Here is a recording that was made of a broadcast we did from Radio Alleluia in Pasadena, Tx
Tag: faith
A Look in the Mirror- Proverbs 9:21
I try to be very cautious when I give my testimony, and to not be too specific because I don’t want people to get the wrong impression. I share just enough for them to know that I overcame through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because I want Christ to be the focus and not my sin. You see part of my issue is that I was an alcoholic. I don’t share how bad of an alcoholic most times because I have noticed that alcoholics tend to brag. Once pride over sin enters into the conversation it is a lost cause, and the sin becomes the conversation. It becomes who was the bigger sinner.
Instead of discussing the deliverance of the cross the conversation deteriorates into who drank the most, or who did the most embarrassing things, and all focus on Christ is lost. Truth be told all sin comes from our selfishness and is fed by pride. Even shameful sins are fed by our lashing out to feel better about ourselves, by punishing those around us. This gives us the center of attention, even if it is in a bad way. Unfortunately we become to think of ourselves as unique in our little world. We believe that we are smarter than everyone else around us. We believe that we don’t need others, they don’t know us, and that they cannot identify with us. This twisted image makes us dependent on the sin.
I can remember, when I was drinking, that at times I was very proud of how much I could drink. Even how cruel I could be to others. I remember sometimes purposely starting fights with my wife, so that I could have an excuse to storm out and go drinking. Afterward I would feel ashamed and then would drink more to drown out the terrible feelings. I couldn’t look at my wife or my children without severe regret for the things I had done. When I looked in the mirror, it was only to ask myself what had happened to the young man I use to be. Where were all those great things I was going to do with my life? Where was the man that swore to protect the ones he loved? I began to realize that the same pride I had in those things had become twisted into my self-image from my hard headedness of holding on to my sin.
Proverbs 9:21 says, “He , that being often reproved hardenteh his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” You see I did not listen to the warnings that others were giving me in the way of life I was living. I chose to hold onto my drinking, and the underlying sin that fed it. I choose to be in rebellion. My pride had me held up for ransom. The Lord has given us plenty of warning over and over again of what this self-pride will do to us. It says, “Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.” (Proverbs 6:15).
There comes a point when everyone around us gives up and leaves us to our own destruction. God warns us that there is a penalty to pay for willful ignorance and pride. He calls it being stiff necked. Being stiff necked and prideful, resisting the truth, and choosing sin over repentance can destroy lives. Only in looking back at a wasted life of destroyed relationships, and tortured looks from loved ones can one see this truth. But there is an alternative. Take a look at the book of Ecclesiastes.
“A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein. An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin. In the punishment of the proud there is not remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him. The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man. Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins. And he that requitech good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.” (Ecclesiastes 3:27-31).
This is a comparison and contrast that shows there is an alternative. You can choose to live in your sin and pay the penalty of destruction, sorrow, and death. From this there is no remedy. You cannot get out of it by yourself. You have to accept the truth of your situation. A truly wise man will understand that he cannot continue in this path of self-destruction. Shame only builds more shame. Believe me please, I know. There is another way.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). What is so important about this? Take another look at Ecclesiastes above. It says that a prudent man knows that water puts our fire. Alms and atonement must be made for the sin. You see sin ultimately brings death. “Then when lust has conceived, it bringeth for sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth for death.” (James 1:15). Death will come to those who continue in their sin. Destruction that cannot be remedied will occur as a result of our rejection of this truth. You see you do not have to believe that fire will burn you if you touch it, but it will. Just the same sin will kill you. But we do have hope in Jesus Christ.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6.23). Jesus offers an alternative. In his death he paid the price for our sin. He died to pay the price of death for you. But not only that, Jesus rose again so that we might live eternally with the Father. This is a free gift, a way out of your old life. A way of atonement that has been made on your behalf, by God Himself, in Jesus Christ. “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and on the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17).
You see there is a way of hope. There is a new life. There is a way out of the shame and despair. That way is in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is more than just a second chance. This is a new birth. Salvation is more than just being saved from hell, or self-destruction. It is a whole new life. It is becoming the child of God you were intended to be from before you were born. The Father has always wanted to hold you in his arms, he wanted you so much that he sent his son Jesus to become a man and pay the price of death for you.
All you have to do is believe that he did, and then confess it. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11). The hardest part is just putting away that foolish pride. Because with pride in the way you are blinded to seeing the truth. Look in the mirror, what happened to you? Tell the truth.
John 7:41-43 Hath Not the Scripture Said?
“Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people of him.” (John 7:41-43)
I sat in a church as a guest a few weeks back and they had a guest speaker. The guest speaker started off saying how he could encourage the members of the church on how they could have confidence in their bible. I did not have a real problem with this, however; it became evident that he had some issues against the Authorized Version of the Bible. This is what most of us know as the King James Version of the Bible. Now I know that there are allot of differences between the versions of the Bible and I have my own view of which one is best. However, I did not understand how telling someone NOT to read a version of the Bible that has lasted for over 400 years and had such a great impact on the English speaking world would be productive.
So in light of that I thought that I would share my own ideas on why we can have trust in the scriptures. No there are not allot of dates and scripture textual comparisons, instead, I am looking from the perspective that the scripture is consistent. There are allot of people who say that the Bible contradicts itself, and this is one of the main arguments used against new Christians who are bold enough in their zeal to try to evangelize. This lie has been told so many times that many Christians have assumed that it is true. I will use this scripture as an example of how a lack of study, and proper context can be misleading.
There is an estimated 400 plus prophecies concerning Christ in the Old Testament. (Associates for Biblical Research. Website. http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2012/07/27/400-Prophecies-of-Christ-in-the-Old-Testament.aspx#Article)
- 117 prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing of Christ in the Law
- 144 Prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing of Christ in the Writings
- 153 Prophecies, appearances, or foreshadowing of Christ in the Prophets
So does the Bible contradict itself? Are the Old and New Testament in disagreement with one another? The confusion caused by this lie has gone on since the book of Genesis. Even Satan tricked Eve with misleading the message of the Word of God. This though process as we will discover is not a new phenomenon. This belief comes from a lack of knowledge of Scripture.
- Some Scripture can be ambiguous.
- Some Scripture can be symbolic and require dedicated study.
- But some Scripture just takes a little research to gain understanding.
- Some Scripture is written so plain that it cannot be missed if it is read in context with other Scripture.
- All Scripture should be read and studied with an attitude of prayer and direction of the Holy Spirit.
- “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Scripture tells us and most readily accept that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth yet Jesus chose the Galilean fishing village of Capernaum as His home base during His ministry. However, for those who were closet to the time period, they did not know all the circumstances of Jesus’ early childhood, that we are privileged to.
Capernaum comes from two words: Kaphar Nachum (Village of Nahum), though it does not refer to the prophet Nahum. We don’t read about this village in the Old Testament because it simply did not exist in the time period of the Old Testament. Capernaum first appeared during the 2nd century BC.
Why did Jesus privilege Capernaum as His ministry base? There has been allot of speculation. Different scholars and historians have tried to have relevant reasons for Jesus centering his ministry in this reagion.
- Some might say because Capernaum is where he successfully called the following disciples:
- Peter
- James
- John
- Andrew
- Matthew
- Others might say because Capernaum offered a seaside escape from the hostility and drama of urban Jerusalem. But even in Capernaum, a town of about 1,500 people, Jesus would withdraw “by boat to a secluded place by Himself.”(Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35–37)
While these are some good reasons and may have contributed to the reasoning of Jesus, there is one that is already recorded hundreds of years prior. The restoration of the Kingdom of David would be set to begin in this rejected area. Israel would be redeemed to her King and her God. The real reason that Jesus chose to begin His ministry in Capernaum is that it fulfilled prophecy and set the stage for the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel and all nations of the world.
Eight centuries before the incarnation of Jesus the Messiah, God allowed the empire of Assyria to capture and take into captivity the ten tribes of northern Israel, whose land included the Upper and Lower Galilee. God had warned His people for centuries and even up to their final days that if they did not repent, then this would be the judgement they would receive. They would be chastised by God for their disobedience. God warned them through a prophet named Hosea. Hosea 11:1-6 reads:
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. (Hosea 11:1–6)
By 724 BC, Assyria had captured northern Israel. This invasion brought a massive change of populace. The influx of Gentiles repopulated the region, bringing with them their culture of pagan idols, rituals, and customs. This changed the Israelis and their way of life. This was recorded in 2 Kings.
“The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, Sepharvaim, and settled them in the cities of Samaria [the capital of Northern Israel] in place of the sons of Israel. So they possessed Samaria and lived in its cities.” (2 Kings 17:24)
For this reason, the region took on the name Galil ha’Goyim (Galilee of the Nations or Galilee of the Gentiles). These Gentiles incorporated Jewish customs into their own pagan practices, developing a range of superstitions and false doctrines. However, evidence suggests that by the time of Jesus’ arrival, many parts of Galilee had regained its Jewish identity.
Jesus’s choice of Galilee as His home base caused a stumbling block for those who looked to Scripture for Messiah, because they were ignorant. They said,
“Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the Scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” (John 7:41–42)
- These people did not understand thatJesus was, indeed, born in Bethlehem of Judea, where David lived (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4–20).
- He then had to flee to Egypt to escape to avoid death from the State
- After the death of King Herod Jesus returned and His family was directed to Nazareth, located in the Lower Galilee
- Jesus grew up in Nazareth (Matthew 2:13–23; paralleled in Hosea 11:1, 5).
- Later Jesus moved to Upper Galilee, in Capernaum.
It is from Capernaum that Jesus would begin the work of restoring this once contemptible land to glory, as Isaiah prophesied: Isaiah 9:1-2 says:
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:1-2)
This is what Matthew is referencing when he records:
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:13-16)
Isaiah said that this glory comes from a “great light” Just so that there would be no confusion as to who or what will be the source of this “great light” in Galilee, Isaiah tells us just a few verses later how to identify it: Continuing from Isaiah 9 at verse 6.
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Everlasting, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus himself said that He (Jesus ) is the light, the way, and the truth!
700 years after Isaiah’s prophecies we find that Jesus has arrived. He has been baptized (by immersion) by John the Baptist, then he was taken into the wilderness for trails and testings (put through the fire), and now enters Nazareth to declare His arrival as Messiah (Luke 4:16–21; Isaiah 61:1–2).
During this time, John the Baptist had been immersing people for the remission of their sins, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2) Jesus had begun recruiting his early disciples and started his missionary journey in Nazareth. But while in Nazareth, Jesus learned that John had been arrested.
