Posts
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thinking...
Who am I? Who I was? and who I am... my mind has been wrestling with many things the past few months. from music, to ministry, from sin to salvation, all seems to be a struggle. Lately i have just been thinking about who am i? who am i called to be in Christ? I know i have been redeemed, i know that my sin has been atoned for and in know that i am a new creation... but what does that mean, and what do i do with this truth... also, who was i before Christ? who did the world see on a daily basis, and am i still the same, or has there been a change? lastly, who i am, now? who i am to God... and who i am to the world... from leaving my old job, to working at starbucks, and viewing myself through the mirror of scripture, i have seen both growth and flaws...many things, i can say with only as Christ my victor, i have won the battle over... and it is not a struggle or a temptation, but others, left to my own strength, i daily fail. This has led me to continually see that though many of my friends hear my theological talk,and ramblings, many of them dont hear the moans and tears of my losing the battle to sin. My view of my identity in Christ has increased and my view of my identity in the world has decreased. Though, the life I now live in the flesh i live unto God, and truly it is no longer i who live but Christ who is in me, i still have glimpses of the old adam, and not the New. so, this is just me thinking... hence the name of the post... i dont mean to be expositing on something major or correcting a doctrinal issue, i merely seek to share my heart with ya'll. To encourage the believer that though we fall, God is faithful to pick us up and restore us. allow us to groan with creation for the coming of Christ and the elimination of sin. Let us all pray, Maranatha, O Lord come... grace and peace to all from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. amen.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
we are debtors
As i was thinking today about my life, both pre and post Christ, i realized that the hand of God was always with me. I come from a divorced home, in which brought me many tears and sleepless nights and heartbreak, and i would always blame God. i would ask, why did God allow this, or does God hate me? why am i not like normal families? from 6 years old to 24 years old, divorce has always been on my mind and heart. i remember feeling ashamed when i would tell people i dont have both parents. I remember lying on parent days at school in which only either my mom made, which were few, or my grandparents. No one ever really met my dad, unless we grew up in the same hood. Yet, now, the culture sees divorce as the norm. It is normal to not endure in marriage, its normal to have mistresses or boy toys on the side, cuz, "hey who really takes marriage seriously anymore?" my heart breaks at a culture that has such a low view of marriage and true love. Marriage, which on earth points to the relationship of Christ and the Church. Do we forget that Christ loved His Bride so much that He died for her? do we not take seriously that the Church, the Bride, is called to obey Her husband? i know this world is in sin, but do we forget about our calling. Do we forget that we are called to redeem all that sin has contaminated? every single thing in this world,whatever it is, we are called to bring into the light of Christ into that arena and purify it with the blood of Him who shed His blood. I think to myself that we pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done;" and yet we do nothing to bring the kingdom of God to this earth. We are kingdom people, kingdom representatives, ambassadors, do we act like it? Jesus brought the kingdom, and now we are kingdom bearers, we have the kingdom message, we have the Key in which unlocks all things to make them bring glory to God. I beseech you brethren, whatever you do, seek the kingdom of God first! whether you make music, write, draw, sing, blog, speak, anything! we are called to pour the Living Water over those things which are dirty and filthy with sin and redeem them to the glory and honor of our Lord. Now, i am not saying to make Christian things in this world to enjoy this world more, i mean make it, write it, do it, for the fact that it will witness to God in this fallen world. Jesus is worth it. Jesus' death calls for it. I think of paul when he says in romans "i am a debtor to the jew and the greek, to the wise and the unwise."-romans 1:14. who amongst you whom you know is wise without Christ? you owe him the gospel! whom amongst you is foolish without Christ? You owe him the gospel. we are in debt to them. we owe them this gospel. in a world that views divorce, sex, drugs, sex trafficking, murder, lies, etc. as the norm, WE... OWE...THEM...THE...GOSPEL!!! who are we to keep hidden that in which has shone in our hearts by the grace of God alone! none of us were wise enough to choose Christ, none of us were cool enough to choose Christ, none of us merited anything that made Christ save us, this He did by His own free grace, that no man may boast. I call all those who read this to spread this to all. dont hold the gospel in selfishness, or in fear, or in shyness, or in pride, but spread it in love and grace and mercy. Jesus is the answer to a world living in a state of questions. why is the question, and Jesus holds the answer in His death, burial and resurrection and ascension. we must continually glean from the grace that He offers us, and live off of the blood which saves us and keeps us. May we always stay at the foot of the cross, head and hands lifted up in worship. i pray that we all learn our indebtedness to this culture and this age until the sky cracks and the Savior calls us home. grace and peace to all. Amen.
Monday, September 13, 2010
New Song: Christ Exalted
Here are the lyrics to a new song that i wrote, may be recorded in the next couple weeks... but here are the lyrics... tell me what ya'll think.
I shall boast in Christ, my King and Savior,
Everlasting sin stopper, never loses flavor,
Seated in the heavenlies, rules the earth,
But chose to step down and take on a human birth,
Became a bond servant, in the likeness of men,
Yet never did sin, but would be placed on Him,
Perfect from beginning to end, with no lack,
This is a true a fact, chose lashes on His back,
This was Gods task, to remove His wrath,
But Christ never chose equality with Him to be grasped,
Was obedient to the point of death, even to a cross,
With 2 wooden beams we’ll see His blood loss,
Though this was the cost, He bore our blame,
Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him the Name,
In which every knee will bow, and tongue proclaim,
On heaven and earth that Jesus is King,
(He shows us obedience, shows us humility,
Lets have the mind of Christ amongst our assembly,
For the churches main purpose it to make God visible,
And growing holiness, that’s habitual. )
He is the first born over all creation,
Both visible and invisible, He created,
Either on earth or heaven, and all in-between,
Read Colossians chapter 1 verse 16,
Whether thrones, dominions, principalities and powers,
Before Jesus Christ, all of them will cower,
He’s before all things and in Him all consist,
First born from the dead, shows His preeminence,
I’m not speaking in eloquence,
But teaching He’s heaven sent,
Nor using wise rhetoric, but reading from Holy Script,
He’s the head of the body of His bride, the Church,
Died to reconcile all things on earth, and heaven,
Bring peace, like that triple 7,
Reconciliation came to the alienated,
Feeling so elated, now to Christ we related
Long ago in many ways and many times God spoke,
To the fathers through the prophets, no joke,
But in these last days this speaking is done,
Through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son,
He’s the heir of all things, so appointed by the Father,
Whom Christ is the radiance of, with full honor,
Upholding all things by the word of His power,
Making purification of sin, Gods wrath was devoured,
Then He sat at the right hand of the Majesty,
To worship angels instead is blasphemy,
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
You are my Son, I’ve begotten you today,
For He has obtained, a more excellent name,
Who makes his angels a ministering flame,
To worship Christ, is the purpose they were made,
And to aid those to whom salvation has been laid
I shall boast in Christ, my King and Savior,
Everlasting sin stopper, never loses flavor,
Seated in the heavenlies, rules the earth,
But chose to step down and take on a human birth,
Became a bond servant, in the likeness of men,
Yet never did sin, but would be placed on Him,
Perfect from beginning to end, with no lack,
This is a true a fact, chose lashes on His back,
This was Gods task, to remove His wrath,
But Christ never chose equality with Him to be grasped,
Was obedient to the point of death, even to a cross,
With 2 wooden beams we’ll see His blood loss,
Though this was the cost, He bore our blame,
Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him the Name,
In which every knee will bow, and tongue proclaim,
On heaven and earth that Jesus is King,
(He shows us obedience, shows us humility,
Lets have the mind of Christ amongst our assembly,
For the churches main purpose it to make God visible,
And growing holiness, that’s habitual. )
He is the first born over all creation,
Both visible and invisible, He created,
Either on earth or heaven, and all in-between,
Read Colossians chapter 1 verse 16,
Whether thrones, dominions, principalities and powers,
Before Jesus Christ, all of them will cower,
He’s before all things and in Him all consist,
First born from the dead, shows His preeminence,
I’m not speaking in eloquence,
But teaching He’s heaven sent,
Nor using wise rhetoric, but reading from Holy Script,
He’s the head of the body of His bride, the Church,
Died to reconcile all things on earth, and heaven,
Bring peace, like that triple 7,
Reconciliation came to the alienated,
Feeling so elated, now to Christ we related
Long ago in many ways and many times God spoke,
To the fathers through the prophets, no joke,
But in these last days this speaking is done,
Through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son,
He’s the heir of all things, so appointed by the Father,
Whom Christ is the radiance of, with full honor,
Upholding all things by the word of His power,
Making purification of sin, Gods wrath was devoured,
Then He sat at the right hand of the Majesty,
To worship angels instead is blasphemy,
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
You are my Son, I’ve begotten you today,
For He has obtained, a more excellent name,
Who makes his angels a ministering flame,
To worship Christ, is the purpose they were made,
And to aid those to whom salvation has been laid
Monday, August 16, 2010
a song for the single. great song
i may never have a little boy to wrestle on the floor
Or walk the aisle to give away a daughter i adore
i might never cry the tears that fathers cry on special days
i’m a man who’s never married, i have love to give away.
i might never know the promise or the kisses of a bride
But i will not mourn the absence of the bed i’ve been denied
Is it destiny or choice, i’m not quite sure that i can say
i’m a man who’s never married, i have love to give away.
But there are worlds of joy inside this world of tables just for one
Friends and family help me on this journey that i run
i have found that if my eyes and heart are open everyday
i will never be without a place to give my love away
My family name might perish when they put me in the grave
But i’ve learned it’s not the family name that matters anyway
There’s a stronger Name that covers me on every single day
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give that Name away
So don’t worry that i’m lonely, please believe me i am not
i’m thankful for the meaning of the moments that i’ve got
And i will not spend my life afraid of things that people say
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give my love away
Till i’m seated at the table, i will watch and i will pray
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give my love away.
(Copyright Allen C. Levi, 2001)
Or walk the aisle to give away a daughter i adore
i might never cry the tears that fathers cry on special days
i’m a man who’s never married, i have love to give away.
i might never know the promise or the kisses of a bride
But i will not mourn the absence of the bed i’ve been denied
Is it destiny or choice, i’m not quite sure that i can say
i’m a man who’s never married, i have love to give away.
But there are worlds of joy inside this world of tables just for one
Friends and family help me on this journey that i run
i have found that if my eyes and heart are open everyday
i will never be without a place to give my love away
My family name might perish when they put me in the grave
But i’ve learned it’s not the family name that matters anyway
There’s a stronger Name that covers me on every single day
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give that Name away
So don’t worry that i’m lonely, please believe me i am not
i’m thankful for the meaning of the moments that i’ve got
And i will not spend my life afraid of things that people say
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give my love away
Till i’m seated at the table, i will watch and i will pray
i’m a man who’s never married, i will give my love away.
(Copyright Allen C. Levi, 2001)
Friday, July 9, 2010
TEACHING PART II: 2 KINGS 4:38-44
2 KINGS 4 38-44 ELISHA PURIFIES THE POT OF STEW AND FEEDS ONE HUNDRED MEN
I. The situation (the famine) (verse 38)
Elisha arrives to Gilgal and there is a famine in the land. Now this famine may be showing Gods curse on the nation of Israel. As we see in Leviticus 26:18-21 that disobedience to the Lord brings forth curses. Another thing we see is that the people of God are sharing in this famine. Though it may have been the apostate nation that sinned and because of them the famine came, the people of God don’t have a “get outta curse free card.” we see that they shared in the woe just as much as the nation of Israel. We see this today, like when tsunamis happen and hurricanes and deaths in the world, the people of God also share in the pain of those things, but we see it through a different lens than the world does.
Application: we must remember that we live in a fallen world and that we are not promised a greater life than that of fallen men, on the contrary, we may have more things poured upon us than they, but we know that God is the one in control so we do not waver.
II. The wild gourds (verses 38-41)
In this frame we see Elisha and the sons of the prophets sitting before him. We can say that though there was a famine in the land of food for men to eat there was not a famine of the word of God nor of those whom wanted to hear. Elisha, maybe teaching the sons of the prophets, broke open to them the “living Bread” of God, His word and so, as we see Jesus do, those whom he feeds spiritually, he also feeds physically. So he calls to his servant, which the Hebrew word na’ar (nah’ar) means that he was a boy, lad, one in the stage of adolescence, to grab herbs and prepare a stew. Now, the boy unknowingly grabs wild gourds, which may have been like cucumbers and commentators believe it was as a laxative, and taken in a massive amount very deadly. So, he grabs a lapful, the Hebrew word Melo’ means all, or all that there is; so he pretty much grabbed all from the vine and chopped it into the stew. It is evident that He was an obedient boy and one trustworthy for such a task of preparing a common, non lethal, or deadly stew, but truly we can say he would have been a person who watched more “Christian TV or teaching” than “the food network.” The boy had a good intention and was obedient to what his master called for, but with ignorance placed his fellow brothers in danger. One thing this can show us is the curse applied to the earth (thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee.) so in some way we can say that the pot of stew held in it the curse God had declared upon the earth. Once the man of God was told of the danger his people were in he used flour, common flour nothing special, but with God this flour that seemed common and of little use, was used to remove the curse of death that the pot held within it. The flour in and of itself could not heal nor give life, but with the power of God it was able to bring forth life from death. After it was deemed eatable by the man of God, he said to serve it to the people to eat, and it fed the people of God. Now, as you can already make the connection of how Christ came into this world that is cursed, and put on Human flesh, He was a regular/common man, but He was also God in the flesh. He was the common mixed with the divine; So, Christ, as the flour, was put in this world to remove the curse of sin, which brings death. Also, we can see how Elisha didn’t say, “stupid boy, throw the stew away!” no, he did not let the boys labor go in vain, he used a situation that seemed bad and turned to a situation where God could get the honor and glory. When I first came in contact with the doctrines of grace, and the reformed theology, I was one who new of grace yet did not impart grace on others who had another view of theology. Although they were wrong, I could have in a loving and gracious way showed them their faults with scripture, instead, I viciously attacked their ignorance in the scriptures as if I knew it all. Well, in my ignorance instead of imparting life to the conversation with grace and love and correction, I did the opposite. Some who were starting off in the faith saw me as a maniac and didn’t want anything to do with me, the ones who were mature in the faith didn’t want me around because my unedifying talk. I had the right intention, I wanted to do my masters will in teaching them the truth of the scripture, but instead doing it through the True Vine, Christ that tells us to treat others with love, and to uplift those in the faith, I plucked anger and frustration, the “Wild Gourds” of the flesh, and brought separation to my once healthy friendships, as the boy did in ignorance to his fellow brethren. But, glory be to God, who showed me my wrongs, and now has put grace in me and put to death the anger and frustration I once had. Now, when I speak to those who knew me in my mauling, deadly, cage stage, they see how God has took a tongue that brought forth death, to lips that bring for grace and praise. (1 cor 15:58) so, we must see our labor for the Lord as one that is not in vain, though we mess up and at times pluck from the “fleshly gourds” He can pour His mercy and grace upon the situation and bring fourth life. Also, we see that they ate. They trusted in the miracle that was done, if that were I, I would have been cautious in even taking another bite, but they had faith that what was done by God through Elisha was profitable for them in their hunger situation. Again, only through Christ, is our starving, hungry soul pleased and full. Only through Christ can we, in our spiritual famine, be full and partake of such a great meal. Also I like to think that we, the people of God, were once the wild gourds that brought forth death in our own lives to others. I am sure if we look at our past or listen to one another’s testimonies we would see that, but now that God has placed His Spirit into us, as the flour made the stew good for His people, so God makes our once deadly words and deeds to a life giving, body building, God honoring action.
Application: Trust that your labor for the Lord is not in vain, and that He can take a situation that seems to be bad because of our ignorance, and turn it around for His glory. God is not one who lets us do work for Him with no profit to Him. Ultimately God seeks His glory and when He can “show Himself off” through us He will take the chance to do so.
III. The feeding of the hundred
So after the instance with the “Stew of Death” we see that a man from Baal Shalisha came to Elisha, the man of God, and brought him the first fruits. Now the first fruits, as we see in exod. 23:19, lev. 23:20, num. 18:13 and deut. 18:4-5, were meant for the priests, but this man took his first fruits to Elisha. H.L. Ellison wrote:
The man was recognizing Elisha as the one true representative of God in the land; he did not wish to bring the first fruits to the priest who had been contaminated by Baalized worship of Jehovah, or even with Baal worship itself.”
So, we see this man wasn’t just saying “let me go to the priest, I just wanna get my giving of the first fruits over with.” No, he went and gave the first fruits who he knew was the true representative of God in the land. Also, this brings me to 1 Kings 19:18 when God tells Elijah that he has 7,000 people who have not bowed the knee to Baal. This man was not just looking for a religious act in giving the first fruits, but he feared and honored Yahweh so much that he wanted his sacrifice to go to the right person. So, we see that Elisha tells his servant to go feed the people with the 20 barley loaves and the grain he had just received. The servant found it impossible to feed 100 men with such a small meal. Yet, Elisha replies, “for thus says the LORD, they shall eat and have left over.” As many of you may be thinking, this recalls Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6:35-44. Jesus being before the people, teaching seeks to feed them. The disciples see it impossible with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, which compared to Elisha was significantly less food, but “what seems impossible with man, is possible with God.” so as we all know, Jesus feeds the 5,000 and they have left over. From all 3 stories that we read and heard, the main thread is the power, and provision of God to His people which should lead us to our Praise of Him. I am sure the widow praised God for the provision He brought upon her, that she may live off the rest of the profits of the oil and ultimately that her children would not suffer the bondage that they were doomed to receive. And I am sure that the sons of the prophets praised God for providing for them in a famine, and although through one boys ignorance it almost brought death, that with the power of God that which held death now brought forth life. Even with the 20 loaves, How God provided for them in such a way that 20 loaves and some grain fed 100 men. Another thing we need to notice in these historical facts is that the death, the famine, the lack of faith in the servant, are all applied to the people of God. We will have days of unbelief when we see what we have as nothing or not enough, we must remember that we serve a God who likes to work with little so that He may get the glory and abundant praise. Also, we will suffer of days of death or debt, but again even in our pain and in a state of hopelessness we have a God who can revive a situation as bad as death. Also, as the women, she went to her neighbors in her time of need because Elisha told her, and as the body, bride, and people of God, we are called to carry one another’s burdens and to help each other in times of need.
J.D Aguilar
Soli Deo Gloria
I. The situation (the famine) (verse 38)
Elisha arrives to Gilgal and there is a famine in the land. Now this famine may be showing Gods curse on the nation of Israel. As we see in Leviticus 26:18-21 that disobedience to the Lord brings forth curses. Another thing we see is that the people of God are sharing in this famine. Though it may have been the apostate nation that sinned and because of them the famine came, the people of God don’t have a “get outta curse free card.” we see that they shared in the woe just as much as the nation of Israel. We see this today, like when tsunamis happen and hurricanes and deaths in the world, the people of God also share in the pain of those things, but we see it through a different lens than the world does.
Application: we must remember that we live in a fallen world and that we are not promised a greater life than that of fallen men, on the contrary, we may have more things poured upon us than they, but we know that God is the one in control so we do not waver.
II. The wild gourds (verses 38-41)
In this frame we see Elisha and the sons of the prophets sitting before him. We can say that though there was a famine in the land of food for men to eat there was not a famine of the word of God nor of those whom wanted to hear. Elisha, maybe teaching the sons of the prophets, broke open to them the “living Bread” of God, His word and so, as we see Jesus do, those whom he feeds spiritually, he also feeds physically. So he calls to his servant, which the Hebrew word na’ar (nah’ar) means that he was a boy, lad, one in the stage of adolescence, to grab herbs and prepare a stew. Now, the boy unknowingly grabs wild gourds, which may have been like cucumbers and commentators believe it was as a laxative, and taken in a massive amount very deadly. So, he grabs a lapful, the Hebrew word Melo’ means all, or all that there is; so he pretty much grabbed all from the vine and chopped it into the stew. It is evident that He was an obedient boy and one trustworthy for such a task of preparing a common, non lethal, or deadly stew, but truly we can say he would have been a person who watched more “Christian TV or teaching” than “the food network.” The boy had a good intention and was obedient to what his master called for, but with ignorance placed his fellow brothers in danger. One thing this can show us is the curse applied to the earth (thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee.) so in some way we can say that the pot of stew held in it the curse God had declared upon the earth. Once the man of God was told of the danger his people were in he used flour, common flour nothing special, but with God this flour that seemed common and of little use, was used to remove the curse of death that the pot held within it. The flour in and of itself could not heal nor give life, but with the power of God it was able to bring forth life from death. After it was deemed eatable by the man of God, he said to serve it to the people to eat, and it fed the people of God. Now, as you can already make the connection of how Christ came into this world that is cursed, and put on Human flesh, He was a regular/common man, but He was also God in the flesh. He was the common mixed with the divine; So, Christ, as the flour, was put in this world to remove the curse of sin, which brings death. Also, we can see how Elisha didn’t say, “stupid boy, throw the stew away!” no, he did not let the boys labor go in vain, he used a situation that seemed bad and turned to a situation where God could get the honor and glory. When I first came in contact with the doctrines of grace, and the reformed theology, I was one who new of grace yet did not impart grace on others who had another view of theology. Although they were wrong, I could have in a loving and gracious way showed them their faults with scripture, instead, I viciously attacked their ignorance in the scriptures as if I knew it all. Well, in my ignorance instead of imparting life to the conversation with grace and love and correction, I did the opposite. Some who were starting off in the faith saw me as a maniac and didn’t want anything to do with me, the ones who were mature in the faith didn’t want me around because my unedifying talk. I had the right intention, I wanted to do my masters will in teaching them the truth of the scripture, but instead doing it through the True Vine, Christ that tells us to treat others with love, and to uplift those in the faith, I plucked anger and frustration, the “Wild Gourds” of the flesh, and brought separation to my once healthy friendships, as the boy did in ignorance to his fellow brethren. But, glory be to God, who showed me my wrongs, and now has put grace in me and put to death the anger and frustration I once had. Now, when I speak to those who knew me in my mauling, deadly, cage stage, they see how God has took a tongue that brought forth death, to lips that bring for grace and praise. (1 cor 15:58) so, we must see our labor for the Lord as one that is not in vain, though we mess up and at times pluck from the “fleshly gourds” He can pour His mercy and grace upon the situation and bring fourth life. Also, we see that they ate. They trusted in the miracle that was done, if that were I, I would have been cautious in even taking another bite, but they had faith that what was done by God through Elisha was profitable for them in their hunger situation. Again, only through Christ, is our starving, hungry soul pleased and full. Only through Christ can we, in our spiritual famine, be full and partake of such a great meal. Also I like to think that we, the people of God, were once the wild gourds that brought forth death in our own lives to others. I am sure if we look at our past or listen to one another’s testimonies we would see that, but now that God has placed His Spirit into us, as the flour made the stew good for His people, so God makes our once deadly words and deeds to a life giving, body building, God honoring action.
Application: Trust that your labor for the Lord is not in vain, and that He can take a situation that seems to be bad because of our ignorance, and turn it around for His glory. God is not one who lets us do work for Him with no profit to Him. Ultimately God seeks His glory and when He can “show Himself off” through us He will take the chance to do so.
III. The feeding of the hundred
So after the instance with the “Stew of Death” we see that a man from Baal Shalisha came to Elisha, the man of God, and brought him the first fruits. Now the first fruits, as we see in exod. 23:19, lev. 23:20, num. 18:13 and deut. 18:4-5, were meant for the priests, but this man took his first fruits to Elisha. H.L. Ellison wrote:
The man was recognizing Elisha as the one true representative of God in the land; he did not wish to bring the first fruits to the priest who had been contaminated by Baalized worship of Jehovah, or even with Baal worship itself.”
So, we see this man wasn’t just saying “let me go to the priest, I just wanna get my giving of the first fruits over with.” No, he went and gave the first fruits who he knew was the true representative of God in the land. Also, this brings me to 1 Kings 19:18 when God tells Elijah that he has 7,000 people who have not bowed the knee to Baal. This man was not just looking for a religious act in giving the first fruits, but he feared and honored Yahweh so much that he wanted his sacrifice to go to the right person. So, we see that Elisha tells his servant to go feed the people with the 20 barley loaves and the grain he had just received. The servant found it impossible to feed 100 men with such a small meal. Yet, Elisha replies, “for thus says the LORD, they shall eat and have left over.” As many of you may be thinking, this recalls Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6:35-44. Jesus being before the people, teaching seeks to feed them. The disciples see it impossible with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, which compared to Elisha was significantly less food, but “what seems impossible with man, is possible with God.” so as we all know, Jesus feeds the 5,000 and they have left over. From all 3 stories that we read and heard, the main thread is the power, and provision of God to His people which should lead us to our Praise of Him. I am sure the widow praised God for the provision He brought upon her, that she may live off the rest of the profits of the oil and ultimately that her children would not suffer the bondage that they were doomed to receive. And I am sure that the sons of the prophets praised God for providing for them in a famine, and although through one boys ignorance it almost brought death, that with the power of God that which held death now brought forth life. Even with the 20 loaves, How God provided for them in such a way that 20 loaves and some grain fed 100 men. Another thing we need to notice in these historical facts is that the death, the famine, the lack of faith in the servant, are all applied to the people of God. We will have days of unbelief when we see what we have as nothing or not enough, we must remember that we serve a God who likes to work with little so that He may get the glory and abundant praise. Also, we will suffer of days of death or debt, but again even in our pain and in a state of hopelessness we have a God who can revive a situation as bad as death. Also, as the women, she went to her neighbors in her time of need because Elisha told her, and as the body, bride, and people of God, we are called to carry one another’s burdens and to help each other in times of need.
J.D Aguilar
Soli Deo Gloria
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Part I: My teaching on 2 kings 4:1-7
2 KINGS 4:1-7
ELISHA AND THE WIDOWS OIL
I. A cry of despair (verse 1)
This widow has lost her husband which back in that era meant loss of property, or home, or fields, or slavery, for this women, her children. The debt that was acquired whether from her husband or whomever it was, has placed her 2 children in the state of bondage, their freedom has been taken from them and she knows this. She knows that if she does not find a way to pay the debtors then her children will be taken from her till the debt is paid. Now, she has noticed that she is incapable of paying the debt in her own power, she realizes her hopeless state and goes to the Prophet of God, Elisha and mainly shows faith in God. How is faith shown? As a wife of the prophet she may have known God’s promise to her in the state she has found herself in; Deuteronomy 10:17 and 18 give her assurance in the condition she finds herself in, and it is also reiterated in psalm 146:9. Her faith is seen in her dependence and trust in that promise, and acted out by her going to Elisha and telling him her dilemma. One thing we see is that she doesn’t tell Elisha what to do, or how to act upon her troubled state. She merely trust that God would work through Elisha to meet her need. We see this in John 11:3: Mary and Martha tell Jesus that “the one you love” or in the language of 2 kings, “Your servant,” “is sick.” now they didn’t tell Jesus, “hey, lazarus is sick, go heal him,” No, they casted their problem to the feet of Christ and had faith that He would act in the way God led Him. Again we see this when we studied 2 Chronicles 20 in verse 12 all that Jehoshaphat said was “our eyes are on You.” that’s it, not we trust you now kill’em and lets get this over with. Just faith that God could rescue them because they could not rescue themselves. That’s faith.
Just as this widow, we are found in a state of despair and hopelessness when brought before the gospel. We see that on account of Adam and Eve we have been brought into slavery or bondage, and can not escape by the strength of our own hands. We also owe a debt that can not be paid by us, but only by Christ, The Man/ Prophet, of God. We hear the promise that He sets free those who are under the creditor, satan, sin or death, and as the women, we must run to the Man of God and confess the state we have found ourselves in, and in hope, faith, and trust, cast ourselves upon Him and that He has the answer for us in the time of darkness.
Application: In time of despair, turmoil, or pain, run to Christ. Don’t tell Him what to do in your life, as if He doesn’t know your desires, but cast your cares and worries upon Him with the faith and hope that He knows what to do. As the covenant people of God, we have promises like Matthew 6:25-33.
II. God’s response/ obedience to the Word of God (verses 2-5)
Now that she has pleaded her case to Elisha he speaks and we see the word of God go forth and the women’s faith acted upon the word that was declared. “what shall I do for you? Tell me, What do you have in your house?” Elisha wanted to help this women, in being a man of God, and one who brings forth His words, He wants to reflect the attitude of God in helping the widow. Also, He doesn’t give her money or calls forth a collection, no, he asks her, what do you have in your house? With this request, if I were the women, I would have been like “what? in my house? if I had anything good there I would have paid the debt and not come to you.” She says, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Nothing… she has Nothing… she has a jar! To her that seemed of no benefit or profit, but Elisha, knowing the power of God, saw that jar of oil as a means to build faith in this women, provide for the woman’s need, free the children from bondage, and ultimately glorify God. So Elisha tells her to go borrow vessels-empty vessels- not a few, and when you have some “shut the door behind you and your sons,” now why is this a secret miracle? Lets go to Matthew 6:16-18, now although this hits on the point of hypocrisy it also hit’s the point of God being in the “secret place.” Although God does do miracles openly, he also does them and then tells the people not to tell anyone, we see this in Matthew 8:4 when Jesus heals the leper and says “tell no one..” God’s first goal in blessing us or providing for us is not necessarily to meet our needs, but to build our faith in Him; and not for us to say “hey everyone look how God has blessed me, but humble us before His throne and be thankful to serve a loving Father.” At times when God blesses us publicly we can take pride and say “see how God blessed ME!” and instead of glorying God we uplift ourselves. Also, another reason in may have been done in secret was because the widows need was a private need, and so the blessing was a private blessing. Third, I would say that it shows the absence of Elisha. That it was the power of God doing the miracle and not Elisha. Now we see the miracle. The miracle shows Gods power to make what seems little to be much, or that what seems to be inefficient to me sufficient. He supplied her need by using something she already had, oil, and with the generosity of the community with the giving of the jars, God used the common vessels that to fulfill His purpose.
