6 Easter - C - May 9 - 15, 2010

6 Easter - C - May 9 - 15, 2010

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://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com (Please bookmark this link).

Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:

http://shepboy.multiply.com/

.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival Text-to-speech are available at:

Daily Walk 3-Year C Weekly Lectionary

Please Note: 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: 6 Easter - C

6 Easter - Sunday - C
First posted May 9, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Sunday - C

Psalm 67 -- Thanksgiving for Good Harvest;
Acts 14:8-18 – Mistaken for “gods;”
Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 – New Jerusalem;
John 14:23-29 – The “Baptism” of the Holy Spirit;

Psalm 61 Paraphrase:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us” (Psalm 67:1), so that God's way and his saving power may be known among all the nations of the earth. May all peoples praise the Lord our God!

May all nations rejoice and sing for joy, because our God judges all people with equity and guides all nations upon the earth. May all peoples praise the Lord our God!

“The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God has blessed us. God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear him" (Psalm 67:6-7).

Acts 14:8-18 Paraphrase:

On Paul's first missionary journey, he and Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, came to Lystra (in the Roman province of Galatia in modern-day Turkey). They encountered a man who had been born crippled in his feet and had never walked. The man was listening to Paul preach, and Paul noted that the man had the faith to be healed, so Paul told the man to stand up. The man sprang up and walked.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in their native language that the gods had come down in the likeness of men! They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, Hermes. The priest of Zeus came from the temple at the entrance to the city. Bringing oxen and garlands, intending to offer sacrifice to them with the people. But when Paul and Barnabas heard this, they tore their clothing (in ritual mourning) and cried out, asking why the people were doing this, since Paul and Barnabas were mere mortals like the people themselves.

The occasion provided Paul the opportunity to proclaim the “good news” (the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ), that people should turn from worshiping vain idols to the living God, the Creator of heaven, earth, sea, and everything in them. In the past God had allowed people to follow their own ways, although the goodness of Creation, rains, fruitful seasons, food and gladness testified to his goodness. Saying this, Paul barely restrained the people from offering them sacrifice. But Paul and Barnabas had been persecuted in previous stops in Antioch and Iconium, and the Jewish leaders came to Lystra and stirred up the people of that region to stone Paul and drag him from the city, thinking that he was dead. But the disciples gathered around him and he arose and returned to the city.

The next day his company went on to Derbe. Having preached the Gospel there and having made many disciples, they returned the way they had come, to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the new converts, encouraging them to persevere in discipleship, and telling them that they must endure hardship and persecution to enter God's eternal kingdom in heaven. Having appointed elders in each local church, they commended the disciples to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they traveled through Pisidia and Pamphylia, preached the Gospel in Perga, and then went on to Attalia all in Asia Minor; present-day Turkey), and from there, sailed to Antioch (on the coast of Syria). At Antioch they were commended to God's grace for the work they had accomplished for the Gospel. There they gathered the Church and told them all that God had done through them, and how he had opened the Gentiles to believe in the Gospel. And the missionaries stayed with the disciples in Antioch for quite some time,

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23:

Background:

The Apostle John had a series of visions while exiled on the island of Patmos in the Aegean for preaching the Gospel.

Paraphrase:

In the Spirit, John was transported to a high mountain were he could see holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven from God. The city was filled with the radiance of God's glory, like an extremely rare jewel, like a clear crystal of jasper. The city had a great, high wall with twelve gates, three in each of its four sides, with an angel at each gate. Each gate was named for one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The city wall had twelve foundations, each named for one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Jesus).

There was no temple in the city for the city itself is the temple of the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. The city needs neither sun or moon because God's glory provides its sunlight and the Lamb is its moonlight (reflecting the glory of God). By the light of the holy city shall all the people of earth walk. The kings of earth will give their glory to the holy city, and the gates will never be closed during daylight, and there will be no night. The earthly kings will bring the glory and honor of all the nations of the earth. But nothing unclean, no one who practices abomination or untruth will be allowed to enter; only those who are recorded in the Lamb's book of life.

John 14:23-29 Paraphrase:

Jesus told his disciples that obedience to his teachings is evidence of the disciples love for Jesus. Those who don't keep his teachings don't truly love Jesus, and Jesus' teachings are not his own; they are the Word of God who sent Jesus into this world.

Jesus tried to teach his disciples as much as they could handle while Jesus was present with them physically, but when Jesus had departed physically, the Holy Spirit would be sent to them by God the Father, and would continue to teach the disciples all things, and also help them recall all that Jesus had said. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus would give them true peace, unlike worldly peace (which is repeatedly broken). So the disciples would not be troubled or afraid. Jesus had told them that he was leaving them (physically) but would return to them (through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and at the Second Coming at the Day of Judgment). The disciples were sad to think of Jesus leaving them physically, but instead they should be rejoicing if they loved Jesus because Jesus would be returning to his Father in heaven, because the Father is greater than Jesus. Jesus was telling the disciples this now before Jesus was going to be crucified and ascended into heaven, so that so that when these things took place the disciples would not lose faith.

Commentary:

Psalm:

God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This Creation has been designed to allow the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God, and the opportunity to learn by trial and error that God's way is our best interest.

God began to establish his people with his call to Abraham (Abram). God's dealing with Israel, recorded in the Bible, was intended to be made know to all people to reveal God's goodness and saving power.

God is God, whether we accept and knowledge him as our God or not. God guides the nations of earth whether they are his people or not (for example: Jeremiah 25:8-14; Isaiah 44:28-45:1). God will judge the living and dead in both physical and spiritual senses by Jesus Christ, the righteous judge who experienced all the temptations of human flesh, but without sinning (disobeying God's Word; Hebrews 4:15). So he is the only one who is qualified to judge us. He is the only one who can judge us with equity.

This Creation will yield a spiritual harvest of God's obedient, trusting people, who will live in his eternal kingdom restored to paradise in heaven.

Acts:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is intended by God to be the replacement for Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer. He is also 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 as we all can and should be.

Jesus demonstrated the method of disciple-making that his disciples were to follow. Paul is the example of that method of discipleship. He was discipled by a born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), until he was born-again, and then Paul began making born-again disciples and teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 1:6-7; 2:2).

Jesus taught his disciples to carry on his ministry of physical and spiritual healing, feeding and resurrection (Matthew 10:7-8) and Paul and James are recorded in the New Testament carrying out that ministry ( Acts 14:8-10; James 2:14-17).

When Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for “gods” they vigorously rejected that designation. Note, though, that when Thomas addressed Jesus as his Lord and his God (John 20:28), Jesus did not refute him, because Thomas was right. The Lyconians were willing to accept that Paul and Barnabas were “gods” in human form; but Jesus really was the one and only true God in human form (Colossians 2:8-9).

Paul taught by word and example that Christians must be willing to suffer hardship and persecution, but that the Lord is able to bring them through anything they encounter. Our enemies cannot kill us physically unless God allows it. If we die physically, God will raise us to spiritual, eternal life. So whether we live or die physically, we are eternally secure in the Lord.

Revelation:

John's vision was of the purified Church coming down from heaven. The nominal Church in the world today consists of the true Church and the false Church; true Christian disciples, and false Christians. Jesus warns that those who don't live in obedient trust to Jesus' teachings aren't going to enter the eternal kingdom of God in heaven (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).

The nominal Church includes false prophets and false teachings (see False Teachings, sidebar, right). The standard by which all teaching and prophecy can be judged is by the Bible. The Bible can easily be read by any average reader in one year and there are numerous one-year Bible reading plans available (see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, right).

John's vision is of the true Church, purified of false teachings, false prophecies and false members. The vision is highly symbolic. Its cubic dimensions symbolize perfection. Its beauty is symbolized as a rare jewel. The city is founded upon the Twelve patriarchs of Israel and the gates are established by the Twelve Apostles (the Eleven original apostles, minus Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, plus Paul, Judas' replacement).

Jesus' born-again disciples are individually and collectively the temple of God by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the light of spiritual enlightenment. By walking by the light of the Holy Spirit we will not stumble (spiritually; John 1:4, 9; 8:12; 11:9-10; Romans 8:4).

One must be born-again to have spiritual, eternal life (John 3:3, 5-8). Only Jesus baptizes with (gives the gift of) the indwelling 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). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event; it is impossible to be born-again and hardly know it (Acts 19:2). Those who have been truly born-again have a personal daily relationship with Jesus Christ, and will be known and acknowledged by him on the Day of Judgment.

Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience peace beyond what the world falsely calls peace. For example, on numerous occasions I've received peace and assurance through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Recently, after three unpleasant experiences on jury duty I received another summons. The day I received the summons I prayed and asked the Lord to have my summons canceled. The Holy Spirit assured me that my prayer had been heard and that I had obtained my request (1 John 5:15). I had learned from years of experience to recognize and trust the Lord's assurance, and so I didn't worry for the ten intervening days, and my summons was canceled as the Lord had promised! Praise the Lord!

It was to Jesus' advantage to return to his Father in heaven where he would be glorified. On earth he was being abused and persecuted. It was also to his disciples advantage that Jesus return to heaven, because while he was physically present on earth he could be in only one place at a time. But if he was in heaven, the disciples would receive the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit through whom they would have daily access to God the Father and Jesus Christ anywhere at any time (John 16:7; see Personal Testimonies, “Discipleship,” sidebar, right).

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)?

6 Easter- Monday C
First posted May 10, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter- Monday C

Psalm 47 – King of all Nations;

Paraphrase:

Celebrate with hand-clapping and songs of joy, because God, the Lord, the Most High, is terrifying. He is King over all the earth. He subdues peoples and nations under us. God has chosen our heritage for us who are the pride of Jacob (Israel; father of the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel) whom he loves.