The apostle Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard this news, “He left Nazareth and made His home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. …” (Matthew 4:13–14; see Isaiah 9:1–2)
Matthew wants us to know that Jesus came to this ancient land that God took away from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (due to their disobedience) because he wants us to understand that restoration has now arrived, as Isaiah prophesied. That restoration is in Jesus.
Matthew tells us that Jesus entered Capernaum proclaiming, just as John the Baptist — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
- The Kingdom of God- Has Arrived
- Jesus being there is in the direct fulfillment of prophecy
- There is no error in Scripture
- There is only error in human thought
- John the Baptist declared, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Jesus the Messiah declared, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Christian you should be declaring, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
There, in the spiritual darkness of Galilee, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12; also Luke 2:29–32)
Jesus declared he was indeed the messiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus backed up His claim Messiah by performing glorious acts of physical and spiritual restoration before the people of Galilee. Some examples are:
- Jesus healed a woman with an issue of blood
- Raised the dead daughter of Jairus
- Healed a nobleman’s son
- Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law
- Jesus multiplied a handful of bread and fish to feed four thousand (Matthew 15:29–39) and five thousand (Luke 9:10–17).
- Jesus expelled a legion of demons from a tormented man (Mark 5:1–20).
- Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:22–33) and calmed a raging sea (Mark 4:35–41), restoring and strengthening His disciples’ faith in Him.
These people whom Jesus touched in some way in Galilee believed in His identity as Messiah and did not at all take offense at Him. Because of that, they were greatly blessed. The message that God has told us from Genesis to Revelation is still the same. God is always reaching out to you and me and even to Israel and the whole world to restore us back to Himself. The message of the Bible is – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
After His baptism, Jesus came to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali in the Galilee where God’s wrath against Israel’s disobedience first manifested in exile, as prophesied by Isaiah, and He is coming again to complete the physical and spiritual restoration of David’s kingdom for both Jew and Gentile, as prophesied:
“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even My servant David; He shall feed them, and He shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them.” (Ezekiel 34:23–24)
You see the scripture can be trusted. The Old and New Testament support one another and edify one another. What we need to do is get serious with our study. If we truly believe that God exists, and that Jesus is his Son and He has paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, then what are we doing? When the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus the voice of God said, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, -LISTEN TO HIM.
Self-Study of Scriptures Fulfilled by Jesus.
| Scripture | Prophecy | Fulfillment |
| 1. Gen. 3:15 | Seed of a woman (virgin birth) | Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:18 |
| 2. Gen. 3:15 | He will bruise Satan’s head | Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8 |
| 3. Gen. 3:15 | Christ’s heel would be bruised with nails on the cross | Matthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40 |
| 4. Gen. 5:24 | The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated | Mark 16:19, Rev. 12:5 |
| 5. Gen. 9:26, 27 | The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem | Luke 3:23-36 |
| 6. Gen. 12:3 | Seed of Abraham will bless all nations | Galatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, 26 |
| 7. Gen. 12:7 | The Promise made to Abraham’s Seed | Galatians 3:16 |
| 8. Gen. 14:18 | A priest after the order of Melchizedek | Hebrews 6:20 |
| 9. Gen. 14:18 | King of Peace and Righteousness | Hebrews 7:2 |
| 10. Gen. 14:18 | The Last Supper foreshadowed | Matthew 26:26-29 |
| 11. Gen. 17:19 | Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12) | Romans 9:7 |
| 12. Gen. 22:8 | The Lamb of God promised | John 1:29 |
| 13. Gen. 22:18 | As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nations | Galatians 3:16 |
| 14. Gen. 26:2-5 | The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer | Hebrews 11:18 |
| 15. Gen. 28:12 | The Bridge to heaven | John 1:51 |
| 16. Gen. 28:14 | The Seed of Jacob | Luke 3:34 |
| 17. Gen. 49:10 | The time of His coming | Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4 |
| 18. Gen. 49:10 | The Seed of Judah | Luke 3:33 |
| 19. Gen. 49:10 | Called Shiloh or One Sent | John 17:3 |
| 20. Gen. 49:10 | Messiah to come before Judah lost identity | John 11:47-52 |
| 21. Gen. 49:10 | Unto Him shall the obedience of the people be | John 10:16 |
| 22. Ex. 3:13-15 | The Great “I AM” | John 4:26; 8:58 |
| 23. Ex. 12:3-6 | The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days before Passover | Mark 11:7-11 |
| 24. Ex. 12:5 | A Lamb without blemish | Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19 |
| 25. Ex. 12:13 | The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath | Romans 5:8 |
| 26. Ex. 12:21-27 | Christ is our Passover | 1Corinthians 5:7 |
| 27. Ex. 12:46 | Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken | John 19:31-36 |
| 28. Ex. 15:2 | His exaltation predicted as Yeshua | Acts 7:55, 56 |
| 29. Ex. 15:11 | His Character-Holiness | Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27 |
| 30. Ex. 17:6 | The Spiritual Rock of Israel | 1Corinthians 10:4 |
| 31. Ex. 33:19 | His Character-Merciful | Luke 1:72 |
| 32. Lev. 1:2-9 | His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto God | Ephesians 5:2 |
| 33. Lev. 14:11 | The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood | Luke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7 |
| 34. Lev. 16:15-17 | Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all death | Hebrews 9:7-14 |
| 35. Lev. 16:27 | Suffering outside the Camp | Matthew 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12 |
| 36. Lev. 17:11 | The Blood-the life of the flesh | Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45 |
| 37. Lev. 17:11 | It is the blood that makes atonement | Rom. 3:23-24; 1John 1:7 |
| 38. Lev. 23:36-37 | The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst” | John 7:37 |
| 39. Num. 9:12 | Not a bone of Him broken | John 19:31-36 |
| 40. Num. 21:9 | The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up | John 3:14-18; 12:32 |
| 41. Num. 24:17 | Time: “I shall see him, but not now.” | John 1:14; Galatians 4:4 |
| 42. Deut. 18:15 | “This is of a truth that prophet.” | John 6:14 |
| 43. Deut. 18:15-16 | “Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me.” | John 5:45-47 |
| 44. Deut. 18:18 | Sent by the Father to speak His word | John 8:28, 29 |
| 45. Deut. 18:19 | Whoever will not hear must bear his sin | Acts 3:22-23 |
| 46. Deut. 21:23 | Cursed is he that hangs on a tree | Galatians 3:10-13 |
| 47. Joshua 5:14-15 | The Captain of our salvation | Hebrews 2:10 |
| 48. Ruth 4:4-10 | Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us | Ephesians 1:3-7 |
| 49. 1 Sam. 2:35 | A Faithful Priest | Heb. 2:17; 3:1-3, 6; 7:24-25 |
| 50. 1 Sam. 2:10 | Shall be an anointed King to the Lord | Mt. 28:18, John 12:15 |
| 51. 2 Sam. 7:12 | David’s Seed | Matthew 1:1 |
| 52. 2 Sam. 7:13 | His Kingdom is everlasting | 2Peter 1:11 |
| 53. 2 Sam. 7:14 | The Son of God | Luke 1:32, Romans 1:3-4 |
| 54. 2 Sam. 7:16 | David’s house established forever | Luke 3:31; Rev. 22:16 |
| 55. 2 Ki. 2:11 | The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated | Luke 24:51 |
| 56. 1 Chr. 17:11 | David’s Seed | Matthew 1:1; 9:27 |
| 57. 1 Chr. 17:12-13 | To reign on David’s throne forever | Luke 1:32, 33 |
| 58. 1 Chr. 17:13 | “I will be His Father, He…my Son.” | Hebrews 1:5 |
| 59. Job 9:32-33 | Mediator between man and God | 1 Timothy 2:5 |
| 60. Job 19:23-27 | The Resurrection predicted | John 5:24-29 |
| 61. Psa. 2:1-3 | The enmity of kings foreordained | Acts 4:25-28 |
| 62. Psa. 2:2 | To own the title, Anointed (Christ) | John 1:41, Acts 2:36 |
| 63. Psa. 2:6 | His Character-Holiness | John 8:46; Revelation 3:7 |
| 64. Psa. 2:6 | To own the title King | Matthew 2:2 |
| 65. Psa. 2:7 | Declared the Beloved Son | Matthew 3:17, Romans 1:4 |
| 66. Psa. 2:7, 8 | The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated | Acts 13:29-33 |
| 67. Psa. 2:8, 9 | Rule the nations with a rod of iron | Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15 |
| 68. Psa. 2:12 | Life comes through faith in Him | John 20:31 |
| 69. Psa. 8:2 | The mouths of babes perfect His praise | Matthew 21:16 |
| 70. Psa. 8:5, 6 | His humiliation and exaltation | Hebrews 2:5-9 |
| 71. Psa. 9:7-10 | Judge the world in righteousness | Acts 17:31 |
| 72. Psa. 16:10 | Was not to see corruption | Acts 2:31; 13:35 |
| 73. Psa. 16:9-11 | Was to arise from the dead | John 20:9 |
| 74. Psa. 17:15 | The resurrection predicted | Luke 24:6 |
| 75. Psa. 18:2-3 | The horn of salvation | Luke 1:69-71 |
| 76. Psa. 22:1 | Forsaken because of sins of others | 2 Corinthians 5:21 |
| 77. Psa. 22:1 | “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” | Matthew 27:46 |
| 78. Psa. 22:2 | Darkness upon Calvary for three hours | Matthew 27:45 |
| 79. Psa. 22:7 | They shoot out the lip and shake the head | Matthew 27:39-44 |
| 80. Psa. 22:8 | “He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him” | Matthew 27:43 |
| 81. Psa. 22:9-10 | Born the Saviour | Luke 2:7 |
| 82. Psa. 22:12-13 | They seek His death | John 19:6 |
