Thursday, May 9, 2013

HIS MIGHTY WITNESSES




John 6:36-47


John begins this lesson, with a reference back to a text from Deuteronomy one of the books, of the Pentateuch, credited to Moses. All Jews were very familiar with it as it is a very basic law by which they lived. “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people.”  Deuteronomy 17:6-7.


Without repeating this law, Jesus shamed those who brought a woman, taken in the very act of adultery, and only her, which suggests that it was a staged trap. On that occasion, Jesus stooped and wrote in the dust of the ground, saying to her accusers, Let him that is without sin cast the first stone. Perhaps we wrote the name of the absent partner, for no one cast a stone and they all drifted away.  

The lesson is, let us be careful of any accusation we might make in haste.

Who, or what, were Jesus’s witnesses?  There are three.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

Before Jesus ever came, his Father sent a forerunner to prepare the people that they might have no excuse if they did not accept him. In John 1:7 we read, “There came one for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, (Jesus), that all men through him might believe.” Verse 15, again repeats, “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake.”  And yet again in verse 36, “looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God!”

This a powerful witness, but there are more, his very life fulfilling the prophecies over many years, starting even from Eden, his works, miracles that only God could perform, these backed up everything he said.

36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

(Matthew 11:4,  John 2:23, John 10:25, John 10:38, John 14”11, John 15:24, John 4:34, John 3:17)

GOD, HIS FATHER

No one can ever have a greater, more reliable witness than that of God. God, himself, spoke “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have never heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

(Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, Luke 24:27, John 8:18, 1 John 5:9)

38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

(1 John 2:14, John 3:17)

THE SCRIPTURES

John would have been referring to the many clear prophecies concerning Christ, many of them impossible for him to deliberately fulfill. We have even more. His birth, in Bethlehem, far from Nazareth. His death on a cross. His three days in the Tomb. His resurrection from the dead on the third day. These are only a few. One can not have better witnesses than these. None of these could be faked.

39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

(John 7:52, Romans 2:17ff, Luke 24:25, Luke 24:27, Acts 13:27)

40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

41  I receive not honour from men.

(John 5:44, John 7:18, 1 Thessalonians 2:6)

It s really a sad fact, that people will often choose to honor a person, an organization, or even a nationality, or ethnic origin, more than Christ Jesus. He, the Lord of lords, and King of kings, is going to keep in mind take into consideration where we placed our love and loyalties, when he comes to call his own home. We need to remind ourselves who has invited us to His table, every Lord’s Day. Nothing is more important, no place to be more important than to honour our host with our presence, dressed for the occasion.     

42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you,

43  I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.  

Follow the message, not the messenger.

(Matthew 24:5)

44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

(John 5:41, Romans 2:29, John 17:3, 1 Timothy 1:17)

45  Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

(John 9:28, Romans 2:17ff)

46  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

(Luke 24:27)

47  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

(Luke 16:29, Luke 16:31)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR

MAY

12th  Sunday  -  Judges 20, 21,    John 7:32-53,    Proverbs 11:22-31
13th  Monday  -  Ruth 1, 2,    John 8:1-32,    Psalm 59:9-17
14th  Tuesday  -  Ruth 3, 4,    John 8:33,-59,    Psalm 60
15th  Wednesday  -  1 Samuel 1, 2,    John 9,  Psalm 61
16th  Thursday  -  1 Samuel 3,4,    John 10:1-21,    Proverbs 12:1-13
17th  Friday  -  1 Samuel 5, 6, 7,    John 10:22-42,    Psalm 62
18th  Saturday -  1 Samuel 8, 9,    John 11:1-27,    Psalm 63

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THE LINK TO OUR CHRISTIAN BLOGS

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and follow the links!

__________

MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY

“Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I shall bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”  - John 10:16b

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HUMOR

On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: “Sir, do you realize that your wife fell out of the car several miles back?”

To which the farmer replied: “Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!”


ENROLL A FRIEND
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

THE TRUE LIGHT





John 1:9-15


HE CAME TO BRING LIGHT

The Bible begins with God, already existing and quickly moves on to what he did. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. In verse three, we see that God shared his light. Without his presence and sharing there was darkness.  It is not until verse sixteen that he gave the Sun, moon and stars, and with them their light. The light earlier was because of his own light, thus we are told it will be in heaven. We see glimpses of that earlier light in the light we glimpse on the opening of the tabernacle and temple, in the pillar of fire that led the Children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings, and on Mt Sinai where Moses was forced to wear a veil after being in God’s presence; then once again when Saul of Tarsus was blinded for a time by it.    

9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

(1 John 2:8)

HIS OWN REFUSED HIM

I remember, as a child, being fascinated by the stories about David Livingstone. Years later, I was privileged to visit the home of his father in law and to preach in communities where he had preached years ago.  Recently I found and devoured the text of his actual journal of his first crossing the wilderness to the eastern coast of Africa.
10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

(1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews  1:2)

Not until after Jesus arose from the dead did the very people who had been prepared to accept him with prophet after prophet’s messages, accept him in any number, and even  now it is a delight when they read the Gospel of Matthew and realize that those prophecies were fulfilled.

