“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Eph. 2:20)
It seems that there is a revived interest in family genealogies nowadays. Many people are excitedly tracing their “roots” and there are even ads on tv to find that great grandparent, or ancestor, etc. Suddenly it has become important to know about the history of our families, but there is a “family tree” that is traced through the Bible for each of us, if we know Christ as our personal Savior. It is built upon a solid foundation of apostolic authority, and Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone. The entire story is told in only four verses in Ephesians:
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
It is an “habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Actually it is two trees joined together in Christ, built upon the prophets for the Jewish race, and upon the apostles for the Gentiles. Being “fitly joined together,” both are made one in Christ. This union, unknown in the Old Testament, is a mystery that has been revealed in these latter days.
This family tree would begin with Jesus at the top, with twenty-four branches, which are the apostles and the prophets. These branches would branch out to multitudes of saints, down through the ages. The “tree” is indeed a “tree of life”, and is vast in proportion to any other ever known. All of us would be in there somewhere, and the myriads of branches would be endless, as if one would attempt to count the leaves on a huge, old tree. Praise God, we are all in the Lord’s family tree once we accept Christ as Savior!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Two related verses
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10: 17
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “see“;
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Hearing what? The Word of God.
The Word plants the seed;
It nourishes the “see“;
As we absorb the Word of God, we increase.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.” Psalm 119: 9
Taking heed “thereto”--to that effect; taking heed to cleansing;
Cleansing also comes by hearing (and heeding) the Word of God.
Initially we obtain faith, and at the same time we obtain cleansing.
Hearing is often spoken of as “heeding”; so then Faith cometh by hearing , and heeding by the Word of God. Heeding is applying it personally; as we apply it, we are cleansed by it. These two verses, though many years apart, are in harmony with one another.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Out Of Context?
I am often accused of taking a verse out of context, but what many fail to see is the “context” of scripture as a whole! If it agrees with the line of scripture, then it is in context with scripture, and not merely the immediate text. To confine a passage or verse to one area of scripture isolates it from the rest of the context--that of the entire flow of scripture.
Here are three guidelines for us to determine whether a passage or verse betrays the text it is used in:
1. Does it glorify the Father?
2. Does it edify the saints?
3. Does it exemplify the Savior?
If the answer to all three of these is “yes” then it is doing what it was written for! Many New testament writers have quoted Old Testament passages and applied them differently than the way they used on the Old Books.
Be careful not to get so hung up on the immediate “context” that you miss the true “content” of the scripture!
Here are three guidelines for us to determine whether a passage or verse betrays the text it is used in:
1. Does it glorify the Father?
2. Does it edify the saints?
3. Does it exemplify the Savior?
If the answer to all three of these is “yes” then it is doing what it was written for! Many New testament writers have quoted Old Testament passages and applied them differently than the way they used on the Old Books.
Be careful not to get so hung up on the immediate “context” that you miss the true “content” of the scripture!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Many Mansions
John 14:1-6
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
Where was Jesus going? To Calvary! Of course He was going to Heaven, but Calvary was where he provided a mansion for us. You see, the mansions already exist (v. 2 speaks of present tense), they are already waiting for us, and only God knows the number of them. A virtual Holy city--a city full of individual mansions, which are the proper dwelling for royalty! Jesus, in all actuality, prepared us for the mansion--He prepared a place for us in a mansion in Heaven. We must meet Him at Calvary first though before we can meet Him in Heaven; this refers us back to verse one: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” That is How we meet Jesus at Calvary. Until Christ died on the cross, we had no place in Heaven--no eternal life; Jesus had to go and prepare the way for us, and He is the Way; the “preparation“ is Calvary. (John 14:6).
If He goes (and He did go) he will doubtless come again to deliver us to our mansion--to take us to heaven to be with Him (v.3). The way has been prepared already. We know the way; we know that it is through Jesus that we will go to heaven and receive our mansion, because He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father” but by Him (v. 6).
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
Where was Jesus going? To Calvary! Of course He was going to Heaven, but Calvary was where he provided a mansion for us. You see, the mansions already exist (v. 2 speaks of present tense), they are already waiting for us, and only God knows the number of them. A virtual Holy city--a city full of individual mansions, which are the proper dwelling for royalty! Jesus, in all actuality, prepared us for the mansion--He prepared a place for us in a mansion in Heaven. We must meet Him at Calvary first though before we can meet Him in Heaven; this refers us back to verse one: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” That is How we meet Jesus at Calvary. Until Christ died on the cross, we had no place in Heaven--no eternal life; Jesus had to go and prepare the way for us, and He is the Way; the “preparation“ is Calvary. (John 14:6).
If He goes (and He did go) he will doubtless come again to deliver us to our mansion--to take us to heaven to be with Him (v.3). The way has been prepared already. We know the way; we know that it is through Jesus that we will go to heaven and receive our mansion, because He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father” but by Him (v. 6).
Thursday, May 27, 2010
What Will it Take?
What will it take, my friend, to bring you humbly to the Lord? It Took a nervous breakdown to bring Nebuchadnezzar to God; it took a funeral to bring Isaiah to the Lord; it took a great storm and a big fish to bring Jonah back to God, and it took poverty and despair to bring the Prodigal back to the Father. What will it take for you? What took you away from the Lord in the first place? It took an earthquake to bring a jailer to God, and it took the death of a son to bring repentance to David’s heart, what will it take for you? What does it tale for me? We all have strayed; we all have fallen away; every one of us have chased shadows and come up empty. What else has to happen before we get right with our God? It begins with a look; that leads to a further thought; it grows into a desire, and is soon fulfilled in the taking or doing. It is so subtle, this thing called sin; it creeps in slowly, but is devastating when it gets to full force; it always brings disaster in the end. As devastating as it is, it takes devastating matters to overcome it; it takes a broken heart--or a crying spirit to rectify the damage that is done by sin, sometimes it takes the death of a friend or loved one to wake us up.
