Know, that you know, that you know! The "old time" preachers used to say that phrase frequently. Ralph Cox a long-time pastor at Milan Baptist Church in Maynardville was the first preacher I recall saying "know, that you know, that you know". The Apostle Peter said it this way, " Give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (see 2 Peter 1:10). Both phrases mean make sure you are saved!
Last time, we concluded by pointing out that there was no temple during King David's reign over Israel and that God would not allow David to build God a house or temple to dwell in. God would not allow David to build a house because God knew men would worship a temple built by human hands and not worship God Himself.
TEMPLE WORSHIP continued
As Part of the series called:
Things That Make You Go H’mmm?
Matthew 12:6
“But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.”
PUNS IN THE BIBLE
As Part of the series called:
Things That Make You Go H’mmm?
Romans 2:29
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Mark 13:26
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”
In Matthew 13:26, what did Jesus mean by the “coming in the clouds” part of His statement? Three of the four Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark and Luke) all record Jesus’ discussion with His disciples in what is commonly referred to by theologians as “The Olivet Discourse”. We are not going to keep you in suspense, “coming in the clouds” is a figure of speech, or metaphor for Judgement. More specifically the word, “clouds” in this context is a Biblical Metaphor for Judgement.
As Part of the series called:
Things That Make You Go Hmmm?
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
As Part of a new series called:
Things That Make You Go Hmmm?
Luke 2:8
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Why does the Gospel writer Matthew mention the wise men coming to Jesus, and why does the Gospel writer Luke mention shepherds coming to Jesus?
Last time we addressed Matthew’s wise men part of this two-part question. This time we will concentrate on answering part two: Why does the Gospel writer Luke mention shepherds coming to Jesus?
As part of a new series called: Things That Make You Go H’mmm!
Matthew 1:18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
A good friend of mine recently asked me a question about “The Nativity” or birth of Jesus Christ. A question which I had never fully considered. Actually, it is a two-parter. Here is the question:
1 Peter 3:15 KJV
[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Part 3 of the Series: "Now That's Why You Don't Have Any Friends"
Psalm 2:2 KJV
[2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord , and against his anointed, saying...
Part 2 of the Series: "Now That's Why You Don't Have Any Friends"
Matthew 23:14 KJV
[14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
"Oh boy!" One sure fire way to make people mad is to tell someone who is in denial the cold hard truth. Matthew 23 is not the first time Jesus told someone the truth, and it's certainly not the first time He told His Jewish kinsmen, known as the scribes and Pharisees, the truth. The fact of the matter is Jesus was rougher on His Jewish religious kinsmen than He was on anyone else. Why? Because the Pharisees where Hypocrites!
"Oh boy!" This catch phrase was uttered by fictional character Sam Beckett from the TV series Quantum Leap in every episode as he would leap into a seemingly impossible situation. Romans Chapter 1 is probably one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible, especially in our age of diversity and tolerance. The reasons Romans 1 is so controversial is because most people stop reading at the end of chapter 1, ignore the context and rail against one particular type of sin. Michael the archangel did not even rail against Satan when contending with that devil over the Law. (Jude 1:9). For the record, Paul's letter to the Romans is about SALVATION.
Do you remember the events surrounding the three Hebrew children in Daniel Chapter 3? Being in the world, not of the world is exactly like that! Let’s look at some obvious parallels between what is going on with Jesus Disciples and the Hebrew Children.
Last week, we promised to get right to the context of John 17:16, and so we will. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, plus much more. In John 14:28 and 16:7, Jesus puts it this way, “I go away.” By this, Jesus does not mean He is going from Bethany to Jerusalem and leaving them behind, but rather that He is about to allow Himself to be crucified and die. Now, Jesus has been preparing the disciples for His crucifixion for quite some time. Plus, the Apostle John details for us in John 1 that John the Baptist actually told whoever would listen that Jesus would give His life for sinners.
Last time, we discussed the statement from 2 Corinthians 6:17 about being a separate people and how this separate means different. Christians are in the world but not of the world, so we are set apart in that we do not follow our own path but rather the path of our Savior. A Savior who purchased our sins and gave His Righteousness to us. (See Jerimiah 23:6) He had to do this because of our inability to keep God’s Law. Our sin nature made it impossible for us to make atonement for our failures. (See Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6)
Context is KING and so is Jesus. As the Word made flesh, Jesus was not at a loss for words when he began to pray about His Passion and for His disciples, who in a little over 50 days from Jesus’ prayer in John 17, would be sent out into the world on their own, to do greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12). Well, appearances can be deceiving! Before we continue examining Jesus prayer, we need to finish our look at the context of 2 Corinthians 6:17, like we promised last time.
Like all good lies, it started as a little thing!
PART 1
A Serpents Tale (NOT)
Like all good lies, it started as a little thing! The master of deception doing what he does best. Just in case you don’t know the story, here is the introductory part from the Bible:
In the world, not of the world! Well, if ever there was an oxymoron contest, that statement must surely take the cake. If you didn’t know the Bible very well, one could think this is a contradiction. How is it possible for human beings to be in the world and not of the world at the same time? Answer: JESUS! As we like to say, that is the short answer. Some people will tell you that is all the answer we need and that we must take it on blind faith that Jesus is the answer. Well, you know what Jesus Himself said about the blind leading the blind. Jesus never demanded blind faith of His disciples or anyone else. As a matter of fact, Jesus encouraged people to ask questions!
(Part 2 and Conclusion)
(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Fire and Into the Skillet”)
A LIVING LOVE LETTER
2 Corinthians 3:3
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Fire and Into the Skillet”)
Luke 7:34
“The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”
Hum! Jesus, friend of sinners. When I consider the events surrounding Luke 7:34, which would include the entirety of the Gospel accounts, I am forced to ask myself the following question: