After Jesus had gone to the cross and died there, and after He had been buried in the tomb for 3 days, and after He had risen from the dead, he appeared to His apostles and to many of His followers, teaching them things that He wanted them to remember and to do. It was at this time that He made a statement that is often referenced as the "Great Commission."
This statement is recorded at the end of the book of Matthew and the book of Mark, saying much the same thing, but with slightly different words. Note the wording of each and the significance of His teaching:
Matthew 28: Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Mark 16: And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
These passages/comments were written specifically to His apostles, giving them the charge of going out and preaching. But we can certainly see that He would want us to carry on this charge, to spread the Good News of His teaching.
As we read on into the book of Acts, we see the apostles doing just what He taught them to do: going into all the world, at least the known world to them, and converting people to the gospel. Now it is up to us to do the same, both at home and abroad, starting with our neighbors and friends. And of course, we must live it daily; easier said than done.
There is our challenge. Thanks for reading. Have a great week!
Friday, January 15, 2016
Saturday, January 2, 2016
The Prophet Joel
Joel was a prophet, a spokesman, for God sometime around the time of 835 BC. It is interesting that the Bible gives us a great deal of human history many hundreds of years before the birth of Christ and is the only book to do so. The book of Joel in the Bible tells of a terrible plague of locusts that has invaded the land. Joel goes on to tell how God is upset with His people and will send even worse times upon them because they have failed to serve Him. Following that calamity, there will be a great restoration to come.
The further calamity referenced here is the capturing of the land by outside nations, presumably Babylon, and the removal of most of the people from the land. There would be eventually a return, a restoration of the nation, to some degree as recorded in Bible and secular history. But the great restoration referenced in the book of Joel will be a spiritual one further defined in the book of Acts in the New Testament.
All of the Bible is leading up to the time of the New Testament, to the time of the coming Christ, and to the time of the beginnings of the church. As we get to the first 4 books of the NT, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we read about Jesus and His teaching. But He doesn't begin the church, establish churches, or form any organization whatsoever. He simply gets His apostles ready to do that.
Next we come to the book of Acts. It is here that Peter and the rest of the apostles in Acts 2, lead by the Holy Spirit, begin to preach.....and the church begins. And it is in this first speech by Peter that the prophet Joel is quoted:
"This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams, and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "
The Prophet Joel is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible but here in the book of Acts. But he is quoted here because Joel had said centuries ago that a great day was coming.....and here it is, as recorded in Acts chapter 2. We don't want to miss the significance of this great occurrence. This is the beginnings of Christ's church...and the spreading of the Gospel of salvation that would be given to all people of the earth who would follow Jesus.
The Bible is amazing! Thanks for reading. Have a great week!
The further calamity referenced here is the capturing of the land by outside nations, presumably Babylon, and the removal of most of the people from the land. There would be eventually a return, a restoration of the nation, to some degree as recorded in Bible and secular history. But the great restoration referenced in the book of Joel will be a spiritual one further defined in the book of Acts in the New Testament.
All of the Bible is leading up to the time of the New Testament, to the time of the coming Christ, and to the time of the beginnings of the church. As we get to the first 4 books of the NT, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we read about Jesus and His teaching. But He doesn't begin the church, establish churches, or form any organization whatsoever. He simply gets His apostles ready to do that.
Next we come to the book of Acts. It is here that Peter and the rest of the apostles in Acts 2, lead by the Holy Spirit, begin to preach.....and the church begins. And it is in this first speech by Peter that the prophet Joel is quoted:
"This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams, and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "
The Prophet Joel is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible but here in the book of Acts. But he is quoted here because Joel had said centuries ago that a great day was coming.....and here it is, as recorded in Acts chapter 2. We don't want to miss the significance of this great occurrence. This is the beginnings of Christ's church...and the spreading of the Gospel of salvation that would be given to all people of the earth who would follow Jesus.
The Bible is amazing! Thanks for reading. Have a great week!
Friday, December 25, 2015
Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful time of celebration on many levels. Certainly it is a fun time for children who look forward to Santa Claus, presents, and fun times with family. And families enjoy the togetherness that can come from getting together. Often there are many memories from past Christmas celebrations. There are a few observations from a spiritual stance that we can notice here.
It can be noted that the Bible does not teach us to observe the birth date of Jesus. Jesus Himself taught in Matthew, Mark and Luke that He wanted His death to be remembered in the partaking of the communion, the Lord's Supper, after He was gone. But there was never any mention of remembering His birth. Still, we see detailed accounts of His birth in Matthew and Luke. And certainly His birth was an amazing series of miracles; a wondrous event.
We also can easily conclude that the birth of Jesus did not occur on December 25. This date does not fit the circumstances, especially noting that shepherds would not be in the fields at that time.
