7/24/13

From Gary... Going downhill...


I like this picture; it has a simplicity to it, yet it isn't childish.  Granted, it is not in the same class as something by Van Gogh or Rembrant but it is pleasing to look at.  Then, I noticed the name of the painter: Adolph Hitler!!!!   How could someone who could do this in his youth and later on be the cause of the death of literally millions of people?  Power, I think that Herr Hitler was corrupted by power.  He is not alone; for many people start out in a good way, only to fail later on in life.  Here is one example from the old testament...

1 Kings, Chapter 3

1 Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and Yahweh’s house, and the wall of Jerusalem all around.  2 Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for Yahweh’s name until those days.  3 Solomon loved Yahweh, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.  4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.  5 In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 

  6  Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  7 Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am but a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.  8 Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered nor counted for multitude.  9 Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?” 

  10  The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.  11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;  12 behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.  13 I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days.  14 If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 


1 Kings, Chapter 11
1 Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites;  2 of the nations concerning which Yahweh said to the children of Israel, “You shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon joined to these in love.  3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.  4 When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.  5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and didn’t go fully after Yahweh, as did David his father.  7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.  8 So he did for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods.  9 Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,  10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he didn’t keep that which Yahweh commanded.  11 Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. 12 Notwithstanding I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.  13 However I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.” 

Solomon had a great attitude (in chapter 3).  He wanted only to serve and his humility is very plain for all to see.  I especially like 3:3

3 Solomon loved Yahweh, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 



When aged, Solomon lost his previous love for God and went after foreign gods. He had everything and lost everything when he abandoned the almighty.  God gives power, wealth, ability, and health.  I consider it selfish to ignore those blessings and focus in on yourself.  Also, a bit rude!!!  I know that Adolph Hitler and Solomon are negative examples, but sometimes you just need to see the bad to appreciate the good. Anyway, I will TRY TO REMEMBER BOTH THESE PEOPLE FOR HOW THEY STARTED and NOT HOW THEY FINISHED!!! It is probably a futile effort, but even in the worst of people there is something good.   Thought for today:  Over the course of your life, love God more and more and you will never end up a bad example!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Call him IMMANUEL

Call him IMMANUEL

Half a million mourners followed the cortege of Victor Hugo to his resting place in the Pantheon in 1885. No wonder the French people revered him. He was more than an international playwright, poet and author; he was a statesman, lover of the poor and a Frenchman who loved France with all his heart. He grieved with France through its troubles and when the Prussians moved against Paris Hugo sent word from his safe home in Guernsey to the French capital, "I am coming to Paris."
On his way through Belgium a young Frenchman enquired, "Are you Victor Hugo?" and on being told he was the young man wanted to know, "Is it prudent to go to Paris at this time?" Hugo's immediate reply was, "It is very imprudent. You ought to go." The great man arrived just as the Germans were closing the last avenues of entrance to or escape from Paris. A host of hurting, worried and deprived French people met him and were enthralled with this one who had come to bear with them whatever was ahead and to imprison himself with them in Paris.
As P.T. Forsyth has taught us, It won't do to speak of Christ only as a hero but it is true to say that he came to bear with and for us the judgement of God that was on the rebellious human family. On his way to Paris Hugo had seen the Germans at work in the villages burned to the ground and on his way to Bethlehem and Golgotha the Christ had seen the human race at work and the awful destruction and loss. We might have thought with Matthew Henry that in light of our awful sins and desperate wickedness his name would have been "God against us" but no! When he acts as "God against us" it is because he is God with usand for us. Hugo appealed to the best that was in his people and Jesus dealt with the darkness that was in his people Israel and in us all that he might create within us the best that is in us. And so it is that the Immanuel baby is both our judge and our Saviour. What a holy Judge and what a gracious Saviour, who saw us in sin and error pining, who came and thrilled us with hope and made our souls feel their worth. No wonder we admire and revere the name of Victor Hugo and no wonder we fall on our knees and worship Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:21,23 and Isaiah 7:14.)

