Forge Church: Recent Episodes
Forge Church
Having taught the Ephesians concerning the House Law thatt Holy Spirit was implanting into the churches regarding husbands, wives, slaves, master, parents and children, Paul concludes his Epistle by introducing, by Holy Spirit, his cosmology, his knowledge of the demonic forces arrayed against the churches of Asia Minor. He urges the new believers to "arm up" to resist Satan and to stand, using the armor of God.
Pau; laid out the "House Law" for husbands an wives, and now turns to Parents and children, and masters and slaves. All the above were in the house churches scattered throughout Asia Minor. Children were to obey their parents, an honor them, while Fathers took responsibility for them. Slaves were to relate to Masters even as they trusted Christ. Masters, likewise, were to trust Christ, give up threatening, an be godly owners.
Paul chose to set the controlling verb of this section in v. 21 "be being in submission to one another, in the fear of Christ." That pours over into his teaching to husbands and wives. The order is the reverse, but the weight of instruction falls mostly on husbands. Paul has changed his outlook on marriage from 9 years previous in 1 Cor. 7, to the point where he must apostically address the exploding churches in Asia Minor regarding God's "house law."
Paul is concluding his teaching to the churches of Asia Minor by way of his circular Epistle to the Ephesians. He urges them to Walk in Light and not partner with darkness. Further, he turns to teaching them about wisdom, not folly, as they follow Jesus as Lord. He concludes with commands concerning drunkenness vs. being filled with Holy Spirit, the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another as evidence of that filling, and the giving of thanks.
Paul commands that each and every Believer strive to become an imitator of Christ. Then, he turns to issue of the immorality that saturate the Gentile culture, and made its way into the churches with the new converts. He commands that immorality, impurity, and greed not even be named among the believers. At the root of much immorality is idolatry, which takes away the access to the Kingdom of God.
Paul shifts from his instructions to the new Gentile converts and begins to address general needs in the churches scattered over Asia Minor. He begins with teaching about anger and its necessity and its bitter hook of sin. Then he moves on to a lifestyle of thievery, teaching radical Gospel correction, and finally to the command to not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Paul urges the new Gentile converts to lay down their old, tattered wardrobe of blindness, hard hearts, and recklessness, and take up the new wardrobe of life which has been taught to them by Christ, and have their minds renewed. Neither of those two take place once and for all....it is a daily laying down of the old and putting on of the new.
Today, Isaac, a young man whom I have known all his life will teach us from Ephesian 4 about the 5 fold ministry that is gifted from God to help lead and unify the Body of Christ. Paul is urging the new Gentile converts to accept the graced gifts from God so that the unity of the Body is clearly evident, and godly leadership sets righteous boundaries.
Paul writes from house prisoner Rome to the new Gentile believers, urging them to walk worthy of their being called out from eternity past, adopted as sons and daughters, and made into one new race. This "worthy" walk focus on humility, gentleness, and forbearance with one another. The power to do so is drawn from the the one faith, one hope, one baptism in Christ, made possible by the One God who is in all, overall, and through all.
Paul prays for 3 specific blessings to come to the new believers who are part of the Third Race....the Church made out of the converted Jews and Gentiles, together. The prayer is for strength, for love, and fullness of God, poured out for them. At the end of the passage, Pul shifts from doctrine to doxology, from theology to high praise.
Paul takes a side journey in v. 2 after he begins to pray for the Gentile believers in v. 1 This parenthesis goes through verse 13. He wants the Gentile to know that he is imprisoned in Rome because of his ministry to them, but it is Jesus Christ who holds the key. Paul wants his new Brothers and Sisters in Christ to understand that God planned their conversion before time began, planned the filling up of the Church with Jew and Gentile as well. And with those plans come great spiritual riches.
Paul continues to teach the Gentiles that though they were one far off from God, alienated from His revelation to the Jew, NOW through the blood of Christ, they are brought near, He, God Himself, has made a third race of Born-Again Jew and Gentile believers. He, by the blood of Jesus removed the dividing wall of bitterness and death between Jew and Gentile, and made those converts "living stones" in the new Temple that Holy Spirit is building to house the very presence of God.
Paul want to be sure the new believers in Asia Minor know where they came from before they came to Christ. It was spiritual death. Then he follows up with the power of God that raised them to life with Christ, and seated them with Him in the Heavenlies. Mercy opened the door, grace was a free gift, and faith (belief plus trust) drew that free gift into the spirits and souls of the new believers. Paul finishes with the reality that God created us with His workmanship, and set us on a path of good works in His Name.
Paul, in this section of Chapter 1, adds 3 prayers for the Brothers and Sisters who are to receive the circular letter, routed through Ephesus. He prays for them to have the eyes of their heart enlightened, that they discover the immense value that Father God places on them as His inheritance, and that they would be introduced to the awesome power of God that is extended on their behalf. That power resurrected Jesus from the grave, and set Him at the right hand of the Father, with authority over all.
In the first 14 verses, Paul celebrates his being made apostle to the Gentiles; he celebrates God's choosing us out before time began; he celebrates God's adoption of those he called out; he celebrates the redemption of all sinners who choose Jesus as Savior, and he celebrates the praise lifted to God.
This is an introduction to the life and city of the Ephesians, dominated by the temple of Artemis (or Diana). "Sacred prostitution, banking for the city, and being know as the protector of Ephesus, Artemis was a goddess whose temple was 4X the size of the Parthenon in Athens. Paul the Apostle came to proclaim the Risen Saviour to the Synagogues, and when rejected, he took over the School of Tyrranus to teach and disciple, reaching out too all of Asia Minor with the gospel message.
The LORD God had His prophet deliver the dire warning of "Yet 40 Days and Nineveh will be destoyed," but the people of the city repented of their wickedness and violence. The LORD God relented on His warning of destruction. Jonah was blazing angry, seeing God's hoice of mercy as evil. God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry, and Jonah assured God that he was right in his hatred of the 120,000 souls in Nineveh. Jonah went out of the city and sat under a structure he built to watch for the fate of the City. The LORD appointed a plant, a worm, and a wind, all to get Jonah's attention.
Jonah obeys the LORD and goes to Nineveh to deliver God's message to the Assyrian city. One day's preaching results in the cities conviction for their wickedness and violence. They Assyrians set themself to fast and wear sackcloth, even the king.The cry from the city that had arisen before the LORD has changed, and He rescinds His judgment.
We begin this time with the LORD instructing the great fish to vomit up the prophet Jonah on dry land. Immediately following this, the LORD commissions Jonah to go the Ninevah, the second time. Then the Psalm of Jonah follows, cross referencing some 20 Psalms, but the prophet blames God for his circumstances. When he prays, he does not pray to the LORD in heaven, but to the Temple in Jerusalem, the only place he can conceive God's presence dwelling.
The prophet Jonah was commissioned to travel 550 miles to Ninevah, a mighty city in the Assyrian Empire, and proclaim to that city the coming judgment of Yahweh.Instead, Jonah fled to Joppa, chartered a ship, and went down into the hold as it departed for Tarshish, on the coast of Spain. A huge wind rose up and threatened to break the ship. The sailors cried out to their gods, threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship, and finally desperately tried to row for the shore. Ultimately, they cried out to Jonah's God, Yahweh Elohim, before casting Jonah into the sea. The storm ceased immediately, and terrified the sailors.
Jonah was a prophet of Yahweh in the nation of Israel, after the 10 tribes split off of Judah, and worshipped the gold calf idols in Hebron and Dan. God's message was to Ninevah, in Assyria, one of Israel's enemies, that had made Israel a vassal nation. We all know the plot line for Jonah, but let's press in to Holy Spirit for what lies behind the plot.