Application: we all have something(s) that God can use for His glory. Though we may see them as nothing, with the power of God He can multiply that which seems little to much. Also, God is ultimately the God above all, and we must put our trust in Him and not man. Though Elisha did tell the widow what to do it was God who provided for her.
III. God’s overflowing kindness and the widows rest (verse 6-7)
The widow was obedient to the word declared by the “man of God.” He told her 3 things to do, sell, pay, and live. Sell the oil, pay your debt, live off the rest. God knew the needs of this widow, He had His eyes fixed on both her temporal/immediate need: that of paying off the debt so that her sons wouldn’t be put into slavery; and also Her future/ongoing need: that of living, and providing for her kids until they were capable of working and providing for the family. The state the women was in seemed dead. There was no way out, there was no way to find the light at the end of the tunnel, there was no way to find life. The Hebrew word at the end of verse 7 “and live on the rest…” is chayah (khaw-yaw’) it means, whether literally or figuratively, to revive, to make or keep alive, to give life, nourish up, preserve, recover, repair, restore, to save, or to be whole. Now, these are gospel words. Like I said the state that the women was in was dead, she was in bondage to the creditor, the legacy of her family was dead, the children would be slaves and so will the generations, BONDAGE! But, God provided life in this dead grave. He tells the widow what to do, He gives her a life giving command, to grab the oil that seemed worthless and unprofitable, and by His power that which seemed “not beautiful” or “not esteemed” was what brought her life. Not only did it bring her life, but it gave her rest. Their was no beauty in Jesus that we would esteem Him, but He poured His life out on the cross for common vessels. The sacrifice of Christ also gives us rest, in that we don’t have to earn or work for our salvation but that one moment on the cross brought us everlasting rest.
Application: we must live on the gospel of Christ. We have been freed from our debt, it has been fully paid, now we must “live on the rest” of His grace, and mercy, which is seen in the gospel; and as we know the gospel is eternal, so for us it is an eternal life and rest.
ELISHA AND THE WIDOWS OIL
I. A cry of despair (verse 1)
This widow has lost her husband which back in that era meant loss of property, or home, or fields, or slavery, for this women, her children. The debt that was acquired whether from her husband or whomever it was, has placed her 2 children in the state of bondage, their freedom has been taken from them and she knows this. She knows that if she does not find a way to pay the debtors then her children will be taken from her till the debt is paid. Now, she has noticed that she is incapable of paying the debt in her own power, she realizes her hopeless state and goes to the Prophet of God, Elisha and mainly shows faith in God. How is faith shown? As a wife of the prophet she may have known God’s promise to her in the state she has found herself in; Deuteronomy 10:17 and 18 give her assurance in the condition she finds herself in, and it is also reiterated in psalm 146:9. Her faith is seen in her dependence and trust in that promise, and acted out by her going to Elisha and telling him her dilemma. One thing we see is that she doesn’t tell Elisha what to do, or how to act upon her troubled state. She merely trust that God would work through Elisha to meet her need. We see this in John 11:3: Mary and Martha tell Jesus that “the one you love” or in the language of 2 kings, “Your servant,” “is sick.” now they didn’t tell Jesus, “hey, lazarus is sick, go heal him,” No, they casted their problem to the feet of Christ and had faith that He would act in the way God led Him. Again we see this when we studied 2 Chronicles 20 in verse 12 all that Jehoshaphat said was “our eyes are on You.” that’s it, not we trust you now kill’em and lets get this over with. Just faith that God could rescue them because they could not rescue themselves. That’s faith.
Just as this widow, we are found in a state of despair and hopelessness when brought before the gospel. We see that on account of Adam and Eve we have been brought into slavery or bondage, and can not escape by the strength of our own hands. We also owe a debt that can not be paid by us, but only by Christ, The Man/ Prophet, of God. We hear the promise that He sets free those who are under the creditor, satan, sin or death, and as the women, we must run to the Man of God and confess the state we have found ourselves in, and in hope, faith, and trust, cast ourselves upon Him and that He has the answer for us in the time of darkness.
Application: In time of despair, turmoil, or pain, run to Christ. Don’t tell Him what to do in your life, as if He doesn’t know your desires, but cast your cares and worries upon Him with the faith and hope that He knows what to do. As the covenant people of God, we have promises like Matthew 6:25-33.
II. God’s response/ obedience to the Word of God (verses 2-5)
Now that she has pleaded her case to Elisha he speaks and we see the word of God go forth and the women’s faith acted upon the word that was declared. “what shall I do for you? Tell me, What do you have in your house?” Elisha wanted to help this women, in being a man of God, and one who brings forth His words, He wants to reflect the attitude of God in helping the widow. Also, He doesn’t give her money or calls forth a collection, no, he asks her, what do you have in your house? With this request, if I were the women, I would have been like “what? in my house? if I had anything good there I would have paid the debt and not come to you.” She says, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Nothing… she has Nothing… she has a jar! To her that seemed of no benefit or profit, but Elisha, knowing the power of God, saw that jar of oil as a means to build faith in this women, provide for the woman’s need, free the children from bondage, and ultimately glorify God. So Elisha tells her to go borrow vessels-empty vessels- not a few, and when you have some “shut the door behind you and your sons,” now why is this a secret miracle? Lets go to Matthew 6:16-18, now although this hits on the point of hypocrisy it also hit’s the point of God being in the “secret place.” Although God does do miracles openly, he also does them and then tells the people not to tell anyone, we see this in Matthew 8:4 when Jesus heals the leper and says “tell no one..” God’s first goal in blessing us or providing for us is not necessarily to meet our needs, but to build our faith in Him; and not for us to say “hey everyone look how God has blessed me, but humble us before His throne and be thankful to serve a loving Father.” At times when God blesses us publicly we can take pride and say “see how God blessed ME!” and instead of glorying God we uplift ourselves. Also, another reason in may have been done in secret was because the widows need was a private need, and so the blessing was a private blessing. Third, I would say that it shows the absence of Elisha. That it was the power of God doing the miracle and not Elisha. Now we see the miracle. The miracle shows Gods power to make what seems little to be much, or that what seems to be inefficient to me sufficient. He supplied her need by using something she already had, oil, and with the generosity of the community with the giving of the jars, God used the common vessels that to fulfill His purpose.
Application: we all have something(s) that God can use for His glory. Though we may see them as nothing, with the power of God He can multiply that which seems little to much. Also, God is ultimately the God above all, and we must put our trust in Him and not man. Though Elisha did tell the widow what to do it was God who provided for her.
III. God’s overflowing kindness and the widows rest (verse 6-7)
The widow was obedient to the word declared by the “man of God.” He told her 3 things to do, sell, pay, and live. Sell the oil, pay your debt, live off the rest. God knew the needs of this widow, He had His eyes fixed on both her temporal/immediate need: that of paying off the debt so that her sons wouldn’t be put into slavery; and also Her future/ongoing need: that of living, and providing for her kids until they were capable of working and providing for the family. The state the women was in seemed dead. There was no way out, there was no way to find the light at the end of the tunnel, there was no way to find life. The Hebrew word at the end of verse 7 “and live on the rest…” is chayah (khaw-yaw’) it means, whether literally or figuratively, to revive, to make or keep alive, to give life, nourish up, preserve, recover, repair, restore, to save, or to be whole. Now, these are gospel words. Like I said the state that the women was in was dead, she was in bondage to the creditor, the legacy of her family was dead, the children would be slaves and so will the generations, BONDAGE! But, God provided life in this dead grave. He tells the widow what to do, He gives her a life giving command, to grab the oil that seemed worthless and unprofitable, and by His power that which seemed “not beautiful” or “not esteemed” was what brought her life. Not only did it bring her life, but it gave her rest. Their was no beauty in Jesus that we would esteem Him, but He poured His life out on the cross for common vessels. The sacrifice of Christ also gives us rest, in that we don’t have to earn or work for our salvation but that one moment on the cross brought us everlasting rest.
Application: we must live on the gospel of Christ. We have been freed from our debt, it has been fully paid, now we must “live on the rest” of His grace, and mercy, which is seen in the gospel; and as we know the gospel is eternal, so for us it is an eternal life and rest.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Light and Darkess
1 John 1:6-10
John stresses the importance of sin to refute what the false teachers were teaching. Either they denied the existence of sin or the importance of sin, john is stressing the seriousness of sin. Also, John speaks of the fellowship that we have with Him, being God, and with each other. This fellowship isn’t a social gathering that he is speaking of but more like “partakers” of salvation.
The “we”: John speaks of we in 2 ways in verses 6-10.
1) The first “we” is not to general Christians, but it is to those who claim to have fellowship, or are partakers, of Christ yet deny sin or the seriousness of sin in the life of a believer. To those people or false teachers, which we find in verses 6,8,10, John calls them liars, deceivers of self. They claim to have something they truly do not.
6= If we say that we have fellowship with Him (God), and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. Three things we are going to look at.
A.) we make the claim: To all those who claim to be Christian and yet do not walk in the light you are liars. You lie because you refute the very statement you claim. John in verse 5 speaks of the Light, which is God. God is light, which signifies purity, holiness, transparentness, God’s nature is light. He is the light that shines in the dark hearts of men, He is the light that illuminates our dark minds, He is the light that has come into the world in which the darkness tries to snuff out. But, if He is light, and we claim fellowship with this light then we will have the same attributes as He does. Now, I am not speaking of sinlessness, because as a Christian we still battle with the flesh, but in your life there will not be a habitual, continuous, periodic walking of sin. So those who are saying, “we are followers of Christ” and yet not teaching the severity of sin are not followers of Christ.
B.) Walking in darkness: Darkness is not an attribute of God, it is not in line with His character. As we just spoke of, God is light. Darkness here is spoken of as sin, evil, or ungodliness. Since the false teachers dumbed down sin and its severity, those who were claiming to have fellowship with God were living in utter darkness. They knew nothing of the truth and lived a life still captive, enslaved, and under bondage to the flesh. They did not know true joy (vs. 4) which only comes from the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. Also, the act of walking in darkness can speak of the place in which they are living in or having their being. We walk in the room we are in, they very place that is our context, and John is saying here that you are walking, living, or in the context of darkness (sin) as the realm of your existence.
C.) Liars without practice of truth: As we stated before, those who claim light and live darkness lie. They are like a man who claims to be an Olympian yet he lives eating junk food all day, watching TV, and adding to his 300 lb stature, but never practicing for that which he claims, as so, those who make a false claim of being a Christian. They do not practice truth. Either they are comfortable living a lie or they have no knowledge of the truth, in which both instances hinders their ability to practice that which they do not know. They are either liars who love their lie better than the truth, which the false teachers did, or they are people who were told a lie and have no knowledge of the truth, in which those who were taught by the false teachers were. Practicing truth is only a trait of a Christian. I say this with this in mind; the carnal man practices that which he either thinks is true, or practices a form of truth for his own gain. The Christian practices truth, in which is light, for two reasons.
1.) they want to glorify the God of their salvation
2.) that is what they know and what has been revealed to them, so because they are part of the True Vine then truth is something they begin to do because it is apart of their nature.
Also the practice of truth shows that it is not our natural nature. My natural self is to lay in bed, be lazy, and watch TV, but I practice, daily may I add, to get off my bed and workout, or to turn the tv off and read. That which we practice is not our natural ability, but the more we do it, the more it becomes apart of us. As so it is with truth. Truth is not in our nature, after the fall all we know is a life. Our natural inclination is to sin, and live a lie. So to those who are making such a claim of knowing Christ, which is truth, and do not practice truth but live a lie, they are not truly in fellowship with Him. But, those who claim to fellowship with Him, will do the practice of truth, because we fellowship with Him who is truth.
8= If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
John in verse 7 ends with something beautiful, he writes “..and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” now I verse 8 he attacks, again, the false teachers or the unlearned believer. He starts, “IF we say we have no sin.” John is now refuting the argument of sinlessness, as antinomians believe, If we say “we have no sin” we deceive ourselves. The Christian knows of his sin, he as come in contact with the Light and has seen his sin. When living in darkness, we do not know the sin we are in, we do not know the filth we are in, nor can we know. It is like a man in a room with snakes, and is paralyzed from the waste down and all the lights are off. He does not know the doom he is in, nor does he care, he can not see what is around him. But once someone were to turn the light on and he sees the vipers crawling on his ankles, legs, and thighs, he begins to scream for help because he has come to the knowledge that he is in utter danger. So it is with the Christian. In the darkness of our sin, we do not know the death we are in, we do know care about the death we are in, we enjoy it; But once Christ has came in our lives and truly shined His light in our darkness, we have no choice but to yell and for help. Like the man in the room of snakes, if they were to turn the light on and he were to lay there and tell himself “there is no such things as snakes, I am in no danger. I will just lay here,” he does not have truth in him, any sane person would call him a fool for such a claim. And so it is with these false teachers and all those who claim to have the light of Christ shine in them and live in utter darkness claiming that they have no sin but the truth tells other wise. The truth of the Gospel brings forth our sin, it turns the light on shows us death pulling at our bodies, but if we confess our need of a Savior and cry out to Christ in repentance and faith, as we read in verse 9, “He is faithful and just to forgive us.”
10= If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Now we see who the claim of sinlessness ultimately is against, it is against God. God and the Word of God do not bicker when it comes to sin, both state the same thing, man is a sinner. If you claim that you have not sinned, as many do, if you claim to be a believer, but do not claim your sin, you do not have the Word of God in you. Over and over again the word of God calls us sinners, transgressors, and if we do not claim that which God has called us Himself, we are calling God a liar. Now, we are beginning to see the true terror of the claim of not having sin. God is the epitome of truth, He does not submit to the standard but is the standard of truth, and when we say “God I don’t have any sin,” we are not only disregarding our need for a Savior, we calling God a liar and making Him a sinner. In John 3:33 he writes “he who receives His testimony has certified that God is true.” When we are told the testimony of Christ, that He became a man and lived a perfect and sinless life; that He died on the cross to save sinners and rose on the third day and is not seated at the right hand of the Father to make everlasting intercession for the saints; when we are confronted with that, we can do one of 2 things. Say, yes, that is true, I believe, and certify that God is true. OR we can say, that’s a bunch of garbage, I have no sin, and in doing so, make God a liar.
