Week of 5 Pentecost - C
This is a 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:
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Daily Walk 3-Year C Weekly Lectionary
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Podcast Download: Week of 5 Pentecost
5 Pentecost – Sunday C
First Posted June 27, 2010
Podcast: 5 Pentecost Sunday C
Zechariah 12:7-10 – The Ideal King;
Psalm 63:1-8 – Spiritual Thirst;
Galatians 3:23-29 – The Purpose of Law;
Luke 9:18-24-- Peter's Confession;
Zechariah Paraphrase:
The Lord will give victory to the households of Judah first, so that the house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem don't exalt themselves over Judah. In that day the Lord will surround the inhabitants of Jerusalem with a shield, so that the feeblest among them will be like David and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of God leading them. In that day the Lord will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
In that day the Lord will give the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion, so that when they behold the one whom they have pierced (Jesus) they will mourn as for a first-born and only child.
Psalm Paraphrase:
I seek the Lord for he is my God. My soul thirsts for him as a weary person would in a desert where there is no water. I have experienced his presence in his sanctuary and beheld his glory and power. I will praise the Lord, for his steadfast love is better than life. I will raise up my hands and call upon his name, blessing him as long as I live.
When I think of him as I lay in my bed, and meditate on him during the night when I can't sleep, my soul is satisfied as with feasting on rich food, and with joyful lips I give him praise; for he has been my help, and I sing for joy as he shelters me in the shadow of his wings. His right hand upholds me; therefore my soul clings to him.
Galatians Paraphrase:
The law [of Moses] was given to restrain God's people until [the New Covenant of] faith was established [by Jesus]. So the law was our caretaker, until Christ (Messiah; both mean [God's] “anointed”) came, so that we can be justified [found not guilty in God's judgment], by faith [obedient trust in Jesus] . We aren't under the custodianship of the Old Covenant of Law, now that faith has come. By faith, we all become [“adopted” children] of God. Whoever is baptized into Jesus has been clothed in Christ. Former distinctions between Jews and Greeks, slaves or free, male or female no longer apply; for we are all the same in Jesus Christ. In Christ we are all children and heirs of Abraham, according to God's promise (Genesis 12:1-3).
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus had gone with his disciples away from the crowds so that he could pray alone. And he asked his disciples who people were saying that Jesus was. The disciples said that some said Jesus was John the Baptizer, some thought he was Elijah, and others thought he was a prophet from long ago who had risen from the dead. Then Jesus asked his disciples who they believed him to be, and Peter responded that Jesus was the Christ of God. Then Jesus commanded the disciples to tell this to no one. Jesus told them, referring to himself as the Son of man, that he must suffer many things and be rejected by the Jewish elders, priests and teachers of Law, killed, and raised from death on the third day.
Jesus told everyone that anyone who wanted to be Jesus' follower must give up his own interests and take up his own cross daily and follow Jesus. Whoever tries to save his own life in this world will lose it, but whoever losses his life for Jesus' sake will save it for eternity. What benefit is there for a person if he gains everything in this world, but loses his life? At the day of judgment, Jesus will be ashamed of anyone who has been ashamed of Jesus now in this lifetime. Jesus was telling them the truth when he said that some of those standing there would not die before seeing the kingdom of God.
Zechariah Commentary:
The passage from Zechariah is the prophecy of the Battle of Armageddon that will trigger end of this age and the Second Coming of Christ and the Day of Judgment.
Victory is the Second Coming and the millennial (thousand year) reign of Christ on earth (see Revelation 20:1-7) for disciples of Jesus Christ. I'm not an expert in “End Times” (“Last Days”) prophecy (Armageddon, the Second Coming, the Millennial Kingdom). I believe that preaching on End Times is useful for the conversion of unbelievers. I was personally converted by End Times preaching. I also personally experienced a vision of the panic and madness of the the Last Days. That experience is part of what brought me to repentance and conversion. Once converted I've personally focused on discipleship and spiritual growth.
But Jesus warns his disciples not to be caught up in endless speculation about end times (Acts 1:6-7). I have personally “discipled” an individual who preferred to speculate on End Times rather than focus on learning discipleship, despite my warnings (compare 1 Timothy 1:4-7; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Jesus is the first-born and only [begotten] son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34-35). We can be children of God by adoption, through faith in Jesus (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-5).