| 83. Psa. 22:14 | His blood poured out when they pierced His side | John 19:34 |
| 84. Psa. 22:14, 15 | Suffered agony on Calvary | Mark 15:34-37 |
| 85. Psa. 22:15 | He thirsted | John 19:28 |
| 86. Psa. 22:16 | They pierced His hands and His feet | John 19:34, 37; 20:27 |
| 87. Psa. 22:17, 18 | Stripped Him before the stares of men | Luke 23:34, 35 |
| 88. Psa. 22:18 | They parted His garments | John 19:23, 24 |
| 89. Psa. 22:20, 21 | He committed Himself to God | Luke 23:46 |
| 90. Psa. 22:20, 21 | Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heel | Hebrews 2:14 |
| 91. Psa. 22:22 | His Resurrection declared | John 20:17 |
| 92. Psa. 22:27-28 | He shall be the governor of the nations | Colossians 1:16 |
| 93. Psa. 22:31 | “It is finished” | John 19:30, Heb. 10:10, 12, 14, 18 |
| 94. Psa. 23:1 | “I am the Good Shepherd” | John 10:11, 1Peter 2:25 |
| 95. Psa. 24:3 | His exaltation predicted | Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:9 |
| 96. Psa. 30:3 | His resurrection predicted | Acts 2:32 |
| 97. Psa. 31:5 | “Into thy hands I commit my spirit” | Luke 23:46 |
| 98. Psa. 31:11 | His acquaintances fled from Him | Mark 14:50 |
| 99. Psa. 31:13 | They took counsel to put Him to death | Mt. 27:1, John 11:53 |
| 100. Psa. 31:14, 15 | “He trusted in God, let Him deliver him” | Matthew 27:43 |
| 101. Psa. 34:20 | Not a bone of Him broken | John 19:31-36 |
| 102. Psa. 35:11 | False witnesses rose up against Him | Matthew 26:59 |
| 103. Psa. 35:19 | He was hated without a cause | John 15:25 |
| 104. Psa. 38:11 | His friends stood afar off | Luke 23:49 |
| 105. Psa. 38:12 | Enemies try to entangle Him by craft | Mark 14:1, Mt. 22:15 |
| 106. Psa. 38:12-13 | Silent before His accusers | Matthew 27:12-14 |
| 107. Psa. 38:20 | He went about doing good | Acts 10:38 |
| 108. Psa. 40:2-5 | The joy of His resurrection predicted | John 20:20 |
| 109. Psa. 40:6-8 | His delight-the will of the Father | John 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10 |
| 110. Psa. 40:9 | He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel | Matthew 4:17 |
| 111. Psa. 40:14 | Confronted by adversaries in the Garden | John 18:4-6 |
| 112. Psa. 41:9 | Betrayed by a familiar friend | John 13:18 |
| 113. Psa. 45:2 | Words of Grace come from His lips | John 1:17, Luke 4:22 |
| 114. Psa. 45:6 | To own the title, God or Elohim | Hebrews 1:8 |
| 115. Psa. 45:7 | A special anointing by the Holy Spirit | Mt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9 |
| 116. Psa. 45:7, 8 | Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed) | Luke 2:11 |
| 117. Psa. 45:17 | His name remembered forever | Ephesians 1:20-21, Heb. 1:8 |
| 118. Psa. 55:12-14 | Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy | John 13:18 |
| 119. Psa. 55:15 | Unrepentant death of the Betrayer | Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19 |
| 120. Psa. 68:18 | To give gifts to men | Ephesians 4:7-16 |
| 121. Psa. 68:18 | Ascended into Heaven | Luke 24:51 |
| 122. Psa. 69:4 | Hated without a cause | John 15:25 |
| 123. Psa. 69:8 | A stranger to own brethren | John 1:11, 7:5 |
| 124. Psa. 69:9 | Zealous for the Lord’s House | John 2:17 |
| 125. Psa. 69:14-20 | Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixion | Matthew 26:36-45 |
| 126. Psa. 69:20 | “My soul is exceeding sorrowful.” | Matthew 26:38 |
| 127. Psa. 69:21 | Given vinegar in thirst | Matthew 27:34 |
| 128. Psa. 69:26 | The Saviour given and smitten by God | John 17:4; 18:11 |
| 129. Psa. 72:10, 11 | Great persons were to visit Him | Matthew 2:1-11 |
| 130. Psa. 72:16 | The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground | John 12:24-25 |
| 131. Psa. 72:17 | Belief on His name will produce offspring | John 1:12, 13 |
| 132. Psa. 72:17 | All nations shall be blessed by Him | Galatians 3:8 |
| 133. Psa. 72:17 | All nations shall call Him blessed | John 12:13, Rev. 5:8-12 |
| 134. Psa. 78:1-2 | He would teach in parables | Matthew 13:34-35 |
| 135. Psa. 78:2 | To speak the Wisdom of God with authority | Matthew 7:29 |
| 136. Psa. 80:17 | The Man of God’s right hand | Mark 14:61-62 |
| 137. Psa. 88 | The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary | Matthew 27:26-50 |
| 138. Psa. 88:8 | They stood afar off and watched | Luke 23:49 |
| 139. Psa. 89:27 | Firstborn | Colossians 1:15, 18 |
| 140. Psa. 89:27 | Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings | Luke 1:32, 33 |
| 141. Psa. 89:35-37 | David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever | Luke 1:32, 33 |
| 142. Psa. 89:36-37 | His character-Faithfulness | Revelation 1:5; 19:11 |
| 143. Psa. 90:2 | He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2) | John 1:1 |
| 144. Psa. 91:11, 12 | Identified as Messianic; used to tempt Christ | Luke 4:10, 11 |
| 145. Psa. 97:9 | His exaltation predicted | Acts 1:11; Ephesians 1:20 |
| 146. Psa. 100:5 | His character-Goodness | Matthew 19:16, 17 |
| 147. Psa. 102:1-11 | The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary | John 19:16-30 |
| 148. Psa. 102:25-27 | Messiah is the Preexistent Son | Hebrews 1:10-12 |
| 149. Psa. 109:25 | Ridiculed | Matthew 27:39 |
| 150. Psa. 110:1 | Son of David | Matthew 22:42-43 |
| 151. Psa. 110:1 | To ascend to the right-hand of the Father | Mark 16:19 |
| 152. Psa. 110:1 | David’s son called Lord | Matthew 22:44, 45 |
| 153. Psa. 110:4 | A priest after Melchizedek’s order | Hebrews 6:20 |
| 154. Psa. 112:4 | His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al | Matthew 9:36 |
| 155. Psa. 118:17, 18 | Messiah’s Resurrection assured | Luke 24:5-7; 1Cor. 15:20 |
| 156. Psa. 118:22, 23 | The rejected stone is Head of the corner | Matthew 21:42, 43 |
| 157. Psa. 118:26 | The Blessed One presented to Israel | Matthew 21:9 |
| 158. Psa. 118:26 | To come while Temple standing | Matthew 21:12-15 |
| 159. Psa. 132:11 | The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body) | Luke 1:32, Act 2:30 |
| 160. Psa. 129:3 | He was scourged | Matthew 27:26 |
| 161. Psa. 138:1-6 | The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kings | Matthew 2:2-6 |
| 162. Psa. 147:3, 6 | The earthly ministry of Christ described | Luke 4:18 |
| 163. Prov. 1:23 | He will send the Spirit of God | John 16:7 |
| 164. Prov. 8:23 | Foreordained from everlasting | Rev. 13:8, 1Peter 1:19-20 |
| 165. Song. 5:16 | The altogether lovely One | John 1:17 |
| 166. Isa. 2:3 | He shall teach all nations | John 4:25 |
| 167. Isa. 2:4 | He shall judge among the nations | John 5:22 |
| 168. Isa. 6:1 | When Isaiah saw His glory | John 12:40-41 |
| 169. Isa. 6:8 | The One Sent by God | John 12:38-45 |
| 170. Isa. 6:9-10 | Parables fall on deaf ears | Matthew 13:13-15 |
| 171. Isa. 6:9-12 | Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words | Acts 28:23-29 |
| 172. Isa. 7:14 | To be born of a virgin | Luke 1:35 |
| 173. Isa. 7:14 | To be Emmanuel-God with us | Matthew 1:18-23, 1Tim. 3:16 |
| 174. Isa. 8:8 | Called Emmanuel | Matthew 28:20 |
| 175. Isa. 8:14 | A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense | 1Peter 2:8 |
| 176. Isa. 9:1, 2 | His ministry to begin in Galilee | Matthew 4:12-17 |
| 177. Isa. 9:6 | A child born-Humanity | Luke 1:31 |
| 178. Isa. 9:6 | A Son given-Deity | Luke 1:32, John 1:14, 1Tim. 3:16 |
| 179. Isa. 9:6 | Declared to be the Son of God with power | Romans 1:3, 4 |
| 180. Isa. 9:6 | The Wonderful One, Peleh | Luke 4:22 |
| 181. Isa. 9:6 | The Counsellor, Yaatz | Matthew 13:54 |
| 182. Isa. 9:6 | The Mighty God, El Gibor | 1Cor. 1:24, Titus 2:13 |
| 183. Isa. 9:6 | The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth | John 8:58; 10:30 |
| 184. Isa. 9:6 | The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom | John 16:33 |
| 185. Isa. 9:7 | Inherits the throne of David | Luke 1:32 |
| 186. Isa. 9:7 | His Character-Just | John 5:30 |
| 187. Isa. 9:7 | No end to his Government, Throne, and kingdom | Luke 1:33 |
| 188. Isa. 11:1 | Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer | Matthew 2:23 |
| 189. Isa. 11:1 | A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse | Luke 3:23, 32 |
| 190. Isa. 11:2 | Anointed One by the Spirit | Matthew 3:16, 17, Acts 10:38 |
| 191. Isa. 11:2 | His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et al | Colossians 2:3 |
| 192. Isa. 11:3 | He would know their thoughts | Luke 6:8, John 2:25 |
| 193. Isa. 11:4 | Judge in righteousness | Acts 17:31 |
| 194. Isa. 11:4 | Judges with the sword of His mouth | Rev. 2:16; 19:11, 15 |
| 195. Isa. 11:5 | Character: Righteous & Faithful | Rev. 19:11 |
| 196. Isa. 11:10 | The Gentiles seek Him | John 12:18-21 |
| 197. Isa. 12:2 | Called Jesus-Yeshua | Matthew 1:21 |
| 198. Isa. 22:22 | The One given all authority to govern | Revelation 3:7 |
| 199. Isa. 25:8 | The Resurrection predicted | 1Corinthians 15:54 |
| 200. Isa. 26:19 | His power of Resurrection predicted | Matthew 27:50-54 |
| 201. Isa. 28:16 | The Messiah is the precious corner stone | Acts 4:11, 12 |
| 202. Isa. 28:16 | The Sure Foundation | 1Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 16:18 |
| 203. Isa. 29:13 | He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word | Matthew 15:7-9 |
| 204. Isa. 29:14 | The wise are confounded by the Word | 1Corinthians 1:18-31 |
| 205. Isa. 32:2 | A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place | Matthew 23:37 |
| 206. Isa. 35:4 | He will come and save you | Matthew 1:21 |
| 207. Isa. 35:5-6 | To have a ministry of miracles | Matthew 11:2-6 |
| 208. Isa. 40:3, 4 | Preceded by forerunner | John 1:23 |
| 209. Isa. 40:9 | “Behold your God.” | John 1:36; 19:14 |
| 210. Isa. 40:10. | He will come to reward | Revelation 22:12 |
| 211. Isa. 40:11 | A shepherd-compassionate life-giver | John 10:10-18 |
| 212. Isa. 42:1-4 | The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer | Matthew 12:18-21 |
| 213. Isa. 42:2 | Meek and lowly | Matthew 11:28-30 |
| 214. Isa. 42:3 | He brings hope for the hopeless | Mt. 12:14-21; John 4:1-54 |
| 215. Isa. 42:4 | The nations shall wait on His teachings | John 12:20-26 |