“God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

God is enthroned and reigns over all the nations of earth. “The shields (“protectors;” “rulers;” Psalm 89:18) belong to God; he is highly exalted” (Psalm 47:9b)!

Commentary:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10). The fear of the Lord is the awe and respect for the power and authority of God. Until we understand our relationship to God, we know nothing useful to our eternal destiny.

The Lord is King of kings, and Lord of lords. In him we have conquered all earthly authorities, nations, and peoples.

God has chosen our heritage from the beginning of Creation. God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (2 Peter 3:9b; Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). All who believe in (trust and obey) Jesus are spiritual descendants of Abraham (Galatians 3:7-9; 14).

God is God, whether we acknowledge, trust and obey him, or not, but God is not obligated to be all that a loving, all-powerful God implies unless we are willing to be his obedient, trusting people. God is not obligated to hear and answer our prayers unless we are willing to hear, trust and obey God's Word (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, right).

God guides the nations of earth according to his will, whether they acknowledge him or not (Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon: Jeremiah 25:11-12; and Cyrus of Persia: Isaiah 44:28, 45:1), for example.

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)?

6 Easter - Tuesday - C
First posted May 11, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Tuesday - C

Acts 16:6-10 – The Macedonian Call;

Paraphrase:

On the second missionary journey, Paul and his fellow missionaries had traveled through Phyrigia and Galatia in Asia Minor (Present-day Turkey) without preaching the Gospel, because the Holy Spirit forbade them. In the region of Mysia, a province in north-west Asia Minor, they attempted to enter Bithinia but the Holy Spirit would not permit I. So passing Mysia they went to Troas on the westernmost coast of Asia minor. During the night Paul had a dream of a Macedonian man begging Paul and his group to come over to Macedonia and help them. Immediately Paul and his companions prepared to go to Macedonia, a Roman province north of Greece, concluding that God wanted them to preach the Gospel there.

Commentary:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was the first missionary ever to preach the Gospel on European soil at Philippi in Macedonia, and Lydia (Acts 16:14) was the first European convert.

Paul is the prototype and example of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, as we can and should be. Immediately after his conversion he was guided and empowered by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:20-22). From that time he was learning to be guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

New believers are to be discipled by born-again disciples within the Church (the New Jerusalem on earth) until the new believers are born-again, before going into the world with the Gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8)). We cannot accomplish the mission of Christ in our own strength (Zechariah 4:6).

More than a few times in the twenty-five years since I was born-again, the door for ministry has closed in one area and the Lord guided me to another open door. It is important to seek God's Word and guidance on a daily basis, with a regular time of Bible-reading with prayer and meditation.

The Eleven remaining original disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While they were waiting, they decided to pick a replacement for Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer. Since they didn't yet have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they chose one of their company, Matthias, by lot (by “chance;” like rolling dice). Matthias is never heard from again in the New Testament (Acts 1:15-26). In contrast, I believe that Paul was the Lord's chosen replacement. After his conversion, most of the rest of the New Testament is by or about Paul.

It is hard for new believers, especially in the American culture of instant gratification that I live in today, to learn to wait for the baptism and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We need to be careful not to rely on our own human judgment.

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)?

6 Easter - Wednesday - C
First posted May 12, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Wednesday - C

Revelation 22:12-17, 20 – Christ's Return;

Paraphrase:

Jesus declares that he is coming soon, bringing recompense for what each and every person has done in their lifetime in this world. Jesus is the beginning and end of all things.

Those who wash their robes (in the blood of the Lamb) have the right to the tree of life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24), and can enter the eternal city of God. “Dogs” (immoral people), sorcerers, fornicators, murderers and idolaters and all who love and practice falsehood will be forbidden to enter.

Jesus sent his “angel” (his Spirit; Revelation 1:1; Acts 12:15) to John with his word of testimony for the Church. Jesus is the root of David (from Jesse, the father of David; Isaiah 11:1, 10), and the Son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1; 2 Samuel 7:12-13), “the bright morning star” (Numbers 24:17).

The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) say, “Come. And let those who hear, say, 'Come.'” And may those who are spiritually thirsty come and receive the water of (eternal) life (John 4:14; John 7:38-39) without price.

“He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen, Come, Lord Jesus!”

Commentary:

Jesus has promised that he will return on the Day of Judgment to repay everyone for what they have done individually in this lifetime (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). He will judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both the physical (John 5:28-29; compare John 11:38-44) and spiritual senses.

Jesus has warned that we must be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) in order to see God's eternal kingdom, which is all around us now, and to see and enter it ultimately beyond physical death. We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually unborn. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” 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 indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily 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).

Jesus is the beginning and end of all things. Jesus was in the beginning with God, and everything in Creation was created by and for Jesus (John 1:1-5). Jesus is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in this world in human flesh (John 1:14). Jesus is the firstborn from physical death to eternal life (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:13-17). Jesus' return will end the physical age.

Christ's return is not far off. It will occur immediately for each of us at the moment of our physical death. Time will end and we will immediately be at the throne of Judgment. At the moment of our physical death our eternal destiny will be fixed and unalterable. No one knows whether he will live another day, and it is also possible that Christ will return while we are still physically alive. It could happen at any moment.

The Tree of Life is the symbol for eternal life. This Creation was created as perfect paradise, but in order to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word, God allowed the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word). Given freedom, we all choose to do our own will rather than God's (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right). All the problems in this present world are the result of human sin. God placed the possibility of eternal life beyond our access, so that we could not buy it, steal it or take it by force or deception. The only way to obtain it is by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Bible, God has been teaching his people that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Passover (Exodus 12:1-28) was intended to be a parable, a metaphor for life in this world. Jesus is the New Passover Lamb, sacrificed on the cross, whose flesh provides the feast, and whose blood marks us to be “passed-over” by the destroying angel. Jesus instituted the “New Passover,” the New Covenant (Testament) of Grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) to be received by faith (obedient trust) on the night of his Last Supper (Matthew 26:1-29) before his crucifixion.

Jesus' blood cleanses us from all sin and makes it possible for us, individually, to be temples of the indwelling Holy Spirit. By faith, Jesus' blood gives us access to eternal life and entrance into God's eternal city in heaven.

The true Church and truly born-again Christians long for Christ's return. Here we have tribulation and persecution as we await Christ's return. Here we have only intermittent, interrupted moments in the presence of the Lord. There we will be in the presence and fellowship of the Lord forever. The suffering of this physical world will be ended forever.

The things of this world can never satisfy our spiritual needs. We are all created as eternal spiritual beings in physical bodies. If we don't realize and acknowledge our spiritual needs now we will spend eternity in misery without anything eternal. God offers us salvation from eternal destruction for free, but the gift was costly for Jesus, and is priceless to us who are being saved.

Every good thing in this world is supplied by God. Imagine being eternally separated from the providence of God! No healing; no comfort; no satisfaction: that's hell!

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)?

6 Easter - Thursday - Ascension Day - C
First posted May 13, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Thursday - Ascension Day - C

Psalm 110 – Ascension of the King;
Acts 1:1-11-- Jesus' Ascension;
Ephesians 1:16-23 – At the Right Hand of God;
Luke 24:44-53 – Jesus' Ascension;

Psalm 110 Background:

Attributed to David, the great human shepherd-king of Israel. Quoted in the New Testament: Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3, 13.

Psalm 110 Paraphrase:

“The Lord (God) said to my Lord (the king; the Messiah): 'Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool'” (Psalm 110:1).

His scepter comes forth from Zion (the City of God in Heaven) from God. The King will reign in the midst of his enemies. When you lead your army upon the holy mountains, your people will offer themselves willingly. Your youth will come to you like dew from the womb of the morning. “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek'” (Psalm 110:4; see Genesis 14:18).

God is at the King's right hand; by God's power and authority kings will be shattered on the day of his wrath. His judgment will be executed upon the nations; they will be filled with corpses. The chiefs of all the wide earth he will shatter. He will drink from the brook on the way; so his head will be lifted up.

Acts Background:

Luke and Acts were both written by Luke, the Physician (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11), a Gentile, converted by Paul.

Acts 1:1-11 Paraphrase:

Luke refers to the “first book” (The Gospel of Luke), and addresses this book to Theophilus, which may be an actual person, or generally to any “lover of God,” which is the meaning of the name. In the Gospel, Luke compiled a narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ from his genealogy and birth to the day of his ascension, after giving his apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) his Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and last instructions to wait until they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit before going into the world with the Gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1 4-5, 8).

After his resurrection, Jesus presented himself alive to his disciples (the apostles and other followers and students of Jesus) with many proofs (Luke 24:13-53; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8), during a forty-day period, and teaching them about the kingdom of God. While he was staying among them he told them not to depart from Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church) but to wait for the promised “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised. John had baptized with water (for repentance) but within a few days the disciples would be “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13).

While they were gathered, they asked Jesus if he would be restoring the kingdom to Israel (Israel was subject to the Roman Emperor). Jesus replied that it was not their business to know times and seasons that God has determined by his own authority. They were to focus on receiving the promised Holy Spirit and to being witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, beginning in Jerusalem, and then outward in Judea and Samaria, and ultimately to the “end of the earth” (in both geographic and temporal senses). After saying this he rose up off the ground as they watched and was carried up out of their sight into heaven on a cloud. While they stood looking into the sky, two men (angels) stood by them in white robes, and addressing them as men of Galilee, asked why they were staring into the sky. The angels told the disciples that Jesus, who they had seen ascend into heaven would return in the same way.