The Messiah (Christ; both words mean [God's] “anointed” [prophet, priest, king]) will come from the descendants of David (Matthew 1:1; 1:20; 21:9). Jesus is God (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Compare Genesis 1: 9).
Remember that David killed Goliath when he was just a boy (1 Samuel 17:23-37). Jesus is God, with the Spirit of God, leading Jerusalem against their enemies.
The Bible is the Word of God, which is eternal, and thus which is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The [true] Church is the New Jerusalem on earth. Jesus is the angel (Spirit) of God leading it. The Lord will give victory to the Church and the Lord will give victory to individual disciples.
Psalm Commentary:
I join with the Psalmist in testifying that the Lord satisfies my spiritual thirst. I have experienced his presence in his sanctuary when his glory filled the place and the windows seemed to rattle (Acts 2:2; 4:31). I was raised in a mainline denomination, “high” (formal) church. Church members didn't raise their hands in praise. When I was “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) in that church, I began raising my hands in praise instinctively. Soon thereafter I read From Sea to Shining Sea, by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, who quoted a description of a person who experienced revival in the Great Awakening of 1800, and described the experience I had.*
I testify that the Lord's presence and touch is better than any material pleasure, such as rich food, or in my case nicotine. I was unable to quit smoking until the Lord came to me and touched me as I craved a smoke.
I testify that the Lord has been my help in the most seemingly impossible situations. He has been my shelter and has upheld me with his right hand (Jesus).
Galatians Commentary:
God gave his Law (the Old Testament or Covenant) to Moses. It teaches us what God requires for justification (verdict of “not guilty” in God's judgment). But it also shows us that we are not able to keep God's Law in our own physical ability.
Jesus is God's only [begotten] Son. We cannot become Jesus, but we can become like Jesus; his brothers and sisters by adoption through faith in Jesus.
Those who are baptized into Jesus Christ in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and who trust and obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20), receive the righteousness of Jesus like a robe which covers our spiritual “nakedness;” our spiritual unrighteousness. It isn't the physical children of Abraham who are heirs to God's promise (Genesis 12:1-3), but the spiritual children, who have the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12-13; Galatians 3:7-9, 14).
Luke Commentary:
Who we believe Jesus to be is of eternal consequence for us individually and personally. Many people today believe that Jesus was a good person; a great teacher. Some nominally Christian cults deny his deity.
Jesus is God in human form (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Seeing Jesus is seeing God (Matthew 11:27; compare John 14:7-11). Jesus' word is the Word of God, with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Compare Genesis 1: 9). Jesus' name is the name of the Lord; the name of God.
Jesus referred to himself as the Son of man, which was true, but which allowed people to decide for themselves who Jesus is, with a hint from Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus sternly told his disciples not to tell people who Jesus is, because he wants people to decide for themselves.
The meaning and purpose of life in this temporal world is to seek, find and have fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). This world has been designed to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey Jesus or not.
Jesus could command us to believe in him and we would have no choice but to obey (Philippians 2:10-11). That day is going to come, when we must acknowledge Jesus as Lord, but then our eternal destiny will be fixed and unchangeable.
Do we love our present lives in this temporal world? Jesus warns us that, if we do, we will will miss eternal life in a perfect world in his presence. It seems counter-intuitive to give up life now to achieve true, eternal life. It seems counter-intuitive to accept suffering now in order to receive satisfaction eternally. But Jesus is the example and demonstration of this truth.
The kingdom of God is all around us now, but we cannot see it unless we have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8). Those who have been born-again see it now, before they have died physically, and will see and enter it in eternity. Those who haven't been born-again, and don't see God's kingdom now, never will, in all eternity.
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)?
*Marshall, Peter, J., Jr. and Manuel, David, "From Sea to Shining Sea," p . 86-87, Fleming H. Revell, Baker Books, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, Mich. 41956-6287. ISBN 0-8007-5308-9 (paper)
First posted June 28, 2010;Podcast: 5 Pentecost Monday C
Psalm 16 – A Psalm of Trust;
(Attributed to David, the great human Shepherd-king of Israel.)
Paraphrase:
I take refuge in the Lord; he will preserve me. I declare that he is my Lord and that I have nothing good apart from him!
