Seasonal Note: This is the new Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
Occasional Editorial:
Posted July 13, 2008
How Bad Do Things Have to Get...
...before Americans realize how much we need to return to faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ?
On Sunday July 6, 2008 this Associated Press article in my local newspaper caught my attention:
"There's 'Too Much Wrong'"
I am a "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian and love to study the Bible. Peter Marshall, Jr, is the son of Peter Marshall (the well-known preacher and Chaplin of the U.S Senate; A Man Called Peter of the book and movie by that name, written by his wife, Catherine, the well-known Christian author). In 1977, Marshall, Jr., published a book in collaboration with David Manuel,The Light and the Glory* based on the premise that God had a plan for America. They assert that Christopher Columbus (his name means Christ-bearer) knew that he had been called by God to discover and found a "New Israel," a nation under God.**
The Bible is the inspired Word of God which has recorded the dealings of God with his people, Israel, as a warning to us, New Promised Land, the New Israel, the new people of God, not to make the same mistakes (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). History recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible reveals, over and over, that Israel continually went through a cycle of obedience to God's Word, then, in their prosperity, falling away from obedience to rebellion and idolatry. The Lord would lift his providence and protection from them, and they would experience trouble and want, and then they would turn again to the Lord for help. Through repentance and obedience they would be restored to God's providence.
God is eternal and unchanging. What was true for Israel is true for us today. America has experienced that cycle of prosperity, spiritual decline, travail, repentance, and restoration. The first colonists were dependent upon God for survival, but as they became successful they fell away, attributing their success to their own ability. As settlers set out for the western frontier, they again realized their vulnerability and need for God's providence and protection, which led to a spiritual revival.
America has experienced several spiritual "Great Awakenings," periods of repentance and return to faith (obedient trust) in God,. In 1745, the First Great Awakening in Northampton, Mass. began through the preaching of Jonathan Edwards. Second Great Awakening Awakening occurred between 1790 and 1840. Charles Grandison Finney (August 29, 1792 – August 16, 1875) was a major preacher.
In the 1970's there was the youthful revival of the Jesus Movement, considered by some as The Fourth Great Awakening, trying to counteract the allure of sex and drugs of the "Flower Children." One of the best programs to come out of the Jesus Movement was the Calvary Chapel fellowship, begun in Costa Mesa by Chuck Smith. Although I was not of the Hippie generation, I came under the teaching and influence of Chuck Smith myself through his radio and tape ministries. Until recently I attended the local congregation Saturday evening worship for my young adult daughters when they had to work Sundays.
Our society hasn't improved since the seventies when The Light and the Glory was written. Sex, and drugs are still leading our children astray. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are ever more prevalent and dangerous. Television is more and more sexual in content. "Swingtown" is an example, a new series this season which glamorizes indiscriminate adultery and group sex. If they do it on TV it must be ok, right?
This era is the New Seventies. Iraq is our New Vietnam War. One of the most alarming problems is the lack of moral values in our children, who are virtually raising themselves without parental guidance. Gang violence is more and more prevalent. Gang members have no appreciation for the value of life. High School youths plot to bomb and shoot their classmates and teachers.
California's legislature just legalized Homosexual marriage, avoiding the vote of the people in the November election. If the people vote it out in November, the “gay rights” activists have already accomplished their goal. That act is inviting God's judgment.
Consider all the devastating weather and natural disasters: fires in California, floods and hurricanes in the midwest, our economic woes. Do we find ourselves working harder and harder for less and less? Does it seem likely that God has begun to lift his favor and protection from our Nation?
- david
* Marshall, Peter, J., Jr. and Manuel, David, "The Light and the Glory" (underline), Fleming H. Revell, Baker Books, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, Mich. 41956-6287. ISBN 0-8007-5054-3 (paper)
**ibid, Columbus' 'Book of Prophecies, private translation from Spanish by August J. Kling, quoted in "The Presbyterian Layman" October, 1971.
