9/7/13

From Gary... Timing is EVERYTHING

When I worked for Degussa, a group of us used to meet in the biocides lab in the morning for the "unveiling". One of the chemists there had a daily calendar from Gary Larson's "Far Side" and made a production out of ripping off a page to read the latest cartoon. And, sometimes they were VERY FUNNY!!! One of the members of this little group was a field technical service representative, whose name escapes me for the moment (I will probably remember it before I go to bed tonight). He had a saying:"Timing is EVERYTHING". And, to a certain extent this is true. Positively true for the person who took this picture. But, hey, sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time. The other day, Jay Whalen, who was my next door neighbor when we lived in Jamesburg, NJ, made a comment about one of my posts. It seemed like "old times" to hear from him and so this morning when I looked at this picture, I was reminded that on Friday evenings about 7 p.m. the planes headed North (to New York City?) would fly over head. So, we could have possibly taken a shot like the one above - who knows? Sometimes, the impossible becomes reality and it God's case he can do ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT VIOLATE HIS NATURE!!! This includes predicting the future and working in ways that are beyond our feeble capability to understand. Admittedly, some of this is difficult to take in, but read on anyway...

Daniel, Chapter 9

24 Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26 After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One shall be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and its end shall be with a flood, and even to the end shall be war; desolations are determined. 27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate.

Acts, Chapter 1

1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Galatians, Chapter 4

1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Hebrews, Chapter 1

1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time,

“You are my Son.

Today have I become your father?”

and again,

“I will be to him a Father,

and he will be to me a Son?”

Bottom line, God said the Messiah would come and HE DID. Not as an Earthly king as the Jews envisioned, but rather in a very humble way. I have heard people rail against the Jews of Jesus' day because of the hardness of their hearts, but please try to be a bit forgiving; they just understood incorrectly. For those who did (and will) correctly understand, heaven awaits and when we are in heaven, I am sure God will explain everything to us. But, for now, just realize that God has everything under control and will work things out - in his own time!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 12:38-39: Give us a Sign

Matthew 12:38-39: Give us a Sign

When the Jews asked for signs they weren’t just asking for some gob-smacking wonders that dazzled them. They wanted something to show that God was on their side! They’d seen a lot of miracles from Jesus (compare Acts 2:22 and Matthew 11:22-24) and instead of receiving him as the Messiah the miracles became the very reason they should kill him (John 11:47-48). They didn’t want signs to prove that he was the Messiah! They wanted assurance that God was about to do what they wanted done and if Christ produced signs like that he would be the kind of Messiah they would want. They had an agenda, their God would see that that agenda was accomplished and if Jesus made their case with signs then they’d throw their lot in with him.

Healing people on the Sabbath couldn’t be a sign from God because it violated the vision they had of God. The God of their Sabbath wouldn’t do the things this Jesus was doing. Above all things the Jewish Sabbath marked them out as the elect of God but their Sabbath and this alleged Messiah’s Sabbath were light years and a whole world apart. So it was their views against views of Jesus Christ that really came into conflict and because that was the case the works of Jesus, which he said were the works of God, had to be from another source—Satan.

God wouldn’t do such things! God wouldn’t do such things, they said! They said this not because the deeds weren’t happening—they were happening and they couldn’t deny it! They said God wouldn’t so such things because they had created a God in the image of their own views, and before they’d change their views they’d change God.

Not only could God not come dragging a cross—that was scandalous—he couldn’t come violating his own purity and sabbatical laws. Not only could God not send a Messiah who’d end up a loser in a conflict with Rome he couldn’t send a Messiah who would undermine the religious structures that identified Israel as Israel, the elect nation of God.

The upshot of it all was that what they saw before their eyes couldn’t be the work of God. But there was the reality, what would they do with it? How about ignoring it and saying nothing? That wouldn’t work because everyone was talking about it. Say it was the Devil that did it. Where it was possible explain it as something natural (that would mean it wasn’t the work of God, don’t you know). Do whatever you have to do with it just as long as you keep God out of it!