2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... As cool as a cucumber

As cool as a cucumber

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17
After a world-full of rebellion in every generation the skies open and here comes the Son of God. After a thousand generations had dishonoured God and shut him out of their lives, individually and nationally, God sent his Son to deal with the world. This Son honoured the Holy Father above life itself so when he came we might have expected that he would come like a juggernaut to crush the world for its ceaseless treachery and contempt.
Would he not come in the likeness of the fierce cherubim, the executors of God's justice and defender of his honour, his war-wagon on which he rides to judgement (Ezekiel chapters 1 & 11)? No, he comes as one of us. If we had asked him, "And why did you come as one of us?" he would have said, "Because I didn't come to condemn the world. I came to save it and this is how it's done."
But doesn't he have his nerve? "I came to save the world!" he says, as cool as a cucumber and as serious as a heart attack. Looking at us with steady eyes when he says it. If he had said he would save a person from drowning or a man from bankruptcy, maybe, a claim like that wouldn't be so bad because we could sense it was within our grasp. That'd have some modesty about it but here's this young man talking about saving "a world". A big, round, teeming world of people. It's startling even to hear him saying, "I'm not here to condemn the world." As if he could! Who does he think he is? God?
We'd dismiss him as a crank, a silly young fool who'd know better when he got to be an old man—that's what we'd do...only...

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Conflict Over Circumcision (Acts 15:1-35)


                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                 Conflict Over Circumcision (15:1-35)

INTRODUCTION

1. During his first missionary journey, Paul saw that God "opened a door
   of faith to the Gentiles" - Ac 14:27
   a. The conversion of Sergius Paulus - Ac 13:6-12
   b. The conversion of many Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia - Ac 13:42-49
   c. The conversion of Greeks in Iconium - Ac 14:1

2. It wasn't long before the question of Gentiles in the church became an
   issue...
   a. Should the Gentiles be accepted without first converting to 
      Judaism?
   b. Should they be required to be circumcised, and keep the Law of
      Moses?

[After a "long time" in Antioch of Syria, Paul and the church were
faced with a crisis regarding the issue of the Gentiles...]

I. THE CONFLICT

   A. SOME CAME FROM JUDEA...
      1. Teaching that Gentiles could not be saved without circumcision 
         - Ac 15:1
      2. With whom Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed - Ac 15:2
      3. This conflict might have involved Peter - Ga 2:11-16 (some
         think this was during Ac 15:1-2; others think it was later)

   B. PAUL AND BARNABAS SENT TO JERUSALEM...
      1. Accompanied by "certain others" (such as Titus) - Ac 15:2; 
         Ga 2:1
      2. To talk to the apostles and elders, which Paul did "by
         revelation" - Ac 15:2; Ga 2:2
      3. On the way, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria - Ac 15:3
         a. Describing the conversion of the Gentiles
         b. Causing great joy among the brethren

[Since the men causing disturbance came from Judea, Paul and his 
companions went to Jerusalem, to locate the actual origin of this
problem.  This led to...]

II. THE CONFERENCE

   A. PRELIMINARY MEETINGS...
      1. Formal reception by the church
         a. Paul's party was received by the church, the apostles, and
            the elders - Ac 15:4
         b. To whom Paul reported all that God had done with them - 
            Ac 15:4; cf. Ac 14:27
         c. Some of the sect of the Pharisees objected - Ac 15:5
            1) Likely Jewish Christians who had been Pharisees
            2) Demanding Gentiles be circumcised and keep the Law of
               Moses
      2. Private meeting with some who were "of reputation"
         a. In which Paul explained the gospel which he preached - Ga 2:1-2
         b. Where some false brethren tried to compel Titus (a Gentile)
            to be circumcised, which Paul refused - Ga 2:3-6
         c. James, Peter, and John commended Paul for his work among the
            Gentiles - Ga 2:7-10
            1) Extending to him the right hand of fellowship
            2) Asking only that he remember the poor (something he was 
               careful do on his remaining missionary journeys)

   B. PUBLIC MEETING...
      1. The speech of Peter - Ac 15:6-11
         a. How God selected him to be the first to preach to the
            Gentiles - cf. Ac 10:1-43
         b. How God bore witness to their acceptability by giving them
            the Spirit - cf. Ac 10:44-48; 11:15-18
         c. That God purified them through faith, just as He did the
            Jews
         d. That they should not test God, by placing a burden on the
            Gentiles which they themselves could not bear
         e. That God will save the Jews in the same way, through the
            grace of the Lord Jesus - cf. Ac 2:38 (Jews) with Ac 10:48
            (Gentiles)
      2. The testimony of Paul and Barnabas - Ac 15:12 
         a. How God did many miracles and wonders through them among the
            Gentiles
         b. Which the multitude listened to quietly
      3. The counsel of James - Ac 15:13-21
         a. Reminding them of what Simon (Peter) had just said
         b. Reminding them of the Old Testament prophecy of Amos - Am 9:11-12
         c. Offering his judgment:
            1) Not to trouble the Gentiles who were turning to God
            2) But write to them, asking them to abstain from:
               a) Things polluted by idols (i.e., meats offered to idols)
               b) Sexual immorality
               c) Things strangled
               d) Blood 
         d. This would go a long way in keeping peace between Jewish and
            Gentile converts