12 Pentecost – Sunday
Posted August 3, 2008
1 Kings 19:9-18 -- The Still, Small Voice;
Psalm 85:8-13 -- Hear What the Lord Speaks;
Romans 9:1-5 -- Speaking the Truth in Christ;
Matthew 14:22-33 -- Jesus Speaks Peace and Reassurance;
1 Kings:
Elijah was a prophet of the Lord to the Northern Kingdom of Israel at a time when the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom were ruled by the most wicked king in Israel's history, and whose queen was a pagan Phoenician woman, Jezebel, who promoted the idolatry of Baal-worship. Elijah had confronted them with the Word of God denouncing them for disobedience of God's Word and for idolatry, and Jezebel had sworn to kill Elijah.
Elijah fled to Mount Horeb (Mount Sinai) in the wilderness south of the Promised Land, in the Sinai peninsula, and took refuge in a cave. There the Word of the Lord came to him, asking why Elijah was there. Elijah replied that he was jealous on the Lord's behalf, because the people of the Northern Kingdom had broken their covenant with God, had torn down the altars to God and had slain the prophets of the Lord. Elijah thought that he was the only faithful servant of the Lord left from the Northern Kingdom, and was afraid for his life.
The Lord told Elijah to go forth and stand on the mountain, and as Elijah did so, the Lord passed by. There was a great wind, strong enough to break rocks; then there was a great earthquake, followed by fire, but the Lord was not in any of those manifestations. Then there was a still, small voice. When Elijah heard the voice he wrapped his cloak around him and went to the entrance of the cave.
He heard the voice of the Lord again ask Elijah why he was there, and Elijah repeated what he had answered before. Then the Lord told Elijah to return the way he had come, and Elijah was to anoint Hazael to be king of Syria, Jehu, son of Nimshi to be king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom), and Elisha to succeed Elijah as prophet. The Lord said that those who had turned from the Lord and who escaped from destruction by Hazael would be slain by Jehu and those who escaped Jehu's sword would be slain by Elisha. But the Lord would spare the seven thousand people in Israel who had not loved and worshiped Baal.
Psalm:
Listen for what the Lord will speak, because he will speak peace to his people, who trust and obey him with their whole hearts. Surely the Lord's salvation is at hand for those who fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) God, so that glory (spiritual wealth; righteousness; heavenly bliss) will fill our land.
We will share God's steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Faithfulness will arise in our land and we will have the approval of God's righteousness.
The Lord will give us every good blessing, and will cause our land to be fruitful. His righteousness will lead us in his ways.
Romans:
Paul was speaking truth in Christ. He was not lying, and his conscience and the testimony of the Holy Spirit were his witnesses. Paul mourned for the Jews, Paul's own kinsmen by race. They were the Israelites (God's chosen people). The adoption of God's children, the glory (spiritual riches; righteousness; heavenly bliss), the covenants (the Old Covenant of Law, and the New Covenant of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ), the worship and the promises of God were intended to be received by the Jews. They were the descendants of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, also known as Israel, and the sons of Jacob, the heads of the twelve tribes), and Jesus was descended from their race. "Christ, who is God over all (authority), blessed for ever" (Romans 9:5 RSV note "n"). If Paul would have been able to save the Jews by dying spiritually and eternally in their place he would have been willing to do so.
Matthew:
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus told his disciples to leave in the boat ahead of Jesus, who stayed to dismiss the crowd and then went off by himself to pray. At nightfall, he was alone, and the boat with the disciples was far from land, being battered by waves because the wind was against them. Just before daybreak, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. The disciples were terrified thinking that it was a ghost, but Jesus spoke to them, identifying himself, and assuring them to take courage and not fear.
Peter asked Jesus, if he was Jesus, to invite Peter to come to Jesus on the water, and Jesus said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and started coming to Jesus, but he became frightened by the wind and waves, and began to sink. Peter called out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus reached out and kept Peter from sinking. Jesus asked Peter why he had allowed doubt to weaken his faith. Jesus and Peter got into the boat, and immediately the wind ceased. The disciples worshiped Jesus, and declared their conviction that Jesus was the Son of God.