Ephesians 1:16-23 Paraphrase:

Paul told the Christians in Ephesus (in Western Asia Minor; present day Turkey), established by Paul on his second (Acts 18:19-21) and third missionary journeys (Acts 19:1-41), that he was constantly giving thanks to God for their reception of the Gospel, and praying that they would grow in spiritual wisdom and revelation in knowledge of God; that their spiritual eyes would be opened to see the hope to which they have been called in him, to realize the spiritual riches of their inheritance in glory with the saints (those who are consecrated to God's service), and the working of immeasurable greatness of his almighty power in believers through faith (obedient trust), which he accomplished in Jesus Christ by raising him from the dead and elevating him to sit at God's right hand in God's eternal kingdom in heaven. He is elevated far above any earthly rule, authority, power and dominion. His name is above every other name, in this temporal age, and in the eternal age which is coming. God has put all things in submission to Christ, and has made him the ruler of all things for the (true) Church, which is filled with the fullness of his total person and character.

Luke 24:44-53 Paraphrase:

When Jesus appeared, on the day of his Resurrection, to his disciples who were staying in Jerusalem (in the upper room), he told them that he had said that every prophecy about the Messiah in the Old Testament, the Books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (The Jewish Bible) had to be fulfilled. “Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ' Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city (Jerusalem; the Church is the modern equivalent) until you are clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:45-49).

Then Jesus led them from Jerusalem to Bethany, which was on the Mount of Olives (about two miles east of Jerusalem). There he lifted up his hands and blessed them, and parted from them (was carried up into heaven) and the disciples returned to Jerusalem with tremendous joy, and were continually in the temple thanking and praising God.

Commentary:

Psalm 110 was composed by David, probably for the coronation of a human king, but it is also prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ as Jesus told his disciples (Luke 24:44). Jesus is the Son of David, whom God promised would be the eternal king of God's kingdom in heaven (2 Samuel 7:5-13).

Jesus asked the Pharisees, Jewish authorities in the Bible scriptures, what they understood about Psalm 110:1 and they couldn't answer him (Matthew 22:41-46). David was the forerunner and illustration of the Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). David didn't ascend into heaven to sit at God's right hand; Jesus is the fulfillment of of God's promise to David (Acts 2:34-36).

God has the power and authority to execute judgment upon the nations of this world. But God has delegated that power and authority to Jesus. Jesus is the one righteous judge, who has lived in this world in human flesh, but without sinning (sin is disobedience of God's Word). God is righteous and has the power and authority to judge, but we would feel that he is unable to understand our circumstances and weaknesses. Jesus has been tempted in every way just like we are, but without sinning. So he is not unable to sympathize with our situation (Hebrews 4:15), and is able to help us in our weakness.

Luke was converted by Paul (Saul of Tarsus) who had himself been converted after Jesus' physical ministry on earth Acts 9:1-21). Neither had known Jesus' physical life and ministry from firsthand experience. But they had resources among those who had.

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype and example of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel), as all of us can and should be). He had a personal encounter with the risen and ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Paul's conversion demonstrates the execution of the Great Commission, by the “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ. Paul was confronted by the risen and ascended Jesus (Acts 9:3-5). Paul confessed his sin, repented (Acts 9:9), accepted Jesus as his Lord (Acts 9:5), became obedient, and trusted in Jesus' commands Acts 9:6-8), and was discipled by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10), until Paul was born-again (Acts 9:17-18), and then immediately began carrying out the Great Commission (Acts 9:20).

Paul's conversion is unique only in the speed in which it was accomplished. But remember that Paul had been formally educated in Judaism, and that he loved God; he just needed to be pointed to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Paul repeated the process of disciple-making demonstrated by Jesus and his own experience with Ananias, with Timothy, for just one of many examples (2 Timothy 1:6-7) teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

I'm convinced that the Church is the heir to the ministry of John the Baptizer. John came into the world to announce the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and to baptize with water for repentance and cleansing so that we could receive the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples w13ho 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 “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event (Acts 19:2).

The Church's role is to prepare believers to receive the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, before sending them out into the world to proclaim the Gospel and carry on the mission of Christ. Unfortunately in too many instances, the nominal Church is not making disciples, not encouraging -even discouraging- members from seeking spiritual rebirth through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see false teachings, sidebar, right).

Too often, new believers are attracted by “End Times” prophecies, and then want to continue in endless speculation about the Second Coming. I believe that “End Times” preaching is useful to call unbelievers to repent, but once that is accomplished, their discipleship and spiritual rebirth should be the agenda. I think that Jesus' word to his disciples in Acts 1:6-8 is our mandate: Once we have believed in Jesus and have been filled with the Holy Spirit, our job is not to sit around speculating about when Jesus will return, but to proclaim the Gospel until he comes. The Lord knows where we are and will return in God's perfect timing.

Jesus promised to return to judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead in both physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 24:1-51; 25:31-46; Matthew 7:21-27; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Jesus is going to return in the same way as he ascended into heaven.

I proclaimed the Gospel to an individual until he committed to read the Bible in a year. I visited him periodically and re-motivated him several times when he had given up. Finally he did finish the entire Bible, but immediately wanted to start publishing a Bible study like I was doing. He didn't realize that reading the Bible entirely is just the first step in discipleship; and he wouldn't listen to me, who had been walking in discipleship for twenty-five years. He'd read the Bible but he hadn't begun to apply it in his daily life. He had no experience of the knowledge of, faithfulness and power of God. He wasn't interested in discipleship; he wanted to speculate on end times, and lost respect for me when I told him I wasn't concerned with End Times.

Jesus is the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11). There is no other name on earth or in heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings, to the glory of God the Father (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14).

The Holy Spirit fills the true Church and individual Christian members. In too many instances the Holy Spirit has departed from nominal Churches and nominal Christians, and they haven't even noticed!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), the Spirit of the risen and ascended Jesus. The Spirit of the risen Jesus opens our minds to understand the scriptures (Luke24:45; compare Luke 24:32) and recalls to our memory all that Jesus teaches (John 14:26b). A veil ([sic] vail) lays over the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from understanding the scriptures, and only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus is it removed (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

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)?

6 Easter - Friday - C
First posted May 14, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Friday - C

John 17:20-26 – Jesus' Prayer for Disciples;

Paraphrase:

Jesus prayed not just for his disciples who he had personally trained, but for all who would believe in Jesus through their testimony. He prayed that they would be unified in Jesus; just as Jesus and God the Father are perfectly one; that they be in Jesus and Jesus in them, so that the world may believe that Jesus has been sent by God. God has given Jesus glory, and Jesus has given his glory to his disciples so that they may share in Jesus and he in them. Jesus will be in them as God the Father is in Jesus, so that the world will know that Jesus has been sent by God and has loved them just as God has loved Jesus. Jesus asked God his Father that Jesus' disciples might be with Jesus in heaven to behold Jesus' heavenly glory, which God, in his love for Jesus gave him before the creation of this world (John 1:1-3, 14). The world has not known God the righteous Father, but Jesus has, and Jesus has made known to his disciples that God has sent Jesus. Jesus revealed God's name (his person and character) to his disciples, and will continue to make it known, so that Jesus and God's love for Jesus may be in them.

Commentary:

Jesus prayed for all believers today who believe through faith in the testimony of the original disciples who were discipled by Jesus during his physical ministry on earth. Those testimonies are recorded in the New Testament, so that we can come to know, trust and obey Jesus.

Those who believe the Bible testimonies and act upon them in faith will come to be modern born-again disciples (like Paul; Saul of Tarsus). They will have been discipled by the risen and ascended Jesus by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they will add their testimony to that of the New Testament. If there is any disagreement, the New Testament is the standard of truth and their testimony is false.

Jesus prayed that his disciples would be unified; of one mind in Christ (Romans 15:6; 1 Corinthians 1:10). The way to be of one mind with Christ is to be discipled by a “born-again” disciple until one has been born-again by 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). Born-again disciples have unity by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-5).

The nominal Church today is divided by false teachings and false prophets. The only way to protect against false teaching and false prophecy is to read the entire Bible for oneself. The Bible is the standard by which all doctrine is tested.

Jesus is fully God and fully human (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Anyone who knows Jesus knows God (John 14:8-11). By the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the presence of Jesus within us, and the Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the glory of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. I've experienced moments of the Lord's glory so powerful that the windows of the church seemed to rattle, and I seemed to float six feet off the ground!

Jesus is the name of the Lord! Jesus is God in human form. Jesus reveals God the Father to whom he chooses (Matthew 11:27).

It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we personally experience the glory and love of God. It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we have personal fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:23).

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)?

6 Easter - Saturday - C
First posted May 15, 2010
Podcast: 6 Easter - Saturday - C

John 15:26-16-4 – Witness of the Holy Spirit
(or John 16:12-15)

John 15 Paraphrase:

Jesus was preparing his disciples for his physical departure from them. He told them that when the Counselor (“Paraclete,” from the Greek: Comforter; consoler, intercessor; advocate) came, whom Jesus promised to send from God the Father, the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17), who comes from God, the Spirit will testify to the truth of Jesus. And Jesus' original disciples were also Jesus' witnesses because they had been with Jesus from the beginning of Jesus' physical ministry.

Jesus was telling the disciples these things so that they wouldn't fall away when Jesus had been crucified. Jesus warned them that they would have persecution; they would be thrown out of synagogues, and would be killed by those who thought they were doing God's will. Their persecutors would do this because they did not know God and had not recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. Jesus was telling them this now, so that when it took place they would remember that Jesus had told them. It had not been necessary for Jesus to tell them this until now because Jesus had been physically present with them.

