March 19, 2014

“But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)

I like the Amplified Version of the Bible when I study simply because it more clearly reflects the Greek meanings.

The insight given to the meaning of wisdom is “leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness”.

So, Paul’s idea of wisdom that leads to salvation involves an understanding of Scriptural truth that results in you having the wisdom to trust His wisdom rather than your own!

Wisdom that leads to salvation is wisdom to know you can’t save your soul and only He can!

Wisdom that understands the need to trust God for salvation is the wisdom that manifests in confession of sins and true repentance.

Such wisdom only comes from studying the Scriptures and believing those Scriptures are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit of God!

The truths expressed in this portion of Scripture would be a New Testament equivalent of this Proverb –“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Wisdom in the Bible is associated with investing your faith in God, loving Him, trusting Him, living for Him and serving Him! Wisdom means trusting Him in your heart and in your head and with your habits!

Wisdom begins with learning from the Word and then leans upon the Word and then loves the Word and, as a result, lives out the Word in daily living!

That’s a Word to the wise!

March 18, 2014

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17

Are you enjoying the reading of the New Testament yet?

I’m not tired of preaching about it!

In week one I talked about the importance of being to the Word to help you overcome the pressures and temptations of the world.

In week two I shared four proofs for the truth of the Word.

Sunday I preached about the Person of the Word, Jesus, God’s Son.

So, we have learned about proofs of the Word and the Person of the Word. Next Sunday we will learn about the purpose of the Word.

According to verses 14 and 15, Paul writes to the young Timothy to say the first purpose of the Word is to lead you to salvation.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17

The Word of God brings you to salvation because it convicts you of your sin.

       

The Word of God brings you to salvation because it introduces you to the Savior. You learn about Jesus through the Word of God.

The Word of God brings you to salvation because the Spirit of God speaks through the Word calling you repentance.

Have you received God’s salvation?

Have you confessed your sins to Him?

Have you repented and turned from your sins?

Have you trusted Christ as your Savior and only hope for Heaven?

Has His Spirit witnessed to your Spirit that you are a child of God?

March 17, 2014

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14

A famous British general once told John Wesley, "I never forgive!" To which Wesley replied, "Then, Sir, you had better never sin."

Three of the sweetest, most welcome and healing words in the universe are, "I forgive you!"

Those words heal the one to when they are spoken but the also bring relief and healing to the one who speaks them!

When was the last time someone let you off the hook? Is there someone you need to forgive?

Remember a time when someone spoke those welcome words to you? Remember how good that felt?

What does it take to become a forgiver?

First, be forgiven!

Forgiven people are the only ones who can forgive. You can't offer what you don't have.

So, how do I get forgiveness? Receive it as a gift!

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8-9

You can have forgiveness when you realize you need it and honestly, humbly ask for it. Have you done that?

So, how do I forgive someone else?

Once you have received forgiveness you have received the love and grace of God. Once you have been forgiven you have the presence of Christ in your life. With His presence and in His grace you CAN forgive. In fact, you are required to do so.

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiven people are able to forgive.

Third, forgiving becomes a way of life for forgiven people.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

Being forgiven changes you. Receiving Christ changes you. Extending grace to others in forgiveness changes you. And it also changes others through you!

Imagine what a world this would be if forgiveness was the rule rather than the exception. Think how great it would be if everyone could receive forgiveness. Think how different it would be if all those who received forgiveness forgave others. How freeing would that be?

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you."—Unknown

Have you received God's forgiveness?

Have you forgiven yourself?

Who else do you need to forgive? Are any unresolved issues with your spouse?

Freedom could come to your home today with just one act of forgiveness.

March 16, 2014

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

Just seventeen words comprise this important introduction to the Gospel of John but in them are the crux of the Biblical story! The crux of the story is the central role occupied by Jesus, the Son of God!

Briefly, here are the details.

First, there is the eternity of Christ - “In the beginning was the Word…..”. While Genesis begins with Creation, John goes back before creation. In other words, "before there was a beginning the was the Word! And the word he uses from the Greek is "logos":

“logos” = “word” - i.e. – creative word,  creative thought, idea,  the creative concept

The Son of God was the creative force behind the creation of the universe. Before it existed it existed in His mind.

Second, there is the eminence of Christ - “…..the Word was with God…..”

“with God” = co-existent and co-equal with God

Literally – “face to face” “shoulder to shoulder” with God

God's Son was with God and  was like God and was of equal standing and perfectly united but possessed a separate identity.

Third, there is the essence of Christ - “…..the Word was God.”

The Son of God shared the same nature and the identical character of God!

God is love - so is Christ! 

He said so!

God is light - so is Christ!

He said so!

God is life - so is Christ!

He said so!

You know you should read the Bible - "the Word of God" because it is what Christians do. So, you read it out of a sense of religious duty and sometimes your enjoy it but sometimes you don't.

Let me give you a new way of thinking about the Bible. It is not just a book to be read, It is a Person "The Word of God" to relate to! Since He is the "Word", when you read the Word you are having an encounter with Him! You are not just connecting with concepts, you are connecting with Christ!

