Get Out of the Boat

Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

Continuing, Retired Pastor Willie Nolte preached  a sermon about “God the Son” Jesus Christ, pointing out that in John 6:15-21, Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-51 all recount the complete story of Jesus walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee. Outside of the awe-factor of, the physically impossible, defying physics and natural laws, miraculously standing and walking on water in the middle of the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea, a salt lake), at levels between 215 meters (705 ft) and 209 meters (686 ft) below sea level. It is approximately 53 km (33 mi) in circumference, about 21 km (13 mi) long, and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide. Its area is 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq. mi) at its fullest, and its maximum depth is approximately 43 meters (141 ft). No little lake and no little feat, except for the Creator of creation itself. But, why and what are we to learn by this?

 

Pastor Willie gave us seven gold nuggets of truth to take home from this incident on the high seas. (1) Jesus did it and what He did, He still does. Romans 8:34-35 “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (2) Jesus saw them struggling and He sees us, knowing us intimately. In John 10:14  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (3) Jesus came to them and Jesus comes to you. Jesus promised in John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (4) Jesus assured them and Jesus assures us. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (5) Jesus invites them and Jesus invites us. Matthew 25:23 invites us, “Enter into the joy of your lord.” (6) Jesus displays His Lordship and power. Colossians 1:16 proclaims, “For by Him[the Lord – Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (7) When you seek, accept and join Jesus, then He will join you in your lifeboat. Invite Him in. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

 

A boat and a life without Jesus is going nowhere. Jesus says; “Come”. Like Peter, get out of the boat and join Jesus. Jesus turns the boat in peril into a safe and secure boat; a sinking ship into a life boat. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

In Christ, Brian

 

  

It is I and I Am

 

Last Sunday, Pastor/Elder Willie Nolte preached  a sermon about “God the Son” Jesus Christ, pointing out that in John 6:15-21, Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-51 all recount the renowned story of after miraculously feeding the five thousand plus from just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee. In all accounts, when the disciples see him, they believe he must be a ghost. After all, the depths of the sea were called the abyss; the “abyssos” in Greek, meaning the pit, a very deep hole to the lowest parts of the earth believed used as the common receptacle of the dead and especially as the abode of demons.  

 

This belief in the abyss is confirmed in Matthew 16:13-18, where the spring “called the “Gates of Hell” in Caesarea Philippi, which is the source of the Banias River, one of the main tributaries of the Jordan River, was the backdrop for Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said to him, “On this rock (that confession) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not^]prevail against it.” The hole, which was the Spring’s source was considered the gate to the Underworld. The disciples in the boat, not recognizing Him and seeing a person performing the impossible walking on water assumed a ghost from the abyss had surfaced. But, The Lord Jesus said to them (and is recorded in all three Gospel accounts), “It is I; do not be afraid.” The Greek translation for “It is I” is the term “eimi egō” meaning “I Am”, specifically to be, to exist, to be present. This is a very rare term used in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible. 

 

In Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God in the burning bush, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” The term “I Am” is the Hebrew word “Hāyâ”, meaning to be, to exist, be in existence; to abide, remain, continue. God is the great “I Am”. In John 8:58 Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” The “I am” here the Greek, “ego eimi”.

 

A little later, in John 6:35, Jesus states: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. And Jesus clarifies in John 6:50-51, “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” In both verses, the term “I am” here the Greek, “ego eimi”. Who has the power to forgive sin and give eternal life, but our all seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present sovereign Creator God? 

 

In John 4:25-26, the woman at the well said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” The term “I am” here the Greek, “ego eimi”. In John 8:12, Jesus proclaims: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The term “I am” here the Greek, “ego eimi”. In John 10:9-11 Jesus declares, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. The term “I am” here the Greek is“ego eimi”.