Commentary:
Ahab, the king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes) was the epitome of a wicked ruler, and his queen, Jezebel, was the epitome of evil. Ahab was the first king of Israel, God's People, to openly take a pagan princess as his queen (which the Lord had explicitly forbidden Exodus 34:15-16).
Elijah was the prophet of God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel of the divided monarchy. Elijah had faithfully proclaimed God's Word against Ahab and Jezebel, and Jezebel had sworn to kill Elijah. Elijah fled to Mt. Horeb, (Sinai; the Mountain of God where Moses had received the Ten Commandments), and took refuge in a cave.
When the Lord told Elijah to return, Elijah trusted and obeyed, without regard to Elijah's own physical safety. The Word that the Lord had told him began to be fulfilled. Elijah found Elisha, and passed the "mantle" of the office of prophet to Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21).
The Northern Kingdom was at war with Syria. Hazael assassinated the reigning king of Syria, succeeded him, and began wearing down the Kingdom of Israel, fulfilling God's Word to Elijah (2 Kings 10:32).
Jehu was secretly "anointed" king of Israel by Elisha's servant, and with the support of the Army of Israel, overthrew Jehoram, Ahab's successor, in a military coup (2 Kings 9:24), fulfilling God's third prophecy to Elijah (1 Kings 19:16a).
While in Jezreel, Jehu was publicly rebuked by Jezebel from an upper window. Jehu called out for supporters, and two of Jezebel's eunuchs responded, throwing her from the window to the street, where she was trampled to death by Jehu's horse (again fulfilling God's Word to Elijah; 2 Kings 9:30-33).
God's Word is (true, eternal) life and salvation to those who trust and obey him, but eternal condemnation and destruction to those who don't. Man does not live only by physical bread, but by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3b). Jesus is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in human flesh, in this world (John 1:1-5, 14).
Those who sincerely listen to, trust and obey God's Word, will experience true, eternal peace, with God and with our brethren. Those who trust and obey God's Word fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in Jesus Christ John 1:1-3, 14) will receive the "anointing" ("gift;" "Baptism") of the Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). By the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the spiritual riches of God's eternal kingdom, the righteousness of God, and heavenly bliss.
By the indwelling Holy Spirit, we experience the steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace of God, which is beyond earthly peace and human understanding (Philippians 4:7). By the indwelling Holy Spirit we will be empowered to be faithful and we will experience God's approval. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we will receive every spiritual, heavenly blessing, and will be able to be eternally fruitful. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) leads us into God's righteousness (doing what is right, good and true, according to God's Word).
"Born-again" Christians mourn for all the spiritually lost people of this world. Paul mourned for his fellow Jews, as Christ had mourned for them (Matthew 23:37-39). Jesus was a Jew, the intended eternal savior and eternal king of the Jews. The Jews were chosen by God to be God's particular "chosen" people, through whom God's plan of eternal salvation was fulfilled. God had revealed his Word and Salvation through them.
Paul was faithfully and accurately proclaiming God's Word, with love for the lost, but many of the Jews didn't want to hear it. God's people are those who listen for God's Word, and trust and obey it.
Jesus' disciples obeyed Jesus' command to leave in the boat without him. They were out in the middle of night in the storm-tossed sea, with the wind against them, and were making little progress. Jesus came to them, walking on the water. The disciples were terrified, thinking that they were seeing a "ghost" because walking on water was humanly impossible. Jesus spoke to them, identifying himself, and telling them not to be afraid. Jesus' words gave them peace in the midst of the storm, and Jesus calmed the storm.
After Jesus' resurrection, he warned his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the "baptism" ("gift;" "anointing") of the Holy Spirit before going out in the world to proclaim God's Word (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8). Going out into the world to carry on the mission of Christ, without having been "re-born" (John 3:3, 5-8) is like setting out in a boat into a storm without Jesus. We wouldn't make any progress and we'd be in serious danger.