The Next 2 “we’s” is a specific reference to the genuine, repentant, godly believer.
7= But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Again, we come back to the state that we are in. Walking. In verse 6, as we stated, those who walk in darkness do not fellowship or partake with those who walk in light, because light does not abide in darkness and once light shines in darkness then the darkness is no longer dark but now light. So if one has truly come into contact with light then he is no longer dark. Now, it seems a little weird that John writes “…and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” at the end of this passage, but I think it is perfect for the argument that he just ended and will begin in verse 8. Now, How are we light? Remember, light signifies the purity, and holiness of God, and how do we become pure and strive for holiness? Only through the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. As the gospel shows us our filthiness, vileness and darkness it also gives us the cure for it. The only way to become light is through the cleansing blood of Christ.
9=If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we confess… If we are on the same page with God. If we deny that we sin we call God a liar, because He has said all through out His word that man is a sinner. So, our confession is us acknowledging our utter dependence on God, and admitting that He is right in making such a claim to call us sinners. Now, His faithfulness and justice comes from the cross. God is only faithful to save us from our sin because He is faithful to the Son who bought our redemption. The faithfulness of God never fails. God promised us a Son who would die on the cross and atone for the sin of man, and in His faithfulness He has provided for us, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So the faithfulness of God forgiving our sins is found in the cross. Not only that, His justice also finds itself in the cross. Because, If Christ paid once for all our sin, it would be unjust for God to have us pay for the sin that which was already paid for. So, the justice of God also finds itself in the cross of Christ.
John stresses the importance of sin to refute what the false teachers were teaching. Either they denied the existence of sin or the importance of sin, john is stressing the seriousness of sin. Also, John speaks of the fellowship that we have with Him, being God, and with each other. This fellowship isn’t a social gathering that he is speaking of but more like “partakers” of salvation.
The “we”: John speaks of we in 2 ways in verses 6-10.
1) The first “we” is not to general Christians, but it is to those who claim to have fellowship, or are partakers, of Christ yet deny sin or the seriousness of sin in the life of a believer. To those people or false teachers, which we find in verses 6,8,10, John calls them liars, deceivers of self. They claim to have something they truly do not.
6= If we say that we have fellowship with Him (God), and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. Three things we are going to look at.
A.) we make the claim: To all those who claim to be Christian and yet do not walk in the light you are liars. You lie because you refute the very statement you claim. John in verse 5 speaks of the Light, which is God. God is light, which signifies purity, holiness, transparentness, God’s nature is light. He is the light that shines in the dark hearts of men, He is the light that illuminates our dark minds, He is the light that has come into the world in which the darkness tries to snuff out. But, if He is light, and we claim fellowship with this light then we will have the same attributes as He does. Now, I am not speaking of sinlessness, because as a Christian we still battle with the flesh, but in your life there will not be a habitual, continuous, periodic walking of sin. So those who are saying, “we are followers of Christ” and yet not teaching the severity of sin are not followers of Christ.
B.) Walking in darkness: Darkness is not an attribute of God, it is not in line with His character. As we just spoke of, God is light. Darkness here is spoken of as sin, evil, or ungodliness. Since the false teachers dumbed down sin and its severity, those who were claiming to have fellowship with God were living in utter darkness. They knew nothing of the truth and lived a life still captive, enslaved, and under bondage to the flesh. They did not know true joy (vs. 4) which only comes from the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. Also, the act of walking in darkness can speak of the place in which they are living in or having their being. We walk in the room we are in, they very place that is our context, and John is saying here that you are walking, living, or in the context of darkness (sin) as the realm of your existence.
C.) Liars without practice of truth: As we stated before, those who claim light and live darkness lie. They are like a man who claims to be an Olympian yet he lives eating junk food all day, watching TV, and adding to his 300 lb stature, but never practicing for that which he claims, as so, those who make a false claim of being a Christian. They do not practice truth. Either they are comfortable living a lie or they have no knowledge of the truth, in which both instances hinders their ability to practice that which they do not know. They are either liars who love their lie better than the truth, which the false teachers did, or they are people who were told a lie and have no knowledge of the truth, in which those who were taught by the false teachers were. Practicing truth is only a trait of a Christian. I say this with this in mind; the carnal man practices that which he either thinks is true, or practices a form of truth for his own gain. The Christian practices truth, in which is light, for two reasons.
1.) they want to glorify the God of their salvation
2.) that is what they know and what has been revealed to them, so because they are part of the True Vine then truth is something they begin to do because it is apart of their nature.
Also the practice of truth shows that it is not our natural nature. My natural self is to lay in bed, be lazy, and watch TV, but I practice, daily may I add, to get off my bed and workout, or to turn the tv off and read. That which we practice is not our natural ability, but the more we do it, the more it becomes apart of us. As so it is with truth. Truth is not in our nature, after the fall all we know is a life. Our natural inclination is to sin, and live a lie. So to those who are making such a claim of knowing Christ, which is truth, and do not practice truth but live a lie, they are not truly in fellowship with Him. But, those who claim to fellowship with Him, will do the practice of truth, because we fellowship with Him who is truth.
8= If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
John in verse 7 ends with something beautiful, he writes “..and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” now I verse 8 he attacks, again, the false teachers or the unlearned believer. He starts, “IF we say we have no sin.” John is now refuting the argument of sinlessness, as antinomians believe, If we say “we have no sin” we deceive ourselves. The Christian knows of his sin, he as come in contact with the Light and has seen his sin. When living in darkness, we do not know the sin we are in, we do not know the filth we are in, nor can we know. It is like a man in a room with snakes, and is paralyzed from the waste down and all the lights are off. He does not know the doom he is in, nor does he care, he can not see what is around him. But once someone were to turn the light on and he sees the vipers crawling on his ankles, legs, and thighs, he begins to scream for help because he has come to the knowledge that he is in utter danger. So it is with the Christian. In the darkness of our sin, we do not know the death we are in, we do know care about the death we are in, we enjoy it; But once Christ has came in our lives and truly shined His light in our darkness, we have no choice but to yell and for help. Like the man in the room of snakes, if they were to turn the light on and he were to lay there and tell himself “there is no such things as snakes, I am in no danger. I will just lay here,” he does not have truth in him, any sane person would call him a fool for such a claim. And so it is with these false teachers and all those who claim to have the light of Christ shine in them and live in utter darkness claiming that they have no sin but the truth tells other wise. The truth of the Gospel brings forth our sin, it turns the light on shows us death pulling at our bodies, but if we confess our need of a Savior and cry out to Christ in repentance and faith, as we read in verse 9, “He is faithful and just to forgive us.”
10= If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Now we see who the claim of sinlessness ultimately is against, it is against God. God and the Word of God do not bicker when it comes to sin, both state the same thing, man is a sinner. If you claim that you have not sinned, as many do, if you claim to be a believer, but do not claim your sin, you do not have the Word of God in you. Over and over again the word of God calls us sinners, transgressors, and if we do not claim that which God has called us Himself, we are calling God a liar. Now, we are beginning to see the true terror of the claim of not having sin. God is the epitome of truth, He does not submit to the standard but is the standard of truth, and when we say “God I don’t have any sin,” we are not only disregarding our need for a Savior, we calling God a liar and making Him a sinner. In John 3:33 he writes “he who receives His testimony has certified that God is true.” When we are told the testimony of Christ, that He became a man and lived a perfect and sinless life; that He died on the cross to save sinners and rose on the third day and is not seated at the right hand of the Father to make everlasting intercession for the saints; when we are confronted with that, we can do one of 2 things. Say, yes, that is true, I believe, and certify that God is true. OR we can say, that’s a bunch of garbage, I have no sin, and in doing so, make God a liar.
The Next 2 “we’s” is a specific reference to the genuine, repentant, godly believer.
7= But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Again, we come back to the state that we are in. Walking. In verse 6, as we stated, those who walk in darkness do not fellowship or partake with those who walk in light, because light does not abide in darkness and once light shines in darkness then the darkness is no longer dark but now light. So if one has truly come into contact with light then he is no longer dark. Now, it seems a little weird that John writes “…and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” at the end of this passage, but I think it is perfect for the argument that he just ended and will begin in verse 8. Now, How are we light? Remember, light signifies the purity, and holiness of God, and how do we become pure and strive for holiness? Only through the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. As the gospel shows us our filthiness, vileness and darkness it also gives us the cure for it. The only way to become light is through the cleansing blood of Christ.
9=If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we confess… If we are on the same page with God. If we deny that we sin we call God a liar, because He has said all through out His word that man is a sinner. So, our confession is us acknowledging our utter dependence on God, and admitting that He is right in making such a claim to call us sinners. Now, His faithfulness and justice comes from the cross. God is only faithful to save us from our sin because He is faithful to the Son who bought our redemption. The faithfulness of God never fails. God promised us a Son who would die on the cross and atone for the sin of man, and in His faithfulness He has provided for us, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So the faithfulness of God forgiving our sins is found in the cross. Not only that, His justice also finds itself in the cross. Because, If Christ paid once for all our sin, it would be unjust for God to have us pay for the sin that which was already paid for. So, the justice of God also finds itself in the cross of Christ.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Messiah in the Prophet Isaiah
Messiah in the O.T (Isaiah)
The prophet Isaiah is second, to the book of psalms, to be quoted in the new testament. Out of forty seven chapters, sixty-six are quoted. Three basic portraits that we see in Isaiah about the messiah is as King, Servant, and Anointed Conqueror. In Isaiah 4:2 He is spoken of as the Branch of the Lord, same language as David used in 2 Samuel 23:5 when He says “will he not bring to fruition (or sprout, or branch out) my salvation…” all four of the gospels give the same picture of messiah as a branch, but John (in john 20:31) as Isaiah, highlights His deity. The reason that the messiah needed to be deity is clear from the context. In the passages before (isa 2:5, 4:1, 4:3-4) the prophet has declared that Israel must be cleansed from her sins and have her stains washed away. Only God can forgive sins, so although the messiah was the son of David, He also had to be Son of God to deliver humanity from the bondage to sin. Again we see in Isaiah that He was divine, the Branch of the Lord, but also human, the fruit of the land. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of the virgin giving birth to a son named Immanuel that will continue the Davidic Line, although ultimately we see that the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus Christ; who was truly born of a virgin and was God-with-us. In chapter 9:1-7 we see the wonderful ruling Son. Although at the time this was written the syro-ephraimite threats to extinct the Davidic dynasty and it is a day of gloom and distress, God brings a message of hope, joy and light through the prophet Isaiah. The prophet gives the readers 3 reasons to rejoice: 1) the nation will be delivered from the oppressor by God’s hand. 2) the age of Messiah will be characterized by a lasting universal peace. 3) A new leader will be born. Also we are given 4 names that will signify the dignity and importance of this child and his birth in 6-7, “wonderful counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace.” The titles given to this child indicate His wisdom and power to do miraculous things (wonderful counselor), His divine nature, might and power (Mighty God), His eternality and intimacy in relationship with those He has created (Everlasting Father) and the fact that with Him as ruler there will be absence of war, hostilities and all that accompanies peace (Prince of Peace.)
Next we see Messiah as Servant in chapter 42. Verses 1-7 we see the ministry of the servant. He is called “My Servant” which shows His willingness to carry out the Fathers will, one that He voluntarily took upon Himself. Also, He is called “My Elect” to show that He is chosen by God; found acceptable by God to carry out this task of being a covenant to the people and a light to the gentiles. He is one that is gentle with those who are as a bruised reed, and humble, gentle and quite, not pompous like men who have authority. In 49:1-6 we see the mission of the messiah is to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved ones of Israel and be a light to the gentiles. He is one called from the womb of His mother, as seen in 7:14. Also, He is spoken of as Israel, which speak of His human origin, His task to do as Israel was called to do, shine as a light to all nations, and show Him as being part of the Davidic line. The servant also endures scourging, suffering, and humiliation which awaits Him at the cross. This is known, as Christopher North titled it, “the Gethsemane of the Servant.” He will suffer, although this has been ordained by the sovereign Lord, because He speaks of the trial as already happening, but in the case of Messiah, on Golgotha’s hill this prediction will come to fruition. Although this must take place God will be with His Servant and by this His Servant gains approval by God. His enemies will wear out like a garment eating moth, and Messiah will be blameless, for surely who can condemn Him, or contend with such a Man who the Lord God will help. Also, we see the atonement of the Servant in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Here we get the prophecy of the messiah in both His humiliation, being stricken, smitten by God, afflicted and bearing our transgressions; in which the atonement is made by Him being the sacrifice of such sinners as we. And His exultation as He startles many nations and shuts the mouth of kings in His resurrection and consummation of the kingdom in which He will divide the spoil with the great. Lastly we see messiah as anointed conqueror. Through the death that Messiah has endured in 52:13-53:12 He now offers to all nations the atonement that has been provided and accomplished through His humiliation and exultation, by becoming partakers of this “everlasting covenant” that was enacted ages ago. In verse 3-5 we see the messiah as a four fold gift. The messiah Himself is a gift, His witness, Leadership and Him as a commander or a teacher of commandments. In chapter 61:1-3 we see the anointing of the messiah by the God who appoints Him as Servant and in doing so, unlike the OT kings and priest and prophets, the Spirit of the Lord, not oil, anoints the Servant. Lastly we see Him as conqueror. Isaiah sees one who’s garment is stained, though the One who speaks righteousness and is mighty to save says He was trotting a winepress, that is just a figure of speech; for His garments are soaked with the blood of the nations. This is the final day of the Lord, when He comes to make everything right, and all things new. He speaks righteousness, which means He threatens judgment on all perpetrators of evil in whom His blood His garments are soaked in. Also, He is mighty to save, which means although He comes to judge, He also is coming to save all who are oppressed and find refuge in Him.
The prophet Isaiah is second, to the book of psalms, to be quoted in the new testament. Out of forty seven chapters, sixty-six are quoted. Three basic portraits that we see in Isaiah about the messiah is as King, Servant, and Anointed Conqueror. In Isaiah 4:2 He is spoken of as the Branch of the Lord, same language as David used in 2 Samuel 23:5 when He says “will he not bring to fruition (or sprout, or branch out) my salvation…” all four of the gospels give the same picture of messiah as a branch, but John (in john 20:31) as Isaiah, highlights His deity. The reason that the messiah needed to be deity is clear from the context. In the passages before (isa 2:5, 4:1, 4:3-4) the prophet has declared that Israel must be cleansed from her sins and have her stains washed away. Only God can forgive sins, so although the messiah was the son of David, He also had to be Son of God to deliver humanity from the bondage to sin. Again we see in Isaiah that He was divine, the Branch of the Lord, but also human, the fruit of the land. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of the virgin giving birth to a son named Immanuel that will continue the Davidic Line, although ultimately we see that the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus Christ; who was truly born of a virgin and was God-with-us. In chapter 9:1-7 we see the wonderful ruling Son. Although at the time this was written the syro-ephraimite threats to extinct the Davidic dynasty and it is a day of gloom and distress, God brings a message of hope, joy and light through the prophet Isaiah. The prophet gives the readers 3 reasons to rejoice: 1) the nation will be delivered from the oppressor by God’s hand. 2) the age of Messiah will be characterized by a lasting universal peace. 3) A new leader will be born. Also we are given 4 names that will signify the dignity and importance of this child and his birth in 6-7, “wonderful counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace.” The titles given to this child indicate His wisdom and power to do miraculous things (wonderful counselor), His divine nature, might and power (Mighty God), His eternality and intimacy in relationship with those He has created (Everlasting Father) and the fact that with Him as ruler there will be absence of war, hostilities and all that accompanies peace (Prince of Peace.)