Commentary:

The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. In his letter written to new believers, the Apostle John tells them not to believe every spirit but to test them to see whether they are of God (1 John 4:1-3). When I was first confronted by the Holy Spirit, before I was “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), I asked who it was I was hearing in my mind, and the Spirit replied, “The Lord and Giver of Life” (as in the third article of the Nicene Creed; see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, right).

The Lord is abundantly able to reveal himself to us in a uniquely personal way. When Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was confronted on the road to Damascus, the Holy Spirit identified himself as the risen and ascended Jesus, who Paul was persecuting (Acts 9:5). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

Through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the love of God and the joy of his presence. When we praise and glorify Jesus we experience the Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively; 1 John 5:6-8).

The original Eleven Apostles (messengers; of the Gospel -minus Judas Iscariot, the betrayer; Luke 6:13) had been witnesses to Jesus' physical public ministry on earth from its beginning. They personally learned the Gospel from Jesus and taught it in the first-century Church from its birth on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Their Biblical Apostolic Doctrine, as received by the Apostles directly from Jesus is recorded in the New Testament.

Jesus sent out the Twelve disciples, whom he designated Apostles, with the message of the Gospel. They had not yet been born-again by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but Jesus was still in the world physically. This was a training session, and an illustration of the mission of Christ which the disciples were to continue after Jesus' ascension into heaven.

Jesus' last instructions to his disciples were to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the modern equivalent) until they had received the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), and then, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, they were to go into all the world, making (born-again) disciples, and teaching them to obey all Jesus' teachings (The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20).

The Jewish religious leaders had the Bible Scriptures, but refused to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of God's Word, the promised Messiah. Jesus had done many miracles (signs showing that he was from God) in their presence, but they refused to accept him because they wanted to be the rulers of the people. The fact that they did not recognize Jesus proved that they had not known God.

The nominal Church today is in much the same position as Judaism at the time of Jesus' physical ministry. There are a lot of nominal Church leaders who know a lot about God, but don't know God personally (compare Job 42:5). Many nominal Church leaders consider ministry a “career choice.” Too often denominations and congregations are run as personal “empires” of their leaders.

The nominal Church is failing to make born-again disciples of Jesus Christ, and has settled for making “members,” “fair-weather Christians,” who participate if it suits them. Some mainline denominations are actually discouraging their members from seeking spiritual “rebirth” by teaching that it is automatically conferred by some church ritual such as water baptism or “confirmation” (see False Teaching, sidebar, right: “Spiritual Rebirth;” “The Emperor's New Clothes”).

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 Easter - C - May 2 - 8, 2010

5 Easter - C - May 2 - 8, 2010

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://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com (Please bookmark this link).

Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:

http://shepboy.multiply.com/

.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival Text-to-speech are available at:

Daily Walk 3-Year C Weekly Lectionary

Please Note: 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: 5 Easter - C

5 Easter - Sunday - C
First posted May 2, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Sunday - C

Psalm 145:1-13 – Great is the Lord!
Acts 13:44-52 – Paul's Sermon at Antioch of Pisidia;
Revelation 21:1-5 – A New Heaven and Earth;
John 13:31-35 – Jesus Glorified!

Psalm 145:1-13:

Let us extol our God and King. Forever let us daily bless his name. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (beyond measure; Psalm 145:3).

Let one generation praise God's works and mighty acts to the next. Let us meditate on the magnificent splendor of his wondrous works. People will proclaim the greatness and power of God's awesome acts. Let us declare the fame of God's abundant goodness and shout aloud of his righteousness.

“The Lord is gracious ad merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all and his compassion is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:8-9). All God's creatures will give thanks to God and all his saints (those consecrated to God's service) will bless him. They will proclaim his power and the glory of his kingdom. His kingdom is eternal, and his reign is throughout all generations.

Acts Background:

On Paul's first missionary trip, he and those accompanying him came to Antioch of Pisidia, a Roman province in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). On the sabbath they attended the synagogue, and after the customary readings of the Law and Prophets (the Old Testament Jewish scriptures) the synagogue leader invited the missionaries to speak any word of exhortation, and Paul did so (Acts 13:14-16a).

Acts 13:44-52 Paraphrase:

The next sabbath nearly the entire city gathered to the synagogue to hear the Word of God proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas (a leader in the church at Antioch who accompanied Paul). But the Jews were jealous of the multitudes attracted to Paul's preaching, and contradicted what he said and verbally abused him. So Paul and Barnabas boldly replied that it had been necessary to preach the Gospel (“good news”) of forgiveness and salvation first to the Jews, but since they rejected the Gospel and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, the missionaries would preach to the Gentiles. They quoted Isaiah 49:6 which prophesied that God would make his apostles (messengers of the Gospel) to be [spiritual] light to the Gentiles, so that the good news of salvation can be carried to every place on earth.

The Gentiles who heard this were delighted, and glorified God's Word. And those who believed were chosen to receive eternal life. So the Word of the Lord spread throughout the entire region. But the Jewish authorities incited leading men and devout women to stir up persecution against the missionaries and drove Paul and Barnabas out of their district. “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Iconium” (Acts 13:51; compare Luke 10:10-11; Acts 18:6).

Revelation 21:1-5 Paraphrase:

The Apostle John had a vision of a new heaven and earth; this present earth, sea and heaven had passed away. John saw the new Jerusalem, the Holy City, dressed in finery like a bride for her husband, coming down out of heaven from God. A voice from heaven declared that God's dwelling would be with mankind. They will be his people and he will dwell with them. God will wipe away all their tears, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, because all those former things have passed away.

God, who sits upon the throne, says for us to watch and see, because he makes all things new, and he commanded John to write all these visions in a book, because they were true and worthy of trust.

John 13:31-35 Paraphrase:

On the night of Jesus' Last Supper, after Judas, his betrayer, had left, Jesus told the remaining disciples that now was the time for Jesus to be glorified, and in Jesus God would be glorified. If God is glorified in Jesus God will also glorify Jesus and do so immediately. Calling his disciples his little children, Jesus told them that he would be with them [physically] only a little longer. They would seek him but, as he had told the Jews, they could not [right then] be where Jesus was going (but would be ultimately; John 14:1-6). Jesus told them that he was giving them a new commandment: to love one another. His disciples were to love one another as Jesus had loved them. By their love for one another, all people would realize that they were Jesus' disciples.22

Commentary:

Christians are called to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples (students) and apostles (messengers) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c). First we are commanded to stay within “Jerusalem” (the Church) until we have been “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:4Psalm 145:1-13; Acts 13:44-52
Revelation 21:1-5 John 13:31-359; Acts 1:4-5, 8), which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Then we are to go into the world with the Gospel message, to make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19-20).

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 “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we know the Lord personally and experience his greatness, love, power, and his mighty acts on our behalf personally (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, right). It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are able to glorify him and give him praise.

We must read the entire Bible, and we must read it daily with meditation and prayer, in order to know and understand God's Word. Make time daily to read the Bible and get a 1-year Bible-reading schedule, and then use that time daily to follow some devotional Bible study like this one.

How can we proclaim God's goodness and his great works to others without having read God's Word and experienced his goodness personally through his indwelling Holy Spirit within us. There are ominous signs in the society around us, particularly in America today, that nominal Christians have not passed on God's Word and praise of God's goodness and awesome works to the next generation. Even truly “born-again” Christian parents who make every effort to disciple their children may not succeed because of the secular influences in society and especially in education today.

In many nominal Churches today the situation is similar to Judaism at the time of Jesus' earthly ministry. In too many instances, the Church is being run for the benefit of the leaders. The Church selects and controls the doctrines they promote and who they allow to teach. The same false doctrines springing up in the Church in the first century, which are refuted in the New Testament, are still present today (see False Teachings, sidebar, right).

Some of the most difficult people to teach the Biblical Apostolic Gospel (taught by the original Apostles, including Paul, in the first-century Church and recorded in the New Testament) are Church people. I've personally experienced resistance to the Gospel from people in my own congregations in the past, who had never read the entire Bible and didn't read portions of it regularly.

Some mainline denominations teach that the Holy Spirit is automatically conferred by water baptism or some church rite, and that salvation is by grace (a free gift; true), but without the requirement of discipleship and obedient trust in Jesus' teachings (false). Those who have personally experienced spiritual rebirth through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit can testify to them, but "church members" often reject that Gospel truth, and condemn themselves as unworthy of eternal life. The unchurched are often more receptive. I have personally experienced several times having to “shake the dust off of my shoes” against congregations who would not receive my testimony, and go on to the next (Matthew 10:6-15).

The Lord is going to purify his Church. Not everyone who calls himself a Christian or says that Jesus is his Lord is going to survive the Day of Judgment (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46). When this present Creation passes away, then John's vision of a purified Church coming down from heaven from God will be fulfilled. The Church will be the people of God because they have learned to trust and obey God, and so he will be their God and will dwell with them. Death, decay, and all the sorrows of this lifetime will have passed away.

It is hard for worldly people to realize that being crucified is any way to glorify God or to be glorified, but it was because that was God's will and plan for Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus glorified God by trusting and obeying God's Word to the point of the most excruciatingly painful death imaginable, and in the eyes of the world, shameful and humiliating. God glorified Jesus by raising him from physical death to eternal life, making him King of kings and Lord of lords, and giving him a name that is above all other names in this world and the next (Ephesians 1:19-23; Philippians 2:7-11).

