Week of 6 Epiphany A - 02/13 - 20/11

Week of 6 Epiphany A (variable)
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:
http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).

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.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival text-to-speech and Panopreter Basic text-to-speech are available at:

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http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html

Please Note:

To get the most from these studies, it is suggested that you first read the scripture texts for the entry, and then the paraphrase and commentary. It is also recommended that you look up the scripture references, unless you recognize and recall them from memory.

I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), 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.

Podcast Download: Week of 6 Epiphany A
Sunday 6 Epiphany A
First Posted February 13, 2011;
Podcast: Sunday 6 Epiphany A

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – Blessing and Curse;
Psalm 119:1-16 – The Law of God;
1 Corinthians 2:6-13 – Spiritual Wisdom;
Matthew 5:20-37 – Higher Righteousness;

Deuteronomy Paraphrase:

Through Moses, God laid a challenge upon the people of Israel to choose (true, spiritual, eternal) life and good (according to God's Word, and our best interest) or (eternal) death and evil. Those who choose to obey God's Word, his standard of righteousness recorded in the Bible, will love the Lord, will live according to his ways, obeying his commandments. They will have long life and will prosper (in their endeavors; but not necessarily by worldly standards), and the Lord will bless them in the Land the Lord is giving them to enter and possess (the earthly Promised Land, and its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in God's kingdom in Heaven).

But the Lord declares that if his people turn away from obedient trust in the Lord and are drawn to worship and serve “idols” (anything one loves and serves as much or more than the Lord), they will perish (eternally). They will lose the (eternal) life in Heaven they have been commanded to enter and possess.

All heaven and earth are witnesses to God's Covenant with his people; God's people are to choose life or death, blessing or curse. So we are urged to choose life for ourselves and our descendants, that we may love God and live, obeying his “voice” (in his Word in the Bible, and in the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified: John 1:1-5, 14; and in the prompting of the indwelling Holy Spirit: John 14:15-17, 26). Obedient trust in the Lord means long (eternal) life for us, and a place in the eternal Promised Land which God has promised give us.

Psalm Paraphrase:

Those who live according to God's Word (in the Bible and in the teaching and example of Jesus Christ), will be blameless in God's judgment, and will be blessed (favored; have beneficial attributes or qualities invoked or conferred upon). Those who seek him with their entire being, and learn and keep his testimonies (his witness), who do no wrong according to God's Word, but live according to his teachings will be blessed.

The Lord has commanded that his precepts (instructions) be kept diligently. Let us pray for steadfastness in keeping the Lord's commandments. When we know and obey God's Word, we will have no reason to be put to shame. When we learn the Lord's righteous statutes we will be able to praise the Lord with upright hearts. Let us obey his Word; then we will not be utterly forsaken.

“How can a young [person] keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy Word” (Psalm 119:9). Let us seek the Lord with all our hearts; let us not stray from obedience to his Word. “I have laid up thy Word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). May the Lord be blessed; may he teach us his Word.

Let us declare his Word with our voices. As much as in great wealth, we shall delight in living according to his teachings. Let us meditate on his Word and make obedience our goal. Let us experience the delight of obedience to his teachings; let us never forget his Word.

1 Corinthians Paraphrase:

The wisdom that apostles (messengers; of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) teach is not worldly wisdom, nor of the rulers of the present world order, whose fate is to pass away. Our (divine, eternal) wisdom is hidden and secret (a mystery), only understood by those who are spiritually mature (those who have been spiritually enlightened), which God intended from the beginning of Creation, for our glorification. The rulers of this age (Satan and his demons, behind worldly rulers) didn't know this, or they wouldn't have crucified the Lord (One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor) of glory (splendor, majesty; infinite perfection of moral attributes of God; bliss of heaven).

Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4 to the point that humans have not seen or heard, nor imagined (the glory of) what God has prepared for those who love God. But God has revealed it to his (“born-again;” John 3:3, 5-8) people, by the Holy Spirit. Who knows a person's own deepest thoughts except his own spirit? Likewise, no one knows the thoughts and intentions of God except the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit; Romans 8:9). The Spirit which we (born-again) Christians have received is not the spirit of the World, but the Spirit of God, so that we can be able to understand spiritual gifts given us by God. And apostles teach what has been imparted to them by the Holy Spirit, explaining spiritual truths to those who have received the (“baptism” of the indwelling) Holy Spirit.