11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.


HE GAVE POWER TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED

Because of God’s great love for his creation, he finally sent his own son to open the doors of heaven wide. But, note two qualifying statements in this verse, however. One, they, of their own will must receive him. It is not universal, all must, as Peter worded it, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38) Philip said much the same to the Ethiopian, when he asked, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38)  As God made everything he created perfect and the way he meant it to remain, he also demonstrated in these two texts what baptism is, even today and until he returns to read the names he has entered into the Book of Life. The eunuch had to hear, believe, repent, confess before men, and be dipped in the water of baptism. Don’t for a moment assume that this wealthy man, the treasurer of the Treasury of Ethiopia, was travelling alone. He would have been accompanied by a charioteer, and an armed security estcourt.   
12  But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

(John 11:52, Galatians 3:26, John 1:7, John 3:18, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:13)
 
Yes, if you believe on Him that he is the Son of God, you have the power to be saved, but it is up to you. Will you?

THIS  IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD

13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

(John 3:5f, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23)

God’s love reaches out to all, and he wants to adopt us all, but he gave us the freedom of choice, so we have to open the door of our heart to him.  (Revelation 3:20, 21) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

(John 1:17, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37)

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

JOHN WAS THE FORERUNNER
NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO CARRY THE TORCH AS IN A RELAY RACE.
Do not drop the torch. Carry the light proudly.

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

BETRAYAL AND DENIAL


Luke 22:47-62

Still in the same day that Jesus had observed the Passover with his apostles, and spoken of them to come to be, he was betrayed by Judas, and later denied by Peter. The time for his death, burial, and resurrection, had come. Already the burden of the sins of the world was beginning to be bearing down upon him. It was almost more than he could bear, thus his great agony as he prayed to his Father on the Mount of Olives. He had been sent from Heaven for this very purpose. (John 3:16)
BETRAYAL

It is difficult to believe that this, probably by our standards, the most promising of the twelve, would betray the one who came to offer salvation. How often, we are mistaken for we judge character by appearances, actions, and presentation. Jesus chose Judas, knowing full well that this man was not what he appeared to be, and he would be the one to betray him when the right time had come. God looks at the inner person. Did you ever look at your “Year-Book” and who people have written there, was the most likely to succeed? Were they right? Sometimes, that is the last time you have ever heard of them.
  
47  And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. Probably, greeting one another with a holy kiss, spoken elsewhere in scripture, was a common greeting among believers, but to choose that as a way of pointing out the one you came to betray!.

48  But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Even Jesus questioned his choice. He knew Judas’ weakness was the love of money. Nothing is ever hidden from God, whether God the Father, God the Son, or God’s Holy Spirit.

49  When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

This is where the other eleven, new what was happening and Peter sprang forward with his sword. He was a better fisherman than swordsman. He nearly missed altogether.

(Luke 22:38)

50  And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51  And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far, And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Our Lord does not want violence on His behalf. Christianity is not a religion of violence.

52  Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

(Luke 22:4, Luke 22:37)

53  When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

“The power of darkness,” is of Satan, not of God.

54  Then took they him, and brought him to the high priest’s house.

And Peter followed afar off.

The fact that Peter followed “afar off” is the reason he was tempted and fell.

(Matthew 26:57, Mark 14:53, Matthew 26:58, Mark 14:54, John 18:15)

DENIAL

The second evil was, Peter’s denial. A few days before he had quickly responded to the question, “Who say ye that I am?” with a prompt, and correct answer.

55  And when they had kindled a fire in the  midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

(John 18:16-18, John 18:25-27, Matthew 26:3)

56  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him and said, This man was also with him.

57  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

(John 18:26)

59  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.

 (Matthew 26:73, Mark 14:70)

60  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, hie he yet spake, the cock crew.

In every detail Jesus had said this is what would happen. Let us learn this lesson from Peter. Do not deliberately put yourself in a place where you are certain to be tempted. Choose, unless you are striving to reach those about you for the Lord, make your close friends among those of the faith.  One of my mother’ favorite quotations, it is not of the Bible, “Birds of a feather flock together.”   

61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

(Luke 7:13, Luke 22:34)

62  And Peter went out and wept bitterly.

If we sin, and we most certainly will, may we follow Peter’s remorseful response. Peter set the example. He wept in repentance, and turned to the Lord.