Next we see Messiah as Servant in chapter 42. Verses 1-7 we see the ministry of the servant. He is called “My Servant” which shows His willingness to carry out the Fathers will, one that He voluntarily took upon Himself. Also, He is called “My Elect” to show that He is chosen by God; found acceptable by God to carry out this task of being a covenant to the people and a light to the gentiles. He is one that is gentle with those who are as a bruised reed, and humble, gentle and quite, not pompous like men who have authority. In 49:1-6 we see the mission of the messiah is to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved ones of Israel and be a light to the gentiles. He is one called from the womb of His mother, as seen in 7:14. Also, He is spoken of as Israel, which speak of His human origin, His task to do as Israel was called to do, shine as a light to all nations, and show Him as being part of the Davidic line. The servant also endures scourging, suffering, and humiliation which awaits Him at the cross. This is known, as Christopher North titled it, “the Gethsemane of the Servant.” He will suffer, although this has been ordained by the sovereign Lord, because He speaks of the trial as already happening, but in the case of Messiah, on Golgotha’s hill this prediction will come to fruition. Although this must take place God will be with His Servant and by this His Servant gains approval by God. His enemies will wear out like a garment eating moth, and Messiah will be blameless, for surely who can condemn Him, or contend with such a Man who the Lord God will help. Also, we see the atonement of the Servant in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Here we get the prophecy of the messiah in both His humiliation, being stricken, smitten by God, afflicted and bearing our transgressions; in which the atonement is made by Him being the sacrifice of such sinners as we. And His exultation as He startles many nations and shuts the mouth of kings in His resurrection and consummation of the kingdom in which He will divide the spoil with the great. Lastly we see messiah as anointed conqueror. Through the death that Messiah has endured in 52:13-53:12 He now offers to all nations the atonement that has been provided and accomplished through His humiliation and exultation, by becoming partakers of this “everlasting covenant” that was enacted ages ago. In verse 3-5 we see the messiah as a four fold gift. The messiah Himself is a gift, His witness, Leadership and Him as a commander or a teacher of commandments. In chapter 61:1-3 we see the anointing of the messiah by the God who appoints Him as Servant and in doing so, unlike the OT kings and priest and prophets, the Spirit of the Lord, not oil, anoints the Servant. Lastly we see Him as conqueror. Isaiah sees one who’s garment is stained, though the One who speaks righteousness and is mighty to save says He was trotting a winepress, that is just a figure of speech; for His garments are soaked with the blood of the nations. This is the final day of the Lord, when He comes to make everything right, and all things new. He speaks righteousness, which means He threatens judgment on all perpetrators of evil in whom His blood His garments are soaked in. Also, He is mighty to save, which means although He comes to judge, He also is coming to save all who are oppressed and find refuge in Him.
Monday, May 24, 2010
My teaching on 2 Chronicles 20;1-30- Prayer, Praise, and Peace
2 Chronicles 20
1-2: the announcement of the coming battle
After Jehoshaphat’s reform on both the religious and judicial spheres this announcement comes to him. Now, this seems to follow an act that was good in the eyes of God, J-phat gets rid of idol worship and sets things as should be. So, it seems like this isn’t a trial to discipline them in an act of disobedience but a trial to exercise their faith and have Gods name magnified. (application: when it seems like you are at your best and doing much for the Lord, don’t fall back and relax, He may send a trial to flex the muscle that you’ve been working on)
3-13: J-phat, all Judah and Jerusalem seeking the Lord.
(vs. 3) The fear of J-phat brought his focus back to the Lord. Unlike some of the other kings that we have seen, J-phat seeks the Lord in a time of need, and even though he brought a reform to Judah and Jerusalem he doesn’t rely on what he can do in this situation but runs to the Lord, the one whom can rescue him from the hands of his enemies. J-Phat also brings all of Israel to fast with him and pray to the Lord; this is a great witness to all around to see their king humble himself and draw strength from the Lord in his weakness. This is king and nation appealing to God. The fast was an expression of the special intensity of the peoples prayer- esv note.
J-Phat’s prayer in the Lords house- in this prayer he touches on God’s character, covenant, and mans dependence on God.
1.) God’s Sovereignty- (vs.6) God is seated in the heavens, which indicates His position as ruling over all the inhabitants, kingdoms and nations, also having power and might in His hand in which no man could stand against Him or his people.
2.) God’s covenant- (vs. 7) This brings to mind the covenant God made with Abraham in genesis 13:14-17, 17:7 where God promises the land to Abrahams descendants.
3.) Gods presence- (vs. 8-9) in v7 J-phat is reverent to the loftiness or transcendence of God, that He is LORD, high and exalted, but also here in v 8-9 He is comforted with the intimacy that He shares with God provided through the temple. The fact that God listens to them when disaster comes upon them. J-phat recognizes that the presence of God is in the same place where the name of God is at. The name of God which holds His character, and the presence of God are inseparable. The name of God signifies the presence of God that is in the temple. And also he acknowledges the salvation of the LORD in the midst of affliction and trouble that when His people cry out for Him; He will hear and save.
4.) God’s goodness- (vs. 10) deut 2: 4,9,19 - God did not allow Israel to harass them or take the land of the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir. Mt Seir belonged to Esau, Moab to Ar (descendants of lot) and Ammon also to lot.
5.) Gods possession(vs. 11)- although they live on the land, it is truly God’s possession given to them as an inheritance.
6.) The people of God’s dependence on the Lord (vs. 12)- they noticed their weakness against so great of an adversary and their inability to do anything, in their power, against them. But, and there is a but at the end of this sentence, one that has a weightiness attached to it, “but our eyes are upon You.” J-Phat isn’t focused on the people attacking them because, as he prayed, but he is focused on the God that he knows, through covenantal history, has the power to save then. So, they notice that they don’t have the strength or knowledge to fight them, but they have the Lord on their side. Vs. 13 shows the greatness of the assembly that was at this prayer/fast meeting. Also, the great number of witnesses that are going to see and hear the message that Jahaziel is going to proclaim via the Spirit of God.
(application: all things work together for those who love God and seek His face. Remembering God’s promises, covenants, and salvation gives us strength in so great a trials and afflictions.)
14-19: Jahaziel’s prophecy and the nations praise.
14-17- The Lord answers the prayer/petition of the people by having His Spirit fall upon Jahaziel to prophecy victory for the nation, without them lifting a finger in the battle. 15- the LORD comforts them in declaring that they should not fear or be dismayed/ discouraged because the battle does not belong to them but to the LORD. Ultimately every battle against the people of God is against God Himself, and as J-phat declared in vs. 6, He has in His hands power and might to destroy all who stand against Him. (for the Christian now, we see that our vindication comes on the cross by Christ destroying sin, and also, in the day of judgment when all those who persecuted because of the Gospel, they will be defeated without us battling but by God judging.) 16- the Lord gives instructions of what the people are to do in this battle, which, in vs. 17, is to not fight but position themselves and stand still and see the salvation, that’s it. They find their strength not in human might, but in the promise God declares to them by Jahaziel to have faith and trust in God and just see! To behold with their eyes the salvation of the nation through Gods declaration. To position, to place yourself in the faithfulness of the Lord and promises He has declared, and not only place yourself there but stand still. Do not waiver, or buckle under pressure, to be planted in His power to bring salvation and when we behold that salvation remember that the Lord is with us. Vs.18 & 19- when hearing of the faithfulness of God, the salvation of God, the power and might of God; although he had spoken of it in his prayer to God, once God answered Him through J-haz that was enough for J-phat and all who were with him to fall and worship the Lord. The Hebrew word here is shachah- to prostrate oneself in homage to royalty or God (in which God is both), to bow oneself down, to fall down, to sink, to humbly beseech, to worship. Although the battle has not taken place the promise of salvation was enough for all to praise the Lord.
(application: for us, N.T believers, we have already seen this done on the cross in a grand scale. We did not fight sin, or death but Christ took on this battle for His people, and in doing so, we look at this salvation and praise Him for it. We position ourselves in the faithfulness of God saving us, and we stand still in this salvation and not waver from it.)
20-25: The battle and the aftermath
20-21: J-Phat follows the instructions that the Lord gave Him, to position themselves-(20) believe in the LORD and believe in His prophets. And stand still- (20) shall be established and shall prosper, the prospering is tied to the salvation that they will see and also the spoil they shall reap after the victory. After consulting with the people, he gives the “gameplan” to those appointed to sing and praise the holiness of the LORD, which is (21) sing and praise the holiness of the LORD. So, after J-Phat gives them the “gameplan” in the “locker room” they go and begin to sing and praise the Lord, and when they did that the Lord “wrecks shop” on the enemies of His people. Before they even get to see the massive army, the LORD lays them desolate. Once the faith of the people is confirmed by their singing, God acts upon that faith!
vs. 24- the LORD causes them to kill each other and the battle is over, before the sound of the “ding” the LORD is victorious, and His people are saved.
25-God changes the position that they were in, from being afraid of a massive army taking their land, God “flips the script” and has Judah and Jerusalem take the spoil of all those who were killed, which was everyone. The spoil was so great that it took 3 days going back to take all that was on the dead bodies.
(application: songs to the Lord may be used as ammo against the enemy. Recounting the mercy, grace, and salvation of the Lord through the cross brings to mind all that the Lord has done and His victorious nature against all who war against Him and His people.)
26-30: joy, peace and tranquility
They return back to Judah and Jerusalem rejoicing and singing to the Lord for being rescued from a sure to be loss. This account started with fear being in J-Phat but now those who fear are all the kingdoms and countries because of the victory brought by the Lord and J-phat is given peace and quite and rest all around.
1-2: the announcement of the coming battle
After Jehoshaphat’s reform on both the religious and judicial spheres this announcement comes to him. Now, this seems to follow an act that was good in the eyes of God, J-phat gets rid of idol worship and sets things as should be. So, it seems like this isn’t a trial to discipline them in an act of disobedience but a trial to exercise their faith and have Gods name magnified. (application: when it seems like you are at your best and doing much for the Lord, don’t fall back and relax, He may send a trial to flex the muscle that you’ve been working on)
3-13: J-phat, all Judah and Jerusalem seeking the Lord.
(vs. 3) The fear of J-phat brought his focus back to the Lord. Unlike some of the other kings that we have seen, J-phat seeks the Lord in a time of need, and even though he brought a reform to Judah and Jerusalem he doesn’t rely on what he can do in this situation but runs to the Lord, the one whom can rescue him from the hands of his enemies. J-Phat also brings all of Israel to fast with him and pray to the Lord; this is a great witness to all around to see their king humble himself and draw strength from the Lord in his weakness. This is king and nation appealing to God. The fast was an expression of the special intensity of the peoples prayer- esv note.
J-Phat’s prayer in the Lords house- in this prayer he touches on God’s character, covenant, and mans dependence on God.
1.) God’s Sovereignty- (vs.6) God is seated in the heavens, which indicates His position as ruling over all the inhabitants, kingdoms and nations, also having power and might in His hand in which no man could stand against Him or his people.
2.) God’s covenant- (vs. 7) This brings to mind the covenant God made with Abraham in genesis 13:14-17, 17:7 where God promises the land to Abrahams descendants.
3.) Gods presence- (vs. 8-9) in v7 J-phat is reverent to the loftiness or transcendence of God, that He is LORD, high and exalted, but also here in v 8-9 He is comforted with the intimacy that He shares with God provided through the temple. The fact that God listens to them when disaster comes upon them. J-phat recognizes that the presence of God is in the same place where the name of God is at. The name of God which holds His character, and the presence of God are inseparable. The name of God signifies the presence of God that is in the temple. And also he acknowledges the salvation of the LORD in the midst of affliction and trouble that when His people cry out for Him; He will hear and save.
4.) God’s goodness- (vs. 10) deut 2: 4,9,19 - God did not allow Israel to harass them or take the land of the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir. Mt Seir belonged to Esau, Moab to Ar (descendants of lot) and Ammon also to lot.
5.) Gods possession(vs. 11)- although they live on the land, it is truly God’s possession given to them as an inheritance.
6.) The people of God’s dependence on the Lord (vs. 12)- they noticed their weakness against so great of an adversary and their inability to do anything, in their power, against them. But, and there is a but at the end of this sentence, one that has a weightiness attached to it, “but our eyes are upon You.” J-Phat isn’t focused on the people attacking them because, as he prayed, but he is focused on the God that he knows, through covenantal history, has the power to save then. So, they notice that they don’t have the strength or knowledge to fight them, but they have the Lord on their side. Vs. 13 shows the greatness of the assembly that was at this prayer/fast meeting. Also, the great number of witnesses that are going to see and hear the message that Jahaziel is going to proclaim via the Spirit of God.
(application: all things work together for those who love God and seek His face. Remembering God’s promises, covenants, and salvation gives us strength in so great a trials and afflictions.)
14-19: Jahaziel’s prophecy and the nations praise.
14-17- The Lord answers the prayer/petition of the people by having His Spirit fall upon Jahaziel to prophecy victory for the nation, without them lifting a finger in the battle. 15- the LORD comforts them in declaring that they should not fear or be dismayed/ discouraged because the battle does not belong to them but to the LORD. Ultimately every battle against the people of God is against God Himself, and as J-phat declared in vs. 6, He has in His hands power and might to destroy all who stand against Him. (for the Christian now, we see that our vindication comes on the cross by Christ destroying sin, and also, in the day of judgment when all those who persecuted because of the Gospel, they will be defeated without us battling but by God judging.) 16- the Lord gives instructions of what the people are to do in this battle, which, in vs. 17, is to not fight but position themselves and stand still and see the salvation, that’s it. They find their strength not in human might, but in the promise God declares to them by Jahaziel to have faith and trust in God and just see! To behold with their eyes the salvation of the nation through Gods declaration. To position, to place yourself in the faithfulness of the Lord and promises He has declared, and not only place yourself there but stand still. Do not waiver, or buckle under pressure, to be planted in His power to bring salvation and when we behold that salvation remember that the Lord is with us. Vs.18 & 19- when hearing of the faithfulness of God, the salvation of God, the power and might of God; although he had spoken of it in his prayer to God, once God answered Him through J-haz that was enough for J-phat and all who were with him to fall and worship the Lord. The Hebrew word here is shachah- to prostrate oneself in homage to royalty or God (in which God is both), to bow oneself down, to fall down, to sink, to humbly beseech, to worship. Although the battle has not taken place the promise of salvation was enough for all to praise the Lord.