Matthew:

Background:

Matthew chapters 5-7 is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is a collection of the typical teachings of Jesus.

Matthew Paraphrase:

Jesus warns us that our righteousness must exceed than that of the scribes (teachers of The Law of Moses, the Old Testament; the Jewish Scriptures) and Pharisees (a faction of legalistic leaders of Judaism), in order to enter God's eternal heavenly kingdom.

Jesus quoted Exodus 20:13, (compare Deuteronomy 5:17), and Deuteronomy 16:18, to teach that it is not enough to simply refrain from actual murder in order to avoid eternal condemnation (Deuteronomy 16:18); anger and insults against a brother are equally damaging and subject to condemnation. So before making an offering to the Lord, one should first seek reconciliation with anyone with whom one is at enmity (discord). Then your offering will be acceptable to the Lord. One would be wise to settle with an accuser “out of court,” before trial. Otherwise, the judge might find him guilty and hand him over to the jailer to be imprisoned until he has made complete restitution.

Commentary:

The history of Israel, recorded in the Bible, is also deliberately intended by God to be a metaphor for the meaning and purpose of life in this world. Moses prefigures Christ (God's “anointed” eternal savior and king of God's eternal heavenly kingdom). Jesus is the “New Moses” who leads us out of bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order, through the “sea” of water baptism into Jesus Christ, through the “wilderness” of this temporal lifetime by the indwelling Holy Spirit, “the pillar of fire and cloud” (Exodus 13:21), through the “river” of physical death and into the eternal “promised land” of God's heavenly kingdom.

This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word, in the Bible and in the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, the “living Word, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified (John 1:1-5, 14), and thus become people of God in God's eternal kingdom. We are challenged to choose to trust and obey God's Word and thus receive what is good, and true eternal life, or not trust and obey God, and receive evil (bad things), and eternal destruction.

God's Word contains both great and precious promises, and ominous warnings. God's Word is eternally true and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. Those who trust and obey God's Word will receive the blessings he has promised; those who reject and refuse to obey God's Word will receive the consequences the warnings were intended to help us avoid.

The meaning and purpose of life in this temporal world is to seek, find and have fellowship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). The Lord promises to reveal himself to those who love him and earnestly seek him and diligently learn to trust and obey his teachings (John 14:21, 23). Let us pray for steadfastness in keeping the Lord's commandments (compare Psalm 119:4-5).

Those who seek the Lord will first learn about his nature and character in his Word. The Lord is good and loving toward all people. Good people respond to love with love in return. If we truly love the Lord we will want to know his Word so that we can trust and obey him.

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, as we all can and should become. On his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, Paul was convicted by the risen Jesus, was converted (Acts 9:1-9), and then discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias, until Paul was spiritually “reborn” (Acts 9:10-19a). Then Paul began to fulfill Lord's Great Commission to his born-again disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8) to make (born-again) disciples of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:6) and to teach them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

God has designed this temporal Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey his Word or not. He has designed Creation with divine wisdom, which is unlike what the world falsely calls “wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:8-25, 2:1-5).

Jesus is the demonstration of the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24b; 2:4-5). Jesus has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). God's wisdom seems foolish to worldly people (1 Corinthians 1:24-25). Worldly people would not understand how the Lord could win victory by giving himself up to death at the hands of his enemies.

God's wisdom can only be understood by those who are spiritually enlightened by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the “baptism” (gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The gift (“baptism”) of the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, within them, teaches born-again disciples all spiritual truth and recalls to their minds all Jesus' teachings (John 14:26).

It takes born-again disciples to make born-again disciples of Jesus Christ. How can an “unregenerate” (not born-again) person lead someone else to spiritual rebirth? If the unregenerate knew what they were missing and how to get it, they would not be unregenerate.

Sadly, the nominal Church today has failed to make born-again disciples, and has focused on attracting “members, “fair-weather Christians,” and building buildings, instead. Because they haven't made born-again disciples, there are none in their membership from whom to choose leaders (“apostles;” teachers).