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ within us (Romans 8:9), so that for "born-again" disciples, Jesus is always with us in our "boat." In Jesus physical lifetime he couldn't be in more than one place at a time (although he was supernaturally aware of other places and situations; John 1:48-51). But as the risen and ascended Jesus he can be present with us supernaturally, no matter where we are. Physical bodies can't walk on water to reach disciples in the storm on the sea, but the Holy Spirit can (also see Personal Testimonies: "Discipleship," sidebar, top right).
When we trust and obey Jesus, he is able to sustain us and make us fruitful. He will provide us with everything we need to accomplish what he calls us to do. When we step out in faith, and then start sinking in doubt and fear, he will reach out and save us. In the process our faith will increase and become certainty, as we experience his power and faithfulness.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost – Monday
Posted August 4, 2008
Psalm 67 -- Thanksgiving for Harvest;
May the grace (unmerited favor) and blessing of God be upon us. May his face smile upon us with joy, so that all people will learn his way and know his saving power. May all nations and all people praise the Lord.
May all nations and people know and rejoice in the the Lord's justice, equity and guidance. May all people and nations on earth praise th Lord.
May all the nations and people of earth respect and honor the Lord because he has blessed us and caused the earth to be fruitful and we have received its increase.
Commentary:
The Lord has been gracious and blessed all the people of earth, but not all people recognize and appreciate that the goodness of Creation is by God's grace and goodness to us. The evil in this world is the result of human sin (disobedience of God's Word).
God has allowed for the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word) in this world, so that we can truly have freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not, but God is not going to allow disobedience in his eternal kingdom, or it wouldn't be heaven. This lifetime is our opportunity to choose for ourselves where we will spend eternity.
We are all born physically alive, but spiritually unborn. This lifetime is our opportunity to be spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
God has given us this lifetime as an opportunity to seek and come to know and have fellowship with God (Acts 17:26-27). This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6 (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). This lifetime is our opportunity to learn, by trial and error, that God's Word is good, possible to do, and our very best interest (Romans 12:2).
In one sense we are all God's people, because he is our Creator. In another sense God's people are those who have accepted his offer of forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation (from eternal condemnation and destruction), who have chosen to trust and obey God's Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ, the "Living Word" (John 1:1-3, 14).
Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:27) who have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We have experienced the truth of God's Word and have a personal relationship with the Lord by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, within us (Romans 8:9). We have experienced the power of his salvation, the joy of his presence and the warmth of his face shining upon us.
We have received the spiritual blessings of God so that all the people of the world can be blessed through us, so that all the people of earth may come to know the Lord's ways, his saving power, and the joy of his presence. The Lord is the only source of true justice, equity and sound guidance in this world. Once people realize that God is the source of all blessings they will gladly give praise and thanks to God.
This Creation is God's "garden," intended to grow spiritual children of God who trust and obey God's Word, from the seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the "quickening" ("germination") of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to spiritual maturity and eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom; of Creation restored to paradise. God provides the seed, the "germination," and the increase and harvest.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost –Tuesday
Posted August 5, 2008
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 -- House of Prayer for All People;
The Lord commands his people to be righteous and just in everything they do, because the salvation of the Lord is coming soon, and his deliverance will soon be revealed.
All foreigners (Gentiles) who covenant with the Lord to love, worship and serve him, who keep the sabbath "unprofaned," the Lord will bring to God's holy hill, and give them joy in his house of prayer. Their offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on the altar of the Lord, "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7d; Mark 11:17). The Lord has promised that he will gather to himself others beside the outcasts of Israel.
Commentary:
God's people are those who trust and obey God's Word. God has given us his Word in the Bible, and in the "living Word," Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word, lived out in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-3, 14).