| 216. Isa. 42:6 | The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles | Luke 2:32 |
| 217. Isa. 42:1, 6 | His is a worldwide compassion | Matthew 28:19, 20 |
| 218. Isa. 42:7 | Blind eyes opened. | John 9:25-38 |
| 219. Isa. 43:11 | He is the only Saviour. | Acts 4:12 |
| 220. Isa. 44:3 | He will send the Spirit of God | John 16:7, 13 |
| 221. Isa. 45:21-25 | He is Lord and Saviour | Philippians 3:20, Titus 2:13 |
| 222. Isa. 45:23 | He will be the Judge | John 5:22; Romans 14:11 |
| 223. Isa. 46:9, 10 | Declares things not yet done | John 13:19 |
| 224. Isa. 48:12 | The First and the Last | John 1:30, Revelation 1:8, 17 |
| 225. Isa. 48:16, 17 | He came as a Teacher | John 3:2 |
| 226. Isa. 49:1 | Called from the womb-His humanity | Matthew 1:18 |
| 227. Isa. 49:5 | A Servant from the womb. | Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7 |
| 228. Isa. 49:6 | He will restore Israel | Acts 3:19-21; 15:16-17 |
| 229. Isa. 49:6 | He is Salvation for Israel | Luke 2:29-32 |
| 230. Isa. 49:6 | He is the Light of the Gentiles | John 8:12, Acts 13:47 |
| 231. Isa. 49:6 | He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth | Acts 15:7-18 |
| 232. Isa. 49:7 | He is despised of the Nation | John 1:11, 8:48-49, 19:14-15 |
| 233. Isa. 50:3 | Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation | Luke 23:44, 45 |
| 234. Isa. 50:4 | He is a learned counselor for the weary | Matthew 7:29; 11:28, 29 |
| 235. Isa. 50:5 | The Servant bound willingly to obedience | Matthew 26:39 |
| 236. Isa. 50:6 | “I gave my back to the smiters.” | Matthew 27:26 |
| 237. Isa. 50:6 | He was smitten on the cheeks | Matthew 26:67 |
| 238. Isa. 50:6 | He was spat upon | Matthew 27:30 |
| 239. Isa. 52:7 | Published good tidings upon mountains | Matthew 5:12; 15:29; 28:16 |
| 240. Isa. 52:13 | The Servant exalted | Acts 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22, Php. 2:5-9 |
| 241. Isa. 52:14 | The Servant shockingly abused | Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68 |
| 242. Isa. 52:15 | Nations startled by message of the Servant | Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68 |
| 243. Isa. 52:15 | His blood shed sprinkles nations | Hebrews 9:13-14, Rev. 1:5 |
| 244. Isa. 53:1 | His people would not believe Him | John 12:37-38 |
| 245. Isa. 53:2 | Appearance of an ordinary man | Philippians 2:6-8 |
| 246. Isa. 53:3 | Despised | Luke 4:28-29 |
| 247. Isa. 53:3 | Rejected | Matthew 27:21-23 |
| 248. Isa. 53:3 | Great sorrow and grief | Matthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, Heb. 4:15 |
| 249. Isa. 53:3 | Men hide from being associated with Him | Mark 14:50-52 |
| 250. Isa. 53:4 | He would have a healing ministry | Matthew 8:16-17 |
| 251. Isa. 53:4 | Thought to be cursed by God | Matthew 26:66; 27:41-43 |
| 252. Isa. 53:5 | Bears penalty for mankind’s iniquities | 2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 2:9 |
| 253. Isa. 53:5 | His sacrifice provides peace between man and God | Colossians 1:20 |
| 254. Isa. 53:5 | His sacrifice would heal man of sin | 1Peter 2:24 |
| 255. Isa. 53:6 | He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind | 1John 2:2; 4:10 |
| 256. Isa. 53:6 | God’s will that He bear sin for all mankind | Galatians 1:4 |
| 257. Isa. 53:7 | Oppressed and afflicted | Matthew 27:27-31 |
| 258. Isa. 53:7 | Silent before his accusers | Matthew 27:12-14 |
| 259. Isa. 53:7 | Sacrificial lamb | John 1:29, 1Peter 1:18-19 |
| 260. Isa. 53:8 | Confined and persecuted | Matthew 26:47-75; 27:1-31 |
| 261. Isa. 53:8 | He would be judged | John 18:13-22 |
| 262. Isa. 53:8 | Killed | Matthew 27:35 |
| 263. Isa. 53:8 | Dies for the sins of the world | 1John 2:2 |
| 264. Isa. 53:9 | Buried in a rich man’s grave | Matthew 27:57 |
| 265. Isa. 53:9 | Innocent and had done no violence | Luke 23:41, John 18:38 |
| 266. Isa. 53:9 | No deceit in his mouth | 1Peter 2:22 |
| 267. Isa. 53:10 | God’s will that He die for mankind | John 18:11 |
| 268. Isa. 53:10 | An offering for sin | Matthew 20:28, Galatians 3:13 |
| 269. Isa. 53:10 | Resurrected and live forever | Romans 6:9 |
| 270. Isa. 53:10 | He would prosper | John 17:1-5 |
| 271. Isa. 53:11 | God fully satisfied with His suffering | John 12:27 |
| 272. Isa. 53:11 | God’s servant would justify man | Romans 5:8-9, 18-19 |
| 273. Isa. 53:11 | The sin-bearer for all mankind | Hebrews 9:28 |
| 274. Isa. 53:12 | Exalted by God because of his sacrifice | Matthew 28:18 |
| 275. Isa. 53:12 | He would give up his life to save mankind | Luke 23:46 |
| 276. Isa. 53:12 | Numbered with the transgressors | Mark 15:27-28; Luke 22:37 |
| 277. Isa. 53:12 | Sin-bearer for all mankind | 1Peter 2:24 |
| 278. Isa. 53:12 | Intercede to God in behalf of mankind | Luke 23:34, Rom. 8:34 |
| 279. Isa. 55:3 | Resurrected by God | Acts 13:34 |
| 280. Isa. 55:4 | A witness | John 18:37 |
| 281. Isa. 55:4 | He is a leader and commander | Hebrews 2:10 |
| 282. Isa. 55:5 | God would glorify Him | Acts 3:13 |
| 283. Isa. 59:16a | Intercessor between man and God | Matthew 10:32 |
| 284. Isa. 59:16b | He would come to provide salvation | John 6:40 |
| 285. Isa. 59:20 | He would come to Zion as their Redeemer | Luke 2:38 |
| 286. Isa. 60:1-3 | He would shew light to the Gentiles | Acts 26:23 |
| 287. Isa. 61:1 | The Spirit of God upon him | Matthew 3:16-17 |
| 288. Isa. 61:1 | The Messiah would preach the good news | Luke 4:16-21 |
| 289. Isa. 61:1 | Provide freedom from the bondage of sin | John 8:31-36 |
| 290. Isa. 61:1-2 | Proclaim a period of grace | Galatians 4:4-5 |
| 291. Jer. 11:21 | Conspiracy to kill Jesus | John 7:1, Matthew 21:38 |
| 292. Jer. 23:5-6 | Descendant of David | Luke 3:23-31 |
| 293. Jer. 23:5-6 | The Messiah would be both God and Man | John 13:13, 1Ti 3:16 |
| 294. Jer. 31:22 | Born of a virgin | Matthew 1:18-20 |
| 295. Jer. 31:31 | The Messiah would be the new covenant | Matthew 26:28 |
| 296. Jer. 33:14-15 | Descendant of David | Luke 3:23-31 |
| 297. Eze.34:23-24 | Descendant of David | Matthew 1:1 |
| 298. Eze.37:24-25 | Descendant of David | Luke 1:31-33 |
| 299. Dan. 2:44-45 | The Stone that shall break the kingdoms | Matthew 21:44 |
| 300. Dan. 7:13-14 | He would ascend into heaven | Acts 1:9-11 |
| 301. Dan. 7:13-14 | Highly exalted | Ephesians 1:20-22 |
| 302. Dan. 7:13-14 | His dominion would be everlasting | Luke 1:31-33 |
| 303. Dan. 9:24 | To make an end to sins | Galatians 1:3-5 |
| 304. Dan. 9:24 | To make reconciliation for iniquity | Romans 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18-21 |
| 305. Dan. 9:24 | He would be holy | Luke 1:35 |
| 306. Dan. 9:25 | His announcement | John 12:12-13 |
| 307. Dan. 9:26 | Cut off | Matthew 16:21; 21:38-39 |
| 308. Dan. 9:26 | Die for the sins of the world | Hebrews 2:9 |
| 309. Dan. 9:26 | Killed before the destruction of the temple | Matthew 27:50-51 |
| 310. Dan. 10:5-6 | Messiah in a glorified state | Revelation 1:13-16 |
| 311. Hos. 11:1 | He would be called out of Egypt | Matthew 2:15 |
| 312. Hos. 13:14 | He would defeat death | 1Corinthians 15:55-57 |
| 313. Joel 2:32 | Offer salvation to all mankind | Romans 10:9-13 |
| 314. Jonah 1:17 | Death and resurrection of Christ | Matthew 12:40; 16:4 |
| 315. Mic. 5:2 | Born in Bethlehem | Matthew 2:1-6 |
| 316. Mic. 5:2 | Ruler in Israel | Luke 1:33 |
| 317. Mic. 5:2 | From everlasting | John 8:58 |
| 318. Hag. 2:6-9 | He would visit the second Temple | Luke 2:27-32 |
| 319. Hag. 2:23 | Descendant of Zerubbabel | Luke 2:27-32 |
| 320. Zech. 3:8 | God’s servant | John 17:4 |
| 321. Zech. 6:12-13 | Priest and King | Hebrews 8:1 |
| 322. Zech. 9:9 | Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem | Matthew 21:8-10 |
| 323. Zech. 9:9 | Beheld as King | John 12:12-13 |
| 324. Zech. 9:9 | The Messiah would be just | John 5:30 |
| 325. Zech. 9:9 | The Messiah would bring salvation | Luke 19:10 |
| 326. Zech. 9:9 | The Messiah would be humble | Matthew 11:29 |
| 327. Zech. 9:9 | Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey | Matthew 21:6-9 |
| 328. Zech. 10:4 | The cornerstone | Ephesians 2:20 |
| 329. Zech. 11:4-6 | At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders | Matthew 23:1-4 |
| 330. Zech. 11:4-6 | Rejection causes God to remove His protection | Luke 19:41-44 |
| 331. Zech. 11:4-6 | Rejected in favor of another king | John 19:13-15 |
| 332. Zech. 11:7 | Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnant | Matthew 9:35-36 |
| 333. Zech. 11:8 | Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them | Matthew 23:33 |
| 334. Zech. 11:8 | Despised | Matthew 27:20 |
| 335. Zech. 11:9 | Stops ministering to those who rejected Him | Matthew 13:10-11 |
| 336. Zech. 11:10-11 | Rejection causes God to remove protection | Luke 19:41-44 |
| 337. Zech. 11:10-11 | The Messiah would be God | John 14:7 |
| 338. Zech. 11:12-13 | Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver | Matthew 26:14-15 |
| 339. Zech. 11:12-13 | Rejected | Matthew 26:14-15 |
| 340. Zech. 11:12-13 | Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the Lord | Matthew 27:3-5 |
| 341. Zech. 11:12-13 | The Messiah would be God | John 12:45 |
| 342. Zech. 12:10 | The Messiah’s body would be pierced | John 19:34-37 |
| 343. Zech. 12:10 | The Messiah would be both God and man | John 10:30 |
| 344. Zech. 12:10 | The Messiah would be rejected | John 1:11 |
| 345. Zech. 13:7 | God’s will He die for mankind | John 18:11 |
| 346. Zech. 13: | A violent death | Mark 14:27 |
| 347. Zech. 13:7 | Both God and man | John 14:9 |
| 348. Zech. 13:7 | Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him | Matthew 26:31-56 |
| 349. Zech. 14:4 | He would return to the Mt. of Olives | Acts 1:11-12 |
| 350. Mal. 3:1 | Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah | Mark 1:1-8 |
| 351. Mal. 3:1 | Sudden appearance at the temple | Mark 11:15-16 |
| 352. Mal. 3:1 | Messenger of the new covenant | Luke 4:43 |
| 353. Mal. 3:6 | The God who changes not | Hebrews 13:8 |
| 354. Mal. 4:5 | Forerunner in spirit of Elijah | Mt. 3:1-3; 11:10-14; 17:11-13 |