[With the testimony of Paul and Barnabas, Peter, and James, supported by
God's approval through miraculous signs and prophetic scriptures, the 
conflict came to a quick resolution (for the time being)...]

III. THE CONCLUSION

   A. DELEGATION AND LETTER...
      1. The apostles, elders, and the whole church agree to send a
         delegation - Ac 15:22
      2. Judas and Silas, selected to accompany Paul and Barnabas along
         with the letter - Ac 15:22
      3. A copy of this letter is preserved by Luke - Ac 15:23-29
      4. Note:  those who caused the trouble are identified as having
         done so without any authority from those in Jerusalem - Ac 15:24

   B. RETURN AND RECEPTION...
      1. Paul and the delegation return to Antioch, and deliver the
         letter - Ac 15:30
      2. The multitude rejoice over its encouragement - Ac 15:31
      3. Judas and Silas exhort the brethren with many words - Ac 15:32-34
         a. Judas eventually returned to the apostles in Jerusalem
         b. Silas stayed in Antioch, later to join Paul on his travels 
            - cf. Ac 15:40
      4. Paul and Barnabas remain in Antioch, teaching and preaching
         - Ac 15:35

CONCLUSION

1. The conflict over circumcision and the Law illustrates the challenges
   faced by the early church...
   a. The challenge of transition from the Old Covenant to the New
      Covenant
   b. The challenge of accepting into the church those who were 
      considered "unclean"
 
2. But the challenges were overcome, in large part due to the apostle
   Paul...
   a. A Hebrew of the Hebrews, but also an apostle to the Gentiles
   b. Whom God used to help bridge Jew and Gentile together

To fulfill what Jesus died to accomplish on the cross, to bring peace
between Jew and Gentile, making one new body (Ep 2:11-16).  This ought
to remind us who are Gentiles how blessed we are to be able to come
into the fellowship with God and His people.  

Have we let Jesus add us to His one new body, the church...? - cf. Ac
2:41,47


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012

eXTReMe Tracker 

From Mark Copeland... Paul's Missionary Policies (Acts 14:21-28)


                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                Paul's Missionary Policies (14:21-28)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following the attempt on Paul's life in the city of Lystra...
   a. The next day Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe - Ac 14:20
   b. Where they preached the gospel and made many disciples - Ac 14:21

2. At this point, Paul and Barnabas began to retrace their steps...
   a. Visiting many of the places where they had established churches
   b. Finally returning to Antioch of Syria where they had started

[In this lesson we will review "Paul's Missionary Policies" that we can
glean from his first missionary journey.  But first, let's briefly
summarize...]

I. THE RETURN TRIP HOME

   A. VIA LYSTRA, ICONIUM, ANTIOCH... - Ac 14:21
      1. Lystra - where Paul healed a lame man, but then was stoned
      2. Iconium - where Paul had spent some time, but the fled an
         attempt to stone him
      3. Antioch of Pisidia - where Paul preached the gospel in the
         synagogue until expelled from the region 

   B. STRENGTHENING THE DISCIPLES - Ac 14:22
      1. Exhorting them to continue in the faith
      2. Telling them to expect tribulations for the kingdom of God

   C. APPOINTING ELDERS IN EVERY CHURCH - Ac 14:23
      1. With prayer and fasting
      2. Commending them to the Lord 

   D. PREACHING IN PERGA OF PAMPHYLIA - Ac 14:24-25
      1. Perga - from where John Mark left them earlier - Ac 13:13-14
      2. No mention was made of them preaching before, but now they do

   E. VIA ATTALIA TO ANTIOCH OF SYRIA - Ac 14:25-26
      1. Attalia - a city on the coast of Pamphylia
      2. Antioch of Syria - the place from which they began their journey

   F. REPORTING WHAT GOD HAD DONE - Ac 14:27
      1. To the church that had sent them - cf. Ac 13:1-3
      2. Telling how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles

[At this point Luke mentions that Paul and Barnabas stayed a long time
with the disciples at Antioch of Syria (Ac 14:28).  Looking back over
Paul's first missionary journey, let's glean what we can about...]