"An evil and an adulterous generation seeks a sign," said the Christ (Matthew 12:39) but the only sign they would get was the kind they didn’t want, the kind that didn’t fit into their theological structures, the kind that spoke of their failure.

But had they had the heart to see they would have seen that the awful events of Golgotha was the most profound assurance the human heart could have wanted. All this dismissed because they had their own religious worldview.

It’s astonishing what we build our views of God on. Some say God couldn’t have done this or that because God wouldn’t work on the Sabbath. Others say God couldn’t have done this or that because God wouldn’t take away a little granddaughter’s favourite playmate and baby-sitter. Some say God couldn’t have done this or that because it would undermine our religious platform. Others say God wouldn’t do this or that because people might be offended at him and turn away from him.

"Give us a sign."..."No, not one like that, try again."...No, that won't work either, try again."..."look, let me tell you what I believe, now work a sign that fits into that."..."Oh, you won't? Well, you don't suit me. There's got to be another god around I can be happy with."

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

From Mark Copeland... The Danger Of Religious Holidays (Galatians 4:8-11)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

               The Danger Of Religious Holidays (4:8-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. The observance of holidays is a common feature in many religions...
   a. Judaism and Islam have their many feast days and holy days
   b. Catholicism and Protestantism are known for their holidays like
      Christmas and Easter

2. Holidays in New Testament Christianity, on the other hand, are
   strikingly absent...
   a. The church did assemble on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to observe the
      Lord's Supper
   b. But there is no record of celebrating any holiday like Christmas,
      Easter, Lent, etc.

3. In fact, Christians were warned regarding religious holidays...
   a. Not to let others judge them regarding their observance - Col 2:
      16-17
   b. Concern was expressed regarding those who observed them - Ga 4:
      10-11

4. One might wonder regarding the New Testament and religious
   holidays...
   a. Why didn't the early church observe such holidays?
   b. Why was Paul concerned about their observance?
   c. Are there circumstances when Christians might observe religious
      holidays?

[To answer such questions, let's take a closer look at Ga 4:8-10 where
we learn...]

I. THEY CAN ENDANGER OUR LIBERTY IN CHRIST

   A. THEY ARE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS OF RELIGION...
      1. Paul refers to rites and ceremonies, such as found in Judaism
         and paganism
         a. He has in mind those who have come out of paganism - Ga 4:
            8-9
         b. Who evidently were being encouraged to observe elements of
            Judaism - Ga 4:10
      2. Mentioned specifically were those found in the Law of Moses
         - Ga 4:10
         a. Days - e.g., the Sabbath
         b. Months - e.g., the new moons
         c. Seasons - e.g., festivals like the Passover, Feast of
            Tabernacles, Pentecost
         d. Years - e.g., annual atonement, sabbatical years, jubilees
      3. They are described as weak and beggarly elements - Ga 4:9
         a. Weak - powerless to save the soul or justify the sinner
            - cf. Col 2:20-23
         b. Beggarly - unable to impart true spiritual riches - cf. Ep 1:3
         c. Elements - rudimentary, designed to be replaced - cf. Col 2:
            16-17; He 9:9-10
      -- Religious days, like other elements of the Law of Moses, were
         carnal ordinances designed to be replaced with a more spiritual
         form of worship - cf. Jn 4:20-24

   B. THEY CAN BRING ONE INTO BONDAGE...
      1. Those under the Law were under guard
         a. Like children under guardians and stewards - cf. Ga 3:23; 4:
            1-2
         b. In bondage to the elements of the world - cf. Ga 4:3
      2. Those in Christ had been redeemed (set free)
         a. God sent His Son for this very purpose - cf. Ga 4:4-5
         b. They had become sons and heirs - cf. Ga 4:6-7
      -- Observing religious holidays can be a return to bondage, when
         Christ came to set us free! - Ga 4:9-10

[Many believe observing holy days enhances their faith, when in fact it
can be a step backward from true spirituality!  From Ga 4:11, we learn
something else about the danger of religious holidays...]