Paul finishes his epistle to Timothy, and through him, to the Ephesian churches, with exhortations to Timothy to flee the false teachings and passion for quick wealth, while pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Then Paul turns to Timothy and imparts a title, "Man of God," on him while urging him to fight the good fight of faith. Then he addresses those in the churches that have wealth, and how to use it. He closes with "Grace be with you" to Timothy.
Paul addresses Timothy with the needs in the churches of Ephesus brought about by slaves and masters in the congregations. He then shifts over to pointing out a further set of errors by the false teaachers, this time in relationship to financial greed.
Paul is instructing Timothy, by Holy Spirit, regarding Church Discipline in the churches of Ephesus. Those Elders who lead well, teach the Word of God with passion and clarity, are due the double honor of financial support and honor for their position. Those elders charged with sin are to be accosted by two or three witnesses to clarify the events leading up to the accusation. If they repent, so be it. If they will not, they are to be rebuked in public. Paul urges Timothy to take great are of his own life, land to not lay hands quickly on repentant church folk.
Paul's words to Timothy about caring for the many widows in the churches of Ephesus laid down principles for the church for the next 2000 years. A widow could not inherit her husbands estate, and that put her before her family, threw her into the marketplace to make a living, or into destitution. Paul lays out categories of need to help Timothy and leaders discern how to care for those most vulnerable in the churches.
Paul turns from dealing with the issue of false teachings, to charging Timothy how to minister to leaders of the house churches and their groups as a pastor and overseer in the midst of confusion and persecution. Those wisdom words apply to us as well.
Verse 16 of Chapter 3 probably should be the first verse of Chapter 4. In that verse, Paul records the elements of the mystery of godliness, that mystery that was hidden until the coming of Christ. In six lines, Paul lays out the essence of the life of the Risen Messiah. In chapter 4, he launches into instructions to Timothy regarding the core false teachings that were plaguing the house churches Timothy was pastoring.
Paul continues to instruct Timothy how the house churches of Ephesus are to be led. Qualifying men and women will have met the list of 15 qualifications that are here in Chapter 3. The problems that arise is that translation committees that help publish English language Bibles have chosen to trust other English translations over the Greek Text of Chapter 3. Here is a treatment of the text that is faithful to the Greek manuscripts.
The Apostle Paul is instructing Timothy how to lead in times of persecution and confusion. Pau, with a fatherly, gentle manner, tells the women in the house churches in Ephesus that they too are to pray, to dress so as not to draw attention to themselves, to sit quietly and learn all they can, at that time. Further, Adam was created first, and sets the stage for men in the churches to lead and protect the women. Women's salvation (SOZO) does not come from their fecundity, but from THE child-bearing of the Messiah, through whom men and women are saved.
The Apostle Paul tells Timothy where to start....with prayer! Then he lays out 4 distinct prayer forms, which together please the Lord God. The hook in praying for all men is that Timothy is to pray for Nero, and all others in authority. Nero has launched a genocidal plan to remove Christians from the earth. Paul says: Pray for him, because God wants all mankind to come to the knowledge of the truth and repent.
Pau begins with his own testimony of savage sins against the church, and his experience of God's mercy and grace, knowing that Timothy needs those words to be strengthened to pastor the house churches in Ephesus. Paul commands Timothy to draw on the prophecies spoken over him, and his faith and good conscience to campaign against false teaching and false teachers. Paul give an example of how church discipline works.
How does the blood of Jesus, which was spilled in 11+ places as he moved towards the cross, relate to the resurrection that we celebrate on Easter? Enter into heaven's shout!
Why was Jesus of Nazareth on the road down the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem on the first Day of the week before Passover, in AD 32? The olt of a donkey that he rode was not a war horse, but the Passage in Zechariah 9 says he was there as the son Of David, representing a Kingdom that the crowd did not recognize. Even while he was fulfilling prophecy, he was viewed as disposable and hated.
Timothy, whose name means "he who honors God" had been with Paul on Missions Journeys for 12 years, when Paul urged him to stay behind in Ephesus, to pastor the house churches. Quickly, Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, with his directives on how to deal with false teaches and false doctrines. Paul then laid out the reason the Law Of Moses was set in place so that those who rejected God would have a mirror to see their desperate state.
As we begin to study 1st Timothy, we need to remember that Timothy had been a faithful ministry partner with Paul through his missionary journeys in Asia and in Macedonia, Corinth, and Rome. When Paul asks Timothy to remain in Ephesus to shepherd the Church and confront false teachers, Paul knows that Holy Spirit made Timothy adequate for that assignment. We are about to be infused with that Holy Spirit adequacy as we study under Paul's encouragement, for our individual assignments.
Daniel 10, 11, & 12 are a unit, with the same Angel speaking to Daniel. Here in Chapter 12, there is the statement that great suffering is coming to Israel, greater than at any time since thy became a nation. But, the Archangel Michael will stand up and fight for them. Daniel is told of a coming rescue for his people. and a resurrection from the dead for the righteous as well as the wicked. He is instructed to seal up the prophecy and keep it until the end of days. The 3 1/2 year prophecy is repeated out of the mouth of the pre-Incarnate Messiah, who swears an oath by the Living God that the prophecy is true.
Daniel 11 is filled with 135 fulfilled prophecies from the time of Cyrus to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. Those are followed by more prophecies of the rise of the "little horn," the Anti-Christ, who will defeat the King of the North and the King of the South and their forces.All this was spoken by an Angel to Daniel that he might know the future of his people, Israel.
Daniel is standing by the Tigris River when confronted by a Theophany, an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ. He is dropped to the ground, but lifted by a Messenger angel sent from the LORD to inform Daniel of what his vision about future warfare meant. The Messenger from God had been in battle for 3 weeks with the prince of Persia, a fallen angel, who resisted God in all ways. Finally, Michael, the archangel came to war with the prince of Persia and got the messenger released. Chapter 10 is the introduction to the Chapters 10-11-12 unit.
Chapter 9 of Daniel has 2 parts. The first is a radical repentance led by Daniel for the sins and rebellion of Judah and Israell against Yahweh. AS he begins to pray, God sends Gideon with His answers for Daniel. The summary of what is coming is God's plan to finish transgression, to make an end to sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up prophecy and vision, and to anoint the most Holy. The last 3 are yet to come. Then Gabriel lays out the 70 weeks of years.
Old Testament Prophets would present a long term prophecy and a short term prophecy. Here in Chapter 8 of Daniel, he is given two short term prophecies to confirm the long term prophecy of chapter 7. He sees the destruction of the Persian Empire, and the four kingdoms that will take what Alexander's Greek Empire won. One of those four would see a figure rise that abuses the Jews, blasphemes God, and dies. Antiochus IV Epiphanes prefigures the little horn of chapter 7, the Anti-Christ.
As Belshazzar started to reign, Daniel received a dream very like the dream of Nebuchadnezzar with the figure made of metals. The dream of Daniel revealed 4 beast that rise from the earth, directly paralleling Nebuchadnezzar's dream. It is the 4th beast with 10 horns that troubles Daniel. Another horn rises on the head of the 4th beast with eyes like a human and a mouth that speaks great blasphemies against God. Daniel watches the rise of this evil leader and his demise. The Messiah, the Son Of Man is introduced, and shows that he will be coronated and give a kingdom. Daniel keeps all these scenes private to ponder and wonder over.
Daniel was named one of three "commissioners" to oversee all trade and taxation in the Persian Empire by King Darius, knowing that the Persian world was rife with corruption and greed. Daniel did such an exemplary job that the King planned to elevate him to the role of Prime Minister. The other two commissioners and many local satraps conspired to pull Daniel down from leadership. They got Darius to sign into law a 30 day rule that all prayer and petition had to be mediated through the King, or individuals would be thrown into the pit of lions. Daniel prayed to God Most High, and was caught, and was cast into the pit to be executed. God sent an angel to shut the mouths of lions. The King was astonished, ruled that the God of Daniel was to be honored.