Jesus is the promised Messiah (Christ; both words mean "anointed" in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). Jesus is the salvation of the Lord who has come in the flesh and become the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation (from eternal condemnation and destruction).
Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment at the end of time (Matthew 25:31-46), to judge the "living ("quickened") and dead" in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5). Everyone who has ever lived on earth will be accountable to him for what we have done in this lifetime, and the standard of judgment is Jesus Christ.
Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction and spiritual death in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Jesus' return is not far off. The Day of Judgment is coming for all of us within our lifetimes. The moment that we die, time ceases to exist for us, and our eternal destiny becomes fixed and unalterable.
God has been progressively revealing his plan for Creation, first through Creation itself Then through the Bible record of God's dealing with Israel, then through the physical ministry of Jesus Christ. Ultimately it is revealed to us individually and personally through the indwelling Holy Spirit (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), through whom we have personal knowledge of and fellowship with God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ, God's "anointed" eternal Savior and King.
God's plan is intended for all people, not just the Jews, but it came through the Jews by the Bible Scriptures and through Jesus Christ who descended from the Jews. Jesus is the "New Covenant" replacing the Old Covenant of the Law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). It is God's New Covenant with all people, of salvation (from eternal destruction) by grace (unmerited favor; free gift), to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is God's only provision, the only offering and sacrifice on our behalf, once for all time, and people, acceptable to God, for our salvation (Acts 4:12), and the only way to reconciliation and fellowship with God (John 14:6).
Through Jesus, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the Lord's love and forgiveness, and the joy of his presence. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit are we empowered to love, worship and serve him. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit are we able to fulfill the requirements of God's Word. The indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ leads us and will bring us safely to God's holy hill and house in his eternal kingdom in Heaven.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost – Wednesday
Posted August 6, 2008
Paul became a missionary to the Gentiles because his fellow Jews rejected the Gospel message. Paul hoped to make the Jews jealous by making the Gospel as appealing as possible, as he presented it to the Gentiles, so that some of the Jews might also be saved. The Jews' rejection of the Gospel had made it possible for the Gentiles to hear and be reconciled to God, so the later acceptance by the Jews would be their restoration to life from the dead.
The gifts and call of God are irrevocable (eternal and unchanging). The Gentiles were formerly disobedient to God, but now have received mercy (forgiveness and salvation) because of the disobedience of the Jews, so God will have the same mercy on the Jews that he had on the Gentiles. "For God has consigned all [people] to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all" (Romans 11:32).
Commentary:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the author of the Letter to the Romans, is the prototype of the "modern," "post-resurrection,""born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-22), as we all can be. Paul had been the most zealous of Jews; he was a Pharisee, the most zealous faction of Judaism, formally educated in Judaism (Acts 26:4-7), and a persecutor of Christians (Acts 26:9-12), until his conversion and spiritual "rebirth" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17-18).
The Bible record of God's dealing with Israel and the promises it contains belonged to the Jews, and Jesus was the promised Messiah (Christ; God's "anointed" Savior and eternal King) who came to all through the Jews. But the Jews rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul mourned for his fellow Jews, but since they would not allow him to teach them directly, Paul hoped that the acceptance of the Gospel by the Gentiles might make the Jews jealous and more receptive.
The Scripture and the Savior came through the Jews, but God has designed this Creation so that all need God's mercy and salvation (from eternal condemnation and destruction), so that he can have mercy on all. We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Paul saw the Jews' rejection as an opportunity and blessing for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel and for the Jews to receive mercy and forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) just as the Gentiles do.
We have all been separated by sin from the presence and fellowship of God. Jesus is the only way to be reconciled and restored to God's presence and fellowship (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
We have all been born physically alive but spiritually dead. Jesus Christ is the only one who can restore us from death to spiritual, eternal life. We must be "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8), by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The Word of God contains both great promises and ominous warnings. God's Word is eternal and unchanging, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met.