I delight in the saints (those consecrated to God's service); they are truly worthy. Anyone who chooses another “god” only multiplies their sorrows. I will not partake of their drink offerings of blood, nor will I speak their names.
I have chosen the Lord as my portion and my destiny; my destiny is in his hand. My paths have led me into pleasant places; my inheritance is good.
I bless the Lord because he guides me and teaches my heart while I sleep. The Lord is always before me. Since I rely on him I shall not be shaken.
So my heart is joyful and my soul is glad; my body is secure, because the Lord has not allowed me to die, nor allowed his godly one to see the grave.
He has showed me the path to life. I have experienced the fullness of joy in his presence, and the pleasures of his right hand are eternal.
Commentary:
I personally have experienced a time when there was no place for me to go but to take refuge in the Lord, and he did preserve me! The Lord is so much better than anything else in this world!
Those who love the Lord will delight in their Christian brethren in him. There is no way that we could participate in any form of pagan worship.
One must commit oneself and one's destiny to the the Lord. Unless we do, there is no hope beyond this lifetime. When we commit to the Lord, we experience abundant life now in this present world, and we will have the certain assurance (John 6:68-69) that we will live eternally with the Lord in paradise restored in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). We will experience the foretaste of the joy of the presence of the Lord now in this lifetime.
I personally testify that the Lord has guided and taught me, even while I slept in security in him (compare Psalm 127:1-2). I have learned that when I let the Lord watch over me, I cannot be shaken. Nothing can happen to me that he cannot handle! Even physical death cannot harm me, because I know from personal experience that Jesus lives, and that I too will live eternally in his presence!
I had no idea what “life” was all about, until the Lord showed me. I resisted committing myself to the Lord because I wanted to find out what life was all about, first. I found out, and it was a painful experience.
The meaning and purpose of life is to seek, find and have fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. We have been born physically alive but spiritually unborn. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be “born-again” to spiritual, eternal life (John 3:3, 5-8). Only Jesus baptizes with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, daily, ongoing event (Acts 19:2). 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).
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)?
5 Pentecost - Tuesday - C
| First posted June 29, 2010; |
| Podcast: 5 Pentecost Tuesday C 1 Kings 19:14-21 – The Call of Elisha; Background: Elijah had fled to Mount Horeb (Mt Sinai), because Queen Jezebel was seeking to kill him. There God revealed himself to Elijah and commanded him to “anoint” Elisha. Text Paraphrase: The Lord had asked Elijah what he was doing in a cave at Mt Horeb, and Elijah replied that he was very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, but the people of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) had abandoned the covenant, had torn down the altars to the Lord, and killed God's prophets. Elijah believed that he alone was left, and they were seeking to kill him. The Lord told Elijah to return to wilderness of Damascus (the Syrian Desert) and that he was to anoint Hazael to be king of Syria, and Jehu to be king of Israel. He was also to anoint Elisha to be Elijah's successor as prophet of God. The Lord prophesied that the apostates (those who had forsaken faith in God), not slain by Hazael, would be slain by Jehu, and that Elisha would slay any who remained. But the Lord declared that there were seven thousand in Israel who had not worshiped the idol, Baal, who would be saved. So Elijah followed God's command and found Elisha plowing a field with a yoke of twelve oxen. Elijah placed his mantle upon Elisha as he passed him. Elisha left the oxen, caught up with Elijah, and asked to kiss his father and mother; and then he would join Elijah. Elijah told him to go, and then return to him, because Elijah had done something significant to Elisha. Elisha went back and butchered the oxen and prepared a feast for the people and they ate. Then he rejoined Elijah and served him. Commentary: Ahab was king of the Northern Kingdom of the Divided Monarchy. He was wicked, because he had disobeyed God's command not to marry a pagan, and had made Jezebel, a Phoenician pagan woman Queen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. She was the most wicked Queen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel of the Divided Monarchy. She introduced the idolatry of Baal worship into Israel. Elijah had challenged Baal worship and Jezebel had sworn to kill Elijah. Elijah had fled about as far as he could get from Jezebel at the cave in Mt. Horeb. Elijah felt that he was the only one of God's people left who had not compromised himself with idolatry. But God knows who is faithful, and there were more than Elijah thought. God uses political leaders to accomplish his purpose, whether they acknowledge God or not. Hazael and Jehu became instruments of God's justice, to destroy the unfaithful. God has been teaching his people about God's “anointing” from the beginning of his call to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). God anoints his prophets, priests and kings with his indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Messiah; the Christ (Both words mean [God's] “anointed” [prophet, priest and