan is excluded. Theories about this absence are varied. Some suggest that the false prophet of Revelation may be from the tribe of Dan. Others see Dan's role in leading Israel into idolatry as a cause for being left out of the 144,000 (Judges 18:30–31). While the tribe might not be blessed through inclusion in this particular seal, other prophetic books indicate members of the tribe of Dan will be saved and receive land in the millennial kingdom (Ezekiel 48:2). Though mankind has lost track of which people are members of which tribes, God has no such memory loss (Revelation 7:4–8).
We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation. This morning we are finishing chapter 6 starting at verse 8. To recap, we have been going through the opening of the seven seals to the scroll by our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is worthy to open the seals. Each one is a judgement that takes place on the earth and upon the enemies of God. This morning, as we look at the fourth, fifth and sixth seals that are opened, remember that the church has been raptured at this point, the Holy Spirit is removed, and we (all believers) are in the presence of the Lord, but here on earth God's wrath is beginning to be poured out.
The fourth seal. The fourth seal is opened, and John sees a pale horse. “...his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” (Revelation 6:7–8). The result of this fourth seal is that one fourth of the earth’s population are killed “by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
The fifth seal. The scroll’s fifth seal reveals those who will be martyred for their faith in Christ during the tribulation (Revelation 6:9–11; cf. Matthew 24:9). The souls of these martyrs are pictured as dwelling under the altar in heaven. God hears their cries for justice, and He gives each of them a white robe. The martyrs are told to wait “until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” God promises to avenge them, but the time was not yet (cf. Romans 12:19).
The sixth seal. When the Lamb of God opens the sixth seal, a devastating earthquake occurs, causing massive upheaval and terrible devastation—along with unusual astronomical phenomena: the sun turns black, and the moon turns blood-red, and “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” (Revelation 6:12–14). Survivors of the sixth seal, regardless of their social position, take refuge in caves and cry out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (verses 16–17).
When the Lamb had opened the "FIFTH SEAL," John saw under the "Sacrificial Altar," corresponding to the "Burnt Offering Altar," the "SOULS" of them that were slain for the "Word of God" and for the "testimony they held." The fact that their "SOULS" were under the "Sacrificial Altar" is proof that they had been offered as a "Sacrifice," that is that they were MARTYRS. But they were not the Martyrs of the Christian Church, for they had been resurrected and taken up with the Church. These Martyrs' are those who will be killed for the "Word of God" and their "testimony" after the Church is caught out.
When the "SIXTH SEAL" was broken John tells us that there was a "GREAT EARTHQUAKE," and the "SUN BECAME BLACK AS SACKCLOTH OF HAIR," and the "MOON BECAME AS BLOOD," and the "STARS OF HEAVEN FELL TO THE EARTH," and the "HEAVEN DEPARTED AS A SCROLL," and "EVERY MOUNTAIN AND ISLAND WERE MOVED OUT OF THEIR PLACE." It will not do to say that these things prefigure and symbolize the overthrow of the Powers of the Earth by great social and political convulsions. These are nothing more or less than great physical convulsions that shall shake the earth, and that have been foretold by the Prophets and by Christ Himself. Such physical phenomena and changes have happened before. We must not forget the "GREAT DARKNESS" that for 3 days overspread Egypt in the days before the Exodus (Ex. 10:21-23), nor the "DARKNESS" that settled over Jerusalem and Calvary on the day of the Crucifixion of Christ. Matt. 27:45.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "I AM' Revealed." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 1, verses 1-6.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "I AM' Alpha and Omega." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 1, verses 7-21.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Warnings For Every Church." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 2, verses 1-11.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Overcome the World." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 2, verses 12-29.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Things Which Shall Be." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 1-6.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "A Tale of Two Brides" - Part 1. It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 7-13.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "A Tale of Two Brides" Part 2." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 14-22.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Ever With The Lord." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 1-3.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Our New Reality Awaits." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 4-8.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Who Is Worthy?" It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 8-11.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "The Book." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 5, verses 1-12.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "The Lamb." is from a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 5, verses 8-14.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Today's Bobservation is titled, "Jesus Prevails." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 6, verses 1-8.
Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation. Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teaching line upon line, and verse by verse. The church is located in the Village of Victor, a little southeast of Rochester, New York, and if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. From upstate New York, Pastor Bob encourages all of us to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Until next time, remember, that Jesus is our Victor.
We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation. This morning we are beginning in chapter 6. Revelation 4 and Revelation 5 set the stage for the opening of the scroll with its sequence of seals, trumpets, and bowls here in Revelation 6. It holds the dramatic portrayal of God’s righteous judgment. Here is the Lamb of God, the Worthy Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He begins to break the seals in the scroll which records the wrath of God, taking back the universe, which is His own, from the usurper, Satan, and all of his demons.
This is the beginning of God's final wrath. The seals of Revelation 6 represent the overlying theme of God’s judgment on evil. This is not only a prophecy but a practical teaching and encouragement to believers of every age. It reflects the character of God. He is good on His Word. Jesus is the King of Kings with absolute authority over the entire Universe. He will vindicate His people and deliver a fatal blow to His enemies. This is something that should be celebrated by those covered in the blood of the Lamb.
This is also a warning to those who have not come to faith in Jesus. The gospels declare that salvation comes through Christ alone. It is the gift of God by His grace through faith in Him. He who took our place on the cross and bore the punishment that we should have received for our sin is still calling you to come to Him and believe. It is also vital to be sure that we are truly in the faith. The true gospel repeatedly commands unbelievers to repent (Matthew 4:17; 11:20–21; Mark 6:12; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5; 15:7, 10; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; 2 Timothy 2:25) and declares, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). In fact, the scriptures urge us to “EXAMINE” ourselves “to see if you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5), and also reminds us that true believers will be known “by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16-18; cf. Luke 6:43–44).
We are about to move into the absolute wrath of God unleashed on the earth. It will be frightening and disturbing as God’s wrath is something fierce. But what also is seen here in Revelation 6 is His gracious love. Although the next several chapters are filled with horror, they are also a merciful warning. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. Jesus willingly gave up His life for us so that we could have life in Him – be made right with God. God so loved the world (the rebellious, cantankerous, self-absorbed world) that He gave His only Son. And whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. There is still time...Come to Jesus!
The Bobservations Column is written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz, Whitestone Christian Fellowship.
Who is Worthy? The incredible sights seen by the apostle John in God’s Throne Room (Revelation 4) are clearly made by an intellect beyond genius. John hears the beautiful worship of God and sees the response of the twenty-four elders as they fall down before the Lord, and lay their crowns before Him knowing that He alone is worthy to receive all the glory and honor and power. He is the Creator of all things and the object of creation. All things were created by His will and for His pleasure. That's right, we were created by God, not for His entertainment, but for His pleasure. His desire to dwell with us, to fellowship with us, for us to know Him, personally, and to love and worship Him for who He is. Thou art worthy, O Lord.
We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation. This morning we are continuing our study in chapter five of Revelation.One of the most breathtaking passages on the second coming is found in Revelation chapter 5. Who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals? The Lamb is worthy! The Lamb has conquered. The Lamb has been slain as a sacrifice for our sin. The Lamb is Alive! The Lamb has All-Power and Understanding. The Lamb is Jesus! He is worthy to take the scroll and begin opening the seals. Here we meet the conqueror of the world as He is about to come to take over the universe, to redeem it, to destroy the wicked, and to establish and bless His people.
Before Jesus breaks the seals and begins to unfold the judgments, we see the twenty-four elders holding harps and golden bowls, the angels, the four living creatures, the raptured church, and prayers of the saints. A new song is sung... "Worthy is the Lamb..."
In general, chapter 4 and 5 of Revelation anticipate the tribulation that breaks forth in chapter 6. Chapter 6 to 19 is the record of the exploding judgment of God in the world which ultimately culminate in the return of Christ described in chapter 19.
Chapter 5 begins by describing a scroll in the right hand of God. This scroll is sealed seven times over, and written on both sides. This scroll seems to symbolize the judgment of God on sin and wickedness (Revelation 5:1–2).
An angel "proclaims" a question, making it more of a challenge: "who is worthy" to take this scroll and open the seals? At first, it seems that there is no one. Nobody on heaven or earth has both the moral authority and the legal right to take up the judgment of God. In response to what seems a hopeless situation, John beings to weep (Revelation 5:2–4).
Then one of the twenty-four elders reassures John that there is One who can take this scroll: Jesus. Here, He is described as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and the "Root of David." John then describes Jesus symbolically, as a Lamb that has been slaughtered, who takes the scroll from the hand of God. In response to this, the beings described in chapter 4 begin to sing a new song to God (Revelation 5:5–10).
This passage ends with a series of praises and responses. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures sing a song praising Jesus for His worthiness to enact God's judgment. In response, a mind-boggling number of angels respond by praising Jesus. This praise is then echoed by every creature in creation: "in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them" (Revelation 5:9–14).
In this week's study, we see the effect of the worship to the One who is worthy, the Lord, God Almighty, Creator of all that exists. The twenty-four elders representing the glorified church, fall down and cast their crowns before Him, knowing that He alone is worthy to receive all the glory and honor and power. He is the Creator of all things and the object of creation. All things were created by His will and for His pleasure. That's right, we were created by God, not for His entertainment, but for His pleasure. His desire to dwell with us, to fellowship with us, for us to know Him, personally, and to love and worship Him for who He is. Thou art worthy, O Lord!
What can anyone possibly pretend to give unto God what already is His? Creation existed in God’s mind before He created the universe. From the beginning, He was the Creator of all things, and the Preserver of all things. He alone upholds and sustains all that exists. It was by His will and for His pleasure. He is the sovereign One, and He is Lord over all.The elders’ response is most likely the way we will all respond when we receive our reward from Jesus. We will be so overcome with gratitude because of what He has done for us that worship will be spontaneous.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul explains that in our physical state, we see through a glass darkly. We see shadows, images that are not clear. The physical properties of earth do not exist in heaven. God dwells in a reality that is not ours on this earth.
In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul speaks of a third heaven, where Paul was caught up. This is the home of God, or where He dwells. While scripture is clear that there is no place that can contain God (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 6:18, Isaiah 66:1 and many others), heaven, as it were, is His home.
We get a glimpse and some understanding of the third heaven from scripture. Ezekiel chapter 1 describes God's throne in heaven. Ezekiel describes what he saw when God gave him a look at heaven.
In Revelation 4, John has been called up into heaven, to write the things that he saw, the things that were, and the things that are, and the things that are to come. This is the record of what John saw and heard when he was taken to heaven. Last week, in part one of chapter four, the apostle saw a throne set in heaven, describing the dwelling place of God. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, but represented by a likeness - His surpassing brightness, symbolizing the perfect excellence of His Divine nature, and of His justice. The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in Him. And the color of emerald showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. This week John begins with a description of the four-and-twenty seats around the throne, filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes a place of honor and rest. They are sitting around the throne, in the presence of God, seeing Him face to face. They are clothed in white raiment, which is the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness through Christ: and they had on their heads, crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with Him.
As we continue our study in the book of Revelation, this morning we will look at the second great vision given to John by the Lord, Jesus Christ, it is a vision of heaven. Chapter 4 begins with the door of Heaven opening and John being raptured from the Isle of Patmos to the throne of God in Heaven. It's important to note that The Church is not mentioned thereafter until Revelation 19:7-9 when it is portrayed as the “bride of Christ” in Heaven with Jesus celebrating the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” At Revelation 19:11 the door of Heaven opens again, and Jesus emerges riding a white horse on His way to earth, followed by His Church (Revelation 19:14).
The first three verses describe the divine throne room of heaven. John's focus is on the throne and the one who sits on the throne, and on the Lamb of God. As the chapter begins, we are drawn into John's vision, and we become face-to-face with the ineffable majesty Himself.
Laodicea is the final church of the seven, it is the last church addressed, and it is the worst! It is the worst of all possible representations of a church. A church full of people who have a wrong view of Christ. Laodicea was an immensly wealthy city. Not only did the church find its identity in material wealth, but also spiritual wealth. They had money, riches and spiritual pride to go along with material pride. This is the ultimate apostate condition. They know about Christ, but have created a false Christ. They know about God, but have created a false god and are smugly self-confident in that. This certainly characterizes entire denominations throughout the world, and particularly in today's western culture - including Christian universities and seminaries.
The Lord certainly has a lot to say to them. The Lord does not hold back His condemnation of them. There is in this church, apparently, absolutely no redeeming feature. This is the unsaved, unregenerate false church system. This is the most blistering rebuke.
This morning we are continuing our study in the Book of Revelation from chapter 3, verses 7-13. In this morning’s text, we will look now at the sixth letter of the seven letters to the churches, the church at Philadelphia. Letter number six is given to the church at Philadelphia, a faithful church. God sees them, knows them, and looking at them closely through His holy eyes, through the eyes of His truth, through His sovereignty, through His power, He finds nothing to rebuke and nothing to correct and nothing to condemn and nothing to chasten and nothing to warn them about. They are not perfect, but there is no glaring flaw, they are not wanting.
The Lord knows their works, that they have little strength, He knows all about them. This is a little church, small in numbers. He's not saying they have little power and should have more, but rather, they have spiritual power for their smallness. They are small and mighty and have kept His Word, and didn't deny His name.