| 355. Mal. 4:6 | Forerunner would turn many to righteousness | Luke 1:16-17 |
1 John 1:1-4 What Have Your Heard?
1 John 1:1-4 What Have You Heard?
- That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
- (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
- That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
- And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John was so overwhelmed with the importance of his message that he dispensed with normal salutations and introductions what would normally arrive in such a letter. During the time of the writing of this epistle the church was being influenced with by the acceptance of Gnosticism.
The Gnostics were marked with a philosophy that had a variety of views, one such basic view is that the spirit is good and matter is inherently evil, and the two constantly war against one another. So then the one who is more knowledgeable or of a strong enough will, could overcome the weaknesses of the flesh. As a result Gnosticism held two major thoughts on Christ.
Docetic Gnosticism held that the humanity of Christ was ethereal, and that he only appeared to have a body. That is that Jesus was just a phantom force, which appeared and had no real physical substance.
Cerinthus Gnosticism held that the man Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary was not the “Christ” until is was bestowed upon him at his baptism and then the Spirit empowered his ministry, and then it left him before the crucifixion.
Now you may ask, who cares if they believed this? What does it matter? Well either view of Jesus in this manner removes the incarnation of Christ, and the atonement of his sacrifice. The word “incarnation” simply means “the act of being made flesh”. In other words, Jesus was indeed the Son of God and became man through his divine intervention and as such remained both God and man.
The Gospel of John puts it this way. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1).
If Jesus was not “Christ” from before his birth, through his death, and resurrection then he would have been just a man. As a man, he could not have escaped the original sin of Adam. Jesus could not have brought atonement because he would have had sin. It doesn’t matter how enlightened he may have been. Knowledge does not relieve us of sin, knowledge exposes sin.
You see Adam (man) was created by God. In fact man was singled out from all of God’s creation to be made in the likeness of God. As part of this likeness of God man was created with a free will. When man was created and set in the world he was given dominion over all the earth and man was without sin. In fact when God finished creation He looked at it and said that it was “good”.
But man rebelled against God, of his own free will, and then sin entered into man, and a curse has since followed man. Now that man was in sin and darkness, he was separated from God, because God is pure and righteous. His presence would destroy man. Romans 5:12 tells us, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered in to the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”.
So you see a man cannot save man, because he is already tainted with sin. Only God can save man, through a sinless sacrifice that would only be made once, one that could cover all of man’s sin, past, present and future. There could only be one way to bridge the gap between man (creation) and God (Creator), God would have to provide the sacrifice. This shows the necessity of God becoming man.
God had compassion on man. God in his grace, had a plan to redeem man, from the very beginning.
The whole bible from beginning to end is a revelation of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. In Genesis 3:15 God tells the serpent that deceived Adam and Eve into rebellion that, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
This is the first prophecy concerning the salvation that would come through Jesus. There are over 300 prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus in his short life here on earth, and there are still more prophecies yet to be fulfilled upon his return.
The author of this letter claims to be an eye witness to the ministry of Christ. This makes the author and authority on who Jesus is and what he is doing. We must not ever forget the importance of having a witness. John is telling his readers of this epistle that the things that they have been taught concerning Jesus is the truth and has been witnesses by them. The witnesses are in what they have heard, both in the scriptures and in the words of Jesus.
- Your testimony of what Jesus has done in your life is your witness of the truth of Jesus.
- No one else can stand up and proclaim what you have seen and what you have heard from God.
- No one else can explain how the love of Jesus has changed your heart.
- No one else can explain the release of the guilt and the shame that you have suffered.
There is an old saying that people love to use. “Who are you to judge me?” This is a true statement. Who are you? To many Christians get saved and in their enthusiasm to have others convert, forget that they were once lost and in rebellion. They forget that it took someone who in genuine concern reached out and connected with them.
And you know how they did that?
- They shared who they were, and who they are now.
- They shared how Jesus made that difference and they shared the love that was given to them – freely.
It does not matter how much time we spend in church, Sunday school, or in memorizing bible scriptures. It doesn’t even matter if we speak in tongues, or if we can heal others at a touch. What matters is if we can reach out in love. We have to love others enough to overcome the fear and insecurity of sharing our testimony.
Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one to another.” (John 13:35). He also said that I speak that which I have heard of the father. Jesus led by example.
He didn’t talk about things he didn’t know.
- He talked about things of heaven.
- He explained the things that pertained to the Kingdom of God.
- He gave examples and illustrations.
- He testified of things he knew, that he had seen, and he had heard.
How?
- Because he is God.
- He existed before creation.
- He was the creator.
So what do you know? What have you seen? What have you heard?
You know the truth
- Jesus is the Son of God
- Jesus is faithful
- Jesus loves you
- Jesus forgave you
- Jesus provided atonement for you
- Jesus released you from your bondage
- From sexual immortality
- From lies
- From disease
- From the bondage of sin
- Jesus gave you a choice again
- You are no longer a slave
- You have eternal life
These are the things that are in your testimony. Henry Clay Trumbull (1830-1903) is considered one of God’s pioneers in soul-winning evangelism. In fact he wrote the first books ever devoted strictly to the principles of personal evangelism. He was a renowned expositor of scripture, missionary, organizer and lecturer. He was the editor of the Civil War era publication. “The Sunday School Times”. He was the author of 38 books in total. He lectured at Yale University and traveled relentlessly spreading and teaching the gospel. Yet here is what he said concerning personal evangelism.
“Looking back upon my work in all these years I can see more direct results of good through my individual efforts with individuals that I can know of through all my spoken words to thousands upon thousands of persons in religious assemblies, or all my written words on the pages of periodicals or of books. Reaching one person at a time is the BEST way of reaching all the world in time.”
When Jesus said no man lights a candle and puts it under a table, but he puts in on top of the table so that all who enter the house can see the light, he was talking about you. You are the light of Christ! Don’t put it under a table and hide it! Tell somebody what Jesus has done for you. –Amen!
Mark 12:28-31 The First Commandment
Mark 12:28-31 The First Commandment
If I were to ask 100 different Christians what they thought was the most important part of Christianity I would undoubtable get many different answers. Some would say it is Faith, others study of the Bible, or Prayer. Even others would say the Holy Spirit, or service in the church. I am of the persuasion that while all of these are important, they are merely manifestations that come out of the most important aspect of your belief in Christ.
*******************Read the Passage Mark 12:28-31********************
In Mark 12:28-33 Jesus is asked this very question. Jesus said that the first thing we should have is a directed love towards God. We should be careful, that we don’t misunderstand this word love. It is not a general kind of love. It is not like when we say, “Oh I just love that dress, or I love this new car!” It is not even like a when we say that we should “love all mankind”.
Jesus didn’t say that the most important commandment is to love God and to second, love animals. Had he said that then we could take away that he was talking about a general kind of love, where we should express love for everything, love people, love animals, love the planet, love everything. But “love” in itself is not the main topic Jesus is speaking of.
Even when he goes on to say that the second commandment is like it, to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Instead he is still stressing the importance of the first command. Jesus is saying the main point is to LOVE GOD! The second is like it because it is still loving God, man was made in the image of God.
1 John 4:20 says that if a man says he loves God and hates his brother, then he is a liar!
James 3:9-10 says, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brethren this ought not so to be.”
This love Jesus is speaking of is not a blanket that we throw over our shoulders and sing warm little campfire songs for. It is a more specific kind of love. It is even more specific than a love for a spouse, or a child. Instead it is a living love directed explicitly at God above all other things, places, or persons.
You see, God is Love (1 John 4.8 ”He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”). So then whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).
How do we then love God? Jesus tells us this also. We love with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. We demonstrate this with our love for one another. This is all simple words and easy to say, but how do we put this in action?
Our natural state as fallen creatures is not to love God, but rather to regard him with suspicion and resist his authority. Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to enter heaven you must be born again. You have to know that you are fallen and in danger of judgement, and in danger of eternal separation from God. Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
But also as apostle Paul told us in the Colossians 1:20-22, that even though we were enemies with God, he had mercy on us and provided a sacrifice for our sins, in Jesus’ blood, to that we could be reconciled to God the Father. So we were once alienated from God because of our evil nature. But God Himself made a way for us to be with him.
