A Journey through the Books of Luke

This wedding is a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb to be held in the future in heaven.There is a need to understand the social aspect of weddings to know why Jesus did this.There is the transformational aspect of purification seen in this actThere is a sign of Jesus' declaration of love in the overabundance of his provision

The calling of the first disciples has an impact for the rest of the book. In Jesus we see heaven touching earth in real ways throughout the story. It starts with Nathaniel meditating on Jacob's ladder and getting a new insight as to its meaning. This message is from John 1:35-51

This episode explores the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus in John 1:19-34

From John 1 concerning the Christmas story part 2

This Episode is for the first Sunday in Advent 2024. It is from John 1:1-15

Exposition of John 5:15-30

This episode is an exposition of John 5:15-30

Acts 17:10 ff God uses His Word to bring life to those who earnestly seek Him. Studying the Old Testament leads to seeing how Jesus fulfills the Scripture confirming he is the Messiah.

Verses for the Power of the Gospel “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”Romans 1:16 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.1.16.esv “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”Matthew 19:24-26 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/mat.19.24-26.esv “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”Romans 10:9-11, 14-17 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.10.9-11,14-17.esv “And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”Luke 7:22 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/luk.7.22.esv “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”1 John 3:8 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1jn.3.8.esv “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”1 Corinthians 1:18 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.1.18.esv “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”1 Corinthians 1:21 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.1.21.esv “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”1 Corinthians 2:3-5 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.2.3-5.esv “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,”2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/2th.1.11.esv “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”1 Peter 1:3-5 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.1.3-5.esv “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”Ephesians 6:13-18 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/eph.6.13-18.esv “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”Matthew 26:28 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/mat.26.28.esv “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”Hebrews 9:22 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/heb.9.22.esv “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”Ephesians 1:7 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/eph.1.7.esv “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:7-9 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1jn.1.7-9.esv“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,"”Hebrews 10:10, 16 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/heb.10.10,16.esv “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”1 Peter 1:18-19 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.1.18-19.esv “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”Romans 5:9 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.5.9.esv “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”Colossians 1:13-14, 20 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/col.1.13-14,20.esv “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.2.24.esv “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”John 6:54-56 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/jhn.6.54-56.esv “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”Acts 20:28 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/act.20.28.esv “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”Revelation 12:10-11 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rev.12.10-11.esvVerses for Power of Gospel “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”Romans 1:16 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.1.16.esv “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”Matthew 19:24-26 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/mat.19.24-26.esv “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”Romans 10:9-11, 14-17 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.10.9-11,14-17.esv “And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”Luke 7:22 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/luk.7.22.esv “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”1 John 3:8 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1jn.3.8.esv “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”1 Corinthians 1:18 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.1.18.esv “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”1 Corinthians 1:21 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.1.21.esv “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”1 Corinthians 2:3-5 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1co.2.3-5.esv “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,”2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/2th.1.11.esv “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”1 Peter 1:3-5 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.1.3-5.esv “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”Ephesians 6:13-18 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/eph.6.13-18.esv “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”Matthew 26:28 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/mat.26.28.esv “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”Hebrews 9:22 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/heb.9.22.esv “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”Ephesians 1:7 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/eph.1.7.esv “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:7-9 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1jn.1.7-9.esv“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,"”Hebrews 10:10, 16 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/heb.10.10,16.esv “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”1 Peter 1:18-19 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.1.18-19.esv “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”Romans 5:9 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rom.5.9.esv “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”Colossians 1:13-14, 20 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/col.1.13-14,20.esv “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/1pe.2.24.esv “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”John 6:54-56 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/jhn.6.54-56.esv “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”Acts 20:28 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/act.20.28.esv “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”Revelation 12:10-11 ESVhttp://bible.com/59/rev.12.10-11.esv

Faithful HusbandHosea 1: 2,3, 6-9IntroductionFaithlessness is rampant. Who do we trust? People lie to protect themselves and hide their shame. In building teams, it is important that people are open and honest with one another. This helps me see the issues faced in interpersonal relationships:The fundamental attribution error is simply this:  human beings tend to falsely attribute the negative behaviors of others to their character (an internal attribution), while they attribute their own negative behaviors to their environment (an external attribution).  Why?  Because we like to believe that we do bad things because of the situations we are in, but somehow, we easily come to the conclusion that others do bad things because they are predisposed to being bad.  (Similarly, we often attribute other people's success to their environment and our own success to our character.  That's because we like to believe that we are inherently good and talented, while others are merely lucky, beneficiaries of good fortune.) from Patrick Lencioni.Read text.What a crazy event and explain. Why was it so important for the prophet to do this? And how does this show us Jesus in the OT?It demonstrates how people gradually move towards sin and get in deeper without recognizing it, and also feel justified in explaining it away.It shows how far we drift from a real and vital relationship with God, and each other.It shows the problems Jesus faced when he came.And it shows how he patiently dealt with our blindness of heart.Finally it shows his amazing love in redeeming us from the very sins that keep us captive.Hosea 1: 2,3, 6-9“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham's children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.””John 8:34-47 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”Ephesians 5:25-32 “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk'? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!””Mark 2:8-12 “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.””Matthew 15:10-20 “This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wrong.””Proverbs 30:20 “The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.”Matthew 16:1-4 Mark 8 – Blind man touched twice. And disciples see Jesus properly. “And they *came to Bethsaida. And some people *brought a man who was blind to Jesus and *begged Him to touch him. Taking the man who was blind by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting in his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, for I see them like trees, walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And He continued questioning them: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” And He warned them to tell no one about Him.”Mark 8:22-30 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”1 Peter 2:1-3 “For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.”1 Peter 2:6-8

The Covenant Keeper2 Samuel 9:6-8IntroductionJesus in Moses and the Prophets.  We get some beautiful pictures of Jesus that help us understand who he is, and how amazing his love for us is! Seeing him demonstrated through history in so many ways, not just through prophecies, but through the lives of those who believe and trusted in God long before Jesus came.  We can trust God's Love, God's Word, and God's Character.  “We can see that his love is compellingly intentional. It is not random nor sporadic. It is utterly reliable and full of purpose.”Last week we saw in the life of David, that he foreshadowed Jesus by being a prophet, priest, and king. Today I want to look at how David was a covenant keeper.Read TextThe Story! It all starts with a relationship between David and Jonathan. After David kills Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, David and Jonathan enter into a covenant. “Now it came about, when he had finished speaking to Saul, that Jonathan committed himself to David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his military gear, including his sword, his bow, and his belt.”1 Samuel 18:1-4The nature of a covenant is that all you have, all your potential, all your life, and all those who are in your seed, all you will ever be is given to your covenant partner. It was usually sealed by blood since life is in the blood. So, the death of Jonathan caused his son to grow up in fear of David, and believe his life was ruined by him. When he is found, he assumes he will be killed as an enemy who wants to subvert David's kingdom.  Thus, his response is amazement.The focus though is for us to see Jesus as the covenant keeper.  Look at what Jesus does in creating a covenant with his father, in his own blood. That means that all who are in the blood of Jesus are recipients of all he gets from his Father! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17The sign of the covenant – includes blood! Let it be unto me like this, if I do not keep this covenant!“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' God raised up His Servant for you first and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.””Acts 3:25-26 “God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.”Genesis 17:9-11“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29 The faithfulness of the covenant keeper – in word, including promises:“I will not violate My covenant, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.” Psalms 89:34 “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments;” Deuteronomy 7:9 “¶He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac.” Psalms 105:8-9Our signs of the covenant: baptism at the start and communion to constantly remind us of who we are!Baptism as a sign of entering the covenant. “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”” Acts 2:38-39“And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.” Luke 22:20 Our confidence and role in the covenant - “Such is the confidence we have toward God through Christ. Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Are you in Christ? You can't fool God and you can't pretend to be what you are not. You want the benefits of the covenant, then you must be born again.  

Prophet, Priest, King2 Samuel 7:12-16IntroductionThe mystery of 3 – everything seems to come in threes. David and Jesus are keenly related in the Messianic passages. Primarily in 2 Samuel as we continue from Moses to the Prophets.The Prophecy of Nathan that points to Jesus.The Threefold Anointing on David as Prophet Priest and King, as pointing to the Anointing on Jesus!They both are:PriestsKingsProphetsWhat this means to us!