King Belshazzar sets a feast for 1000 of his nobles that have fled into Babylon ahead of the encroached Medo-Persian Armies. The King orders the gold and silver goblets taken from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to be used in the orgy. Suddenly, a hand appears and writes 4 words on the wall. The King is terrified, his magicians fail to read or interpret the words. Daniel is summoned to the room to read and interpret the handwriting on the wall. Bottom line, Belshazzar has been weighed int he balances and found wanting. He will die at the hand of Medo-Persian warriors that very night for defying Yahweh, and living a profligate life.
King Nebuchadnezzar was awakened from a troubling dream. He called for his court magicians to come interpret the dream. When they failed, Daniel arrived, but he was appalled at the interpretation that God revealed to him. The King was about to be struck down, with loss of his mind, to live as an ox for 7 years. Then Nebuchadnezzar would lift his eyes to heaven and acknowledge God Most High.
Ten years after Nebuchadnezzar had installed Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to his court, there was a rebellion in the Empire. After the revolt was suppressed, Nebuchadnezzar raised a 90 foot tall idol, and summoned all the Empire's infrastructure to come for a loyalty check. The thousands who came were to bow to the ground in front of the idol and the King. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did not bow, and were dragged before the King. When they refused to bow, they were bound and thrown into a super-heated furnace. They were seen by the King as they walked about in the fire with a 4th figure. When the came from the furnace, there was not even the scent of smoke on their clothes. Nebuchadnezzar gave credit to God Most High.
King Nebuchadnezar had a disturbing dream and sleep left him. He summoned his magicians, enchanters, conjurers, and astrologers to read back to him his dream, and interpret it. Great rewards were offered, but if they could not solve the dream puzzle, they would be executed. His "conjuring crowd" rejected his demand, saying it could only be done by a god. They were consigned to execution. Daniel discovers that he, too, is condemned. He prays with his friends to Adonai, Sovereign God, and receives an identical dream. He plays all that back to Nebuchadnezzar, and is rewarded.
Daniel, of the Royal house of Judah, is taken captive and placed in the School Of Babylon...to equip him to be one of the king's counselors. He is given meals from the king's table, but as an observant Jew, those foods were unclean AND dedicated to Babylonian gods. Daniel asks that he and his 3 friends be given vegetables and water as a test. The four youths from Judah shone when put up against the other international students in the School of Babylon after 10 days trial. Further, the four of them excelled to the point of being the best of the class, and were placed as king's counselors.
The book of Daniel displays the providence and sovereignty of God even over his people of Judah who were sent into captivity to Babylon. God raises up Daniel to discover that the length of the captivity was limited to 70 years. Daniel also was part of the manifestation of miracles of Yahweh to the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel received astounding prophetic downloads about future nations, and the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.
Paul begins this passage by saying he and his missions team are working together with God. He continues with what his apostolic ministry has experienced, and the resources from heaven that have carried him forward. In all of that, he displays holiness. Given that he is writing to the Corinthian Ekklesias, and to us, we, too, are called to demonstrate holiness.
Paul began v. 18 of Chapter 5 with the words "now all thise things are from God." He is reflecting back to the list of characteristics of the New Covenant Ministry that began in Chapter 2:14. This amazing list has created a ministry platform for Corinthian believer and for us. From that platform, we proclaim the ministry of restoring mankind to a face to face meeting with God. Paul mantles the Corinthians and us as ambassadors in Christ, and then points out that Christ was a moral miracle.
Paul begins this section with a reference to the fear of the LORD. Looking back, that ties in with the Judgment Seat of Christ, but there will be awe, reverence, wonder, and fear....not terror. Then he shifts to speak concerning those who oppose him, and their focus on "face."The New Covenant Ministry focuses on the heart. There were those who opposed Paul who thought he was crazy. Paul locks in his high doctrine of Christ with the statement "One died for all, therefore all died." And beyond that, old things have been dropped and left, and we are new creations in Christ.
Paul wrote of the day when our earthly dwelling, which he describes as a tent, will be struck down, and we will receive from God a building from God....a supernatural body. At that point in time and eternity, we will be complete in our Salvation. We long for heaven, and the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a pledge that God will keep his promises. We all will be summoned to the judgement seat of Jesus as he tests the works that we did with our faith. Those that were built on the foundation of His righteousness, not ours, will stand the test. That that were done in the flesh will be removed. All of that is to glorify the Father.
Paul wrote of the promise of the resurrection, for the Corinthian believers, and for all those through the ages who have trusted in Christ. And that resurrection is for a purpose....to lift praise to the Father. Paul continued with the phrase with which he began chapter 4...."we do not lose heart." He is looking back at the treasure in earthen vessels and the push-back by Holy Spirit when we are under great pressures.
Paul announces that we possess a treasure within our bodies, our earthen vessels. That treasure is the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ. When our earthen vessels are struck, rejected, squeezed...cracks form, and it is through those cracks that light streams forth. We will be squeezed, but not squashed. We will be bewildered, but not befuddled. We will be hunted down, but not abandoned. We will be knocked down, but we will not be knocked out. All those pressures on us are to make the death and the life of Jesus visible within us, and through our words, our emotions, our thoughts, our attitudes....so that we are like Him.
Paul looks back a chapter and half to review all that makes up the New Covenant Ministry so far, then he continues by saying because of that hope, we do not lose heart. Then Paul turns to those who cannot see or hear what is presented about Christ. They have been blinded in their minds by the god of this age, and have set their course for death unto death. He further states that he and the apostolic team are bond-servants of the Corinthian believers.
Paul illuminates the New Covenant Ministry with 4 characteristics: great boldness of speech, unveiled faces and hearts, freedom, and ongoing transformation of our lives.
Paul questions his readers to determine if they are calling for letters of recommendation. His response is to point out that they have hearts of flesh, engraved on the surface by God, and those same engravings are also on Paul's heart. Paul answers his question from above in Chapter 2 with his amazing statement that God has made us adequate for all things! Then Paul turns to focus on the inner heart, not the external practices, for that lines up with the New Covenant that Ezekiel introduced and Jesus Modeled.
The passages immediately prior to Chapters 2:14-7:2 in 2 Corinthians are concerned with tears, church problems, Paul's anguish for the believers he led to the LORD. The New Covenant Ministry Passages, in contrast, are sweet, powerful, filled with grace and promises. We are being led in the triumph of Christ, and we shed abroad the fragrance of Christ whatever we are doing.For some it is life to life sweet perfume, for other, it is the very reek of death as they reject Christ.
In this introduction to Paul's passionate expression of his ministry, we look at the context of the Corinthian churches, and the letters already sent from Paul to them. The passage of 2nd Cor. 2:14-7:2 are wrapped around with tears, struggle, and suffering. Suddenly, Paul breaks out in a cry of thanksgiving , that even when his heart is wrenched, he is able to zoom out and engage with the LORD over being in the train of the triiump of Christ.
In poetic form, the prophecy of Joel proceeds back and forth with both his words by Holy Spirit, and the words of Yahweh, the LORD. The surrounding nations are called to war, called rush to a battle in the "valley of verdict" that they cannot win. The list of surrounding nations to be judged is expanded to include Edom and Egypt for their shedding of innocent blood. They will be reduced a desert wasteland. The LORD will exact vengeance for the shedding of innocent blood, then settle to reign in Jerusalem, on Zion.
The Lord calls the nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment. The surrounding western nations made up Phoenecians and Philistines had snatched the people of Judah into slavery, taken their silver, gold, and precious things, and parceled out chunks of the promised land. The LORD vowed retribution against them for the ethnic cleansing of the Jews out of their lands. He would bring his judgment against them in turn.