We come to the letter addressed to the church at Sardis. This letter reveals the sad and tragic state of the church - the church is dead. Clearly, we see this at the end of verse 1 where our Lord says, “You are dead.” This is the ultimate shame. After all, a church by definition is a place where God lives, a place where Christ lives, a place where the Holy Spirit lives, a place where Christians are alive. It is, in fact, a fellowship of eternal life. But not this church. This is a dead church, living a fake life.
This is a church that had succumbed to the influences of the world. They opened the door and just let the world in. They too had left its first love and adopted the world, and its philosophies. They not only tolerated sin, but indulged in all the same sins as the other churches, and even advocated it. Sin has taken over, and the Holy Spirit is missing. Rather than faithful leaders leading the church, they are being led by false leaders completely void of the Holy Spirit. This church is dead.
What kills a church? False Teachers. False Teachings. Sin. Error. Compromise. No love for the truth. No love or adherence to God's Word. Placing man's ideas over God's Word.
A church that the world embraces is no church at all. John 15 tells us that the world will hate us because of Christ.
The church isn't political. It isn't social. The church is spiritual.
In this morning’s text, we will read the letters to the church in Pergamum, the church that needed to repent (2:12-17), and also the church in Thyatira, the church that had a false prophetess (2:18-29).
The Pergamene believers lived in a difficult place, surrounded by pagan influences, yet held fast to the name of Christ and did not deny Him in their difficulties. However, they had people among them who held to the teaching of Balaam, and the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which were pagan, idolatrous, and contrary to the gospel and teachings of Christ.
The author of this letter, “He which hath the sharp sword with two edges” (vs 12), is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, issuing a clarion call to repent of their sin.
The believers in Thyatira were commended for their love, faith, service, patience and works, but were guilty of allowing a false prophetess to lead them into idolatry, adultery and sexual immorality. Rather than rebuke her and remove her from the church, they allowed her deception to perpetuate in the church. The tone of this letter is much more serious, because the church had actually yeilded to the demoralizing influence of false teaching and sin.
Again, it is clear that the author is Jesus, “These things saith the Son of God… “(vs.18), He is pronouncing judgment on this “Jezebel”, and calls the church of Thyatira to repent of their sin, or face judgment.
Jesus encourages those who remain faithful, to hold fast until He comes, and gives a promise to those who overcome.
In the first chapter of Revelation, John introduced his reason for writing: a direct command from Jesus Christ. He was instructed to record Jesus' words, aimed at each of seven churches in Asia Minor, and to faithfully record them. Each church is given a unique description of Jesus, a command, and a promise. Six of the churches are given specific praise—one is not. Five are given direct criticism—two are not. This chapter contains Christ's words to four of these seven: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira.
Imagine if your congregation received a letter from the Lord of the church, Jesus Himself.
What would He say about your church’s love for God’s Word, endurance in trials, and faithful service for Christ? What would He say about your church's commitment to discerning biblical truth from false doctrine? About how seriously it takes sin? Would His words bring commendation—or condemnation?
You do, in fact, have such a letter. Jesus’ words to seven churches in Revelation 2–3 are as relevant to your congregation today as they were to those first-century fellowships. What does Jesus want your church to know?
The biblical truths of His Word will help your church experience God’s blessing, avoid His rebuke, and serve Him effectively in a culture that’s increasingly hostile to Him.
In the first chapter of Revelation we read that Jesus appears to the apostle John, who was banished by Rome to the Island of Patmos because of his faith. Jesus tells John to write about what he saw, about the present, and about what will take place in the future. John describes his personal circumstance when Jesus appeared to him and commissioned him to write seven letters to seven churches. He also describes Jesus in His glorified form—these descriptions suggest power, wisdom, and majesty (Revelation 1:9–16).
The churches are represented in this passage as individual lampstands, among which Jesus is standing (Revelation 1:17–20).
The following passages will describe Jesus' message to each of these congregations.
The apostle John is the author of "Revelation" (Greek - apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling of something hidden"). The translation of this word is the same in 1 Corinthians 1:7, "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 1:7, "the appearing of Jesus Christ," and 2 Thessalonians 1:7, "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven." Revelation is about the unveiling, the appearing, the coming of Christ Himself in all His glory, the full personhood of Jesus Christ. This book is a revelation of Jesus Christ - a full revelation of Jesus - Past, Present and Future. He is the all-powerful, all-conquering King. While the book also reveals God's judgment, the horrors of the end, and the Antichrist, our focus is on the Revelation of Jesus to us. (1:1). The book depicts Him as the risen, glorified Son of God ministering among the churches (1:10), as “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth” (1:5), as “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (1:8), as the one “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (1:8), as the First and the Last (1:11), as the Son of Man (1:13), as the one who was dead, but now is alive forevermore (1:18), as the Son of God (2:18), as the one who is holy and true (3:7), as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (3:14), as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (5:5), as the Lamb in heaven, with authority to open the title deed to the earth (6:1), as the Lamb on the throne (7:17), as the Messiah who will reign forever (11:15), as the Word of God (19:13), as the majestic King of kings and Lord of lords, returning in glorious splendor to conquer His foes (19:11), and as “the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (22:16).Revelation begins with John, the last surviving apostle and an old man, in exile on the small, barren island of Patmos, located in the Aegean Sea southwest of Ephesus. The Roman authorities had banished him there because of his faithful preaching of the gospel (1:9). While on Patmos, John received a series of visions that laid out the future history of the world. At the time of his arrest, John was in Ephesus, ministering to the church there and in the surrounding cities. Seeking to strengthen those congregations, he could no longer minister to them in person and, following the divine command (1:11), John addressed Revelation to them (1:4). The churches had begun to feel the effects of persecution; at least one man—probably a pastor—had already been martyred (2:13), and John himself had been exiled. But the storm of persecution was about to break in full fury upon the 7 churches so dear to the apostle’s heart (2:10). To those churches, Revelation provided a message of hope: God is in sovereign control of all the events of human history, and though evil often seems pervasive and wicked men all powerful, their ultimate doom is certain. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule.
For the bulk of its sixty-six books, the Bible portrays a world deep in the throes of suffering. Human beings have had a problem with sin since the fall in Genesis 3, and verse after verse has recorded our problem in painstaking detail. The brilliance of Revelation is that it provides a final answer to this problem, a hope that Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds wrought by sin (Revelation 19), reign for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20), and then re-create the world into a place that represents God’s original design (Revelation 21–22). While there have been many prophecies given in both the Old and New Testaments, the book of Revelation pulls them all together, filling in the gaps and adding the new revelation that would be needed to guide the church from then until the return of Christ.
God wants His beloved children to enjoy the assurance of their salvation. In fact, Peter writes this marvelous section in order that believers may experience the assurance that God desires for them. Given the fact that the enemy, the devil, is the accuser of the brethren, and always wants to hit us with blows of doubt to make us doubt our salvation, God, on the other hand, wants to affirm our spiritual condition and our assurance.
We have everything in Christ by His divine power (vs.3). We are given everything in Christ, and because we have all in Christ, all the gracious resources for spiritual sufficiency, we are called upon to give maximum effort to add a very specific set of Christlike qualities alongside the faith that believers already have to become effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Knowing that his time was short, and the church faced immediate danger, Peter called upon the readers to refresh their memories and stimulate their thinking so that they would remember his teaching after he was gone (2 Peter 1:15). Remember God's Word, and all that you have been taught. Peter desired that believers would grow strong in their faith to withstand the devil, withstand false teachers, and to stand in the day of adversity. Our testimony is only as strong as our knowledge of Jesus Christ, not just a head knowledge, but by applying these truths, and living them out as a witness of Christ.
God wants His beloved children to enjoy the assurance of their salvation. In fact, Peter writes this marvelous section in order that believers may experience the assurance that God desires for them. Given the fact that the enemy, the devil, is the accuser of the brethren, and always wants to hit us with blows of doubt to make us doubt our salvation, God, on the other hand, wants to affirm our spiritual condition and our assurance.
We have everything in Christ by His divine power (vs.3). We are given everything in Christ, and because we have all in Christ, all the gracious resources for spiritual sufficiency, we are called upon to give maximum effort to add a very specific set of Christlike qualities alongside the faith that believers already have to become effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Knowing that his time was short, and the church faced immediate danger, Peter called upon the readers to refresh their memories and stimulate their thinking so that they would remember his teaching after he was gone (2 Peter 1:15). Remember God's Word, and all that you have been taught. Peter desired that believers would grow strong in their faith to withstand the devil, withstand false teachers, and to stand in the day of adversity. Our testimony is only as strong as our knowledge of Jesus Christ, not just a head knowledge, but by applying these truths, and living them out as a witness of Christ.
In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” This is the only use in the Bible of the Greek word theopneustos, which means “God-breathed, inspired by God, due to the inspiration of God,” but other scriptural passages support the basic premise of Scripture being inspired by God.
The power of the breath of God in divine inspiration pervades Scripture. God breathed “the breath of life” into Adam (Genesis 2:7), and Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). In 2 Peter 1:21 we are told that “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Here we see the truths of Scripture described as coming directly from God, not from the will of the writers He used to record them.
Peter notes that Paul writes “with the wisdom that God gave him” and that failure to take heed to these messages is done at the peril of the readers (2 Peter 3:15–16). Scripture comes from the Holy Spirit, who gives it to us “in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:13). In fact, the Berean believers faithfully used the inspired Word of God to check Paul’s adherence to the Word as they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).
Faith is central to how anyone receives the validity or value of God’s inspired Word because “the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The “spiritual man” is the one who has been given the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8–9) for the salvation of his soul. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” There is a righteousness in the gospel revealed by God in the Scriptures, but our righteousness comes and is maintained by and through faith alone. “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
Although 2 Timothy 3:16 may be the only place in the Bible where the phrase “God-breathed” is used to describe the Word of God, Scripture is replete with similar claims. These are actually God’s words reminding us that His truth and love can be found there to guide us in all aspects of life. Perhaps James has the final word about the nature of Scripture (and many other things) when he proclaims, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
Attribution - Excerpts by gotquestions
In 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-9, Paul describes the last days apostasy. The word "apostasy" comes from the Greek "apostasia", which is translated "falling away" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The word is closely related to the Greek word for "divorce."
Apostates are those who fall away from the true faith, abandoning what they formerly professed to believe. The term describes those whose beliefs are so deficient as to place them outside the pale of true Christianity. For example, a liberal denomination that denies the authority of Scripture or the deity of Christ is an apostate denomination.
True Christians do not apostatize. Those who fall away into apostasy demonstrate that their faith was never real to begin with (1 John 2:19).
While the church has always been plagued by false teachers, false apostles, false pastors, false preachers and false Christians; meaning those who name the name of Christ and claim they represent God, but, in fact, the represent Satan. They are deceivers who create confusion and disorder in the church. Just as Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 24, the apostles have also written at length about them warning us to be aware, to be sober and vigilant, and here the apostle Paul instructs us, "from such turn away" or withdraw yourself from their company and influence.
Paul describes these times as "perilous times." The word "perilous" can be translated "fierce" or "furious." Men's hearts will be wicked and perverse. Not only will they practice sin, they will force it upon society, as they do the world becomes more dangerous, and violent. These are not times that are coming, these are the times we are living in. This is evidence of the truth of scripture.
Paul makes clear the signs of apostates. They are described as lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures mor than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. There will be little distinction between the secular world and the religious world in the last days.
The second section instructs us how to confront and overcome apostasy and false teaching (2 Timothy 3:10–17). The primary means of defense against error is the God-inspired written word (2 Timothy 3:16).
Believers must be committed to the Word of God despite all those who are stubborn, perverse, willfully obstinate and disobedient to God and His Word. Scripture reveals that they will oppose, deny, pervert, deceive, slander, persecute, and will hate the truth, the Lord and the believer. Perilous times are here, and persecution will come, but we are to continue on in the faith, to abide in Christ and remain stedfast in His Word.
There is no better instruction for believers than to immerse themselves in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine or reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
From 1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."Be aware, be alert, because Satan, who is the devil is your adversary. "Devil" means "slanderer" and "Satan" means "accuser;" he is also called "adversary." He is adversary to both God and man, slandering and accusing man to God and God to man. 1 Peter 5:9 tells us to resist him. James 4:7 also tells us how, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." We can resist him because of Christ who dwells within us. We are strong in Him, and the Word of God abides in us...and that's not all, we have overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:13-14).Despite his deceptions, his accusations, his power, his hatred and ferocity, he is already a defeated foe (Hebrews 2:14) by the work, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That said, we must "Put on the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11, 14-17) that we can "stand against the wiles of the devil."
Attributions:
Music: Surrounded, by Hayden Folker, Creative Commons License - CCby3.0
Sound Effects: Lion Roar, by Pixabay
Video: Forest45129, by Andy Faeth, Pixabay
The First Epistle of Peter gives us wonderful instruction in how to live for God in a Christ rejecting world. This is where God has us to be and to live, as aliens and strangers to this world. Our present suffering is for His glory and our benefit. After we have suffered a while, he will perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle us. We are called to lead men and women to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, in humility as His examples to this world. As we do, we live in the light of eternity, the light of Christ's soon coming. The God of all grace has called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ.
Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning to be clear-minded and alert.Peter then addresses all Christians with this: Put on humility toward each other out of submission to God. God is God, and we are not. We are to humble ourselves under His hand, understanding that our only significance is found in Him.