Fortunately, God is faithful, and is able to “convict” people of sin, as he convicted Paul on the road to Damascus. People can be discipled by “born-again” disciples through media, such as this Bible study. I personally testify that I was influenced by the radio ministries of several “born-again” disciples (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home).

I was also discipled by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Jesus (Romans 8:9), as I carried out my commitment to read the entire Bible. But unless one has read the entire Bible for oneself, one is vulnerable to false teaching in media and in nominal Churches.

The Bible is the Word of God, and the standard by which all “Christian” teaching must be evaluated. But is not enough to know God's Word without the commitment of trust and obedience. How can one offer meaningful and acceptable worship and praise to the Lord, unless one is obedient to, and trusting in, his Word?

Jesus taught in “parables:” Common earthly experiences to teach spiritual truth. Worldly people are often wise in worldly things; the example of worldly justice and reconciliation with one's accuser is an example. We are all guilty of sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and liable to the condemnation of eternal death (Romans 6:23). God's Word will be our accuser. We are at enmity with the Lord because of sin.

We're all on the way to judgment at the Day of Christ's return, or at the moment of our death. Jesus is the righteous judge, and the standard of judgment by whom we will be judged. We would be wise to seek reconciliation with God's Word by obedient trust, now, while it is possible.

At the Day of Judgment it will be too late to change our eternal destiny; no restitution will be possible. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in God's kingdom in heaven; those who have refused or failed to accept Jesus as their Lord and trust and obey him 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 (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?

Monday 6 Epiphany A
To be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 14, 2011;
Podcast: Monday 6 Epiphany A

Psalm 103:1-13 – Thanksgiving for Healing;

Let us bless the Lord in our innermost selves, and praise his name with all our strength. Let us bless the Lord and remember all his benefits: he has forgiven all our sin, he has healed us from all physical and spiritual illnesses, and he has redeemed our lives from death and grave. He has blessed us with unfailing love and mercy, he gives us what is good, throughout our lives, so that our vigor is renewed like that of an eagle's.

The Lord gives justice and vindication to all the oppressed. He revealed his nature to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. “The Lord is merciful and gracious (giving undeserved favor) to us; he doesn't become angry with us quickly, and his love is steadfast and abundant. He is not always criticizing us, and is not angry with us forever. He doesn't give us the punishment our sins rightly deserve. His unwavering love for us is as great as the highest heavens. He removes our sins from us as far as east is from west. He has pity upon those who fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) him, as a good father pities his children.

Commentary:

This psalm is my own personal testimony also. The Lord has restored me from heart disease and cancer to physical health, to mental health from emotional turmoil and anxiety, and to spiritual health, from eternal death to eternal life by 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 (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).

The presence of the Holy Spirit within us gives us peace, even in the midst of troubles, which only Jesus can give (John 14:27). His presence reassures us that we are not alone. By experience, we learn to know with assurance that the Lord can deliver us from, or bring us through, anything that happens to us, even physical death (John 6:68-69).

Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit within us can know and do God's will (Zechariah 4:6c). Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we truly praise and worship the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-16). The indwelling Holy Spirit teaches Jesus' disciples everything they need to know, recalls to our minds all Jesus' teachings (John 14:26 and gives us what to say in testimony at the time it's needed (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12).

I keep a list of the blessings the Lord has given me. When troubles assail, I can recall the blessings he has given me in the past and be confident that he will deliver me again (see 1 Peter 5:6-10). In times of stress, I read the Psalms also, beginning with Psalm 1:1, and read until I feel better! The Lord will give us vindication and justice often enough in this world so that we can be sure of his ultimate vindication and justice in his eternal kingdom.

The Lord has promised to reveal himself to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:21, 23). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit makes it possible for Jesus' disciples to have the intimate fellowship with God the Father, and Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9), which only a few Old Testament prophets and leaders, like Moses (Deuteronomy 34:10), enjoyed. Through the Holy Spirit we will come to know personally the mercy and grace (undeserved favor) of the Lord, and his steadfast, overflowing love. We will learn from experience that the Lord is not always angry and critical of us. Like a loving father, The Lord has pity on us, and disciplines his children for their own benefit (Hebrews 12:9-13). He doesn't give us the punishment for our sin (disobedience of God's Word) which we rightly deserve (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?