Judas when out and killed himself. That is “defeatist.” But Peter repented and turned back to the Lord so closely that when he was taken to be crucified he asked, and was, crucified head down!
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR


APRIL

28th  Sunday  -  Joshua 20, 21,  Luke 23:26-56,  Psalm 52
29th  Monday  -  Joshua 22, 23,  Luke 24:1-27,  Psalm 53
30th  Tuesday  -  Joshua 24,  Luke 24:28-53,  Proverbs 11:1-6


MAY

1 st  Wednesday  -  Judges 1:1-2:15,  John 1:1-28,  Psalm 54
2 nd Thursday  -  Judges 2:16-3:31,  John 1:29-51,  Psalm 55:1-11
3 rd  Friday  -  Judges 4, 5,  John 2,  Psalm 55:12-23
4th  Saturday  -  Judges 6,  John 3,  Proverbs 11:7-12


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LINKS TO OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SITES

http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
         Biographical with Photos
         These can be read directly on your monitor
         Our weekly newsletter in blog format
         Answers to your questions
         Favorite Scripture quotations
         70 of the world’s languages for distribution
         Short Bible studies
         Booklets of several pages length
         Opening chapters for my wife’s nine books in print

__________


A MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY

“And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”   -   Luke 24:46-47

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DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY

If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many people learned to drive on a model of a vehicle  known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle.


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Tuesday, April 16, 2013


AMBITIOUS GUEST

Luke 14:7-14

A LESSON IN HUMILITY

I recall an Anglican Priest, we knew in South Africa during the apartheid years. I have no idea what became of him as he was later “asked to go back to Great Britain.” The legal term is deported. I understand that he had been a chaplain of a university in California before he came to Kimberley, where we first met him, his wife, his secretary, and his own chaplain. Having been recently from California, he felt he wanted to meet all Americans in the city and Thanksgiving was the perfect opportunity.  His version of the beginning of Thanksgiving was put in the paper,  and we were surprised when we received a phone call to invite us to his home for Thanksgiving dinner.  I remember that there were two Mormon Missionaries, and an exchange teacher or student, and ourselves. Clearly none of us were interested in his beverages and as he was more interested in politics than God, and Thanksgiving Celebration, we did not even have conversation material in common.

Later, the Anglican Bishop of the Northern Cape’s post became vacant and he was asked to recommend someone, so he recommended himself and moved up to the top of his ladder. He always comes to mind when I need an illustration of the lack of humility.

On more than one occasion, Jesus used Proverbs 25:6-7 as the background for a parable lesson. He too, was at a dinner where the motive was not good.

7  And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked out how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

I don’t know why the King James Translation speaks of “rooms” when he is clearly speaking of positions at the feast. They reclined at the low table, and even, then there were favored positions. The modern method of preventing this happening is to put place cards for each guest.

(Matthew 23:6)

8  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

The native people of Africa are very conscious of seating people according to their idea of rank, even in church. Guests would often be ushered to the platform whether they needed to be there or not. The elders and ministers would be seated on the right side, often facing     facing the center of the room. The women would be in the remaining seats. Rarely did men and their wives sit together, and almost always the children would front center on blankets.

(Proverbs 25:6-7)

9  And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

I can imagine how disturbing it would be to be moved down, perhaps as bad as to be seated at a dining table on the platform under the only light, using your utensils in American fashion, before a people who had never seen the fork in the right hand or holding peas on the inside of the curve, when everyone knew that it is a left hand tool used with the other side up. They usually ate only with an oversized spoon.

(Luke 3:8)

10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

I usually managed to sit with the men to the right of the room and sometimes with my wife, unless I was to be the speaker.
                                                    
                                                      

11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

It seems clear to me that Jesus was not really talking about your seat at the table, but rather
with your attitude toward life in general. Do not put yourself forward, or first. We are here to serve, not to be served.

(Proverbs 22:28, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 23:12, Luke 1:52, Luke 18:14, James 4:10)

A LESSON IN LOVE

12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

Have you ever heard it said?  “It’s my turn to invite,” or “It’s my turn to be invited.”
Thinking that way reflects exactly that our motive is not right.

13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14  And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just:

God blesses the right motivation, not the seeking of, “my rights.”

(John 5:29, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4,5)

                                                              __________


READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR

APRIL

14th  Sunday  -  Deuteronomy 32,  Luke 16,  Proverbs 9:13-18
            15th  Monday  -  Deuteronomy 33, 34,  Luke 17,  Psalm 45:10-17
            16th  Tuesday  -  Joshua 1,  Luke 18:1-17,  Psalm 46
            17th Wednesday - Joshua 2, 3,  Luke 18:18-43,  Psalm 47:-9
            18th  Thursday  -  Joshua 4, 5,  Luke 19:1-27,  Proverbs 10:1-10
            19th  Friday  -  Joshua 6, 7,  Luke 19:28-48,  Psalm 48
            20th  Saturday  -  Joshua 8, 9,  Luke 20:1-26,  Psalm 49:1-10

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LINKS TO OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SITES

Biographical, with photos
They can be read directly on your computer
This weekly newsletter in a different format
Answers to your questions
Favorite Scripture Quotations
These represent 70 of the world’s languages
Short Bible studies
Longer Bible Studies
The opening chapters to her nine books in print

__________

THE MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY

“And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”  -  Luke 24:46-47

                                                                  __________


Happy are they who laugh at their own mistakes, for they shall lead merry lives.
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Blessed are they who do not worship the dollar, for heaven cannot be bought.
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