II. PAUL'S MISSIONARY POLICIES

   A. PREACH THE GOSPEL...
      1. He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ - Ac 14:7,21
      2. As commanded by Jesus Himself - Mk 16:15-16

   B. MAKE DISCIPLES...
      1. He made disciples by preaching the gospel - Ac 14:21
      2. Not just baptizing them, but teaching them as disciples - cf. 
         Mt 28:19-20

   C. ESTABLISH LOCAL CHURCHES...
      1. Today, missionaries often establish missions (i.e., parachurch
         organizations)
      2. Paul's policy was to establish churches - Ac 14:23; cf. Ro 16:16

   D. STRENGTHEN AND EXHORT BRETHREN...
      1. Which may explain why he retraced his steps - Ac 14:21-22
      2. Which explains why he visited them again and again - 
         Ac 15:36,41; 16:1-5; 18:23

   E. APPOINT ELDERS IN EVERY CHURCH...
      1. These were bishops (overseers), also known as pastors 
         (shepherds) - Ac 14:23; 20:17,28
      2. Older men who had to meet certain qualifications - cf. 
         1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9
      3. The quick appointment may be due to Jewish converts, already
         well versed in the Word and who may have served earlier as 
         elders in the synagogues

   F. COMMEND THEM TO THE LORD'S CARE...
      1. The early church did not practice "apostolic succession" - Ac 12:2 
         (James was not replaced)
      2. Instead, apostles left the churches to the grace (providence) of
         God - Ac 14:23; 20:28-32

   G. REPORT TO THE CHURCH THAT SENT THEM...
      1. The church at Antioch of Syria had sent Paul on this journey
         - Ac 13:1-3
      2. It was only proper to report back to them what took place - Ac 14:27

CONCLUSION

1. Paul's missionary policies were actually those of the Holy Spirit...
   a. Who sent Paul and Barnabas on their journey - Ac 13:1-4
   b. Who undoubtedly guided them in the work that they did

2. Today, many churches and missionaries involved in foreign work...
   a. Establish missions instead of churches
   b. Create paternalistic oversight of indigenous churches

3. Such practices are without scriptural authority...
   a. Paul and Barnabas established independent, autonomous congregations
      - Ac 14:23; 20:28
   b. They commended such congregations to God's Word and God's care
      - Ac 14:23; 20:32

If we desire to increase the kingdom of God (and not denominations of 
men), then we do well to study carefully and apply faithfully the 
policies of those like Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey...!




Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012

eXTReMe Tracker 

From Mark Copeland... Tribulations For The Kingdom Of God (Acts 14:1-22)


                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

             Tribulations For The Kingdom Of God (14:1-22)

INTRODUCTION

1. Previously, we read about Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia...
   a. Where they experienced both success and conflict - Ac 13:42-45
   b. They were eventually expelled, though leaving joyful disciples
      behind - Ac 13:49-52

2. Paul and Barnabas then went on to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe...
   a. Cities of Phrygia and Lycaonia, in Asia Minor (Turkey)
   b. Establishing churches to which Paul likely wrote Galatians - cf. 
      Ga 1:1-2

[As with Antioch, Paul and Barnabas found success mixed with ill 
treatment (cf. 2Ti 3:11).  Paul's observation about such treatment (Ac
14:22) raises some questions, but let's first summarize...]