Tuesday 6 Epiphany A
To Be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 15, 2011;
Podcast: Tuesday 6 Epiphany A

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 – Life of Holiness;

The Lord told Moses to declare to the congregation of Israel that they will be required to be holy (purified from sin; consecrated to God's service), because God himself is pure and sinless.

God's people must not hate brother or neighbor; instead, let us seek agreement and reconciliation with one another, or it will be accounted to us as sin. God's people must not take vengeance upon or bear a grudge against our own people, but rather love our neighbors as we love ourselves: it is our Lord God who commands this.

Commentary:

God's people are those who willingly choose to trust and obey God's Word, in the Bible, and in the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). God's people are not holy by their own intrinsic nature; they are made holy by their relationship with the holy God, through a covenant he established with them.

Through the Old Covenant (“Testament”) of Law which God established with his people through Moses, disobedience of the Law was the definition of sin. No one was able to keep all the Law all the time, so all were sinners, who needed to be cleansed over and over by the offering of blood sacrifices of animals (Hebrews 9:22-26). The Old Covenant was intended to be a “guardian” (“baby-sitter”) to keep God's people from disobeying God's Word.

When Jesus, the promised Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively) the “Savior” God designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-3), came in human flesh (John 1:14), Jesus became the “New Moses,” the mediator of the New Covenant (“Testament”) of grace (undeserved favor) which we receive by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus established the New Covenant at his “Last Supper,” the “New Passover” feast, (which has become Holy Communion; Eucharist) on the eve of his trial and crucifixion (Matthew 26:17, 26-29, KJV; see RSV note g).

By Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, he became the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus' death and resurrection demonstrated that there is existence and the possibility of eternal life after physical death. Jesus' death made it possible for his obedient, trusting disciples to be spiritually “reborn” to eternal life by the “baptism” (gift; anointing) of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (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).

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), is given only to disciples of Jesus who are committed to trusting and obeying Jesus. We are cleansed and sanctified (made holy) by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, so that we can individually be temples of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Those who live in obedient trust in the Holy Spirit, are not obligated to fulfill the requirements of the Law (Romans 8:1-9); they will fulfill them out of love for the free gift of salvation through Jesus rather than fear of punishment, and are forgiven when they fail.

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments, the basis of the Holiness Code, in two commandments: Love of God, which makes us willing to trust and obey him; and love of others, as we love ourselves (John 13:34-35). Jesus also taught that it is not enough to love our brethren and neighbors only; we must follow Jesus' example and love our enemies and those who hate us (Matthew 5:43-45; compare Luke 23:34). The only way we can fulfill the Law of Love (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14), is by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?

Wednesday 6 Epiphany A
To Be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 16, 2011;
Podcast: Wednesday 6 Epiphany A

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 – Responsibility of Teachers;

Paul compared his ministry to that of a skilled master builder (contractor). Paul laid the foundation, which is Jesus Christ; no other foundation will do. Now other workers are building upon that foundation, and must build with care, as has the master builder.

Spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples (Acts 11:26c) are (individually and collectively) God's temple, because God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) dwells within them. God will destroy those who destroy (damage; divide) God's temple, because God's temple is holy (purified; consecrated to God's use), and that is what we believers are. So let us not be deceived; Those who consider themselves wise according to worldly wisdom, should instead become foolish (according to worldly wisdom) so that they may be truly wise with true, divine, eternal wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:8).

God considers “worldly wisdom” to be folly. God declares that the craftiness of the “wise” in earthly standards, will be their downfall (1 Corinthians 3:19b; quoting Job 5:13). “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile” (1 Corinthians 3:20; quoting Psalm 94:11). So Christians are not “disciples” of, do not belong to, and should not boast of, any spiritual leader, such as Paul or Apollos, or Cephas (from Aramaic word -which Jesus spoke: “Kepha,” meaning “rock,” which Jesus gave to Peter: Matthew 16:18. The Corinthian congregation had in fact been guilty of this: 1 Corinthians 3:3-9). All the church leaders are for the benefit of believers, along with every other thing, whether earthly or heavenly; whether life or death (in both physical and spiritual senses), present or future, since believers belong to Christ, and Christ to God.