“The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” (Deuteronomy 30.6)
God himself gave us the way to love him, buy wiping out our record of sin. By this I mean past, present, and future… This gives us the ability to love God with a pure heart and in good conscience, having a sincere faith. Jesus has set us free, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Tutus 1.15)
God knows that we cannot love him of ourselves. He provided the way through Jesus Christ. Jesus suffered so that we would not have to suffer in our sin and bondage.
Psalms 22: 14-16 records a portion of his suffering, “I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; you have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation if the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;”
So knowing these things we desire to please him. The question is not “What would Jesus do”, but “What would please Him?” We put Him first in all things. The psalmist said “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73.25)
We love the Lord with our all in all; as a result of salvation through Jesus. This is the starting point, without this relationship with Jesus, we cannot love God. The love of Jesus must be the key feature in our lives.
We love the Lord by eliminating competing loves. Loving God must become the key feature in our lives. Don’t compartmentalize God into on little piece of your life.
Each one of us have 168 hours in a week. In that week the average Christian devotes 7 hours in Church, Sunday School, and a small group devotion or study. During each week if you sleep 8 hours a day, every day then you spend another 56 hours in sleep. That leaves 105 hours that are spent in eating, school, work, shopping, social events, or other leisure activities. The question is how much of that 105 hours is spent demonstrating an active love for God?(Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, 4/25/2017)
This isn’t just a temporary fasting. Not just a time where we skip a meal or that we don’t eat red meat for few weeks. It is not even a deprivation of sleep from an all-night prayer meeting, or a week of revival. It is instead a way of living for God.
In fact the Lord said in Isaiah 58:6-7 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and hot hide yourself from your own flesh?”
Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone were to ask your best friend, or your wife, or husband, or your children, “Tell me one thing about so-in-so…” and they could say, “That you really love God.” Shouldn’t your life SHOW others that you truly love God!
This is a conscious choice. We purpose ourselves for his service (Romans 12:11 says that we should be passionate in spirit, serving the Lord). We do everything in life as if we are performing it whole heartedly for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). In short we live “all out” for Him. We hold nothing back from Him. We are fully dedicated to His purposes. We have to be wholehearted in our devotion to Him. We are not ashamed of Him.
Do you know that God knows that we are not perfect? Do you know that he knows that sometimes, even on the way to church some of us have terrible arguments in the car? Then we put on a smile and walk in the church like we just love everybody. Then as soon as we walk out and start the car, our argument picks right back up from where it was. Do you know that is wrong? Sure we do.
We need to pray, and seek the Lord. You know that as we humble ourselves and understand that we are not perfect, and hey no one else is either, and we realize again that Jesus still loves us. He forgave us. You know we can forgive others too. We can love God by loving those around us.
We can even be so radical in our love for Him… that “We Love Our Neighbors, as we Love Ourselves!” (Mark 12:31) Do you know the best thing you can do for someone else is to let them see you LOVE God with all you have to love Him with?
In Matthew 25:34-40 we read “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have don’t it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)
If someone asked that question, if the asked about you… today… if they asked “tell me about so-in-so”; and they were pointing the finger at you… Could who they were asking say, “They really love God”? Does your life show your love for God? Does your language show that your love God? Do your neighbors even know that you know who Jesus is? If not, maybe you need to make a commitment today.
Get things right with God today. Come to the alter of his mercy and tell him. Lord I have not been living like I love you. I have not been doing the things that I should, or speaking up for you. Lord people have no idea that you’re my God or my savior by the way I act, speak, or how I treat other people, not even other believers. I want to make that right with you today.
Or maybe you’re here and you have never even considered the sacrifice that Jesus made for you; how he poured out his blood to make restitution for your wrong doings. Maybe you need to come and tell him you believe in Him. You believe that he sacrificed himself for you, so that you could learn how to truly live in love.
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – You Cannot Believe in Just Half the Gospel and Be Saved.
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – You Cannot Believe in Just Half the Gospel and Be Saved.
This letter of Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. It is believed that the letter was written around 55 AD. The letter deals with spiritual and moral issues that had arose in the church since Paul’s preaching there in 50 AD. The main emphasis on this of Chapter 15 verses 12-20 deals with the Athenian philosophers of the Epicurean and Stoic beliefs concerning death and the resurrection, and their influence on the church.
The Epicurean believed that when one dies, they simply no longer exist. The Stoic believe that when we die, our soul is absorbed into the soul of the universe, there in no individual conscience. These two philosophies originated between 341-313 BC. These two philosophies are still very prevalent in today’s one world philosophy.
They are portrayed in popular writings and movies like Star Trek and Star Wars. Among the other thoughts in these philosophies are man’s oneness with the energy of the universe, the end justifies the means, and that everything that happens to a man is a cause and effect relationship, man has no real will of his own, or Kharma. For this selection in Corinthians we are concerned with the beliefs of what happens after one dies and the resurrection beliefs in modern churches.
There are many Christians today that don’t believe that a body can be resurrected out of the grave. They make silly arguments about the condition of the body, the decay, or it the person was mutilated or burned to death. This becomes their basis to say that the physical body cannot be raised. The dead will not come out of the grave.
In 2006 a poll released by the Scripps Howard News Service and posed on the Ohio University Survey Research Center website stated that only 65% of professing “Born Again” Christians believe in the physical resurrection of Christ.
A more recent poll released in 2014, by Thomas D. Williams, PH.D., showed that 3 out of 4 Americans believe in some sort of life after death, but only 37% believe in a bodily resurrection from the dead. This is from Americans who have some sort of “religious affiliation”. What seems to be an odd trend is that those with higher educations are more likely to believe in life after death of some sort.
The frightening aspect is that those who call themselves “Followers of Christ”, and “Born Again” in increasing numbers do not believe in the resurrection of the body, and do not believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead. Christians are rejecting one of the fundamental beliefs of their own religion because of improper discipleship and ignorance of the full gospel. For an answer to this heresy we turn to Paul’s writings to the Corinthians.
Paul tells us that it is necessary to believe in the resurrection of the body. You have to believe in the whole gospel or none of it. The resurrection is not just a fable made up to give us a false since of security.
Let us begin at verse 12 in 1st Corinthians chapter 15.
V12. Now it Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is not resurrection of the dead?
Paul is saying here that this is essential to the gospel. Remember he is speaking to believers. Paul says if you have believed on Jesus, that you have then been baptized as an outward showing of your faith, then how can you deny the resurrection? This is inconceivable to Paul.
Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
I can hear Paul saying, don’t you remember what we preached to you? Don’t you remember how we told you that even the Apostle Thomas had his doubts because he did not see what the others saw? Don’t you remember how we testified to you that Jesus appeared again to the disciples and told Thomas, and I quote;
“Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27)
So this is what we preach, that Christ died and is risen again, because you cannot be saved unless you believe that He is risen. This being so, if you confess that Christ is risen, then how can you not believe there is a resurrection of the dead? The Greeks looked at themselves as very logical and philosophical people, Paul appeals to this reasoning they were so proud of. It is illogical to say you believe that Jesus rose from the dead so you could have eternal life, but don’t believe you will be resurrected.
V13. But if there is not resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
Here Paul starts his logical argument. He says, “OK. Let’s say that there is not resurrection of the dead.” Let us say that a dead body cannot rise from the grave. Let’s forget about the story of Lazarus, and how Jesus raised him from the dead. If when a man dies he simply ceases to exist, or he is absorbed into the cosmos, then it is impossible for Jesus to have risen from the grave. If this is what you believe concerning death, then you cannot believe that Jesus arose, it is not logical. Even though there were other examples that we have been told about. The scriptures tell us about a resurrection and a judgment to come.
Let’s forget about how Psalm 19:9-10 prophesies about Jesus and says, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
Let’s even forget how the scriptures of Daniel tell us in 12:2 about a general resurrection of the body where it is written, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
If there is no resurrection of the dead…. Then Christ did not rise either…. That is the first argument. If you don’t believe in the dead rising from the grave, then you cannot believe that Jesus rose from the grave. Why….? Because Christ, while being the Son of God, was also human. He died and was as dead as any other human. Yes he was sinless, a sacrifice. Stay with me now, in order for a sacrifice of death to be complete, something has to die in it’s place. You see, Jesus was, “dead as a doornail.” As we say in south-east Texas.
How do we know that Jesus was a man? The scriptures testify to it:
- Acts 2:22 “Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God…”
- Galatians 4:4 says Jesus was born of a woman
- 1 Timothy 2:5 says that there is only mediator between God and Man and that HE is the Man Christ Jesus
There are at least 12 other references in the New Testament that describe how Jesus, wept, felt tired, slept, spit, breathed and so on, testifying that he was not some ethereal presence, but a real flesh and blood human being.
V14. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
So in following that thought process, the deeper reality would begin to sink in. If there is no resurrection of the dead, and Jesus therefor did not rise from the grave, because it is impossible for a man to be raised from the dead. Then there is no basis for what we preach.
The whole of the apostolic preaching was the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. That was the whole point of the message! Therefore, if you believed our preaching, and it was not based on fact, then you have believed in nothing. Christianity itself is empty.
There was never a claim that Mohammed rose from the grave. There was never a claim that Buddha rose from the grave. In fact neither of them said they were the Son of God. But Jesus said he was the Son of God. In fact in Matthew 12:38-40 Jesus says that a sign of Him being the Son of God would be His resurrection.
V15. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up_ if in fact the dead do not rise.
Paul goes farther, he says that if you do not believe in the resurrection of the Dead, and by extension do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and we have testified that we have seen his resurrection… then we are liars, and false witnesses. You cannot believe anything we say. If you cannot believe in the simple doctrine we put forward to you, then you cannot believe anything else.
V16. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
Truth be told, if it is not possible for the dead to rise, then Christ did not rise. If a man cannot come back from the dead, then Christ could not have come back from the dead either.
V17. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Now Paul shows why it is so important to believe in the resurrection of life. The physical resurrection of Jesus. IF Jesus is not risen, then Jesus is not alive and with the Father, then you have believed a lie. So your faith is unfounded, and there is no forgiveness of sins. You have not mediator for men. Death is still inescapable. Now you have a real problem to fear. You have to enter into eternity within your fallen, unforgiven state. You will be condemned.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6.32)
V18. Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
This means that those who have been martyred for the cause of Christ have died in vain. Those who believed and have passed on, are lost forever. This also means all of the Old Testament prophets and patriarchs have also died in vain, because they prophesied about Jesus and His resurrection. The prophets of old looked forward to the resurrection. If a man cannot be resurrected, then Jesus could not have been resurrected. If Jesus was not resurrected and the whole thing was made up. If it was all made up then you cannot believe in a lie. If it is a lie, then there is no hope for mankind in Jesus. If the resurrection was a lie then so is the rest of the gospel, and all who have died, have died in sin. That means that the war in Heaven is over and that God lost. Everyone is doomed. If Jesus did not accomplish our salvation, then no one can.