I. THE MINISTRY AT ICONIUM, LYSTRA, AND DERBE

   A. ICONIUM...
      1. Again the procedure was to start with the local synagogue - 
         Ac 14:1; 17:1-2
      2. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the brethren 
         - Ac 14:2; 13:45
      3. Paul and his companions stayed "a long time", speaking boldly in
         the Lord with signs and wonders - Ac 14:3; cf. Mk 16:19-20; He 2:4
      4. It may have been during this time to which Paul had reference 
         when he later wrote to the Galatians of their reception of him 
         - cf. Ga 4:13-15
      5. The city eventually became divided between the Jews and the
         apostles - Ac 14:4
         a. Note that Paul and Barnabas are referred to as "apostles"
            - cf. also Ac 14:14
         b. Likely because they had been "sent" by the Holy Spirit - cf.
            Ac 13:2,4
         c. Not in quite the sense as used of the Twelve - cf. 
            Ac 1:15-26; Re 21:14 
      6. An attempt to stone them forced Paul and Barnabas to flee to
         Lystra and Derbe - Ac 14:4-6

   B. LYSTRA...
      1. They preached the gospel throughout the region - Ac 14:6-7
      2. Paul healed a lame man, whom he saw had faith to be healed - 
         Ac 14:8-10
      3. The Gentiles assumed Paul to be Hermes, Barnabas Zeus, and
         prepared to offer a sacrifice to them - Ac 14:11-13
      4. Barnabas and Paul reacted strongly, scarcely restraining them
         - Ac 14:14-18
         a. By proclaiming there is one living God, the Creator of all
            things
         b. Who bore witness of Himself through the blessings of nature
            - cf. Ac 17:24-25
      5. Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuade the multitude to stone 
         Paul - Ac 14:19; 2Co 11:25
      6. The next day Paul and Barnabas departed and went to Derbe - Ac 14:20

   C. DERBE...
      1. They preached the gospel - Ac 14:21a
      2. They made many disciples - Ac 14:21a

[Paul and Barnabas soon retraced their steps, returning to Lystra,
Iconium, Antioch (Ac 14:21).  There they strengthened the disciples and
exhorted them to continue in the faith, saying "We must through many 
tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Ac 14:22).  This has led some
to ask...]

II. MUST ALL CHRISTIANS SUFFER TRIBULATION FOR THE KINGDOM?

   A. THE APOSTLES CERTAINLY DID...
      1. As Jesus said they would - Mt 10:22
      2. As Paul mentioned of others and himself - 1Co 4:9-12
         2Co 4:8-10; 11:23-29
      3. Indeed they all died as martyrs, with the exception of John who
         suffered exile

   B. MANY EARLY CHRISTIANS DID...
      1. The church in Jerusalem - Ac 8:1,3
      2. The churches in Thessalonica and Philippi - 1Th 1:6; 2:14;
         3:2-4; 2Th 1:4-6; Php 1:29-30
      3. As Jesus warned those of Smyrna - Re 2:10

   C. BUT NOT ALL EARLY CHRISTIANS DID...
      1. There were periods of peace among the churches - Ac 9:31
      2. Jesus promised the church at Philadelphia they would be spared
         - Re 3:10
      3. Why pray for peace /aspire for quiet lives/ if tribulation is 
         inevitable? - 1Ti 2:3-4; 1Th 4:11

   D. HOW DO WE RECONCILE PAUL'S STATEMENTS...?
      1. Which sound as though all Christians must suffer - e.g., 
         Ac 14:22; 2Ti 3:12
      2. Consider the context:  To whom and when did he say such things?
         a. Was it to those who would be given the privilege to suffer? 
            - cf. Php 1:29-30
         b. Living at a time and in a place where persecution might 
            arise?
      3. It seems that some of the early Christians were permitted to
         suffer
         a. To confirm the testimony of those early witnesses of the 
            faith
         b. But not all Christians suffered the persecutions of others
      4. But Christians were not told to seek out persecution
         a. They were permitted to flee persecution -  Mt 10:23
         b. As Paul did on one occasion - Ac 9:23-25; 2Co 11:32-33 
      5. If they were persecuted for the cause of Christ...
         a. They were told to glorify God - 1Pe 4:16
         b. They were told to rejoice for the honor - 1Pe 4:14; Mt 5:10-12

CONCLUSION

1. When Paul and Barnabas suffered tribulation for the kingdom of God...
   a. They did not give up preaching the gospel
   b. It did not hinder the growth and development of the church

2. We may not suffer the persecution they did...
   a. Ours may in the lesser form of ridicule, or being ostracized
   b. But we must always be prepared to suffer should it become our lot

Are we preparing ourselves with the proper mindset should persecution
come our way?  Willing to suffer for Christ?  Quick to forgive those
who persecute us?  Steadfast in the proclamation of the gospel of
Christ...?


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2012

eXTReMe Tracker