 

In John 11:25-26 Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” The term “I am” here the Greek, “ego eimi”. In John 14:6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The term “I am” here the Greek is “ego eimi”. In John 15:1 Jesus pronounces, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” Then continues on in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” In both verses, the term “I am” here the Greek is “ego eimi”.

 

In John 10:27-30 Jesus asserts, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Christ is stating “It is I and I AM, I exist, I am present, come to Me”.

 

In Christ, Brian

Seven Cornerstones of Fundational Truth

 

Acts 4:10-12 “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

 

A recent article by the American Family Association focused on a 2023 survey report from the Arizona Christian College Cultural Research Center, directed by renown researcher George Barna. The report shed light on seven particular beliefs that, when embraced, cause one to develop a consistently biblical life in both thought and action. 

 

A worldview is a set of beliefs that produce specific behaviors. Barna explained in the report, “People do what they believe; behavior is a tangible outcome of belief. If you believe what the Bible teaches you, then you will believe in harmony with those beliefs.” But he cautions that embracing the seven cornerstones merely so that one can claim a biblical worldview is not the goal. The goal is to actually live in concert with those beliefs. This comes from the repentant born-again Believer’s transformation of their heart, mind, will and emotions in conversion of the soul. “A biblical worldview is imperative,” Barna said, “because it is the only pathway to being able to consistently think like Jesus Christ so that we can live like Him.” 

 

Unsurprisingly, these seven cornerstones of foundational truths are not complex, but basic Christian tenets. Barna said, “ These are not advanced theological principles; they are straight-forward principles of how to make the most of the gift of life.” The research revealed that of those who reject one or more of the seven cornerstones in the survey, only 2% possessed a biblical worldview. Conversely, more than four out of five people (83%) who embraced all seven cornerstones do possess a biblical worldview. A startling 20% of those surveyed reject all seven.

 

Barna outlined the seven cornerstones as follows: (1) One must possess an orthodox, biblical understanding of God. (2) All human beings are sinful by nature, and choices have moral considerations and consequences. (3) The consequences of sin can only be forgiven and eliminated through faith in Jesus Christ, and forgiveness is available only by personal acknowledgement of sin, confession of sin and complete reliance on His grace. (4) The entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person in every situation. (5) Absolute moral truth exists, and those truths are defined by God, described in the Bible, and are unchangeable. (6) The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love and serve God with all one’s heart, mind and strength. (7) Success on earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God in thought, words and actions.

 

 The largest positive trend revealed in the survey was how Americans define meaning and purpose, with 7% more embracing a biblical worldview of purpose than in 2020. Belief of the Bible being the Word of God and a recognition of the sin nature of humans both shared a 5% increase above the 2020 survey results. Barna said, “these changes in life philosophy remind us that such change is possible, especially in times of social instability and uncertainty as we have today.” Barna suggests that Christians seize the opportunity in the current cultural climate to fulfill the Great Commission and lead others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ occurring within the context of a personal trust-based relationship resulting in embracing a pure worldview based on biblical principles. 

 

Go and make disciples of all nations. 

In Christ, Brian  

The Government of Heaven

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” The Apostle Paul here was telling the converted God-fearing Christ-follower that they were “in the world”, but not “of this world”. That means having duel-citizenship in this “fallen-in-sin” world and in the kingdom of Heaven, Christians are to live tolerating the godless inequity going on around them, but not be a part of it and live as a light of God’s Word, Will and Way; that the righteous love, joy and peace may be seen and understood, that the grace of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Savior of the world) may be revealed and an informed and informed choice for salvation made. The born-again Believer is to be an Ambassador for the kingdom of God, making disciples of all nations, decreasing the population of hell, increase the population of Heaven, and advancing the kingdom means being involved in our culture; not isolating ourselves from it. Our immutable and sovereign Creator God has established laws and chains of command to facilitate order in society.   

 

Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” The Framers and Fathers of the United States Constitution of government understood this, as evidenced by President George Washington’s statement: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” Christians are to always be involved in the governing of the nation and be subject to the governing authorities and laws to support stability and peace. The Bible says that God is involved in the process of overseeing the life we live, including government. 