Finishing the Race2 Timothy 4:7,8Liberty Church BirminghamSunday, October 8, 2023Appreciation for Liberty Church – John Snow, David and Betty McCutchen and Ferrell Maughan were my first supporters, and continued after I married Jan. Bill Stamp, Bruce, Jeff Cato, and Ferrell visited us. Many wrote encouragement. Bill introduced us to Globe International in 85 and Liberty Fellowship the next year at Norman Park. Thank you, Bruce, for helping me finish this book. He suggested we launch it here today. And will be in the back room to sign copies for those who wish to make a donation for one to reach an Unreached people group in northern Mozambique. Providing local evangelists, trained by our German missionaries, motors cycles and bicycles to reach distant villages where you follow goat paths and cross torrent rivers in a canoe. – this book includes several events from here including one of Jerry Strong. How a German youth help a WWII vet get deliverance.Finishing the race – a scripture for finishing well, spiritual warfare, and funerals.  What if it applies to God and is prophetic in a way that OT scriptures are? What if Paul writes it as pertaining to himself, but God inspires it because it also applies to Jesus and his work, specifically his work by the Holy Spirit in us? It could apply to his work on the cross, as well as his work through the church until the great and glorious day when he appears, and we all enter heaven. But that is a very western mindset to this problem. Always a focus on the winner! When you think of races like the Marathon, you don't know many if any of the participants. Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya holds the world record and 2 Gold medals in the Olympic Marathon will try for a 3rd in Paris next year.  That seems to be focus of our society as we hold such accomplishments in high esteem. Selfish Ambition can easily become a downfall for anyone. But two races impress me and give me a new sense of understanding regarding Gods plans and intentions: the Iditarod race is a grueling difficult race in March in Alaska, and it is not over until the last team arrives at the finish line.  The concern is for all to reach the goal! The Dream Marathon is unique in the fact that the established runners train the new runners personally 22 weeks before the race and when the first ones reach the finish line they return to the last ones and run with them encouraging them to finish as well! Here the whole idea is that the whole group is involved in the whole group!  Look at this from God's perspective it is not over until all ethnic people groups, language groups, cultures, races, are represented at the marriage feast of the lamb! Until All who call upon the name of the Lord are saved, it is not over! Until all have heard and have had a chance to respond, the race is not over! It will not be accomplished without more dedicated career missionaries that is for sure!  Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he will cast out more into the white, ready and prepared harvest fields! But we need more than those who will sacrifice to go, we need those who will commit to do the praying, encouraging, communicating, visiting, pastoring those who have gone! We need an army who see that church is not where we go to be entertained, but where we learn how to serve, how to invest in people, how to give what is needed in the Kingdom of God.  It is not about a few doing the most, it is about us all moving together as the Holy Spirit directs us. Not listening to the myriad of voices but following the one! The task of reaching the Lost is our task together. Wherever they are found.

While Jan and I were visiting in Alabama, Bishop Malloy was our guest speaker at Long Creek Baptist Church

Jesus, Not Just Any PriestHebrews 7-11What do you think about when you hear the word “Priest”?Our picture is often marred by various movies, novels, and pictures.  Imagine Jesus being like a priest in one of those shows like Balleykissangel. The order of Melchizedek- righteousness and peace Gen.: 14:18-20 and Psalm 110:4See how Jesus is a high priest from a different law! Hebrews 8:1-6 a better priest!Jesus inaugurates a new Covenant like Jeremiah prophesied: Jeremiah 31:31-34 quoted in Hebrews 8, see last verse.The outer sanctuary and the Holy Place Hebrews 9:1-5The job of the high priest – replaced by Jesus! Hebrews 9:8,11,14-17The need for blood to activate the covenant. Hebrews 9:21-28The old law does not make perfect! Psalm 40 speaks of one to come later! Psalm 40:6-8Hebrews 10:1,4,9,10 shows the eternal work of Jesus!By faith the early believers were looking for a better country, an eternal one! Hebrews 11:13-16We have come to Mt. Zion and an unshakable Kingdom! Hebrews 12:22-24;Don't mess it up – give him your acceptable service!  25-28!“And Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.”Genesis 14:18-20 “The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.””Psalms 110:4 ““Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.””Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.””Psalms 40:6-8 

The Pattern of HeavenExodus 25:1-9IntroductionA trip through cathedrals – illiterate people and keeping the faith by art and sculptures.A lot of history in these amazing structures: major events, burials, events that moved the world to remember: Luther nailing his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg that began a reformation! Or the move in Leipzig that brought down the Berlin Wall? Or the simple pastor in Timisoara, Romania that brought about the downfall of the government there. The many small chapels across England as John Wesley preached up and down the land. Show pictures:Sistine Chapel at the Vatican- ItalyCathedral in Krakow, PolandCathedral in MilanCathedral in Salisbury – a worker who loved JesusCathedral in Wesel – Peter Minuit who bought Manhatten from the IndiansSt. Paul's Cathedral London – taken into the Holy of HoliesBut all of these do not compare with what God gave to Moses!Then the Tabernacle – above all the othersRead TextThe Character and nature of God is revealedThrough the blood of JesusThe courtyard for sin, and the Holy place leading to the Holy of Holies.46x23 meters (150 feet X 75 feet) cf Biltmore is 175,000 ft2 CFNBC 11,250 ft2Outer Court and Inner CourtHoly Place – 10 X 5 meters 48x24Holy of Holies – 5 X 5 meters 24ftWorshiper could not go any further than bringing sacrifice to altar. Only priests could go farther to laver. Worth – Over 100 billion USD equivalent.See the Revelation 21 for the New JerusalemPrayers of incense Revelation 5:8 and 8:3,4Assumptions and shadows.  Solving the mystery and wanting to know all things. But there are issues that can develop because of this: the presence and leadership of God is replaced by dead works and dead traditions.  Where there. Is no life being infused, but the very condemnation that does not come from the Father:  ignoring him can lead to lifelessness. See what happens in Exodus 32.1See what is in Cebu or in Chichicastenango. The tents in the wilderness were facing the tabernacle.When we look forward to what Father intends for us both individually and collectively as a church, we can do a lot more moving forward in unity. “Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day— things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding firmly to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”Colossians 2:16-19 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”James 1:14-17 “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the form of those things itself, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”Hebrews 10:1-4  

Introducing JesusExodus 3:13-15Long Creek Baptist Church Sunday, September 17, 2023Introduction The need for a cultural translator- Hajo helped by explaining the cultural realities of living in Germany.We face something similar when it comes to understanding life in the Kingdom of God.  That is the job of the Holy Spirit.Read TextThe need to know more about who God is.  I AM speaks to his eternal being, but that says little about his attributes, his character, his objectives and goals, his ideals, desires, his nature, his personality – the definition that explores and describes who you are. The journey into Exodus does a lot to explain who Jesus is, not only what he did on the cross. The introduction to the power, reliability and work of Jesus is core, critical and explains many the other aspects of who Jesus is that are found in the Exodus.Here are some of the things we find concerning Jesus and the nature of the Kingdom of God:Living Water - Exodus 15:22-26 Exodus 17:2, 5-6 John 4:10, 13-14Bread of Life - Exodus 16:1-2, 4John 6:48-51Lawgiver - Exodus 20:1 Matthew 5:38-39Covenant Maker - Exodus 24:5-8Luke 22:20 Life Changer - Exodus 19:3-6 Revelation 1:5-6Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5 Friend - Exodus 33:11  John 15:15 The introduction to Jesus is what gives us both our security in his promises as well as the joy of growing in our relationship to him. Living Water“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter; for that reason it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. And He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.””Exodus 15:22-26 “So the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water so that we may drink!” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”Exodus 17:2, 5-6 “Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.””John 4:10, 13-14 Bread of Life“Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. But the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, so that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.”Exodus 16:1-2, 4 “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down out of heaven, so that anyone may eat from it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats from this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I will give for the life of the world also is My flesh.””John 6:48-51 Lawgiver“Then God spoke all these words, saying,”Exodus 20:1 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.” Matthew 5:38-39 Covenant Maker“And he sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it as the people listened; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.””Exodus 24:5-8  “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”Luke 22:20 Life Changer! From slaves to a Kingdom and Priests“Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.””Exodus 19:3-6  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”Revelation 1:5-6 Mediator“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5 God speaks to pharaoh and the people through MosesThe people speak to God through Moses. What they miss is the direct communication.Friend“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”John 15:15  “So the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”Exodus 33:11   