II. THEY CAN ENDANGER OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST

   A. APOSTASY IS POSSIBLE...
      1. Otherwise, why would Paul be fearful?
         a. Doubtful over their condition? - Ga 4:11,20
         b. Aware of the possibility of his own apostasy? - cf. 1Co 9:27
      2. The Bible teaches one can fall from grace
         a. In the book of Hebrews - He 12:15; cf. He 3:12-14
         b. And in many other places - cf. Jn 15:2,6; 2Pe 2:20-22; 3:
            17-18; Re 2:5
      -- If we observe religious holidays based on the Law of Moses out
         of a sense of necessity for our salvation, then we have fallen
         from grace! - cf. Ga 5:4

   B. WORSHIP CAN BE IN VAIN...
      1. Paul described the vanity of "self-imposed religion" - cf. Co
         2:20-23
         a. Based on the commandments and ordinances of men
         b. Which were of no true value against the indulgence of the
            flesh
      2. Jesus warned against vain worship - Mt 15:9
         a. Such worship is based on doctrines commanded by men
         b. Especially when its observance displaces the commandment of
            God - cf. Mt 15:3-8
      -- If we impose religious holidays through man-made traditions,
         then we offer worship that is in vain!

[Perhaps we can see why observance of holy days was a major concern to
Paul.  But we should also note that he wrote of...]

III. CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY MIGHT BE OBSERVED

   A. ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS...
      1. Paul spoke of one observing a day above another - Ro 14:5-6
         a. Likely a reference to the Sabbath Day
         b. But generic enough to refer to exalting any day above
            another for religious purposes
         c. In the context, it appears to have been something allowed a
            weak brother
      2. Paul himself observed certain rites of Judaism
         a. He took vows, sought to attend the feasts in Jerusalem -

            Ac 18:18,21; 20:16
         b. On one occasion, he even helped the completion of a vow
            involving animal sacrifices, evidently to accommodate weaker
            brethren - Ac 21:17-26; cf. Num 6:1-20
      -- Note carefully:  these were things done on an individual basis,
         not as a work or the worship of the church

   B. AWARE OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS...
      1. They cannot save one, they cannot be done for the purpose of
         salvation
         a. This was the issue of the controversy in Antioch - cf. Ac 15:1,5
         b. This was Paul's point in Galatians - cf. Ga 5:4
      2. They cannot be imposed on others
         a. This was the conclusion of council in Jerusalem - cf. Ac 15:
            10-11
         b. This was illustrated by Paul in Galatians - cf. Ga 2:3-5
      -- Note carefully:  this is why religious holidays should not be
         church functions:  lest they leave the impression they are
         necessary, plus such functions are necessarily imposed on
         others

CONCLUSION

1. Christians need to be careful about their liberty in Christ... - cf.
   Ga 5:1
   a. Jewish Christians have been redeemed from the bondage of the Law
   b. Gentile Christians have been redeemed from the bondage of weak and
      beggarly elements

2. What liberty we have in Christ must be handled carefully... - cf. Ga 5:13-16.
   a. We should be careful not to impose our liberty in ways that cause
      division
   b. We should progress to a higher plane of spirituality, not regress
      to carnal forms of religion

What about your observance of religious holidays?  If Paul wrote to you
today, would he say: "I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you
in vain."...? - Ga 4:11

9/6/13

From Gary... For the birds...

Lunchtime, but not for everybody. Talk about a "put down". One is filled and the other goes hungry. If birds have feelings, then I would guess someone is very unhappy right about now!!! If we take this concept into the first century world, then I wonder how the gentiles felt when they encountered a Jew. Resentful- you bet!!! But, that was to come to an end. Here is the story:

Acts, Chapter 10

1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3 At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”

He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter. 6 He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.

7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

15 A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.” 16 This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. 17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you. 20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

21 Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.” 23 So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean. 29 Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”

34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

God doesn't play favorites. Right in heart and right in action is always right (correct). It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what size you are or the color of your skin. If verse 35 can be rightly applied to you- you are in. Leave even the concept of favoritism out of the picture- its for the birds!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 12:1-8: The Sabbath's a Person

Matthew 12:1-8: The Sabbath's a Person

Matthew 12:1-8 shows Jesus coming into conflict not with the commands of God but with an established understanding of God’s command. Christ loved the Sabbath because it came from the heart of his Holy Father whose unfathomable generosity and righteousness is expressed in the Sabbath command.