We are to remain clear minded and alert because we have a mortal enemy who is seeking to destroy us. The devil is portrayed as a lion, and we are instructed to engage in resisting him. This is to be done by focusing on staying firm in our faith, both in Christ, and in God's plan for us. That plan may include suffering for the brief course of this life. And yet, it also includes a permanent end to suffering and a future in which our Father—forever powerful—will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us forever.
In our study in First Peter chapter 4 this week, Peter urges Christians to be fiercely committed to fulfilling the purpose of our lives in Christ. Prior chapters made the case that we are a "holy people." We have been rescued from sin and meaningless lives and set apart from the world, in order to be used for God's purpose. Since believers have these new, eternal lives in Christ, we must begin to think like Jesus, including Jesus' way of thinking about suffering. Jesus expected persecution along the way to fulfilling His mission on earth. Peter is clear that we should expect to suffer, as well. In fact, this is part of completing the mission God has given us. We should be ready and willing to suffer for Christ, as He did for us. In doing so, we will set the course of our lives away from sin, especially the mind-numbing sins of endless pleasure seeking.
The path of submission to Christ and the path of self-serving pleasure go in completely opposite directions. Those who still indulge in drunkenness, partying, and idolatry won't understand or accept the Christian's lifestyle. In fact, they will resent the fact that Christians refuse to participate. According to Peter, refusal to do what unbelievers do will result in criticism and condemnation from them. This is especially true when the believer is someone who used to commit those very sins, but has been changed by Christ.
But Peter offers a warning and encouragement: The end of all things is drawing near, and the Judge is coming. Instead of living for pleasure, we must be very careful to stay clear-minded and focused so that we can pray faithfully. We must strain hard to love each other well. We must share and serve and speak to each other with God's gifts, with His words, with His strength.
The phrase “dead to sin” only occurs once in the Bible. Roman 6:11 says, “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” As Christians, we are dead to sin through our union with Christ. In other words, we are to consider ourselves as being free from the bondage of sin. Jesus is the one who bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), and we died with him when he was crucified ( Romans 6:6:8). So, the phrase “dead to sin” means that the Christian who is trusted in the work of Christ on the cross is no longer a slave of sin and is freed from it.So, live in the Light of Christ. Live in the Light of His Return!Music Credit to:AShamaluevMusic.com
Matthew 2 ended with Jesus' family settling down in Nazareth, shortly after the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2:19–23). Chapter 3 leaps forward several decades. This passage opens on John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness in the region of Judea. His simple message: Repent, the kingdom of heaven is coming!
Luke's gospel gives more details about John the Baptist. He was born to aging and previously infertile parents. This was both an answer to their prayers and part of God's plan to "turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared" (Luke 1:16–17).
Matthew declares that John is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 40:3. He dressed like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and many associated John with that great Old Testament prophet (Malachi 4:5). He ate the food of the very poor: honey and wild locusts, emphasizing repentance and humility. Many people wanted to hear John's message and travelled distances to hear him speak in the wilderness. Many of those were baptized by John as a symbol of their repentance from sin and readiness for the Messiah's kingdom (Matthew 3:1–6).
John's popularity attracts the attention of Israel's formal religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees. When he saw them arriving at his baptisms, though, he was harsh with them, calling them a brood of vipers. He asks who warned them to flee from God's coming wrath on those who do not repent from sin. John warned them not to count on being spared simply for being descendants of Abraham. God's promises to Israel would not keep Him from pruning the fruitless branches. God can raise up more children for Abraham even from the stones if He chooses to, John said (Matthew 3:7–10).
Finally, John spells out what his baptism is for. He baptizes the willing with water as a sign of repentance. He is preparing the way, though, for someone who is far more powerful than himself who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John is describing the long-promised Messiah, who will bring God's kingdom to earth, but who will also bring judgment on those who are not faithful to God. He will separate them from Israel as the farmer separates the useful wheat from the useless chaff (Matthew 3:11–12).
Then, suddenly, Jesus shows up. The Messiah about whom John the Baptist has been prophesying finds John somewhere along the Jordan River and asks to be baptized. John resists. He has declared himself unworthy even to carry the Messiah's sandals. Jesus insists, declaring that in this way they will fulfill the righteous will of God. This might have been a way of foreshadowing Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. Or, it might simply have been a means to formally begin His public ministry (Matthew 3:13–15).
As Jesus emerges from the water, God the Father and Holy Spirit show up, as well. As Jesus resurfaces from the Jordan River, He sees the heavens open up and the Holy Spirit descend, somehow like a dove, to rest on Him. Then He hears the voice of God the Father declaring that Jesus is His Son, calling Christ beloved and saying He is well-pleased with Jesus (Matthew 3:16–17).
This launches Jesus' work on earth, confirming His role as both the Son of God and the promised Messiah of the Jewish Scriptures.
Having established Jesus' legal right to be Israel's king, Matthew transitions to telling the story of His birth. Luke, in his Gospel, tells that story mostly from Mary's point of view. Matthew looks at it through the eyes of Joseph, Mary's husband.
A group of wise men from the east arrives in Jerusalem, some time after Jesus is born. These men are labeled using the Greek term magoi, which in Persian and Babylonian culture referred to those who studied astronomy, prophecy, medicine, and religion—some also dabbled in sorcery and fortune telling. These particular wise men are on a quest, and what they seek is troubling news to King Herod: they look for someone "born king of the Jews." The scholars have come in response to some astronomical sign, which they call "his star." Though they are not Jewish, these men apparently studied ancient Jewish Scriptures, and so they began their search in Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1–4).
King Herod summons local religious leaders and asks them where the Scriptures say the Christ—a term derived from the Hebrew word for Messiah—would be born. They know the Scriptures well and quickly tell Him that the Promised One will be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Herod is careful, but secretive, in asking the wise men when they first saw this sign. He then directs them to Bethlehem to find the child. In a blatant lie, he claims his intent is to worship this new king (Matthew 2:5–8).
Whether or not the wise men originally saw a comet, planet, or supernova, what they see next is all-but-certainly supernatural. They once again see a guiding star, this time moving south, guiding them directly. The men arrive at the home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are staying in Bethlehem. Overjoyed, the wise men worship the child, presenting Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these gifts is practical and valuable, as well as carrying prophetic meaning. Despite Herod's command, the men leave town secretly by an alternate route—they've been warned in a dream not to go back to the evil ruler (Matthew 2:9–12).
Once again, Joseph receives direction from God, through an angel, in a dream. He must take Jesus and Mary and go to Egypt to escape Herod's plan to kill the child Jesus. In this context, "Egypt" means the territory outside of Herod's authority, whose borders were a few day's journey away. The emphasis of this command is on haste, not distance; the family must leave while Herod still has no idea who they are. They leave that night, settling for a time in Egyptian territory, waiting to be called back by the angel when Herod has died (Matthew 2:13–15).
Matthew sounds the note from the very beginning. God has visited this planet in order to redeem people from their sins. It all began with the extraordinary birth through a virgin, Mary, which had been foretold centuries earlier. Everything about this incarnation was to be supernatural, or it would not work. And so from the outset we are confronted with the divine nature of Jesus the Messiah, and with the purpose of his coming into the world.
As Isaiah said, this would all be a stumbling block to some, but a foundation stone to those who believe. Whether people believe this first sign or not, the point is clear as to what the Word of God is clearly saying about Jesus. Matthew will now build on this introduction through the chapters.
The Davidic royal family was almost non-existent (Herod was not even a Jew); Rome was completely dominating the political scene. And in the middle of all this a sign was given, which was a fulfillment of the ancient sign of Isaiah: there would be an actual virgin birth in the lineage of David. Any partial fulfillment in Old Testament times would merely have been a foreshadowing of the true fulfillment in Jesus. We shall see this pattern of the way prophecy works again and again.
In chapter 7 the sign of an extraordinary birth is announced, ultimately a virgin birth, and the one born will be known as Immanuel, God with us. In other words, the birth would be evidence of God’s presence with his people. In the Old Testament, that presence could be felt in a number of ways. But in the New Testament, in the incarnation, Jesus was fully “God with us.” The sign was that the Davidic family would continue, and would have a future; but sharing in that future required faith.
Then in chapter 8 Isaiah the prophet lets people know that Immanuel, this king, will be either a stumbling stone or a foundation stone, depending on whether they believe in him and make him their sanctuary or not. If they do not, if they continue to go after spiritists and necromancers and the like, they will find no answer. Why should they seek the answer among the dead? They should seek the living God. (The angels in the garden tomb used this line: Why do you seek the living among the dead?).
Then in chapter 9 Isaiah identifies this wonder king, Immanuel, and gives him throne names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He will reign with peace and righteousness. Amazingly Isaiah says that a child will be born, a son will be given. The fulfillment in Christ shows how precise this distinction would be.
And then according to Isaiah 11, Isaiah says that this king will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring about universal changes in all creation.
So, the announcement of the supernatural birth of Messiah is in a context filled with descriptions of this coming king. He is, to say the least, much more than a mortal king. He is supernatural in every sense of the word. And from that context the New Testament writers knew that this Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, was the fulfillment of the prophecy given some 700 years earlier. They may not have always understood it, but they soon came to realize that Jesus was indeed God with them, in the flesh (incarnation). When Matthew explains that the verse in Isaiah 7 finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus, he is also saying that everything in Isaiah 7--11 that describes the one born of the virgin applies also to Christ.
Our study is in 1 Peter chapter 3 this week. Peter is dealing with submission. Most of us have a difficult time with that word, especially in marriages.
But to be in submission is to cooperate with another out of love. It’s to honor God in our relationships and to learn to respect one another. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:21 we are to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Our greatest example was that of Jesus. He submitted unto death so we could be saved. He gave up His rights for us. Consequently, the hard truth is we will always have to submit to someone. When we do it with a right heart, we honor the Lord, and Christ is seen in us!
God's people have always been called to live set-apart lives, influencing their culture even through suffering. Peter says we are to “sanctify,” or set apart, the Lord in our hearts—we are to give Him a special place of honor. Sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts means giving our wholehearted allegiance to Jesus Christ and worshiping Him only—despite the cost.
Matthew begins by showing that Jesus is both a son of Abraham—a true Hebrew—and the legal and legitimate heir to the throne of Israel's great King David. That mattered because all faithful Jewish people would have been aware of God's promise to David that his descendants would sit on Israel's throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Matthew's genealogy does not include every "link" in the chain of generations from Abraham to Jesus. Instead, he groups those mentioned into three sets of 14 ancestors: Abraham to King David; David to Josiah and the deportation of Israel to Babylon; and Jechoniah to Jesus (Matthew 1:1–17).
Matthew mentions some unlikely names in his genealogy. This includes five women, several people famous for immorality, and more than one unfaithful king. Matthew's book never hides the sins of Israel's past, choosing to emphasize instead that Jesus came to save Israel from sin.
Having established Jesus' legal right to be Israel's king, Matthew transitions to telling the story of His birth. Luke, in his Gospel, tells that story mostly from Mary's point of view. Matthew looks at it through the eyes of Joseph, Mary's husband.
The book of I Peter is filled with admonitions for Christians of all times and all places on how to live READY for the coming of the Lord. The Apostle Peter under divine inspiration did not see a difference between normal Christian living and last days Christian living. He believed that all Christians at all times should live READY for the coming of the Lord.
The Book of I Peter is literally filled with admonitions and instructions on how all Christians should be living…Whether it is the destruction of Jerusalem that was coming in Peter's time, or the judgment of the world that is drawing near today.
No matter what happens in this world today, tomorrow, next month or next year, don't get caught up in the hype and the panic of the moment. If foreign enemies threaten, if the economy collapses, if we are persecuted as Christians... in the grand scheme of God's plan, these things matter very little. What matters is that we live ready for His coming.
Do NOT be DRAWN away by the cares of this world! Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw near to you. If you are wondering what you need to do as you see the day approaching, study the scriptures, pray and draw close to the Lord.
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross wasn't improvised. God didn't make it up in response to the unfolding events of history. Peter writes that Christ was known before the world was founded. As God, Jesus existed in eternity past as the one whose blood would cover the sins of all who receive salvation. Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and return to the Father were always God's plan to save us. Always. Jesus was always the answer to the questions asked by the prophets and the angels investigating what the Holy Spirit's Old Testament prophecies were pointing to (1 Peter 1:10–12).
Finally, in Peter's lifetime and those of his readers—the beginning of what Peter calls the "last times"—God revealed the mystery. He showed Himself and His plan to the world by coming to earth as a baby, a man, God in flesh, the final sacrifice for sin. Why? For our sake. God's great gift of mercy, and the timing of that gift in human history, demonstrates God's great love for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
To the One who sits on the throne of our hearts we commit ourselves, and we continue to do what is right even if we suffer because of our faith in Him.Credit to Ashamaluev Music - Song: Flowering
Where Adam sinned, Jesus did not. The first temptation plunged the human race into sin, but the second is clearly part of God’s plan of redemption for mankind. It is here that Satan realized that he could not ruin Jesus as he had the parents of the human race, and therefore that he could not stop God’s plan of redemption. We learn from Jesus' response to the temptations exactly how we are to respond - with Scripture. The forces of evil come to us with a myriad of temptations, but all have the same three things at their core: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. We can only recognize and combat these temptations by saturating our hearts and minds with the Truth. The armor of a Christian soldier in the spiritual battle of life includes only one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Knowing the bible intimately will put the Sword in our hands and enable us to be victorious over temptations.