king] in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). Elijah “anointed” Elisha, not with olive oil, which was usual, but with his mantle (cloak), the symbol of his prophetic office. God had been teaching his people about sacrifice. There is no forgiveness without physical sacrifice; without physically shedding blood (Hebrews 9:22). The sacrifice of animals only provided temporary forgiveness, and had to be repeated over and over. The sacrifice of animals provided a sacrificial feast. The blood of the animal provided forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and cleansing of unrighteousness, and the flesh provided the main course of the feast. Jesus is the host of the ultimate Passover feast; he is the perfect Lamb of God whose blood marks God's people to be “passed over” by the destroying angel, and whose flesh provides the feast of the New Passover. The Lord's Supper is the New Passover, instituted on the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest. (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus' blood marks us to be passed over by the destroyer, and his flesh provides us with the energy and resources to escape from bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order, travel through the “wilderness” of this lifetime, cross the “river” of physical death, and enter into the eternal “Promised Land” of God's kingdom restored to paradise in heaven. We are to be called, and to call others. Are we hiding in a cave as far from God's call as we can get? Are we afraid to convey God's call to others because they may react with hostility? God's call usually separates us from our own self-interests and our families and loved ones. Are we willing to say “goodbye” to families and loved ones and “yes” to God's call? Elisha went on to do great things as prophet of the Lord (2 Kings 1:8-15). 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)? |
| First posted June 29, 2010; |
| Podcast: 5 Pentecost Wednesday |
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)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
5 Pentecost - Thursday - C
| First posted July 1, 2010; |
Luke 9:51-62 – On the Way to Jerusalem; Paraphrase: Jesus knew that the time had come for him to be crucified (as he had told his disciples at least three times in advance; Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23a; 20:17-19), so he was heading for Jerusalem with his disciples. He sent messengers ahead of him to arrange accommodations for them in a village of the Samaritans but the Samaritans wouldn't receive him, because Jesus was going to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem (which Samaritans considered the wrong sanctuary; John 4:20). When disciples James and John heard this, they asked Jesus if they should call down fire on the village (as had happened to Sodom and Gomorrah; Genesis 19:24-25). But Jesus rebuked them (because his mission was to save people, not to destroy them; RSV, note “f”). So they went on to another village. As they were walking along the road, a man said to Jesus that he would follow Jesus wherever Jesus went. Jesus replied that the lowest animals have holes or nests to live in, but the “Son of man” (God's Son; Jesus) had no place to call home. To another person, Jesus invited him to follow Jesus but the person asked for time to bury his father first. Jesus replied that the person should let the dead bury the dead, but that this person should go and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Another individual declared his intention to follow Jesus but asked for time to say goodbye to his family. Jesus replied that no one who takes hold of the plow and then looks back is worthy of the Kingdom of God. Commentary: Jesus has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God's one and only provision for the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation from eternal destruction, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right). The history of God's dealing with Israel, recorded in the Old Testament, has been leading up to this moment. Jesus' mission is to save us for eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom; paradise restored. I venture to say that many people in the world today feel that the Church condemns them. I suggest that they are feeling guilty by the conviction of God's Word. Jesus didn't come to condemn them but to save them (John 3:16-17). If we are unwilling to be corrected by God's Word we are condemning ourselves to eternal destruction (John 3:18-21). The Samaritans were the remnant of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, of the divided monarchy, who had not been deported when the Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom. The Assyrians had a policy of deporting the occupants of conquered lands to other conquered lands and bringing in others to settle and pacify the land. So the Samaritans were Jews intermarried with aliens and thus were of mixed race and religion. The Judeans, who considered themselves the authentic Jews, had no dealings with Samaritans, whom they considered “mongrels.” Following Jesus requires self-denial and sacrifice. One must be willing to give up home and family, if necessary, in order to follow him. When one accepts the call one must do so without looking back; without regretting the loss of his former interests. Jesus said that the [spiritually] dead should bury the dead, but the spiritually alive should follow Jesus. We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our one and only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. This is only possible through the “baptism” 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 baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience; no one can be born-again and “hardly know it.” The joy of the personal presence and fellowship of Jesus is better than anything we have ever done. Other pursuits may satisfy us for a while, but nothing satisfies ultimately and eternally like Jesus. 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)? |