 

Matthew 10:28 tells us, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” That “Him” would be our perfect almighty God. The American Family Association points out that immoral leaders are God’s reward for an immoral culture. Our culture is not a reflection of our leaders. Our leaders are a reflection of our culture. Of course, when it comes to obeying our leaders, when man’s laws oppose God’s, we must obey God’s law every time. If an unbelieving atheist establish secular laws demanding that Believers disobey the law of God found in the Holy Word of sacred Scripture, they must refuse to comply, challenge the ungodly human authority and defend the faith, stating God’s truth in the land where “In God We Trust” is not only our national Motto, but our way of life. The Bible is the subjective truth and the subjective standard for society. Human immorality and sin are not.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3 is clear that because of the “Fall of Man,” we are all dead in trespasses and sins  in which we walk according to the course of this fallen world, according to the devil, (the spirit who now 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. The Bible is clear that all have sinned and the wages of sin is dead and eternal damnation. But, by God’s grace, He sent Jesus Christ (the Savior of the world) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but be forgiven, saved and have everlasting life. On this side of eternity, repentant born-again Believers do not follow sinners, but tolerate them as they follow the government of Heaven, Heaven’s God, and their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, while led by the Holy Spirit in righteousness on the straight and narrow path, being godly and moral, salt and light impacting their culture. In God We Trust.

 

In Christ, Brian

Simple Creation

 

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

 

Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth. 

 

Headquartered in Petersburg, Kym (next to Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home of the Creation Museum and the full-sized Noah’s Ark Encounter exhibits, Lecture Halls, Gardens, Animal Encounter and even a zip line for a family fun and educating experience. We a son living in Michigan on the border of Ohio, I hope to visit this amazing place. Our Small Group Bible Study uses many of Answers in Genesis’ video studies and receive their Answers Insider monthly magazine with interesting feature stories and information. 

 

One such articles within last month’s publication was titled “Creation – in the beginning”. Sometimes, we use words individually and never notice that they are actually part of a larger group. What do the words “Creation”, “Creature”, and “Creator” have in common? It is the word “create”. Genesis 1:1 could read: In the beginning the Creator created all of Creation, including all the creatures on earth. Genesis 1:1-2-7 gives an account of the history of the heavens and the earth by God’s creative work.

 

The article gives the reader the simple creation account as: God created the world and everything in it in six literal 24-hour days (by the literal definition of the Hebrew word “day”). His created light, divided the waters, separated the waters from the dry land, and brought forth vegetation. He created the heavens, the sun, the moon and the stars (the Cosmos). He created the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the field to roam the earth. Ultimately, God fashioned the pinnacle of His creation: mankind. Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” 

 

When God saw everything that He has made, He declared that it was “very good”. Genesis 1:31 “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” The world that the Lord made was perfect – without sin, death, suffering, sickness, violence, or disease. That perfection was terribly marred by man’s sin and rebellion, but God will one day restore His creation through His Son. Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

As complex as creation and life truly is, it is simple creation and simple recreation by the Creator. It was taught and never forgot that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

 

In God We Trust and In Christ We Believe, Brian

Under The Tree

Psalm 47:6 “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!”

 

A Praise song to the tune of "Under the Sea", a popular song from Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid.

  

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

You dream about going over there, but that is a big mistake.

Just look at the world around you, right here on God’s green earth.

Such wonderful things surround you, what more are you lookin' for?

 

Under the tree. Under the tree. Darling you’ve got made, down where there is shade, Take it from me. Up on the land they work all day, out in the sun they slave away. While we dayin', full time to prayin' under the tree.

 

Under here all the folks are happy, as off through the Word they read. Folks lost in the world ain't happy, they sad 'cause of their bad deeds. But folks in the world ain’t lucky; they in for a worser fate. One day when the Lord comes calling, guess who doesn’t find the gate.