Matthew records that our Lord’s public ministry is about to begin as John the Baptist, had been arrested. Jesus makes his way to the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, west of the Sea of Galilee. It’s not where you would expect Jesus to start His ministry, and many speculate that this area was safe in light of John’s arrest and turmoil in Jerusalem. The significance however is more straightforward. Jesus began His ministry in this area because God said He would (Isaiah 9:1,2). This region is the land of the Gentiles, pagan, and shadowed in deep darkness and death. It is here that Jesus is seen as the sunrise from a deep and long night. Jesus the light of the world has come and is about to shine his light in a dark world. It’s as if God picked the darkest place there was and shinned His light bold and bright on those people. The Messiah has come and He begins preaching in those hopeless and dark places, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. When Jesus invites us to follow Him, what He has in mind is that we become His disciples. It means you leave behind the life you might have had planned, that was centered around you. When you follow Jesus, your life is about HIM; it is centered around Him. Now the question of your life is no longer not what you want to do; it’s what HE tells you to do. It’s no longer what you “feel” like doing; it’s what His word instructs you to do. Your life is not about what you can “achieve” here on earth, but what you store up in heaven. You are leaving behind your old way of life, to follow Jesus in a brand new kind of life. It also means you leave behind your sin. Following Jesus doesn’t mean that you can keep on doing whatever you were doing before, only now your sins are forgiven because you have Jesus to “clean up after you.” It means following Him in a new and holy life.
We begin The Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus in Matthew chapter 5. The first part of this sermon is commonly called the 'Beatitudes' which are the eight declarations of 'blessedness' spoken by our Lord.
These wonderful verses describe the ideal disciple and his/her rewards, both present and future. The person whom Jesus is describing in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still "outside of the kingdom of God." These verses describe the heart, the soul and the attitude of the true believer.
Starting in verse 13, we begin to understand the influence that every believer has in the lives of others. Every Christian is called by God to be an influence on the world around them. As salt, we are like a preserving force slowing down the advancement of moral and spiritual decay. We are to preserve truth and goodness in a fallen world, and as a “flavor enhancer” our lives make God’s work stand out from the world, reflect His nature, and underscore the difference that Jesus makes in one’s life. The good works of Christ’s followers are to shine for all to see. We must be like a light in the darkness. Our lives ought to be a reflection of Him. His light shines bright in this dark world, and so the presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in darkness. It is God's Word that brings light to the darkened hearts of sinners, and in the same sense our lives should produce the fruit of His light in our lives, good works that are made evident to all.
As we finish chapter 5 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus continues to expound on certain examples of the Law and uses them to illustrate and explain exactly how we are to relate to the Old Testament law. Here Jesus made a fundamental change without altering God’s standards: He dealt with the attitudes and intents of the heart, not simply with external action. The Pharisees said that righteousness consisted of performing certain actions, but Jesus said it centered in the attitudes of the heart.
Interesting to note how Jesus displays His authority. Six times over Jesus says, “You have heard it said…But I tell you.” He is asserting Himself as the one whom they should follow. Also notice that Jesus is not negating the Old Testament, but rather He is negating the people’s understanding and application of it.
Most believers want to serve God, but many of them do so for the wrong reasons. As we begin chapter 6 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus addresses these particular issues directly. He warns his disciples about the pitfalls of the flesh. There is a way that seems right (to us), but it is the wrong way. We must be on guard against the temptation to show off our spiritual abilities or accomplishments, or desire the praise of man. The Lord does not want us to be like the Pharisees who were self righteous, full of pride, and concerned only with the outward show of ritual and appearances of holiness. God is concerned with our hearts. He desires transformed lives that mirror Jesus - this is a true disciple. Why do we do the things we do? What is the motive of our hearts?
Worry is a by-product of putting your faith in the wrong thing, or the wrong person. It is a big deal because there is nothing in this corrupt world that can provide you with a sure foundation upon where you can stand. In an instant, we can lose everything we own. We can lose our health. We can lose our friends, or our loved ones. We can lose our freedom, or our ability of self-sufficiency. In fact in John 16:33, as Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure, He said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of Good Cheer, for I have overcome the world.” While this world is full of tribulation and suffering, for the Christian there is a firm foundation upon which we are able to stand - His Name is Jesus, and His promises can be fully relied upon!
As Jesus continues teaching the disciples in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, He is still dealing with the heart and attitude of a believer. If our righteousness is to exceed that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, we must stop acting like them. A prideful heart, with an outward appearance of righteousness, yet living by a double standard is the exact definition of being a hypocrite. As a disciple of Christ we are to examine our own hearts, yield ourselves to His will, remain in the careful reading and study of His word, seek Him through prayer - as we correct our behaviors, and change our attitudes. In chapter seven the Lord continues this theme. Jesus is reproving impetuous and reckless judgment of others. He continue to exhort them to serious and sincere prayer. Lastly, there are but two ways right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell.
Today’s message contrasts Jesus’ instruction in verse 1 not to judge others, with a warning against false prophets and the call to discernment. Jesus gives a severe warning in regards to false prophets, or literally “lying prophets”. We can find lying prophets throughout the Bible who have always plagued God’s people. They come into churches masquerading as bearers of God’s truth, yet serve up deceit, leading multitudes on a path of destruction. False prophets will even show up at your front door, preaching a perverted doctrine of salvation that leads others to utter damnation.
Jesus gives us a way to identify these false prophets - He tells us to look at their fruit. That is to say, what is being produced by their manner of living - much like a diseased tree that produces rotten fruit.
At the closing of chapter 7 in the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, the scriptures end with people being astonished at Jesus' doctrines because "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
Today as we begin chapter 8, we see this same emphasis on Jesus' authority illustrated in both word and deed. God never asks us to believe without proving to us that His Word is truth. Here we see the importance of Jesus’ healing ministry.
Faith removes all barriers to God. Those who come to Him by faith, “Lord, if you are willing,” can fully trust that God stands ready and able to help, to save, to heal, and to restore them.
As we finish up chapter 8 of Matthew's gospel, we continue to see Jesus' power over all things.
Throughout this chapter, snapshot after snapshot we see Jesus meeting people who are going through various storms in their lives. They are desperate. They are weary. They can find no peace or comfort or help - until they hear of this man who is like no other, and they seek Him out. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Jesus speaks like no other. They marvel at His teachings and are blown away by the power of His word. Who is this man who can heal the sick, cast our demons, restore the mind, calm the storm? What does it mean to follow Jesus?
In chapter 9, Matthew pens snapshot after snapshot of stories of broken people and their troubled lives. They are desperate. They are hurting. They are sick and weary. They have no hope until they hear of this miracle worker whose name is Jesus. No one speaks like He speaks. No one acts as He does. No one can do the things He can do. News gets around. This Jesus of Nazareth is full of compassion and willing to help them. He has been travelling around the Galilee, and He is changing peoples lives. They seek after him, others are brought to him, and Jesus touches and heals them both physically, and spiritually. These people have experienced His kindness (which leads to repentance), and His compassion. They are forgiven and healed, and they depart filled with joy and peace sharing their testimony to everyone.
The focal point where the old and new covenants meet is found in Jesus Christ. The old covenant, as a guardian, prepares the way for Him and prepares His people for Him. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross fulfills the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching the Kingdom of God and healing and restoring broken lives. By faith they come, believing that He alone can help and heal them.
We are continuing our series in the Gospel of Matthew and we are right smack dab in the middle of the section where Jesus is giving very specific instructions to His disciples.
Jesus has called these twelve ordinary men together for the specific purpose of anointing them, and empowering them to preach the Gospel of salvation, the Kingdom of Heaven and to continue His work here on earth. Jesus is enlightening the apostles to the reality that in the future they will experience a whole different level of hatred, persecution, and difficulty, even death for his names sake. He is sending them out as sheep among wolves. He encourages His disciples that persecution is not a failure of God to protect them, but rather God’s plan. This would indeed be an opportunity to share the gospel of salvation.
If there is a message that desperately needs to be heard by the church today, it is Jesus’ words regarding persecution. In this morning’s text, Jesus prepares His disciples for the certainty of persecution on their current mission to the nation of Israel. In so doing, He also expands His teaching to include the mission to the Gentiles which encompasses the entire history of the church down to the present day. Here Jesus provides key teachings of what His disciples can expect from a world that rejects Him. In John 15, Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Expect it. Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends, family, job, or the loss of your life? “Ye were bought at a price’, and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.” D. Bonhoeffer
In John 1:29, John the Baptist declared of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist also said of Jesus, “The strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:27), and, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). It is clear that John the Baptist recognized Jesus to be the Messiah and had faith in Him.
However, later, as recorded in Matthew 11:3 and Luke 7:19, John the Baptist is in prison. He sends messengers to Jesus to ask Him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” What happened? Why was John the Baptist doubting whether Jesus was the Messiah?
Today’s passage focuses on the people’s estimate of John and Jesus, and Jesus’ estimate of this generation. Jesus had been preaching to and teaching the multitudes expecting them to apprehend who He was and to believe on Him. How incredible that these people who had every benefit and every opportunity to witness the fulfillment of prophecy before their eyes, would be so dull of heart to not respond to the Lord. They were unresponsive, unrepentant, and indifferent. There comes a point that those who reject the Lord will fall under His judgment. Jesus is calling you to come. Come to me. Take my yoke. Learn of me...and I will give you rest.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath law was never intended to restrict deeds of necessity. Secondly, it was never meant to restrict service to God. And thirdly, it was never meant to restrict acts of mercy. The Sabbath was to bring rest, not hardship. The Sabbath was to reflect what the other nine commandments reflected: Love toward God and love toward your fellow man. And that’s what the Ten Commandments are all about. Jesus honored the Sabbath, as did His disciples, insofar as God intended it to be honored. But the Pharisees had added so many things to the law that it became a heavy burden. Jesus did not comply with their legalism, and the Pharisees begin to accuse Him. Jesus’ response is classic, Have you not read? Don’t you know what it means? Jesus connected the Sabbath with the heart of God - benevolence, mercy, kindness, goodness. That is the purpose of it all. Jesus came that we might enter into a relationship with God.
There is escalating conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus. While following the letter of the law, they elevated themselves above the people. They failed to see God's mercy and grace and therefore failed in their interpretation of scripture. They became blind in their pride, and rejected the fulfillment of prophecy concerning their Messiah, Jesus, who is right before their eyes. Hardened hearts and haughty spirits have brought them dangerously close to blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Jesus is having none of it, and calls them out on it. We are either for Him, or against Him. We are gatherers or scatterers. There are only two destinations, heaven or hell. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, who testifies of Jesus, and will lead us into all truth...if we let Him.
A parable is not a fantasy story, but is literally, something “cast alongside” something else. Jesus’ parables were stories that were “cast alongside” a truth in order to illustrate that truth, with a hidden meaning. They are stories meant for every Spirit filled believer who has eyes to see, and ears to hear. The Parable of the Sower is recorded in three of the four biblical Gospels – Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15. The human heart is like receptive soil to the seed of the Word of God. Jesus used this analogy in the Parable of the Sower. The soil that the seed fell on represents four categories of hearers' hearts, four different reactions to the Word of God: the hard heart, the shallow heart, the crowded heart, and the fruitful heart. “A man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart.” That which falls on good soil represents those who hear the word of the kingdom, understand it, and produce fruit for the harvest.
The parables of "treasure hid in a field" and "one pearl of great price" both teach the same basic truth under two different figures, just as did the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven. The latter two spoke of evil entering the growing kingdom. These two, on the other hand, both speak of the tremendous value of becoming true citizens of the kingdom. In both cases, the one finding the kingdom gave up everything he had to gain it. The value of the kingdom of heaven is so great that everything else is worthless in comparison. Paul, like the men who liquidated everything they had to gain the treasure they found, counted as worthless everything else compared to priceless treasure of life in Christ. Just so, Paul said, "I have suffered the loss of all things...that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8). God is pleased with those who - like the men in these two parables - "diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). How much do you value life in Christ?
Matthew 14 tells the story of a wicked ruler who kills John the Baptist by having him beheaded. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great. He ruled only a fourth of his father's kingdom. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Herod Antipas was as wicked, as cruel and self indulged as his father before him. At some point in John's ministry there is a confrontation between Herod and John, about the sinful act of taking his brother's wife, Herodias. It was unlawful according to the Levitical law, and as a converted Jew it was a sin against God. John would be arrested and thrown into prison for speaking the truth to him. We find Herodias conspiring with her daughter to kill John. Herodias' daughter entices Herod at his birthday party with a dance, and ultimately he rewards her with giving her anything her her heart desires...ultimately this meant the beheading of John the Baptist. Fear and guilt always follow sin and rejection of God's truth.
As we finish up Matthew 14, we read of the account of Jesus walking on the water. The disciples had been in the sea battling the storm for several hours. They were exhausted from pulling the oars. They were frightened that drowning was imminent. And just when they thought all was lost, Jesus comes out to them walking on the sea, but they don't recognize Him. Fear is getting the better of them. They think Jesus is some "spirit." And instantly Jesus calls out to them, revealing who He is.