By leaving his disciples physically, Jesus was making it possible for each of us to have access to him individually and personally at any time or in any place, by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit within us. So it is to his “born-again” disciples' advantage that Jesus left earth physically (John 16:5-7).

Many nominal Christians talk about love. Certainly if one loves Jesus one will also love his brethren in Christ and all people (our “neighbors;” Matthew 22:35-40), because that is what he commanded; but if one loves Jesus one will be doing all that Jesus commands and teaches (John 14:15). The Great Commission to the Church is to make disciples of Jesus and teach them to know, trust and obey all Jesus' commandments (Matthew 28:20).

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 Easter - Monday - C
First posted May 3, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Monday - C

Psalm 67 – Thanksgiving for a Good Harvest;

Psalm Paraphrase:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving power among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2 RSV). May all people praise you, O Lord.

May all nations rejoice and sing for joy, because the Lord judges all people fairly and guides all the nations of earth. May all people praise the Lord.

“The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us; may all the ends of the earth fear him” (Psalm 67:6-7 RSV).

Commentary:

God blesses his people who trust and obey him, so that all people can come to know that God is good and he is God of all people and nations. God withholds his blessings from those who refuse to trust and obey him, in hope that they will come to know that God is the source of all blessings.

God directs the conduct of all nations, whether they acknowledge him as Lord or not. One classic example is his use of Cyrus of Persia to accomplish God's purpose to bring the remnant of Judah from the Exile in Babylon after seventy years in fulfillment of his Word (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Isaiah 44:28).

God is Lord of the earthly harvests, but, more importantly, of the eternal spiritual harvest. God has designed this Creation to be a spiritual garden to raise his own people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek, find and come to fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and to be spiritually “reborn” to eternal life (John 3:3, 5-8). These are only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), 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 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 baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing experience (Acts 19:2).

Jesus is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:34-35) and Son of man[kind], by his mother, Mary. He is fully God, in human form (Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5), and is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:14). He has been appointed by God to judge the earth. He alone is qualified to judge the earth because he has lived in flesh like us and has experienced every temptation that we experience, yet without sinning (sin is disobedience of God's Word; Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus is going to return on the Day of Judgment, to judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead, in both physical and spiritual senses (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46). He will come at the end of the temporal age, while we are still physically alive, or at the end of time for us individually at the moment of our physical death. At that moment, it will be too late to change our individual eternal destinies.

Jesus is the standard of judgment by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (our Lord is who we trust and obey), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus, will have been spiritually “born-again” and will have had a personal relationship with Jesus during this lifetime. Jesus will acknowledge them and they will enter eternal life in God's kingdom restored to paradise. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46) will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

“The fear (awe and respect for the power and authority) of God is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 RSV).

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 Easter - Tuesday - C
First posted May 4, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Tuesday - C

Acts 14:8-18 – Mistaken for gods.

Paraphrase:

On Paul's first missionary journey, at Lystra (in Asia Minor; present-day Turkey), Paul was preaching and a man who had been born crippled and had never walked was listening intently. Seeing that he had the faith to be healed, Paul told him in a loud voice to stand up and walk, and the cripple did so. When the crowd saw what Paul had done they said that the gods had come down to them in the likeness of men. They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief spokesperson, they called Hermes. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city brought oxen and garlands, intending to offer sacrifice with the people.

But when Paul and Barnabas saw this they tore their garments (in ritual mourning), and hurried into the crowd, asking why they were doing this, since Paul and Barnabas were mere mortals like the people. The missionaries declared that they were bringing “good news,” that they should turn from vain things (idols) to the living God who had created all things. In the past God had allowed the nations to follow their own ways; yet he had left them witness by the good he did and the blessings of rain and fruitful seasons, so that they had food and happiness. By these words Paul and Barnabas were scarcely able to keep the people from offering sacrifices to them.

Commentary:

Note the reaction of Paul and Barnabas at being mistaken for gods, and compare that to Jesus' reaction when Thomas declared him his Lord and his God (John 20:28). Jesus did not correct Thomas, because Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9). 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 the one true God who has come down to us in human form. Those who have “seen” (personally experienced) Jesus have “seen” (personally experienced) God (John 14:8-11).

God is patient with us, allowing us to pursue our own ways, and blessing us with rain and fruitful harvests, in the hope that we will discover that he is the source of our blessings. The meaning and purpose of life is to seek, find and have fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27; John 14:6-7), and to be spiritually “reborn” 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 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 baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing experience (Acts 19:2).

The healing miracle done through Paul and Barnabas was not by their own power and will, but by the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. My online ministry through My Daily Walk Bible Study is not by my own effort and ability, but by the insight and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Christians are, by definition, disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who have been “born-again” and have been sent (as apostles; messengers; of the Gospel). New believers are to be discipled within the Church (the New Jerusalem) by mature, “born-again” disciples (Paul -Saul of Tarsus- is the prototype and example; Acts 9:1-20) until they have been “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), before being sent into the world with the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).

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 Easter - Wednesday - C
First posted May 5, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Wednesday - C

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 – New Jerusalem;

Paraphrase:

The Apostle John was transported by the Holy Spirit in a vision to a “high mountain” where he could see the New Jerusalem which he saw coming down from heaven from God. The Holy City is the Bride (the Church), the wife of the Lamb (Jesus). The city had the glory of God, radiant like a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a high wall with twelve gates. The gates were named for the twelve tribes of Israel. The city was cubic with dimensions a multiple of twelve. There were three gates in each wall. The wall had twelve foundations named for the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

There is no temple in the city because the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, because its light is the glory of God, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Commentary:

The New Jerusalem is described symbolically: its cubic dimensions symbolize perfection, and its beauty is symbolized by precious jewels. The city is the temple, because the glory and presence of God Almighty and Jesus Christ, the Lamb, fill the city. There is no spiritual darkness there because God and Jesus provide spiritual light; they are the spiritual sun and moon (Isaiah 60:1-3, 19; John 8:12).

The Church is the New Jerusalem on earth, but it is not the purified Church of John's vision. The nominal Church today contains the true Church, but also false “Churches,” false teachers and teachings (see False Teachings, sidebar, right), and false, nominal Christians (Matthew 7:21-27). All these false elements will have been removed at the Day of Judgment.

A true Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who has been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) 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 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 Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is God's intended replacement for Judas Iscariot, one of the original Twelve disciples, Jesus' betrayer. Paul is 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 (Acts 9:1-20). Paul was discipled by a born-again disciple (Acts 9:10-12) until Paul was “reborn” (Acts 9:17-18), and then began making born-again disciples (2 Timothy 1:6-7) and teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Unfortunately, many parts of the nominal Church today are failing to make born-again disciples, and in some instances are discouraging members from seeking spiritual rebirth (see False Teachings, sidebar, right).

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 Easter - Thursday - C
First posted May 6, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Thursday - C

John 14:23-29 – Last Instructions;

Paraphrase:

Jesus told his disciples that those who love Jesus will keep Jesus' word (commands; teachings), and God the Father will love them and the Father and Jesus will come to them and make their home with them. Those who do not love Jesus do not obey Jesus' word, and Jesus' word is the Word of God who has sent Jesus.

Jesus had told the disciples these things while he was still with them (physically). “But the Counselor (“Paraclete:” intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26). Jesus promised to leave his peace with his disciples, giving it to them not as the world gives. So his disciples are not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. Jesus had told them that Jesus was going away, and would come to them. Those who loved Jesus would rejoice that he was going to the Father, who is greater than Jesus. Jesus had told them these things (his impending crucifixion and death, and the end of his physical presence and ministry) so that when they took place his disciples would believe (trust and obey Jesus' word).

Commentary:

Obedient trust in Jesus' teachings is evidence that his disciples love Jesus, and Jesus has promised to “baptize” them with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9-10). Note the doctrine of the Trinity (the word is not found in the Bible but the concept is evident: Matthew 28:19).

Jesus and God the Father are one (John 14:10). Jesus was fully human but also fully God (Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus is what God “looks like” in human form (John 14:8-10). By the indwelling Holy Spirit we have fellowship with Jesus and God the Father.

God is greater than Jesus in the sense that he designed Jesus into Creation from the very beginning, and “fathered” him by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:34-35). Jesus was completely obedient to his Father's will, to death on the cross. While Jesus was surrendered to the hands of wicked people, God was still in control of Creation.

Only Jesus baptizes with the indwelling 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). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2).

Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this present 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). Anyone who claims to be Christian, and claims Jesus as his Lord, but doesn't know, trust and obey all that Jesus teaches, is deceiving himself (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).

Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) until they were “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then they were to go into all the world and make (born-again; the only true kind of) disciples, teaching them trust and obey all that Jesus teaches his disciples (Matthew 28:19a, 20a), baptizing them in the name of the Triune (Trinitarian) God (Matthew 28:19b). The Church is to bring its members to spiritual rebirth, and then the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit will lead the members in spiritual growth to Christian maturity at the time of Christ's return.

Christian discipleship is a growth process. God wants us to trust and obey his Word so that he can show us that he is abundantly able and faithful to do what he says. Our spiritual growth begins with our “mustard seed” (Matthew 13:31; 17:20; Luke 17:6), our simple “yes” of faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. As God fulfills his promises to us personally and individually, we will grow spiritually in faith to maturity (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, right).

With the indwelling Holy Spirit within us, we have peace which the world cannot give. We know with absolute assurance that Jesus is eternally alive and that we have what he has promised: eternal life (John 14:6; Hebrews 2:14-15). As we learn to recognize and trust his “voice” and come to know his power and faithfulness to deliver us, we will be spared many anxious hours and days. We need to practice and learn this by experience (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, right).

