In Acts 1, the apostles asked Jesus, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" And Jesus said, "It is not for you to know....." Jesus then ascended into heaven to begin His reign as King. In Revelation 1:6 it says that He "has made us kings and priests to His God and Father...." So Jesus has elevated us, as Christians, to a very high level in the eyes of God.
But we must not get conceited about status. Yes, Jesus has given us a great boost. But on the other hand, he taught that we must humble ourselves in the kingdom. In Matthew 18, the "disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' " Jesus called a little child to Him and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by not means enter the kingdom of heaven."
Humility is a key factor in being in the kingdom of heaven.
Thanks for reading! See you next week.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Kingdom
I don't know that there is a more central theme of the Bible than "The Kingdom." I can safely say that because throughout the Old Testament there was a looking forward to the coming Kingdom, the one that Jesus would bring, a spiritual kingdom that would last forever (reference Daniel 2, Joel 2, Isaiah 2). In Matthew 4, John the Baptist was preaching, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." When Jesus started preaching, He was preaching the "gospel of the Kingdom," (Matt. chapters 4 & 9). The Kingdom was the major topic of discussion.
In Mark 9:1, Jesus said, "Some here will not taste of death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power." Thus we know that the Kingdom of God was begun during the lifetime of some of the witnesses of Jesus. We see this actual beginning in Acts 2. And we know that Jesus is now reigning as the King, and we are His subjects. Note Colossians 1:13, where it says that we, as Christians, are "translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love."
The Kingdom of God, founded by Jesus Christ with Him as King, exists now with Him ruling. But it is a spiritual kingdom. People always wanted a physical king, a ruling king to dominate all nations around. But Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world," (John 18:36). He never intended to build an earthly kingdom.
There are many people in today's world who are convinced that Jesus will come back to the earth one day and establish an earthly kingdom; they often reference Revelation 20 for this theory. But this contradicts what Jesus said, that His kingdom was not of this world.
Perhaps next week we will discuss the personal significance of the Kingdom of God; how it affects how we live and our relationship with God. See you then!
In Mark 9:1, Jesus said, "Some here will not taste of death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power." Thus we know that the Kingdom of God was begun during the lifetime of some of the witnesses of Jesus. We see this actual beginning in Acts 2. And we know that Jesus is now reigning as the King, and we are His subjects. Note Colossians 1:13, where it says that we, as Christians, are "translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love."
The Kingdom of God, founded by Jesus Christ with Him as King, exists now with Him ruling. But it is a spiritual kingdom. People always wanted a physical king, a ruling king to dominate all nations around. But Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world," (John 18:36). He never intended to build an earthly kingdom.
There are many people in today's world who are convinced that Jesus will come back to the earth one day and establish an earthly kingdom; they often reference Revelation 20 for this theory. But this contradicts what Jesus said, that His kingdom was not of this world.
Perhaps next week we will discuss the personal significance of the Kingdom of God; how it affects how we live and our relationship with God. See you then!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Come Out From Among Them
God wants us to be different from other people in the world. The "Masses," as I often refer to them, are drifting along, not sure where they are headed or why. But we, as Christians, are to be different from that; we are certain of our direction and certain of who leads us. But it still is a challenging and difficult road, a narrow road that we walk.
2Corinthians 6:17+ says, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." We must be willing to separate ourselves from the evil that grips much of our world.
In Revelation 3, speaking to the church in Sardis, the Lord tells us, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments....."
In heaven, we Christians will be clothed in white garments, not because we have lived perfectly, because no one does that, except Jesus Himself; but it will be because we have followed Him and "overcome." Let's all commit to that......to do that this week. May the Lord bless you!
2Corinthians 6:17+ says, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." We must be willing to separate ourselves from the evil that grips much of our world.
In Revelation 3, speaking to the church in Sardis, the Lord tells us, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments....."
In heaven, we Christians will be clothed in white garments, not because we have lived perfectly, because no one does that, except Jesus Himself; but it will be because we have followed Him and "overcome." Let's all commit to that......to do that this week. May the Lord bless you!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Outside the Camp
Here is a concept and a passage from the Bible that I would expect would be unfamiliar to most people. In Hebrews 13, beginning in verse 11, the passage is talking about the fact that the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament, under the old law of the Jews, were taken "outside the camp" and burned. The blood was used for sacrifice by the High Priest, then the body of the animal was taken outside the camp.
Next the passage says, "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate." This refers to the fact that Jesus was crucified outside the city, up on the hill of Calvary, "outside the gate." Jesus was an outsider, of no value to those who crucified Him, just as the body of the animal was under the old Jewish law.
Then the verse 13 says, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." This would indicate that we, as His followers, will not be accepted either. Just as the world hated Jesus, they will hate us. Just as He was out of step with the rest of the world then, we are to be out of step now. Just as He was "outside the camp," we are to be outsiders as well.
Then, in very fitting language, the verse 14 says, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." We are seeking a city that is beyond this world. We are just passing through, with no real roots here. As Christians, we are already Spiritual people, and heading for that home that has permanent foundations (not a literal home, perhaps), a heavenly home.
Let's all be there. Let's truly commit ourselves to Him. Thanks for reading! Your friend, mike
Next the passage says, "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate." This refers to the fact that Jesus was crucified outside the city, up on the hill of Calvary, "outside the gate." Jesus was an outsider, of no value to those who crucified Him, just as the body of the animal was under the old Jewish law.
Then the verse 13 says, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." This would indicate that we, as His followers, will not be accepted either. Just as the world hated Jesus, they will hate us. Just as He was out of step with the rest of the world then, we are to be out of step now. Just as He was "outside the camp," we are to be outsiders as well.