(application: for us, N.T believers, we have already seen this done on the cross in a grand scale. We did not fight sin, or death but Christ took on this battle for His people, and in doing so, we look at this salvation and praise Him for it. We position ourselves in the faithfulness of God saving us, and we stand still in this salvation and not waver from it.)
20-25: The battle and the aftermath
20-21: J-Phat follows the instructions that the Lord gave Him, to position themselves-(20) believe in the LORD and believe in His prophets. And stand still- (20) shall be established and shall prosper, the prospering is tied to the salvation that they will see and also the spoil they shall reap after the victory. After consulting with the people, he gives the “gameplan” to those appointed to sing and praise the holiness of the LORD, which is (21) sing and praise the holiness of the LORD. So, after J-Phat gives them the “gameplan” in the “locker room” they go and begin to sing and praise the Lord, and when they did that the Lord “wrecks shop” on the enemies of His people. Before they even get to see the massive army, the LORD lays them desolate. Once the faith of the people is confirmed by their singing, God acts upon that faith!
vs. 24- the LORD causes them to kill each other and the battle is over, before the sound of the “ding” the LORD is victorious, and His people are saved.
25-God changes the position that they were in, from being afraid of a massive army taking their land, God “flips the script” and has Judah and Jerusalem take the spoil of all those who were killed, which was everyone. The spoil was so great that it took 3 days going back to take all that was on the dead bodies.
(application: songs to the Lord may be used as ammo against the enemy. Recounting the mercy, grace, and salvation of the Lord through the cross brings to mind all that the Lord has done and His victorious nature against all who war against Him and His people.)
26-30: joy, peace and tranquility
They return back to Judah and Jerusalem rejoicing and singing to the Lord for being rescued from a sure to be loss. This account started with fear being in J-Phat but now those who fear are all the kingdoms and countries because of the victory brought by the Lord and J-phat is given peace and quite and rest all around.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Christ Suffering on the cross
(Passive Obedience)
Although Christ obeyed the law without a flaw His entire earthly life, which was on our behalf, He also took upon Himself the sufferings necessary to pay the debt/penalty of our sins.
There are 2 aspects of this suffering ,one was that He suffered His entire life in inhabiting flesh and living on earth, and the other is the pain of the cross.
A) Christ suffered His whole life:
Hebrews 5:8- although Jesus is fully man and fully God, He did acquire knowledge and experience by living as a human being. Through what He suffered and endured, obedience towards the Father in the midst of temptation was learned so that His human moral ability would be strengthened. We must remember, that although Jesus was fully God, He did learn and acquire knowledge.
John 11:35- Jesus wept at the death of His close friend Lazarus. He felt the pain of losing someone close to Him, whom He loved, and wept. This is honest sorrow that we see coming from Christ, not a lack of faith or trust in God, but sorrow at the reality of suffering and death, and what it creates.
Isaiah 53:3- Christ is the man of sorrows, Jesus was acquainted with grief. Not only on the cross, but all through His life He knew sorrow. Whether it was in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Satan, or in the garden of Gethsemane sweating blood, Jesus knew the reality of what it meant to suffer.
B) The pain on the Cross :
Matthew 26:28- Jesus tells His 3 close disciples the intense pain that He feels, the sorrow was so extreme He says “even to death.” Now we will look at 4 aspects of the pain that Jesus experienced on the cross. We look at this not to gain knowledge of His pain to seem wise and honorable, but to get a small glimpse of the pain Christ endured to bring redemption to a fallen world. Also, to see our sin and how disgusting and horrid it was in the sight of a holy, pure, majestic God.
Now the bible does not say that Jesus suffered physically more than any man, though we must remember that crucifixion, to this day, is still seen as one of the most horrible forms of execution ever to be devised by man.
1) physical pain
Jesus had His backed whipped with the cat of nine tails, a crown of thorns pressed upon His head, ribbons of flesh hanging from His body, made to carry His cross to Golgotha; then having 9 inch nail hammered into His wrist and feet. Not only that, lifted up on the cross and having to pull Himself up to breathe which brought searing and excruciating pain to His physical body.
2) The pain of being the sin bearer.
Jesus bore the guilt of sin… Have any of us ever sinned? of course we have, have any of us ever felt guilty after that sin? Most may say yes, some not sure, but more than likely we all have. As our walk with the Lord grows, when we sin we will feel more guilty of that sin and the Holy Spirit will convict of and cause us to repent. Now, imagine Jesus, who was the opposite of sin, the thought of sin or evil, was contradicted everything in His character and being. Though it is hard to imagine, more awful than the physical suffering of He endured was the psychological pain of bearing the guilt for our sin. Imagine the most intense anguish you’ve ever felt after you have sinned, and the guilt you felt, that was upon Christ, but not only Yours, but the sins of MANY! Wayne Grudem writes “taking on Himself all the evil against which His soul rebelled created deep revulsion in the center of His being. All that He hated most deeply was poured our FULLY upon HIM.”
Isaiah 53:6,53:12 John 1:29 2 Corinthians 5:21 Galatians 3:13 Hebrews 9:28 1 peter 2:24
Grudem again writes “The passage from 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Isaiah 53:6 indicate that it was God the Father who put our sins on Christ. How could that be? In the same way in which Adam’s sins were imputed to us, so God imputed our sins to Christ -- that is, He thought of them as belonging to Christ, and, since God is the ultimate judge and definer of what really is in the universe, when God thought of our sins as belonging to Christ then in fact they actually did belong to Christ. This does not mean that God thought that Christ had Himself committed the sins or that Christ Himself actually had a sin nature, but rather that the guilt for our sins ( that is, that liability to punishment) was thought of by God as belonging to Christ rather than to us.
3) Abandonment
Not only did Jesus suffer the physical pain of the cross and the pain of bearing sin, He was also left alone to bear it all. As we see in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and said “My soul is very sorrowful, even unto death; remain here and watch” (mark 14:34) Jesus confided in these men, out of 12, these 3 were close to Him, in a time of pain, agony, and sorrow, Jesus confides in them as a close friend to another. Yet what do we read in Matthew 26:56 “all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Once Judas came with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, not only did some of His disciples forsake Him, but even those who were closest to Him fled.
Now what is worst than being abandoned by friends? Imagine, being rejected by your Father, or parents? The relationship Jesus and God the Father have is not even worthy to be compared to an earthly Father, Son relationship. At times we say “I hate you dad” or even the father may let us down, or he may not have been there so we don’t care about him. But God the Son and God the Father shared perfect love, eternal perfect, sinless, pure love, and now, for us and because He loved us, He is being rejected by His Father because He is now the sin bearer. Jesus shows that He and the Fathers relationship, and sweet, pure, fellowship is finally cut off by crying out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As Grudem writes “ As Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He was abandoned by His heavenly Father, who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakuk 1:13) He faced the weight of the guilt of MILLIONS of sin ALONE.”
4) Bearing the wrath of God
Since Jesus bore the guilt of our sins alone, God the Father, the perfect, holy, Creator of the entire universe, poured out His just wrath, fury, and anger on Christ. Jesus became the object of The Fathers intense hatred for sin and vengeance against sin, in which He had been patiently storing up since the sin of Adam.
Romans 3:24-26- we see in this text that Jesus bore the wrath of God for 2 reasons.
1) to justify sinners and pay their debt, by grace through faith
2) to show God’s justice, righteousness and holiness
The ESV commentator writes: “Paul repeats again, because of its supreme importance, that God has demonstrated His righteousness, I.e., His holiness and justice, at the present time in salvation history. In the cross of Christ, God has shown Himself to be just (utterly holy, so that the penalty demanded by the law is not removed but paid for by Christ) but also the justifier (the one who provides the means of justification and who declares people to be in right standing with Himself.) and the Savior of all those who trust in Jesus. Here is the heart of the Christian faith, for at the cross God’s justice and love meet.”
3 other propitiation passages:
1) Hebrews 2:17- The only way that Christ could have been our High Priest was by becoming like “His brothers in every respect.” Jesus had to become human to in order to serve as the High Priest on behalf of humanity. We also see, again, the act of propitiation. Christ, was not only the High Priest, but also the sacrifice which absorbed the punishment meant for us.
2) 1 John 2:1-2: this does not speak of salvation is applied to all of the world but speaks of it being made available to the entire world. Christ “bore the wrath of God” for those who put their faith and trust in Him.
3) 1 John 4:10- We see here that we did not love God, but God loved us FIRST. It is one thing to tell someone, “I love you” and another to show act of that love. God shows the act of His perfect love to His people that He sent down His Son to remove the wrath that we deserved because of disobedience. So God doesn’t only say “I love you son/daughter” but because He does love us He says “if you want to look at the depth of my love for you, look at the cross in which My anger, hatred for sin, and justice has been shown by the sacrifice of My Son.”
It was a penal substitutionary atonement. Penal, in which there was a penalty that had to be paid for. Substitution, In that He took our place on the cross; and atoning, in that there was a party that was wronged, Which is God, and there needs to be an amends made, which only can come by the cross.
So now, as we view the cross of Christ and realize both the physical and spiritual pain, and the abandonment and wrath that needed to be paid for, we now see that Christ is more than worthy of our worship, love, and obedience not only now and our daily walk, but for all eternity.
(Passive Obedience)
Although Christ obeyed the law without a flaw His entire earthly life, which was on our behalf, He also took upon Himself the sufferings necessary to pay the debt/penalty of our sins.
There are 2 aspects of this suffering ,one was that He suffered His entire life in inhabiting flesh and living on earth, and the other is the pain of the cross.
A) Christ suffered His whole life:
Hebrews 5:8- although Jesus is fully man and fully God, He did acquire knowledge and experience by living as a human being. Through what He suffered and endured, obedience towards the Father in the midst of temptation was learned so that His human moral ability would be strengthened. We must remember, that although Jesus was fully God, He did learn and acquire knowledge.
John 11:35- Jesus wept at the death of His close friend Lazarus. He felt the pain of losing someone close to Him, whom He loved, and wept. This is honest sorrow that we see coming from Christ, not a lack of faith or trust in God, but sorrow at the reality of suffering and death, and what it creates.
Isaiah 53:3- Christ is the man of sorrows, Jesus was acquainted with grief. Not only on the cross, but all through His life He knew sorrow. Whether it was in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Satan, or in the garden of Gethsemane sweating blood, Jesus knew the reality of what it meant to suffer.
B) The pain on the Cross :
Matthew 26:28- Jesus tells His 3 close disciples the intense pain that He feels, the sorrow was so extreme He says “even to death.” Now we will look at 4 aspects of the pain that Jesus experienced on the cross. We look at this not to gain knowledge of His pain to seem wise and honorable, but to get a small glimpse of the pain Christ endured to bring redemption to a fallen world. Also, to see our sin and how disgusting and horrid it was in the sight of a holy, pure, majestic God.
Now the bible does not say that Jesus suffered physically more than any man, though we must remember that crucifixion, to this day, is still seen as one of the most horrible forms of execution ever to be devised by man.
1) physical pain
Jesus had His backed whipped with the cat of nine tails, a crown of thorns pressed upon His head, ribbons of flesh hanging from His body, made to carry His cross to Golgotha; then having 9 inch nail hammered into His wrist and feet. Not only that, lifted up on the cross and having to pull Himself up to breathe which brought searing and excruciating pain to His physical body.
2) The pain of being the sin bearer.
Jesus bore the guilt of sin… Have any of us ever sinned? of course we have, have any of us ever felt guilty after that sin? Most may say yes, some not sure, but more than likely we all have. As our walk with the Lord grows, when we sin we will feel more guilty of that sin and the Holy Spirit will convict of and cause us to repent. Now, imagine Jesus, who was the opposite of sin, the thought of sin or evil, was contradicted everything in His character and being. Though it is hard to imagine, more awful than the physical suffering of He endured was the psychological pain of bearing the guilt for our sin. Imagine the most intense anguish you’ve ever felt after you have sinned, and the guilt you felt, that was upon Christ, but not only Yours, but the sins of MANY! Wayne Grudem writes “taking on Himself all the evil against which His soul rebelled created deep revulsion in the center of His being. All that He hated most deeply was poured our FULLY upon HIM.”
Isaiah 53:6,53:12 John 1:29 2 Corinthians 5:21 Galatians 3:13 Hebrews 9:28 1 peter 2:24
Grudem again writes “The passage from 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Isaiah 53:6 indicate that it was God the Father who put our sins on Christ. How could that be? In the same way in which Adam’s sins were imputed to us, so God imputed our sins to Christ -- that is, He thought of them as belonging to Christ, and, since God is the ultimate judge and definer of what really is in the universe, when God thought of our sins as belonging to Christ then in fact they actually did belong to Christ. This does not mean that God thought that Christ had Himself committed the sins or that Christ Himself actually had a sin nature, but rather that the guilt for our sins ( that is, that liability to punishment) was thought of by God as belonging to Christ rather than to us.
3) Abandonment
Not only did Jesus suffer the physical pain of the cross and the pain of bearing sin, He was also left alone to bear it all. As we see in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and said “My soul is very sorrowful, even unto death; remain here and watch” (mark 14:34) Jesus confided in these men, out of 12, these 3 were close to Him, in a time of pain, agony, and sorrow, Jesus confides in them as a close friend to another. Yet what do we read in Matthew 26:56 “all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Once Judas came with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, not only did some of His disciples forsake Him, but even those who were closest to Him fled.
Now what is worst than being abandoned by friends? Imagine, being rejected by your Father, or parents? The relationship Jesus and God the Father have is not even worthy to be compared to an earthly Father, Son relationship. At times we say “I hate you dad” or even the father may let us down, or he may not have been there so we don’t care about him. But God the Son and God the Father shared perfect love, eternal perfect, sinless, pure love, and now, for us and because He loved us, He is being rejected by His Father because He is now the sin bearer. Jesus shows that He and the Fathers relationship, and sweet, pure, fellowship is finally cut off by crying out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As Grudem writes “ As Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He was abandoned by His heavenly Father, who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakuk 1:13) He faced the weight of the guilt of MILLIONS of sin ALONE.”
4) Bearing the wrath of God
Since Jesus bore the guilt of our sins alone, God the Father, the perfect, holy, Creator of the entire universe, poured out His just wrath, fury, and anger on Christ. Jesus became the object of The Fathers intense hatred for sin and vengeance against sin, in which He had been patiently storing up since the sin of Adam.