Commentary:

Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) had established the church at Corinth on his second missionary journey, accompanied by Timothy and Silas (Acts 15:36-16:5), by Paul's proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had learned the Gospel message from the risen, ascended Jesus, by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:1-18). Paul's preaching of the Gospel to the Corinthian Christians was the same as he preached in every congregation (Acts 9:20-22), and was in agreement with the preaching of the Gospel by Jesus' original Apostles (Acts 15:1-29; the Eleven of the remaining Twelve disciples, whom Jesus had appointed to be messengers of that Gospel: Luke 6:13-15).

Paul was as much an Apostle as the original Eleven remaining apostles of the Twelve (minus Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer). Paul was deliberately chosen and called by God to be Judas' replacement, instead of Matthias, whom the Eleven had chosen while they were to be waiting for the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, and without the presence and counsel of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:15-26). Matthias is never heard of again in the New Testament, but after Paul's conversion, most of the rest of the New Testament is by or about Paul.

Paul was intended by God to be the prototype and example of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again, disciple and apostle” of Jesus Christ, as all believers can and should be. After Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, he was “discipled” by a born-again disciple, Ananias (who had a personal relationship with the Lord: Acts 9:10-16, which is only possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit), until Paul was spiritually “reborn” by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and then immediately began the process of proclaiming the Gospel, and making born-again disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-22; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:2), fulfilling the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to his disciples to be carried out after they had received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

There was dissension within the Corinthian congregation (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:3-9) caused by rivalry among them regarding the teachings of Paul, Peter and Apollos (Acts 18:24, 26-27; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:5-7, 22). The same dissension and divisiveness are present in the nominal Church today. Christian teachers and students must remember that the disciples being made are disciples of Jesus Christ, who are being guided to spiritual rebirth, so that they can be further discipled to spiritual maturity by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the risen, ascended Jesus.

Paul was confronted by, but not filled with, the Holy Spirit, on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:5), until Ananias had led Paul to be born-again by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-20). Paul's conversion was remarkably rapid. The original disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and still were not ready to preach the Gospel until they had been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). But remember that Paul was already formally educated in the Bible and loved God; he only needed to be pointed to Jesus as the Messiah (Christ; “God's Anointed,” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively).

The foundation of the true Church is the Gospel (“good news:” forgiveness of sin, salvation from eternal condemnation and death which is the penalty for sin, and reconciliation with God which was broken by sin) of Jesus Christ was first taught by Jesus, learned by the disciples by Jesus' teaching and example, and recorded in the Bible. All scripture is inspired by God, and is to be used for doctrine, refutation, correction (of ignorance, misunderstanding, and false teaching), and instruction in righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true according to God's Word; 2 Timothy 3:16). But the Old Testament must be understood from the perspective of the New Testament.

For example, Jesus is the end of the Old Covenant of Law (Romans 10:4); he established the New Covenant of Grace (undeserved favor) at his “Last Supper” on the night of his betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:26-28 KJV; see RSV note “g”). Only Jesus gives the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (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). Those who have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8 by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit are no longer obligated to the Law of Moses, provided that they live according to the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-9).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?

Thursday 6 Epiphany A
To Be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 17. 2011;
Podcast: Thursday 6 Epiphany A

Matthew 5:38-48 – Understanding the Law;

Jesus used the example of the Law concerning retaliation (eye for eye; tooth for tooth; Exodus 21:23-25), to teach that it is not enough for one to keep the “letter” of the Law. Jesus said that one must not resist evil people, or return evil for evil. Instead of retaliating in kind, one should submit to one's enemy. If an enemy slaps a person on the cheek, the person should offer the other cheek as well. If one's enemy takes one's coat, one should offer his overcoat as well. One should offer to go the second mile with a person who has forced one to go a mile. One should contribute to a person who begs, and loan to one who asks to borrow.

The common human response toward others is to love our neighbors (one who is neighborly to us), and hate our enemies. But Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. What credit is it to us if we love our friends and hate our enemies? Don't even “tax-collectors” (regarded as among the worst of people) do likewise? If we greet our friends and shun our enemies, what credit is that to us? Even Gentiles (non-Jews; pagans) do likewise. So Jesus' followers must be perfect (spiritually and morally mature; free of defect), like God is perfect.