AS we come to the 2nd half of the book of Joel, the LORD speaks more and more plainly. It is His voice that is heard. He promises to restore the agriculturally devastated land of Judah...immediately, supernaturally, and set in motion the natural order of early rains and late rains, as well. He promises to take away all reproach from Judah. Right there are two promises....one for the present in Judah, and one that is parked far out in the distance of the Day Of The LORD. He, through Joel, promises the outpouring of Holy Spirit on all of mankind. And the LORD promises a remnant of survivors will cry out ot Him and come to Him for salvation and rescue.
The prophet Joel saw The Day of The LORD in the future, and to him, it was near. He cried out over Judah, picturing the invading army that would take Judah and Jerusalem. Suddenly, it is the voice of the LORD that is heard. He is directing this human army against Judah as judgment. Just as suddenly, the LORD looks for a way to relent from His anger, and invites His people to return to Him. Joel calls a second time for a national fast and solemn assembly for everyone. Priests are to cry out for God not to abandon them, lest His name be scorned.
The prophet Joel gives further directions to the priests and the people to move them to national repentance before the LORD. The LORD sent the locusts and a drought, and Joel, seeing the Day of The LORD for the first time, believes that another judgment is soon to fall on Judah. Joel notes that even as the food has been cut off from the people, the herds and flocks as well as the wildlife are suffering. Only Yahweh can restore "the land of milk and honey."
The Prophet Joel has the Word from the LORD. A plague of desert locusts has swept over Judah, again and again, from September into March of the following year, resulting ini devastation. The LORD instructs the people to wail and mourn, for they are out of compliance with Him. The locusts have come as fulfillment of the Deut. 28 promise that if Israel is unfaithful, He will send them to punish Israel. The ability to worship has been cut off, there are no sacrifices, and all vegetation is gone, as is all the joy of Judah.
Joel bears the name "Yahweh is God". His prophecy is not dated in the text by any time stamped references as to which King was reigning at the time.His message was to Judah, which was sunk in empty religion under Athaliah, and swept along by her deviant ways. Joel prophesies that God will punish Judah, punish those who hate Him and His people, and bring Israel together through great suffering
As Paul prepares to finish his epistle to the churches in Thessalonica, he lays out both leadership style and practices for those who lead and those who would become leaders. He finishes with a blitz of commands, spread across one long sentence. Snippets of this passage are often taken out of context for correction purposes in the church. We need the who package.
We praise and thank God the Father for sending His only begotten Son, Jesus, to live, to die, and to be resurrected. Jesus is the Christ, the risen Messiah. Included in this podcast are accounts of resurrection power poured out through the Body of Christ.
Paul and the missions team had taught The Thessalonian believers about the Great And Terrible Day Of The Lord, in which the Lord God returns with vengeance against those who hate Him and His people, Israel. Paul here teaches the Ekklesias that they are not assigned to experience that wrath of God; that they are sons of the light; that they are to arm themselves with His love and hope of full Salvation. He finishes with the exhortation to keep encouraging and building one another up.
The churches in Thessalonica were deeply concerned about what happens to those who die in Christ. Paul writes back, opening up a new word from the Lord for those brothers and sisters. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ will have resurrected bodies and rise first, followed by those who are alive and remain. God resurrected Jesus bodily, and will do so for us as well.
Timothy's report back to Pul and Silas indicated that the churches in Thessalonica were struggling in their practice of sexual purity in the midst of a sexually charged atmosphere in the city. Paul writes a new code of Sexual ethics for Christians, founded on the Old Testament, but extended and empowered by Holy Spirit.Second, he writes to help the Ekklesias keep their head down, stop meddling, and work for their keep.
The storyline of Paul and Silas sending Timothy back to Thessalonica has been laid out through 3 previous podcasts. Now, in this passage, we get to hear Paul's emotions expressed after Timothy returns with a good report. That is is exulting the Lord for the state of the churches in Thessalonica would be an understatement.
Timothy has returned from Thessalonica with a report on how the new churches are faring under persecution. Immediately, Paul dictates a letter to those Ekklesias, using reminder language. Timothy has reported that the surrounding populace of Thessalonica views Paul and Silas as shysters, eager for financial gain, as power grabbers, and as morally perverse. Paul writes back that his witness is God Himself, and then he follows that with instructions for the new believers regarding how to walk as godly ones in the midst of slander. Paul finishes this section with a list of charges against the Jews for harassment against the spread fo the Gospel.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy co-send a letter to the Ekklesias in Thessalonica, knowing fromTimothy's report that there has been Joy in suffering, and explosive evangelism. Word of their turning from idols to the living and true God has spread out across the seas, over the roads, and personal reports. Paul and his team know that the conversions of the believers are the real deal.Their faith, love and home abound
Having been beaten by rods until bloody in Philippi, Paul and Silas, with Timothy, limp down the Via Egnatia 90 miles to Thessalonica. On arrival, Paul preaches on 3 sabbaths, and see quick conversion of some jews, God-fearers, and leading women in the city. The Jews start a riot, charging that Paul and Silas are proclaiming a king other than Caesar. The missions team is slipped out of town during the night, shortly, Paul send Timothy back to find out about the needs of the new assemblies in Thessalonica. When Timothy returns to Paul and Silas in Athens, Paul writes a letter of encouragement and answers questions that we know as 1 Thessalonians.
Zechariah recounts the Lord's continuing refining process with Jerusalem and Judah. Promises are made that what they have lost to invading armies will be given back. When the surrounding armies strike Jerusalem, Christ returns to earth, and his feet touch the Mount of Olives, which splits north and south, opening a valley for the people in Jerusalem to flee from the armies. Then the Lord sets a plague loose in the midst of the invading armies, causing them to destroy one another. Finally, the gentile nations left after Armageddon will come as pilgrims to worship and bow down to the Lord in Jerusalem.
Chapter 13 of Zechariah opens with another outpouring...an anointing upon the House of David in that now all sin and impurity would be washed away. This is followed by the LORD's declaration that all idols and false prophets will be removed from the land, along with the unclean spirit that animates the false prophets. When former false prophets attempt to hide, they will be discovered. The last three verses are distinctly Messianic, as the Lord awakens the sword against His Shepherd and Associate. The LORD sets out to test and refine a remnant of Israel.
Chapter 12 of Zechariah begins with a prophecy from the LORD. There is a big shift from chapter 11 that spoke of the judgment on rebellious Judah, but now Chapter 12 speaks of the LORD's protections of all Israel from all the nations who rise to war against Jerusalem. The House of David will be anointed with Grace and Supplication. Then all the nation will repent and mourn when they see the One that they had pierced.
Chapter 11 of Zechariah is one of the most difficult to interpret in the Hebrew Scriptures. It begins with raging flames taking down the cedars of Lebanon, the cypress, and the oaks of Bashan. Zechariah is ordered to shepherd Judah, a flock that is to be killed. The broken, the lame, the widow, the orphan, the poor flood to him, but the rest of Judah despises the Prophet. He chooses two shepherd staffs, signifying the LORD"S grace and the future unity of Judah and Israel. Having rejected by Judah, Zechariah symbolically chops up one staff, asks for his severance pay...and is given 30 pieces of silver....a pittance. This chapter turns Messianic. looking forward to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot.
Through out the first section of this chapter, the LORD pours out his anger at Judah, and then at the leaders of Judah for the sustained worship of idols. His judgment will fall on those leaders. There is a shift in which the LORD prophesies that both Judah and Israel will have mighty men, formed into an unstoppable force under His leadership. The chapter finishes with His promises to bring back His people from Assyria and from Egypt.
Zechariah 9 shifts from prose to poetry. God Almighty is introduced, and those cities and people groups that have long plagued Israel come under judgment. The LORD has subcontracted judgment to fall on Syria, the Phoenecian cities, the Philistines, and Egypt, while that judgment bypasses Jerusalem. Then the LORD promises to lead Israel in battle.