Introduction to Jesus in Genesis: Abraham and his son offered on Mt. Moriah, present day Jerusalem and the place of Solomon's temple. Also, Joseph is the most perfect illustration of Jesus in the OT: sold by his brothers for money into slavery, falsely accused of immorality and thrown into the dungeon, left for dead, raised and exalted to be Lord of all Egypt, savior of his family even those who betrayed him. Read TextMoses shows us the type of Jesus as the deliverer. Saved from death as a baby. Aware of his calling to be a deliverer, he tries to do so on in his own strength and fails miserably. Running away from the situation, he encounters God, and the relationship grows in an intimate way.Here are some of the types readily visible:His growing personal relationship with God, from the “l AM” encounter, to the regular discussions concerning pharaoh and his leaders. Growth in dependency upon God for every action, direction, etc. you have the bitter waters of Marah turning sweet when he throws the tree into the water and it becomes sweet, and you have the need for bread, and the Manna comes down from heaven: both are reflected in Jesus being the water of life, and the bread of life!That relationship develops into a very close intimate relationship with a vision of the heavens, the tabernacle as a miniature of what John sees in the Revelation, and him telling God even what he cannot do and why! Even his death is a view towards the ascension of Jesus.  Get this, he returns at the transfiguration, which could also reflect the return of Jesus. But the greatest type of Jesus that is found in his life is that of deliverer.Look at the issues facing him – his personal reputation.The oppression from the Egyptians            Burdens treated like slaves            Based on Fear and a need for Cheap labor            Mean, torture, evil – wanting to kill babies, inflicting pain, hurts, lies, deception, betrayal.            Idolatry, the demonic, sinful, blasphemous The objections of the Hebrew people            Mistrust, seen as a coward, ran instead of helping.            How do we know he speaks for God? Lack of faith, hopelessness, helplessness. Depression.            Really, you want us to be happy when everything is getting worse?The objections from Moses: unqualified, no influence, no authorityHow do you get 600 000 men plus women and children to trust you enough to lead you out of your situation?How do you overcome the obstinance of pharaoh? How will we live if we go? Not in shape to lead a war.The answer lies in God's covenant, promises, and his word.The need for deliverance in a society like that is real for everyone involved. The first one to be delivered is Moses – he needed to learn to trust God.The warnings he brought were to both solidify his role as the called one.His initiates the greatest deliverance from oppression and slavery to that date in history. It becomes something that will be remembered forever in Christian and Jewish families because of the Passover. This is a type of Jesus who does a quick work when we put our trust in him and he passes over our lives, never to experience death. See John 8:51,52: “The Jews answered him, “Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.””the deliverance of Jesus is greater!It is not just for time, but eternity!His deliverance is from torment, personal, internal, oppressive, imposed, and evil torment. The Passover lamb in the story is Jesus! He is the One who meets the enemies within and without, whose covenant he keeps and whose promises are true, whose love endures forever.Where is the evil one here? Turn to Jesus and be delivered. Be set free from all that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life! 

At the end of Acts, Paul continues to show that Jesus is the Messiah from Moses and the prophets.  It is the same that Jesus does from the end of Luke while on his way to Emmaus. Let's look at some of those Scriptures over the coming weeks. Today I would like to look at some prophecies in the Psalms: and why they are so important and valuable to all of us.  As I was reading Reflections on the Psalms by CS Lewis, I was quite taken by his insights into the topic of Praise. Why praise? Why is it so important? – Let's look at it from a non-Christian perspective:Many have said to me, why would I want to go to heaven? Sitting around and playing harps all day.How we view people who always want to be admired, constantly be assured of their virtue, or intelligence, how good they are at what they do?  We look down at the clouds that meet the demands of dictators and gratify their egos. So, what do we think of a god who demands praise from his followers?How are we to equate that with being humble of heart? 50:14,15Or it appears as though the Psalmists try and negotiate with God: if you do this for me, then I will do this for you. 54:1,6Or the blackmail technique: If you don't defeat my enemies, then I will go down to Sheol, and who will praise you then? 30:9Or why does God demand we praise him? Or encourage others to motivate us to praise him? Does he really need it? Is he like humans, wanting to to be number 1 and all the world to know it? 119In all of these negative approaches to Scripture, we fail to see the value and the importance of biblical praise. Let me begin with a couple of my experiences.  When the kids were little, Jan had to stay at home a lot. I traveled to May wonderful and exotic countries. The truth is, I only wanted to be there long enough to finish the work I came to do. I had no interest in sightseeing. Why, because Jan wasn't there to enjoy it with me.  Now, when we are just the two of us, I have very rarely traveled without her, and when we go places, we love to try new foods, see new things, examine the similarities and differences in culture and appreciate it together.  So our trip to New Zealand, or Manu other places lives on in our hearts, not because of the pictures, but because of our identification and expression of our admiration.This makes praising God different from seeing him as a benevolent dictator who wants to rob us of life and joy.Why does God demand our worship? As the all-sufficient one, why does he demand we go to church and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Because in the corporate worship he communicates his presence to mere mortals. It is not for his sake, but for our sake that praise is most needed. God is not so vain that he needs our complements, but it is us who need to get to know him, appreciate him, and understand his magnificent ways. When we praise, and examine his laws, his character, his virtues, his will, his thoughts, his desires, our hearts are flooded with his wisdom, his understanding, his joy, and we become partakes with him in these divine experiences.Often we only look at praise as being a complement, approval, or giving honor where it is due.  But look around us. Look at where praise happens: who do you praise? Your lover, your walks in the countryside, a good book, your favorite football club, a friend, your home, a picture, our lives overflow with enjoyment when we praise.  When we criticize, it falls flat and into arguments. Praise is what brings about encouragement and the best in all of us. It really begins when we can praise God.That is why in the Psalms we have so many clear indications of God's great plans and purposes. Hidden in dual meanings of the text, but which point directly to Jesus and his work and his joy and his salvation.It starts in Psalm 1 with a view of the glory of heaven – trees with fruit every month revelation 22:2“On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2Compare with this: “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3Then we see Jesus as the good shepherd in Psalm 23 and in John 10:11In Psalm 22 we see the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my help are the words of my groaning. All who see me deride me; They sneer, they shake their heads, saying, “Turn him over to the Lord; let Him save him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.” I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery, And my tongue clings to my jaws; And You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; They divide my garments among them, And they cast lots for my clothing. ¶I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord's And He rules over the nations.” Psalms 22:1, 7-8, 14-18, 22, 27-28 - compare with Jesus in Luke 23:33-48 BibleIn Psalm 24 we see the triumph of Jesus over sin, death and the devil for all time, and his receiving the crown of glory with all authority in heaven and earth for the salvation of all who will call upon him. “Lift up your heads, you gates, And be lifted up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Lift up your heads, you gates, And lift them up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of armies, He is the King of glory.”Psalms 24:7, 9-10 see Phil 2:9-11 and Eph 1:20-23“For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NASB2020“which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:20-23In Psalm 2 we see him as the conquering  king over all:  “Why are the nations restless And the peoples plotting in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers conspire together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ¶He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. “I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. ‘Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession.” Psalms 2:1-2, 4, 7-8 and see Matt 28:18-20“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20 When that becomes clear to us, that God wants this known among all peoples everywhere, that his love surpasses all other loves, then the door that leads us into that courtyard is the door of praise. Our lives explode with the joy of worship and all finds its place of worth and value within the presence of the Lord. As we begin to live in praise, we start to praise one another, it changes our attitudes, it builds us all up, we become less critical of one another. It brings healing to our souls, our bodies, our approach to life.We praise what we value! And we want others to enjoy it with us. We have to tell others about it, and we want to tell those who will appreciate it the most! The reason we do that with others is that praise with others completes the enjoyment!  Our delight is something is incomplete until it is expressed! The worthier the object of our praise, the more intense our delight will be!  As imperfect our attempts of worship are, we do glimpse it at times when God breaks through into our lives and the flow of praise erupts, as we join even for a brief moment the wonder of heaven and glimpse a bit of the love God has for us. What we begin to experience in our own prayer closets, let us bring in joy as we worship him together. Let us consummate our enjoyment of Jesus and the Father by Tell it to him, and to each other!