How do you think that should effect your attitude and approach when you read the Bible?

What needs to change in your mind or your spirit?

March 15, 2014

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

The Word of God is a living, loving eternal Being! Before He put on flesh and blood to become the Son of Man, He was the Son of God!

When you pick up your Bible to read the Word, you are not just doing a reading you are entering into a relationship because Jesus IS the Word!

One of the reason the Bible is so powerful is because it is alive, and active! When you tap into its words you are tapping into THE WORD!

Jesus is central to the message of the Bible! I have shared the Old Testament names of Jesus but there are 27 more New Testament Books to take a fresh look at Jesus!

In Matthew - He is the King of the Jews
In Mark - He is the Servant
In Luke - He is the Son of Man
In John - He is the Eternal God
In Acts - He is the Ascended Lord
In Romans - He is the Lord Our Righteousness
In Corinthians - He is Our Sufficiency
In Galatians - He is Our Liberator
In Ephesians - He is the Head of the Church
In Philippians He is Our Strength
In Colossians - He is the Fullness of the Godhead
In Thessalonians - He is the Coming Christ
In Timothy - He is the Mediator Between God and Man
In Titus - He is the Great God and Savior
In Hebrews - He is the Captain of Our Salvation
In James - He is the Great Physician
In Peter - He is the Unblemished Lamb
In John's Epistles - He is the Advocate
In Jude - He is the Lord That Is Coming With 10,000 Saints
In Revelation - He Is the Alpha And Omega, the Lion of Judah, the Bright and Morning Star, the Lamb Slain From the Foundation of the World, and King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

When you read the Word you encounter the Living Word!

He is behind the Word!

He is in the Word!

He is the Word!

He was before the Word and will be long after the Word!

When you get into the Word and if you let the Word get into you the Word will become flesh through your actions and attitudes!

March 14, 2014

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

When John begins his Gospel he hearkens to the opening verses of Genesis. But with one big difference - Genesis starts "In the beginning" but John looks back before the beginning!

His Gospel builds one of the clearest and best presentations of the Salvation Story. How can you can build a compelling case for Jesus being the Savior for sinners if you don't establish that He is truly the Son of God? 

John establishes Jesus divine credentials by presenting Him and co-existence and co-equal with God!

Wow! That's bold!

To borrow from Josh McDowell; for John to make such a daring claim as Jesus being God he would have to be a lunatic, or a liar, OR he must have been absolutely convinced about Jesus.

John 1:1 and John 1:14 very concisely declared the story of salvation. Watch what happens where the two verses are superimposed:

"In the beginning was the Word" (V. 1a) - "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us"  (V. 14a)

Praise God!

"and the Word was with God" (V. 1b) - "we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son"  (V. 14b)

Thank you, Jesus!

"and the Word was God" (V. 1c) - "who came from God, full of grace and truth" (V. 14c)

Hallelujah!

How good is that?

March 13, 2014

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-14

The Word of God is a living, loving eternal Being! Before He put on flesh and blood to become the Son of Man, He was the Son of God!

When you pick up your Bible to read the Word, you are not just doing a reading you are entering into a relationship because Jesus IS the Word!

One of the reason the Bible is so powerful is because it is alive, and active! When you tap into its words you are tapping into THE WORD!

Jesus is central to the message of the Bible!

In Genesis - He is the Seed of the Woman!

In Exodus - He is the Passover Lamb!

In Leviticus - He is our High Priest!

In Numbers - He is the Star of Jacob!

In Deuteronomy - He is the Rock!

In Joshua - He is the Captain of the Lord's Host!

In Judges - He is the Sword of Gideon!

In Ruth - He is the Kinsman Redeemer!

In Samuel - He is the Seed of David!

In Kings - He is the Lord God of Israel!

In Chronicles - He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

In Ezra - He is the Lord of Heaven and Earth!

In Nehemiah - He is the Restorer!

In Esther - He In the God of Providence!

In Job - He is the Arbiter of Justice!

In Psalms - He is the King of Glory!

In Proverbs - He is the Wisdom of God!

In Ecclesiastes - He is the Creator!

In Song of Solomon - He is Altogether Lovely!

In Isaiah - He is the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

In Jeremiah - He is the Lord Our Righteousness!

In Lamentations - He is the Weeping Prophet!

In Ezekiel - He is the Wheel in the Wheel!

In Daniel - He is the Fourth Man in the Fire!

In Hosea - He is the Lord God of Hosts!

In Joel - He is the Hope of His People!

In Amos - He is the God of Hosts!

In Obadiah - He is the Destroyer of the Proud!

In Jonah - He is the God of the Second Chance!

In Micah - He is the God of Jacob!

In Nahum - He is the Avenging God!

In Habakkuk - He is the Everlasting Glorious God!

In Zephaniah - He is the King of Israel!

In Haggai - He is the Desire of All Nations!

In Zechariah - He is the One Pierced In the House of His Friends!

In Malachi - He is the Lord of Remembrance!

Does it seems like a theme is developing here?

Jesus IS the Word - from the first word to the last!