I am convinced that the meaning and purpose of life is to seek, find and come to fellowship with God, our Creator, and this is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

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 Easter - Friday - C
First posted May 7, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Friday - C

James 1:22-27 – Doers of the Word;

Paraphrase:

The author warns Christians to not only hear but also do the Word. Those who hear the word but do not apply it in their lives do not retain it in memory. They're like a person who sees his face in a mirror, and then turns away and immediately forgets what he looks like. One who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty (i.e. the Gospel; Romans 8:1-4), and perseveres, not simply hearing, but applying it daily, will be blessed.

A person who thinks he is religious must learn to bridle his tongue, or he is deceiving himself and his religion is in vain. Pure, undefiled religion in God's judgment is that which helps the poor, weak, humble and oppressed (Matthew 25:35-40) and keeps us from being polluted by the sinful world around us.

Commentary:

The Bible, the Word of God, has been given to us by God for our own good. It is the “owner's manual” for life in this world. If we seriously look into God's Word we will read it entirely, and we will read portions daily, with prayer and meditation, for daily guidance (see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, at right).

God's Word promises that we will be blessed as we read the Bible with the commitment to apply it daily. Jesus warns that those who call Jesus Lord and call themselves Christians are not saved, and are deceiving themselves (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).

As we begin to trust and obey God's Word we will be filled with 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 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 infilling with the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event (Acts 19:2).

The indwelling Holy Spirit is the greatest blessing imaginable! Through the Holy Spirit we have daily access to and fellowship with God our Creator and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). He is the “Paraclete,” our consoler, comforter, intercessor, and advocate (John 14:17). He's the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13) who will teach us all things, and cause us to recall all Jesus' words (John 14:26). The indwelling Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand scripture (Luke 24:45). The Holy Spirit gives Jesus’ disciples what to say at the moment it is needed (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12). He guides and empowers us to know and do God's specific individual will for us. Jesus warns us not to depart from Jerusalem (the Church is the New Jerusalem on earth) until we have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

A true Christian is a disciple (student) of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who has been born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process. A new believer is to be discipled by a born-again disciple until the new believer is born-again (compare Paul's -Saul of Tarsus-' conversion Acts 9:1-20), and then he is discipled by the Holy Spirit, to spiritual maturity at the Day of the Lord's Return.

Many nominal Churches today are failing to make disciples and require discipleship of their members. Many nominal Churches today are not “Bible preaching Churches.” Often there is no reading of the Bible during the service, and the sermon may be based on a single verse, if based on scripture at all. Many nominal Christians have never read the entire Bible, and don't read it regularly.

Disciples need to learn to bridle their tongues in several ways. Some must break habits of cursing; some must break habits of gossip. We must not verbally abuse those of our own congregation and our family at home, and we must not verbally abuse those who serve us in retail and service industries in the community around us. Treating people poorly in the secular world gives Jesus a bad reputation among worldly people (James 1:19-21).

God is the helper and advocate for the poor, weak, humble and oppressed, and so are we called to do likewise (1 Corinthians 1:26-28; Matthew 25:34-40). Jesus' ministry of physical healing, feeding and resurrection were intended to show that he could also, and more importantly, heal, feed and resurrect spiritually, but he cared also for their physical conditions. He sent his disciples out to practice carrying on Jesus ministry, telling them to preach the coming of the kingdom of heaven, and to heal the sick, raise the dead and feed the hungry physically and spiritually (Matthew 10:7-8). After they had been baptized with the Holy Spirit they began fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), and carrying on Jesus' mission (Acts 3:2-8; Acts 9:36-41; James 2:14-17).

Christianity isn't really a “religion” in the sense of other worldly religions. It isn't man's attempt to propitiate God by religious rituals. One can be “religious” without being a Christian; one can be “spiritual” without being born-again. But one cannot be a true Christian without being baptized with the Holy Spirit and having a personal relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Easter - Saturday - C
First posted May 8, 2010
Podcast: 5 Easter - Saturday - C

John 16:23-30 – Jesus Comforts His Disciples;

Jesus' disciples were sad to hear that Jesus was going to leave them, but Jesus promised that they would see him again and that their sorrow would be turned to joy which would not fade (John 16:22). In that day they would not ask anything of Jesus. “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24; see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, right).

Jesus told his disciples that he had been speaking of these things metaphorically but the time was going to come when he would no longer have to use metaphors, but would be able to speak plainly to them about God the Father. Then they would pray in Jesus' name; they would not need Jesus to pray to the Father for them, because God loves Jesus' disciples because they have loved Jesus and have believed that Jesus has come from God. Jesus has come into the world by God's will, and is leaving the world to return to God.

His disciples declared that Jesus had now spoken plainly and not in any metaphor. Now they realized that Jesus knew all things and no one needed to question him, so they were convinced that he had come from God.

Commentary:

The Bible is the history of God's dealing with Israel, and is a series of metaphors, “parables” of life in this world. Metaphors are necessary to explain spiritual truth in terms of worldly experiences.

The Exodus from Egypt is the central act of God's deliverance of his people. We are all slaves to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order. Jesus is our “Moses” who leads us out of Egypt, through the “Sea” of baptism into Jesus, through the wilderness of spiritual darkness of this world, by the pillar of fire and cloud (Exodus 13:21-22) of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our “Joshua” (the name, “Jesus” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Jeshua” or “Joshua”), who leads us through the “River” of physical death, into the eternal “Promised Land” of God's Kingdom in heaven, restored to perfect paradise.

There are many other metaphors in the Bible. Metaphors allow us to understand spiritual truth, but allow us to not understand, if we choose. This Creation has been designed to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not. That is the reason that Jesus called himself the Son of man, which is true, but which allowed his hearers to decide for themselves whether Jesus was also the Son of God. Jesus was the Son of man through his human mother, Mary, and the Son of God through his conception by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:34-35).

There are conditions for answered prayer. God is under no obligation to hear and answer our prayers unless we are willing to trust and obey God's Word. Just adding Jesus' name to our prayers doesn't obligate God to hear and answer them. Jesus is the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word, lived in human flesh in this sinful world.

Genuine Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) 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 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 baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, daily, ongoing experience (Acts 19:2).

Note well, those who consider themselves Christians! We have direct access to God the Father through prayer in Jesus' name! We cannot receive answer to our prayer by asking any “saint” to pray in our behalf, or even Jesus himself. The condition for answered prayer is obedient trust in Jesus (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right, home).

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)?

Week of 4 Easter C - April 25 - May 1, 2010

Week of 4 Easter C - April 25 - May 1, 2010

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://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com (Please bookmark this link).

Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:

http://shepboy.multiply.com/

.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival Text-to-speech are available at:

Daily Walk 3-Year C Weekly Lectionary

Please Note: 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: 4 Easter - C

4 Easter - Sunday C
First posted April 25, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Sunday C

Psalm 23 – The Good Shepherd;
Acts 13:15-16a, 26-33 – Paul's Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia;
Revelation 7:9-17 – The Great Multitude of Redeemed;
John 10:22-30 – The Good Shepherd;

Psalm 23:

Those for whom the Lord is their shepherd will never lack any good thing; the Lord will lead them to green pastures. He will lead them to calm waters; he restores their souls. For his own name's sake he will lead them in ways of righteousness.

They will fear no evil, even though they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, for the Lord will be present with them, comforting them with the protection of his rod and staff.

In the presence of their enemies, the Lord prepares a table for his people. He anoints their heads with oil; he fills their cups to overflowing. They shall experience goodness and mercy all the days of their lives and they will dwell in the Lord's house forever.

Acts 13:15-16a, 26-33:

On Paul's first missionary journey, he and his fellow missionaries went into the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia (in Asia Minor; present-day Turkey) as was their custom. After the synagogue leaders had read from the law and the prophets, the Old Testament scriptures, Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) and the missionaries with him were invited give a word of exhortation. So Paul stood up and began to preach, addressing them as brethren and descendants of Abraham, and those who fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) God.

Paul said that the message of salvation (through Jesus Christ; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right) had been sent to the Jews. But the people and leaders of the Jews in Jerusalem, although they heard the prophetic scriptures read every sabbath, did not recognize or understand them, so they fulfilled them by condemning Jesus, although they could present no evidence that he deserved to die. Yet they asked Pilate (Roman governor of Judea) to execute him. Thus they fulfilled all the prophecy concerning the Messiah (Christ; God's anointed prophet, priest and king).

Then they removed him from the cross and placed him in the tomb, but God raised him to life from the dead, and for many (forty: Acts 1:3) days he appeared to his followers who had come with him from Galilee (more than five hundred: 1 Corinthians 15:5-8) who now testify as eyewitnesses. And these eyewitnesses (including Paul) testify that what God promised to the Jewish forefathers (a savior; the Good Shepherd; Psalm 2:7; John 1:14, 29; 3:16-17) he fulfilled to their descendants by raising Jesus from the dead.

Revelation 7:9-17:

The Apostle John had a vision of a great multitude of every nation, tribe, people and language gathered before the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus; sacrificed on the cross, whose flesh provides the spiritual feast of the New Passover, the Lord's Supper; Holy Communion; Eucharist; Matthew 26:26-28; and whose blood marks his disciples to be “passed over” by the destroying angel; Exodus 12:1-9). The multitude was clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. They were shouting that salvation comes from God who reigns upon the throne, and from the Lamb. The angels who surround the throne, the twenty-four elders (the twelve old testament patriarchs and the twelve original Apostles of Jesus Christ) and the four living creatures (symbolizing all living creatures) bowed their faces to the ground and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever. Amen (so be it; note 7-fold, perfect, praise).