V19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
If all this has been a lie, and we have believed in vain, then we are the stupidest people on Earth. If we live a life to show love toward one another, and selfless sacrifice in gratitude for the hope of life we have in Jesus, and there is no basis for this belief, then we have been fools. If we have put others first, and been beaten, and tortured, lost our homes, jobs, and even family ties for Christ sake, and it is a lie, then we are the most miserable people on the face of the earth. It is right for others to call us stupid and mistreat us, because we deserve it. We have purposely made ourselves a victim. If the only benefit to believing in Jesus, in this life, is to be a good person, then we have wasted our lives. Because we don’t believe in Jesus just to live a good life.
- The scriptures tell us that none is good! (Matthew 19.17)
- There is none righteous (Romans 3.10)
- Everyone, altogether has become filthy and can do no good, NO NOT ONE! (Psalm 53.3)
V20. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
How do we know Jesus was resurrected? We have witnesses; that is how know he was resurrected.
”For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once,…” 1 Cor 15:3-6a.
Paul tells us, Hey, I myself have seen Him, Peter has seen him, the scriptures testify to God’s plan, and even 500 believers have seen him… All at the same time! This is not made up, there are too many witnesses.
Jesus himself told us that the sign of His being the Son of God would be “the sign of Jonah”. How Jonah was in the belly of the whale 3 day, so would the Son of Man be in the ground for 3 days, then he would rise. This is God’s testimony of Jesus. This is His Word fulfilled! – Amen
Jesus rose from the dead, he physically came out of the grave! This is a sign that we are forgiven. This is God’s signature at the end of the letter! He is saying, “Here is the guarantee!
If Jesus didn’t rise from the grave, then sin killed him. If sin killed him then death was not subdued. But… scripture tell us that the resurrection of the dead out of the grave is not only possible, but that it will occur for everyone. You do not need to believe it is possible for you to be resurrected. But you do need to believe that Jesus was resurrected in order to avoid being condemned by your own lack of belief, not God’s. Listen to John 5:28-29.
John 5: 28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
Therefore, we know that the resurrection of the dead is possible. Therefore we know that the resurrection of Jesus is not only possible, but that it did occur. It occurred as a testimony of the forgiveness of sins, and of the resurrection of life.
We also know that there is a day coming when everyone will be called up out of the grave and brought to judgment. Those who have believed in Jesus will be rewarded. Those who have not believed, those who were filled with how intellectually important they were, will be brought to face their condemnation. But there is hope! There is hope in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was slain for the remission of sin.
By God raising Jesus from the dead it means that God was satisfied with the sin offering made by Jesus. In Romans 4 the scriptures tell us about how Abraham’s faith in God being able to do what He said he would do was enough for God to impute righteousness to Abraham. Having faith in God to do what he said He would do concerning Jesus, also imputes righteousness to us.
“It shall be imputed to use who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, Who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4: 24-25)
The resurrection of Jesus is a testimony from God that the sacrifice Jesus made for our sin, is acceptable to God, and that believing in this is how righteousness is imparted to us.
Romans 5:8-10 says “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The grace of God is that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ, the proof of that is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was resurrected, we will also be resurrected to eternal life.
How do we know that Jesus physically arose?
- John 20.17 – Jesus tells Mary not to touch him yet because He still has to ascend to the Father.
- Acts 20.11 – Tells us that Jesus ate with the disciples
- Luke 24.38-39 – “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
Paul wrote to the Corinthians explaining, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15.20-22)
So I ask you today. Do you believe that there is life after death? Do you believe that a man can be brought back from the dead? Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead as a sign, that as the scripture records, and even Jesus himself told, that the sign of Jonah would be the only sign given concerning his atonement?
If you do then you need to confess it.
Acknowledge to God and to man, that Jesus was resurrected and that He is the only mediator between the Father and man.
He is because he lives. – Amen
A New Year : Keep Your Focus!
Philippians 3:13-15
I remember when I was in the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Coarse while stationed in the U.S. Army, at Hawaii. We had a 12 Mile forced march that we had to complete under 3 hours. Now this doesn’t seem to difficult at first mention. Especially if you consider that we were all Infantry soldiers, and this was a small distance for us. We got up early, as usual, and drew our weapons, and load bearing equipment. Now the load bearing equipment is what we wear that allows us to carry a bayonet, ammunition, and water on our person. This equipment with the Kevlar helmet on average is about 35 lbs. Then we add on our weapon and ruck sack (backpack).
The recommended weight allowance for an Infantry soldier is 60 lbs in total. However, as a leader we are expected to go farther, carry more and do it faster. So I was required to carry a 95 lbs rucksack. Now you begin to see, that even seasoned soldiers can be put to the test with such requirements, and as Sgt and a Infantry Squad Leader, I was very seasoned. The walk I will tell you is not hard, the pace is not hard. The weight, although common, is a burden.
12 miles can get to feeling very long, and 3 hours, gets to feel like forever, and yet doesn’t seem long enough time. Your mind can start to talk to you. But by keeping the end in mind, you step-by-step get through the hills and the valleys along the way to the finish line. Your heart sometimes feels like its will burst, the breeze sometimes feels like God is cheering you on. Focus is what gets you through. You walk, and you focus on the goal. You focus on your pace. You focus on your distance left to go.
Philippians tells us that Paul kept his focus. He focused on the goal. He said I forget those things which are behind, and I reach forward to the things that are before. Paul pressed toward the mark. He kept Jesus in front of his eyes the whole way! Throughout Paul’s ministry he was beaten, stoned, hungered, homeless, betrayed, thrown in prison, mocked, ridiculed, and attempts were made on his life ; all for Christ’s sake.
Paul was called by Jesus Christ, just as you are. The scriptures tell us that Paul focused on one thing, “Christ Crucified”. We must remember that in all things that Jesus was crucified for us, and for all those around us. We must keep in mind that Jesus was not only Crucified and was buried, but that He arose from the grave. The resurrection of Christ is our sign of acceptance. In Romans chapter 6 the scriptures tell us that we shall also be resurrected in the likeness of his resurrection! Brothers and sisters, death has no hold on us! We do not need to fear what man can do to us. He cannot touch our soul!
We can rest in the knowledge of what the Lord has brought us through this past year, and let it be an encouragement that He will see us through this year also. Yes there are some things that will happen that we may not understand or that we wont want to go through. Right about now, you’re going to expect me to say that the Lord will not give you more than you can handle, but I’m not going to say that. I will say that He said he will always be with you, even until the end of the age. I will remind you that He told Joshua to “be strong and of good courage”, more than once. I will remind you that the scriptures tell us that we should encourage one another, and that we should pray for one another, and that we should love one another. I will remind you that Jesus’ intercedes on your behalf!
I do know that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it. I have the utmost expectations for this New Year, that it will be better than the last. Not because of who is president, but because my God is the God who appoints the kings of the earth. I know that even though there is going to be persecution, that the Lord’s message will be spread as a result. I do know that the Lord has stirred up the Spirit in Christians all over the world, and that He is soon to return. So I encourage you, when your rucksack gets too heavy, or when your feet are sore and want to stop, or when your weapon is to hard to raise, to keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If you share anything this year about your faith, share Christ Crucified. Share the hope that is within you. Let someone know what you know… the Truth. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, and have a great new year!
Exposition: Joshua 24
Exposition: Joshua 24
1And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Joshua gathered all the people of the Lord together so that they could present themselves to the Lord and he could speak to them, so that everyone could hear first-hand what he had to tell them. What he was going to say would be extremely important for their survival and he did not want it misunderstood. We all know how things can get misinterpreted through the grape vine.
2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods. 3And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. 4And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
At the time that God called Abraham, the whole world was in apostasy from God. This is after God broke the language of the people and scattered them all about the face of the earth. But there was one man who the Lord heard. Abraham wanted to know the one true God, to God searched his heart and found him to be genuine. He called Abraham out of a land of idolatry to be separated unto Himself, so He could teach Abraham and eventually call a nation out of him that the messiah would come through. Much like when we are saved the Lord calls us out of the bondage of sin and to be sanctified to Him, so that we may learn of His grace and mercy.
5I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. 6And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea. 7And when they cried unto the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.
Joshua reminds the Israelis how God has always cared for them, even when they were in Egypt and how he used the bondage to make them grow strong and then delivered them in due time. Even when Israel disobeyed God, he did not abandon them, He instead provided their daily needs, reassured them, and guided them back to a place where they were willing to hear Him again, and obey. They learned from their mistakes through Gods loving kindness and chastisement.
8And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you. 9Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: 10But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
God reminds the children of Israel that he continued to care for them and delivered them from all of their enemies, and out of every circumstance.
11And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand. 12And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. 13And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
Of major importance is that now that they occupied then land, they did not rid the land of all of its previous occupants as the Lord had demanded. This meant that they were surrounded and even had in their midst people who followed false gods. Joshua instructed them that they needed to settle in their hearts to serve only the One True God of their ancestors, who had delivered them through all the events that he previously mentioned. They were not to forget what God had done for them, and neither should we. We cannot forget what Jesus has done for us, the bondages of sin and addictions that He delivered us from.
15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua again let them know, that they were free to choose whether they were going to continue to serve the Lord God, or if they wanted they could choose to serve another god. God is not going to force Himself on us, we all have a choice. Joshua does show the importance of making a choice and staying with it. He leads by example and declares that He and his family will serve the Lord. We as parents and community leaders and employers and peers to others should lead by example. Showing boldly that we choose to serve the Lord, not out of fear, but out of remembrance of what He has done for us.
16And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;
The people following Joshua’s example choose wisely to serve the One True God.
17For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: 18And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.
The children of Israel gave God recognition for the wondrous things He had done for them, how He had always had his hand in their lives. Many times we do not give God the recognition of the praise for what He has done for us. Giving praise and recognition to God not only honors God, but it strengthens our faith, it reassures us of His presence in our lives, it reminds us that He is in charge and that He is not slacking of His promises to us.
19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
We often forget that God is not only a God of love and mercy, but that He is a just God and a God of judgment.
21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. 23Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. 24And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the Lord.
These events and the choices of the people of Israel were recorded as a reminder and a testimony against them and to all the other nations
27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. 28So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance. 29And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. 30And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath–serah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. 31And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel.
