I have made reference to "The Promise" in this blog before, but because it is such a key subject in the Bible, it should be addressed again. I would guess that most "Christians" today would not think too much about seeing the word "promise" in the Bible. But it has major significance to us. Here are a few samples of the word being used in the scriptures:
Acts 2:39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Galatians 3:14 "...that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Gal. 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ."
Gal. 3:29 "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Hebrews 11:39 "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Here he is saying that all the people of faith in the Old Testament, as great as they were, didn't receive the fulfillment of the "promise" as do we.
All of this use of the term promise relates back to Genesis 12, where God gave a promise to Abraham there. Actually, he made several promises, but the significant one, the one referenced over and over in the NT, is that "..in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." This is a reference to Jesus, saying that through the genealogy of Abraham would come the Messiah. If you haven't read it in awhile, read all of Hebrews 11; this gives a good perspective of the significance of the promise to us. It is amazing how God made a promise to Abraham and fulfilled it several thousand years later in Jesus; and what a blessing to us!
Have a good week; God bless!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Question: To whom is the Christian to give support
I received a question regarding to whom the Christian is to provide aid or support. First, I should say that the answer must come from the Bible; I have no intention of giving opinions on this matter. And secondly, this is a complex question, but here is what I see.
Our financial or other help to others can be viewed on several levels in the Bible. One question would deal with what kind of financial and other types of support should the "church" be doing. The Bible, primarily the book of Acts and the epistles to follow, give numerous examples of financial support that the early churches were providing. In every case, the support was to other Christians. And in every case, the use of the contribution was to either support the preaching of the gospel, or to help Christians who were in need. Thus, there is no example of the church taking on social needs.
But the question posed was of a personal, individual nature. Who should we, as Christians, be helping? Note these passages:
1Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of this household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Luke 10:25+ Jesus said to a lawyer who was testing Him: " 'What is written in the law?' So he answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.' " Being asked, "And who is my neighbor?', Jesus follows this with a parable of the good Samaritan, where a Samaritan helps an injured Jew (a natural enemy). In verse 36, He said, " 'So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.' "
And finally, though there are lots more scriptures on the matter, we look at the giving expected of all Christians through the church. 1Corinthians 16 says "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." Then in the 2nd Corinthian letter he follows this up demonstating that this was done and says in 2Cor. 8:5, "..they first gave themselves to the Lord.."
To summarize all of this, we see that we are to provide for our own--first priority. Gal. 6 shows that taking care of Christians takes priority over non-Christians, but we are to do good to all. And Luke 10 gives us direction to help anyone whom we encounter in great and immediate need if we have the ability. And finally, 1 & 2 Corinthians tells us to give through the church so that the combined contribution of Christians can help the cause of Christ. The Jew under the Old Testament tithed (10%), but we are not told an amount to give under the law of Christ. We are to just first give of ourselves, and the rest will follow.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and have a blessed week!
Our financial or other help to others can be viewed on several levels in the Bible. One question would deal with what kind of financial and other types of support should the "church" be doing. The Bible, primarily the book of Acts and the epistles to follow, give numerous examples of financial support that the early churches were providing. In every case, the support was to other Christians. And in every case, the use of the contribution was to either support the preaching of the gospel, or to help Christians who were in need. Thus, there is no example of the church taking on social needs.
But the question posed was of a personal, individual nature. Who should we, as Christians, be helping? Note these passages:
1Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of this household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Luke 10:25+ Jesus said to a lawyer who was testing Him: " 'What is written in the law?' So he answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.' " Being asked, "And who is my neighbor?', Jesus follows this with a parable of the good Samaritan, where a Samaritan helps an injured Jew (a natural enemy). In verse 36, He said, " 'So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.' "
And finally, though there are lots more scriptures on the matter, we look at the giving expected of all Christians through the church. 1Corinthians 16 says "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." Then in the 2nd Corinthian letter he follows this up demonstating that this was done and says in 2Cor. 8:5, "..they first gave themselves to the Lord.."
To summarize all of this, we see that we are to provide for our own--first priority. Gal. 6 shows that taking care of Christians takes priority over non-Christians, but we are to do good to all. And Luke 10 gives us direction to help anyone whom we encounter in great and immediate need if we have the ability. And finally, 1 & 2 Corinthians tells us to give through the church so that the combined contribution of Christians can help the cause of Christ. The Jew under the Old Testament tithed (10%), but we are not told an amount to give under the law of Christ. We are to just first give of ourselves, and the rest will follow.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and have a blessed week!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Church
It is interesting to look at the progression of "the church" in the New Testament. It is noteworthy that Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, in talking with Peter, "on this rock I will build My church." This followed a conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Peter made the statement, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This is the foundation of the church: the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. But note that He said, "I will build My church;" not I am building or have built. In fact, Jesus didn't start the church during His lifetime. He could have; but He chose to leave that to the Apostles.
The Apostles were instructed as to why He was leaving it to them, and how it would happen. In John 15:26, He said, "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of me. And you also will bear witness...." Then in John 16:7, "It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Then in verse 13, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth.."