The Sabbath expressed God-given freedom and release from bondage and Jesus embodied the very heart of God in that respect. He himself was all that the Sabbath stood for and expressed, only he said it better than the Sabbath and in him the truth in the Sabbath plumbed greater depths.

Matthew 11:28 is followed by 12:1-8 for perfectly good reasons. The Jewish scholar, Jacob Neusner in his Introduction to Judaism well expresses the difference between the Jewish Sabbath and a gloomy “Christian” Sunday when he speaks of its pleasures and joy and Bible reading and praise.

For hardworking peasants under Roman taxation and domination the Sabbath was a godsend. It was assurance and hope and the thought of downing tools and enjoying the provision God had given them was something to look forward to. The Sabbath would remind them of Egyptian slavery and domination and of God’s rescue—Rome would be no different for God was the God of Rome. Leaders took this gift that God gave to his people and made it a burden, a yoke that rubbed them raw. The Sabbath lost what the Sabbath meant. Looking at such people Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “I’m the Sabbath!”

And that’s something like what he meant when he said in 12:8 that he was the Lord of the Sabbath. He wasn’t saying that the Sabbath meant one thing but that he as the Messiah was claiming executive privilege for himself and his disciples (as Calvin claimed he was doing). He was claiming that the Sabbath was to be understood in light of him. He was not putting a new interpretation on the Sabbath and much less was he saying something like, “I make laws; I don’t obey them.” No, Jesus said he came to fulfil the law and the prophets (compare Matthew 5:17).

These leaders should have known that the disciples were guiltless and they would have known it if they had understood Hosea 6:6. It wasn’t the case that Christ’s Messiahship trumped the Pharasaic authority. It wasn’t a case of them saying, “Here’s our authoritative ruling” and Jesus saying, “I’m the Messiah and I outrank you so your rules don’t apply to me or mine.” He said something like, “If you had understood Hosea 6:6 you wouldn’t have made such rulings.” Their conflict was not with Jesus alone but with the God of the prophets. Their conflict was not with a new interpretation but with an old and abiding truth.

So when Rendel Harris years ago said that the disciples in Matthew 12 were plucking freedom and eating liberation he didn’t mean they were gaining freedom from God’s Sabbath. God’s Sabbath never stood for anything else but freedom and joyful release and God’s Son in his very person and work embodied that for poor souls that were captive in all the ways that a poor soul can be captive!

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

From Mark Copeland... From Heirs Apparent To Heirs Actual (Galatians 4:1-7)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

              From Heirs Apparent To Heirs Actual (4:1-7)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to the churches of Galatia, Paul...
   a. Opposed those teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep
      the Law of Moses
   b. Presented a series of five arguments contending that we are
      justified by faith in Christ

2. We have seen Paul make three of these arguments so far...
   a. The personal argument - Ga 3:1-5
      1) How they received the Spirit
      2) From whom they received the Spirit
   b. The scriptural argument - Ga 3:6-25
      1) The example of Abraham
      2) The curse of the Law
      3) The priority of the Promise over the Law
      4) The purpose of the Law
   c. The practical argument - Ga 3:26-29
      1) In Christ they are one, as children of God, Abraham's seed
      2) As such they are heirs of the promise regarding the Seed

3. As we begin the fourth chapter, Paul continues with his practical
   argument...
   a. Under the Law they were simply "heirs apparent"
   b. In Christ Jesus they have become "heirs actual"

[That we might appreciate our blessings in Christ, especially the
earnest of our inheritance, let's examine Paul's explanation of how they
went "From Heirs Apparent To Heirs Actual"...]