| First posted July 2, 2010; Podcast: 5 Pentecost Friday C |
1 Peter 3:8-15 – Christian Lifestyle; Paraphrase: Christians should have unity among their Christian brethren since they share in the same indwelling Holy Spirit. We should be sympathetic, loving, tender-hearted, and of humble mind. We must not return evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but instead bless, for we have called to be a blessing, in order that we might be blessed (compare Genesis 12:1-3). Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-18, teaching that those who desire a good, long life must refrain from speaking evil and deception. They should turn from doing evil and do what is right, seeking and pursuing peace. The Lord's eye is upon the righteous, and he hears their prayers (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, right). But the Lord opposes those who do evil. If we do what is right most people won't have any reason to do us harm. But if we do suffer for righteousness' sake, we will be blessed (by our Lord). So let us not fear those who would do us evil, but let us reverence Christ in our hearts as our Lord. Let us always be prepared to defend our hope to those who challenge that hope, but we should do it with reverence and gentleness. Commentary: Authentic Christians are those who “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), having been “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Calling one a Christian or “born-again” doesn't make it so. Water baptism and church membership don't make one a Christian. In the first-century Church after the first Pentecost, every believer was a born-again Christian. Peter naturally assumed spiritual “rebirth.” Jesus taught his disciples to make disciples and teach them to await and expect spiritual rebirth (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, born-again disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul testified to his own spiritual rebirth (Galatians 1:13-17, recorded in Acts 9:1-22). Paul was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-15) until Paul was reborn (Acts 9:17-18), and then Paul began to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to his disciples to be carried out after they were reborn. His proteje, Timothy is an example. Paul discipled Timothy until Timothy was born-again (2 Timothy 1:6-7), and then taught Timothy to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2). At Ephesus, Paul asked disciples whether they had been filled with the Holy Spirit, and they said they had never heard of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). Paul asked them into whose baptism they had been baptized, and they told him John the Baptizer's (Acts 19:3). Paul told them that John baptized [with water] for repentance to prepare them to receive Jesus (Acts 19:4; compare Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). Then they were baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:5-6). The Church has inherited the ministry of John the Baptizer. The Church is to baptize with water for repentance and spiritual cleansing, so that the candidate is prepared to receive Jesus personally through the “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 indwelling 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 impossible to be “baptized” (“infilled”) with the Holy Spirit and not know it, as Acts 19:2 illustrates. Sadly, in too many instances in the nominal Church today, the “Church” is being lead by “unregenerate” leaders, and teaching that the Holy Spirit is automatically conferred by the church rite of water baptism. This is doing great eternal damage to their members, actually discouraging and preventing them from seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see False Teachings, sidebar, right). It is impossible for the unregenerate to lead others to spiritual rebirth. If those leaders knew how, they would not be unregenerate! There are many unregenerate church members and leaders today, which is why there is so much dissension in the nominal Church between leaders, members and denominations. A person's and institutions' actions indicate their spiritual condition. There are conditions for answered prayer. God is not obligated to hear and answer our prayers if we are not willing to know, trust and obey his Word in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, the “living” Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified (John 1:1-5, 14). Just adding Jesus' name to the end doesn't obligate God to hear and answer our prayers. Worldly people have always hated the righteous. Jesus is the perfect, sinless righteous one, and the world hated and crucified him. There are still many people today who hate God the Father and Jesus Christ. In America it is much more prevalent and obvious now than when I was growing up. So we must realize that just because we do what is right according to God's Word, we aren't going to avoid hostility and abuse. But our greatest testimony to the world is how we respond to hostility and abuse. More and more people openly ridicule Christians for their faith in God's Word and in Jesus Christ. I've talked to people who have done so to me. One person claimed that Christian faith was a variety of mass hysteria although he didn't use those exact words, and he asked why Christians feel so obsessively compelled to convert others. I replied that if a friend discovered an incredible bargain on an item of universal