The prayer before the execution. Praying for others to prepare them. How Jesus relied upon his Father.

The prayer Jesus taught his disciples. What can we learn from both how and what Jesus prayed?

Apology for last week's rant.  God's Kingdom is greater than any nation in this world. His rule is just.  We see through a mirror dimly.  The roles of politics and the church are different and require different skills, talents and gifts.  Some can be learned, others are relational.  Don't envy someone who is called to be a politician. They have hard choices to make. From war to social security, politicians are involved in the regulation and administration of all aspects of the nation. Those choices are not easy.Choices in the church are difficult too. We deal with life and death issues as well, but they are more important as they affect a person's eternal destiny.Read TextExplain text:Bring in the leaders of the JewsAppoint a day when many come to hearConclude with the calling of Isaiah – the difference of cultures does not negate the power of the Gospel, nor the work of the Holy Spirit!Continues to welcome all who come to him in captivityThe future growth of the church is secureWhat do we glean from this:This is the testimony of how the Holy Spirit works, in every culture and in every place. This is a testimony to the faithfulness of God to keep his promises to all who seek him and call upon his name. This is a clear view of how not all respond favorably to the transformation required by those who believeKnowing this, how do we continue writing the end of Acts in our lives? What is the Holy Spirit doing in this place? How if Father wanted to spread the Gospel message throughout this community?  What will happen if we declare Jesus as the Messiah? Some will listen and some won't. How do we continue to despite the hindrances in our way?  You might not be in chains, but there are other things that limit our abilities to share about Jesus.  How do we continue the work entrusted to us?What do we do?  Love, forgive, show hospitality.Let those who go, go.  The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come.  Let him do his job. Focus on those who want to know more and grow in God.  Don't be a parent to them, but someone who can open the scriptures to them and be life giving!  Verses:“All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.”Philippians 4:22 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:8-10 “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” Isaiah 6:6-8 “Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, that Rezin the king of Aram … went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it.  Isaiah speaks to Ahaz: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:1, 14“and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20

“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8Read Text Explain TextPrimary focus of this passageVs. 2 they welcomed us – throughout Luke -Acts, the theme of hospitality has been an important symbol of receptivity of God's visitation. See Lk 5:29; 7:36-50; 9:4-5; 10:1-16, 38-42; 19:1-10; Acts 10:24; 16:11-15.Vs. 3 Paul models authority as service Luke 22:24-27 just as Jesus did. Throughout the journey, his advice and actions have been practical and helpful, including helping with the fire.  Unusual for a prisoner to do so voluntarily. See 27:10, 22, 31, 34.Vs 4 the assessment of Paul as a murderer, the in verse 5 as a god.  Allusion to Luke 10:18-19. Power over satan.  Reaction like Acts 14:8-13.Vs.7 Paul has much freedom for 3 months. This includes the ministry of healing.  Throughout Luke Acts the healing ministry is coupled with the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Notice, it is not something that he sets up a healing crusade! What is going on in the centurion's mind? Soldiers? Other prisoners? Sailors? Captain? Brought to the leading man and then conducts healing ministry on the island?  My assumption is that many believed, and he needed 3 months of discipleship training for the new believers. Paul is indeed the most unusual prisoner! Compare with Luke 4:38-44. On healing leads to many.Vs. 10 demonstrates the sharing of good to be a sharing in the Gospel! Consistent with the narrative in Luke Acts: Vs. 14 meets the brothers.The last chaptersWhat is the purpose of the book, and what are the most important themes that need to be conveyed?Is Paul and his life the main character? Compare with writing my biography, I'm not dead yet!Is there something much more significant being communicated her? In the last chapter, God reigns supreme in spite of storm, authority, laws to kill prisoners, darkest days of your life, in fear, in hunger, in hopelessness there is a way through. Jesus really has all authority in heaven and earth.In this chapter we see the following main themes emerge that are continually visible in Luke and Acts:The value and significance of service.The value and significance of hospitality. Luke and Acts as well as the OT point to it's importance. We are all sojourners in this world! Notice in heaven we are invited to a banquet! Celebration is eternal! The life of Jesus reproduced in every Christian, not just the celebrities.The growth and the permanence of the church throughout both history and eternity despite all attempts by the devil to eradicate it.Application is vital: contrary to today's thinking: not a political kingdom, not individualism, not materialism – but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!But a vibrant, life-giving church requires more, not less, time and energy from its members. It asks people to prioritize one another over our career, to prioritize prayer and time reading scripture over accomplishment. This may seem like a tough sell in an era of dechurching. If people are already leaving—especially if they are leaving because they feel too busy and burned out to attend church regularly—why would they want to be part of a church that asks so much of them?Although understandable, that isn't quite the right question. The problem in front of us is not that we have a healthy, sustainable society that doesn't have room for church. The problem is that many Americans have adopted a way of life that has left us lonely, anxious, and uncertain of how to live in community with other people.Verses“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brothers and sisters, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth.” 3 John 1:5-8 “Let love of the brothers and sisters continue. Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” Hebrews 13:1-3 “Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. And they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” Luke 9:51-56 ““When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you are not to go back to get it; it shall belong to the stranger, the orphan, and to the widow, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives off your olive tree, you are not to search through the branches again; that shall be left for the stranger, the orphan, and for the widow. “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you are not to go over it again; that shall be left for the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.” Deuteronomy 24:19-22 “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:34 “One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17 “Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them; and their people in high position exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:42-45 “Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and served them. Now while the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He was laying His hands on each one of them and healing them. Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” And yet He was rebuking them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.” Luke 4:38-41 ““The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; but the one who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”” Luke 10:16 

Introduction to our missions' programThe ministry of Jesus““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.””Luke 4:18-19 The Commission of Jesus:“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””Matthew 28:18-20 The Gospel to the world – expansion of ministriesGalatians 2:9 Practical support: The team on the road with the missionaryFinancial support, prayer support, feedback, involvement as partners, not just donors. Doing what Jesus did in his purpose statement from Isaiah.  Remember the poor. Galatians 2:10 The character of a giver – the sharing principle directed by the Holy Spirit - the giver and the receiver are intertwined Luke 6:38 remember that God cannot be mocked, whatsoever a person sows that will he also reap Galatians 6 s 31, 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 The church and the gift2 Corinthians 8  and Phil 4

The traditions of the eucharist. Communion, closed, open, traditional, meals, fellowship with results: strength, resolve, hope, wisdom, understanding, presence of God.Read and explore Text.Notice, before the big event, a daily investment in small faith steps prepares us for the great storms of life! Paul started by being faithful in little things along this great path he is living.Sea of Adria was in the middle of the Mediterranean while the Gulf of Adria what we today call the Adriatic Sea. As they near shipwreck, it becomes clear to the crew that Paul's prophecy is coming to pass.  Fear is still present.  Some want to escape.  Now Paul is in control with divine authority. His insight is followed by the centurion. When the ship starts to run aground, the centurion wants to save Paul, and the prisoners so all make it to shore.What is the purpose of the very clear and extensive account given by Luke here and not in Chapter 21? Notice the lack of calming the storm. Here there is something else that God is doing, namely, he is establishing the power of faith and God's control over history in sight of overwhelming paganism. What could be construed as magic has no place in the very real fear of the elements of nature. God is not tinkering with natural and human processes with arbitrary interventions, but with the direction of the human heart by revealing the purposes and call of God.  See Luke 21:12-19. When we are caught in the complexity of social entanglements, our faith in God must not be focused so much on the elimination of these circumstances but on God's power that enables us to endure and so gain possession of our lives!Here we find the real value of prophecy:  Though Paul is predicting the future and seeing it fulfilled, he is also a spokesperson for God! He advises, exhorts, comforts, strengthens, challenges as a servant of God whom he serves! And at the center of the storm and its ravages, fears, and confusion, he breaks bread.  Of the 276 on board, only 3 are Christians. Yet he includes all with dramatic results – not all believe, some try to escape, but all are brought to safety as he said they would. This act of faith changed the course of the events, as it gave courage, strength, and hope to all. Paul's faith reminds us of Mary, who chose to believe God and whet he said would come to pass.  Put your faith in Jesus today.