Then, in very fitting language, the verse 14 says, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." We are seeking a city that is beyond this world. We are just passing through, with no real roots here. As Christians, we are already Spiritual people, and heading for that home that has permanent foundations (not a literal home, perhaps), a heavenly home.
Let's all be there. Let's truly commit ourselves to Him. Thanks for reading! Your friend, mike
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Apostles
Why don't we have Apostles today?
Jesus had 12 Apostles with Him. Then Judas betrayed Him leaving 11. Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus told His Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power to come upon them, which it did in Acts 2. But in Acts 1, while waiting in Jerusalem, the Apostles appointed a twelfth man, selected from 2 possibilities. Acts 1:15-26 tells us how and why they did this appointment and gives us a clue as to why we don't have Apostles today.
The reason for appointing a twelfth man is given in verse 20. It had been prophesied in Psalms (69:25 & 109:8) that this would happen and another should "take his office." The Apostles knew about this prophecy and carried out the appointment.
It is interesting to note that the qualifications of being an Apostle are stated clearly here in Acts 1:21-22. "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." For a man to be an Apostle, he had to have been a continual eye-witness of Jesus. All of the eye-witnesses died out and now we just read about them.
Remember the words of Jesus in John 20:29, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." That is you and me. We didn't get to see Jesus on the earth; but we believe those who did, the eye-witnesses who reported the Good News to us.
Thanks for joining me here. Please keep reading each week! And may God bless you!
Jesus had 12 Apostles with Him. Then Judas betrayed Him leaving 11. Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus told His Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power to come upon them, which it did in Acts 2. But in Acts 1, while waiting in Jerusalem, the Apostles appointed a twelfth man, selected from 2 possibilities. Acts 1:15-26 tells us how and why they did this appointment and gives us a clue as to why we don't have Apostles today.
The reason for appointing a twelfth man is given in verse 20. It had been prophesied in Psalms (69:25 & 109:8) that this would happen and another should "take his office." The Apostles knew about this prophecy and carried out the appointment.
It is interesting to note that the qualifications of being an Apostle are stated clearly here in Acts 1:21-22. "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." For a man to be an Apostle, he had to have been a continual eye-witness of Jesus. All of the eye-witnesses died out and now we just read about them.
Remember the words of Jesus in John 20:29, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." That is you and me. We didn't get to see Jesus on the earth; but we believe those who did, the eye-witnesses who reported the Good News to us.
Thanks for joining me here. Please keep reading each week! And may God bless you!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Slow to Speak
Ok, so this blog is slow being posted due to SMD. That is Severe Mental Degradation. But only 2 days late, here it is:
In Ecclesiastes 5, it says, "Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth. And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on the earth. Therefore let your words be few." Now there is some good advice.
Jesus said in Matthew 5: 37, "..let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No' be 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." The "evil one" is after us all the time and certainly in the speech area.
Note James 1:19, "..let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;"
God's wisdom is so much greater than ours; we know that we need to be listening to His wisdom and letting it change our lives. Thanks for reading............and see you next week....my dear friend!
In Ecclesiastes 5, it says, "Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth. And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on the earth. Therefore let your words be few." Now there is some good advice.
Jesus said in Matthew 5: 37, "..let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No' be 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." The "evil one" is after us all the time and certainly in the speech area.
Note James 1:19, "..let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;"
God's wisdom is so much greater than ours; we know that we need to be listening to His wisdom and letting it change our lives. Thanks for reading............and see you next week....my dear friend!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Bible Names
Here is a bit of information on some key names in the Bible:
JEHOVAH--The name of God--The Jews of the OT were afraid to even say the name of God for fear of incurring His wrath. This likely came from a misunderstanding of the passage in their law, Leviticus 24:16, that said, "And whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death." Jewish tradition developed where only the High Priest could pronounce "Jehovah" once a year as he entered the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. But God doesn't care if we say His name, IF we do it with respect. The 3rd of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20 says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." Vain is not negative; vain means "empty, without purpose." Jesus in the Lord's prayer said, "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed by Your name." Thus, we must not use God's name in an empty way, as a common expression. Everyday we hear, "Oh God" or OMG, and such expressions, not in a negative way, but in an empty way, a vain way. We cannot do this! God said such would not be held "blameless" (Exodus 20:7).
CHRIST-- "the Anointed"--Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah
JESUS-- Greek for "Joshua" in Hebrew; a name
Christian--"like Christ"
Let's honor the name of God, the Father, and Jesus; and wear the name of "Christian" with
honor. Thanks for reading. Check in next week.
JEHOVAH--The name of God--The Jews of the OT were afraid to even say the name of God for fear of incurring His wrath. This likely came from a misunderstanding of the passage in their law, Leviticus 24:16, that said, "And whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death." Jewish tradition developed where only the High Priest could pronounce "Jehovah" once a year as he entered the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. But God doesn't care if we say His name, IF we do it with respect. The 3rd of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20 says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." Vain is not negative; vain means "empty, without purpose." Jesus in the Lord's prayer said, "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed by Your name." Thus, we must not use God's name in an empty way, as a common expression. Everyday we hear, "Oh God" or OMG, and such expressions, not in a negative way, but in an empty way, a vain way. We cannot do this! God said such would not be held "blameless" (Exodus 20:7).
CHRIST-- "the Anointed"--Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah
JESUS-- Greek for "Joshua" in Hebrew; a name
Christian--"like Christ"
Let's honor the name of God, the Father, and Jesus; and wear the name of "Christian" with
honor. Thanks for reading. Check in next week.
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