I. UNDER THE LAW AS HEIRS APPARENT

   A. THEY WERE NO DIFFERENT THAN SLAVES...
      1. They were still children - Ga 4:1-2
         a. Heirs, yet no different from slaves regarding inheritance
         b. Masters, yet still under guardians and stewards
      2. They were in bondage under the elements of the world - Ga 4:3
         a. "The word rendered 'elements' (stoicheion), properly means a
            row or series; a little step; a pin or peg, as the gnomen of
            a dial; and then anything 'elementary,' as a sound, a
            letter. It then denotes the elements or rudiments of any
            kind of instruction, and in the NT is applied to the first
            lessons or principles of religion; He 5:12." - Barnes
         b. "Here the figure is kept up of the reference to the infant
            (Ga 4:1,3); and the idea is, that lessons were taught under
            the Jewish system adapted to their nonage - to a state of
            childhood. They were treated as children under tutors and
            governors." - Barnes, ibid.

   B. THEY WERE UNDER GUARD...
      1. They were kept under guard by the Law - cf. Ga 3:23
      2. The Law had been their tutor, schoolmaster (paidagogos) - cf.
         Ga 3:24
         a. "a tutor, i.e. a guardian and guide of boys. Among the
            Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy
            slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the
            life and morals of boys belonging to the better class.  The
            boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house
            without them before arriving at the age of manhood."
            - Thayer
         b. "paidagogos; from pais (G3816), a child, and agogos, a
            leader, which is from ago (G71), to lead. An instructor or
            teacher of children, a schoolmaster, a pedagogue (1Co 4:15;
            Ga 3:24-25). Originally referred to the slave who conducted
            the boys from home to the school. Then it became a teacher
            or an educator." - Complete Word Study Dictionary

[Such was the condition of those under the Law of Moses.  But now in
Christ things are dramatically different...]

II. IN JESUS CHRIST AS HEIRS ACTUAL

   A. THEY ARE NOW SONS...
      1. They are no longer under a tutor
         a. The Law had served its purpose as tutor well - cf. Ga 3:
            23-24a
         b. But now they were called to be "justified by faith" - cf. Ga 3:24b-25
      2. They are now sons of God
         a. Through faith in Christ Jesus - cf. Ga 3:26
         b. For those baptized into Christ have put on Christ - cf. Ga 3:27
         c. They have been "born again" - cf. Jn 3:5

   B. THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE ADOPTION OF SONS...
      1. They have been redeemed - Ga 4:4-5
         a. By the Son sent by His Father
            1) When the fullness of time had come (when conditions were
               just right)
            2) Born of a woman (Mary), born under the Law (of Moses)
         b. For the purpose of:
            1) Redeeming those under the Law (Jews)
            2) Receiving the adoption as sons (both Jews and Gentiles)
      2  They have received the Spirit of God in their hearts - Ga 4:6
         a. By whom they cry out "Abba, Father!" - cf. Ro 8:15
         b. Who bears witness with their spirit that they are children
            and heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ - cf. Ro 8:16-17
         c. Who pours out the love of God in their hearts - cf. Ro 5:5
         d. As explained by others:
            1) "And being made sons by the Son through the operation of
               faith (Jn 1:12), the Spirit of Christ is bestowed upon us
               to bring us to blissful realization of our son ship, so
               that we may speak to God, calling him Abba, Father.  Abba
               is the Syriac for father. The Syriac and Greek names are
               both used by Paul, probably that all the tender
               associations which, to either Jews or Greeks, clustered
               around the paternal name, might be, at the sound of the
               sacred word, transferred to God. Thus, by the blessed
               ministration of Christ, all who believed on him in
               Galatia passed from servitude and wardship to the estate
               of sons and heirs - Ro 8:17." - McGarvey on Ga 4:6
            2) "For ye did not receive the spirit of bondage. The time
               is referred to when they were born again, and entered the
               kingdom of God. They did not receive the spirit of
               bondage, of slavery to sin, so that they would obey its
               dictates, and thus be in fear of death. Instead, they
               received the Holy Spirit according to promise (Ac 2:38)."
               - B. W. Johnson on Ro 8:15
            3) "The Spirit of adoption. The Spirit God bestows upon
               those who are accepted as his children. Paul was writing
               to the Romans, among whom the adoption of children, not
               their own by nature, was common. They would understand
               this to mean that those converted, or born again, are
               adopted as children of God; upon those thus adopted he
               bestows his Spirit; this Spirit in their hearts produces
               a loving trust that enables them to address God as
               Father." - Johnson, ibid.
      3. They are heirs of God through Christ - Ga 4:7; cf. Ro 8:16-17
         a. Receiving the Spirit as a guarantee (arrabon) - cf. Ep 1:
            13-14; 2Co 1:22; 5:5
            1) "An earnest; money which in purchases is given as a
               pledge or down payment that the full amount will
               subsequently be paid." - Thayer
            2) "A pledge, something which stands for part of the price
               and paid beforehand to confirm the transaction. Used in
               the NT only in a figurative sense and spoken of the Holy
               Spirit which God has given to believers in this present
               life to assure them of their future and eternal
               inheritance." - Complete Word Study Dictionary
         b. The Spirit is but the first fruits - cf. Ro 8:23
            1) With the redemption of the body (the resurrection) yet to
               come - cf. Ep 4:30
            2) Until the redemption of the purchased possession - cf. Ep 1:14
            3) When we will receive the ultimate inheritance:  "God is
               with us!" - Re 21:1-7