Sanctimonious Pharisees! They consider themselves above the people, and make a show of it. They look right, act right, and can hold the traditions close. They are quick to find fault in others, yet are blind to the sinfulness of their own hearts. They follow Jesus everywhere, and they listen to His Words, but they are spiritually deaf. They have eyes to see the power of God, the evidence of the miracles He performs, yet they are spiritually blind. Their sole purpose is to lay snares for Jesus. They remain unchanged. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The Holy Spirit reveals that there is no real transformation, in their lives.
The Power and Compassion of Jesus! Leaving the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus journeys to the Sea of Galilee and settles on the side of a mountain. Crowds come to him there and he heals the mute, crippled, lame and blind. The people are amazed and give praise to the God of Israel. Jesus, aware that the crowds of people had been with him now for three days and that they were hungry, tells the disciples that he does not want to send them away hungry as they may not make it home. The disciples can't see what they can do about the problem and so Jesus asks for their supplies, seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Having commanded the people to sit down, Jesus blesses the food and distributes it. Everyone is satisfied with some seven full baskets of uneaten food remaining. The number who ate is 4,000, excluding women and children.
When teaching His disciples, Jesus often used everyday objects to demonstrate spiritual truths.
In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus is warning His disciples to “take heed (or watch carefully), and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” The word leaven (or yeast) here takes on symbolic connotations. What does leaven do? Leaven is a pervasive influence that modifies something. Literally speaking, leaven is used in baking bread causing the bread to rise over time. Scripture tells us that “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump,” that is the very nature of leaven. You simply cannot hide it in the mix, because it ultimately affects everything. Spiritually speaking, leaven can be a good thing, a symbol of the kingdom of heaven. Leaven can also be a bad or evil thing, as is the case here in verse 6.
In this weeks study of Matthew, Jesus is preparing His disciples for what they will be facing in the near future. He is referring to His death and resurrection. The disciples have much to learn regarding God’s will, and the purpose of Christ’s work on earth. There is a high cost of reward! In verses 24-28, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
The point of this whole passage, in many ways, is a summary of the whole testimony of the people of God through all of history: that God moves powerfully when we believe. The power of faith.
In these next verses, we see a pleading father with a son that is demon possessed. We see the powerlessness of His disciples to heal him. We see the perversion of the faithless (disciples are symbolic of a whole generation of faithless people). Here we see the heart of Christ, the pain of His heart, and the disappointment that comes forth from His lips.
"O faithless and perverse generation." Can you sense His frustration? Here we see Jesus respond to the whole scene: the Lord confronts the perversion of the faithless generation, and He heals the child Himself.
Jesus looks to little children in making a point to his disciples about greatness. Hand picked by the Lord, these men had been called to follow Him. They left their homes, their families, their occupations, their former lives and followed Jesus. Their lives were forever changed, and though they were indeed different men, we still see a bit of the old nature. Vying for position, we get a glimpse of self importance creeping in, the sin of pride. "Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
Jesus gives them a lesson in humility by using a little child. "Except ye be converted and become as little children..." What is childlike in faith? He illustrates this lesson by calling a little child who does not hesitate to come to Jesus when He called. A child fully trusts, is completely dependent, humble and teachable. Trust the Lord. Trust His Word, His wisdom and guidance, and allow Him to lead you into maturity.
Forgiveness is a great virtue, all believers have the capacity to forgive because God’s Spirit indwells the hearts of believers. Forgiveness is the key to loving one another and serving one another in the unity of fellowship. It is the key to having truly meaningful relationships. It tears down the barriers we put up that separate us. It is the cure for bitterness, anger, and revenge. We live in a world that is so divided. Listening to news commentators, politicians, activist groups…are there any who practice forgiveness? They are like vultures going after their prey. They bite and devour one another. That is not the case for the believer. God has called us out of this world to shine as lights in darkness. What the world is incapable of, He has enabled us to do. Jesus reminds us that He has forgiven us a great debt, how much more should we be eager to forgive those who sin against us? It is the heart of God to forgive, it should be our heart too.
Divorce is a topic that has affected nearly all of us in some way. Many of us have friends and family who are divorced, some of us have divorced parents, and some of us are divorced ourselves. It was no different in Jesus’ day: marriages have been suffering since not long after God created marriage.
Setting the trap...
Jesus and the disciples have now come down beyond the Jordan River. The geographical location is important. This was the area that was under the leadership of Herod Antipas. This was also where John the Baptist had ministered before Herod had him beheaded. If you remember your Bible, you know that John was murdered by Herod due to the fact that he spoke out against his unlawful marriage (Luke 3:19). This is the setting that the Pharisees come to test Jesus with a question concerning divorce.
In this world of sin it is easy to get our values distorted . Property, money, material possessions, or a large bank account seem to give us security, but it is all a dream. We came into this world with nothing and it is certain we will go out with no material possessions. Jesus has promised us eternal life if only we believe on Him and determine to dedicate our lives to Him. So many are bartering away eternity because they consider this world more important, their values are all mixed up. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had this problem.
As Jesus looked at this young man, he saw in him such promise and such potential. And we are told that as Jesus beheld him, He loved him. And, yet, the story ends in tragedy.
The Lord is calling laborers to His vineyard, not the self-sufficient. Notice that He calls us and He sends us. Regardless of how long we've been saved, whether we've served Him faithfully for 1 hour, or 10 years (He saves people at different stages of their lives) each received the same reward simply because it is His work in us, and He sent us. (Phil. 2:13). GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISE - He is Faithful and True! He never gives less than what He promised, and often gives "abundantly above all we could as or think" (Eph. 3:20). Jesus takes the 12 aside and tells them that He will be betrayed and put to death.
Even in the midst of Jesus predicting His death, the disciples are thinking about themselves and how they might be great. Jesus confronts this issue and redirects them to see how they can really be great!
Jesus points out that they will drink His cup. What He means is that they will suffer. James would later be put to death and John would be exiled. In fact, all the disciples would eventually suffer in some way. They don’t yet know the extent to which Jesus will suffer or that they will suffer. However, Jesus does say that they will go through what He will go through to some extent.
Then, Jesus says plainly that it’s not up to Him to determine the place of honor for the apostles. That is God’s role. God will reward as He sees fit.
Jesus is coming, and a mass of people are following Him to Passover. And of course, the disciples are along, and the disciples are affirming that He is the Christ, He is the Messiah, He is the Son of God.
It is just six days before His crucifixion, six days until the Lamb of God becomes the Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, six days before He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; six days before the nails, the thorns, the spit, the cursings, the spear, the hatred, the sin-bearing, the loneliness of being God forsaken; six days before He feels the full fury of divine wrath for the sins of His people.
Jesus was entering into Jerusalem as the conquering King. He had come to them. He brought salvation. Jesus’ purpose in riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be their Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).
Finishing up Matthew 21, here we see the religious authorities—the chief priests and elders—question Jesus’ authority. Who is this Jesus who comes into Jerusalem receiving the praises of the masses and drives the moneychangers out of the temple? The stage is set for the showdown. It is in this context that Jesus tells three parables—the Two Sons, the Tenants, and the Wedding Feast. Each of these parables is told to the Jewish religious leaders, each illustrates their rejection of Jesus, and each pronounces judgment on Israel for their rejection of their Messiah. In the Parable of the Two Sons, the leaders of Israel are the second son who claimed obedience, but did not do the will of the father.
We see hear a wedding feast being prepared by the king for his son. We see the folks whose invitation was assumed – and they represented the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.
We see their being invited and their shocking refusal of that invitation. We see the persistence of the king’s invitation to them and their persistent refusal of the invitation – some being ambivalent about it and some being antagonistic and even homicidal.
And finally we the servants gathering anyone off the street to come to the wedding feast. The unrighteous, the unclean, the unconverted – without their wedding garments. We see the final judgment of those who were not worthy – cast out into darkness.
God is the God of the living, not the dead. Jesus had claimed to be "the resurrection and the life". All the Sadducees needed to discredit Jesus was then to show the absurdity of the concept of resurrection. The stakes are high. But Jesus showed that the resurrection was not a new idea, but has already been spoken of by God in Exodus. Jesus also spoke about the great power involved, saying that in the resurrection, people will live and love in an entirely new level that exceeds that of marriages here on earth. Find out from this sermon then how the resurrection is of utmost importance to you and how it impacts your life today!
The word hypocrisy in Greek was a term used for an actor on stage who played a specific role. Jesus took this word and turned it to mean a charlatan or pretender assuming a role.
The Pharisees’ traditions had become more important than God’s law. They had added their own sets of laws based upon their interpretation of the Law then placed applications. Besides this being a problem and almost unreachable goal for people – they did not follow it themselves. Obeying the Law was a requirement by God to honor Him but over the years they had exalted their own interpretations and traditions and were lost to the true intent of God's law and were ignorant of His Word. They're only concern was how they looked, exalting themselves above all others. Consider the Greek meaning of hypocrite or hypocrisy – the scribes and Pharisees were simply playing a role.
During the last week of His life here on earth, Jesus delivered to His disciples a comprehensive prophecy concerning end time events that would signal His return. Since it was delivered while He and His disciples were sitting on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, it is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse.
Last week we closed with verse 14 of Matthew 24, as Jesus stated, "Then shall the end come." With these dramatic words, Jesus begins to answer the question of the disciples, "What will be the sign of...the close of the age?"
The close of the age, or the end of times, there is much more to these studies than there appears to be at first. Jesus is speaking of future events, yet many of these things have already had an initial fulfillment verifying what is a true prophecy, and also a true prophet. It is important to understand that in these passages there is a long distance fulfillment of these prophecies...things that are yet to come. Focusing upon the far-distant period, Jesus describes to His disciples the sign of the close of the age, Matthew 24:15-22.
In this dark world of uncertainty, we have the greatest certainty of all to affirm—Jesus Christ is Lord! His Word is TRUE! He IS coming again!
Right after Jesus gives His disciples a picture of what His Second coming will look like, He continues to explain what the signs are that will take place before the end. He begins with the parable of the fig tree. The Fig Tree once again representing the Nation of Israel.
Matthew’s presentation of Jesus as the Messiah is consistent, irrefutable and true. He is Israel’s true King, the “Son of David,” the Messiah of His covenant people and the Savior of the Gentiles and indeed of the world. His prophetic words in the Olivet Discourse are a comfort to those who know Him, and a warning to those who don’t. Let all Israel hear Him and receive Him.
Beginning in chapter 25 of Matthews Gospel, the next couple of parables given by Jesus is with the intent of teaching us the suddenness and the unexpectedness of the coming of the Lord which, therefore, should call us to preparedness so that we are not caught in that unexpected moment unprepared for His coming.
Christian, be sure that even though you are outwardly associated with God’s kingdom, that you are also inwardly belonging to Him.
May the Lord examine our hearts and may His Spirit do whatever must be done to bring truth out of falsehood, that our faith would be real.
Though multitudes claim to be 'believers', there is a vast difference between walking the walk, and talking the talk. True believers are known by their fruit. They are known by their love for God, and love for others. They hunger and thirst for righteousness, they desire to share the truth of God's word with others, and they present the Gospel of Salvation with the lost. The core message of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is that God’s people will love others. Good works will result from our relationship to the Shepherd. Followers of Christ will treat others with kindness, serving them as if they were serving Christ Himself. The unregenerate live in the opposite manner. While “goats” can indeed perform acts of kindness and charity, their hearts are not right with God, and their actions are not for the right purpose – to honor and worship God. At our Lord's second coming, He will divide the sheep from the goats.
Are You a Sheep, or a Goat?
In Matthew 26, plans are being made to kill the Son of God. As with some other famous conspiracies to commit murder, this plan did not pan out exactly how the conspirators planned it. However, it did happen exactly as God planned it. Chief priests and scribes conspired to kill Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples, at which time He said that one of them would betray Him. And we are reminded of the precious ointment that Mary poured out on Jesus head, washing His feet with her hair to honor Him. Jesus reveals that she was in fact preparing Him for His burial.
As we look at this portion of scripture this morning, there is just so much going on. A careful study of these scriptures brings a greater depth to our understanding of Christ’s mission, the fulfillment of scripture, and the establishment of a New Covenant. Jesus would be that sacrificial Lamb that was slain for the atonement of our sins.
We see Judas conspiring with the priests against him. We see Jesus explaining to His disciples that He will be betrayed. We see Judas hypocritically asking, “is it me?” We see the fulfillment of the prophecy. We see Jesus preparing for His appointed hour. We see the final Passover of the Old Testament taking place, and a New Covenant instituted. We see his disciples asleep in those final hours. We find out that Peter will deny Him. We see Jesus praying to His Father and yielding to His will. Jesus will fulfill the scriptures.
As we continue on in Matthew chapter 26, we are already aware that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, that Jesus knew He would be arrested, and that Jesus knew His disciples would abandon Him. Jesus is ready for this, and He clearly states in verse 56, “. . . all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”
As we continue our study in the Book of Matthew, Jesus has already gone through a sham of a trial with the Jewish leaders in the courtyard of the high priest. They end up declaring that He was a blasphemer and that He deserves death.
At this point, the problem for the Jewish leaders is that they cannot legally execute someone; that authority lies with the Romans. The Jewish leaders will now try to convince the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to sentence Jesus to death.
Today's message, "Whom to Trust" is appropriately titled. As we look at the people surrounding our Lord after His arrest, we will clearly see whom these people have placed their trust, and the end result of trusting in anything or anyone other than the Son of God.