We see the fulfilment of all this in Acts 1 & 2. In Acts 1 we see Jesus leave the earth, first telling the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power on high; i.e., the Holy Spirit is sent back as Jesus promised. In Acts 2, the Spirit comes upon the Apostles; Peter makes a speech, and many people in Jerusalem become Christians by repenting and being baptized. This is where the church has its beginning, here in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2.
Following this beginning, the rest of the New Testament tells us of the development of the church, how Christians went everywhere teaching and establishing churches. The book of Ephesians talks a lot about the church and how important it is to Jesus. It is described as the bride of Christ in Eph. 5:23. We need to be sure that we are a part of His church, knowing that He loves it....and died for it.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week!
The Apostles were instructed as to why He was leaving it to them, and how it would happen. In John 15:26, He said, "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of me. And you also will bear witness...." Then in John 16:7, "It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Then in verse 13, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth.."
We see the fulfilment of all this in Acts 1 & 2. In Acts 1 we see Jesus leave the earth, first telling the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power on high; i.e., the Holy Spirit is sent back as Jesus promised. In Acts 2, the Spirit comes upon the Apostles; Peter makes a speech, and many people in Jerusalem become Christians by repenting and being baptized. This is where the church has its beginning, here in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2.
Following this beginning, the rest of the New Testament tells us of the development of the church, how Christians went everywhere teaching and establishing churches. The book of Ephesians talks a lot about the church and how important it is to Jesus. It is described as the bride of Christ in Eph. 5:23. We need to be sure that we are a part of His church, knowing that He loves it....and died for it.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jesus Wants Our Dedication
There is a great difference between the person who is a true follower of Jesus and the person who isn't. The follower of Jesus is willing to put Jesus first in everything. Note the way Jesus said it in Matthew 10:37: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Jesus understands the love for father or mother or son or daughter, or someone else. But he wants us to put Him first in all things.
Preceding this statement, Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household." Jesus here is not advocating bad relationships in our families; He is simply saying that He must be first in our lives. If that causes a problem with others close to us, then put Jesus first no matter what.
And in fact, being a true follower of Jesus is not going to make us popular with many of our coworkers, friends, acquaintances, and even our family sometimes. Preceding all of this, Jesus said in verse 32, "whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." As a follower of Jesus, we must be willing to "step up to the plate"; we must be bold and sometimes be different from others. Yes, this won't be popular, but it will be life-saving in the long run.
Let's all be willing to speak out for Jesus.......and to live for Him....taking up our cross. Have a good week. May God bless you!
Preceding this statement, Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household." Jesus here is not advocating bad relationships in our families; He is simply saying that He must be first in our lives. If that causes a problem with others close to us, then put Jesus first no matter what.
And in fact, being a true follower of Jesus is not going to make us popular with many of our coworkers, friends, acquaintances, and even our family sometimes. Preceding all of this, Jesus said in verse 32, "whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." As a follower of Jesus, we must be willing to "step up to the plate"; we must be bold and sometimes be different from others. Yes, this won't be popular, but it will be life-saving in the long run.
Let's all be willing to speak out for Jesus.......and to live for Him....taking up our cross. Have a good week. May God bless you!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
"Seek the Lord"
The book of Amos, chapter 5 and verse 6, says, "Seek the Lord and live." There is a great deal said in the Bible about seeking the Lord. This is what we are to be about during our time here on earth.
One favorite passage is Hebrews 11:6. All of Hebrews 11 is about faith in God. In this particular verse, it reads, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." In summary, we must believe that "He is," that He exists, and 2) that He is a rewarder, that He rewards His followers, and 3) we must diligently seek Him. The Good Book is telling us that it is not enough to just be a believer, we must be seeking after Him. Or perhaps a better way to say that is that if we are believers, we will be seeking Him; we must be.
Colossians 3 puts it this way: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Again the emphasis is on seeking God.
And in seeking God, we seek for a city; but not a city of this earth, but a city to come. Hebrews 13:14, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." And Hebrews 11:16, talking about the great people of faith in the Old Testament, says, "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." And that great heavenly city is waiting for us, His Christian followers today. We see a good description of that city at the end of the book of Revelation, right at the end of the Bible. The city is in heaven, and it is waiting there for us.
And we conclude with James 4:7, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Let us all seek and draw near to God. Have a good week.
One favorite passage is Hebrews 11:6. All of Hebrews 11 is about faith in God. In this particular verse, it reads, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." In summary, we must believe that "He is," that He exists, and 2) that He is a rewarder, that He rewards His followers, and 3) we must diligently seek Him. The Good Book is telling us that it is not enough to just be a believer, we must be seeking after Him. Or perhaps a better way to say that is that if we are believers, we will be seeking Him; we must be.
Colossians 3 puts it this way: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Again the emphasis is on seeking God.
And in seeking God, we seek for a city; but not a city of this earth, but a city to come. Hebrews 13:14, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." And Hebrews 11:16, talking about the great people of faith in the Old Testament, says, "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." And that great heavenly city is waiting for us, His Christian followers today. We see a good description of that city at the end of the book of Revelation, right at the end of the Bible. The city is in heaven, and it is waiting there for us.
And we conclude with James 4:7, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Let us all seek and draw near to God. Have a good week.
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