Romans 3:24-26- we see in this text that Jesus bore the wrath of God for 2 reasons.
1) to justify sinners and pay their debt, by grace through faith
2) to show God’s justice, righteousness and holiness
The ESV commentator writes: “Paul repeats again, because of its supreme importance, that God has demonstrated His righteousness, I.e., His holiness and justice, at the present time in salvation history. In the cross of Christ, God has shown Himself to be just (utterly holy, so that the penalty demanded by the law is not removed but paid for by Christ) but also the justifier (the one who provides the means of justification and who declares people to be in right standing with Himself.) and the Savior of all those who trust in Jesus. Here is the heart of the Christian faith, for at the cross God’s justice and love meet.”
3 other propitiation passages:
1) Hebrews 2:17- The only way that Christ could have been our High Priest was by becoming like “His brothers in every respect.” Jesus had to become human to in order to serve as the High Priest on behalf of humanity. We also see, again, the act of propitiation. Christ, was not only the High Priest, but also the sacrifice which absorbed the punishment meant for us.
2) 1 John 2:1-2: this does not speak of salvation is applied to all of the world but speaks of it being made available to the entire world. Christ “bore the wrath of God” for those who put their faith and trust in Him.
3) 1 John 4:10- We see here that we did not love God, but God loved us FIRST. It is one thing to tell someone, “I love you” and another to show act of that love. God shows the act of His perfect love to His people that He sent down His Son to remove the wrath that we deserved because of disobedience. So God doesn’t only say “I love you son/daughter” but because He does love us He says “if you want to look at the depth of my love for you, look at the cross in which My anger, hatred for sin, and justice has been shown by the sacrifice of My Son.”
It was a penal substitutionary atonement. Penal, in which there was a penalty that had to be paid for. Substitution, In that He took our place on the cross; and atoning, in that there was a party that was wronged, Which is God, and there needs to be an amends made, which only can come by the cross.
So now, as we view the cross of Christ and realize both the physical and spiritual pain, and the abandonment and wrath that needed to be paid for, we now see that Christ is more than worthy of our worship, love, and obedience not only now and our daily walk, but for all eternity.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Let us not drift
What up fam! today we are looking at Hebrews 2:1, what are some of the dangers of drifting away. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard. "lest we drift away." What are somethings that we have heard, or that the letter to the Hebrews has shown us. Well chapter 1 tells us about the person and work of Christ. It shows us His 3 fold office as Prophet, Priest and King, His superiority over the angels, His Sonship, His purification of sins as a Redeemer/advocate, and His deity being God and sitting at the right hand of majesty. OK, so now comes the "therefore"; the therefore connects what we have found out to how we should perceive it and hold it. If we apply what we have read in the first chapter, then we will not drift away. let me break that down.There are 5 things we are told and if we hold to these things then we will not drift:
1) His 3 fold office: Christ is our prophet, who has spoken to us the words of the Father. Our priest, He was not only the sacrifice but also the High Priest who went into the Most Holy Place to make that atonement. Also, our king who reigns over all and His sovereignty.
2)His superiority over angels: That Jesus was not an angel, but He is higher than the angels, and rules over the angels.
3) His Sonship: That Jesus Christ was/is the Son of the Living God.
4)Him as redeemer: He was the only One that can have satisfied the Fathers wrath, He was the Only worthy redeemer to pay for our sins with His own blood.
5)His Deity: He is God, and that is why He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High because He is perfect, sinless, and God.
So, now that we understand and know what He has done and that He is the only way to salvation then we should hold fast to this because if we don't then the lies and worries of the world will cause us to drift, why? you ask. If you go the beach and lay in the water the tide will cause you to drift into deeper and deeper waters if you do nothing. If you just say "I'm not going to do anything but lay here." You will drift into deeper and deeper waters; but lets say you know that you are suppose to swim against the current so you wont drift, then you will not go into deeper waters but be safe and out of trouble. Well the writer of Hebrews is saying "if" we say we know Christ and hold fast to our confession we will not drift, "IF" we say that we are Christians then let us give the more earnest heed to these things so that we will not drift. I would go as far to say, if you are drifting and not worried about drifting then you are not saved. Because if we understand the dangers of drifting we will cling to our anchor that is withing the veil, which is Christ, and take heed of the things which we know about Him. The world calls us to drift, they say things like, Jesus Christ is not God, and the writer of Hebrews says, Hold fast to what you have heard and read. They say, He was is not the only way to God, and the writer of Hebrews says, Hold fast to what you have learned. The world says Jesus Christ is not that important He was just an angel, and the writer of Hebrews say, hold fast lest you drift. We must use these things that we read in chapter 1, and throughout the entire bible old and new testament, to give us strength to paddle ourselves and not drift away. I hope that this has caused you, as it has called me, to repent and cling to the cross of Christ. He is our anchor and we must always watch-out for the things that the world and other religions tell us because they want us to drift away and fall into their trap, but we must not and take heed. I pray this is used to exalt the cross and make Christ look more and more beautiful. Amen
1) His 3 fold office: Christ is our prophet, who has spoken to us the words of the Father. Our priest, He was not only the sacrifice but also the High Priest who went into the Most Holy Place to make that atonement. Also, our king who reigns over all and His sovereignty.
2)His superiority over angels: That Jesus was not an angel, but He is higher than the angels, and rules over the angels.
3) His Sonship: That Jesus Christ was/is the Son of the Living God.
4)Him as redeemer: He was the only One that can have satisfied the Fathers wrath, He was the Only worthy redeemer to pay for our sins with His own blood.
5)His Deity: He is God, and that is why He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High because He is perfect, sinless, and God.
So, now that we understand and know what He has done and that He is the only way to salvation then we should hold fast to this because if we don't then the lies and worries of the world will cause us to drift, why? you ask. If you go the beach and lay in the water the tide will cause you to drift into deeper and deeper waters if you do nothing. If you just say "I'm not going to do anything but lay here." You will drift into deeper and deeper waters; but lets say you know that you are suppose to swim against the current so you wont drift, then you will not go into deeper waters but be safe and out of trouble. Well the writer of Hebrews is saying "if" we say we know Christ and hold fast to our confession we will not drift, "IF" we say that we are Christians then let us give the more earnest heed to these things so that we will not drift. I would go as far to say, if you are drifting and not worried about drifting then you are not saved. Because if we understand the dangers of drifting we will cling to our anchor that is withing the veil, which is Christ, and take heed of the things which we know about Him. The world calls us to drift, they say things like, Jesus Christ is not God, and the writer of Hebrews says, Hold fast to what you have heard and read. They say, He was is not the only way to God, and the writer of Hebrews says, Hold fast to what you have learned. The world says Jesus Christ is not that important He was just an angel, and the writer of Hebrews say, hold fast lest you drift. We must use these things that we read in chapter 1, and throughout the entire bible old and new testament, to give us strength to paddle ourselves and not drift away. I hope that this has caused you, as it has called me, to repent and cling to the cross of Christ. He is our anchor and we must always watch-out for the things that the world and other religions tell us because they want us to drift away and fall into their trap, but we must not and take heed. I pray this is used to exalt the cross and make Christ look more and more beautiful. Amen
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
thoughts on Heb 2 and 4
Yo, what up fam!? whats good? well, lately i have been in the book of hebrews and just reflecting and diving into the text and Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15-16 have just been breaking me down to why christians should pray and enjoy praying. The price that was paid so that we could approach the throne of grace is great, it is amazing, it was Christ Jesus Himself, the Son of the Living God. The writer of Hebrews tell us in these two text that Christ had been tempted like us so that He may give us aid in the times we are tempted or that He sympathizes with us when we are tempted and weak; yet was without sin. Now you may ask, when? when was He tempted like I was? we can look at one major instance which was the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ went through pain, and sorrow and fear, so much that for an instance He asks His Father that "If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will but as You will." Christ went through a pain that none of us will ever know, and He can sympathize with us when we go through all our pain and sorrow because He also went through something like us, but worst. He is there with an outstretch arm telling us, " I know..." one scripture that always brings my heart joy is matt 11:28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Christ's offers us rest from all our pain and hurt that we bring upon ourselves because we try to find everlasting joy in earthly things and people, and that will always let us down. But Christ's says "COME!!!" "COME TO ME!" He is the only one that can satisfy us, and fill us. So, that brings me to the hebrews passage, that when we are tempted Christ can sympathize with us and wont turn us away and say "come back when your clean." But He says because you have trusted in Me you have unlimited access to the Fathers throne, so come boldly! The Father will never turn us away people of God, Never! By the sacrifice on the Cross, God is bound by His oath to forgive us and create in us a heart of repentance. So when we do fall into temptation and sin, let us not say, "man, God is mad at me because i sinned, i cant go to Him now, i'll wait a day or two." No, in that instance, if you are truly remorseful and broken from your sin, Say "God, have mercy on me, forgive me, because of Christ; Father, do not turn from Your servant, wash me, purge me." We have to remember that neglecting to pray is taking the cross for granted. That those times when we say "i wanna pray but im too busy, or i'll do it later." we are saying that the sacrifice on the cross is not of first importance. We must, daily and like paul says, without ceasing, be in prayer to the Father.The price for the torn veil was high, none of us could have ever done what Christ did. So, with all boldness and assurance, let us go before the throne of grace. and one more thing, when we are in that point of being tempted and we feel like we are helpless, dont think that just because you repeat these verses that you will stop being tempted or that it will go away. From experience, by repeating the text at times it doesnt work. We must do what the text says, when we are being tempted and weak, go in prayer, take Christ example and say "not my will but Your will be done." Because our will is to follow the flesh and sin, God's will is that He be glorified. I hope that this was edifying and uplifting to the bride of Christ. May the Lord bless you and run to Him fam, run! grace and peace. Amen.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
a quick blog
hey fam, whats going down. I just got the urge to write another blog, why...? well Christ put it in my heart. I am just thinking about all the pain that i have heard of in these past couple months, from deaths in the news, and sickness, to the whole Haiti disaster, and other things, just a lot has been in my heart. I just keep thinking about the faithfulness of God. I know that its weird to say God's faithfulness after talking about disaster. I say faithfulness because He is faithful to chasten us, and persecute us, and refine us so that we may become the likeness of Christ. Not only that, but also even thought that there is a lot of disaster in this earth He is faithful to not allow us to worry, or fear. While the world runs, and stumbles, and shakes in fear, we, the people of God, stand on Christ, and we can not be shaken; or we should not be. Lately i have been coming to the realization that we are not of this world, that we are just pilgrims, and that this is not our home. Yes, there is death, to both sinner and saint, and that in Haiti, that cancer, and pain comes to both sinner and saint; yet, fellow brethren, the outcome is not the same. In Haiti the people who are saints live with a hope that they will be received in glory because God will provide the grace and peace to get through that, and thats why we pray for them, and those who are saints that died in Haiti our now with God, in glory, with no pain. For those who were not Gods people in Haiti, God being just, did it to judge them and to make those who are living in Haiti to repent and follow Him and live for Him and spread the Gospel. God has thousands of purposes in one thing, and in Haiti, He will receive glory. This is the same with all other things, God does things for 2 reasons, for His glory and His saints good. we must remember that. Fellow brethren, let us strip away all the things that hold us down, so that we may run the race with all endurance! Let us live for CHRIST this is not our HOME!!!!! this is our mission field! let us go hard for the LORD and when we are received in glory praise Him for giving us the strength to do so. I love you all. Grace and peace fam... amen
Sunday, January 31, 2010
ephesians 2:1-5
yo, anyone who knows me well can let you know how i love the doctrine of Total Deprivaty. Sounds a little strange ya, but without it we would never see our need for a Savior. check it, Eph. 2:1-5 "And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked accordig to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who no works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
Wow... weighty subject but a good subject. Look, mans deprivaty is something real and something we all must face when we come to the cross. When we see our sinfulness, and our vileness, that just magnifies the grace, and love of God, That though we are still this disguisting He takes it upon Himself to come down to cleanse us. Ok, Paul here in this text is letting us know that we were no different from those who walk in the desires of the flesh, or follow the world, because we were once in that same mindset and if it were not for the grace of God calling us and opening our eyes we would still be with them. One thing that the text says is that we were dead! we unable to respond to God beckoning call. Many people like to say, "ya, I'm saved because I CHOSE to accept God..." I'm always like "really? you chose?" Christ says that you can not come to the Father but through me, and you can not come to me unless the Father draws you. So its not that you chose God, but that God chose you. We were dead! a corpse in the grave, and God reached down because of His grace and love and has given us life. So, when we see that we are no different then the person next to us, what compelled God to save us, why are we called? why are we not like the rest, but instead the grace of God has open our eyes? I would say to make the glory, and supremacy of God shine fourth. The Lord uses the weak things of this world to put to shame the strong, and the foolish to shame the wise, and this is what He has done with us. Now, i know some people dont like to be called fools or weak, but that is what we are and when we realize that it brings us to humble ourselves before a great and merciful God and as the scripture says God exalts the humble but strikes down the proud. That is why God chose us wicked, dead, sinful, disobedient, lustful men and women, to make His name glorious, and in that we get the benefit or priveledge to spend eternity with Him. As one of my favorite Hymns says "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God i love, here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above." we must recognize that left to our own nature, and desires, we would run towards the lake made of fire, but through Gods grace, and Christ's atoning death, we now fling ourselves to the Fount of Living Water, Christ. Also, as the hymn said, it is God that takes our hearts, and seals it, we do not maintain our salvation, no, as philippians 1:6 says "being confident of this very thing, that He who begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." So even our eternal security is found in Christ. Well, i think this is all i have to say for now, i pray that this is edifying to the body, and brings glory to the God of all creation. Amen
Wow... weighty subject but a good subject. Look, mans deprivaty is something real and something we all must face when we come to the cross. When we see our sinfulness, and our vileness, that just magnifies the grace, and love of God, That though we are still this disguisting He takes it upon Himself to come down to cleanse us. Ok, Paul here in this text is letting us know that we were no different from those who walk in the desires of the flesh, or follow the world, because we were once in that same mindset and if it were not for the grace of God calling us and opening our eyes we would still be with them. One thing that the text says is that we were dead! we unable to respond to God beckoning call. Many people like to say, "ya, I'm saved because I CHOSE to accept God..." I'm always like "really? you chose?" Christ says that you can not come to the Father but through me, and you can not come to me unless the Father draws you. So its not that you chose God, but that God chose you. We were dead! a corpse in the grave, and God reached down because of His grace and love and has given us life. So, when we see that we are no different then the person next to us, what compelled God to save us, why are we called? why are we not like the rest, but instead the grace of God has open our eyes? I would say to make the glory, and supremacy of God shine fourth. The Lord uses the weak things of this world to put to shame the strong, and the foolish to shame the wise, and this is what He has done with us. Now, i know some people dont like to be called fools or weak, but that is what we are and when we realize that it brings us to humble ourselves before a great and merciful God and as the scripture says God exalts the humble but strikes down the proud. That is why God chose us wicked, dead, sinful, disobedient, lustful men and women, to make His name glorious, and in that we get the benefit or priveledge to spend eternity with Him. As one of my favorite Hymns says "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God i love, here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above." we must recognize that left to our own nature, and desires, we would run towards the lake made of fire, but through Gods grace, and Christ's atoning death, we now fling ourselves to the Fount of Living Water, Christ. Also, as the hymn said, it is God that takes our hearts, and seals it, we do not maintain our salvation, no, as philippians 1:6 says "being confident of this very thing, that He who begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." So even our eternal security is found in Christ. Well, i think this is all i have to say for now, i pray that this is edifying to the body, and brings glory to the God of all creation. Amen
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
little blog on the book of acts.