 

Under the tree. Under the tree. Nobody beat us, harm us, defeat us in eternity. We “on the earth folks” love to praise, under the tree comes off the haze.  We got no troubles, our birth is double, under the tree. Since life so sweet here. We do not cheat here, naturally. Even the sinner and the stray, they get the urge 'n' start to pray. We got the Spirit, you got to hear it, under the tree.

 

Under the tree. Under the tree. Reading God’s words with the singing of birds, It's music to me. What do they got? The praise of man. We got a heaven angelic band. Each little boy here, know how to have joy here. Each little girl here, will find a pearl here, under the tree.

Each little saint here, no one will faint here; yes, you can pray here, you'll want to stay here, under the tree. 

Each little child here, know how be mild here; that's why it's feedin’ when we are readin’. 

Ya we in luck here, we never duck here, under the tree. 

 

 In Christ, Brian

Go and Sin No More

 

John 8:10-11a “When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you,”

 

I remember years ago talking to a young Christian lady who was once on one of the Little League baseball teams that I managed. We were discussing how liberal and immoral the culture was becoming today and how the teachings of compromising the Word of God, fabricating ideas that are contradictory to the Commandments and the Moral Law of God, and the belief that an all-loving God not only will not punish Sin, but make-believe that this God-of-their-own-making has no issue and is fine with their willful sinning. 

 

She pointed to the Bible passage above, where the woman caught in the forbidden sexual act of adultery was brought by the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees before Jesus and states that Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. Then asked, But what do You say?” He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one. The young lady the I was talking to said, “see, Jesus did not condemn her. So, there is no condemnation or conviction of sins committed by us.”

 

I replied by telling her that I loved the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, but she had conveniently stopped a little short on the conclusion and missed the main point in John 8:11-12, where Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Sin is the Greek word “hamartanō”, meaning to miss the mark of the high calling of God. To err, to do or go wrong, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor. To wander from the law of God, violate God's law, that is sin. 

 

In Psalm 51:1-4, King David pleaded in prayer: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight.” Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “Sin” as: The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Sin is either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God's commands or law.

 

How do you sugar-coat, whitewash or downplay a wicked, evil act of iniquity (in thought, word or action) against your sovereign, just and holy Creator of the Cosmos; your Maker? This god sent Jesus to die for our sins as our redeeming Savior. He is the Light of the world with the light of life that shines and illuminates the darkness of sin and unbelief. The Christ is not a get-out-of-jail free card so that we can continue in our sinful ways. The Lord Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:18-21, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

 

The transformational work of the Holy Spirit in the repentant Believer regenerates our spirit connection with a new heart that has spiritual discernment aligned with the Word, Will and Way of God. The renewing of your mind and soul with the dedication, devotion and desire to please your heavenly Father and not let Him down. Ephesians 1:3-5 proclaims, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Go and sin no more.

 

In Christ, Brian

Born Again Believer

In John 3:5-7, Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

 

The Apostle goes on to explain in John 1:12-13 that, “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Creator God is our physical Maker in the miracle of natural childbirth through a biological man and woman (aka the will of flesh and the will of man). Psalm 139:13 testifies, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” But, the natural man is in the fallen flesh of sin, which must be atoned for by Jesus for forgiveness, regeneration of the spirit and reconciliation with God.

