ListenDaily – 13 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #6
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
The Genealogy of Jesus
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Generations before -- fourteen generations before -- the birth of Christ, came another miraculous birth.
Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
As with John the Baptist, as with our Lord, we have here a heavenly message, an unexpected child, a name bestowed by God Himself.
The first blessing, a son of a man and a woman, but made possible only by the hand of God. Not only was Isaac born...the nation of Israel was born -- and the lineage to the Messiah was begun. As this child was born, Abraham and Sarah must have looked with such love at this miraculous child, with a promised, but impossible to understand the miracle within him.
God must have also looked with love upon this child -- and on down through the centuries -- through Boaz -- and David -- past Solomon – to another miraculous Child, a second blessing -- a child of a woman, yet the Son of God -- the birth of a new people -- a new church – and on even further to the New Heaven and New Earth.
Questions:
1. Do you ever consider the faith of Abraham and Sarah as part of the Christmas story?
2. Is it important, as we mature in the faith, to look for these connections?
3. Do you ever consider how your individual acts of obedience (or disobedience) may affect the world?
May we obey and trust Him. Jim
"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."
Charles Dickens
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
ListenDaily – 10 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #5
ListenDaily – 10 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #5
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-2,16; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 1:26-28; John 1:1-5
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers...the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:1-2,16
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" "a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' Mark 1:1-3
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:26-28
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5
All four Gospels do not tell the Christmas story. This 'Christmas surprise' may not be a surprise at all to many of you, but it may to some. After reading a hack job on the Gospels written in a popular weekly news magazine, I felt this is important.
Imagine four books on a table in front of you. One is the actual engineering diagrams for the construction of the vehicle. One is
a 'do-it-yourself' book for shade tree mechanics. One describes complete vehicle overhaul for professionals. And the last is the
user's manual.
Which book is correct? Which one is wrong?
Silly questions, right? They are all correct, they just have a different readership in mind.
And so it is with the four Gospels.
Matthew was written to the Jews. Note the genealogy. It's as if to say. 'Look, this Baby, this Man, fits in exactly with the teachings of the prophets, he fulfills all that we have been looking for!'
Mark, in contrast, was written to a largely Roman audience. The Romans of the time were interested in action -- think of the gladiators -- the games. The old Jewish prophecies meant little if anything to them. So Mark jumps straight in. They didn't want to know about babies and cattle stalls, they wanted action!
Luke's writing, which includes the book of Acts, was a contracted piece. He was commissioned to find the details of this Christianity business. His audience was primarily the philosophy discussing, logic seeking Greek pepole. As with the Romans, the prophecies meant little. But the details -- the details were the story.
John is a completely different story all together. John's audience knew the story. They were the early church...John was a 'how to live' book for new believers.
So these four books, all written about Jesus, are all true, all accurate, and without the so-called contradictions that so much of the academic and popular media world would put on them.
We, however -- we who are 'in the world but not of the world', have a responsibility to gain knowledge -- to know when the world is trying to dupe us, to weaken our faith, and to make unbelievers less open to the Gospel.
Questions:
1. Any new news for you here today?
2. What do you think of this perspective?
3. Why does the world treat the Word off God this way?
May we know what we should know. Jim
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-2,16; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 1:26-28; John 1:1-5
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers...the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:1-2,16
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" "a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' Mark 1:1-3
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:26-28
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5
All four Gospels do not tell the Christmas story. This 'Christmas surprise' may not be a surprise at all to many of you, but it may to some. After reading a hack job on the Gospels written in a popular weekly news magazine, I felt this is important.
Imagine four books on a table in front of you. One is the actual engineering diagrams for the construction of the vehicle. One is
a 'do-it-yourself' book for shade tree mechanics. One describes complete vehicle overhaul for professionals. And the last is the
user's manual.
Which book is correct? Which one is wrong?
Silly questions, right? They are all correct, they just have a different readership in mind.
And so it is with the four Gospels.
Matthew was written to the Jews. Note the genealogy. It's as if to say. 'Look, this Baby, this Man, fits in exactly with the teachings of the prophets, he fulfills all that we have been looking for!'