Chapter 8 of Zechariah is the second part of a literary unit called an inclusion. Chapter 7 started with God's judgment and chapter 8 finishes the unit with promises and prophecies of good for Judah. The Lord promises to dwell in Jerusalem, and changes the name of the city to City of Faithfulness. He then promises that he will save His people from the east and the west, saving them, and bringing them to Jerusalem. The LORD of Hosts finally answers the fasting question from chapter 7, turning the weeping and fasting into joyous celebrations.
Zechariah and the priests in Jerusalem are asked about the fasts that the exiles in captivity were practicing. Immediately, the LORD of hosts prompts Zechariah regarding past prophetic encounters that the people of Judah had had regarding ritual religion. Then the LORD inserts his own list of how a fast before the LORD should look.
Zechariah has his 8th vision, this one of 4 chariots that personify the 4 spirits of heaven, rushing out from between two bronze mountains. The Angel of the Lord dispatches these chariots to patrol the earth. Zechariah has a direct word from the LORD of Hosts, to take an offering from newly arrived exiles, fashion an ornate crown from that silver and gold, and place that crown on Joshua, the Priest. This passage points directly to the roles filled by Messiah, and fulfilled in the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
The Prophet, Zechariah, is urged again to lift his eyes, and there before him is a 30' X 15" scroll, written on both sides, hanging in mid-air. He asks the interpreting angel what it is, and is told that it is a curse on those who have stolen and who have sworn falsely in the Lord's name. These unrepentant sinners are to be purged from the land of Judah. He raises his eyes and there is a huge ephah coming, carrying a woman in the basket. The angel identifies that woman as wickedness. Then two female forms with wings like storks appear. They carry off the ephah into Shinar. The Lord is cleansing the land of Judah.
Zechariah is awakened from sleep by the interpreting angel and asked what he sees. Before him is a sold gold lamp stand that stands between two olive trees. He knows that olive trees are, as well as the lamp stand, but does not know what the vision means. Ultimately, what is pictured is two anointed men standing by the Lord of the whole earth. One is the High Priest, Joshua, and the second, is Zerubbabel, the Governor and builder of the Temple. The latter is a prince in the line of King David, who is serving the Persians as an administrator over the very lands and city that would have been his inheritance.
Zechariah is shown another vision by the Angel of the Lord, and he interacts with that vision, as Joshua, the high Priest is stripped of his filthy garments and clothed in radiant robes. Then the Lord Of Hosts says He will bring forth is Servant, The Branch, and The Stone. We get the first two, but the Stone remains uninterpreted. The kick is, iniquity will be swept away in a day.....a day that is coming soon.
Zechariah is introduced to a 4th vision, and the interpretation follows. The Angel of the Lord is about to be dispatched to deal with those Gentile Nations that over-stepped the parameters of the Lord who had sent them to judge Judah. Any nation that touches Judah touches the very pupil of God's eye. This Angel promises to be to Judah a wall of fire and to set His glory in the midst of the people. 9 prophetic words are included, that have not been fulfilled, yet.
Zechariah is confronted with three night visions that include a theophany of the Angel of God, a translator angel, a patrol of mounted angels, and the voice of God Almighty. He hears "within" that the LORD of Hosts is jealous for Judah, and angry at those who oppress and scatter his people. He promises prosperity is coming when the people of Judah turn back to Him.
Zechariah is a priest, called by the LORD of hosts to be a prophet to the returned exiles, back from captivity in Babylon. He delivers the word of the LORD to the people in Judah, calling on them to repent for their sins, and to renounce the sins of their forefathers. If Judah repents and returns to the LORD, the Lord promises to turn back to them.
The 150 years surrounding the life and ministry of Zechariah saw nations and empires rise and fall. IN the middle of it, God keeps His promise to Isaiah that he would use Cyrus The Great to free Jews from captivity in Babylon at the end of the 70 year exile Jeremiah prophesied. God calls Zechariah from a priestly family and life to become a prophet.
Paul begins this passage with strong commands to pray, strong commands to seize the strategic moment in relating to those who are outside the faith. Then he pivots in v. 7 and begins to commend men on his team in Rome, men serving in churches in the Lycus Valley, and a woman who leads a house church in Laodicea. Many gifts and skills are highlighted, as each is honored as a bond-slave of Christ.
This Easter, please listen to this teaching comparing 2 Biblical gardens, and then the application into a 3rd garden in the Amazon. Each of us has been planted, positioned in our own growth medium, our own garden. Listen for what the Master Gardener has for you.
The ancient Household Codes that everyone in Colossae had grown up under were anchored in place by the traditions of men, and not small amounts of demonic influence. Paul does not set out to radically change households, but rather to see them transformed IN CHRIST. He addressed wives and husbands, children and fathers, slaves and masters, calling on all of them to be transformed in Christ first, then see their roles shift by Holy Spirit.
Paul shifts away from his "Put off the old" to "put on the new" and the new are a list of virtues and characteristics that reflect The Bride Of Christ. That is us, folks, The ekklesia, the Body, the church, is to be clothed in the virtues of her Savior. Here, Paul lays them out.
Again, Paul emphasizes what Christ has already done for the Colossian believers. That said, he turns to them saying...since you have died to sin, died to the old man within you, slough that off and put on the new man in Christ. Put to death the vices that ruled your behavior when you did not know Jesus.
Paul goes right at those in Colossae that would judge his Brothers and Sisters for diet and for religious practices. The self-made religion and self- abasement that was being modeled and taught by the false teachers is dismissed by Paul as of no value against temptations and immoral practices.
Paul is now directly teaching the Colossians about the results of being led astray by vain speculations. He clearly identifies the energy behind the heresy....the traditions passed down generationally, and the demonic push that the spirit world has to try to pull down the faithful in Christ. The answer to that is the triumph of Christ over all those rulers and entities that would oppose the Kingdom of God.
Paul describes his suffering for the sake of the Gospel as being on behalf of the Colossian believers. Then he points to the mystery that has been revealed in them: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." From before time began, The Father chose to hide this great discovery....that He loves Gentiles, too.
Paul aims his teaching at the false teachers around Colossae who would depict Jesus as not enough. In God's plan, he filled Jesus full of deity, and worked redemptions story for those who anchor their faith on His finished work on the cross. He is begotten, first born, risen, creator and sustainer of all. He stands supreme.
Paul and his team in Rome write the Brothers and Sisters in Colossae, laying out the necessity of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. These elements of believing in and following Christ result in constant fruit bearing.
Paul is writing from Rome to the Colossian church that began under Epaphras and Philemon. He commends the believers in Colossae for their faith, their love, and their hope in Christ Jesus.
The epistle to the Colossian church is one of the prison letters sent by Paul the Apostle when he was under house arrest in Rome, waiting for Nero to rule on his appeal. The Colossian church was planted by Epaphras during the two years that Paul had been teaching out of the School of Tyrrannus in Ephesus, 100 miles away. Now there comes news of significant pressure on the Church in Colossae to modify, if not depart from their faith in Christ Jesus.
Samuel is sent to anoint one of Jesse's sons in Bethlehem. Only when the youngest, David, is sent for and presented does the Lord say "this one!" Later, David has to flee Saul, and comes to Samuel in Ramah. Samuel dies and is honored by all the nation. Finally, Saul is desperate for some word about the impending and dreaded battle with the Phlistines...but chooses to go to a medium that channels a demon to call up the dead to speak to Saul.