Pilate decides to hand Jesus over to the Jewish leaders with his authority to do what they wanted with Him. As we will see, Jesus endured the most horrific pain and suffering imaginable before He is condemned to death and crucified for our sins, thus fulfilling the scriptures. Today as we look at the agonizing experiences that Jesus went through, know that He did so by His own choice. He didn’t have to endure the humiliation and shame. He didn’t have to endure the pain and the suffering. Jesus did not have to stay on the cross; He had the power to get off. (See: John 10:17-18). It was because of Jesus' faithfulness that He endured humiliation. It was out of obedience to the Father that He suffered the insults of man. It was because of His love, that He laid down His life for you and for me.
Jesus drinks the cup of wrath of God poured out on sin. As Jesus takes the punishment for our sins, He cries, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" In those awful moments, as evil men were allowed to do whatever they wanted to Jesus, our Lord expressed His feelings of abandonment. God placed the sins of the world on His Son, and Jesus for a time felt the desolation of being unconscious of His Father’s presence. It was at this time that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” - 2 Corinthians 5:21.
We are in the final chapter of Matthew looking at the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The most amazing event in the history of our world is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without His death and resurrection, there is no Christianity, there is no cure for the curse of sin, there is no forgiveness, and there is no promise of a future and a hope, the hope of eternal life, a new heaven and a new earth.
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ’s resurrection validated His deity and who He claimed to be. Jesus was and is God!
Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. The metaphors of salt and light specifically addressed the impact faithfulness should have in the world. It should illuminate and preserve. Like both salt and light, our relationship with God should have an obvious impact on everyone who comes in contact with it. Jesus isn't just calling us to be devoted, He's encouraging us to have an influence everywhere we go.
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The book of I Peter is filled with admonitions for Christians of all times and all places on how to live READY for the coming of the Lord. The Apostle Peter under divine inspiration did not see a difference between normal Christian living and last days Christian living. He believed that all Christians at all times should live READY for the coming of the Lord.
The Book of I Peter is literally filled with admonitions and instructions on how all Christians should be living…Whether it is the destruction of Jerusalem that was coming in Peter's time, or the judgment of the world that is drawing near today.
No matter what happens in this world today, tomorrow, next month or next year, don't get caught up in the hype and the panic of the moment. If foreign enemies threaten, if the economy collapses, if we are persecuted as Christians... in the grand scheme of God's plan, these things matter very little. What matters is that we live ready for His coming.
Do NOT be DRAWN away by the cares of this world! Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw near to you. If you are wondering what you need to do as you see the day approaching, study the scriptures, pray and draw close to the Lord.
The book of I Peter is filled with admonitions for Christians of all times and all places on how to live READY for the coming of the Lord. It is a mistake for us as believers to think that we should change the way we live today because there is about to be a rare lunar eclipse… The Apostle Peter under divine inspiration did not see a difference between normal Christian living and last days Christian living. He believed that all Christians at all times should live READY for the coming of the Lord.Credits to:Videezy.com - Lightning and Uhr7Freepik.com - Bible and Spectacular SunsetAshamaluevmusic.com - HeroesZapsplat.com - sound effect (tic toc clock)
Sermon Short - Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Acts 2:46-47 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42The word for “continued steadfast” means to be “continually devoted.” The early church totally and completely devoted and fully immersed themselves to (1) the apostles’ doctrine, (2) fellowship, (3) in the breaking of bread, (4) and in prayers (Acts 2:42).
And why not, they had met the Messiah and had been forgiven all their sins. What had been important to them before Christ— possessions, money, retirement, prestige, entertainment, popularity, land, security, and even family— would seem like nothing to them after knowing Jesus. What can this world offer that compares with Jesus, who is God in the flesh? He is Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Lord!
As Christians, our devotion should be to Jesus. When you’re devoted to something, it is evident. What is internal becomes external. Our devotion to Jesus should be played out in our lives just like the early church. "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:46-47
What are you devoted to?
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The chief commitment of our lives is to God Himself. Total commitment to God means that Jesus is our sole authority, our guiding light, and our unerring compass. Being committed to Christ means being fruitful; it means being a servant. Our axiom is simple and succinct: “For me to live is Christ” – Philippians 1:21.
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The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross wasn't improvised. God didn't make it up in response to the unfolding events of history. Peter writes that Christ was known before the world was founded. As God, Jesus existed in eternity past as the one whose blood would cover the sins of all who receive salvation. Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and return to the Father were always God's plan to save us. Always. Jesus was always the answer to the questions asked by the prophets and the angels investigating what the Holy Spirit's Old Testament prophecies were pointing to (1 Peter 1:10–12).
Finally, in Peter's lifetime and those of his readers—the beginning of what Peter calls the "last times"—God revealed the mystery. He showed Himself and His plan to the world by coming to earth as a baby, a man, God in flesh, the final sacrifice for sin. Why? For our sake. God's great gift of mercy, and the timing of that gift in human history, demonstrates God's great love for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
The object of our lively hope is described in 1 Peter 1:4 as “an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” We have an inheritance that will never be touched by death, stained by evil, or faded with time; it is death-proof, sin-proof, and age-proof. This inheritance is also fail-proof because God guards and preserves it in heaven for us. It is wholly secure. Absolutely nothing can undermine the certainty of our future inheritance.Jesus is our eternal hope!
At this time of year, the world stops and recognizes the historical event of the resurrection. Most people are content to accept the fact that maybe it happened and maybe it didn’t. But it seems to have some sentimental value to people, and they don’t want to argue whether or not it happened. It kind of slides by as a recognized holiday. But for us, the resurrection is not a once-a-year discussion, it is a constant reality for us. We live every day of our lives in light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Because of Jesus resurrection, the true church is alive. Despite all that it endures and suffers, it is alive. The resurrection life of its Lord is the very life of the church. Because He lives, we live.
Ask yourselves: What gathered the scattered apostles? What transformed them? What took that little band of followers of Jesus going through very difficult times and being fearful, what took them to the place where they literally turned the world upside-down with the message of Jesus as Lord and Messiah? It was one event: The Resurrection! The resurrection of Jesus became the message of the apostles, a message essentially that established the church and continues to advance the church.
How important is the resurrection of Jesus Christ? It vindicates the truthfulness of the Word of God, the deity of the Son of God, the completion of the salvation of God, and the establishment of the church of God. There’s another reality that is tied inextricably to the resurrection: the inevitability of the judgment of God. Jesus rose not only to be Lord of His church, Jesus rose not only to be the life of His church, but Jesus rose to be the Judge of the world.
No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation. Some consider John 3:16 as the "theme verse" for the entire Bible. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. John 3:16 gives us the glorious hope of eternal life in heaven through the love of God and death of Jesus Christ.
No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation. Some consider John 3:16 as the "theme verse" for the entire Bible. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. John 3:16 gives us the glorious hope of eternal life in heaven through the love of God and death of Jesus Christ.
Easter is a season of great gladness for those who know Christ. It is a time when we celebrate God’s love and sacrifice for us. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in history, providing irrefutable evidence that Jesus is who He claimed to be – the Son of God. The resurrection was not only the supreme validation of His deity; it also validated the Scriptures, which foretold His coming and resurrection. Moreover, it authenticated Christ’s claims that He would be raised on the third day (John 2:19-21; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34). If Christ’s body was not resurrected, we have no hope that ours will be (1 Corinthians 15:13, 16). In fact, apart from Christ’s bodily resurrection, we have no Savior, no salvation, and no hope of eternal life. Jesus said, "I Am the resurrection and the Life." The question is: Do you believe this?
No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation. Some consider John 3:16 as the "theme verse" for the entire Bible. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf. John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. John 3:16 gives us the glorious hope of eternal life in heaven through the love of God and death of Jesus Christ.
What a hope we have in Jesus! What a joyful hope we have this resurrection morning! The tomb is empty, Jesus is risen! And we have the promise of Jesus: all those who believe in him will never die, but one day will be resurrected to everlasting life. Our part is to believe. If you choose not to believe, you choose to reject the greatest gift ever offered, and God will respect your choice. But I pray that you won't reject His gift. You can pray and ask Jesus to come into your life and save you by his power and give you his abundant life now, and his eternal life on that day. What holds you back?
In ancient times, a King would ride a horse into town if he was declaring war, but when a leader chose instead to ride a donkey, it signified that he was coming in peace. Jesus choosing to ride a donkey was intentional, His entering into Jerusalem was prophetic, Jesus was declaring Himself as King. He was symbolizing the truth that the battle was over, the victory had been won and the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Peace had been established.
But there was more. Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah given more than 400 years before. Jesus, the Messiah, had come. Jesus was entering into Jerusalem as the conquering King. He had come to them. He brought salvation.
Historians say that some 2 1/2 million Jewish people would have been in Jerusalem for Passover that week. They had traveled from all over to be part of the festivities and also to sacrifice a lamb for their sins. This ride not only was a fulfillment of prophecy, but Jesus was also intentionally making a statement to the crowds who followed Him. He is the Messiah. He alone holds salvation. He alone holds peace.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and in that statement claimed to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, no eternal life. Jesus does more than give life; He is life, and that’s why death has no power over Him. Jesus confers His life on those who trust in Him, so that we can share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11–12). We who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, we have overcome death. It is impossible for death to win (1 Corinthians 15:53–57).
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and in that statement claimed to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, no eternal life. Jesus does more than give life; He is life, and that’s why death has no power over Him. Jesus confers His life on those who trust in Him, so that we can share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11–12). We who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, we have overcome death. It is impossible for death to win (1 Corinthians 15:53–57).
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”
In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus tells us of the wise man who chose to build his house on the rock—a solid, steady, and true foundation. He could have chosen a more convenient foundation that would crumble under pressure, or be moved by the wind, but he chose a strong foundation that would not waver in a storm. Like this wise man, take care to build your life on the true, unshakable foundation!
The Word of God is the only foundation that will never fail, change, or pass away. Worldly foundations are enticing, but they will ultimately fall with the floods, winds, and rain. Let’s look at a few worldly foundations and see what the Word of God has to say about them.
Jesus' third parable (Matthew 22) goes beyond merely exposing the religious leaders to revealing God's grace for others. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a king throwing a wedding feast for his son. None of the citizens he invites will attend, however, resisting to the point of killing the king's messengers. After destroying the murderers, the king invites as many as can be found on the public roads, and the hall is filled."Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."The beauty and tragedy of The Parable of the Wedding Feast shows how God’s invitation extends to all, but many choose not to accept.
The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious. Satan is a defeated foe.
Back in Genesis God promises Abram that He “will make you a great nation.” Abram would be the father of that great nation, fulfilled in the Jewish people and the nation of Israel through the birth of Isaac. God’s covenant with Abram was that He would bless those who bless thee, and curse those who curse thee, and that all the families of the earth would be blessed through Abram’s seed.
In the division of land masses, and peoples, in ancient times, God already had a plan for mankind in place. A covenant that would not be broken. A promise of salvation and redemption for those who put their faith and trust in Him. That redemption would come through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Israel has not been cast aside forever. They have sinned, but through their sin God is ushering the Gentiles into salvation. God has worked Israel’s transgression to richly benefit the Gentiles, and He will work to restore Israel to Himself.
The last battle of the world will be called Armageddon. It is described as the rallying-place of the kings of the whole world who, led by the unclean spirits issuing from the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, assemble here for the war of the great day of the Almighty. We live in a time where there is little or no reverence for God. People in our society think that they are more important than God. They have believed the lie that God doesn't exist and that, in the end, they will not have to answer to anyone but themselves.
Joel chapter 3 tells us a very different story. It begins with, “For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem..."
Because of the judgments set during the "Day of the Lord," Israel's situation in the world will be dramatically changed, and God will deal justly with the nations of the world for the way they have treated His people Israel
We live in a world that suffers because of sin. However, God is still in control, and His purpose is stated in Romans: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
The remedy for the cause of sin is that we all be born of the Spirit. As Matthew Henry said, “No spiritually good thing dwells in us, or can proceed from us. We all must humble ourselves to the mercies of God and recognize a need to be anchored in the Lord.”
Remember when Jesus said that He has overcome the world. This is the hope that we have in the midst of our trials and difficulties. We live in a dangerous and unpredictable world, yet we can still have joy because our souls are anchored in the Lord.
Jesus is our hope and anchor who will keep us in the midst of storms. He is the one who is able to keep us steadfast and unmovable in spite of the tides of life. Don't look to the world for help, CRY OUT TO JESUS!
What are you distracted with? What dominates your thoughts, your conversations?
Center your heart, your mind, your life, your relationships, your conversations upon the Lord and His Word.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:1-2
In last week’s message, Pastor Bob taught the prophecy of Joel from chapter 2 in our end-times series. Today, we are taking a little bit of a detour to shortest book of the Old Testament, Obadiah, then we will come back to Joel chapter 3 next week.
By studying Obadiah, Pastor Bob will help provide the context and the history about the enemies of God and Israel, and according to scripture these will be the same enemy nations who will be aligned against Israel and God in the end-times and the last days.
The shortest book of the Old Testament, Obadiah’s words go out against Edom, blood relatives of Israel from Esau. The Edomites were a force to be reckoned with as they were rugged, fierce warriors who made their home in the cleft of the rocks. As they were relatives, they did not like Israel to which they never came to help them when they found themselves in wars with other nations. If anything they gloated over Judah’s problems. Spiritually, they were indifferent to God, full of pride because of their earthly wisdom, political alliances and even how their city was made of rock. All of these things were called out where judgment was promised to come.