And we can research the fact that Christmas did not begin until generations after the life of Christ. It wasn't a true Christian beginning, one sanctioned by Christ.
But the birth of Jesus Christ was amazing, exciting, and miraculous, though humbling and lowly in the setting of a barn.
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "
And thus began the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Born there in that barn with the animals in the lowliest of beginnings. Praise the Lord God and His only Son, Jesus Christ!
Thanks for reading. Have a blessed week!
It can be noted that the Bible does not teach us to observe the birth date of Jesus. Jesus Himself taught in Matthew, Mark and Luke that He wanted His death to be remembered in the partaking of the communion, the Lord's Supper, after He was gone. But there was never any mention of remembering His birth. Still, we see detailed accounts of His birth in Matthew and Luke. And certainly His birth was an amazing series of miracles; a wondrous event.
We also can easily conclude that the birth of Jesus did not occur on December 25. This date does not fit the circumstances, especially noting that shepherds would not be in the fields at that time.
And we can research the fact that Christmas did not begin until generations after the life of Christ. It wasn't a true Christian beginning, one sanctioned by Christ.
But the birth of Jesus Christ was amazing, exciting, and miraculous, though humbling and lowly in the setting of a barn.
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "
And thus began the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Born there in that barn with the animals in the lowliest of beginnings. Praise the Lord God and His only Son, Jesus Christ!
Thanks for reading. Have a blessed week!
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Memorizing the Bible
I am working on memorizing some key verses in the Bible. And must say I am the worst at that. I have never really tried to memorize much of anything and don't find that easy. But I mention it here because I might encourage someone else to try it also. In fact, in the last couple of weeks of work at it, I am finding it quite stimulating. So in this lesson I will mention a few verses that you might try.
Psalm 1:1,2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners
nor sits at the feet of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and he meditates in the law day and night."
This very beginning of the book of Psalms says a lot about the importance of following God.
Genesis 12:1-3 "God had said to Abram (Abraham),
'Get out of your country,
from your family, from your father's house,
to a land that I will show you,
and I will make you a great nation.
I will bless you and make your name great.
And you will be a blessing.
Whoever blesses you, I will bless.
But him who curses you, I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.' "
The blessing here is referencing the fact that one day a Messiah would be born, a descendant of Abraham, who would bless the whole world.
1Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation will overcome you, but such is common to man.
And God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.
But with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
Memorization can be fun; give it a try. Thanks for reading.
Psalm 1:1,2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners
nor sits at the feet of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and he meditates in the law day and night."
This very beginning of the book of Psalms says a lot about the importance of following God.
Genesis 12:1-3 "God had said to Abram (Abraham),
'Get out of your country,
from your family, from your father's house,
to a land that I will show you,
and I will make you a great nation.
I will bless you and make your name great.
And you will be a blessing.
Whoever blesses you, I will bless.
But him who curses you, I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.' "
The blessing here is referencing the fact that one day a Messiah would be born, a descendant of Abraham, who would bless the whole world.
1Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation will overcome you, but such is common to man.
And God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.
But with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
Memorization can be fun; give it a try. Thanks for reading.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Hosea....and Harlotry
I have been reading the book of Hosea. It is the first of the last 12 books of the Old Testament. These 12 books that conclude the OT are called the Minor Prophets; minor, not in importance, just in length.
The prophet Hosea is an unusual character. He prophesied during the latter days of the Northern kingdom of Israel. The nation had gotten away from God and had gone to worshiping idols; and we know that God hates that. When problems arose, they would seek help from other nations like Egypt and Assyria, not from God. And God did not like that.
What makes Hosea unusual is that God instructed him to marry a harlot....a ho in today's vernacular. And it appears that she continued her evil practices even after marrying Hosea. But Hosea was patient and determined that he could restore his wife, Gomer. It is clear in the book of Hosea that this marriage was symbolic of God trying to restore the wayward nation of Israel so that they would once again be reliant on Him, be His people....and quit their spiritual and physical harlotry.
Like all books of the Bible, this book has significance to us today. God is not happy when His people stray; when His people seek other solutions, rather than follow Him. But the beauty of this is that God always provides a solution to the problem. God always allows His people to come back to Him; to restore and be accepted back fully. In fact, God calls us to do that; encourages us. Note Hosea 14:1:
"O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
'Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously...' "
And the book concludes:
"Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them."
The lesson is clear to us. We need to do things in God's ways....and avoid the ways that are evil....and destructive to us. We need to love our God!
Thanks for reading. Have a blessed week!
The prophet Hosea is an unusual character. He prophesied during the latter days of the Northern kingdom of Israel. The nation had gotten away from God and had gone to worshiping idols; and we know that God hates that. When problems arose, they would seek help from other nations like Egypt and Assyria, not from God. And God did not like that.