 

John 3:16-17 tells of God’s plan of Salvation from sin and the Second death: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. Believe, receive plus know Jesus and you will be sanctified, transformed and will know salvation, but do not believe, not receive and not know Jesus equals no salvation. As John 3:18 says, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

 

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a beloved English Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739, written by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield and speaks to this being born again. The third verse of the song proclaims: “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings: Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born King.” The Apostle Paul declares in Romans 10:9-10 “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” 

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 affirms that, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The Prophet announced this message in Ezekiel 36:26-27 almost 600 years before Jesus’ birth, stating: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” It’s a whole new you from the inside out, but not by you. Ephesians 2:8 explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” 

In God We Trust and In Jesus Christ We Believe, Brian

Believe on Christ's Name

 

Bible Commentator  Matthew Henry continues: The true Christian’s dignity and privilege are twofold:— First, The privilege of adoption, which takes them into the number of God’s children. Previously, the adoption pertained to the Jews only; but now, by faith in Christ, Gentiles are the children of God . They have power and authority. To them gave God a right; to them gave He this pre-eminence. This power have all the saints. Note, 1. It is the unspeakable privilege of all good Christians, that they are become the children of God. They were by nature children of wrath, children of this fallen world. If they be the children of God, they become so. God has no grandchildren. Persons are not born Christians, but made such.  God calls them His children, they call Him Father, and are entitled to all the privileges of children. 2. The privilege of adoption is entirely owing to Jesus Christ; He gave this power to them that believe on His name. God is his Father, and so ours; and it is by virtue of the bride of Christ’s espousals to Him, and union with Him, that we stand related to God as a Father. 

 

It was in Christ that we were predestinated to the adoption; from Him we receive both the character and the Spirit of adoption, and He is the first-born among many brethren. The Son of God became a Son of man, that the sons and daughters of men might become the sons and daughters of God Almighty. Secondly, The privilege of regeneration: which were born. Note, All the children of God are “born again”; all that are adopted are regenerated. This real transformational change evermore attends that relative one. Wherever God confers the dignity of children, he creates the sanctified nature and disposition of children. Men  and women cannot do so when they adopt. 

 

Now here we have an account of the original of this new birth. 1. It is not propagated by natural generation from our parents. It is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of corruptible seed. Man is called flesh and blood, because there he has his original: but we do not become the children of God as we become the children of our natural parents. Note, Grace does not run in the blood, as corruption does. Man polluted begat a son in his own likeness; but man sanctified and renewed does not beget a son in that likeness. This New-Testament adoption is not founded in any such natural relation. (2.) It is not produced by the natural power of our own will. As it is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, so neither is it of the will of man, which labors under a moral impotency of determining itself to that which is good; so that the principles of the divine life are not of our own planting, it is the grace of God that makes us willing to be his. Nor can human laws or writings prevail to sanctify and regenerate a soul; if they could, the new birth would be by the will of man. But, it is of God. This new birth is owing to the word of God as the means, and to the Spirit of God as the great and sole author. True believers are born of God. And this is necessary to their adoption. In God We Trust.

In Christ, Brian

Receive Jesus

 

John 1:11-13 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

 

Word Study – “Received” in this passage is the Greek word “paralambanō”, meaning (1) to take one's self, to join to one's self. (2) to accept or acknowledge Jesus to be such as He professes to be [the Christ, the Son of the living God] and not to reject, not to withhold obedience. “Christos”, the Christ – the anointed One. Christ was [and is] the Messiah, the Son of God. 

 

Bible Commentator Matthew Henry states, Jesus Christ came to his own; not only to the world, which was His own, but to the people of Israel, that were peculiarly his own above all people [you are either a Jew or a Gentile]; of them he came, among God’s people he lived, and to them he was first sent. He came to his own, to seek and save them. He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, for it was he whose own the sheep were.

 

His own received Him not; they rejected Him. Those who were “His own” should have bidden Him welcome. They had the oracles of God, which told them beforehand when and where to expect him, and of what tribe and family He should arise. They knew Him not; yet received Him not; did not receive his doctrine, did not welcome him as the Messiah, but fortified themselves against him. The chief priests, were ring-leaders in this contempt put upon him. He came to them, to seek and save them, and so to court their respect. Note, Many who in profession are Christ’s own, yet do not receive Him, because they will not repent and part with their sins, nor have him to reign over them.