Then one of the elders asked John who he thought the ones in white robes were. John deferred to the elder, who said that they are those who had come out of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22) and had washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before his throne and serve him day and night.

Commentary:

God had been promising throughout the Old Testament, that he would provide a Good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:10-11; 63:11; Ezekiel 34:11-17, 23-24; 37:24; and, of course, Psalm 23). Moses prayed for God to appoint a shepherd over the people of Israel and God told Moses to anoint Joshua, the son of Nun, to succeed Moses as the shepherd of Israel (Numbers 27:15-19).

Moses was a forerunner of Christ who illustrated the mission of Christ. Jesus is our “Moses” who leads us out of bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order, through the “Sea” of baptism into Jesus Christ, separating us from our spiritual enemies, through the wilderness of this lifetime, leading us through the spiritual darkness by the “Pillar of Fire” (Exodus 13:21-22) of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is our Joshua (the name “Jesus” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew words, “Jeshua” or “Joshua”), who leads us through the “River” of physical death and into the “Promised Land” of God's eternal kingdom in heaven (recall Numbers 27:15-19).

Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to be the Good Shepherd of his people (Isaiah 40:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-16). Jesus is fully God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:8-11). Jesus is the “Strong Hand,” the “Right Arm” of God (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44).

David was a forerunner and illustration of the Christ. David was the great human shepherd-king of Israel. Jesus is the “Son of David” (descendant; Matthew 1:1, 6, 17, 20; 21:9). Jesus confirmed that the Christ was the Son of David (Matthew 22:42-45); but he was also the Son of God (Luke 3:23, 38; Matthew 16:15-18).

Paul proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the “Good Shepherd.” Jesus was the promised Messiah (God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King; “Christ” and “Messiah” each mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus came to seek and save the spiritually “lost” (Matthew 15:24; 18:11; recall God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Testament) of Law between God and God's people. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor) which is received by faith (obedient trust; Ephesians 2:8-9) in Jesus Christ. Jesus initiated the New Covenant on the night of his betrayal and arrest at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).

The Last Supper was the celebration of the Feast of Passover (Exodus 12:1- 14). During the feast, Jesus initiated the New Covenant. The Last Supper became the New Passover. God had taught through the original Passover, and throughout the Old Testament, that a blood sacrifice was necessary for the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word). In the original Passover, a perfect, unblemished lamb was sacrificed, its flesh provided the feast, and its blood marked the faithful to be “passed-over” by the destroying angel (recall Exodus 12:1-14). Jesus became the Lamb of the New Passover, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; Eucharist) is the New Feast of Passover, the fulfillment of the promise of Psalm 23:5 of a table prepared for us in the midst of our enemies, and of an overflowing cup, and of the “anointing” (baptism) of the Holy Spirit, who is the “oil of gladness” (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). 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). The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing event (Acts 19:2).

John's vision of the throne of God surrounded by a vast, uncountable number of the redeemed was a vision of the saved who had been washed in the blood of Jesus and were clad in robes of righteousness, not their own, but the righteousness of Jesus, which God attributes to them by their faith in Jesus (Philippians 3:9).

Is Jesus your Shepherd and Lord? Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? 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)?

4 Easter - Monday - C
First posted April 26, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Monday - C

Psalm 145:1-13 – God's Everlasting Kingdom;

Those for whom the Lord is God and King, let us praise and bless his name daily for ever and ever. The Lord's greatness is vast and unsearchable, and worthy of praise.

Let each generation declare the mighty acts of God and exalt him to the next. Let us meditate on on God's glorious splendor and majesty, and his wondrous works. Let the people praise the power of God's fearsome acts and declare his greatness. Let us spread abroad the fame of God's abundant goodness, and shout aloud of God's righteousness.

“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8). The Lord is good and compassionate to all his creatures.

All that he has created will give thanks to the Lord, and his saints will give him praise. They will testify, to the glory of God's kingdom, his power, so that the children of mankind may come to know his mighty deeds and the splendor of his glorious kingdom. God's kingdom is eternal, and he will reign in sovereign authority and power for ever.

Commentary:

I'm convinced that 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 (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to know and have fellowship with God, our Creator, which was broken by sin (disobedience of God's Word), to know divine eternal truth, and to have true, eternal life, which begins now in this lifetime.

God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey his Word, in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually unborn.

This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn,” which is only 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 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 “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing daily experience (Acts 19:2).

Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal, daily fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:23; Revelation 3:20). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we personally experience the goodness, power, greatness, glory and steadfast love of God. As we walk in daily obedience to the Holy Spirit we will personally experience God's awesome mighty acts (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right). When we do, we will want to testify to all the people of the world.

I recently heard statistics that the number of people in America professing religion has declined significantly in the last generation. I believe that Americans have fallen away from Christ and the Church. Many have failed become disciples of Jesus Christ, to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to experience personally the fellowship and mighty works of God in their own daily lives, and have thus failed, and are unable to declare the Lord's greatness to the next generation.

In many instances the nominal Church shares equal responsibility for this failure, by failing to make “born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples, and teach them to trust and obey Jesus' teachings. Without born-again disciples, there will not be born-again candidates for ministry. It takes born-again disciples to make born-again disciples.

In some instances denominations are teaching that one is automatically born-again through some ritual such as “water baptism.” Some are teaching that their members are saved as a free gift (true), without the requirement of discipleship and obedience (false; see False Teachings, sidebar top right).

Christians should read the entire Bible, and then read portions of the Bible daily for guidance, with meditation and prayer. An average reader can easily read the Bible through in one year and there are numerous 1-year reading aids. See Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right. The Bible is the standard against which all Church doctrine should be measured. Knowing the Bible helps us to avoid false teachings. Unless we have read the entire Bible we don't know the Bible well enough to proclaim God's Word. The Bible is where we first experience God's mighty acts.

Christians should pursue discipleship and the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are guided and empowered to proclaim God's Word in the world (Zechariah 4:6). In fact, Jesus warns his disciples to stay in Jerusalem (the Church; the City of God on earth) until they have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, before going abroad to spread the fame of God's goodness and righteousness (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). The Church was born on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured upon Jesus' disciples, and they were transformed, empowered and guided (Acts 2:1-13).

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)?

4 Easter - Tuesday - C
First posted April 27, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Tuesday - C

Acts 13:44-52 – Gospel to the Gentiles;

Background:

On his first missionary journey, Paul (Saul of Tarsus) had preached the Gospel at the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia (in present-day Turkey; Acts 13:14-16).

Acts:

The next sabbath practically the entire city gathered to hear God's Word. But the Jews were jealous when they saw the crowds gather to hear Paul preach, and so they contradicted what Paul said, and vilified him. But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying that it was necessary to preach the Gospel first to the Jews, but since these rejected God's Word and condemned themselves as unworthy of eternal life, the missionaries would proclaim it to the Gentiles (non-Jews; most of us), thus fulfilling Isaiah 49:6, in which God declared that Christian evangelists were a light to Gentiles, to bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.

The Gentiles rejoiced when they heard this, and those who believed were chosen to receive eternal life. And the Word of God spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited persecution against Paul and Barnabas by the leading people of the city and drove them out of the region. “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them” (Acts 13:51a), and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Commentary:

God intended that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the “Good News” of peace with God and eternal salvation from sin (disobedience of God's Word) would come through the Jews to all the people of earth. Jesus Christ was a Jew (John 1:10-12). Most Jews turned aside from their calling, and rejected the Gospel, but the Gentiles received it with joy. Those who reject Jesus condemn themselves (John 3:18-20).

Those who believed in (trusted and obeyed) Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus “baptizes” (“anoints”) with the gift of the indwelling 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). The “anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2).

Christians are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) “disciples” (students; Acts 11:26c) and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church; the City of God on earth) until they had been “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5) and then to go into all the world proclaiming the Gospel, making [“born-again”] disciples of Jesus, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20).

Paul was deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again, disciple and apostle” of Jesus Christ. Paul was confronted by the Spirit of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus where Paul (Saul of Tarsus) intended to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-4). Paul repented Acts 9:9), accepted Jesus as his Lord (Acts 9:5), became obedient to Jesus' commands (Acts 9:6-8), was discipled by a “born-again” (Acts 9:10) disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:11-17) until Paul was “born-again” (Acts 9:18), and then Paul began to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to his “born-again” disciples (Acts 9:20).

Paul demonstrated the process of “born-again” disciple-making which Jesus had taught by example with the Twelve original disciples. Paul repeated the process with Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7), and taught him to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

People who believe the Gospel, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and begin to trust and obey Jesus' teachings will be filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will experience the joy of the presence of, salvation, and eternal life, in the Lord.

Jesus taught his disciples to proclaim the Gospel, and to shake off the dust of the communities of those who rejected the Gospel, as a testimony against them. I have personally experienced the rejection of my proclamation of the Gospel in the Church community in which I was raised. I have personally “shaken off the dust of that community” and moved on to other Church communities, several times. It is not I who condemn them but they, themselves.

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)?

4 Easter - Wednesday - C
First posted April 28, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Wednesday - C

Revelation 21:1-5 – A New Heaven and Earth;

The Apostle John had a vision of a new heaven and earth, because the first heaven and earth had passed away (as prophesied by Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). The sea was no more. He saw the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down from heaven from God, adorned as a bride. A loud voice from the throne declared that God would dwell with mankind. They will be his people and God will be with them. He will wipe away all their tears and death, mourning, pain and crying will be no more, for all these former things have passed away.