Commentary:

The spiritual leaders of Judaism at the time of Jesus' physical ministry were legalistic: They insisted on the keeping of the Law of (given to) Moses in minute detail, but failed to keep the intent of the Law. Jesus said that it isn't sufficient to refrain from actual physical murder; anger, insult and verbal abuse are as damaging morally and spiritually, and are likely to escalate to physical violence. Instead of perpetuating animosity (active hatred), we should seek reconciliation with our enemies (Matthew 5:21-24).

The original intent of the Law was to restrain God's people from doing evil until the coming of the Messiah (Christ; God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King). “An eye for an eye” limited retaliation to no more revenge than initial attack warranted. It was not intended to justify revenge. Instead of sustaining and escalating animosity, “turning the other cheek,” and going “the second mile” promotes peace and reconciliation.

The religious leaders of that time thought that they would be judged “perfect” by God by their keeping of the letter of the Law. But Jesus pointed out that their behavior was no better than those these leaders considered the worst sinners.

Tax collectors were those Jews who made their living by collaborating with the enemy, the Roman occupying government. They were forcing other Jews to pay Roman taxes, and were in a position to also cheat their fellow Jews, collecting more than the required amount of the taxes.

The false teaching of “legalism” (“righteousness” by doing good deeds; “keeping the Law”) was a problem in the first-century Church, and it is a false teaching that still exists in the nominal Church today (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home; see also Galatians 2:12, 16, 21-3:14; 5:1-5, Ephesians 2:8-10).

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross became the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word). Jesus' blood sacrifice cleanses believers by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, so that we can become, individually and collectively, the temple of God (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Romans 8:9) by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus' death and resurrection made it possible for us to receive the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7).

Only Jesus gives the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The “infilling” of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (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). One who has been “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit has been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, and has been freed from obligation to obey the Law, provided that one is obedient to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-8).

There is a Day of Judgment coming for everyone who has ever lived physically on earth (John 5:28-29). Jesus has promised to return to judge the “living” (“quickened”) and the “dead” in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5). Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord (one who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually reborn to eternal life in this lifetime, and will enter God's eternal kingdom in Heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?

Friday 6 Epiphany A
To Be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 18, 2011;
Podcast: Friday 6 Epiphany A

Jeremiah 1:4-10 – Jeremiah's Call;

God's Word came to Jeremiah, saying that the Lord had known (everything about) Jeremiah before the Lord had even formed him in the womb. Jeremiah had been consecrated by the Lord before he had been born. The Lord had appointed Jeremiah to be his prophet to the nations (heathen peoples; Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Judah).

Jeremiah protested that he was young and inexperienced and didn't know how to speak. But the Lord reassured Jeremiah; Jeremiah was to stop thinking that he was too young and inexperienced. The Lord told him that he would go wherever the Lord sent him, and would say everything the Lord commanded him to speak. The Lord told Jeremiah not to fear the ones to whom the Lord sent him, because the Lord would be with Jeremiah to deliver him.

The Lord stretched out his hand and touched Jeremiah's mouth, and said that the Lord had put his words in Jeremiah's mouth. The Lord told Jeremiah to watch and see: The Lord had put Jeremiah over kingdoms and nations, to lift up and to throw down; to overthrow and destroy, and to build up and establish.

Commentary:

The test of God's Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22), and it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for fulfillment are met. The Lord gave me a specific call from Jeremiah 1:17-19 on January 18, 1996, which led me into evangelism, first in my local congregation, and then ultimately to my present Internet ministry, begun August 8, 2003 on journalspace.com.

Jeremiah's name means “raised up,” [or] “appointed,” by Jehovah. He was one of the major Old Testament prophets, who prophesied to Judah, the remnant of Israel (the Northern Kingdom of the ten of twelve tribes of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 B.C.), beginning in 628 B. C., prior to the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, and Judah's seventy-year exile in Babylon, which he prophesied (Jeremiah 25:11-12). The seventy years is counted from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (588~587 B.C.; 2 Kings 25:8-10) to its complete restoration (517 B. C.; Ezra 6:15-16).