This shows the importance of the godly influence Joshua’s leadership had on the nation. Strong godly leadership is a blessing to a nation. We as Christians should be involved in our local, state, and federal governments at all levels. Separation of church and state is not a biblical principle. The governments of man are constructed by the will of God and are meant as a means to help us in our daily lives to have the freedom to serve God as God sees fit.
32And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
This serves as a reminder of Josephs faith in God, and that he understood that God would continue to have His hand on his descendants and that God would honor His covenant.
33And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Come and Hear
Psalm 66:16-17
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. (ESV)
The psalmist said we should share, with the saints, all that the Lord has done for our soul, and how He has answered our heartfelt prayers. We should share what God has done in our hearts, in our way of life, in how we see life, and how we live life. He is not talking about our material possessions. We cannot take material things with us into the next world. No, he means what has God done for you inside? Not as a measure of godliness on our own part, but rather to show the faithfulness of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” Sharing what the Lord has done for us has great positive reinforcements in our spiritual walk. Sharing what the Lord has done, brings remembrance of what we have been through. We have been delivered from death, and bondage. Do you remember what life was like before you came to life in Jesus? Do you remember the uncertainty in life? Were you inhibited by fear, depression, or feelings of quilt and fear? What sins beset you? How were you tied up with the superficial? How selfish were you?
Now the security of the sure foundation in Jesus Christ brings peace and joy that no matter what happens in life, God (Jesus) is in control. Knowing that the Lord chose from the foundation of the world to provide a way for you to be with Him. Knowing that you don’t need to be good enough to earn you way to please Him. Your salvation was bought by the blood of the Lamb of God. These are the things we should share. No one really cares if you got a new car. No what did God really DO for you? How did Jesus change YOUR life?
The changes brought in our life encourages fellow believers. Looking at the changes God has made in my life are important to me keeping my motivation to take up my cross. You know sometimes it feels like I haven’t made progress. Sometimes I feel defeated when I see others who don’t believe in Christ doing so well. However, listening to others who have already been where I am, or have been, and seeing where God has blessed them for being faithful and serving Him in their daily life and I receive encouragement. Hearing where they once were and now seeing their spiritual maturity in the Lord reinforces my desire to seek the Lord daily. Hearing how God has been faithful to another believer, reminds me that He is still in charge of my life also.
I have been through periods of rejection, and humiliation because I stood up for Jesus. I have been abandoned by friends, I have been rejected by loved ones. During those times, the Lord sent me another saint, someone who had been through the feelings of isolation. They encouraged me and lifted me in prayer. They gave me living examples of the Lords provisions I their life. Why do you think that Paul says we are not to forsake the gathering of one another?
To extol is to praise something or someone very much. Another way to understand this is to say that He (God) was greatly praised by me. Allot of times when someone gives a good reference to someone about someone who helped them they say, “I just couldn’t say enough good things about him.” This is the same meaning. As sharing the great things the Lord has done for us, we should vividly express our gratitude. Genuine heartfelt gratitude is hard to hide. The simple honesty in a gracious awareness of the sacrifice and love that God has shown towards your is what God wants from you. He wants you to love and appreciate Him, as He loves and appreciates you.
Expressing that to someone else, another believer, should be as easy as bragging about your mom or your dad. I remember when I was in grade school all the kids would boast about how their dads could beat up all the other dads. Boy we were proud of our dads. They made us feel secure. We know nothing could hurt us along as dad was nearby. Well now you have a Father that can literally move mountains, part the seas, command the stars, and appoint kings over nations! Amen! Get out there and tell somebody what God has done for YOU!
Exposition: Joshua 1:1-9 The First Step
Exposition: Joshua 1:1-9 The First Step
Moses is dead- then what? Was God’s plan ruined?
No man is indispensable. God’s work does not go unfinished just because there is a change in servants. The same as the carpenter who changes tools while building a house. First he uses a shovel, then a ruler, then a saw, and then a hammer. The tribes were not lost with the death of Moses. Instead the change in leaders rang in a new phase of God’s plan. “Therefore arise and go over this Jordan.” Is what God commanded.
Now this does not mean that Moses was forgotten or that he was not honored and missed. The scripture refers to Moses as “the servant of the Lord”; clearly this is an honored title. Let’s take a second to look at this man’s life. He was at one time an oppressor of his own people, then a murderer. By his own admission he was not a cleaver or charismatic speaker. Yet the Lord used him, because he was obedient. Now in his death he is remembered by the scriptures as the Lord’s Servant.
His life was redeemed by the Lord. Moses heard the voice of God and was obedient, and the Lord changed his life. I look back on things I have done and wonder how God could ever love me, but in this simple scripture I gain hope. Because I hold faith in Jesus, he had redeemed me from my previous life. Because Jesus died and shed His blood for an atonement for my rebellious and self-serving immoral life, I have been made a new creature in Christ. I can think of no greater honor then to be found, by God, to be faithful. To be referred to as the Servant of the Lord, is something I don’t deserve, but bless God He enables me to be. – Amen!
Joshua had some big shoes to fill. I certainly don’t envy him on this. He received the same great promise the Lord gave to Moses, he had to obey the same Law the Lord gave to Moses, he was assured of the same presence from God that Moses had. There was a change in leaders, but nothing else changed in the circumstances. God was still God and God was still in charge.
In verse 2 Joshua receives his first test. “Go over this Jordan”. This seems like a simple charge. However; this was an immediate test of Joshua’s faith in God. God had already found out that Joshua was a good servant to Moses. In verse one it says “the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister”. Joshua has served Moses faithfully for over 40 years. He was a great soldier, and dedicated to the Law of Moses. But sometimes when there is a change in management, subordinates do not react well.
Sometimes when a subordinate is promoted, they lose perspective, and their egos inflate beyond what is helpful. So the Lord had to check Joshua to see if he would remain a good servant. So he gave him a small test. In addition this tests his leadership skills. Some soldiers, even officers are great at taking orders, but do not know how to actually lead. Leadership is a skill that is developed over time.
In the corporate world, business owners and CEOs give tests to new managers in order to develop their skills and confidence. Successful accomplishment of smaller tasks leads to an increase in responsibilities and instills faithfulness and confidence. The process of being lead through difficult tasks and challenging circumstances builds a unique bond between mentor and student.
In Joshua 3.15 we read that the Jordan was overflowing its banks. The Lord didn’t tell Joshua, “build an ark”, like He did Noah. The Lord didn’t tell Joshua to “stretch forth his staff over the waters” like he did to Moses. No the Lord at first didn’t give Joshua any indications on how this feat should be approached. Let us consider also the enemy situation. This situation was not like when God parted the Red Sea for Moses so that the tribes could get away from Pharaoh’s army. They weren’t escaping an enemy. The tribes were crossing over into enemy territory, probably being observed doing so. Later we can read that the crossing was in broad daylight. This was not some secret thing that God was doing.
When I was in the Army, we did not cross a river in daylight if it could be helped. We would wait until nightfall and cross under the cover of darkness. In addition, we would send scouts to ensure that the enemy was not able to observe us crossing. We called these linear danger areas, and many lives could be lost if the enemy attacked you while crossing a linear danger area, especially one that took as much time to cross as a flowing river. This was an extremely dangerous and time consuming maneuver to undertake.
So maybe now you can understand what a test of faith this was. Joshua was to cross the entire nation over the river Jordan, and had not received any indication of how this was possible. Joshua had seen what God had done for Moses. Joshua had been trained by Moses to trust in the Lord. Joshua had seen with his own eyes the penalty of unbelief in God. Joshua know the penalty for murmuring against God, and how much it displeased God. Joshua did not display any of these things. In turn Joshua commanded the people. He did not question God.
What Joshua had was a command and a promise from God. We also have some tasks that God has commanded us to do. We sometimes cannot see how God would expect us to complete. We cannot see how to carry through, but if we do, it we obey, it we take that first step in faith, God responds to our faith. God is faithful and we begin to see a path through the waters. We find a trail in the wilderness, a step up the mountain. It might be narrow, and dangerous, but it is enough to let you through – Amen! That’s what God means when He says, “My grace is sufficient.”
The Lord told Joshua in verse 3, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” The lord has given us the victory. His word is a lamp unto our feet. We are to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Jesus said in Matthew 28 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Joshua 1:5 says, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee:” Does this sound familiar?
This is the same command and promise we have today. “Go” and “I am with thee” are what Jesus reaffirms to us who believe. The promise in verse four is almost verbatim of the promise given to Moses in Deuteronomy 2.24. Now these boundaries as outlined in the text were not actually achieved until late in history, but they were achieved. Does this mean that God failed Joshua? No, the promises were conditional. In verses, 6-9 the Lord laid out the conditions to Joshua. The Lord told him to be strong and of good courage, and also to not let the Law depart from out of his mouth, but to meditate on them daily. The Israeli’s failure to keep the directives of God had a direct consequence on their receiving the promises of God.
God always has more good in store for us than we can ever realize. The problem is that we turn away from God. Following the Law does not give us salvation. Faith in the atonement provided through the blood of Jesus does. However, adherence to the principles of the Law will have positive effects on our lives. For instance if you commit adultery you stand to lose out on a lifelong relationship with a spouse that would have otherwise been committed to you the rest of your life. Someone who would have enriched your life and grew with you daily in love and given you peace in your heart and mind. In addition, adultery opens you and your spouse up to sexually transmitted diseases, and health related issues. In addition, even if you don’t lose your spouse, you lose the sacred bond of trust with your spouse, friends and family members.
Your testimony becomes worthless, and you become useless to God for your intended purposes. The spiritual ramifications to everyone involved are immeasurable. Unbelief and sin turn a great evangelical Christian into an eyesore and a point of shame. That is why God gave Joshua encouragement. That is why God gives us encouragement. That is why Paul tells us over and over in his epistles to encourage one another.
Jesus told his disciples while they were in a boat, in a storm in the middle of the night, “It is I, be not afraid”. He told Joshua, “be strong and of good courage.” So we know that Jesus said, “I am with you always.” We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God’s nature does not change. Knowing this we know that Jesus is with us, we too can be strong and of good courage. We are not in the storm, in the middle of the darkness, all alone. When the waters of stress and fear are rising up and trying to choke the light out of us, He says, “be not afraid.” – Amen.
Be strong! Be courageous! Our strength is the fruit of our faith. That is why Ephesians 6.10 says “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Christ has given us Himself and thus supplied everything we need. His Word will prove to be definitive, and practical enough if we honestly try to apply it to our lives. – Amen
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