Samuel delivers the word of the Lord to Saul....today, you will wipe Amalek's memory from the earth. Amalek had attacked israel at Rephidim as they struggled in the Sinai desert. Saul does not keep the commandment of the Lord, but instead, selects the best of the booty. The Lord God has had it with him as king over Israel, and announces that his tearing away the kingdom from Saul and giving it to another. Samuel has to finish the job of killing Agag in Gilgal.
King Saul starts a war of liberation, and gets a maximal response out of the Philistines....30,000 chariots, 6,000 cavalry, and a multitude of foot solders coming at him. In fear and frustration, seeing his army melt away , knowing that the chariot corps is 1 hour away, and Samuel is late for their appointment, Saul steps up and offers the burnt offering, then tries to talk his way out of his failure to fear the Lord, first of all. Samuel informs him that his kingdom is done, and God has chosen a man after His own heart.
The coronation of King Saul has been completed. Samuel calls all Israel to judge him and his character. They bear witness that he has lived a flawless life as a Judge of Israel. The Samuel jerks them all to their feet and challenges them to listen to the Lord and obey him....the people and the King. If they will not, they will be judged just like their fathers. What started as a retirement address ends with Samuel agreeing to pray for the people and to teach them the good and right ways.
These 4 chapters of narrative show what God was doing behind the scenes as Samuel was tasked to appoint a king that Israel had demanded. Saul is chosen at Mizpah, and then has to lead the armies to rescue a besieged Jabesh-Gilead. Samuel, for being an old man, keeps up and leads the nation to Gilgal for a coronation.
Samuel has grown old, and appointed his two sons to judge Israel, nut they become corrupt. The elders of Israel come to Samuel to demand that a king be appointed over them. Samuel discerns that it is an evil request, but prays to the Lord. The Lord assures Samuel that the elders are rejecting Him, not Samuel. He instructs Samuel to listen to the elders, and warn them about the ways of Kings. Even warned, the people won't consider anything but a King.
Israel goes off on its own hook, not consulting God or Samuel, and fights the Philistines. They lose 34,000 men, then flee, and the Ark of God is taken as a battle trophy. The Ark is passed from city to city, as plagues break out, until the Philistines warlocks and priests decide to send it back...but it is received wrongly, resulting in more death. Finally it is stored,, and 20 years pass. Israel is in the pits. All Israel cries out for God, and Samuel is there to lead Israel back to Him, and lead the nation to defeat the Philistines.
Samuel has grown in stature and responsibilities as he ministers to the Lord in Shiloh. One very early morning, pre-dawn, he is sleeping in proximity to the wall that separates him from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark resides. He is ripped from sleep by a voice calling his name. He leaps up...3 times, and runs 3 times to Eli, who finally gets it that God is at work. Samuel rises to face the LORD, to receive a prophetic message, and to be ushered into a relationship with the God he did not know until that moment.
Samuel is growing up, serving the Lord in the Tabernac;le. However, he is surrounded by the presence and influence of wicked men....in the Tabernacle. As we zoom in on his growth, and zoom out to see what God was going to do with the sons of Eli, we see the consistent track record of Samuel to grow in stature and righteousness that was visible to all the people. Then God steps in to prophecy the end of Eli's sons and his family line as priests.
Ist Samuel is one of the most illustrative books in the Bible...Samuel wants us to know of his roots. This podcast out of chapters 1 & 2 introduce us to the child, Samuel. But behind family squabbles and deep pain, God is at work to begin something new in Israel.
1 * 2 Samuel are one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. When the Septuagint translation into Greek dealt with that text, it was divided into 2 books. The man Samuel probably wrote ch. 1-24 of 1 Samuel, and later, David, Nathan and Gad added their writings. Isaiah is perhaps the compiler of these writings, producing the books of Samuel. God placed the man in the late period of the Judges, and is himself to be a Judge, a prophet, a kingmaker, and a priest.
James wants his congregations to know how to "be" Church the right way. He begins with trials, then leads them through ways to manifest the presence of God in their midst....from prayer, to singing, to confession, to restoration....and more.
James rails at wealthy landowners who have defrauded the destitute workers of their wages. using prophetic language to detail God's judgment on them and their wealth. Then he turns to instruct his assemblies how to respond to trials.....with patience, with perseverance, being careful to not fall into complaint against one another. In fact, he said do that latter exercise....no complaint....first.
James moves to interdict reports coming in from the scattered assemblies that practical atheism and self-made independence was spreading due to successful merchants. These men had planned, traveled, established, bought low and sold high, and made a profit. Now they were boasting about it, and James comes back with his challenge: Did you even think about God in your planning? Where is the "If God Wills" humility? And in so doing, James crawls right up into our 21st Century culture with the same questions.
James is addressing BIG issues in the scattered churches he oversees. Quarrels and fights up to and including murder have set chaos loose in the midst of the congregations. His corrective words are Old Testament Prophet with a flame thrower....hard words to hear. There is a shift in the middle, where James begins to layout a way back to fellowship with God by Holy Spirit for those who have been seduced to love the world. Such are some of us.
James oversees many assemblies, scattered through Synagogues in the easter part of the Roman Empire. His congregations are struggling with the tongue, and now his focus is on wisdom, its source, and its application. That wisdom may be bitter and filled with strife, or it may be from the Father in Heaven, filled with purity, peace, and humility. We need to choose what and Whom we draw on.
James is deeply concerned about speech....by the teaches in his congregations and by the influence of the tongue set on fire by a world view that is unrighteous. Drawing on familiar marketplace illustrations and Palestinian images, James teaches his flocks that the tongue can be so out of control as to be fired by hell, doing vast damage. Our own culture of criticism, innuendo, fake news, and slander is right up to date with James' warnings, and we have great needs for Holy Spirit power to be in control of our own tongues.
James is still concerned about the responses of his churches when it comes to godly response to need. His illustrations would shock pagans, but must be dealt with within the churches. He sets up a diabribe argument with a opponent who holds to faith-alone for Salvation, and with argument, with Scripture, and with history, dismantles that belief system. A radically changed life is called out for in the lives of those with faith claims, to show proof of the presence of saving faith.
In this passage, James points out that favoritism is rife in the churches. He comes at it rationally, and biblically, laying out his case that faith and favoritism is a toxic blend. It is God intent that the church be the only place where age, wealth, parentage, color, education, ethnicity, etc., have no place. All that is leveled in our worship and honor of Jesus Christ, the Glory of God.
James is building towards godly expressions that he sees as critical for the early churches. He is urging, commanding, illustrating, all to get his listeners to realize that the old life must die, and the new life in Christ must begin to be displayed....but displayed how? James does not want them to be deceived here, so is very specific as to what true religion is, and how it is displayed.
James moves from gentle command to the in-your-face variety, reminding the scattered believers in Jesus that Gopd is at work in their trials, but He is not a tempter. James presents the life cycle of sin, and its antidote.
James begins his general epistle to scattered followers of Jesus as Messiah, knowing that they are experiencing trials. The first blast is one of "Be constantly rejoicing." He follows that with what is produced by the trials that come/are coming...endurance, maturity, peace.
This an introduction to the Epistle of James, first born son of Joseph and Mary, and 1/2 brother of Jesus of Nazareth. During the lifetime of Jesus, James was not a believer. Only after a post-Resurrection appearance did James believe in Jesus as Messiah, Christ. He rose to leadership in the Jerusalem fellowships, living until AD 62, when he was martyred. James' Epistle ws the first New Testament document follow the death of Jesus, sent to minister to scattered Jewish believers.
This 6 verse conclusion of the 4th Servant Song is deep and rich, with amazing statements of provision for us. The Servant shouldered our willful sins AND our inadvertent sins, taking on Himself the penalty and consequences of all that for all mankind, resulting in a sufficient guilt offering to restore man to God , and satisfy God's character. We, His family, a greatly blessed.