Jeremiah's message was not popular with, or accepted by, the leaders and people of Judah, and Jeremiah suffered great persecution for it (Jeremiah 36:5). King Jehoiakim destroyed the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 36:20-25) which his secretary, Baruch, had recorded (Jeremiah 36:4), but could not destroy the message (Jeremiah 36:27-32).

Judah could have avoided conquest, destruction, and deportation if they had heeded the example of the Northern Kingdom, had accepted Jeremiah's message, and had repented (changed their ways and doings; returned to obedient trust in God), prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the temple. The seventy-year exile was a life sentence for those who were adults at the time of the deportation. A renewed Judah was restored to their Promised Land, but they were new people; not the same ones who went into exile.

The experience of the exile of Judah to Babylon is similar to the forty-year wilderness wandering of Israel. Israel had rebelled against the Lord's command to enter and possess the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-35), and so were condemned to wander in the wilderness until those who had rebelled against the Lord had died in the wilderness (Joshua 4:19; 5:6). Only Joshua and Caleb (, the scouts among the twelve who had brought back a favorable report on the Promised Land (Numbers 13:6, 8, 16b; 14:6-9), were allowed to live and enter it.

I personally testify that when the Lord calls one to proclaim God's Word, he provides the resources and abilities needed to do so, by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Jesus has commanded his disciples to go into the world to proclaim the Gospel (God's Word; “good news” of forgiveness and reconciliation with God through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, and to make “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) who will repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Note that Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church), until they had been baptized with the indwelling Holy Spirit before going into the world to proclaim the Gospel message (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8). Apostles (messengers; of the Gospel), and prophets of God's Word can only fulfill their call by the gifts, guidance and empowerment given by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Only Jesus gives the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (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).

God's Word contains precious promises, but also ominous warnings which are designed to help us avoid the consequences of disobedience of God's Word. The world doesn't enjoy hearing God's Word any more today than in the time of Jeremiah (2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are free to choose to hear God's Word and receive the promises, or reject God's Word and suffer the consequence of disobedience (of God's Word; the definition of sin), which is eternal death in Hell with all evil (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?



Saturday 6 Epiphany A
To Be used only if there is a 7 Epiphany Sunday - Otherwise skip to 8 Epiphany.

First Posted February 19, 2010
Podcast: Saturday 6 Epiphany A



Acts 17:22-34 – The Meaning and Purpose of Life; Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents;

Acts Background:

Paul was waiting in Athens for his missionary associates, Silas and Timothy, to join him. While he waited, Paul went to the Jewish synagogue and to the marketplace, and debated with those present, preaching Jesus and the resurrection. So the Athenians took Paul to the Areopagus (the open-air forum; the hill on which the City Council met, west of the Acropolis), where the Athenians and resident foreigners gathered to hear Paul. (At the time, the Athenians were famous for their curiosity.)

Acts Paraphrase:

Paul addressed the people of Athens, saying that he noted that they were very religious, since he had observed that Athens was full of altars and shrines to the “gods” (idols) of the Athenians. Paul mentioned having seen an altar dedicated to an unknown god. Paul proclaimed to them that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and everything in them, was this “unknown” God.

Paul told them that God doesn't need to live in shrines built by human hands, nor does he need human hands to supply him with anything, since he provides mankind with everything, including life and breath. “And he made from one every nation of [mankind] to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after (“grope” after) him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for 'in him we live and move and have our being;' as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring'” (Acts 17:26-28; the first quotation is attributed to Epimenides, and the second is from Aratus' Phaenomena).

Since we are God's offspring, we should not suppose that God is like some representation made by the art and imagination of mankind, of gold, silver, or stone. God overlooked former times of ignorance, but now he commands all people to repent (change their ways of thinking and doing), because God has set a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness, by a person (Jesus) whom he has appointed, whom he has certified by raising him from physical death.

When they heard Paul claim the resurrection of the dead, some ridiculed him, but others wanted to hear more about this at another time. So Paul left the assembly, but some people believed Paul and joined him. Dionysius, the Areopagite (a member of the council), and a woman named Damaris and others followed Paul's teaching.