What makes Hosea unusual is that God instructed him to marry a harlot....a ho in today's vernacular. And it appears that she continued her evil practices even after marrying Hosea. But Hosea was patient and determined that he could restore his wife, Gomer. It is clear in the book of Hosea that this marriage was symbolic of God trying to restore the wayward nation of Israel so that they would once again be reliant on Him, be His people....and quit their spiritual and physical harlotry.
Like all books of the Bible, this book has significance to us today. God is not happy when His people stray; when His people seek other solutions, rather than follow Him. But the beauty of this is that God always provides a solution to the problem. God always allows His people to come back to Him; to restore and be accepted back fully. In fact, God calls us to do that; encourages us. Note Hosea 14:1:
"O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
'Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously...' "
And the book concludes:
"Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them."
The lesson is clear to us. We need to do things in God's ways....and avoid the ways that are evil....and destructive to us. We need to love our God!
Thanks for reading. Have a blessed week!
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Life
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." Let's focus a bit on Life. God is good at life. And I am sure that Jesus was speaking of spiritual life, eternal life, life after this life. But God is good at life here in this life as well.
It was 2 years ago this month that I had a terrific traffic accident, previously described here. A semi truck swerved into me on I-75. I hit it with an explosion of metal and glass, went all the way under it in my little car, crossed 2 lanes and ended up in a ditch on the side of the highway. The car was totaled and I didn't get a scratch.
I suppose that we have all had our close calls and wondered if God had stepped in...and yet we couldn't be sure. But on this one, I am sure. There is just no way to go under a semi as it is going down the road at over 60 miles an hour, go all the way through and not be killed. I tried to steer the car and save myself, but the car would not steer. But I did call out to God to help me...just before hitting the truck....and it worked. Praise God.
So no one could convince me that God doesn't get involved in our lives, even if it isn't always in the way or at the time that we want. And so, God is great at life, in this life.
But even more important, far more important, is the fact that God provides each of us a life beyond. He wants us to be with Him forever in that perfect environment. He wants us to be followers of Him, trusting in Him, seeking Him.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.."
Thanks for reading. Feel the love.
It was 2 years ago this month that I had a terrific traffic accident, previously described here. A semi truck swerved into me on I-75. I hit it with an explosion of metal and glass, went all the way under it in my little car, crossed 2 lanes and ended up in a ditch on the side of the highway. The car was totaled and I didn't get a scratch.
I suppose that we have all had our close calls and wondered if God had stepped in...and yet we couldn't be sure. But on this one, I am sure. There is just no way to go under a semi as it is going down the road at over 60 miles an hour, go all the way through and not be killed. I tried to steer the car and save myself, but the car would not steer. But I did call out to God to help me...just before hitting the truck....and it worked. Praise God.
So no one could convince me that God doesn't get involved in our lives, even if it isn't always in the way or at the time that we want. And so, God is great at life, in this life.
But even more important, far more important, is the fact that God provides each of us a life beyond. He wants us to be with Him forever in that perfect environment. He wants us to be followers of Him, trusting in Him, seeking Him.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.."
Thanks for reading. Feel the love.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Why Go To Church?
So if a person is a Christian, loves God, loves Jesus, and is a good person, why go to church? Maybe it just isn't necessary at all. Maybe a person can find a relationship with the Lord by himself; or maybe in nature; or maybe by just taking a walk with his dog on Sunday morning. Maybe there are too many hypocrites in church. Or maybe there are too many questionable practices or attitudes there. So why?
The best reason is that Jesus instituted the church. He didn't start it in His lifetime....but He made preparation. We see in Matthew 16 where He said, "...I will build My church.." From this statement it is clear that the church was coming and that it would be His church. This shows that it was important to Him.
Then we see the words of Paul in Ephesians 5 where he says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it...." We see the passion that Jesus had for His church, so much so that He gave His life for it.
And finally there is Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
There are many other passages that talk about the church, both in an overall sense and in a local group sense. But the point is clear that we benefit from the association with other Christians; but more than that, the Lord expects it of us. If we are able to get there and be a part, we should.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
The best reason is that Jesus instituted the church. He didn't start it in His lifetime....but He made preparation. We see in Matthew 16 where He said, "...I will build My church.." From this statement it is clear that the church was coming and that it would be His church. This shows that it was important to Him.
Then we see the words of Paul in Ephesians 5 where he says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it...." We see the passion that Jesus had for His church, so much so that He gave His life for it.
And finally there is Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
There are many other passages that talk about the church, both in an overall sense and in a local group sense. But the point is clear that we benefit from the association with other Christians; but more than that, the Lord expects it of us. If we are able to get there and be a part, we should.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
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