Ask Jan to tell the story of meeting Daniel in LaMadd.Read TextExplain text: The “we” begins again after stopping in chapter 21. Luke and Aristarchus are part of the team.Chain of command: Owner, Captain, then Roman centurion.  This one of Caesar's cohorts!Innocence of Paul shown in Sidon.Trip to south of Turkey, and the to a new ship.  The Alexandrian ship is taking grain from Egypt to Rome, and the emptier paid extra, plus insurance to get the grain to feed the city in winter.  Leaving Turkey (Asia) the winds are contrary so the sail to Crete and want to spend the winter in a good Harbor.  Leave Fair Havens even though Paul warns against it. Danger at sea is something Paul has been used to, in 2 Corinthians 11:25 he says he had already been in shipwrecks and spent a day and night in the sea.  He is well travelled. And he is also a prophet though at this point in time the captain is making decisions based on his experience and knowledge – not on God's direction. The dangers off the coast of Libya are treacherous. Now Paul uses his authority in Jesus to speak to the crew. The Centurion now takes his advice from Paul whose faith is going to save them all.Paul's purpose is now not just to witness in Rome, but to Caesar as well.God's authority supersedes all other authority. The Hope that faith gives, and the confidence of faith surpasses good ideas.How does this affect us? In the storms of life, and in the crisis of worldly culture there is an anchor for our souls!It's a question of authority!What is God saying to you? What place does God's authority and word have in our lives? Only for salvation, or in all things?Accepting God's authority, leads us to obey that authority, leading to the salvation of our souls. It gives direction to what we do in life!Obedience leads to the excitement of seeing God at work in our daily lives. Obedience to God's authority is not enslavement but even greater freedom! (Soldiers)How are you obeying in the midst of all going on around you?The crisis the world is in does not affect the call of God upon your life, nor your obedience.Whatever the culture of the world may say, it cannot negate the law of God.  If God says something is wrong, evil, sinful, or bad, your opinion on that matter is irrelevant.  You will not be able to argue with God on the day of judgement. The time to plead for mercy and grace is not on that day, but now in this life. By taking steps towards God in this way, you do not need to have a majority vote to do what is right! When God supports you, you will stand!  Paul ends up with more authority than all, and even the centurion takes his orders from him.

Introduction:How sad it is when sharing the Gospel that some people reject it outright. My encounter with a motorcycle gang in Thirsk. Drawing board with the story: Almost persuadedRead TextExplore textResponse from FestusPaul asserting the reality of the resurrection of Jesus as being sane and credibleBasing this on the law and prophets and addressing Agrippa as to his decision.  It is a clear conundrum: If he says no, then he denies his own people and his cultureIf he says yes, then why does he not accept Jesus as the Messiah?His response is sarcastic by avoiding the issuePaul asserts his primary function in life to lead people to Christ.Does not respond to sarcasm, but takes a very serious view of the consequencesDoes demonstrate his innocence of charges successDoes not get released, future is determinedSimilarly to JESUS HE IS DECLARED INNOCENT 3 times but is still in custodyApplication            Where are you standing in response to Jesus? Are you almost persuaded?            If you believe? Have you confessed and repented?            Are you bringing forth deeds consistent with that repentance?            

Introduction Sharing a testimony: before meeting Jesus, A Jesus encounter, what is my life like afterwards?Read TextExplain TextObedience to the heavenly calling: Proclaiming repentance            Turn to God            Perform deed consistent with repentance Testifying to Moses and the Prophets            Messiah must sufferBe resurrected Proclaim light to first to the Jews and then to all“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.”John 3:14-15“And then He said to them, “You foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:25-27 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and put it on a flag pole; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, and looks at it, will live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on the flag pole; and it came about, that if a serpent bit someone, and he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” Numbers 21:8-9 “He was despised and abandoned by men, A man of great pain and familiar with sickness; And like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we had no regard for Him. ¶However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, Struck down by God, and humiliated. But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all To fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:3-6

Introduction Life is short, enjoy it, or eternity is long, better prepare for it!Read TextExplain text.What does “kicking against the goads mean?”            The 4 things it means to Paul: Notice he talks about the “saints”. Verse 10 gives us the answer based on what he “did” in Jerusalem based on what “he thought was good to do.I imprisoned manyI gave approval to put to deathI punishedI pursuedFor this purpose or cause:Compare to jesusI have appeared to youI have appointed youI have rescued youI am sending you

Examine the text and point to:Private discussion between Festus and Agrippa. Points to Resurrection Public discussion between Festus and Agrippa. Points to lack of evidenceWhat does this tell us?The need for political maneuvering- no longer able to do Jews a favor. Even the unsaved know that Paul holds to the resurrection.“and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”1 Corinthians 15:14, 17             Resurrection brings salvation, hope, and much more.             Everything in the Christian life revolves around the resurrection. Particularly the transformed life – away from self-focus to love.Love is read, heard, seen, and does affect you.Resurrection says God loves you and sends his children to communicate it.Walk in Love“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:2 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Romans 5:8 “Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;” 1 Thessalonians 4:9“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,” Romans 12:10 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14 “Beloved, let's love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34 “This I command you, that you love one another.”  John 15:17 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.”1 John 4:12 Result: Focus on how to love.

Recounting the story:A demonic plan – not about religion, culture or philosophy, but plain evil.How did a boy find out about the plan?How did the boy get to Paul?Why did the commander take him aside personally?God overrules the enemy because he knows all and has ways to confound the enemy to accomplish his purposes. God repeated his purpose several times over the last year in many different ways including the most recent one at the end of the last chapter.You cannot thwart the purposes of God!  He can use a Pharaoh, a lion's den, a nephew, or you in a way you are not even aware of.What do we learn from this event?God will use whoever he wants!He is not impressed by greatness!He uses many to build his Kingdom!He is not taken by surprise!God will thwart the devil's purposes!God makes a show of his victories!In your life:  if you sin: you have an advocate with the    Father!If you are sinned against: God fights for you!“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”1 Timothy4:12““No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.”Isaiah54:17“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”Proverbs15:22“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”2 Corinthians 2:14“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”1 John 2:1 “A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than rubies. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!”FromProverbs 31:10-31  

Recounting the story:A demonic plan – not about religion, culture or philosophy, but plain evil.How did a boy find out about the plan?How did the boy get to Paul?Why did the commander take him aside personally?God overrules the enemy because he knows all and has ways to confound the enemy to accomplish his purposes. God repeated his purpose several times over the last year in many different ways including the most recent one at the end of the last chapter.You cannot thwart the purposes of God!  He can use a Pharaoh, a lion's den, a nephew, or you in a way you are not even aware of.What do we learn from this event?God will use whoever he wants!He is not impressed by greatness!He uses many to build his Kingdom!He is not taken by surprise!God will thwart the devil's purposes!God makes a show of his victories!In your life:  if you sin: you have an advocate with the    Father!If you are sinned against: God fights for you!“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”1 Timothy4:12““No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.”Isaiah54:17“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”Proverbs15:22

The Gospel is unfettered!Paul's defense:His Innocence with a clear conscience –The chief priest is an example of sin and the law being abused.Why did he order Paul to be hit?For pronouncing the Devine name, speaking out of turn, or claiming a clear conscience?The testimony of Jesus resurrection and thus the Messiah of Israel?How did Jesus see his witness? Both to the mob and now to the Sanhedrin? – take it to Rome!The importance of the resurrection at the center of our witness? (See Athens and here)This is the key to a relationship with God in a whole new way, not available in any religion!              Are we hoping to go to heaven, so we believe?            Or do we believe, and the result is the gift of eternal life?             Are we keen to be with Jesus, or are we afraid of death?What are the responses to this declaration of the Gospel?  They are universal to our day as well:We do not believe in life after death.We believe that there is life after death, but Jesus is not central to that.The Pharisees have a wait and see attitude.They align themselves with the legalists.They reject Jesus as the Savior.We believe in Jesus and live our life in relationship with him!