yo, what up fam? well, i just started reading the book of acts yesterday, stopped at chapter 10, but ch.4:29-37 really just brought joy to my heart, and also some pain. Joy, because i love how selfless and how giving and loving the people were. V.32 said that the people were of one heart and one soul. They shared the same passion which was loving Christ, exalting His name, and as a body of believers they cared for each other.Also in V.34 it says that none of them lacked anything. Man, thats sick! Now, we live in a culture where you have to look out for number 1 (you); the church shows that as a body, as the bride of Christ, we care for each other, if your in need we will help you lack nothing. Now, i dont think the scripture meant, "yo, if your lacking a bently and a mansion, we will help you get those things," but i think it means with both physical things, like food, shelter, clothing, etc. and spiriturally, learning about Christ, and being fed spiritually by the preaching of the word. The reason why i felt pain was for 2 reasons, one, because of my prideful heart, convicted to the core fam. I am not one to ask for help, for anything, and i have been told i have a prideful heart, and even my pastors and elders have offerd help when i need it, but i tend to refuse because i was brought up in a "dont ask anyone for help because that shows your weak," kind of mentality. Reading this showed me that when i am in need, again not selfish need or worldly need, but in true need, like finacially i cant do something that is edifying the church, or something on those lines, that i can go to the church and ask for help. Humility! is what this has shown me, beautiful, and loving humility. Another reason i had pain in my heart and soul is because i feel like we, as a church in whole, have not been doing this. We need to be able to help one other, not grudgenly, but lovingly. The people did not sell all their possessions and say "This stinks, i dont wanna do this, but let me just slap on a smile and do it because it will make God happy." No! They were of one heart, and one soul, and i am pretty sure they did this out of love for one another. But!!! we see in chapter 5 a couple who sold their possessions but held back some of it for themselves and they both died. Peter says in V.4 of chapter 5 that "you have not lied to men, but to God." This shows selfishness, and deceit by the couple and a heart that was probably not in one mind and one soul. What i am trying to get at, and there is so much in this text and i have little time, is that we, as a body of believers and as the bride of Christ need to keep this in mind, to love each other and to help each other at all times. To make sure that our fellow brethren do not lack anything, like shelter, or food, or clothing, etc. and also spiritually, to help those that are young in the faith to grow in there walk with Christ. Also, to be humble, not to be ashamed to ask for help from the church, because that is one of there purposes, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to help the other members of the body. Be humble, those who walk in meekness and humility truly please the Lord.
Well i hope that this has edified those of you whom have read it and works in your hearts. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you always. Amen.
Well i hope that this has edified those of you whom have read it and works in your hearts. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you always. Amen.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
right now, im just thinking about Christ, and i feel like writting a little rap, so if its a little sloppy sorry, but i just feel lyrical at this moment. ok, here i go!
I dont preach the Gospel with eloquent speech,
Oh GOD make me weak so that Your strength will increase,
I need Your grace to cover me like an old navy fleece,
Lord break this heart of stone, piece by piece,
With everyone that i meet, it is peace that i seek,
To be humble and meek is what You teach,
I heard You speack, "it is finish!"
And So I preach, "HE is Risen!!!"
Forgiven by the decision of Him who's dressed in linen,
A covenant was made before the beginning.
That You would send down the Son on account of mans rebellion,
wrapped in flesh, live a perfect life, die and on the third day ascension,
This word play i dont use it in the worlds way,
But to exalt the Lamb without demand but out of reverence,
In every sentence i want His ressurection to be presented,
God's goodness should lead men to repentance,
Yet His prolonged wrath has people living in ignorance.
How could they believe if they have not heard?
And how can they hear unless someone preaches?
And how can one preach without being sent?
lets preach every moment about the Christ atonement,
And war against flesh, and satan, and all the unseen opponents.
May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward,
Till the day that He comes, Lets exalt the Lord!
I dont preach the Gospel with eloquent speech,
Oh GOD make me weak so that Your strength will increase,
I need Your grace to cover me like an old navy fleece,
Lord break this heart of stone, piece by piece,
With everyone that i meet, it is peace that i seek,
To be humble and meek is what You teach,
I heard You speack, "it is finish!"
And So I preach, "HE is Risen!!!"
Forgiven by the decision of Him who's dressed in linen,
A covenant was made before the beginning.
That You would send down the Son on account of mans rebellion,
wrapped in flesh, live a perfect life, die and on the third day ascension,
This word play i dont use it in the worlds way,
But to exalt the Lamb without demand but out of reverence,
In every sentence i want His ressurection to be presented,
God's goodness should lead men to repentance,
Yet His prolonged wrath has people living in ignorance.
How could they believe if they have not heard?
And how can they hear unless someone preaches?
And how can one preach without being sent?
lets preach every moment about the Christ atonement,
And war against flesh, and satan, and all the unseen opponents.
May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward,
Till the day that He comes, Lets exalt the Lord!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Dead in adam, alive in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:21 and 22 "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
In adam all died, all men and women are born dead in sin, and have no way to merit there own salvation. The truth is, if anyone of us were put in the situation that adam was in, we all would remove ourselves from Gods authority and follow our desire. By man came death. By adam sinning and eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, all man experienced death and now is dead. There is nothing that we can do, nothing at all, this is our state when we enter the world, dead. Spiritually blind, def, mute, dead! have you ever thought of yourself being dead? like if someone were to speak to you, or nudge you, that you would not feel any of that, so then how are we to be made alive? By works, how can a dead man work? if we are dead then we can not even move, how much more can we actually work? No, not by work, but by God. God is the one who,from eternity past, chose those who would be apart of His bride and be found in the Lambs book of life. God had to send down Christ, and Christ had to die so that the wrath of God may be satisfied, and the Father had to raise the Son from the dead so that all would know that He was a perfect sacrifice, and Christ had to return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit may come down and indwell believers so that we may bear fruit pleasing to God. By Man also came the ressurection of the dead! Man had beef with God, and only man can atone for mans sin, but man isnt perfect, and God only accepts a perfect sacrifice. So, Jesus Christ, the Perfect Son of God, Had to become man, to atone for mans sin. That is the only way that "by Man also came the ressurection of the dead" be in this text. If God wrapped Himself in human flesh, live a perfect and sinless life, offer Himself as a Lamb without spot or blemish to God, and satisfy His just and righteous wrath. for in adam all died,even so in Christ all shall be made alive. Ok, as the bible said, all man is found in adam, we are all adams offspring, but only a few are Christ offspring. When Jesus spoke to nicodemus, He spoke of being born from above, or born again. We MUST be born again, because our fisrt birth, which we are found in adam brings death, But for Christian the second birth or being born again, means that we are birthed in Spirit and truth, by faith we are found in Christ and now alive.
In adam all died, all men and women are born dead in sin, and have no way to merit there own salvation. The truth is, if anyone of us were put in the situation that adam was in, we all would remove ourselves from Gods authority and follow our desire. By man came death. By adam sinning and eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, all man experienced death and now is dead. There is nothing that we can do, nothing at all, this is our state when we enter the world, dead. Spiritually blind, def, mute, dead! have you ever thought of yourself being dead? like if someone were to speak to you, or nudge you, that you would not feel any of that, so then how are we to be made alive? By works, how can a dead man work? if we are dead then we can not even move, how much more can we actually work? No, not by work, but by God. God is the one who,from eternity past, chose those who would be apart of His bride and be found in the Lambs book of life. God had to send down Christ, and Christ had to die so that the wrath of God may be satisfied, and the Father had to raise the Son from the dead so that all would know that He was a perfect sacrifice, and Christ had to return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit may come down and indwell believers so that we may bear fruit pleasing to God. By Man also came the ressurection of the dead! Man had beef with God, and only man can atone for mans sin, but man isnt perfect, and God only accepts a perfect sacrifice. So, Jesus Christ, the Perfect Son of God, Had to become man, to atone for mans sin. That is the only way that "by Man also came the ressurection of the dead" be in this text. If God wrapped Himself in human flesh, live a perfect and sinless life, offer Himself as a Lamb without spot or blemish to God, and satisfy His just and righteous wrath. for in adam all died,even so in Christ all shall be made alive. Ok, as the bible said, all man is found in adam, we are all adams offspring, but only a few are Christ offspring. When Jesus spoke to nicodemus, He spoke of being born from above, or born again. We MUST be born again, because our fisrt birth, which we are found in adam brings death, But for Christian the second birth or being born again, means that we are birthed in Spirit and truth, by faith we are found in Christ and now alive.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Widow's Oil
2 Kings 4:1-7
Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves." Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil." Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. "And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full." So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not one vessel more." And the oil stopped. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest."
Last night at our church, we watched a video that had to do with this text, and it was mainly focused on God's provision, and how He truly is our provider. I am not trying to take away from that truth, because the Lord is truly the entire earths provider, even if the unsaved see it or not. I am focusing on the spiritual, cross side of it. When i was reading this, and watching the video, i could not stop thinking about the debt that we owed to God, and that is an amount no man can pay. With this women, in this event that we are priveleged to have in the scriptures, we see that she was in a debt that she couldnt pay, and if she didnt pay it she would spend her entire life trying to pay back her debtor to have her sons returned to her. But God, through the prophet elisha, provided a way for her to earn money and not only pay her husbands debt, but also live on the money she will continue to make off the oil. Again, i love how this points to the sacrifice of Christ, may i take some time to show ya'll? aight... thanks. ok, we all are in debt to God, all of us; and none of us can pay Him with anything our hands can provide. And if we do not give our lives to Christ then we will remain slaves, to sin. And our entire lives we will continue to serve our master, sin. But, God through His Son provides a way that sinners may be saved and have life, and not just life here on earth, but eternal life, in the sight of the Father. Through adams sin, we all became debtors to God, but through God's only begotten Son, dying on the cross, His sacrifice payed the debt that we owed to God, and now we live off the unceasing grace that God pours out to His kids, we dont need to go back into bondage to the sin we once served because that debt was paid in full. Now the women entered a debt because her husband, and God, through elisha, provided a way that she could pay the debtors and live off the rest, so she didnt need be a slave for those men she once owed, but live free off the oil that was provided to her by God. Now do you see what i see? aint that crazy how God does that in His text. Its crazy man, it just rocks me to the core! Another thing that we have in common with this women, is our hopelessness. When God opens our eyes to the truth of the Gospel, we are left hopeless, with no way to earn salvation; but as this women ran to a godly man, elisha, we run to the God Man, Jesus Christ, and fall at the feet of the cross and with a broken heart of stone, eyes full of tears, and we see God as wonderful, merciful Savior. well, i hope ya'll enjoyed my little insight. i pray that this is edifying to the church, and that most of all the glory of God is revealed and shown. Grace and peace fam. amen!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Set your mind on things above, where Christ is!
Colossians 3:1-3
"if then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God"
yo, i love this verse. It is just plain sick... lets chop it up a bit.
Ok, paul starts this off with a statement; "if then..." "if then, colossian church" "if then christian of the 21th century..." "IF THEN!" if you truly are saved, if you truly are what you claim to be, if you "were raised with Christ" then seek. " SEEK! those things which are above, where Christ is." Many times when we claim to be something we more than likely follow through with what we believe, but why is it that when it comes to Christianity we do the total opposite. If you meet a person and he weights about 300lbs, out of shape, and heavy breathing from walking 3 steps and tells you i am an olympic swimmer, would you believe him? more than likely not, but if a person, lean, and healthy and wearing medals on his chest comes to you and says, "im an olympic swimmer." ofcourse you'd believe him, he has proof, and lives it out. Now why do most american Christians say they love God and live like the devil himself? WHY? Christian, i tell you, i you say you are a Christian, and that you love God, then you are claiming to be raised with Christ, and if you claim this then paul says, " seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above." Set, or Fix, or never take your eyes off, or stay focused on, Set your eyes on things above, is our call in this text. we are to look to Christ and never look away. I am reminded at times when Jesus is walking on water and peter goes out with Him and everytime He takes His gaze of He sinks, but when His gaze is fixed on Christ he walks on water. We must take our eyes off of the world and the things that consume our thoughts, and actions, and our lives, and Set our LIFE on the things above, on HIM above, sitting on the right hand of God, and strive, run, and endure for Him, because He will keep us (philippians 1:6), glory be to God. "Not on things on the earth."why not fix our eyes on things on earth, or live our lives to things our earth? Like world peace, or helping animals, or working to supply for our families, why not live for those things? Because then you will make that your god, and God is a jealous God, and He tells us, do not have any other God's before me, and if we do we will be casted into hell and His just and righteous wrath and anger will be poured out on you. The things of this world perish, love fades, cars and things rust, items get lost, and if they dont, then we die and can not take that with us. But if we set our eyes on the things where Christ is sitting, then that will never perish. Living for Christ, for God, has more of a reward and more joy then if you were a billionaire since the day of your youth til the day you died. No thing is better than the reward, and joy that if found in living for the Glory of God. last thing... "for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Oh how great is this! we died!!! we are dead to this world. This world no longer brings us joy, but we long to be with our Lord, this world no longer makes us smile, but weep for the souls that are being deceived. Oh but we christian, oh we are dead to the world, but alive in Christ, we are hidden with Christ in God. I love this line from before the throne of God above that says "Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea, a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who's name is Love, and forever pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on Heart, i know that while in heaven He stands,no tongue can bid me thence depart." Oh how precious those words are. We have a great High Priest, and as long as we are hidden with Him in God, no man, no angel, no demon, no thing can bid us thence depart. GLORY TO GOD!!! that alone should enthrall us to set our lives on the things above, to live a life glorifying to God, and to strip away all the things of the world that weights us down and cling to the beautiful blood drenched cross of our Savior. Oh Christian, live a life worthy of the calling that you have recieved. Live a life at the feet of the throne of Grace and in the bossom of the Lord. I pray that this is edifying to the bride of Christ and that we all repent and fall back, and live to bring glory to God in every area of our lives. Grace and Peace, amen.
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