God rules in this world right now and turns the course of nations and history as he pleases. If this were not so, he could not promise Judah that he would cut off Edom and establish Jacob. No Christian should have the jitters that the world is careening out of control toward a meaningless catastrophe. We may feel like people tossed around in an old stagecoach pulled by six wild horses, but fear not, God sits serenely over our heads, and the hands that made the world, He hold the reins.
The book of Joel gives some of the most striking and specific details in all of Scripture about the day of the Lord—days cloaked in darkness, armies that conquer like consuming fire, and the moon turning to blood. Rooted in such vibrant and physical imagery, this time of ultimate judgment, still future for us today (2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10), makes clear the seriousness of God’s judgment on sin.
The day of the Lord, which is a reference not to a single day only but to a period of judgment and restoration, consists of three basic features: The judgment of God's people; The judgment of foreign nations; The purification and restoration of God's people through intense suffering (Joel 2:1-11; 2:28-32; 3:1-16).
Today, we are continuing on in our End Times Series, in The Book of Joel, chapter 2.
This is a sounding of the alarm... A WARNING, and a call to repentance. Joel is prophesying of the devastation to the land of Israel as armies from other nations came against them, but also to the future as he foretells of the day of the Lord, which is a reference to God's wrath being poured out upon this world, and unbelieving Israel. The description is detailed and frightening. This would be a horrific chapter if it were not for the promise of hope.
Besides being a time of judgment, it will also be a time of salvation as God will deliver the remnant of Israel, fulfilling His promise that “all of Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), forgiving their sins and restoring His chosen people to the land He promised to Abraham (Isaiah 10:27; Jeremiah 30:19-31, 40; Micah 4; Zechariah 13). The final outcome of the day of the Lord will be that “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:17). The ultimate or final fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the day of the Lord will come at the end of history when God, with wondrous power, will punish evil and fulfill all His promises.
Once again, God gives fair warning but also calls the people to repent and return to Him. This is genuine repentance, a genuine change of heart, not the outward pretense. He wants our hearts and our devotion...
Today's Audio Message:
Ezekiel 39:1-29 - "I Am Against Thee, O Gog"
Summary Notes:
In last week's study of the Gog and Magog invasion that the Bible predicts an end-time alliance between Russia, Iran and Turkey (along with other countries) that will come against Israel in the last days leading up to the return of Jesus. As they cover the land like a storm it will look like a sure-thing win for the invading forces- that is until God steps in!
From our study we know that God will not allow this invading force to prevail but will supernaturally wipe them out on the mountains of Israel in an event that will literally leave an unbelieving world gasping! It will, the Bible says, be an event that will be used by God to make His name known again to both Israel and the nations of the world.
In Ezekiel 39:21–29, the Lord states His plan for the nations and for the future of His ancient, beloved Israel:
"And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them."(v. 21). This word comes directly on the heels of God’s promised destruction of Israel’s enemy, Gog of the land of Magog. The Lord draws a figurative line in the sand and states clearly and concisely that He is serving notice on the nations of the world that they can expect to see judgment from His hand and His glory in their midst.
As one of the more pivotal End Times events, the invasion into Israel by Gog and its allies is important to understand as we study eschatology and look for signs of the latter days within our current, geopolitical climate. As we examined Ezekiel 38 last week, today we will begin our study in chapter 39 verse-by-verse, as we drill down to understand the major players, the key elements, and why God is orchestrating this significant event.
Future prophecy frequently has both a near and far fulfillment in view, and it is the Bible student’s responsibility to rightly divide or cut straight these prophecies.
These future events take place after the Church has been raptured (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
And we are reminded of the great comfort and protection that God has for those who have put their faith in Him. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (verse 18).
Today we will look at chapter 38 of Ezekiel, one of the most well-studied chapters amongst Bible prophecy students. Chapter 38-39 provide the climax to a great supernatural war that is coming, one that threatens the very existence of Israel as a nation. The Gog and Magog war will occur somewhere between Israel becoming a nation again and the return of Jesus. And, as we shall see, the players involved in this war are seriously moving into position in our day.
As we look at what Ezekiel saw for Israel and the nations in the last days, we've seen that God has some pretty big events in store! One of the main themes that has been mentioned through Ezekiel, (34-39), is the emphasis of God making His name known in the last days. He will make His name known to the nation of Israel and the nations of the world. Now that is pretty exciting! The Western nations especially live in a post-modern, post-Christian world. The thought of God is often mocked, ignored or not seen as relevant in this day. Yet God has events in store where He will, on a global stage, make His name known again. One such great event is before us in this study on Ezekiel 38.
Like Matthew 24, Luke chapter 21 carries a sobering message about the signs of future events before Jesus second coming.
His somber words speak of a time of trouble that is coming, the like of which has never been seen before in all human history. It will be a time of incredible distress and great peril to human life. A time of staggering atrocities, bloodshed and horror such as mankind has never seen before.
Luke 21: 11 lists some of the natural signs that will occur before the Lord’s second coming: there would be an increase in natural disasters, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places and great distress. Iniquity will abound and the love of many will wax cold (Matthew 24). There would be persecution, rejection and many false leaders. The hatred of God, His Word and Christians will grow exponentially.
Jesus warned His disciples that the age between then and His second coming will be marked by great religious deception. Many will be deceived in the last days by false leaders, teachers, prophets and messiahs. Add to that the many false leaders on the world stage, social, political, and global. Those who disregard the Word of God will no doubt fall in with those who will lead them into death and destruction.
The signs which the unbelieving world either distorts or denies, are the same signs that the saints will heed. The signs which bring terror and fear to the unbeliever, will bring courage and hope to the saint, Thus, Jesus instructs believers to STAND UP and LOOK UP, because these signs precede the return of the Lord Jesus, and His return in great power and glory. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (vs 28).
Is Jesus coming back? No question about it! Will all that He said here be fulfilled? Certainly! Will these events happen in a short period of time? Absolutely! These things are more sure than the continuation of heaven and earth which, by the way, Jesus says will not continue but will pass away. God's Word is eternal and it will stand forever!
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his Bride hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19:7-8). In the NT Jesus is portrayed as the Bridegroom in Matt.9:15, 22:1-13, 25:1-10, John 3:29, 2 Cor. 11:2 and Ephesians 5:23-32.
What magnificent imagery designed to demonstrate the glorious beauty of a marriage and celebration as the Lord is joined to His beloved people. The Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the groom and His beloved church is His bride. What a wonderful day, a day like no other day, when we are joined together with our Lord in the fullness of that eternal glory which He has planned for us.
The tribulation is a future seven-year period of time in which humanity's decadence and depravity will reach its fullness, with God judging accordingly. God will finish His discipline of Israel and finalize His judgment of the unbelieving world. The church, made up of all who have trusted in the person and work of the Lord Jesus to save them from being punished for sin, will not be present during the tribulation. The church will be removed from the earth in an event known as the rapture, as we learned in our lesson last week.
The mills of God grind slow, but “they grind exceeding small.” And when the seals are broken and the trumpets are blown and the bowls are poured out, everything that God made for human blessedness is going to become an instrument of death. God hates sin, but God loves what? Sinners. He’s provided a salvation in Jesus Christ and because of that, we are kept from the hour of tribulation, we who receive Christ.
Around the globe, people are watching the news and the things happening in this world with great apprehension about what will happen next. Many of today's headlines are prophetic in nature and are going unnoticed by those who are not saved. Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us of these perilous times, but He also gave us the promise of Hope! 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us the following "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Therefore, understand that what we are witnessing, in real time, is the Word of God coming to pass. These are the birth pangs spoken of in the book of Matthew Chapter 24 and they are getting stronger by the day! Therefore we rejoice for our redemption draws near! (Luke 21:28)
Today's teaching is part one of a three part series on the End Times entitled, "The Rapture."
As we bring Ephesians 6 to its conclusion, Paul is ending his letter to the Ephesian church. What he wanted them to know, as he wants us to know, that we have all the resources, all the power, and all the principles to live the faithful Christian life. However, having everything we need does not mean it will be easy.
We are in a spiritual battle, and there is an adversary who is there to come after us with every cunning, devious, deceptive scheme in order to thwart God's work in our lives, and our effectiveness in this world. He wants to trip us up and quit the race.
Defining the Christian life is best summed up as warfare, because that is what we are in. That’s what Paul uses to speak of it in this passage. While we studied the armor of God last week, there is one final element, and it is contained in verse 18. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” The final element of the believer’s weapon is prayer.
In previous weeks we learned that Paul had been teaching the Ephesians about the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:18, 3:19), the importance of being filled with the Spirit, and the life that flows from it.
Paul outlined the standards of the Spirit filled life for believers individually, for fellowship within the Christian community, and for the more intimate family relationships within the home (marriage, children, and household), which we will learn more about today.
As we continue our study in Ephesians, the text continues to flow out of the command in Ephesians 5:18, to be filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit means we actually live in obedience to God’s Word.
In today's study we are beginning in chapter 6, and here Paul directly deals with the family, the relationship between children and their parents, and the rest of the household, including relationships between employer and employee.
This wonderful new life we have received through Christ’s death and resurrection, is a transformed life. It is a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world, but one that pleases God. This is accomplished by the renewing of our minds, an inward spiritual transformation that will manifest itself in outward actions. Transformation involves those who were once far from God being “drawn near” to Him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13) and being led by the Spirit of God. It is through the power of God’s Spirit that Christ lives within us, the Spirit indwells us, and where we draw our strength.
Finally, Paul reminded believers that the Christian life means participation in a spiritual battle. From his own experience, the apostle knew the opposition is real and the warfare intense: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:11–13).
Since believers are engaged in an ongoing spiritual battle with the powers of darkness, they cannot endure without the power of God. To be strong in the Lord and the power of His might is vital to living a victorious Christian life. No one who goes to war wants to be on the losing side. Notice the scripture says to be strengthened “in the Lord.” Our lives must be positioned in the Lord to obtain His power.
Paul goes into detail about how the Lord equips us for ongoing spiritual warfare with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18), so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. What are the wiles of the devil? They are deceptive methods of trickery as he lies in wait to trip us up. 2 Peter 5:8 tells us to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
We must stand against the wiles of the devil. In vs. 13, the phrase “having done all, to stand” is a clear indication of personal responsibility. “Having done all” means while God has supplied everything we need, we must prepare everything necessary to stand. In other words, our responsibility is to “PUT ON” the full armor (vs 11.)
Paul, before his death, wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul understood this battle, and he fought well with His faith intact. He kept the faith by guarding and watching over. His trust in the Lord never wavered. What a powerful affirmation of his unyielding love and undying faith in Jesus and the gospel message.
What is God’s standard for marriage and the family?
We have been fed all sorts of illusions about reality from the entertainment industry, so much so, that people try and make fantasy a reality. The perfect body, the perfect romance, the perfect lifestyle, the perfect relationship, husband, wife…but is there such a thing? Fantasy will always fall short of our expectations.
Marriage is the capstone of the family, and the building block of human civilization. When marriage fails, the whole family falls apart; when the family fails, the whole society suffers. Of course, this is evidenced by the stories of societal suffering filling the headlines every day.
In today’s text, we will be studying God’s standard for marriage and the family. God designed marriage, and when He designs a thing (like marriage), He designs it for His glory and our good.
In fact, Paul describes the marriage union in verse 32 as a mystery, because its deepest meaning has been partially concealed, but now is openly revealed by the apostle, namely, that marriage is an image of Christ and the church.
As we study the roles of the husband, and the wife in marriage it is important to understand that they are not arbitrarily assigned, and they are not reversible without obscuring God’s purpose for marriage. The roles of husband and wife are rooted in the distinctive roles of Christ and his church. God means (by marriage) to say something about his Son and his church by the way husbands and wives relate to each other.
Obedience always brings God's blessings!
Ephesians 2 starts with a reminder of God’s great love for us, that even when we were dead, Christ made us alive in Him. We have been raised and seated with Christ in heaven and all of this comes by His Grace that we receive through faith.
Without God’s action in this world, there would be no hope for the future. Life, as cannot be understood unless one views it in light of God. As believers in Christ, we are to remind people of the true and only hope: salvation in Christ Jesus. That hope is not to be placed in governments, people, programs or systems, but in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving work on the cross.
In the first part of Ephesians 1, Paul tells the believer who they are in Christ, you are chosen, adopted, redeemed and sealed. He goes on to share the many spiritual blessings that are found in our Lord. As we finish this chapter, Paul describes to us what God wants us to have and what God wants us to know. God wants us to know him, not just to know about him. As we walk with God, He reveals the glorious things that He wants us to know in His Word. In His Word is found the knowledge of the Lord, the hope to which you have been called, and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. He wants you to know the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us as seen through the resurrection and exaltation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, in present-day Turkey. Ephesians is one of 13 epistles, or letters, that he wrote to various churches or followers of Christ. Whereas some of the Pauline epistles were written to address issues that had arisen in certain churches, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to give revelation to the most important themes of Christianity – kind of a grand summary of what it means to be a Christian. The first 14 verses of Ephesians 1 are important, as they set the tone for the rest of the book, dealing with God's foreknowledge and God's will in His plan of Redemption.