The Riot in Jerusalem and Paul's initial response: He is at Peace. At this point he diverts from Jesus' path since he is not going to die for the sins but yearns to see those who are his persecutors saved, even as he was saved as a persecutor of the Way.He has been mistaken as a polluter of the temple, and as an Egyptian revolutionary. Now he has the chance to share who he is and why.  But the primary motive, is that he wants his listeners to become like him! He uses what he knows to be an attack to demonstrate God's love others! He sees through the spiritual blindness of those he is now addressing.First of all, what didn't he do?He didn't demand a lawyer.He didn't accuse his tormentors.He didn't get angry.He didn't lose his peace.See Elizabeth Elliott:  Christ in you is the secret, not me in my situation and circumstances. Circumstances change but Jesus doesn't. Even in the midst of having been beaten he is able to give his defense.  But his defense is really a desire to see them saved, not himself!  Now he sets his witnessing in a different setting to address the people whose culture and attitudes he knows.In Athens he uses their history, culture and beginning with creation shows the way to the resurrection. Here though, by establishing where he is is from, raised and educated, he already laid a foundation with the acceptance of resurrection (that is the basic difference of belief to the Sadducees) in their culture.  He also establishes his credibility as a Pharisee who had the best education in the law and prophets.Notice how Luke likes to repeat matters where something needs to be learned! Peter with Cornelius, Jesus in Luke, and Paul's testimony. Paul uses his credibility to establish that he is a witness to the resurrection of Jesus.Light is a recurring theme in this passage and has divine importance, as it indicates the Glory of God! The repetition in his testimony along with his credentials now demonstrates that he has the authority of God to speak. “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 His time in the temple shows: a direct rebuttal of their claim against him. He shows his claim to the guiding beliefs of Judaism, his long standing devotion to the temple; his prayer life demonstrates his piety, and the temple as a place of prayer (just as Jesus had done); his Vision relates to Paul's vision regarding the clean and unclean; and most importantly:When Paul sees the vision in the temple, he is now claiming the same authority of a prophet – speaking both of Jesus and of Isaiah! Isaiah was in the temple when God called him. (6:1-10) and the message is similar: “He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”” Isaiah 49:6 and  Isaiah 6:8-10 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not understand; And keep on looking, but do not gain knowledge.' “Make the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes blind, So that they will not see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.””The response is violent, similar to how it was with Jesus in Luke 4:28-29: “And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and brought Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, so that they could throw Him down from the cliff.”Paul claims safety in Roman law to secure his passage to Rome, and fulfill his calling.For us it is important to know that the Gospel is offensive, regardless of how lovingly we share it.  But it is required of us to love and demonstrate that love in word and in deed.  We can see how Paul identifies with the good in the people, but is uncompromising in his stand on the messianic mission.  He finds a way to share that in a context that ought to be understood, even if it is not.  I heard a woman decry on TV that Christians love sinners and hate sin.  Even if Jesus did do that.  But folks today want to be identified by what the do or have. Christians want to be identified by who they are in Christ. Who are you? What determines the values you have in life? What is your focus?

The BattlegroundThe grounds for a charge against him:            A misunderstanding            Hostility against PaulWhat to do?“I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”2 Timothy 4:1-5 NASB2020Patience in the midst of persecutionWhen to say what to whomFacing disappointmentFacing abandonmentFacing corruptionFacing injusticeHow to respond like Jesus did – using previous experiences and spiritual growth            With love            With prayer            With forgiveness            With trusting and faith            Seeing God's purpose step by step“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”2 Timothy 4:7-8 NASB2020

The conundrum is to know how to deal with your leaders when you disagree with them.  How do you submit to them in matters that you see differently?Here is the struggle:  on the one hand Paul does not dispute that he is a Jew, that he understands the Law, he circumcised Timothy whose mother was a Jew, thus making him a Jew.  He does make vows and keeps them as well as shaving his head.  He understands the need for Nazarite vow of cleanliness, especially when he has touched a dead corpse.  He also sees the law from the eyes of one who is free from the law and who understands the law being written on the hearts of those who believe.  He does see the need for purity, holiness, as well as mercy and grace.  Especially when they seemingly are conflicting with one another.But here he chooses the way of love in dealing with real people!  Not just theoretical theology to be disputed, but relationships that are messy because of the difference of both experience and understanding of the scriptures.  He chooses to serve and love – theological debates can happen at another time when it is appropriate.He doesn't raise the matter of money in this situation, but submits to his leaders of the church. They see his funds helping his cause with the Jewish believers, even if they do not come to his rescue.Conclusion?  How will you react to those who disappoint you and who see things differently to the way you see them?  Will you respond in love?

Easter Sunday 2023 Looking at the effects of the resurrection of Jesus! reasons to rejoice!

Acts 21:1-14 Paul is reminded of the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem, all along the journey there, yet he faithfully continues to arrive for Pentecost. This message examines his motivation, beyond just wanting to bring the offering for the poor.

Looking forward verses 25-3128. Be on guard and shepherd the church.  How? “Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy4:13-1629. Beware of the wolves! Especially for those who come among you as wolves in sheep's clothing. “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Philippians3:2 ““Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Jesus, in Matthew 7:15 Looking beyond verses 32-3632- entrusting them to God and to the Word of His Grace!Mercy and grace definitionsMercy in OT : 45 – in NT: 60Grace in OT: 8 – in NT: 122 (gracious in OT 64 and in NT 5)The richness of God to show mercy, but the “boundless riches of Grace”Mercy is not getting what we deserve, while Grace is receiving gifts beyond measure!  Definitely not deserved or earned. Ephesians x2  We are introduced to grace through faith! Not lacking in any gift! What we receive in this world now is more than we deserve and what we will receive in heaven has not been seen or heard about. 1 Cor 2:933-35 a Model to imitate. Remember my way of life among you! “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians11:1 - also 1 Cor. 4:12; Eph. 5.1; 1 Thess. 1:6 and 2:14Finally, he prayed for them.Verse 32 Looking Beyond: I entrust you to God! And the Word of His GraceThis brings results!Follow my example: care for the poor, be generous (offering for the saints in Jerusalem)Prayer and anointingThe application: do we understand God's purpose for us, both individually and as a church? Are we beginning to see God move with clarity in our hearts?  How do we both individually and collectively live out the will, purposes, and counsel? 

This is true of Paul in meeting with the elders from Ephesus. We go from reporting facts to reporting his teaching at this location.  We will hear much more that will be reported of what he says in the coming chapters, but this is a new literary shift for Luke who is not just recording events now.  And Paul's instructions are very illuminating especially when you take time to view this in the context of the letters he wrote.  This sounds very much like Paul's voice and thought process.Let's begin to take a closer look at this farewell speech: in three parts: Looking back, looking forward, and looking beyond.In 16, he doesn't want to lose time by going to Ephesus, but he calls the elders to him instead.  In the case of the early church, it is clear it is lead by a presbytery, so whatever Paul shares here will be passed on to the churches throughout the region. Isn't the same amount of time used? Perhaps not, if the folks want him to stay, or there is much opposition, and he is hindered from continuing his journey. Perhaps even for the safety of the money being transported (see his final remark).Verse 18 Looking back: the monuments and the museums in Washington let us remember where we have come from, the ideals we hold dear, and the values we cherish. Paul looks at the beginning of his time with the Ephesians.  By looking back, he lays claims to the authority for what he will say.I was with you:  you got to know me by observation, interaction and teaching, and availability.Served with humility, or lowly mindedness.  Like Jesus. Philippians 2:1-11“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7“and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:44-45Through tears and trials from the JewsTaught what was profitable both publicly and from house to house: letters to follow upPreached to both Jews and Greeks: repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew...” Col. 3:11  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28 Verse 22 Looking forward: 22. Bound in Spirit and Uncertain what will happen in Jerusalem, except persecution. 24. I will finish the race testifying to God's grace:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Pause)25. You will see me no more26. I am innocent – I have warned all (repeated in his letters) “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:1, 3, 5 27. I proclaimed the whole counsel (purpose or will) of God to you.  “Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”1 Corinthians 15:50. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-128. Be on guard and shepherd the church.  How? “Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:13-1629. Beware of the wolves! Especially for those who come among you as wolves in sheep's clothing. “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Philippians 3:2 ““Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Jesus, in Matthew 7:15Remember my way of life among you! “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 - also 1 Cor. 4:12; Eph. 5.1; 1 Thess. 1:6 and 2:14Verse 32 Looking Beyond: I entrust you to God! And the Word of His GraceThis brings results!Follow my example: care for the poor, be generous (offering for the saints in Jerusalem)Prayer and anointingThe application: do we understand God's purpose for us, both individually and as a church? Are we beginning to see God move with clarity in our hearts?  How do we both individually and collectively live out the will, purposes, and counsel? 