The full reasons for the Servant's suffering are being made clear. He was despised and shunned by Israel, then there arose a believing remnant who had formerly rejected Him. 700 years before the birth of Yeshua (God Saves) in Bethlehem, God guarantees the outcome of the Servant's suffering. He took all sin and its consequences on Himself, satisfying God's need to deal with sin, making a way back to God for all mankind.
Here in this 5th episode, we see the Servant abused and exhalted, That is an enigma, but Lord God is guaranteeing the outcome of the first Advent of the Servant. While that was 700 years ahead of the Isaiah text, and 2000 years behind us...the prophetic statements point to the power and authority of God to accomplish His will with His servant.
This study on the 3rd Servant Song of Isaiah introduces the reality that the Servant will suffer.....and that He willfully chooses to submit Himself to the beatings, the tearing of the beard, and the mockery and spit. How did he get to that point of trust in Adonai Yahweh? He was discipled into it....morning by morning. We need to follow in His footsteps.
The second Servant Psalm helps form the backbone for Isaiah'e Book of Comfort in chapters 40-66. Here, the Servant of God speaks of failure, rejection by Israel.....700 years ahead of Isaiah's writing. Here both exegesis and theology come together to help us grasp how the Servant responded to that seeming failure, and how Yahweh sent Him forward to a greater commission....not just israel, but all the nations.
The 1st Servant Song in Isaiah 42 has the LORD addressing all mankind to introduce His Servant, then He turns to describe the service that He is guaranteeing that the Servant will accomplish in the earth. Out of this passage comes a New Covenant for both Israel and for the nations, mediated through the Servant. We are called to likewise serve, the establish by Holy Spirit was is the LORD's justice in the earth.
This is an introduction to the Servant Songs of Isaiah. In following podcast episodes we will be studying God and His Servant, a series of prophetic statements spoken by God Himself. 700 years will pass before some of these statements come to pass, and some are yet to come. Jesus arrived in the fullness of time, as will His 2nd Coming.
There are many ways to engage the Bible using this spiritual discipline of study. The point is not to do it to amass knowledge.....it is to pursue intimacy with God Himself.
Two additional forms of prayer need to be drawn in and practiced. Petitionary prayer, done in the Biblical order, acknowledges that God already knows what you need, and He rejoices when you ask aright. Intercessory prayer is outward focused, both on micro and macro needs, as the Lord the Spirit prompts us and our compassion.
Empires and nations have been overturned by the consistent outpouring of the discipline of Service. We need this discipline in the teeth of this culture that keeps hammering away at "It's all about me." themes Instead, Jesus modeled a different Kingdom, one in which servants rule, and rulers serve. Take that to heart, and listen to be prompted by the Lord Of Service, moved to lay aside our priorities, and pick up the towel, like Jesus.
Lectio Divina, or "divine reading" has been a scriptural reading practice in the Western church for 1700 years, but in the last 50, the ongoing search for more and more Bible knowledge has wrung some Evangelicals dry. It is for more intimacy with God that some, like myself, have take a confessional leap to include Lectio Divina in their devotion to God and Scripture. In this podcast, we will practice this spiritual discipline,
The two spiritual disciplines of frugality and simplicity are entwined together, and call us to seek heaven's counsel for life priorities. This 21st Century makes for difficult choices as to how we spend, invest, play, and work-as-worship. Lord God wants to walk us through the choice making process so that we begin to live quietly, live with "enough" and then listen for how to use resources in the Kingdom.
This week, we look at one of the spiritual disciplines of engagement, of action, that flows from thanksgiving and gratefulness.....it is gratitude, and gratitude has a face.
Our days are often filled with sighs, grumbles, self talk. In this podcast, we look at Luke 18, and the parable Jesus spoke about the 2 men who prayed in the Temple....one rehearsing his view of himself in comparison to others, and the other man crying out to God for mercy. From that parable came the Kyrie, and the Jesus Prayer. The breath prayers we embrace can focus and correct us, and even enhance our praise.
When we try and review our lives with only our own minds to filter our thoughts and feelings, that turns negative.....and is called "introspection." Instead, consider coming aside to enter with the Scriptures and Holy Spirit to a short session of "self reflection" with the Spirit and the Scriptures to filter our thoughts and feelings, and begin to bring them under the transformative control of Lord God.
This Spiritual Discipline is often presented as one of those that fall under the heading of disengagement, of withdrawal. I believe we begin that way....and then we engage with God with full intention to learn from Him. Our deep need is set against his deeper supply. Jesus said to his followers "When you fast..." and we are His followers, so, we too need to become those who fast for spiritual purpose.
The word "chaste" means "pure." As you will hear in this podcast, we the Church have slid far from that standard, the standard of holiness, and now Lord God wants us back. The spiritual discipline of chastity is one key step in that direction, leading towards a lifestyle of purity. If we are going to welcome His presence within us, we need His help to clean house first.
Jesus prized his time alone. He desperately needed time with Heavenly Father. To accomplish that, he came away from the crowds to be alone, in silence and in solitude. These two disciplines mark His life, and as we move towards our own Spiritual Formation....that of seeing the pattern life of Jesus formed in us....we need to be urged away from the scrum of life to time alone with Him.
In this sound file, Jan Patterson is reviewing the unique DNA that is clearly exhibited in Forge Church, and where its roots are from. Be blessed in the review of ministry that has birthed Forge.
Joseph has sent for his father and all the family to come down from Canaan to Goshen....the best land in Egypt. Pharoah welcomes Jacob and his sons, but because they are shepherds, is glad to see them move north, away from Egyptian cultural influence. Joseph continues to serve Pharoah, selling food for money, for livestock, and then for land and lives. All of Egypt is now enslaved to Pharoah.....except for Isarel and his sons in Goshen. Joseph then receives the blessing of the first born son.
In these chapters, we get to see Jacob at his worst, and Joseph at his best....and there is a reason. Joseph trust in God, first and foremost. He finally finishes testing his brothers hearts: do they care for Jacob their father; do they care for Benjamin that brother? When the emotional wall breaks down, Joseph...over and over....says that it is God who has sent him ahead of the family to save a remnant in the earth.
Joseph has opened the granaries of Egypt to feed people fleeing the famine. Jacob, seeing the famine strike his flocks and herds, sends his ten oldest sons to buy grain in Egypt. Arriving there, the sons of Israel bow to the Vizier, not recognizing Joseph as brother #11. Joseph recognizes his brothers, and sets out to shake their world, to determine their character. They have to leave Simeon in jail, go home to Jacob, and plead that Benjamin be allowed to go with them to Egypt to free Simeon and to gain trading rights, proving that they are not spies.
Jospeh, having been set over Pharoah's affairs as steward, married into royalty, and given power second only to Pharoah, goes out to bring in the foretold harvest. City by city, region by region, granaries overflow. In the time of plenty, God gives him 2 sons by Asenath....named for the blessings of forgetting the strife back in Canaan, and receiving fruitfulness in Egypt....his land of affliction. Then the famine comes, and so does the world, to buy grain from Joseph. His faithfulness in little things has opened a door to bless all the families of earth.
Joseph is rushed into the presence of Pharoah, who recounts 2 disturbing dreams that none of his court Seers and Magicians can interpret. Joseph, giving all credit to God first, interprets, and then suggests ways for the nation to survive the coming famine. Having humbly submitted himself to God in his sojourn in Egypt, NOW the Covenant God of Israel exalts Joseph, in due time.
Joseph is set over all the prisoners to care for them because The Lord is with him. Pharoah is mightily angry with two of his servants, his cupbearer and the head baker, and remands them into the custody of Potiphar, who places them under Joseph's care. Joseph offers to interpret their two disturbing dreams, and the interpretations from God are authenticated 3 days later.