 

Though his own received him not, yet there were those that received him: But as many as received Him. Though the body of that nation persisted and perished in unbelief, yet there were many of them that were wrought [shaped and formed] upon to submit to Christ, and many more that were not of that Israelite fold. Observe here, the true Christian’s description and property; and that is, that he receives Christ, and believes on His name; the latter explains the former. 

 

Note, First, to be a Christian indeed is to believe on Christ’s name; it is to assent to the gospel discovery, and consent to the gospel proposal, concerning Him. His name is the Word of God; the King of kings, the Lord our righteousness; Jesus the Savior. Now to believe on His name is to acknowledge that he is what these great names bespeak Him to be, and to acquiesce [agree, accept, consent, yield, submit, and comply] in it, that He may be so to us. Secondly, Believing in Christ’s name is receiving him as a gift from God. We must receive His doctrine [teaching] as true and good; receive His law as just and holy; receive His offers as kind and advantageous; and we must receive the image of His grace, and impressions of His love, as the governing principle of our affections and actions.

Let's continue what it means to "receive Jesus" and "believe on His name in the next post.

In Christ, Brian 

Good News

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.””

This last Sunday, Pastor Obie peached on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Great Commission to spread the good news. He explained that the Hebrew word for “good news” in Isaiah is bāśar, meaning to bear, to announce, to publish, to preach and to gladden with good news (salvation). The 1829 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “gospel” as: The history of the birth, life, actions, death, resurrection, ascension and doctrines of Jesus Christ; or a revelation of the grace of God to fallen man through a mediator, including the character, actions, and doctrines of Christ, with the whole scheme of salvation, as revealed by Christ and his apostles.

 

In Luke 2:9-11 an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the field, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

 

The Apostle Paul echoes Isaiah in Romans 10:14-15  “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Christian disciples [student/followers of Jesus Christ] publish peace by making the gospel of Salvation through the Prince of Peace and His victory over sin and death known publicly. Shalom is God’s peace in the soul.  

The Great Commission by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-20 states that Jesus came and said to the eleven disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The beautiful feet of all disciples share the good news of forgiveness of sin, redemption from the bonds of sin, salvation from the Second death in the lake of fire of Hell and eternal life in Heaven as a child of God to the repentant Believer who receive the free gift given by grace alone, through faith alone and Christ alone – the Savior of the world. It is the regeneration of the spirit and the transformation of the soul from unholy sinner to holy and sanctified saint. 

 

On this side of eternity, the citizens of Heaven are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ; salvation found at the foot of the Cross of Calvary to make disciples which in turn spread the good news and make disciples perpetually advancing the kingdom of Jesus Christ in this world. Sin corrupted the world, but Jesus Christ restores the world. Spread the Good news!

In Christ, Brian

World Creation

 

John 1:10 “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” The Greek word for “world” here is “kosmos”, meaning the arrangement of the stars, (1) the heavenly hosts', as the ornament. (2) the universe, the Cosmos. (3) the circle of the earth, the earth, (4) the inhabitants of the earth, the human family. 

A Word Study – “Carnival” is a time to eat, drink and be merry before the rigorous fasting and sacrifice during Lent," The feast or season of rejoicing, before Lent, observed, in Catholic countries, with great solemnity [a religious ceremony; a ritual performance attended with religious reverence].  The Lenten season is intended as a time of abstinence to purify the adherent for the coming Holy Week of Easter, commemorating Jesus’ forty-day retreat of fasting and prayer in the desert wilderness where he himself was subject to temptations of the flesh. The original intent of Carnival is in the Latin definition of the word. “Carne” meaning “flesh” & “vale” meaning “away with”, so carnival really means “farewell to the sinful desires of the human flesh”. They rejoiced in the coming of Jesus Christ – the Savior of the fallen in Sin world.