Matthew Paraphrase:

It (the coming of the Kingdom of God) will be like a person who was leaving on a journey, and he assembled his servants and entrusted them with his property. To one he gave five talents (each talent worth about a thousand dollars), to another two talents, and to another one talent, according to the ability of each servant. The servant who had been entrusted with five talents invested them and doubled the money, and the servant entrusted with two talents did likewise. But the one who was entrusted with one talent buried it in the ground.

After a long time, the master returned and summoned his servants to settle accounts with them. The servant who had received five talents, returned them and the profit of five more talents, and was commended by the master for having been a good and faithful servant. The master said that as that servant had been faithful in a “small” matter, he would be entrusted with greater responsibility. So likewise, with the servant who had received two talents.

The servant who had received the one talent came forward and told his master that the servant knew the master expected to gain from another's work, so the servant had been afraid, and had buried the master's money in the ground. The master declared that this servant was wicked and lazy. The servant should have at least put the talent in the bank, where it would have earned interest for the master. The master commanded that the talent be taken from the unfaithful servant and given to the servant who had the ten talents.

Jesus declared that, likewise, more will be given to those who appreciate what they have been given, and use it well; but those who fail to appreciate and use what they have been given will lose even what they had. The master will cast the unproductive servant into outer darkness, where people will wail and gnash their teeth.

Commentary:

I am impressed with how Paul used his observation of Athenian culture to present the Gospel in a way that would uniquely appeal to the Athenians. Paul had been formally educated, and was familiar with Greek classical authors and writings. He used the time he spent waiting in Athens to observe the Athenians' religious practices, and used the situation of the altar to an unknown god to present the Gospel of the true God who is and can be known personally (John 14:21, 23; Jeremiah 29:13-14a). It is important to present the Gospel to people in the context of their present circumstances and understanding.

Paul was provoked by the idolatry of the Athenians, but instead of berating them, he commended them for their religiosity. They simply needed (as Paul had) to be pointed to the true God. Paul, zealous for Judaism, had persecuted Christians as heretics until the Spirit of the risen and ascended Jesus (Romans 8:9) confronted Paul on his way to Damascus, and Paul was pointed to Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah by a faithful servant of Jesus Christ: Ananias (Acts 9:1-18).

Note the difference between Paul's approach in presenting the Gospel to the Athenians and the unfaithful servant's approach toward his master. Paul was provoked by the idolatry of the Athenians, but instead of berating them for their idolatry, he commended them for their interest in spiritual things, and for their willingness to acknowledge that they didn't know all there is to know about God. So the Athenians were willing to hear Paul, and some were converted, or at least willing to listen further. In contrast the unfaithful servant attacked the master for perceived selfishness and greed. The unfaithful servant's approach ended dialog, rather than opening it. Christian witnesses should note the right way and the wrong way of presenting the Gospel.

Religion is mankind's attempt to manipulate God to do our own will; Christianity is our attempt to know and do God's will, which is only possible by the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus “baptizes” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The “baptism” (gift; anointing) of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (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).

God is our father, because he is our Creator, whether we acknowledge him or not. But he has designed Creation to allow us the opportunity to become his offspring, by spiritual rebirth, through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15-17, 23).

The meaning and purpose of life in this world is to allow us the opportunity to seek, find, and have fellowship with God. The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to know personally and have fellowship with God our Creator, and our Lord Jesus Christ (note the Trinity; compare Romans 8:9; Matthew 28:19). God has designed Creation from the very beginning to allow us the opportunity to seek and find God (Acts 17:26-27), and the time to learn by trial-and-error that God's way is our very best interest.

God wants us to willingly choose to trust and obey him. Sin is disobedience of God's Word. God has deliberately designed Creation with the possibility of sin, so that we would have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not. This Creation and we ourselves are limited by time, because God is unwilling to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.

There is a Day of Judgment coming for all who have ever lived in this world (John 5:28-29). Jesus has promised to return to judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both the physical and spiritual senses. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord (one who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, now in this lifetime, and will enter eternity in God's eternal kingdom in heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, and/or have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus (Matthew 7:21-26; Luke 6:46), will be condemned to eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

We have all been given physical life, and time to seek and come to a relationship with the Lord, our Creator. Are we seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit? When we have been born-again, are we making the most of the time we have, to proclaim the Gospel and build and strengthen God's eternal kingdom, before Jesus returns?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?