Joseph is been up and down in his life since he was introduced. Now he is in charge of the prison into which Pharoah has remanded his cup-bearer and the head baker, who Potiphar puts under Josephs care. These two who have greatly offended Pharoah have individual dreams one night, and are greatly downcast for there is no "Book Of Dreams" and spiritual practitioner to interpret those dreams. Joseph points to God for interpretation, delivers it, and see the authentication of the interpretations lived out in three days.
In this episode, Joseph rises from being a Hebrew slave, to being the steward over all of the estate of Potiphar, Pharoah's captain of the body guard. As he rises, he is solicited by Potiphar's wife, who will not take "NO" for an answer. The lessons of Joseph's purity are stark against the land of Egypt and its idolatrous immorality. Cast into the prison in Potiphar's house, Joseph has avoided the death penalty, but is now incarcerated with Pharoah's prisoners. Circumstances have changed; the LORD has not.
In Genesis 38, we have some of the most explicit sexual content in all of Scripture, but the compiler-by-the-Holy-Spirit of Genesis set this dark account in the Scriptures to (1) contrast with God's care/Joseph's response in the next chapters, and (2) set the stage for the departure from Canaan to Egypt that is about 25 years away. The Lord is also after Judah's heart, the seed-carrier, and uses His Providence to assure progeny from this wayward son of Jacob.
In this introduction to Joseph's Story, there is a review of the previous series entitled Jacob's Story. Then, at the pinnacle of Jacob's relationship with God, we are slammed by the surrounding deaths and circumstances that would unhorse the man and his destiny. Use your zoom out "tool" to get a God's Eye view of what He is doing to set up the Joseph Story, and what He is doing in your life.
Apostle Peter wraps up his teaching by starting with the same theme: humility. When we put our worries and anxiety on deposit with Him, he sets us up to resist our Adversary, while guaranteeing the outcome. He has overcome so that we overcome, stand firm, and are made complete.
Apostle Peter turns his preaching to the elders of the house churches that are scattered up the center of Asia Minor. His urging the to be Shepherds and Pastors like Jesus was to his Disciples. And then he turns to the younger set and urges them to submit to those godly elders, and to all of the rest (us included) the "tie-on" humility....and to let it show.
Apostle Peter uses the furnace metaphor for the fiery suffering that is and will be falling on the Christians in Asia Minor. Then he urges them to rejoice that they are so qualified to be those who will suffer along with Jesus. Inserted in his preaching is a promise that those who suffer in Jesus' Name can expect the Spirit of God and Power to rest on them. There is cause for rejoicing.
Apostle Peter knows that suffering and persecution are coming to the churches of Asia Minor. He gives direct instructions for how believers are to live in the midst of pagan neighbors and when believers have to face Imperial persecution from Rome.
Apostle Peter continues to focus on the suffering and death of Jesus for our sins. He and the writers of the New Testament agree that there is a tie between relationship with Jesus as Lord and suffering for Him. So, don't be shocked when your unbelieving friends or adversaries get up in your face when you choose to not run with them in their ways.
Apostle Peter deems it so critical regarding the descent of the living Jesus Christ into Hades that he teaches on it twice (once again in 2 Peter 2). This is one of the core beliefs of the early Church, finding its way into the Apostle's Creed in mid-3rd Century as part of the summary of orthodox beliefs for the Church. This is a passage that has been much argued over. We want to understand Peter's preaching here, not what theologians have presented.
Apostle Peter summarizes his preached section on submission, having begun with free men, then slaves, then wives, then husbands. Now he concludes with those characteristics that flow from the hidden place of the heart by Holy Spirit. He knows there are problems in the churches to which he writes, and he focuses their minds and hearts on getting ready to verbally defend their hope with gentleness and respect.
Apostle Peter shifts his focus to wives and husbands in the churches he is writing to in Asia MInor. Each class has some significant challenges as believers. The transforming work of Holy Spirit in the "hidden plcace of the heart" is being addressed into super-stressed marriages.
Apostle Peter now turns to urge house servants to respect and submit to their masters. Peter next address those of who make right choices and suffer for them. We are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, out example of how not to revile, how not to lash back to accusation, slander, and abuse. The suffering of Jesus paid the price for my new life. He is the Shepherd and Guardian of my soul
Apostle Peter again warns about evil desires for they war against our souls. He urges his readers to live lovely loves, doing good, for Jesus' sake. Lastly, Peter calls us to submit to governing authorities in such a way as to silence foolish talk, and to express our freedom in Christ.
Apostle Peter writes to set the contrast between those who see Jesus as precious and those who see Him as an offense. He urges the followers of Jesus in Asia Minor to "Tell Out" the excellencies of God, because He has brought them out of darkness into light, and into His mercy.
Apostle Peter looks back at Chapter 1 and then urges his readers to strip off all manner of evil speaking and thinking. Having done that, he instructs us to crave the simple, pure things of the Word of God. When we are clean and built up, he next calls us to be living stones in the spiritual dwelling that houses ministering priests (that's us!) who offer up spiritual sacrifices.
Apostle Peter is preaching a message of our personal identity in Christ, from before the foundation of the world. Having received that identity we are to move beyond accepting love for one another to love that values, love that overflows to our Brothers and Sister in Christ.
Apostle Peter challenges his readers to be obedient.....and to be holy, for that is what stands written in Scripture. Holiness and obedience are two sides of the same coin.
The Apostle Peter hammers away at the prophetic work done by the Old Testament men and women who heard from God and passed it along. They exhaustively searched for the time and the season for what was told to them, but in Peter's words....all that was for us. It is for the Now, and for the Next.
Jan Patterson highlights the importance of loving and praying for leaders. This is so important to keep in mind, especially in an election year especially. Recorded at Forge Church on 5/22/16.
Peter is preaching out his letter to the churches in central Asia Minor, being transcribed by Silas. Peter stresses a salvation that is anchored by a full Trinity: Father/Son/Spirit, which produces a living hope. And that living hope releases unmeasured joy in the midst of trials.
This is an introduction of Peter the Gallilean fisherman, the follower of Jesus, the Apostle of the Risen Lord, and a martyr. He is writing to churches scattered through Asia Minor.
God speaks to Jacob at Shechem, go to Bethel and build and altar. Jacob leads his family and servants in preparation to worship God. God appears to Jacob at Bethel, and re-emphasizes his promise and covenant with Jacob and his descendants.
Jacob sets up camp next door to Shechem, a Canaanite trading town. He buys land, and builds an altar to God. His daughter goes "to the mall" in Shechem unescorted, and is taken and raped by the prince of the region. Jacob's son's plot and pull over slaughter to revenge their sister's defilement. It is another "fail" for Jacob.
Jacob limps to meet with Esau, who arrives backed by 400 armed men. Esau rushes to embrace Jacob, and weeps. Jacob introduces his children, and implores Esau to receive the gift....the blessing he sent out ahead of him in the form of many choice animals. Reconciliation between brothers can only be sealed if Esau receives the gift.
Jacob returns to Canaan, and has to inform his brother, Esau he is coming home. He tries to placate Esau with his wiles, then with prayer, then with more strategies. When Jacob is finally alone, God comes to grapple with him both physically and spiritually. because God has transformation in mind.
Jacob has taken his family and fled from Laban's camp. Laban pursues, but God speaks to him in a dream. A covenant is agreed to, and Jacob returns to Canaan with his family.
In the 14th year of service to Laban, Jacob proposes new wages for his herding and breeding skills. Laban tries again to cheat Jacob, but God makes Jacob vastly wealthy. Then God directs Jacob to return to Canaan with his family and his herds. Here we learn how to deal with cheats and schemers.
The dysfunction of Jacob's household is highlighted in the struggle of his wives to bear children. The Lord intervenes to keep His promises of descendants.
Narrative and poignant lessons of Jacob, the deceiver, being himself deceived and ensnared by his Uncle, Laban.