Mark, in contrast, was written to a largely Roman audience. The Romans of the time were interested in action -- think of the gladiators -- the games. The old Jewish prophecies meant little if anything to them. So Mark jumps straight in. They didn't want to know about babies and cattle stalls, they wanted action!
Luke's writing, which includes the book of Acts, was a contracted piece. He was commissioned to find the details of this Christianity business. His audience was primarily the philosophy discussing, logic seeking Greek pepole. As with the Romans, the prophecies meant little. But the details -- the details were the story.
John is a completely different story all together. John's audience knew the story. They were the early church...John was a 'how to live' book for new believers.
So these four books, all written about Jesus, are all true, all accurate, and without the so-called contradictions that so much of the academic and popular media world would put on them.
We, however -- we who are 'in the world but not of the world', have a responsibility to gain knowledge -- to know when the world is trying to dupe us, to weaken our faith, and to make unbelievers less open to the Gospel.
Questions:
1. Any new news for you here today?
2. What do you think of this perspective?
3. Why does the world treat the Word off God this way?
May we know what we should know. Jim
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Christmas Surprise #3
ListenDaily – 08 December 2010: Christmas Surprise #3
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46, 56
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another very familiar part of this beloved story, is that of the shepherds. We know that the angels appeared to them and they rushed off to see the Babe in the manger.
Okay...but what then?
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
And what is the significant 'Christmas surprise' here?
It seems to me, that we have the idea that when Jesus began His ministry, some thirty years later, that He kind of came out of nowhere. Wild man John was preaching that the Messiah's time was near, but did anyone have any reason to believe him?
Well, maybe. You see, thirty years earlier, as much younger men, these shepherds had seen this glorious sight, and had been told, by angels, that this was the 'Savior...Christ the Lord'. And they saw that Baby with their own eyes. And 'they spread the word'.
So maybe, just maybe, they had spent the next thirty years waiting for Him. They had met Mary. They had met Joseph. So when Jesus revealed His identity, there was a group of old shepherds, and those whom they had told, who must have said "Yes! Finally! His time is here!"
Among a sea of doubters and unbelievers was a core of those who knew -- and their friends that they told, and their children that they told – and who were a gift to Jesus, from His Father.
Questions:
1. Have you ever thought about what these shepherds thought and did in the years following Jesus' birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. Do you think Jesus began His ministry with a core group of believers?
May we continue to appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Pastor Jim
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46, 56
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another very familiar part of this beloved story, is that of the shepherds. We know that the angels appeared to them and they rushed off to see the Babe in the manger.
Okay...but what then?
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
And what is the significant 'Christmas surprise' here?
It seems to me, that we have the idea that when Jesus began His ministry, some thirty years later, that He kind of came out of nowhere. Wild man John was preaching that the Messiah's time was near, but did anyone have any reason to believe him?
Well, maybe. You see, thirty years earlier, as much younger men, these shepherds had seen this glorious sight, and had been told, by angels, that this was the 'Savior...Christ the Lord'. And they saw that Baby with their own eyes. And 'they spread the word'.
So maybe, just maybe, they had spent the next thirty years waiting for Him. They had met Mary. They had met Joseph. So when Jesus revealed His identity, there was a group of old shepherds, and those whom they had told, who must have said "Yes! Finally! His time is here!"
Among a sea of doubters and unbelievers was a core of those who knew -- and their friends that they told, and their children that they told – and who were a gift to Jesus, from His Father.
Questions:
1. Have you ever thought about what these shepherds thought and did in the years following Jesus' birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. Do you think Jesus began His ministry with a core group of believers?
May we continue to appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Pastor Jim
Monday, December 6, 2010
ListenDaily – 06 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #1
ListenDaily – 06 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #1
Hi friends,
While reading and rereading the 'Christmas' story, it strikes me that there are many interesting stories within the story. So, let's take a few days and see what we can find. Jim
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46,56 (Highlight verse: 56)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed:
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We know this story, right? Two miraculous pregnancies. Elizabeth's, miraculous because of her advanced age, and her cousin Mary's, miraculous for her child's conception was from the Holy Spirit.