The One who sits on the throne declared said, “Behold, I make all things new.” He also told John to write this down, for the words are true and worthy of trust.

Commentary:

The true Church is the New Jerusalem. It is now the City of God on earth; it will be the restored City of God in heaven, the new Creation restored to perfect paradise. The Church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-9).

God's Word declares that everything in this material world will pass out of existence. We tend to think that material things have real substance. We can see and touch them. They seem “real.” Spiritual things seen insubstantial and unreal. But it is the spiritual things which are eternal, not what is material.

God has intentionally designed this world to be limited by time and decay. God has always intended to create an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God's Word. This Creation has been designed to allow us the freedom to choose whether or not to trust and obey God's Word. This Creation was perfect, but was corrupted by sin (disobedience of God's Word). But God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.

This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word, to seek, find and have fellowship with God , our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. We have all been born into this temporal life physically (materially) alive but spiritually “unborn.”

Only those who are “baptized” with the indwelling Holy Spirit are spiritually “born-again.” We can only find and have fellowship with God through Jesus Christ by the “baptism” 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 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 baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2).

By the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the love, comforting and joy of God's presence. The Holy Spirit is the “comforter” (consoler; intercessor; “Paraclete” from the Greek: para`klhtos).

In the New Creation, there won't be any of the problems of this temporal world because there won't be any sin, disease or death and decay. That's the promise from Our Lord and God.

But note that the choice of where we will spend eternity is ours. We can believe God's Word fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ, and begin to experience spiritual reality now, or we can reject God's Word in Jesus Christ and spend eternity in spiritual death in hell with all evil. In hell, time will be suspended, but not sorrow, sickness, and decay; and suffering and death will be eternal.

It is not true that we cannot know whether heaven and eternal life are true until we die physically. The only people who are unsure are those who are perishing spiritually.

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)?

4 Easter - Thursday - C
First posted April 29, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Thursday - C

John 13:31-35 – A New Commandment;

At the Last Supper, after Judas, the betrayer, had left, Jesus said to his disciples that the time had come for the Son of man (Jesus) to be glorified, and that he would glorify God. If Jesus glorified God, God would also glorify Jesus in God the Father, at once. Jesus called his disciples his little children, and said that he would only be with them a short while. They would seek Jesus but could not come where Jesus was going. Jesus gave them a new commandment, that they should love one another as Jesus has loved them. By their love for one another all people will know that they are Jesus' disciples.

Commentary:

God's wisdom is unlike worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:1-8). God's wisdom is eternal and unchanging, but what humans falsely call wisdom is not unchanging; consider the recent redefinition of planets.

How could Jesus be glorified and glorify God by being executed with criminals? But Jesus was unjustly convicted and executed, and God, in righteous judgment, glorified Jesus by reversing worldly judgment and raising Jesus to eternal life, elevating him to be the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Jesus glorified God by trusting and obeying God's will even unto physical death.

Jesus told his disciples that he would no longer be present with them physically, and that they would not be able to go with Jesus, where he was going, right away. But Jesus had promised to be with them spiritually through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:21).

Only Jesus gives the “baptism” (gift; anointing; infilling) 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 infilling of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples of Jesus Christ will eventually be reunited with Jesus in God's eternal kingdom in heaven (Matthew 26:29).

It was necessary for Jesus to depart physically so that the Holy Spirit could be given to his disciples (John 16:7). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, each “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ can have personal access to Jesus anywhere and anytime (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right).

Jesus reduced the Ten Commandments to two: love of God and love of one another (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus came to give the indwelling Holy Spirit to us so that those who are obedient to the Holy Spirit are freed from slavery to the Law (Romans 8:1-13). No one can satisfy the requirements of the Law. It is only by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we can fulfill the demands of the Law (Galatians 2:16). If we live in obedience to the indwelling Holy Spirit, it will be evident to others that we are Jesus' disciples.

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)?

4 Easter - Friday - C
First posted April 30, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Friday - C

James 1:16-21 – First Fruits;

We need to be aware that every good and perfect gift is provided from God our Father, creator of the heavenly bodies, coming down to us from heaven. God is eternal and there is no variation or shadow in him due to change. It was by God's own will that he brought us forth by “the Word of truth,” God's Word, the Gospel, to be the “first fruits” (an offering of the first part of the harvest which is to be consecrated to God's use. (Numbers 15:21; Deuteronomy 18:4) of the harvest of this Creation.

Remember to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, because human anger doesn't accomplish God's righteousness. So let us put away all uncleanness and weed out wickedness which fill and overwhelm us, and with humility allow God's Word, which is able to save our souls, to be implanted in us.

Commentary:

God created this world very good Genesis 1:31. He provided every good and necessary thing for us.

We were all created eternal beings. Physical death came into the world through sin (Genesis 3:3). Satan lied to Adam and Eve, saying that they would not die (Genesis 3:4), but God was talking about spiritual death. Adam and Eve didn't physically die immediately, but physical and spiritual death entered Creation through their sin and passed to all humans, because all humans sin (Romans 5:12).

God designed Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not. Disobedience is sin, and sin, death, sorrow and decay are in this world because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).

God gave us the stewardship of Creation, and we have often misused resources God gave us to satisfy our selfish desires, rather than what we really need. People go without needed resources because others want and take, by force or deception, more than they need. Witness the recent financial disaster in America.

God knew that, given the choice we would all choose our will rather than his, so he designed Creation and we ourselves to be limited by time. God is not willing to tolerate sin and rebellion forever. And he designed a Savior (Messiah; God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King), Jesus Christ, into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).

The meaning and purpose of this lifetime is to seek, find, and have fellowship with our Creator which was broken by sin (Acts 17:26-27). We are born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” to eternal life (John 3:3, 5-8).

This Creation is intended by God to be a “seedbed” to raise a harvest of God's people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. God taught Israel to dedicate the first portion of their harvests to God's service, and this is what we are to be. There is a harvest coming on the Day of Judgment when Christ returns (Matthew 13:47-50; 25:31-46).

We are the “first fruits” of that harvest, consecrated to God's service now 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 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 Gospel is God's Word of truth, the “good news” of forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). His Word is unchanging because God is eternal and unchanging. If we hear it and believe (trust and obey), it will be implanted within us, by the indwelling Holy Spirit and will grow to spiritual maturity at the Day of Christ's return

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)?

4 Easter - Saturday - C
First posted May 1, 2010
Podcast: 4 Easter - Saturday - C

John 16:5-15 – The Work of the Holy Spirit;

Background:

At the Last Supper, after they had eaten, Jesus gave his disciples his last instructions and encouragement to prepare them for Jesus' crucifixion.

John 16:5-15:

Jesus told them that now he would be returning to God his Father who had sent him. The disciples didn't ask where Jesus was going (Jesus had told them, although they didn't fully understand; John 14:1-6). But the disciples were sad to think of Jesus leaving them. “Never the less I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" (John 16:7). When the Counselor comes he will convince the world of sin, righteousness and judgment: unbelief in Jesus is sin; God's righteousness is revealed in the cross of Jesus, and triumph over and judgment of evil.

There was more that Jesus wanted to tell his disciples but they were saddened and upset by what he had said already. But when the Holy Spirit had come, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit would guide them into all divine eternal truth. The Spirit will speak what he hears (from God), not by his own authority, and will reveal to the disciples what is to come. He will reveal Jesus' glory by taking what belongs to Jesus and declaring it to his disciples. All that the Father has belongs to Jesus.

Commentary:

During Jesus' physical ministry on earth, he was all-knowing (John 1:47-50; John 4:16-19), but couldn't be present everywhere at once. When he was on the mountain of transfiguration with Peter, James and John, the other disciples were getting into trouble on their own (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29).

By the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the “born-again” disciples (John 3:3, 5-8) would have access to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God anytime and anywhere. When I've been away from telephones in the mountain back-country, my prayers have been heard and answered and I have been comforted and reassured (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, right), and I have experienced miraculous deliverance.

But I had to learn to trust and obey him and wait for his Word. When I was a new Christian, I wanted a solid physical connection and immediate results like most people in our world today. I had to resist temptation to pick up the phone and talk to the pastor. Pastors are mostly well-intentioned, and try to help, but the truth is that they are blessed if they know God's will for themselves. God doesn't want to tell them God's will for us because God wants us to seek it directly from God, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11).

As we learn to seek God's Word for us personally, directly from the Lord, the Lord teaches that we can trust and do what he says. That is how he causes us to grow in faith to spiritual maturity. He wants us to trust and obey his Word so that he can show us that his Word is absolutely trustworthy and true.

The Holy Spirit is at work through the Church of Jesus' “born-again” disciples to convince the world that unbelief in Jesus is sin, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus perfectly obeyed God's will to the point of death on the cross, and his resurrection demonstrated that God is the righteous judge. He didn't allow evil to triumph, and he didn't let the world's unrighteous judgment prevail; God reversed it by raising Jesus from the dead.

Jesus' resurrection demonstrates that there is existence beyond physical death, and that God is able to vindicate those who trust and obey God's Word even though they may die physically (Hebrews 2:14-15). The worst the world can do to us is kill us physically, but God has the last Word.

We first learn about God the Father and Jesus Christ through the Bible record. As we begin to trust and obey God's Word, we will be “baptized” with the Holy Spirit. But God waits to make sure we are really serious, first, because premature spiritual birth can be eternally disastrous if we then turn away (Hebrews 6:4-6). By the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus promises to reveal himself and God the Father to us personally and individually (John 14: 7-11, 21-23). There is more that Jesus wants us to know, which we will learn by experience as the Holy Spirit reveals it to 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)?