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the standard by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been "reborn" by the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will receive eternal life in God's eternal kingdom in heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost – Thursday
Posted August 7, 2008
Matthew 15:21-28 -- The Canaanite Woman;
Jesus and his disciples had gone into the region of Tyre and Sidon (Phoenician cities on the coast of the Mediterranean north of Israel). A Canaanite (native of the land, displaced when the Israelites entered and took possession; a "Gentile") came to Jesus and, addressing Jesus as "Lord" and "Son of David" (acknowledging him as the Jewish Messiah), asked him to have mercy on her, because her daughter was severely possessed by a demon. Jesus ignored her, but she continued to call out until Jesus' disciples asked him to send her away. Jesus said that he had been sent only to the "lost sheep" of Israel.
The woman came and knelt and begged him to help her. Jesus told her it was not fair to give the children's food to "dogs." The woman accepted Jesus' assessment, but said that even dogs are allowed to eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table. Jesus commended her great faith and told her that her daughter had been healed.
Commentary:
Jesus understood that his mission, during his physical ministry, was to the "lost sheep" of Israel, although God's plan of salvation was not just for Jews but for all people. The Gentile woman recognized and acknowledged Jesus as the Jewish Messiah although many Jews did not.
Jesus' answer to the woman seems harsh, but the woman had faith that Jesus could heal her daughter and that the abundance of God's grace would overflow to reach even her. She persisted in faith even though she didn't receive immediate results. Because she believed Jesus, she received spiritual healing which many Jews did not.
Are we willing to hear Jesus' true assessment of us? Many people today refuse to hear that they are sinners in need of spiritual healing. They refuse to hear that they are spiritually "lost." They refuse to hear that without Jesus as their Lord and Savior they are going to spend eternity in hell.
In order to receive the spiritual healing which only Jesus can provide, we must acknowledge that we are sinners in need of spiritual healing. We must recognize Jesus as God's promised Savior and Lord, and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, believing that God's grace will overflow and reach even us and that Jesus can and will heal us.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost – Friday
Posted August 8, 2008
Isaiah 29:18-19 -- Israel's Healing;
James 3:1-12 -- Controlling One's Tongue;
Isaiah:
In that Day (the Day of the Lord) the deaf shall hear the written word spoken aloud and the gloom and darkness of the blind will be dispelled and they shall see. The meek will find new joy in the Lord and the poor will exult in the Lord, the holy one of Israel.
James:
Don't be too eager to be teachers (of God's Word) because teachers will be judged by a higher standard. All of us make many mistakes, and anyone who makes no mistakes when he speaks, is perfect and can control every aspect of his flesh as well. A horse can be controlled by a small bit in its mouth, and a large ship is controlled by a small rudder so that we can direct their paths. Likewise, the human tongue is a small member which can cause big problems, like a spark which sets an entire forest ablaze.
The tongue is a lot like a fire, set ablaze with the fire of hell, damaging us and everything we contact. Mankind can tame every kind of wild animal, but no one can tame the human tongue. The tongue is "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). We use it to bless God and curse people whom God made in his likeness. Both blessing and cursing come from the same tongue. We should not allow that. A spring yields either fresh or brackish water; not both. Trees yield fruit according to their nature. Neither can salt water be drinkable.
Commentary:
Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. In the day of his physical ministry, Jesus healed the deaf and blind, and the meek and poor were exalted (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus' miracles of physical healing were intended to reveal who he is and that he is able to heal spiritual blindness and deafness. We are all in need of spiritual healing.
The kingdom of God is all around us, but in order to see it now, and ultimately enter it in eternity we must be raised from spiritual death to eternal life by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This lifetime is our opportunity to be spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8). Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The Holy Spirit opens our spiritual ears and our minds to hear and understand God's Word (Luke 24:45). The Holy Spirit teaches us and helps us remember all that Jesus taught (John 14:26).
The Holy Spirit also heals our spiritual muteness, and gives us spiritual voice at the right moment (Mark 13:11). We must be careful to control our tongues and use them to glorify and praise the Lord.