 

In explaining John 1:10, Bible Commentator Matthew Henry states: Christ was in the world. He was in the world, as the essential Word, before his incarnation, [the act of assuming flesh, or of taking a human body and the nature of man; God in the flesh] upholding all things; but this speaks of his being in the world when He took our nature upon him, and dwelt among us; John 16:28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world.” The Son of God was here in this world; He came from Heaven to Earth. Jesus was that light in this dark world; that holy thing in this sinful fallen world. He undertook to redeem and reconcile the world to God, and therefore was in the world to settle that affair; to satisfy God’s justice for the world [the propitiation of mankind as the acceptable sacrifice for sin], and prove God’s favor to the world. He was in the world, but not of it. 

 

John 3:14-18, 36 confirms, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

 

Henry continues: The greatest honor that ever was put upon this world was that the Son of God was once in the world; and, as it should engage our affections to things above that there Christ is, because God was not obligated to save sinful mankind at all. Justice is to get what you deserve. Mercy is to not get what you deserve. But, Grace is to get what you do not deserve. God’s grace of salvation through Jesus is not bought, earned or deserved by us. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” So it should reconcile us to our present abode in this world that once Christ was here. Do we take God's grace for granted?

 

Jesus Christ was in the world for awhile, but it is spoken of as a thing past; and so it will be said of us shortly, we were in the world. O that when Christians are here no more, we may be where Christ is! Each is a temporary assignment, but Heaven and Hell are eternal. God created the world; Sin corrupted the world. Genesis 1:31 “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Think about this: God created and gifted you to be in this specific time and place of His over-arching plan of restoration. What is your purpose on earth before passing into eternity? 

 

Henry concludes: Now observe here, (1) The world was made by Him. Therefore, He came to save a lost world; a world of His own making. Colossians 1:15-16 tells us, “ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

 

Why should the Godhead (Father. Son and Holy Ghost) not concern Himself to revive the light that was of His own kindling, to restore a life of His own infusing, and to renew the image that was originally of His own impressing? The world was made by Him, and therefore ought to do Him homage. (2) The world knew him not. The great Maker, Ruler, and Redeemer of the world was in it, and few or none of the inhabitants of the world were aware of it. They did not bid Him welcome, because they did not know Him; and they did not know Him because He did not make Himself known in the way that they expected—a conquering King in external glory and majesty. The Lord Jesus Christ’s first visitation is as a “suffering servant” and “blessed Redeemer, who seeks and saves the lost Sinner – the Savior of the world. When he shall come as a Judge the world shall know Him and every knee shall bow.

 

In Christ, Brian

Saving Love

 

1 John 4:5, 7-10 "They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

As you may, or may not know, I am facilitating a weekly Bible study at our local, assisted care living facility each Tuesday. The people who attended my first two studies told me that they had a Thursday prayer group that also did a Bible study, and they asked me if I would be willing to combine the two studies into one. Today I was surprised when one of the ladies from the Thursday prayer group came up and asked me if I was going to combine the two groups together. She asked which church I attended in our town and then explained to me that she was in a church, which believed that to love is God. Knowing that love is an attribute of God and God is love, I asked her to explain that statement. 

 

She told me that, if there was a man walking down the street, and he did not know God or Jesus Christ, but loved everyone, then his love is God. She asked me if I agreed with that statement, to which I replied that I would go out and tell that man about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why?

 

The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and mind your soul, and all your strength in the second is like it, and that we are to love our neighbor as her self, but we cannot love who we do not know. God is love, but love is not God; love is godly. “We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Love without God is not saving faith, but is a fruit of the Spirit in the true Believer. You cannot know or have true love without God in you. Saving faith comes from believing in God and His Holy Word, repenting of sin in our life, knowing that there is no way to forgiveness on our own, there is no redemption and salvation except through the free gift of Jesus Christ’s atoning dead on the cross to pay for our sin, accepting Jesus as our Savior and following Him as a disciple. 