This next section of Acts helps us understand both the level of insight Paul has to the growth of the movement called: The Way, and the price he must pay for reaching the Lost.  It demonstrates to us, how he has accessed the very core of the Father's heart: his amazing great love for those who do not love him. The prophetic insight of where Father is leading him: I must go here, there, and reach this goal.Two, he seals the continued growth of the movement by giving responsibility to those he has trained. Timothy and ErastusThe riot in EphesusA basic knowledge of God's care: 1 Cor 10:13The impact the Gospel has on the world. Destruction of idols! Imagine the impact the Gospel ought to have on the pornographic industry!God's deliverance and protection, even in using secular people.Paul's motivation for what he does:God's love for the lost – 2 Peter 3:9The knowledge of Jesus' return – comfort 1 Thess. 4:15-18Paul's faith in God's promises, power, and protectionCompare with matters that hinder God's people from reaching the Lost.WFear of repercussionsFear of rejectionMy friends are all saved or not interested.I don't know how to lead someone to Christ.Somebody else will do it, it's their job.Unwilling to step outside of my comfort zone.Too old to reach young people/ don't understand their culture.Too caught up with me, shy, insecure.Don't know how to approach people of other cultures.Worldly behavior renders me useless to Kingdom purposes.Pray for boldness, understanding the Father's heart, look for Jesus' return. Ephesians 6:19  

My nephew Wilson Frazier is heading up a ministry that encourages prayer in the workplace. Businesses across the USA are seeing real benefits from allowing their employees to pray together. Here he is being interviewed by a radio station In Louisville Kentucky.

IntroductionThere is a difference in fighting a battle in your own strength, or letting God fight for you.  In the OT there are several different cases where the situation seemed hopeless and yet God performed miracles to save his people.  From Jericho to Gideon's 300, from Elisha and the army against Dothan who was captured and taken to Samaria to have peace with them and stop two wars.[1]  The joy of knowing Jesus is for us and not against us is very comforting. Our enemy cannot defeat Jesus.Read TextA note from last week:  Laying on of hands and the transference of gifts and graces, encouragement at hope by touching and praying to God. On the one hand God baptizes in the Holy Spirit even if no one lays hands on you, but it can happen.  The issue is this: Historically, a distinction between clergy and laity has been created, and there are some things that only clergy who are “ordained” according to a specific tradition are able to do. Personally, this debate is beyond me, but I personally find it difficult to take certain scriptures and create something that neither the early church practiced nor taught.There are leaders in the church, elders, administrators, teachers, pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists.  These are gifts of Jesus to the church. But to place them on pedestals is not the intention, but they are to serve others, not be exalted.  If they are good at what they do, honor them.  If they are heretical, have nothing to do with them. So, matters like baptism, communion, laying on of hands, and other foundational teachings from Hebrews 6[2] are the domain of the church and those who know Jesus and live in him.  If you know someone is sick, and you want to pray for them and believe that God will heal them, place your hands of them.  If you lead someone to Christ, bring them here and baptize them so we can all rejoice with you!If you have company at home, and you are talking about Jesus, and you are sharing a meal, have communion as well!Now we see what happens when Paul continues his work in Ephesus:  Sick are healed, evil spirits are cast out.  The difference between evil spirits and the Holy Spirit are clearly demonstrated in this passage.  The result was that the fear of the Lord fell on them, and the Lord's name was magnified.  Looks like revival to me!The result of this was the most amazing campfire. Several million dollars of books and trinkets burned! This is a major position against sin and for God. It is an incredible move throughout the region. The battle is set against the principalities of this world. Against witchcraft, idolatry, sexual immorality, lying, cheating, discrediting God's word, just as the devil did when he deceived Adam and Eve with: “Has God said?” casting doubt on salvation, judgement, eternal life, and mocking the cross and the empty tomb.  The value of life is only determined by whether it is my life that we are discussing, others are not as valuable.  The attack by the enemy will be the same throughout history, even if they take a different shape.  But the moral character of God and his laws will always come under attack by those who profit from sin.In our lives, are we willing to take a stand for what is righteous – even if we are assaulted for our stand? Are we willing to let the Lord fight for us because we know that those who are for us are more than those who are against us? Can we trust God to shield and protect, keep and deliver us from evil?Salvation comes with the trust we need to place our faith and our hope in Jesus.[1] 2 Kings 6: 15-23[2] Hebrews 6: 1,2

The “rebaptizers” or Anabaptists in Germany. Almost a curse word.  We fought the wrath of both the catholics and the Lutherans as they held to a very traditional understanding that the sprinkling of water made you a “Christian”. The act of faith was not needed or involved in the act of salvation. Gal.5:6 says circumcision is nothing, only faith expressing itself through love!A bold start: The extent of John the Baptist's ministry: at least from Egypt to Turkey.  The preparation for Jesus to come was significant. But it did need to be followed up with the introduction of Jesus into the lives of those who who had repented.  Just acknowledging the truth that we are sinners is not enough. Paul's approach to Jews, Gentiles, and now disciples of John.The event with these disciples of John – who believed in the One God! – shows us several important aspects of what receiving Jesus into our lives and being empowered by the Holy Spirit looks like in the lives of believers:The two events of baptism in water (into the death and resurrection of Jesus) and being baptized with the Spirit, can be separated by time, though not necessarily essential.  We do not know when the disciples were baptized in water, but we know when Paul was baptized in the Spirit and then in water in Acts 9:17. Cornelius was baptized in the Spirit and then in Water.  The Eunuch was baptized in water and we know nothing after that. Paul only baptized a few in Corinth but it is not recorded in Acts, but they obviously were actively using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Luke sketchily records the events, not the teaching about why, function, usage, etc. for that we turn to the letters of the NT.  We do know that Jesus empowers his disciples to use the gifts he gives them.Who has the power to lay on hands? Disciples, Ananias, Timothy, and Hebrews is a foundational teaching not just for special people.All gifts from God are valuable and serve a functionThe baptism in the Spirit is accompanied by the Gifts, Fruit, Presence, and Activity of the Holy Spirit. He never changes, he is God! Those who say that the gifts stopped with the Bible completion have no biblical evidence for that.  How can they think that and then not say the same for the fruit of the Spirit? Or the functions of the Spirit listed in Romans 12:6-9 If you want to learn about the variety of gifts, then I am happy to do that on Wednesday nights where we can discuss and ask questions and share experiences. Acts only shows what happens.There is a difference between phenomena and repeated and taught matters in Scripture.  For example, the tongues of fire is phenomena and not repeated.  God can do it, but that would not be something one can expect to happen. The gifts taught in scripture can be expected to be a part of normal Christian life and used for the benefit of others, not to puff oneself up with pride. Focusing on building a firm foundationSeparating the unbelievers from believers to invest in: for understanding the Scriptures, for training in righteousness, for correction, 2 Tim 3:16Modeling and mentoring and releasing into ministryFulfilling the task, especially if you think Jesus is coming soon!  That is the attitude we all must haveThe fruitfulness of God's methodThe disciples were able to spread the Gospel through out their region!The investment was significant and life changingThe true power of the Gospel is evident in the fact that God is magnified by real growthWho do you invest your Christian life into?

From radical to powerful            Unusual and counter traditions, especially contrary to status quo when the status quo is sinful.  Radically pure and upright.  Leading young people to the Lord and getting them free of drugs, obedient to parents good in school, and having the local churches against us, parents against us, and evangelical churches unwilling to even pray with us. Fear after 9/11 and my stand to continue to work for the Lord and left on a flight to Turkey soon after.We miss out on what Paul did on the end of his second journey and the start of his third journey, and the story continues in Ephesus, and will pick up again when Paul reaches Ephesus.  This is quite an amazing story where we first encounter Apollos. He is from Egypt, a Jew, learned and eloquent, instructed (a Disciple), teaches accurately about Jesus, and is bold!  He only knows the baptism of John!A woman and her husband set time to discuss this with him…Correcting an accomplished minister of the Gospel: how do you do that? Using the OT: Joel 2, Zechariah 4:6Showing the importance of John‘s ministry: Isaiah 40:3What John taught: Luke 3:16What Jesus taught: John 16: 13,14Instructions of Jesus: Acts 1:4,4; 7,8The difference between repentance and filling with the Spirit of God.            Our act and God's action            Empty and filling            Our ability, and God's ability            Our power, and God's power            Our insight and God's wisdom, knowledge, and understanding            We see the outside, God sees the heartsOur surrender to God includes receiving his power to overcome in our lives.