But was Mary there at the birth of John the Baptizer? Let's look at the time line; Gabriel appears to Mary, and among the wondrous things he tells her, is the fact that Elizabeth -- is in her sixth month -- then, Mary -- hurried to -- Zechariah's home -- where she stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. This time frame would have put Mary with Elizabeth at the time of John's birth.
Now, this is not amazing unto itself -- it would be common for a relative to help in the last stages of pregnancy, especially with an older mother-to-be. But what else happened here that might have significance? Consider this:
1. Mary saw, for herself, the miracle of Elizabeth's pregnancy and John's birth. Would that not give some confidence to a young girl facing such a tremendous miracle herself?
2. She received affirmation -- as soon as she entered the house and Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" So then, came a blessing, and a blessed response to lingering doubts Mary might have been experiencing.
3. She was able to spend those first difficult three months with family, and away from the accusing stares and whispers of her neighbors. Not that they would not come, but she had three months to prepare herself. Elizabeth knew the miracle surrounding Mary's condition and would have treated her with love and respect. She would have returned strengthened.
God was putting a tremendous blessing and a tremendous burden on the small shoulders of this remarkable girl.
Surely this time spent with Elizabeth and Zechariah was part of His plan to prepare her -- and prepare the world.
Questions:
1. Have you ever considered Mary being present at John's birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. What other benefits might there have been in this visit?
May we appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Jim
God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus." -Jim Elliot
Hi friends,
While reading and rereading the 'Christmas' story, it strikes me that there are many interesting stories within the story. So, let's take a few days and see what we can find. Jim
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46,56 (Highlight verse: 56)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed:
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We know this story, right? Two miraculous pregnancies. Elizabeth's, miraculous because of her advanced age, and her cousin Mary's, miraculous for her child's conception was from the Holy Spirit.
But was Mary there at the birth of John the Baptizer? Let's look at the time line; Gabriel appears to Mary, and among the wondrous things he tells her, is the fact that Elizabeth -- is in her sixth month -- then, Mary -- hurried to -- Zechariah's home -- where she stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. This time frame would have put Mary with Elizabeth at the time of John's birth.
Now, this is not amazing unto itself -- it would be common for a relative to help in the last stages of pregnancy, especially with an older mother-to-be. But what else happened here that might have significance? Consider this:
1. Mary saw, for herself, the miracle of Elizabeth's pregnancy and John's birth. Would that not give some confidence to a young girl facing such a tremendous miracle herself?
2. She received affirmation -- as soon as she entered the house and Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" So then, came a blessing, and a blessed response to lingering doubts Mary might have been experiencing.
3. She was able to spend those first difficult three months with family, and away from the accusing stares and whispers of her neighbors. Not that they would not come, but she had three months to prepare herself. Elizabeth knew the miracle surrounding Mary's condition and would have treated her with love and respect. She would have returned strengthened.
God was putting a tremendous blessing and a tremendous burden on the small shoulders of this remarkable girl.
Surely this time spent with Elizabeth and Zechariah was part of His plan to prepare her -- and prepare the world.
Questions:
1. Have you ever considered Mary being present at John's birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. What other benefits might there have been in this visit?
May we appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Jim
God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus." -Jim Elliot
Friday, December 3, 2010
"I am so weak that I can hardly write, I cannot read my Bible, I cannot even pray, I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust."
"I am so weak that I can hardly write, I cannot read my Bible, I cannot even pray, I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust."
ListenDaily – 03 December 2010: Trust = joy, peace, hope
Joy, peace, and hope -- do you have all you need of these?
Are you as joyful as you can be -- as you want to be? As peaceful? As full of hope?
You can be.
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message based partially on Romans 15:4-13. Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verse 13:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“
As you trust in Him, God stands waiting to fill you with joy; fill you with peace; overflow you with hope.
Filled to overflowing with joy, peace, and hope. Could you stand a little more of these?
Trust Him.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS
"Believe in Him and not trust in Him? You might as well say, the Jews did love Him when they nailed Him to the cross." Anthony Farindon
"I am so weak that I can hardly write, I cannot read my Bible, I cannot even pray, I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust." Hudson Taylor
ListenDaily – 03 December 2010: Trust = joy, peace, hope
Joy, peace, and hope -- do you have all you need of these?