MATTHEW AND LUKE: DIFFERENT GOSPELS, WRITTEN TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, WRITTEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES -
Atheists and skeptics can throw around the words “contradict” and “contradictory” with regard to the Gospels, but is it?
Only two of the gospels, Matthew and Luke, give an account of the happenings surrounding Jesus’ birth. Matthew's gospel is written to the Jews, and provides information about Joseph and the Magi (or Kings from the East). Luke's gospel is clearly written to the Gentiles, and focuses on Elizabeth, Zacharias, John the Baptist, the shepherds and Simeon and Anna.
Does one gospel providing information that the other does not necessarily mean that that the two accounts cannot be reconciled? Of course not.
While various people claim that the books of Matthew and Luke contradict each other, what they have failed to see is that each of these accounts is vitally important providing a fuller picture of the fulfillment of bible prophecy concerning the coming Messiah. Each writer, inspired by God, wrote the account to different audiences, at different times, providing vital details that ultimately provides evidence beyond a shadow of doubt, that Christ is the Messiah.
I’m sure you’ve seen the Magi (or wise men) and shepherds' side by side in Nativity scenes for a lifetime as you drive pass churches or residential areas. Well, while it is a beautiful sight to behold, biblically, it’s a bit anachronistic because the wise men and the shepherds were not present together when Jesus was born in a manger. According to Luke’s Gospel, the shepherds in the fields were told by the angels about a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and they would find a babe (Jesus) lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.
In Matthew's account, the wise men came into a house (not a manger), they saw a young child (not a babe) with Mary. The wise men were not present at His birth, but rather when the child was a toddler, nearly 2 years later when they saw Jesus.
What would make these accounts contradictory is if Luke had said, “only the shepherds witnessed the birth” and Matthew had said, “Only the wise men witnessed the birth of Jesus.” Well neither of those statements can be found in the bible.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke aren’t giving contradictory accounts but focusing on different aspects of the birth of our Lord. The fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies is clear and are vitally important details concerning the birth of our Lord.
The gospels were written by four different men to four unique audiences, so it is natural that they would include different details concerning the life of Christ. But their writing was superintended by the Holy Spirit, who guaranteed that what each wrote was the absolute truth. There are differences, but they can all be harmonized. The narratives of Jesus’ birth found in Matthew and Luke are not contradictory but complementary.
God's Word is True, it is Living, it is Accurate and Infallible. All Scripture is Inspired by God. It is Historical, Prophetic, and Spiritually Discerned. The accounts of the birth of our Savior, some 2,000 years ago, provide the evidence that the prophecies concerning His first coming have been fulfilled. The overriding message is that Jesus came to earth in a humble manner. The Savior of the world and God of all creation put on humanity to die for our sins and conquer death, giving the hope of salvation to all who turn from their sin and believe on Him. One day, He will return in judgment, and He will not appear as a seemingly helpless baby, but as the risen, glorified, sovereign Lord and Judge.
Let’s examine why Matthew and Luke differ.
The entire physical universe was created for God’s glory. When we rebelled, the universe fell under the weight of our sin. Yet God did not give up on us. God is not some hapless inventor whose creation failed. He has a masterful plan. In fact, from before the creation of the world, before the beginning of time, God had a plan to redeem the world through the atoning work of his Son, Jesus. All who are in Christ would be conformed to His image, and adopted as children of God. The message throughout the Old and New Testaments is the promise of a Savior, that Savior is Jesus. Salvation is not the work of humanity, it is the work of God through Christ.
As we continue our study in Luke's gospel, we know that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had been born. The long- awaited promised good news had been announced (1:26–38), affirmed (1:39–56), and arrived (2:1–20).
We are looking at Luke chapter 2 and verses 21 through 40, in which Luke produces testimony to the identity of the child, testimony from His parents, Joseph and Mary, testimony from an old man named Simeon, and an old woman named Anna. This is important for this testimony to be given because the Old Testament law required that all truth be confirmed by two or three witnesses, credible, trustworthy witnesses. Her we have righteous Joseph and Mary, righteous Simeon, and righteous Anna, to give testimony to the fact that the child born in Bethlehem is indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ and so we're looking at this testimony.
These faithful believers had, for a long time, anticipated the arrival of God’s promised Messiah. They now experienced what they had been so longingly expecting. Therefore, they celebrated. But this led them to anticipate again. For with the arrival of Messiah, greater things were still to come, not only in the city of Jerusalem, but throughout the nation of Israel and in all the nations.
Tonight, we welcome you to our Christmas Eve service, along with a short reading of the Gospel’s record of the Birth of our Savior, Jesus, followed with Communion Service.
God’s eternal plan for world redemption was a perfectly synchronized program of events that centered on the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem. When you examine the details you are overwhelmed with the fact that it was not an afterthought with God. It was a carefully laid organizational plan of complexity. The apostle Paul in Galatians 4:4-5 tells us "when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
The momentous intervention of God into human affairs (especially after such a long period of prophetic silence) should cause awe, amazement, and rejoicing. The events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist and the coming of the Messiah (who will bring Redemption and Salvation and Everlasting Life) are anything but ordinary and typical. But what we easily forget is that God’s intervention in our own lives to draw us to Himself in saving faith is no less an awe-inspiring wonder of His mercy and grace. His visitation rescues us out of the domain of darkness into His glorious light, and we serve Him in that glorious light of holiness, righteousness and truth. When the Lord “visits” his people, that means he comes down and gets personally involved in their welfare. And when he “redeems” his people, that means he takes action to set them free. That the Lord has visited and redeemed his people is certainly something to praise God for.
Zechariah is holding his newborn son and speaks of the future with words inspired by the Holy Spirit.
One of the foundational truths of our faith is that God is Creator of all that is. God is also Sovereign which means He is the ultimate source of power, wisdom and authority over all of His creation. As our Sovereign Creator, He exercises His rule in our lives.
God has a purpose and a plan for our lives. We’ve all heard this saying many times prior to our salvation, and throughout our Christian walk, and it is true! It is essential to know Who God Is that we may understand His providence which governs and directs all things according to His plan and purposes.
To ensure that His purposes are fulfilled, God governs the affairs of men and works through the natural order of things. The laws of nature are nothing more than God’s work in the universe. The laws of nature have no inherent power; but are the principles that God set in place to govern how things normally work. They are only “laws” because God decreed them.
Today’s study is titled, “God’s Will for the Barren.” It is a look at how God accomplished His will in the lives of Zacharias and Elizabeth, his barren wife. God would open Elizabeth's womb to bring forth a son, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy as the forerunner of Jesus, our Messiah.
Elizabeth is only mentioned in Luke chapter 1, but we learn much about her in this chapter. She is described as a righteous woman living a life of willing obedience to God even in the midst of trials and difficulties. Patient, trusting and waiting - even when it seemed impossible being beyond childbearing years, she remained faithful to God, unwavering in her faith.
God Alone is the One who has the power to open and close the Womb. The undeniable truth of Scripture tells us this plainly. If a child is conceived and born it is because God has created that life, formed that baby, and even caused the delivery of the child. In this case, and in other examples throughout scripture, God had a specific plan in Elizabeth’s barrenness, the miracle of John, the fulfillment of prophecy, according to His will, His purpose for the salvation of mankind.
Today as we look closer at Ephesians 4:31-32, Paul is exhorting the Ephesian believers not to sin, but to manifest the godly behaviors—namely, showing kindness, being tenderhearted, and exhibiting forgiveness. The main danger in not “putting on the new man” (Ephesians 4:24) is that as we sin against and stray from God, we “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30), whose role it is to comfort and to guide believers in Christlikeness.
We grieve the Spirit by living like the pagans (Ephesians 4:17-19), by lying (4:25), by being angry (4:26-27), by stealing (4:28), by cursing (4:29), by being bitter (4:31), by being unforgiving (4:32), and by being sexually immoral (5:3-5). To grieve the Spirit is to act out in a sinful manner, whether it is in thought only or in both thought and deed. How can we grow in godliness when we are living like the rest of the world? In order for us to draw closer to God and away from sin, we must be born of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who produces new nature in us. God promised that He would give his people a new heart, a new nature, clean lives and a full measure of the spirit on the last day.
Jesus taught His disciples, and by extension, all believers, how the Holy Spirit will work after Christ’s ascension into heaven. In John's Gospel, Jesus promised that when He departed, He would send another Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity. Our Lord expounds on the Work and Person of the Holy Spirit.
In this world of sin it is easy to get our values distorted . Property, money, material possessions, or a large bank account seem to give us security, but it is all a dream. We came into this world with nothing and it is certain we will go out with no material possessions. Jesus has promised us eternal life if only we believe on Him and determine to dedicate our lives to Him. So many are bartering away eternity because they consider this world more important, their values are all mixed up. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus had this problem.
As Jesus looked at this young man, he saw in him such promise and such potential. And we are told that as Jesus beheld him, He loved him. And, yet, the story ends in tragedy.
Divorce is a topic that has affected nearly all of us in some way. Many of us have friends and family who are divorced, some of us have divorced parents, and some of us are divorced ourselves. It was no different in Jesus’ day: marriages have been suffering since not long after God created marriage.
Setting the trap...
Jesus and the disciples have now come down beyond the Jordan River. The geographical location is important. This was the area that was under the leadership of Herod Antipas. This was also where John the Baptist had ministered before Herod had him beheaded. If you remember your Bible, you know that John was murdered by Herod due to the fact that he spoke out against his unlawful marriage (Luke 3:19). This is the setting that the Pharisees come to test Jesus with a question concerning divorce.
Forgiveness is a great virtue, all believers have the capacity to forgive because God’s Spirit indwells the hearts of believers. Forgiveness is the key to loving one another and serving one another in the unity of fellowship. It is the key to having truly meaningful relationships. It tears down the barriers we put up that separate us. It is the cure for bitterness, anger, and revenge. We live in a world that is so divided. Listening to news commentators, politicians, activist groups…are there any who practice forgiveness? They are like vultures going after their prey. They bite and devour one another. That is not the case for the believer. God has called us out of this world to shine as lights in darkness. What the world is incapable of, He has enabled us to do. Jesus reminds us that He has forgiven us a great debt, how much more should we be eager to forgive those who sin against us? It is the heart of God to forgive, it should be our heart too.
Jesus looks to little children in making a point to his disciples about greatness. Hand picked by the Lord, these men had been called to follow Him. They left their homes, their families, their occupations, their former lives and followed Jesus. Their lives were forever changed, and though they were indeed different men, we still see a bit of the old nature. Vying for position, we get a glimpse of self importance creeping in, the sin of pride. "Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
Jesus gives them a lesson in humility by using a little child. "Except ye be converted and become as little children..." What is childlike in faith? He illustrates this lesson by calling a little child who does not hesitate to come to Jesus when He called. A child fully trusts, is completely dependent, humble and teachable. Trust the Lord. Trust His Word, His wisdom and guidance, and allow Him to lead you into maturity.
Today's Audio Message:
Matthew 17:14-27 - "Our Compassionate Savior"
The point of this whole passage, in many ways, is a summary of the whole testimony of the people of God through all of history: that God moves powerfully when we believe. The power of faith.
In these next verses, we see a pleading father with a son that is demon possessed. We see the powerlessness of His disciples to heal him. We see the perversion of the faithless (disciples are symbolic of a whole generation of faithless people). Here we see the heart of Christ, the pain of His heart, and the disappointment that comes forth from His lips.
"O faithless and perverse generation." Can you sense His frustration? Here we see Jesus respond to the whole scene: the Lord confronts the perversion of the faithless generation, and He heals the child Himself.
The disciples have made a habit of faltering when difficulties arise. They had faith, but it was weak. They had a very difficult time handling what they didn’t have but knew they needed. Faith is the ability to trust God when there are no human resources around. It's one thing to say God can supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.....it's another thing to pray and trust the Lord to deliver on His promise.
Whether the feeding of the 5,000. The storm on the sea; Peter walking on the sea afraid of the boisterous wind. When faith is tested it is easy to see how weak it really is at times. Here is another test of faith and another lesson and opportunity for His disciples to learn and grow.
The principle of the mustard seed is not that it’s this little seed. The principle of the mustard seed is that though it is a little seed, it grows.
Through it all we see the character of our Lord, His heart of compassion. His desire to heal and to save the lost. His patience to teach and prepare His disciples to minister to the needs of the people and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is our salvation. He is our help. He is our eternal hope.
Jesus knew that He had come to “take up His cross” and follow the will of His Heavenly Father. It was absolutely necessary that He must go to Jerusalem; suffer unjustly at the hands of wicked, hateful men; die a cruel death on the cross and three days later be raised again to life by the power of Almighty God. By doing so, He took on my sins and yours, and through this forgiveness restored our relationship with the Father.
Just as He did for us, so He calls us to “take up our cross” and follow Him. His disciples are called to a life of absolute surrender. The things of this world cannot compare to the riches that we have in Christ. A disciple is ready and willing to suffer persecution, even death for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. Just as they persecuted Him, they will persecute you and me. Those who seek to save their lives will lose it, but whoever loses his live for Christ's sake will save it.
There are a lot of voices in this world. Everyone has an opinion of how we should live our lives and what we should be doing. If you want to know God's will for your life, listen to Jesus. He is the Son of the living God, the Christ who died on the cross for your sin and rose victoriously from the grave! He loves you and will never forsake you. He offers salvation freely to anyone who will believe. Believe on Him today!