What will it take for you? It took depravity for me; it took vile affections, thoughts of suicide, and a reaching the “bottom of the barrel” for me. I hope it doesn’t take the same path for you.
What will it take for you? It took depravity for me; it took vile affections, thoughts of suicide, and a reaching the “bottom of the barrel” for me. I hope it doesn’t take the same path for you.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
the Nut
The Nut!
The nut that has a hard shell surrounding its meat is protected from the elements and the prey that may desire to sift and ravage its heart. The outside, though hard and useless is often a help to the nut, a protector of its precious fruit. Hardness then is not always bad--not when it hides the fruit from evil! In our world today, we must be nuts! We must be somewhat hard on the outside, but tender and good on the inside, although the hard shell must first be cracked open to reveal its treasure. Oh what a joy the meat is when we finally crack open the hard shell!
The cares of life will often harden the sweetness of the Christian, but thank God that the Spirit dwells within, and once the shell is penetrated, the sweetness shines through in all its glory. Hardness is not necessarily justified--it would be much easier to get to the fruit if we did not have break open the shell, but it is there for a reason. Nothing comes without sacrifice; little of worth comes without work. No labor equals no fruit; it is the same in nature as it is in the spirit. It is better not to have been hardened by life, but if we are, let us concentrate on getting to the fruit; The hardness is a shield, or wall, that we feel we must put up-- a defense against the evils of man, but it is time to throw down the stronghold, and let the fruit be discovered; only then are useful to God and man.
The nut that has a hard shell surrounding its meat is protected from the elements and the prey that may desire to sift and ravage its heart. The outside, though hard and useless is often a help to the nut, a protector of its precious fruit. Hardness then is not always bad--not when it hides the fruit from evil! In our world today, we must be nuts! We must be somewhat hard on the outside, but tender and good on the inside, although the hard shell must first be cracked open to reveal its treasure. Oh what a joy the meat is when we finally crack open the hard shell!
The cares of life will often harden the sweetness of the Christian, but thank God that the Spirit dwells within, and once the shell is penetrated, the sweetness shines through in all its glory. Hardness is not necessarily justified--it would be much easier to get to the fruit if we did not have break open the shell, but it is there for a reason. Nothing comes without sacrifice; little of worth comes without work. No labor equals no fruit; it is the same in nature as it is in the spirit. It is better not to have been hardened by life, but if we are, let us concentrate on getting to the fruit; The hardness is a shield, or wall, that we feel we must put up-- a defense against the evils of man, but it is time to throw down the stronghold, and let the fruit be discovered; only then are useful to God and man.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Becoming a Disciple
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31)
The subject is discipleship. The key word is “if”. you see, it is up to you whether you become a disciple or not; discipleship is more than believing--it is following; it is obeying; it is working. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31); being saved is not the sum of discipleship, but one earmark of discipleship is seen in the verse above: “If ye continue in my Word…”, continuing in the Word of God is good evidence of discipleship.
There are six verses in the New testament that describe what it means to be a disciple, three are found in Luke, and three in John. As for now though, we must focus on this one, which may be paramount to the others, or at least lead us to practice them. Just for the record, they are: (In Luke) Luke 14: 26~Luke 14:27, and Luke 14:33 and three in John--Jn. 8:31~Jn. 13:35 and Jn 15:8. These are, however, parenthetical for now, as we want to focus on staying in the Word of God.
It is said that Michael Jordan claimed to “eat, drink, and sleep” basketball. He became great because he continued, at all times, in all ways, to focus on the game. We need this sort of tenacity concerning the Word of God. We need to eat, drink, and sleep in the Word; we need to allow it to permeate our lives in every way, and consume our thoughts and actions. Only then can we hope to be considered a true disciple. If you wish to become a disciple of Christ, this is a great place to begin, if not, that is up to you.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There are several other verses to that effect:
Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8, etc.
The subject is discipleship. The key word is “if”. you see, it is up to you whether you become a disciple or not; discipleship is more than believing--it is following; it is obeying; it is working. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31); being saved is not the sum of discipleship, but one earmark of discipleship is seen in the verse above: “If ye continue in my Word…”, continuing in the Word of God is good evidence of discipleship.
There are six verses in the New testament that describe what it means to be a disciple, three are found in Luke, and three in John. As for now though, we must focus on this one, which may be paramount to the others, or at least lead us to practice them. Just for the record, they are: (In Luke) Luke 14: 26~Luke 14:27, and Luke 14:33 and three in John--Jn. 8:31~Jn. 13:35 and Jn 15:8. These are, however, parenthetical for now, as we want to focus on staying in the Word of God.
It is said that Michael Jordan claimed to “eat, drink, and sleep” basketball. He became great because he continued, at all times, in all ways, to focus on the game. We need this sort of tenacity concerning the Word of God. We need to eat, drink, and sleep in the Word; we need to allow it to permeate our lives in every way, and consume our thoughts and actions. Only then can we hope to be considered a true disciple. If you wish to become a disciple of Christ, this is a great place to begin, if not, that is up to you.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There are several other verses to that effect:
Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