Those who teach the Word of God are accountable to the Lord for their teaching. We must be careful to teach the full Word of God faithfully and accurately. God's Word contains both wonderful promises and ominous warnings. We need to hear and teachers need to teach both the parts which make us feel good and the parts that make us uncomfortable, because we need know what we need to correct. A teacher of the Gospel does us no favor by omitting the warnings.
We need to be careful about what and who we hear and what we use our eyes to see. Paul warned his protege, Timothy, that the time would come when people will not tolerate sound (Biblical) teaching but would choose teachers whose teaching would "tickle their ears" (would be pleasant to hear), and would stop listening to the truth and stray into believing fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4). That day definitely has come!
Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who are to stay within the Church, being "discipled" by "born-again" disciples, being taught to know trust and obey Jesus' teachings (Matthew 28:19-20), until they have received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5) before being sent into the world with the Gospel to make disciples. It takes "born-again" disciples to make "born-again" disciples. In too many instances this is not happening in the nominal "Church" today. Instead, the "Church" is settling for making "members," "fairweather Christians" who will participate if it is pleasant and convenient.
There are many false teachers and false doctrines in the world and even in the nominal "Church" today (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right). The only way to protect ourselves from false teachers and false teachings is to read and know the Bible for ourselves. Any average reader can easily read the Bible from cover-to-cover in one year, and there are many Bible-in-one-year reading plans available (See Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right). The Bible is the standard by which all Church doctrine must be evaluated.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
12 Pentecost – Saturday
Posted August 9, 2008
Matthew 12:31-42 -- Careless Words;
Every sin and blasphemy (speaking evil of God, or claiming attributes or prerogatives of God) can be forgiven, even blasphemy against the Son of God, except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the eternally unforgivable sin.
In order to produce good fruit one must start with good trees; bad trees produce bad fruit, and one can tell the type of tree by its fruit. Evil people are like poisonous snakes. Evil people cannot say what is good, because our mouths speak according to the contents of our hearts. The good person treasures what is good, but an evil person values what is evil. Jesus warns that "...on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified (judged not guilty), and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).
Some scribes and Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) asked Jesus to show them a sign (to prove his authority). Jesus replied that it is an evil and (spiritually) adulterous generation that seeks proof, but no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days, so Jesus rose from the dead after three days in the tomb. The people of Nineveh, the city Jonah prophesied against, repented at Jonah's preaching, and the preaching of Jesus is greater than Jonah. The Queen of the South (Sheba) came from far away just to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and Jesus is greater than Solomon.
Commentary:
The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the only way we can be spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) and have fellowship and eternal life with God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). If we cannot discern the goodness of the Lord we're cutting ourselves off from the only means of salvation and eternal life. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are guided and empowered to bear good fruit for God's eternal kingdom. We cannot accomplish anything of eternal value without the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit. We are commanded by Jesus to wait until we have been "reborn" before carrying on Christ's mission in his name (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
Poison comes out of the mouths of poisonous snakes because their inner nature is poisonous. It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit that our inner nature can be cleansed and equipped for producing "good fruit."
There is a Day of Judgment coming at the end of our individual lifetimes when every one will be accountable for what they have said and done in this lifetime. Our own words and deeds will justify or condemn us. One cannot claim Jesus as their Lord and not trust and obey Jesus (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46). If we have trusted and obeyed Jesus, we will have been "born-again" by the indwelling Holy Spirit. If we haven't, it will be too late, our eternal destiny will be fixed and unalterable (Matthew 25:31-46.
Jesus had done many "signs," miracles of physical healing and feeding, even in the temple in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees, but they had refused to accept them. For those who demand "proof" in order believe there is none, because God has intentionally designed salvation (from eternal condemnation and destruction) to be received by faith. But those who have faith (obedient trust) in Jesus will have abundant "proof," certainty and assurance (John 6:68-69). It is not true that we can't know for sure until we die. Only the lost can't know with certainty before they die.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
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