Are you as joyful as you can be -- as you want to be? As peaceful? As full of hope?
You can be.
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message based partially on Romans 15:4-13. Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verse 13:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“
As you trust in Him, God stands waiting to fill you with joy; fill you with peace; overflow you with hope.
Filled to overflowing with joy, peace, and hope. Could you stand a little more of these?
Trust Him.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS
"Believe in Him and not trust in Him? You might as well say, the Jews did love Him when they nailed Him to the cross." Anthony Farindon
"I am so weak that I can hardly write, I cannot read my Bible, I cannot even pray, I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust." Hudson Taylor
Thursday, December 2, 2010
ListenDaily – 02 December 2010: Your King
ListenDaily – 02 December 2010: Your King
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message based partially on Romans 15:4-13 (entire passage below). Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verses 10-12:
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
This is written to and about almost everyone reading this; if you are not Jewish - you are Gentile.
And, this is good news indeed! Look at the progression of this passage:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles...” First, members of God's chosen people have come among the rest of us, praising God. This happened in Old Testament times, and again in the time of the early church.
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” Then have been invited to join His chosen ones. The OT Israelites were called to this; the disciples of Christ's early church, all Jewish, and especially Paul. carried out the invitation.
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles..." Joined together, we are to begin praising Him.
"...let all the peoples extol him.” In perfection, Jews and Gentiles together!
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” The King who has come and is to come again will rule over all and He is our Savior!
In Him we have hope! And, "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
INTERESTING THOUGHT
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” from The 1646 Westminster Confession
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message based partially on Romans 15:4-13 (entire passage below). Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verses 10-12:
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
This is written to and about almost everyone reading this; if you are not Jewish - you are Gentile.
And, this is good news indeed! Look at the progression of this passage:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles...” First, members of God's chosen people have come among the rest of us, praising God. This happened in Old Testament times, and again in the time of the early church.
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” Then have been invited to join His chosen ones. The OT Israelites were called to this; the disciples of Christ's early church, all Jewish, and especially Paul. carried out the invitation.
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles..." Joined together, we are to begin praising Him.
"...let all the peoples extol him.” In perfection, Jews and Gentiles together!
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” The King who has come and is to come again will rule over all and He is our Savior!
In Him we have hope! And, "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
INTERESTING THOUGHT
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” from The 1646 Westminster Confession
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Glory!
ListenDaily – 01 December 2010:Done any glorifying lately?
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message at my church, based partially on Romans 15:4-13 (entire passage below). Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verses 7-9:
"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy."
What a pre-Christmas message this is for us! Just look at these steps:
"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews..." Jesus, the Son of God, ruling in Heaven, stepped down out of Heaven, willingly took on human form, first as a physically helpless newborn, then as a servant.
"...on behalf of God’s truth..." Because all God had ever said must come true.
"...so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed..." And all the prophecies fulfilled.
"... moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." And that you and I might receive His salvation and glorify His Father.
I am overwhelmed at how often we take this word for granted; I am not sure the last time I glorified God. I have prayed to Him, preached about Him, and sung about Him. Have I glorified Him? Have you?
The 1646 Westminster confession stated: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Have we seen to our "chief end"?
Paul repeats in this passage that we are to glorify God; what does that mean to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHT
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message at my church, based partially on Romans 15:4-13 (entire passage below). Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verses 7-9:
"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy."
What a pre-Christmas message this is for us! Just look at these steps:
"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews..." Jesus, the Son of God, ruling in Heaven, stepped down out of Heaven, willingly took on human form, first as a physically helpless newborn, then as a servant.
"...on behalf of God’s truth..." Because all God had ever said must come true.
"...so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed..." And all the prophecies fulfilled.
"... moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." And that you and I might receive His salvation and glorify His Father.
I am overwhelmed at how often we take this word for granted; I am not sure the last time I glorified God. I have prayed to Him, preached about Him, and sung about Him. Have I glorified Him? Have you?
The 1646 Westminster confession stated: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Have we seen to our "chief end"?
Paul repeats in this passage that we are to glorify God; what does that mean to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHT
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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