CONCLUSION

1. To seek justification by the works of the Law is to return to being
   "heirs apparent"...
   a. In which one is but a child under a guardian
   b. In which one is still in bondage to basic elements of religion

2. To be justified by an obedient faith in Christ is to become "heirs
   actual"...
   a. In which one has begun to receive the inheritance as sons of God
   b. The first fruit being the Spirit of God, who is a guarantee of
      that which is to come

3. Are we benefiting from the blessing of the Spirit in our lives...?
   a. Promised to those who believe? - Jn 7:37-39
   b. Given to those who become children of God? - Ga 4:6
   c. Whose indwelling should engender a strong affection for God as our
      Father? - Ga 4:6; Ro 5:5

Paul will have much more to say about the Spirit in the life of the
Christian in his epistle to the Galatians (cf. Ga 5:5,16-25; 6:8).  For
now, let Peter remind you how to receive the Spirit... - cf. Ac 2:38-39

9/5/13

From Gary... I am responsible!!!

You are the result of choices you make: from that first moment as a toddler you said "NO" to your parents, to the "I DO" at your wedding, right up until you draw your last breath. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE!!! The current political environment in the U.S. says you are not, but THEY LIE!!!!! DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!! God, in many places in the Bible, makes this plain and we should listen. Here is but one to think about...

Ezekiel, Chapter 18

1 Yahweh’s word came to me again, saying, 2 What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, you shall not use this proverb any more in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die. 5 But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right, 6 and has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has defiled his neighbor’s wife, neither has come near to a woman in her impurity, 7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; 8 he who has not lent on interest, neither has taken any increase, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man, 9 has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, says the Lord Yahweh. 10 If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things, 11 or who does not do any of those things, but even has eaten on the mountains, and defiled his neighbor’s wife, 12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination, 13 has lent on interest, and has taken increase; shall he then live? he shall not live: he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be on him. 14 Now, behold, if he fathers a son, who sees all his father’s sins, which he has done, and fears, and does not such like; 15 who has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, has not defiled his neighbor’s wife, 16 neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; 17 who has withdrawn his hand from the poor, who has not received interest nor increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he shall die in his iniquity. 19 Yet you say, Why doesn’t the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him. 21 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? 24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die. 25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal? 26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, aren’t my ways fair? Aren’t your ways unfair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.

God has said it; that settles it. If you don't like what God has said to you and really just don't want to listen, then that is your problem; not mine. I pray that I will listen and do what God wants me to do, each and every day I have left on this Earth. Further, I pray that each and every thing I have done wrong will be forgiven and forgotten. I can only answer for myself, because I am responsible for what I do. If you can't say the same- why not? Joshua put it this way...

Joshua, Chapter 24

15 If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”