daily necessity at the local mall, wouldn't that person want to share that information with his friend? Wouldn't his friend appreciate being informed of the deal? In order to prepare to defend what we believe, we need to read the Bible from cover-to-cover, and we need to read portions daily. Numerous times I've had an opportunity to testify to someone following my early-morning devotions, where the text of the day was relevant. Paul told Timothy to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16). Next, begin memorizing scriptures and references to outline God's Plan of Salvation, such as my own list, sidebar, right, so that when an opportunity arises, we will be able to explain God's plan and our purpose in this Creation. But we must never force our beliefs on others. We must testify with love and concern for the unbelievers, with gentleness and reverence. We may receive anger and argument on the part of the unbeliever, but we must not respond the same way. 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)? |
| First posted July 3, 2010; |
Luke 5:1-11 – Miraculous Catch of Fish; Paraphrase: Jesus was on the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee), and a great crowd was pressing forward to hear God's Word. Jesus saw two boats beached nearby and he got into one belonging to Simon (Peter), and asked Peter, who became one of Jesus' Twelve disciples, to anchor the boat slightly offshore, and Jesus sat down in the boat and taught the crowd. When Jesus finished speaking he asked Peter to move the boat out into deeper water and let down the net for a catch. Peter told him that he and his partners had fished all nigh and had caught nothing. But Peter was willing to trust Jesus' word and do as he said. When the net was released it encompassed a great shoal (“school”) of fish. There nets were beginning to break and they called to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They filled both boats to the point that they were beginning to sink. When Peter saw what was happening he fell down at Jesus' feet and, addressing him as Lord, asked Jesus to leave, because Peter knew he was a sinner and unworthy to be in Jesus' presence. Peter, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Peter were astonished by the tremendous catch. Jesus told him not to be afraid, and said that from then on they would be fishing for and catching people. When the boats were landed they left everything and followed Jesus. Commentary: The crowd was eager to hear Jesus preach God's Word. Jesus is the “living” Word, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5; 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Compare Genesis 1: 9). Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:7-9; 20:28). The people were so eager to hear that in pressing forward those behind were forcing Jesus into the water. Jesus was able to sit in the boat to teach, and sound travels amazingly well over relatively calm water. Peter, James and John were commercial fishermen with their father Zebedee. They had a lifetime of fishing the Galilean Sea and knew it well. Fishing is best at night. But Peter was willing to set aside his expert knowledge and trust and obey Jesus' word. Jesus seeks out sinners, those who are spiritually “Lost.” We are all sinners (have all disobeyed God's Word) but Jesus can't do anything for a person who won't recognize and acknowledge his sinfulness (Matthew 9:12b-13; Luke 5:31-32). We aren't worthy to be in Jesus' presence, but he can forgive and cleanse us so that we can receive the gift of his indwelling presence within us by his atoning (compensating; amending) sacrifice on the cross. Jesus chose to reveal himself to these three future disciples through their earthly experience. He showed them what they could easily recognize was beyond human ability or earthly expectation. Jesus can and does that for each of us, personally and individually, as we are willing to trust and obey his word (see Personal Testimonies, “Discipleship” and “Spiritual Growth.” The Jewish religious leaders demanded “signs,” miracles showing that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ), Son of God, and there were signs done by Jesus in their presence, even in the temple, but they refused to “see” and accept them. They were experts in “religion” and the Bible, yet didn't believe. The Church, at least in America, and America itself are in exactly the same position as Judaism and Israel at the time of Jesus' First Advent (coming). In many instances, in the nominal Church, religious experts know a lot “about” God, but don't know God personally (compare Job 42:5). They are running the nominal Church as their private empire, a career choice. They refuse to see the “signs” of Jesus' miracles all around them, and rebuke those who claim to be healed and “born-again” by the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. I personally testify that I was raised in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. My father was an ordained pastor. I knew no other pastor until Dad retired. The minister called to replace Dad was “Spirit-filled.” I was “born-again” under his preaching, and other evangelical influences. He was my first “pastor” who was not related, and he was great! Then I was called to join the Church of the Nazarene. The pastor there at the time I joined was a great, Spirit-filled preacher and pastor, but he was forced out and a replacement was my worst nightmare of an unregenerate minister. I have left the Nazarene Church and currently attend a Southern Baptist Mega-Church. The senior pastor is born-again and a great Bible believer and teacher. 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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