IntroductionJust how radical was Paul?  How about the radical things God does in people's lives – like a great deliverance from tyranny only to end up in a desert?Definition of radical in the Webster's dictionary:  Thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms; forming a basis or foundation; of or going to the root or origin.From Corinth to Antioch, end of the second missionary journeyWhat stands out?His leadership training method is very successful: P and A are entrusted to plant church in Ephesus.After leaving the Jews (for the 2nd time) he heads back to the synagogue and keeps a vow by shaving his head. The issues of culture and seeing the authority of scripture in the light of a personal relationship with Jesus.Why no reports on the rest of the journey to Antioch? The reports to the senders to give an account of the growth of the church.Accountability Acts 18: 24-28Paul's third missionary journey begins with a quick introductionA brief excursion to Ephesus with the introduction of ApollosAn eloquent and learned expositor Demonstrates boldnessOnly knows baptism of John – repentance Shown a more accurate way – the SpiritWhat about us and our growing relationship with God? Where do we need to become challenged to a more accurate.“Now He also spoke a parable to them: “A person who is blind cannot guide another who is blind, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above the teacher; but everyone, when he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”Luke 6:39-40 NASB2020“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””Matthew 28:18-20 NASB2020“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let's not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's or sister's way.”Romans 14:12-13 NASB2020“I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do.”John 17:4 NASB2020

Recap from last weekFocus on the challenge to become more like Jesus – determination and how? Growing, stretching, and being challenged: Listening to Jesus and doing what he says John 10: 17 – not just our good ideasBeing kind to others, especially those who are not of the faith – Hebrews 10:23-25Not forsaking the gathering together – how do you interpret that?The focus on how the church started in CorinthMeets refugeesDisciples them by working together – real Bible School!When his support team arrives, he dedicates himself to full time ministry (who do we support?) Intercultural church and divisionNot seeking separation but unity in the GospelContinued investment in others, reaching out into the community.The challenge of a growing church.The word of God grows – life begins at conception and continues for the Christian without endThe body of Christ will never dieHealing and life flow from the Father who loves allThe challenge is to be able to incorporate differences: Gentile and JewGod doesn't back down from challengesThe author of the church is Jesus and it is his responsibility: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18Growth happens through relationshipsThe goal is encountering Jesus face to face: looking for his coming. This is our hope.How will you grow in Jesus this year? Tune your ears and listen to his words. Trust him and obey him!

As we reach the end of 2022 and move into a new year, does this passage not ask us to define what our aim is for 2023? Is it the “one thing” that Paul and Mary embraced? “Your next step now is this: set some clear objectives. Ask yourself: where would I like to be a year from now? Robert Mager, a consultant in the field of education, says that a well-stated objective defines where a person will be once he or she has achieved the intended outcome. ‘Clearly defined objectives,' it has been said, ‘enable us to see truth as actions, not abstractions.' If this sounds too regimented for your temperament, consider that your goal in life may actually be to remain comfortable rather than to be conformed to Christ. Don't settle for a decaffeinated form of Christianity – one that promises not to keep you awake at night!” (Selwyn Hughes).What is my “one thing” – decaffeinated or strong brew? Paul offers an awful alternative. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things” (vv18-19).‘Many'? Is it different today? Is it different from me? “Furthermore, some one-time followers of Jesus had given up and were now living as ‘enemies of the cross of Christ' (v18). There was a danger that some Christians, in making their lifestyle choices, might follow them in abandoning the logic of the cross, opting instead for human wisdom and power and the self-interest they spawn.” Selwyn Hughes defines that “one thing” very clearly. “Christians need not be in any doubt about the direction in which God wants them to go, or what is the Creator's highest purpose for their life. It is receiving God's love, and then channelling that love into the lives of those around us, including those who are discouraged or wounded. God wants you to be a caring person, sensitive to the needs of others, and aware of how He wants you to minister to them. Whatever else God may have for you to do in this world, His highest purpose is to make you a channel of His tender, loving care to others. Once you grasp this, then you are on your way to fulfilling your highest destiny.”  For that I need to press forward, “eagerly waiting for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (vv20-21). I need to be running that way myself and helping as many as I can in the same direction, so my life and my message are “one thing”. Is that not a great 2023 ambition?A final thought. “Passion shines bright, with the energy of a sprint, but can be over in an instant: someone launches into a project with wonderful ideas, but flakes out at the first hurdle. Perseverance may seem very dull in comparison, like a slow marathon. The faithful plodder, reliable and self-disciplined, may be less noticed but invariably respected. In this text, both qualities are beautifully combined in Paul as we witness his single-minded perseverance inspired by a passionate response to God's grace.”What do I need for that special race, holding on to both ‘passion' and ‘perseverance'?“(1) We must forget our sins. Obviously we must remember our sins in order to confess them. But having done so, we must let them go. The fact that God forgets is like calling Heaven and hearing, ‘There is no record of any offence.' (2) We must forget our shame. Paul could have been a prime candidate for shame. He had presided over the harassment, imprisonment, torture and murder of innocent human beings. But God's grace is stronger than our shame. It was defanged when Jesus died and rose again” (Word For Today quoting Ellen Vaughn).(3) Then “I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (verse 13 NLT).

Here is the test for our time together: for unto us a child is born, and a son is given.All this is for us: God's amazing love for each of us. A child is born.Mary asks the the question: how can this be?  That is a great question. Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord! How do we receive Jesus? Get born again? A son is given.  God so loved that he gaveWhat does he give through Jesus? Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1,2 in Luke 4:18,19:To preach the gospel to the poor.To heal the brokenhearted.To proclaim liberty to the captives.To give sight to the blind.To set free those who are oppressed.To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.  The end of our verse is this: “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom…” Isaiah9:7The gift is great but requires our sacrifice to get it. Is it hard? Yes, but it is also easy. Take up your cross and follow me, and my yoke is easy, my burden is light.The response on our part is amazing joy! 

Received a German song based on Isaiah 9:6 from a friend in Germany.  The concept of time with God is different from us.  We see the future of the one born and his accomplishments: the teaching ministry of Jesus, the Power of Jesus, the nature of Jesus, and now the administration and reign of Jesus!Where there is no peaceMy first sermon in the open air - peaceIn the confusion the story of Prince Charming: Charles and Diana, not the end but the beginning and the mess it madeThe Prince is one who governs: what goes into the administration of peace? Walls, armies, weapons, money and decisions that have consequences for people.The natural wall in the Badlands of South Dakota that separates the north from the south, the wall on our border, the wall of China, the iron curtain.The greatest wall of all, the wall of separation between man and God, peace on one side and confusion, sin, and it's results on the other. A lack of peace and the search for it in a bottle, pills, lust, lies we tell ourselves, everything except facing the truth: we need forgiveness that comes from confessing our sins.King David saw this need, and realized that the only way to leap over this wall, was by the strength and power only God providesThe Promise of PeaceThe announcement of the angels at the birth of JesusThe Hope for peaceThe scriptures of peaceThe battle for PeaceAgainst the enemy of this world. The Prince of darkness! Jesus has overcome the world!Are you a king?The Reign of peaceThe king in our heartsThe peace from, with, and in GodThe ultimate winner in the conflict is JesusHis rule extends to the hearts of those who love him: What happens when we encounter Jesus, we are overwhelmed by the freedom from sin, but even more so by the acceptance of the Father! What makes that special is the loss of the enmity against God and the flooding of our souls with his peace!The beauty of his Kingdom is the nature of peace!  Resolved conflicts! Resolved misunderstandings, resolved personal greed and ambition, resolved stress factors, resolved pressures.  What we experience here when we find peace with God is just a small foretaste of what we will experience when the light overpowers the darkness, and death is no more!