 

John 3:16-17, 36 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” 

 

In Christ, Brian

 

 

Faith Identity

Last Sunday, Pastor Kyle Sermon preached on live issues facing the Christian faith in today’s increasingly secular, humanistic society. A large reason for the decline of faith in God and the principles of Christianity towards true life here  right now and in life eternal in Heaven is the absence and failure of the Christian community to engage society with righteousness, to seek those who do not know the Lord, and share the gospel of salvation which brings life for the advancement of the Kingdom (not enough disciples making disciples that make disciples.

America was founded as a Christian nation based upon the Word of God and it’s associated Commandments, Moral Laws, biblical principles, and teachings unto the conversion of the soul and transformation of the heart to the way, the truth, and the life found only in Jesus Christ - the Light of the world. The result of accepting God’s gracious gift of Salvation through belief in Christ, repentance of Sin and following the Lord is reconciliation, redemption, transformation, adoption, citizenship, eternal life and the indwelling Holy Spirit now; all by saving faith! 

You live by what you know, and by what you are taught (by trial and error, by the word of others, or what you are taught). There have been many times that I thought that I was doing right, but found out later that I had misinformation or deceived. They were sincere beliefs, but they were sincerely wrong. 

Sanctify us in Thy truth, Thy Word is truth.

Not held in check, the darkness of Sin and Unbelief naturally advance blasphemy against God, promote immorality, cheapen life, create inequity and injustices because they have no objective standards and therefore no objective truth (a law unto themselves and their feelings). Who are they trusting and obeying? Are they living the life or living a lie? Most importantly: What is their end?

Pastor Kyle concluded by quoting the Christian Philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal’s famous Wager. Logically, If you believe in God and there really is no God, then in the end you have lose nothing. If you do not believe in God and there really is no God, then you also lose nothing. But, if you do not believe in God and there really is a God, then you suffer eternal loss. And, if you believe in God and there really is a God, then you gain eternal life and joy. Make your eternal choice wisely.

In Christ we live, in God we trust.

Brian

World View

Last Sunday, Pastor Kyle, preached on the Christian walk in this life and the reasons why many choose not to except the Bible narrative and gospel truth. 

Many ask if a professing Christian walks away from the faith really loses their salvation? Pastor Kyle states that the answer is a solid “absolutely not”, with a hint of maybe. Reason why is because the question arises if the person actually repented of their sins, understood and excepted the atoning sacrifice death on the cross of Jesus Christ in their place, and dedicated their life to following the word of God, and the teachings of the Lord. Nobody can see our heart except God.

The parable of the sower speaks to this in terms of the different soils, that the seed fell upon, and the associated result they arrived. Of course, the seed represented the word of God, and the soil represented the heart of the individual receiving the Word of God. 

Some of the main reasons that Pastor Kyle stated for people not converting and receiving the transformational sanctification and justification, is (1) the lack of initial commitment evidenced by unwillingness to change one’s worldview and lifestyle. Everybody has a worldview. Whether it is a secular, humanistic, worldview, or a biblical worldview everybody sees the world through a belief system that guides what they think and do.

 (2) People have a hard time, understanding, pain and hardship in the world. We live in a world that has fallen in sin, yet since it is the only world that we know, we are unaware of any other world prior and naturally deal with the fact that there is pain, suffering, and hardships that have resulted from this fall of now, but wonder how God allows it. 

There is also , the very real problem of evil in the world. Evil is the absence of God. God allows pain, suffering, hardships, and evil to exist but they are not of God. God made the world good, and God is working to restore the world to good. We should always challenge our circumstances and beliefs with the words of God  and stand firm on his promises. 

We are in this world for a purpose within this time and place that we have been placed, and we need to align our will with God’s will and our purposes with his purposes, always looking for an opportunity to use our God-given gifts to advance the kingdom of God, and to lead others to the foot of the cross by the gospel of salvation.  

The mission is not to determine if you can lose your salvation, but to live godly lives and to seek those who need salvation and to help them because that is God’s plan and what Jesus did. 

In Christ, Brian.